US09023522B2
A cathode for a lithium-ion secondary battery is provided, which not only efficiently absorbs oxygen released from a solid solution based cathode active material when initial charging is applied but prevents a cathode energy density from lowering. Further, a lithium-ion secondary battery, a vehicle and a power storage system equipped with the lithium-ion secondary battery are provided. The cathode for a lithium-ion secondary battery comprises a cathode active material represented by the general formula: xLi2MO3-(1−x)LiM′O2 (where 0
US09023505B2
Provided is a separator including a porous substrate having a plurality of pores, and a porous coating layer provided on at least one surface of the porous substrate and formed from a mixture of plural inorganic particles and a binder polymer, in which the binder polymer is a result of a curing reaction of an acryl-based copolymer and an isocyanate-based crosslinking agent, and the acryl-based copolymer is a copolymer including (a) a first monomer unit with a tertiary amine group, (b) a second monomer unit with at least one functional group selected from an amine group other than a tertiary amine group, an amide group, a cyano group, and an imide group, (c) a third monomer unit of (meth)acrylate with a carboxyl group, (d) a fourth monomer unit of (meth)acrylate with a hydroxyl group, and (e) a fifth monomer unit of (meth)acrylate with an alkyl group having 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and an electrochemical device comprising the same.
US09023498B2
A rechargeable battery includes a case having an interior and an exterior, an electrode assembly having first and second electrodes, the electrode assembly being disposed in the interior of the case, and an electrode terminal member at the exterior of the case and electrically connected to the first electrode, wherein the electrode terminal member includes a first plate and a second plate, the first plate and the second plate being spaced apart from each other.
US09023486B2
Coating systems and processes by which the coating systems can be deposited to be resistant to contaminants, and particularly resistant to infiltration and damage caused by CMAS. The coating systems include inner and outer ceramic layers, each having a microstructure characterized by splats and horizontal porosity. The inner ceramic layer consists essentially of zirconia stabilized by about 6 to about 9 weight percent yttria. The outer ceramic layer overlies and contacts the inner ceramic layer to define the outermost surface of the coating system. The outer ceramic layer consists essentially of zirconia stabilized by about 25 to about 75 weight percent yttria, has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the inner ceramic layer, and has a porosity level that is lower than that of the inner ceramic layer.
US09023481B2
Using aqueous electrolytes containing complex fluorides or oxyfluorides such as fluorozirconates and fluorotitanates, ferrous metal articles and non-metallic articles having a first coating containing aluminum may be rapidly anodized to form a second protective surface coating. White coatings may be formed on articles using pulsed direct current or alternating current.
US09023474B2
A plurality of soda-lime glass batch materials are formed into granules that include a core and a shell surrounding the core. The core comprises a first portion of the plurality of glass batch materials, and the shell comprises a remaining portion of the plurality of glass batch materials. These core-shell granules can be melted in a glass furnace to produce molten soda-lime glass in less time and at a lower temperature than conventional soda-lime glass batch preparations.
US09023467B2
Provided is a surface-coated cemented carbide insert obtained by containing at least WC powder and Co powder as raw materials, including a WC-based cemented carbide obtained by forming and sintering mixed raw materials containing at least any of (a) Zr compound powder, Nb compound powder, and Ta compound powder, (b) complex compound powder of Nb and Ta, and Zr compound powder, (c) complex compound powder of Nb, Ta, and Zr, (d) complex compound powder of Nb, Zr, and Ta compound powder, and (e) complex compound powder of Ta and Zr, and Nb compound powder, as essential powder components, as a substrate, and forming a hard coating layer on the substrate by vapor deposition, in which a Co enrichment surface region is formed in a substrate surface, Co content in the Co enrichment surface region satisfies to be between 1.30 and 2.10 (mass ratio) of Co content in cemented carbide.
US09023461B2
The present invention relates to laser marking articles. In particular it relates to laser marking articles by laser ablating a coating applied to the article which reveals the surface of the article underneath, thereby forming the mark by the contrasting appearance between the revealed surface of the article and the adjacent remaining coating. Laser parameters are selected to provide uniform, commercially desirable appearance and avoid damage to the underlying surface while maintaining acceptable system throughput. In particular the laser pulse envelope is tailored to provide desirable appearance while maintaining acceptable system throughput.
US09023458B2
In one aspect, methods of patterning of thin films of an ionotropic polymer (e.g., poly(acrylic acid)) are provided. These processes can create micron or sub-micron-scale patterns of ionotropic polymers such as cation crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) (CCL-PAA). In one embodiment, patterning may be performed within microfluidic channels by flowing a solution of crosslinking agent (e.g., metal cations such as Ag+, Ca2+, Pd2+, Al3+, La3+, and Ti4+) that can crosslink a portion of an ionotropic polymer in contact with the solution. In another embodiment, methods of patterning ionotropic polymers involve photolithography. Upon patterning a positive photoresist (e.g., diazonaphthoquinone-novolac resin) on a film of CCL-PAA, the exposed regions of CCL-PAA can be etched by an aqueous solution. Advantageously, the patterned, crosslinked polymer may also serve as both a reactant and a matrix for subsequent chemistry. For example, in some embodiments, the initial crosslinking cation can be exchanged for a second cation that could not be patterned photolithographically. Patterned films of CCL-PAA can also be used to host and template the reduction of metallic cations to metallic nanoparticles, and to fabricate porous, low-k dielectric substrates.
US09023457B2
Described herein are various methods for making textured articles, textured articles that have improved fingerprint resistance, and methods of using the textured articles. The methods generally make use of masks comprising nanostructured metal-containing features to produce textured surfaces that also comprise nanostructured features. These nanostructured features in the textured surfaces can render the surfaces hydrophobic and oleophobic, thereby beneficially providing the articles with improved fingerprint resistance relative to similar or identical articles that lack the texturing.
US09023454B2
A formed zeolite honeycomb article comprises a formed article obtained by extruding a zeolite raw material containing zeolite particles, an inorganic binding material and a filler constituted of plate-like particles in a honeycomb shape including partition walls disposed to form a plurality of cells, a drying shrinkage of the partition walls in a thickness direction thereof is larger than a drying shrinkage of the partition walls in a cell extending direction thereof and a drying shrinkage of the partition walls in a diametric direction perpendicular to the cell extending direction thereof, and the drying shrinkage of the partition walls in the thickness direction thereof is 1.2 or more times the drying shrinkage of the partition walls in the diametric direction perpendicular to the cell extending direction thereof in the formed zeolite honeycomb article.
US09023449B2
Composite reinforcement “Astrofleks” is used in building structures for reinforcement of insulation wall panels, solid concrete and prefabricated buildings. The composite reinforcement comprises the outer layer (1), inside of which the inner layer (2) is placed, on the outer surface of outer layer (1) there are relief elements (3) to improve adhesion of nanocomposite reinforcement with concrete. According to embodiment number 1, layer (1) is made of nanocomposite carbon in which the polymer matrix is modified by carbon nanostructures. Layer (2) is made of lightweight highly mobile concrete, containing in its composition components in the following ratio (% wt.): Cement—20-50; filler—70-30; plasticizer—0.02-2.5; water—the rest. According to embodiment number 2, layer (1) is made of nanocomposite carbon in which the polymer matrix is modified by polyhedral multi-layered carbon nanostructures of fulleroid type at a ratio of 0.01-10% by weight of the polymer matrix. Layer (2) is made of lightweight highly mobile nanobeton containing in its composition components in the following ratio (% wt.): Cement—24-48; filler—60-30; modified basalt fiber—2-6; plasticizer—0.05-3.0; water—the rest. According to embodiment number 3, a layer (1) is made of nanocomposite carbon. Layer (2) is made of lightweight f highly mobile nanobeton containing in its composition components in the following ratio (% wt.): Cement—20-50; filler—50-20; plasticizer—0.02-2.5; water-soluble epoxy resin—0.2-25; water—the rest. Concrete mixture for a lightweight highly mobile nanobeton additionally contains a water soluble epoxy resin.
US09023435B2
Methods for making an environmental barrier coating using a sintering aid involving: applying a bond coat layer to the ceramic component; combining at least water and a primary transition material selected from a rare earth disilicate or a doped rare earth disilicate to produce a transition layer slurry; applying the transition layer slurry to the bond coat layer; infiltrating a sol-gel solution comprising at least one sintering aid into the applied slurry; and sintering the component to produce the environmental barrier coating having at least the bond coat layer and a transition layer formed from the transition layer slurry during sintering. During sintering the sintering aid dopes the primary transition material with at least one doping composition.
US09023432B2
According to one embodiment, an resist material for imprinting comprises a first resin component nonvolatile at a substrate on which to form an imprinting pattern, a second resin component volatile at the substrate, and a coupling reaction initiator that promotes curing of the first resin component.
US09023428B2
Method of delivering compositions to organic substrates, particularly lumber. Method involves heating a target zone of the substrate and then applying the composition to the surface of the substrate wherein the temperature of the composition is lower than that of the target zone of the substrate. Compositions include biocidal, strength modifiers, waterproofing and polymers.
US09023423B2
A method of coating a metal substrate such as the components in second and third stages of gas turbine engines in order to increase the oxidation and corrosion resistance of the metal substrate under high temperature operating conditions, the method including the steps of forming a powdered mixture of a high-melt superalloy or MCrAlY component, where M comprises Fe, Ni and/or Co, and a low-melt component containing about 2-5 wt. % silicon, boron or hafnium, applying the powdered mixture to the surface of the metal substrate at room temperature using an atomized spray to form a uniform surface coating, and then heating the coated substrate surface under vacuum conditions to a temperature in the range of about 1900° F. to 2275° F. to obtain a uniform coating composition providing oxidation resistance to the underlying substrate.
US09023421B2
To provide a method for producing a magnetic disk, whereby a magnetic recording layer is formed at a high temperature. A method for producing a magnetic disk, which comprises a step of forming a magnetic recording layer on a glass substrate having a temperature of at least 550° C., wherein the glass substrate comprises, as represented by mol percentage, from 62 to 74% of SiO2, from 6 to 18% of Al2O3, from 2 to 15% of B2O3 and from 8 to 21%, in total, of at least one component selected from MgO, CaO, SrO and BaO, provided that the total content of the above seven components is at least 95%, and further contains less than 1%, in total, of at least one component selected from Li2O, Na2O and K2O, or contains none of these three components.
US09023418B2
The invention provides a sweetener composition comprising a combination of cellulose and a sweetener carbohydrate formed from a combination of at least two carbohydrates selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose and fructose, and a method for the preparation thereof.
US09023408B2
Correctly formulated enterically coated nutrient pellets are able to significantly to lower the blood sugar level of type two diabetics when administered with a normal meal. The inventive composition is effective at dosage levels of 10 g or less. Effective doses of the composition contribute 42 kcal or fewer to the patient's diet. A preferred form of the composition contains lauric acid coated for release in the distal bowel. When taken with an ordinary meal, the effective dosage does not induce the ileal brake and is more than 50 times (often more than 100 times) as effective on per kilocalorie basis as an ordinary meal at eliciting increases in PYY and GLP-1. Thus, ordinary nutrients—as opposed to drugs—can be used to reduce blood sugar levels when administered at dosage levels that are not significant promoters of weight gain.
US09023395B2
The present invention includes compositions and methods of making an activated polymeric nanoparticle for targeted drug delivery that includes a biocompatible polymer and an amphiphilic stabilizing agent non-covalently associated with a spacer compound that includes at least one electrophile that selectively reacts with any nucleophilic on a targeting agent and places the targeting agent on the exterior surface of a biodegradable nanoshell, wherein an active agent is loaded with the nanoshell.
US09023393B2
A pharmaceutical composition comprises a solid adsorbate comprising a drug adsorbed onto a substrate and a lipophilic microphase-forming material. The solid adsorbate may also be co-administered with a lipophilic microphase-forming material to an in vivo use environment. The compositions of the present invention enhance the concentration of drug in a use environment.
US09023383B2
A wound dressing material comprising: a wound dressing carrier, N-acetyl cysteine or a salt or derivative thereof, and a stabilized ascorbate. Suitably, the stabilized ascorbate comprises an ascorbate-2-polyphosphate. Also provided are wound dressing comprising the materials, methods of treatment with the materials, and methods of making the materials.
US09023382B2
A medicament carrier composition includes a medicament and a polymer component including a polyvinylpyrrolidone having a weight average molecular weight of at least 700,000 g/mol. The medicament carrier composition has a viscosity of from 500 to 5,000 cps at 250 C, is substantially free of cellulose, and includes an auxiliary polymer. The medicament carrier composition is used to form a film that is also substantially free of cellulose. The film has a consistent thickness and size, and an increased flexibility and increased moisture resistance due to the polyvinylpyrrolidone. The medicament carrier composition is also used in a method of forming the film. The method includes the steps of providing the medicament and the polymer component. The method also includes the step of combining the polymer component and the medicament to form the medicament carrier composition. The method further includes the step of drying the medicament carrier composition to form the film.
US09023363B2
The present invention relates to cholera toxin CTA1 protein fragments, adjuvant compositions, and methods relating to adjuvants for vaccines. The invention also relates to using recombinant CTA1 fragments conjugated to a polypeptide containing a protein transduction domain or cell-penetrating peptide as an immunomodulator.
US09023359B1
The invention relates to human targets of interest (TOI), anti-TOI ligands, kits compositions and method.
US09023355B2
Compositions and methods are disclosed herein for treating or reducing the symptoms of a renal disease, such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), hypertensive end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and HIV-associated nephropathy (a distinct form of FSGS, also termed collapsing glomerulopathy). The compositions include the common variant of APOL1 and fragments thereof, as well as antibodies and fragments thereof that bind and neutralize pathogenic APOL1, nucleic acid molecules that encode the common variant of APOL1 and fragments thereof, and other compounds that bind and neutralize pathogenic APOL1. The methods of the invention include administering one or more of the compositions of the invention to a subject having or at risk of developing renal disease.
US09023350B2
A synergistic pharmaceutical composition useful for inhibiting corneal and retinal neovasculization (angiogenesis) and in other organs, in a human being or animal, characterized in comprising, in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle or carrier: 60 to 90 weight % Suramine, or the equivalent of one of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; and 40 to 10 weight % Bevacizumab; wherein said percentages are relative to the addition of weight of both active principals. Said synergistic pharmaceutical composition is under the form of an injectable composition by intravenous, intravitrea or subconjuntival means or under the form for topical administration.
US09023334B2
A cosmetic composition in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion includes a fatty phase and an aqueous phase, the fatty phase of which includes at least one hydrocarbon oil, at least one first copolymer of ethylene and of propylene and at least one second copolymer of styrene and of at least one olefin other than styrene. A cosmetic method for caring for or making up skin or the lips, and the topical application to the lips of this composition are also disclosed.
US09023326B2
Novel radiation curable gel-based mammalian nail coating compositions, kits containing these compositions, and methods of their use are disclosed. The novel compositions and/or kits are useful, inter alia, for providing durable, “soak-off” type nail coatings.
US09023325B2
Disclosed are topical skin compositions and corresponding methods of their use that include an extract from Artabotrys hexapetalus, an extract from Sassafras tzumu, and an extract from Prunus salicina.
US09023322B2
The present invention relates to a chewing gum composition comprising 0.01 to 15% by weight a cannabinoid or a derivative thereof, based on the total weight of the chewing gum composition, and to chewing gums and blistering packages comprising said chewing gums.
US09023316B2
A method for synthesizing an 18F-labeled probe. The method includes a step of eluting an amount of 18F with a first solvent which includes a predetermined amount of water and at least one organic solvent. In this step, the 18F elutes as an 18F solution. The method also includes a step of using the 18F solution to perform 18F-labeling in the presence of at least one labeling reagent and at least one phase transfer catalyst so as to generate the 18F-labeled probe. In the method, there is no step of drying the 18F starting from a time when the eluting step is performed and ending at a time when the 18F-labeling step is performed.
US09023313B2
The present disclosure relates to a process and system for recovery of one or more metal values using solution extraction techniques and to a system for metal value recovery. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a first solution extraction circuit and a second solution extraction circuit. A first metal-bearing solution is provided to the first and second circuit, and a second metal-bearing solution is provided to the first circuit. The first circuit produces a first rich electrolyte solution, which can be forwarded to primary metal value recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which is forwarded to secondary metal value recovery. The second circuit produces a second rich electrolyte solution, which is also forwarded to primary metal value recovery. The first and second solution extraction circuits have independent organic phases and each circuit can operate independently of the other circuit.
US09023308B2
Methods of ex situ synthesis of graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, other graphene derivative structures and nanoparticles useful as polishing agents are disclosed. Compositions and methods for polishing, hardening, protecting, adding longevity to, and lubricating moving and stationary parts in devices and systems, including, but not limited to, engines, turbos, turbines, tracks, races, wheels, bearings, gear systems, armor, heat shields, and other physical and mechanical systems employing machined interacting hard surfaces through the use of nano-polishing agents formed in situ from lubricating compositions and, in some cases, ex situ and their various uses are also disclosed.
US09023302B2
Methods for facilitating the removal of mercury from flue gases by converting elemental mercury to oxidized mercury and subsequently capturing the oxidized mercury. In one aspect, a method of removing mercury from a mercury-containing flue gas may include the steps of introducing into the flue gas a sulfide source in an effective amount to convert elemental mercury to gaseous oxidized mercury and then capturing the gaseous oxidized mercury.
US09023299B2
A liquid/gas reactor includes a bulk catalyst bed and means for supplying fresh feed and recycled at least partially converted liquid product stream to the bulk catalyst bed. The reactor also includes means for collecting an at least partially converted liquid product stream from the bulk catalyst bed and recycling at least a portion thereto. A minor catalyst bed extends substantially vertically through the bulk catalyst bed. Means for supplying recycled at least partially converted product stream only to the minor catalyst bed is also provided. A separating wall is disposed between the bulk catalyst bed and the minor catalyst bed.
US09023286B2
A process and device for the regeneration of catalyst is presented. The device includes a series of grids within a regeneration vessel, where each grid includes small openings for the passage of gas, and larger openings for the passage of catalyst. The grids span horizontally across the vessel, and are spaced vertically apart to create a flow of catalyst down through the regenerator.
US09023279B2
A self-contained assay facility housed in a fixed-wing or rotary wing aircraft that is completely equipped to melt and assay precious metals, particularly gold and silver. An induction furnace melts the metal that is then poured into an ingot. The ingot is weighed and analyzed using an XRF alloy analyzer and the percentage of gold and/or other metals recorded. The value of the gold at current market prices is calculated and the assay and the value of the ingot is printed and given to the seller. The seller may opt to receive the ingot and pay the assayer an assay fee. Alternately, the seller may ask to be paid in cash, in bullion, by wire transfer, or by an open hedge. A transfer or hedge is initiated and confirmed from the assay facility. The ingots are securely stored in a safe within the assay facility.
US09023275B2
Separators and shakers are disclosed with real time monitoring of screen condition; killing apparatus for killing living things in fluid flowing from a separator or shaker; and/or heating apparatus for heating material fed to or flowing from a separator or shaker. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
US09023274B2
A system and method for disinfecting hard surfaces in an area such as a hospital room including a light source emitting UV light and a reflector mounted behind the light source for concentrating and directing the light toward a target. The light source and reflector rotate to direct the concentrated beam around a room, thereby making more efficient use of the energy being emitted.
US09023264B2
The invention concerns a process for the production of an article enclosing built-in fitment components in the form of a hollow body of thermoplastic material. The hollow body is preferably in the form of a fuel tank. The process includes the extrusion of one or more preforms in web or tube form of plasticized material between the opened portions of a mold tool forming a cavity, wherein at least one built-in fitment component to be enclosed by the finished article is placed between the portions of the mold tool and the tool is closed around the preforms and the built-in fitment component, wherein the preforms within the cavity enclosed by the tool acquire the external configuration of the article. The built-in fitment component is pressed during or directly after the shaping operation against the inside wall of the article while still plastic so that the plastic material of the hollow body penetrates through at least one recess or opening of the built-in fitment component and flows therebehind.
US09023256B2
A method of forming a single-mode polymer waveguide array connector that provides precise alignment of a plurality of cores of polymer waveguide arrays with respect to an absolute reference position, such as a guide pin hole in a ferrule, when the polymer waveguide array connector is connected to another polymer waveguide array connector or provides precise alignment of a plurality of cores of a polymer waveguide array and a fiber array with respect to the absolute reference position when the polymer waveguide array connector is connected to a single-mode fiber array connector. A plurality of cores of single-mode polymer waveguide arrays or single-mode fiber arrays is precisely aligned with each other. In addition, there is provided a combination of a plurality of molds, e.g., a first mold (A) and a second mold (B), used in a plurality of processes in a specific method.
US09023251B2
The present disclosure provides a method for making carbon nanotube slurry. The method includes the following steps. First, a carbon nanotube array is provided on a substrate, the carbon nanotube array comprises a number of carbon nanotubes. Second, the carbon nanotube array is trimmed by a laser to obtain a trimmed carbon nanotube array comprising a plurality of trimmed carbon nanotubes having uniform lengths. Third, the trimmed carbon nanotube array is removed from the substrate to obtain the trimmed carbon nanotubes. Fourth, the trimmed carbon nanotubes are mixed with an inorganic binder and an organic carrier to obtain the carbon nanotube slurry.
US09023250B2
The invention provides a method for decoration of silver onto carbon materials, comprising the following steps: functionalizing a first carbon material and a second material; mixing the functionalized first and second carbon materials into a first mixed solution through an alcohol solution; and mixing a silver solution and the first mixed solution into a second mixed solution.
US09023249B2
A polymerizable composition includes at least one monomer, a photoinitiator capable of initiating polymerization of the monomer when exposed to light, and a phosphor capable of producing light when exposed to radiation (typically X-rays). The material is particularly suitable for bonding components at ambient temperature in situations where the bond joint is not accessible to an external light source. An associated method includes: placing a polymerizable adhesive composition, including a photoinitiator and energy converting material, such as a down-converting phosphor, in contact with at least two components to be bonded to form an assembly; and, irradiating the assembly with radiation at a first wavelength, capable of conversion (down-conversion by the phosphor) to a second wavelength capable of activating the photoinitiator, to prepare items such as inkjet cartridges, wafer-to-wafer assemblies, semiconductors, integrated circuits, and the like.
US09023248B2
Diels-Alder crosslinkable dendritic nonlinear optical chromophore compounds, films and crosslinked polymer composites formed from the chromophore compounds, methods for making and using the chromophore compounds, films, and crosslinked polymer composites, and electro-optic devices that include films and crosslinked polymer composites formed from the chromophore compounds.
US09023245B2
A method and system for producing a synthesis gas in an oxygen transport membrane based reforming system is disclosed that carries out a primary reforming process, a secondary reforming process.
US09023243B2
Methods, systems, and/or devices for synthesis gas recapture are provided, which may include methods, systems, and/or devices for filtering a synthesis gas stream. In some cases, tars, particulates, water, and/or heat may be removed from the synthesis gas stream through the filtering of the synthesis gas stream. The filtered synthesis gas stream may then be captured and/or utilized in a variety of different ways. Some embodiments utilizing a C—O—H compound to filter a synthesis gas stream. In some embodiments, the C—O—H compound utilized to filter the synthesis gas stream may be utilized to produce additional synthesis gas. The additional synthesis gas may be filtered by additional C—O—H compound.
US09023240B2
Provided are a crystalline silicon nitride powder for a siliconitride phosphors, which is used as a starting material for producing a siliconitride phosphor containing a silicon element and a nitrogen element but no oxygen element as a constitutent element, an oxygen content of the silicon nitride phosphor being 0.2-0.8 wt %; a CaAlSiN3 phosphor, an Sr2Si5N8 phosphor, an (Sr, Ca)AlSiN3 phosphor and an La3Si6N11 phosphor, each using the silicon nitride powder; and a method for producing the phosphors.
US09023238B2
The present invention relates to an optical switch element, comprising a liquid-crystalline medium for the temperature-dependent regulation of radiant energy flow. The invention furthermore relates to the use of the optical switch element for the regulation of radiant energy flow between interior spaces and the environment and for the regulation of the temperature of interior spaces. The invention furthermore relates to a liquid-crystalline medium, characterized in that it comprises 5-95% of a compound of the formula (I), in particular for use in the optical switch elements according to the invention.
US09023237B2
The invention involves the formation of a stable iron (II) oxide and/or hydroxide. Preferably these oxides and/or hydroxides are present as nanoparticles in the 5-10 nanometer range. It has been discovered that such particles can be formed at lower cost and with fewer impurities by using ferrous carbonate (FeCO3) from siderite as compared to known processes from various iron salts such as sulfates and chlorides. The novel nanoparticles are particularly adapted to removing sulfur compounds such as H2S from liquid and/or gaseous streams, such as hydrocarbon streams.
US09023236B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing concentrated alkali metal hypochlorite solutions. One subject of the invention is more particularly a process for preparing concentrated bleach which may have a chlorine content of greater than 100 chlorometric degrees, and that has a low content of chlorates.
US09023218B2
Methods of fabricating the fusible link are directed to processing a multi-layer clad foil having a first layer suitable for forming a fusible link and a second layer suitable for forming one or more welding tabs. In some embodiments, the first layer is an aluminum layer and the second layer is a nickel layer. A two-step etching process or a single step etching process is performed on the clad foil to form an etched clad foil having multiple tabs made of the second layer and connected to the current collector conductor pads and battery cell conductor pads, and one or more connections made of the first layer that form aluminum conductors. The aluminum conductors are shaped and sized to form aluminum fusible conductors during either the etching process or a subsequent stamping process. A single fusible link or an array of fusible links can be formed.
US09023216B2
Apparatus is disclosed for substantially reducing the momentum, velocity, or both of a first liquid that is flowing into a second liquid. The device allows one to substantially reduce or even eliminate large-scale turbulent eddies that could otherwise be produced by liquid flowing into or within a vessel, for example in a clarifier. Suitably-sized and positioned plates and baffles induce changes of flow direction in a limited volume. By the time the fluid leaves this volume, the fluid velocity is low, and turbulence is nearly or entirely eliminated. Several of the devices may be placed at different inputs within a single clarifier, and thus increase efficiency further.
US09023205B2
The invention relates to a filter cartridge (1), in particular a suction filter cartridge, in which the inlet region (10) and the outlet opening (20) are arranged in the base region. The outlet opening (20) is connected to the inlet region (10) via a by-pass, which is located in a lower section of the outflow chamber (2a) or below the outflow chamber (2a).
US09023202B2
A fluid filtering apparatus and method may include keyed components to ensure that a correct filter element is being installed into a filter base. Keyed arrangements may occur between a filter element and a filter housing, a filter and a filter base, and a filter base and a filter housing. A locking arrangement may be provided to prevent undesired loosening of a filter relative to a filter base. The filter base may include a torsion lock insert that engages lock detents of a filter to prevent the undesired loosening. An adaptor may be provided to provide the lock detents that interact with a torsion lock insert.
US09023189B2
Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in hydrogen ion concentration (pH), changes in other analyte concentration, and/or binding events associated with chemical processes relating to DNA synthesis.
US09023178B2
A pellet made of aramid pulp and filler material. The pellet has at most 90 weight percent aramid pulp and at least 10 weight percent filler material. A method for manufacturing a pellet that has at most 90 weight percent aramid pulp and at least 10 weight percent filler material.
US09023162B2
Protective laminate films protect an underlying windshield from damage due to impacting rocks and other debris. The protective laminate films generally include a flexible polymer substrate having a scratch resistant coating and an adhesive layer on opposing surfaces thereof. Each layer is transparent such that, when applied to a windshield, the laminate film does not inhibit visibility. Each layer may also be flexible so that the laminate films can be molded to a curved windshield. Generally, the scratch resistant coating protects the laminate films from scratching or other damage from impacting debris and/or from windshield wipers. The substrate provides structural integrity to the laminate films and may provide some degree of impact dispersion. The adhesive layer, in addition to adhering the laminate films to the windshield, may also provide significant impact resistance that helps protect the windshield from cracks or chips due to impacting rocks or other debris.
US09023150B2
The present invention relates to acid-soluble cement compositions that comprise cement kiln dust (“CKD”) and/or a natural pozzolan and associated methods of use. An embodiment includes a method of cementing comprising: placing an acid-soluble cement composition in a subterranean formation, wherein the acid-soluble cement composition comprises a hydraulic cement, a component selected from the group consisting of CKD, pumicite, and a combination thereof, and water; allowing the acid-soluble cement composition to set; and contacting the set acid-soluble cement composition with an acid to dissolve the set acid-soluble cement composition.
US09023145B2
Slurry composition comprising amorphous aluminum phosphate, polyphosphate orthophosphate, metaphosphate and/or combination thereof and a dispersant are described. In certain embodiments, the polyphosphate orthophosphate and/or metaphosphate concentration is about 40 to about 70 weight % and the dispersant concentration is less than about 3.5 weight % based on the total weight of the slurry. In one embodiment, the composition is useful in paints, varnishes, printing inks, papers and plastics. The compositions can be used as a substitute for titanium dioxide in various applications.
US09023142B2
A polypeptide solution of the present invention is a polypeptide solution in which a polypeptide derived from natural spider silk proteins is dissolved in a solvent. The solvent contains at least one selected from the following (i)-(iii): (i) DMSO; (ii) DMSO with an inorganic salt; and (iii) DMF with an inorganic salt. Further, in the present invention, an artificial polypeptide fiber is obtained by: using the polypeptide solution as a dope solution; and extruding the dope solution from a spinneret into a desolvation bath so as to eliminate the solvent from the dope solution and form a fiber to produce an undrawn yarn. Moreover, in the present invention, a polypeptide is purified by subjecting the polypeptide solution to heat treatment and thereafter removing an undissolved substance therefrom. Thus, the present invention provides the polypeptide solution whose solute has high solubility and solvent itself is low cost, and that allows dissolution at high temperatures and has high safety: a method for producing an artificial polypeptide fiber: and a method for purifying a polypeptide.
US09023134B2
A novel crystalline hybrid solid with a mixed organic-inorganic matrix is described which has a three-dimensional structure containing an inorganic framework with metallic centers based on zinc connected together via deprotonated organic ligands constituted by the entity —O2C—C6H2—(O)2—CO2. This novel solid is termed IM-21 and has an X-ray diffraction diagram as given below.
US09023128B2
Methods of forming metal matrix nanocomposites are provided. The methods include the steps of introducing a master metal matrix nanocomposite into a molten metal at a temperature above the melting temperature of the master metal matrix nanocomposite, allowing at least a portion of the master metal matrix nanocomposite to mix with the molten metal and, then, solidifying the molten metal to provide a second metal matrix nanocomposite.
US09023123B2
Trace levels of mercury in a natural gas are reduced by scrubbing the natural gas in an absorber with an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble sulfur compound. The water-soluble sulfur compound reacts with a least a portion of the mercury in the natural gas to produce a treated natural gas with a reduced concentration of mercury, and a mercury containing sulfur-depleted solution which can be disposed by injection into a (depleted) underground formation. The produced water extracted with the natural gas from the underground formation can be recycled for use as the scrubbing solution. In one embodiment, a fresh source of water-soluble sulfur compound as feed to the absorber can be generated on-site by reacting an elemental sulfur source with a sulfur reagent in produced water.
US09023122B2
The invention is a hydrogen generator including a housing, a reaction area, a fluid reservoir, a pellet comprising a first reactant within the reaction area, a fluid comprising a second reactant within the fluid reservoir, a fluid flow path between the fluid reservoir and the reaction area, and a hydrogen outlet. The fluid flow path comprises a follower assembly biased toward the pellet, the follower assembly includes an articulated joint and a follower, and the second reactant can react with the first reactant in the reaction area to produce hydrogen gas and byproducts.
US09023121B2
A solid feed system may comprise a supersonic nozzle, an isolated injection section having a port for injection of solid feedstock positioned downstream from the supersonic nozzle, and a supersonic diffuser positioned downstream from the isolated injection section. Additionally, a gasification system may comprise such a solid feed system and a reaction chamber downstream thereof. Furthermore, a method of reacting a solid feedstock under pressure may include directing a fluid flow through a supersonic nozzle to provide a supersonic flow stream, and directing the supersonic flow stream through an isolated injection section at a static pressure at least fifty percent (50%) lower than an operating pressure within a reaction chamber (e.g., at a static pressure near ambient pressure).
US09023119B2
Electrolytic manganese dioxide for lithium primary batteries has a sodium content of 0.05 to 0.2% by mass, and a pH of 5 to 7 as measured according to JIS-K-1467. Using this electrolytic manganese dioxide as a positive electrode active material for lithium primary batteries enables the batteries to be excellent in both initial discharge characteristics and long-term discharge characteristics.
US09023117B2
The present invention provides dye mixtures containing at least one dye of formula (I) and at least one dye of formula (II) where T1, T2, R1 to R9 and n are each as defined in claim 1, processes for their preparation and their use.
US09023116B2
As associative thickener obtainable by free radical polymerization, the preparation thereof and the use thereof in paper coating slips are described. The associative thickener is formed from (a) acid monomers selected from ethylenically unsaturated C3- to C8-carboxylic acids, (b) associative monomers of the general formula H2C═CR1—COO-(EO)n—(PO)m—R2, in which R1 is hydrogen or methyl, n is a number of at least two, m is a number from zero to 50, EO is an ethylene oxide group, PO is a propylene oxide group and R2 is a C8-C30-alkyl group or a C8-C30-alkaryl group, and (c) nonionic, copolymerizable monomers differing from a) and b), the reaction product having been reacted, after the polymerization, with initiators forming nonionic radicals.
US09023115B2
A transdermal intraosseous device for coupling a bone stump to an external prosthetic device includes a bone fixator, an external connector and a plurality of modular interface components. The bone fixator includes a proximal portion configured for anchoring into the bone stump of the patient and a distal portion including a base collar configured for subcutaneous implantation. The external connector has a distal portion for coupling to the external prosthetic device and a proximal portion for coupling to the distal portion of the bone fixator. Each interface component can be removably coupled to the base collar and has different size and shape to provide a surgeon-selected transition between the prosthetic device and the patient's skin.
US09023112B2
A prosthetic hip joint comprising: (a) a femoral component including a femoral head; and, (b) an acetabular component including an acetabular cup and an acetabular cup insert, the acetabular cup insert sized to receive the femoral head, where the femoral head is sized to have a spherical center that matches a spherical center of a patient's native femoral head, where the acetabular cup is sized to have a cavity with a spherical center that matches a spherical center of a cavity of a patient's native acetabulum and, where the femoral head center of the femoral component is concentric with the center of the cavity of the acetabular cup.
US09023110B2
A modular elbow prosthesis is disclosed, as well as a surgical approach and implantation technique, for using the prosthesis. The system is the first and only to allow for a, Biomechanically Anatomical, Nonconstrained, Compartmental (BANC) Elbow Arthroplasty. The modularity of the system allows it to be implanted as an unicompartmental or partial elbow replacement or a total elbow replacement. The modular elbow prosthesis for partial elbow replacement includes a cylindrical medial humeral component, a polyethylene ring thereon, and a semicircular medial ulnar component which mates with the polyethylene ring. Additionally, for total elbow replacement, the modular elbow prosthesis also includes a circular lateral humeral component, a polyethylene ring thereon, a semicircular lateral ulnar component, and a radial component. Implantation of the prosthesis is through a minimally invasive medial surgical approach with the aid of precision biomechanical guides. The application is well suited for canines, other quadrupeds, and people.
US09023108B2
The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.
US09023098B2
A dual valve prosthesis having a self-expanding anchoring frame with first and second prosthetic valve assemblies attached to the anchoring frame is disclosed. Each of the first and second prosthetic valve assemblies includes a balloon-expandable stent structure with a prosthetic valve secured therein. In a disclosed method, the first and second prosthetic valve assemblies include prosthetic mitral and aortic valves, respectively, and the dual heart valve prosthesis is configured to replace both the native mitral and aortic valves of the heart in a single transcatheter heart valve implantation procedure.
US09023097B2
A shunt rivet for implantation in the aorta and inferior vena cava to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
US09023094B2
In one preferred embodiment, a prosthesis is provided that can be selectively expanded by increasing the temperature of the prosthesis within the patient. The prosthesis is composed of a shape memory material that expands when heated to a temperature greater than an average body temperature, allowing the user to selectively heat and therefore expand the prosthesis at a desired location.
US09023093B2
Medical devices for delivering stents, prosthetic valve devices, and other implantable articles inside a patient's body are provided. The devices have an elongate inner compression member having a proximal end and a distal mating end with a tapered portion and outer engaging surface, a first portion proximal to the distal mating end, and the tapered portion having a smaller cross sectional area than the first portion and being more flexible than the first portion. The devices further have an inner guide channel member with a first end and a second end defining a channel of substantially uniform inner diameter, the second end having an outer diameter, and the first end having a taper extending from the second end outer diameter to a smaller second outer diameter. A joint is configured for melt bonding or implanting the inner compression member distal mating end and the inner guide channel member second end.
US09023089B2
The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a system for stimulating neural tissue of a living subject. The system comprises an energy source capable of generating optical energy, a connector having a first end and a second end capable of transmitting optical energy, and a probe operably coupled to the second end of the connector and having an end portion for delivering optical energy to a target neural tissue. In one embodiment, the energy source comprises a tunable laser.
US09023085B2
A surgical implant device capable of conforming to a variety of surface topographies facilitates the growth and regeneration of site to which the device is applied. The device employs a plurality of elongate members supporting a column of discrete, rotatable elements in contact with each adjacent element. Anchor plates secure the respective ends of the elongate members, such anchor plates attachable to bone. The implant device provides and ordered array of individually rotatable elements to form a surface that permits bodily fluids to pass therethough.
US09023074B2
An occlusion device has a covering attached to a support frame that includes a disc-shaped member and a crossbar that extends across a central opening defined by the disc-shaped member. The occlusion device has a first, or deployed, configuration in which the crossbar defines a curve that extends from the disc-shaped member, and a second, or resting, configuration in which the disc-shaped member and the crossbar lie substantially in a single plane. Each of the disc-shaped member and the crossbar include a core wire that extends through a lumen of a coil multiple times.
US09023055B2
A surgical instrument for attachment to a cutting block having a cutting slot defining a cutting plane is described. The surgical instrument comprises a dual purpose indicator (2) member. The indicator member is configured to (i) allow visualization of a first plane and (ii) to indicate a predetermined distance from a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The surgical instrument also comprises an attachment member (14,16,18,20) for attaching the surgical instrument to the cutting slot in either of two mutually perpendicular orientations such that either the first plane or the second plane is parallel to the cutting plane. The surgical instrument can therefore be used both to visualize a plane of a cut and to indicate a distance from the plane of a cut, depending on the orientation of the attachment member in the cutting slot. This allows inventory to be reduced because the surgical instrument can replace two prior art instruments. The surgical instrument may form part of a system with one or more cutting blocks.
US09023042B1
A bipolar electrosurgical coagulator utilizes a handle having distal and proximal ends with a conductor carried by the handle and having coaxial inner and outer electrically conductive elements. The conductor extends from the distal end of the handle to a coagulating tip, with the proximal end of the conductor secured within the handle for electrical interconnection with a power source entering the handle at its proximal end.
US09023039B2
An electrosurgical device and system including a blade operatively coupled to an energy source is disclosed herein. The electrosurgical device includes an optical sensor to monitor physical characteristics of the blade such that the device may automatically regulate the energy supplied to the blade and/or the operator may adjust several parameters including how the blade is removed and how much energy is supplied to the blade. A method of using the device and system is also disclosed.
US09023038B2
System and methods for channeling a path into bone include a trocar having a proximal end, distal end and a central channel disposed along a central axis of the trocar. The trocar includes a radial opening at or near the distal end of the trocar. The system includes a curveable cannula sized to be received in the central channel, the curveable cannula comprising a curveable distal end configured to be extended laterally outward from the radial opening in a curved path extending away from the trocar. The curveable cannula has a central passageway having a diameter configured allow a probe to be delivered through the central passageway to a location beyond the curved path.
US09023037B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for non-continuous circumferential treatment of a body lumen. Apparatus may be positioned within a body lumen of a patient and may deliver energy at a first lengthwise and angular position to create a less-than-full circumferential treatment zone at the first position. The apparatus also may deliver energy at one or more additional lengthwise and angular positions within the body lumen to create less-than-full circumferential treatment zone(s) at the one or more additional positions that are offset lengthwise and angularly from the first treatment zone. Superimposition of the first treatment zone and the one or more additional treatment zones defines a non-continuous circumferential treatment zone without formation of a continuous circumferential lesion. Various embodiments of methods and apparatus for achieving such non-continuous circumferential treatment are provided.
US09023034B2
An electrode is provided at a distal end of a catheter and dimensioned for deployment within a renal artery. A deformable cover of the electrode incorporates a force-activatable conduction apparatus. The cover is configured to conduct electrical energy only through a region or regions of the cover subject to deformation due to contact with a wall of the target vessel. The electrical energy is sufficient to ablate perivascular renal nerves proximate the deformed region or regions of the electrode cover. The cover is configured to prevent conduction of electrical energy through the cover in the absence of a deformation force applied to the cover.
US09023032B2
An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom and a rotatable member disposed on the housing and operably connected to the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft defines a longitudinal axis extending therealong. The rotatable member is configured to rotate the elongated shaft about the longitudinal axis upon actuation thereof. The rotatable member includes an inner surface defining an interior space therein configured to house at least one printed circuit board about the elongated shaft.
US09023028B2
An electrosurgical device includes a plurality of electrodes arranged to form a tissue treatment surface and a power supply. The power supply is configured to deliver a first drive signal with a first phase to at least a first one of the plurality of electrodes and a second drive signal with a second phase to at least a second one of the plurality of electrodes such that an electric field extends from the tissue treatment surface, where the first phase and the second phase are different. The power supply is further configured to receive an input from an operator of the electrosurgical device, and adjust the first phase or the second phase such that an aspect of the electric field extending from the tissue treatment surface changes in response to the input from the operator.
US09023018B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a laser surgical system with a basic set of functionality which is remotely controllable to implement an advanced set of functionality. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a basic laser surgical system may be coupled to an advanced control unit such that the basic laser surgical system may be controllable by the advanced control unit to implement a broader set of functionality. By moving less frequently used functionality to an advanced unit, the basic unit may be streamlined with regards to both cost and size, and the learning curve required to utilize the basic unit may be reduced relative to a more feature-ladened unit, allowing the basic unit to be utilized in myriad situations or procedures where an “all-in-one” unit would be less than desirable.
US09023017B2
An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus comprises: a laser source that emits a laser beam for treatment of an affected part of a patient's eye; an optical fiber that transmits the laser beam emitted from the laser source; and a delivery optical system that irradiates the laser beam emitted from the optical fiber to the affected part of the patient's eye, the delivery optical system including: a plurality of diffraction optical elements each being configured to shape a beam profile of the laser beam at an emission end face of the optical fiber into a beam profile having one of a uniform intensity and a lower intensity in the center than on the periphery on the affected part and also to shape the laser beam to have a different spot size on the affected part of the patient's eye; and a changing unit which selectively disposing one of the diffraction optical elements on an optical path.
US09023011B2
A medical device including a shaft having an elongated inner member and an elongated tubular reinforcing member disposed over at least a portion of the inner member. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner member is spaced from the inner surface of the reinforcing member, defining a space substantially free of any other structures of the device. In some embodiments, the shaft can include a tip structure disposed on a distal portion of the inner member. In some such embodiments, the reinforcing member has a distal end, and the tip structure is disposed on the distal portion of the inner member adjacent the distal end of the reinforcing member. Additionally, in some embodiments, the reinforcing member can include a plurality of apertures defined therein, for example, to enhance the flexibility or other such characteristics of all or portions of the reinforcing member.
US09023010B2
Embodiments include an infusion-occlusion system having a delivery catheter, a guide catheter adapted to receive the delivery catheter, and a guidewire with an occlusion device adapted to be received within the guide catheter. The guide catheter of the catheter kit may be provided with an occlusion device at the distal end of the guide catheter. The delivery catheter may have an accessory lumen, coaxial or co-linear lumen, a supporting mandrel, or an occlusion device at its distal end. Moreover, according to some embodiments, occlusion devices may be a single material or a composite balloon having an inner liner and an outer layer of different materials, a high compliance low pressure balloon, or a filter device that restricts particles from passing through but does not restrict fluid, such as blood. An inflation device with a large volume and low volume syringe can be used to inflate the balloon.
US09023009B2
A flexible container for storing a liquid medicament and a device for the automated release of the liquid medicament from the flexible container are disclosed. The flexible container includes a wall and an access opening. The wall of the flexible container comprises two sheets of flexible material sealed together such that a storage volume intended to contain the liquid medicament is defined. The access opening provides a fluid connection to a conduit system in fluid connection with the storage volume via a fluid channel arranged between the storage volume and the access opening, wherein the fluid channel is formed by a cavity arranged on at least one of the two sheets.
US09023001B2
Thus, systems and methods for a debriding wound vacuum may include a sponge for application to a wound, a flexible sheet for covering and sealing the wound, and a bladder. The bladder may be in fluid communication with at least a portion of the sponge. The bladder preferably contains a debridement substance. A negative pressure device may form part of the system and may be used to apply negative pressure via a hollow tube to the sponge. The negative pressure device may be adapted to apply negative pressure to the sponge via the hollow tube in order form a seal between the flexible sheet and the wound. The systems may also include microelectronic mechanical valves for releasing the debridement substance from the bladder.
US09022984B2
An apparatus for delivery of an elongate member into the lumen of a trans-dermal catheter. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a protective sheath configured to at least substantially surround an elongate member; and slidable member configured to travel along the protective sheath, the slidable member operatively coupled to the elongate member; wherein the elongate member is insertable into a lumen of a trans-dermal catheter by moving the slidable member along at least a part of the length of the protective sheath. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a protective sheath configured to at least substantially surround an elongate member; a slidable member configured to travel along the protective sheath, the slidable member operatively coupled to the elongate member; and a connecting member positioned on the distal end of the protective sheath, the connecting member configured to lock onto the distal end of a trans-dermal catheter; wherein the elongate member is insertable into the lumen of the trans-dermal catheter by moving the slidable member along at least a part of the length of the protective sheath.
US09022983B2
An infusion pump includes a pump body for holding a roller clamp 7, and a roller movement mechanism 3 for moving a roller 72 of the roller clamp 7 and operating in coordination with manipulation of a door lock mechanism. When the door lock mechanism is in an unlocked state, an infusion tube T is blocked by the roller clamp 72. This configuration reliably prevents free flow even if a door is not closed completely or if the door is accidentally left unlocked. After the finish of infusion treatment, the infusion tube T is blocked by the roller clamp 7 at the moment when the door lock mechanism is unlocked before the opening of the door. This configuration avoids a trouble of removing the infusion tube T from the infusion pump while a user forgets to block the infusion tube by the roller clamp 7.
US09022982B2
The invention relates to an injection device comprising a housing, a container holder arranged within said housing, the container holder being configured for accommodating a medicament container having a needle attached to one end thereof and a stopper sealingly and slidable arranged inside the medicament container at the other end thereof, a plunger rod being arranged with a proximal end thereof contactable with said stopper, a first and a second energy accumulating member arranged in the interior of the housing of the injection device and adapted to accumulate and store energy, plunger drive means being slidable arranged in relation to the plunger rod, being rotationally locked to the plunger rod and being rotatable in relation to the housing, the plunger drive means being operationally associated with the first energy accumulating member, a container driver arranged for being connectable to the container holder and threadedly connected to the plunger rod, the container driver being operationally associated with the second energy accumulating member such that due to an output axial force from the second energy accumulating member, the container holder and the plunger rod are axially moveable in relation to the housing a predetermined distance towards the proximal end of the injection device from an initial locked position to a second position whereby a needle penetration is performed, wherein the plunger drive means are locked from being rotated by the container driver, and wherein the plunger drive means are released such that due to an output torque from said first energy accumulating member, the plunger drive means are allowed to be rotated and the plunger rod is urged towards the proximal end of the injection device whereby an injection is performed.
US09022975B2
The invention described herein is a device for dripping a tissue sealant and/or adhesive that comprises a) first and second barrels or syringes that contain first and second biocomponents that are disposed between proximal and distal ends; b) a plunger in each barrel and c) a drip tip comprising i) a support having distal and proximal ends and at least two fluid passageways from the distal to the proximal end that are in fluid communication with one of the barrels of the dispensing device on the proximal end; and ii) an endcap that fits over the support having at least two flexible hinges. The present invention is also directed to an assembly for mixing and drip dispensing two reactive biologic components as tissue sealant and/or hemostatic agent and to methods for delivering biologic components to achieve hemostasis and/or tissue sealant by drip dispensing from the device described above.
US09022968B2
A device and system for controlling pressure via fluid exchange in the body is presented. The device and system may be used to control intraocular eye pressure. The system is comprised of four main components: a cannula, a sensor, a controller and a pump. The system works to engage in a fluid exchange which slowly increases/decreases intraocular pressure until a desired level is reached. Once the desired level is reached, the intraocular pressure is held steady and any external pressure perturbations are removed.
US09022963B2
A splint for use in stabilizing the nasal septum of a subject following the completion of a septoplasty procedure has a longitudinal axis and is formed of a substantially rigid sheet having a longitudinal length, an anterior end, and a posterior end. The sheet is labeled with a plurality of guide markings that guide a user in shaping the splint prior to implantation of the splint within a nasal passage of the subject.
US09022960B2
A device for directing a liquid onto a plurality of surfaces of the oral cavity, the device including a handle, a neck, and a head, where the head includes a cleaning component including a chamber for maintaining the liquid proximate the surfaces, where the chamber is defined by front and rear sealing membranes, inner side walls and a base inner wall, and where the inner side walls each include a plurality of openings, the device further including a first manifold and a second manifold, and a first port and a second port for conveying liquid.
US09022951B2
An apparatus includes a housing, a fluid reservoir, a flow control mechanism, and an actuator. The housing defines an inner volume and has an inlet port that can be fluidically coupled to a patient and an outlet port. The fluid reservoir is disposed in the inner volume to receive and isolate a first volume of a bodily-fluid. The flow control mechanism is rotatable in the housing from a first configuration, in which a first lumen places the inlet port is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and a second configuration, in which a second lumen places the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port. The actuator is configured to create a negative pressure in the fluid reservoir and is configured to rotate the flow control mechanism from the first configuration to the second configuration after the first volume of bodily-fluid is received in the fluid reservoir.
US09022948B2
System and method for locating and identifying nerves innervating the wall of arteries such as the renal artery are disclosed. The present invention identifies areas on vessel walls that are innervated with nerves; provides indication on whether a dose of energy is delivered accurately to a targeted nerve; and provides immediate post-procedural assessment of the effect of the energy delivered to the nerve. The method includes at least the steps to evaluate a change in physiological parameters after a dose of energy is delivered to an arterial wall; and to determine the type of nerve that the energy was directed to (none, sympathetic or parasympathetic) based on the results of the evaluation. The system includes at least a device for delivering a dose of energy to the wall of an artery; sensors for detecting physiological signals from a subject; and indicators to display the results obtained using the said method.
US09022945B2
Implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, are provided for monitoring for an impending myocardial infarction. A signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume is obtained. Such a signal can be a photoplethysmography signal or an impedance plethysmography signal. For each of a plurality of periods of time, a metric indicative of the areas under the curve of the signal or number of inflections in the signal is determined. An impending myocardial infarction is monitored for based on changes in the metric indicative of the area under the curve of the signal or number of inflections in the signal, and an alert and/or therapy is triggered in response to an impending myocardial infarction being predicted.
US09022922B2
Described are methods, implants, insertion tools, and related systems and kits, for placing an implant to treat urinary incontinence; the implants include soft tissue anchors that are capable of engaging needles of the insertion tools, and the implants are designed to place a central support portion at a location to support a urethra with extension portions and soft tissue anchors extending to tissue at regions of an obturator foramen.
US09022917B2
Various embodiments of systems, devices, components, and methods are disclosed for magnetic spacers configured for use in conjunction with bone conduction hearing aids and corresponding magnetic implants. According to some embodiments, the magnetic spacers are configured to vary the amount and/or orientation or direction of magnetic coupling force provided thereby.
US09022913B2
A machine a mandrel assembly includes a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of a container, a first lift mechanism operatively coupled to a first servomechanism to wrap a first portion of a blank about the mandrel, a second lift mechanism operatively coupled to a second servomechanism to wrap a second portion of the blank about the mandrel, and a folding arm coupled to the first lift mechanism and operatively coupled to a third servomechanism. A control system is in communication with the first servomechanism, the second servomechanism, and the third servomechanism and is configured to transmit a signal to each of the servomechanisms to independently control movement of the first lift mechanism, the second lift mechanism, and the folding arm to wrap at least the first and second portions of the blank about the mandrel to form the container.
US09022911B2
An exercise or fitness board having a deck adjustably attached to a base to adjust the angle of incline of the deck relative to the base, and a plurality of straps attached to the deck for the user to grasp for balance and exercise. The deck and/or base contains various contours, scallops, cutouts, and the like to facilitate comfortable and varied positioning of the body. A rail and/or channel may be placed on the underside and along the perimeter of the board to facilitate grip. A pad or mat may be placed on top of the board and/or base for comfort, stability, and protection.
US09022909B2
The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to an adaptive, multi-functional exercise device. In one embodiment, the exercise device includes a split carriage formed of separate carriage platforms that may optionally be used in a unified mode, in which the carriage platforms move in unison, or in a split mode, in which the carriages move independently. The device also includes at least one set of ropes that are tied to the carriage platforms such that they translate the resistance of the carriage platforms when manually manipulated. The device further includes split hand and/or foot rests that may be adjusted in multiple directions depending on the demands of the particular exercise in practice. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US09022906B1
Preferred top-loading adjustable weight kettlebell systems described herein preferably include a kettlebell base and at least one top-loading nesting weight. The kettlebell base preferably include a main body and a handle, the main body having a substantially convex upper surface, the handle upwardly extended from the main body. The at least one top-loading nesting weight preferably has a handle opening defined therein. The at least one top-loading nesting weight may have a substantially convex upper surface and a substantially concave lower surface. The at least one top-loading nesting weight is preferably loadable onto the kettlebell base by insertion of the handle through the handle opening. Preferred top-loading adjustable weight kettlebell systems may include a two-part securing mechanism for securement between the kettlebell base and the at least one top-loading nesting weight.
US09022902B2
A method and transmission control unit configured to improve shift event performance in a vehicle with an automatic transmission by determining a vent time for release of a clutch assembly in a transmission of a vehicle. The vehicle must be stopped and a gear selector in the vehicle must be set to a drive condition. If these conditions are met, the clutch assembly is vented. The vent time from when venting begins to when a turbine (or input shift) speed of the transmission rises is tracked. Once the turbine speed of the transmission rises, the clutch assembly is reapplied. The clutch assembly vent time is set based on the tracked vent time.
US09022900B2
A control device continuously variable transmission for vehicle according to the present invention includes a continuously variable transmission mechanism capable of continuously changing a speed ratio, a sub-transmission mechanism provided in series with the continuously variable transmission mechanism, including a first gear position and a second gear position having a smaller speed ratio than the first gear position as forward gear positions and adapted to switch between the first gear position and the second gear position by selectively engaging or releasing a plurality of frictional engagement elements, and a transmission control unit wherein a vehicle is stopped with the gear position of the sub-transmission mechanism kept in the second gear position when being stopped in a state where the gear position of the sub-transmission mechanism is in the second gear position.
US09022888B2
Illustrative embodiments of angle impact tools are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an angle impact tool may comprise a motor including an output shaft configured to rotate about a first axis, an impact mechanism configured to drive rotation of an output drive about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis, and a gear assembly configured to be driven by the output shaft of the motor and to drive the impact mechanism, the gear assembly comprising a planetary gear set coupled to the output shaft of the motor.
US09022884B2
An apparatus for measuring a baseball and softball pitcher's “leg drive” for training and coaching purposes and for developing a strong leg drive. The apparatus includes a lower ground engaging plate and an upper pitcher's foot supporting plate. The plates are slidingly secured to one another such that the upper plate is linearly moveable relative to the lower plate. A force measuring element is provided between the upper and lower plates. A pitchers rubber is secured to the upper plate. A pitcher uses the apparatus by stepping on the upper plate and pushing against the rubber while pitching, thereby linearly moving the upper plate against the element. The element thereby provides an output indicative of the pitcher's leg drive. The element can be a load cell or a spring mechanism. An audible sound is generated when the spring force is overcome.
US09022873B2
According to the various features characteristics and embodiments of the present invention which will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds, the present invention provides partially fingered gloves intended to increase the overall performance in sports activities including but limited to football and golf. Primarily because of its unique finger configurations, and/or grip enhancers, and/or hand protective properties, the present invention makes a glove more operable in various sports activities.
US09022859B2
A system and a method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts based on a cash in or initial investment amount are described. In response to a player's initial investment or cash in amount, a payout schedule is selected. The larger the initial investment the better the selected payout schedule for the player. Live games of chance, games of chance facilitated by electronic gaming machines or devices and server-based games may utilize the method shown here. Players may also receive enhanced awards such as enhanced player points based on the amount of the initial investment, or based on other parameters and factors. Awards and bonuses may also be provided to players who exhaust an initial investment exceeding a threshold amount. Other different variations and combinations of the games and winnings are also explained in details.
US09022845B2
A ventilated roof features an elongated vent having a vent opening and an elongated vent shingle supporting surface. The vent opening is in fluid communication with a slot defined by the top surface of a roof deck and communicating through the roof deck. An end cap has an end cap shingle supporting surface and is located adjacent to an end of the elongated vent. The vent and the end cap adjacent to the vent are supported in an equivalent spaced-apart relation to the top surface of the roof deck. The elongated vent shingle supporting surface, the end cap shingle supporting surface and the top surface of the roof deck provide a substantially continuous support to a shingle overlapping any two of those elements.
US09022837B2
A honing machine has at least one clamping unit that clamps a workpiece and has a rotary drive for the workpiece. A spindle unit has a stroke drive for an inner honing tool for inner honing of the workpiece. An outer honing device that is movable relative to the workpiece in an axial direction of the workpiece is provided. The outer honing device has several honing stones and an advancing device acting on the honing stones. The honing stones each are advanced in a radial direction relative to the workpiece. The advancing device has at least one linear drive for each one of the honing stones and a common drive motor for all of the linear drives.
US09022835B1
The process and apparatus for mobile separation and recovery of used contaminants abrasive blasting material from a work site. Entrained contaminants within used blast material are removed by a self-contained mobile platform process using multiple stage cleaning system including dual cyclonic separation, multiple stage dust filters with large debris magnetic drum, airwash and vibratory separation in a flow through containment and blast media separation process.
US09022832B1
Disclosed herein is a mini-figure that may be used with existing and standard toy block systems and also have the appearance of a sports figure. Improvements over traditional mini-figures include additional separate components in the arms and feet, an optional variation in torso shape, accessories which create visual impression of sports figures in natural use, unique markings identifiable by specific player or production, and a unique method of marketing and distribution.
US09022828B2
A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element with a pair of element electrodes as a first element electrode and a second element electrode positioned at the lower surface of the light-emitting element; a phosphor plate disposed on the upper surface of the light-emitting element; a first resin covering the lower surface and the peripheral side surface of the light-emitting element with the first element electrode and the second element electrode partly appearing from the first resin; and a second resin provided in the phosphor plate.
US09022822B2
This invention relates to an amphibious vehicle and especially to an amphibious vehicle having twin internal combustion engines propelling the vehicle in water with a pair of water jet drives and propelling the vehicle on land with one of the same engines having an electric generator powering a pair of electric motors each coupled to a track assembly. Each electric motor and each air brakes are controlled separately to steer and brake the track assemblies.
US09022819B2
A crimp terminal (10) has a connecting portion (12) that is conductively connected to an electrical connection target, a crimp portion (14) that is fixed by crimping to a core (52) of a coated wire (50), and a link (16) extending between the connecting portion (12) and the crimp portion (14). Positioning protrusions (44) protrude out from both lateral sides of the link (16) in a width direction orthogonal to an extension direction of the link (16).
US09022817B2
A connector terminal includes first and second spring terminals between which a male connector terminal of a male electric connector is sandwiched. The connector terminal is formed by bending a strip-shaped plate about lines intersecting with a longitudinal line of the plate such that a width of the plate is maintained as it is. The first and second spring terminals are formed with a limiter for preventing the first and second spring terminals from being outwardly deflected.
US09022802B2
A terminal module is applied in an electrical connector having an insulating body, and includes first terminals, a first fixing bracket, second terminals, and a second fixing bracket. The first terminals and the second terminals are arranged parallel to each other along the same direction. The first fixing bracket is configured to fix the first terminals and the second fixing bracket is configured to fix the second terminals. The first fixing bracket is provided with a positioning hole extending along the arrangement direction of the first terminals. Furthermore, a positioning portion protrudes from the second fixing bracket in the direction towards the first fixing bracket, and corresponds to the positioning hole.Therefore, the first fixing bracket and the second fixing bracket are inserted into each other through the insertion of the positioning portion into the positioning hole, and are further received in the insulating body of the electrical connector.
US09022799B2
The invention relates to a coaxial connector with a female and a male connector part. The two connector parts each have an inner ventilation channel which extends in the longitudinal direction of the connector and which opens out into at least one outwardly extending, stepped (when viewed in the longitudinal section) ventilation channel.
US09022790B1
A fixture for connecting a printed circuit board for a storage device to a storage device test equipment, the fixture including a body, a first set of contacts located on the body and configured to contact spindle motor contacts on the printed circuit board in a solderless manner, a second set of contacts located on the body configured to contact head stack assembly contacts on the printed circuit board in a solderless manner, and a plurality of alignment posts located on the body and configured to align the first set of contacts with the spindle motor contacts and align the second set of contacts with the head stack assembly contacts.
US09022785B2
A shooting range management system that includes at least one shot detection transducer configured to detect the exit of a shot fired from a ballistic weapon and at least one impact detector configured to detect the impact of the shot on a target. The system further comprises a receiver connected to the at least one shot detection transducer and the at least one impact detector, the receiver including a timer configured to time the firing of at least one shot and to time the impact of the at least one shot and produce a data record thereof, and a display connected to the receiver, the display configured to display the data record of the receiver.
US09022782B2
A dental positioning stent for drilling an implant hole and a manufacturing method, a using method and components for the same are provided. The manufacturing method includes: slicing a tooth mold and a false tooth model along a preset slice plane; fixing two markers in the preset slice plane on two sides of the false tooth model respectively; covering the markers and the false tooth model with a shaping agent to form a positioning stent; putting the positioning stent on the teeth in a mouth to perform tomography imaging to acquire a slice image of the preset slice plane; mounting a positioning aid having a positioning hole in the positioning stent according to the slice image pasted up on the tooth mold to guide an initial drill. A dental positioning stent for tomography imaging, and a manufacturing method, a using method, and components thereof are provided.
US09022774B2
An apparatus for forming pressed food products can utilize up to 98% chicken breast meat in high profit margin products. Breast meat is marinated and then extruded into a slab which is then frozen and shaped into a plank. The plank is sliced into unit portions which are then pressed into shaped portions with a preferred, or other, press. One preferred press linearly reciprocates unit portions into the press. This or another preferred press imparts three dimension exterior shape to the pressed food products.
US09022763B2
The invention relates to a press furnace for a denture or partial denture, having a combustion chamber in which a press mold, in particular a muffle, having a press channel for the introduction of a ram can be positioned, and a drive for driving the ram, wherein, in order to improve the drive of the press furnace, the drive provided is an electromagnet, the magnetic armature or magnetic coil of which drives the ram.
US09022760B2
A compressor for compressing refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit includes a housing defining a compression chamber. A screw rotor is mounted within the housing and configured to form a pocket of high pressure refrigerant and a pocket of low pressure refrigerant within the compression chamber. The screw rotor has a rotor shaft rotating about an axis. A bearing cavity includes at least one bearing rotatably supporting the rotor shaft. A partition through which the rotor shaft extends separates the bearing cavity from the compression chamber. A contacting seal is sealingly engaged with the rotor shaft and disposed in the bearing cavity proximate the partition. A passage has an opening adjacent the rotor shaft between the contacting seal and the compression chamber and in fluid communication with the pocket of low pressure refrigerant.
US09022755B2
The pump includes a housing containing a hollow elongated part, a piston arranged to move back and forth inside an elongated part, an inlet port and an outlet port arranged so that a fluid can be sucked through the inlet port into a chamber during an instroke of the piston and expelled through the outlet port during an outstroke. A linearly and/or angularly actuable valve system has a valve holder mounted on the pump housing which includes at least one through-hole extending from the piston chamber to the housing outer surface. The valve holder contains an inlet and/or outlet to alternately connect the inlet and outlet ports of the volumetric pump.
US09022744B2
A turbine engine blade having a plurality of blade sections stacked along a radial axis between a root and a tip. Each section extends along a longitudinal axis between a leading edge and a trailing edge, and along a tangential axis between a pressure-side face and a suction-side face. Each section presents a camber line, a deviation defined for each section as the difference between an angle between the tangent to the camber line at the leading edge and the longitudinal axis, and an angle between the tangent to the camber line at the trailing edge and the longitudinal axis. The minimum deviation is at the root of the blade, and the maximum deviation is present at sections situated in the range 0.3H to 0.8H, where H is the height of the blade measured from its root to its tip.
US09022729B2
In an adjusting device for a charger device, in particular an exhaust gas turbocharger, with a holding ring on which a plurality of guide vanes is mounted in an operative connection with an actuating ring via a respective connecting element and whose respective angle of attack is adjustable by rotation of the actuating ring, the respective connecting elements are in an operative connection with the actuating element via at least one effective area which extends slant to the axial direction of the adjusting device so as to bias the connecting elements and the guide vanes associated therewith in a predetermined axial direction.
US09022726B2
A thermally loaded, cooled component thermally coupled to a cooling system configured to receive a gaseous cooling introduced in a forced manner from outside that flows through the cooling system so as to absorb and transport heat away from the component as a result of thermal contact with the component. The component includes at least one Helmholtz resonator configured to improve thermal contact between the cooling medium and the component.
US09022725B2
A gas turbine engine includes a shaft defining an axis of rotation. An outer rotor directly drives the shaft and includes an outer set of blades. An inner rotor has an inner set of blades interspersed with the outer set of blades. The inner rotor is configured to rotate in an opposite direction about the axis of rotation from the outer rotor. A gear system couples the inner rotor to the shaft and is configured to rotate the inner set of blades at a faster speed than the outer set of blades.
US09022723B2
A system includes a solid feed pump. The solid feed pump includes a housing, a rotor disposed in the housing, a curved passage disposed between the rotor and the housing, a solid feed inlet coupled to the curved passage, a solid feed outlet coupled to the curved passage, and a rotatable sleeve configured to rotate to actively draw solid feed into the solid feed inlet or out of the solid feed outlet.
US09022718B2
A safety feature prevents a two wheeled electric paper lift from raising a paper tray on uneven ground that includes a tilt switch positioned in parallel with an upper limit switch that controls the height in a vertical direction of the paper tray. When a tilt angle of the paper lift is greater than 5° the tilt switch will prevent the paper tray from being raised and thereby prevent the load on the paper tray from shifting or tipping over and causing injury to an operator.
US09022717B2
A panel-storing shelf comprises at least two support members, at least two tracks disposed around a surface of each of the at least two support members, respectively, to rotate about respective support member, and at least two brackets disposed on each of the at least two tracks, respectively, and at the same level, to hold the panel and rotate along with the track.
US09022716B2
A work conveying system sequentially conveys a workpiece to multiple working apparatuses and includes a rail track disposed along the multiple working apparatuses and multiple conveyor robots disposed on the rail track and movable on the rail track independently. In addition, a delivery control unit controls the multiple conveyor robots for delivering the workpiece between adjacent conveyor robots. Any one of the multiple conveyor robots can be controlled for isolated individual movement on the rail track between adjacent working apparatuses to sequentially deliver the workpiece.
US09022714B2
A substrate processing system and substrate transferring method capable of transferring a substrate bi-directionally through the use of substrate transferring device provided between two rows of processing chambers arranged linearly, thereby improving the substrate-transferring efficiency, the substrate processing system includes a transfer chamber having at least one bi-directional substrate transferring device for bi-directionally transferring a substrate; and a plurality of processing chambers for applying a semiconductor-manufacturing process to the substrate, wherein the plurality of processing chambers are linearly arranged along two rows confronting each other, and the transfer chamber is interposed between the two rows of the processing chambers, wherein the bi-directional substrate transferring device have a moving unit inside the transfer chamber, and horizontally moved by a linear motor; and a bi-directional substrate transferring unit in the moving unit, the bi-directional substrate transferring unit transferring the substrate to the processing chamber through a bi-directional sliding movement.
US09022712B2
A fastener for attaching objects to channeled members wherein the objects have a hole extending therethrough and the channeled members have a longitudinal slot formed between projecting longitudinal walls. The fastener includes a button and a retainer. The button includes an abutment wall, an abutment surface and an axially extending slot. The retainer includes an engagement boss and a head at opposite ends of shaft. The retainer extends through the button slot. For attaching the object, the button extends through the object hole with the abutment wall adjacent the object and the abutment surface adjacent the channeled member. The retainer boss and part of the shaft extend through the longitudinal slot. The retainer is rotated for engaging the longitudinal walls with the boss. The longitudinal walls are sandwiched between the boss and the button abutment surface and the object is sandwiched between the channeled member and the button abutment wall.
US09022702B2
It is an object of the invention to provide a technique that contributes to rationalization of dust collection, in a dust collecting attachment for use on a power tool.Dust collecting attachments 250, 350 are used on a power tool 201 having a tool body 203, a tool bit 209 which can be coupled to a front end region of the tool body 203, and an auxiliary handle 208 attached to the tool body 203. The dust collecting attachments 250, 350 include dust collecting members 251, 351, respectively, which can be attached to the auxiliary handle 208 in such a manner as to surround the front end region of the tool body 203 around a longitudinal axis of the front end region in order to collect dust generated during operation by the power tool 201, and a connecting hose 273 for connecting the dust collecting members 251, 351 to a dust collector.
US09022695B2
There is provided an apparatus for securing a hollow pile in the ground. The pile has a wall with an inner surface. The apparatus is positionable within the pile. The apparatus includes a housing having an interior and a plurality of apertures. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions slidably extending through the apertures of the housing. The protrusions are moveable outwards from the housing for selectively deforming portions of the wall of the pile and creating anchor knobs in the pile upon pressurized hydraulic fluid being applied to the interior of the housing. The apparatus includes a plurality of support members extending outwardly from the housing. The support members are shaped to selectively abut and support the inner surface of the wall of the pile when the anchor knobs are being formed.
US09022690B2
A trench plow blade for removing cable below ground which includes a plow member having upper and a lower end and a plow wedge disposed at the lower end, the trench plow blade receiving air or water for loosening the ground above the cable or reciprocally moving the plow member relative to the plow wedge. Apparatus for the removal of cable buried in the ground and a method relating to removal of buried cable with a trenching plow blade is disclosed.
US09022686B2
The present invention provides a system and method for controlling an asphalt repair apparatus. An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide a system that may position a heater repair element adjacent a targeted asphalt surface, acquire and analyze surface and heater sensing data, and control heater output to prepare the targeted asphalt surface for repair. Further, the system may be configured to control an asphalt repair apparatus to satisfy user-defined asphalt repair requirements.
US09022685B1
A manhole cover assembly includes a manhole structure, a manhole frame carried by the manhole structure and a manhole frame grout cementing the manhole frame to the manhole structure. The manhole frame grout includes a grout mixture having an epoxy resin, a curing agent and an aggregate. The epoxy resin and the aggregate are present in the grout mixture in an epoxy resin:aggregate weight ratio of about 0.09. A removable manhole cover is carried by the manhole frame. A manhole cover assembly fabrication method is also disclosed.
US09022682B2
An assembly for and method of reinforcing interconnection between an active material wire actuator, such as a shape memory alloy wire, and structure, includes the generation and engagement of an enlarged formation affixed to or integrally formed with the actuator.
US09022681B1
First and second plates have a space between them. Each plate has parallel top and bottom edges, parallel inner and outer edges, and interior and exterior surfaces. First and second fingering assemblies include fingers fabricated of a flexible material. Each finger includes a terminal projection extending into the space between the support plates. The fingers may move into and out of the space between the support plates. First and second tubes are provided. Each tube is coupled to the inner edge of an associated plate. Each tube has circumferential recesses with C-shaped clips positioned within the circumferential recesses. In this manner the tubes are secured together. Also in this manner rotation of the tubes and support plates is allowed.
US09022666B2
An optical communication connector having a connector housing that includes opposite mating and loading sides and a housing cavity that extends therebetween. The optical communication connector also includes an optical module that is positioned within the housing cavity and a biasing element that is positioned between the optical module and the loading side in the housing cavity. The biasing element has a module end, a back end, and a resilient spring portion that extends between the module and back ends. The spring portion includes an elongated body having a plurality of flexible bend segments that wrap back-and-forth within a spring plane. The spring portion is compressible between first and second states during a mating operation between the optical module and an optical connector.
US09022658B2
A hydrodynamic journal pad bearing is provided having several pads circumferentially distributed around the rotor of a large steam turbine with each pad mounted onto a platform separating the pad from a cylindrical cage in turn connected to the floor of a hall housing the turbine and having an interface between at least one of the several pads and the platform on which the at least one of the several pads is mounted is formed such as to include at least two areas with different curvatures to increase the stiffness of the interface in the event of a relative movement between the pad and the platform.
US09022656B2
A vibration-damping plain bearing composite comprising a sliding layer, a dimensionally stable support layer and an elastic layer. In one embodiment, the dimensionally stable support layer is arranged between the sliding layer and the elastic layer; in another embodiment, the elastic layer is arranged between the sliding layer and the dimensionally stable support layer. The bearing composites are characterized that a ratio of the thickness of the elastic layer tEL to a thickness of the sliding layer tSL is at least 3.
US09022655B2
A side seal for a linear guide apparatus including a guide rail, a slider, and a plurality of rolling elements includes seal members formed of different materials, a holder plate and covers. Both seal members have recesses formed in a first face of a base and fitted with a protrusion of the holder plate. Both seal members have respective lips directed in opposite directions separated from each other. A tip of the lip of the first seal member is formed to have a shape in plane contact with the face of the guide rail. A tip of the lip of the second seal member is formed to have a shape in line contact with the face of the guide rail.
US09022651B2
A method for correcting erroneous intensity measurements caused by defective pixels of the detector for a single-crystal X-ray diffraction system uses collected diffraction images and a defective pixel list to modify three-dimensional reflection profiles by replacing profile elements affected by the defective pixels with corresponding profile elements from a model profile. Reflection positions on the detector are predicted using an orientation matrix for the crystal and a three-dimensional observed profile is constructed for each reflection. A model profile is constructed using normalized profile data from multiple reflection profiles. The observed profiles are compared with the defective pixel list to determine which profile elements are affected by defective pixels, and those elements are replaced by corresponding elements from the model profile. If the replaced elements represent more than a predetermined percentage of the overall reflection intensity, the data for that reflection is omitted from an overall dataset for the crystal.
US09022645B2
A plasma processing apparatus and a temperature measuring method that may measure a temperature of an object in a processing chamber by a low-coherence interferometer without forming a hole in a holding stage or an upper electrode of the plasma processing apparatus, thereby performing a plasma process of a substrate with high precision and uniformity. The plasma processing apparatus is implemented by disposing a light source collimator outside of a light source window, disposing a light-receiving collimator outside of a light-receiving window, allowing a measurement light emitted from the light source collimator to pass through the light source window to be obliquely emitted to a surface of the object to be measured, and allowing the reflected measurement light to pass through the light-receiving window to be incident on the light-receiving collimator. The temperature of the object in the processing chamber may be measured by the low-coherence interferometer.
US09022638B2
A mixing and kneading machine (1) for continual compounding comprises a screw shaft (3) rotating in a casing (2) and simultaneously moving axially translationally. To sustainably enhance the efficiency of the machine as regards its material thruput per unit of time the screw shaft (3) comprises at least four groups of radial screw vanes (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) evenly distributed circumferentially, each group consisting of a plurality of screw vanes in axial sequence. The outer diameter (Da) of the screw shaft ranges from 400 to 800 millimeters. The rotary speed of the screw shaft (3) ranges from 30 to 80 rpm. A mixing and kneading machine (1) engineered as such is particularly suitable for compounding an anodic mass in the production of electrodes—anodes—for the aluminum industry.
US09022633B2
A linear light source device comprises a wiring substrate in a rectangular shape and a wiring pattern formed thereon, a plurality of light emitting elements arranged on the wiring substrate in a longitudinal direction of the wiring substrate and connected with the wiring pattern on the wiring substrate, reflectors, each of which includes two parts having slope surfaces on one side and the other side facing each other in the longitudinal direction of each light emitting element, and which are separated from each other on the wiring substrate corresponding to the light emitting elements, respectively; and a sealing resin sealing the light emitting elements by burying a recession portion defined by a surface of the wiring substrate where the light emitting elements are arranged and the two slope surfaces, wherein the two parts of each of reflectors have convex portions on their upper surfaces, respectively.
US09022630B2
A display module includes a display panel including a display area and a non-display area, an upper prism layer including a plurality of parallel upper prisms at a lower surface thereof, wherein the plurality of the upper prisms are parallel to one another, a lower prism layer including a plurality of lower prisms at a lower surface thereof, wherein the plurality of the lower prisms are parallel to one another and extend in a substantially perpendicular direction to the upper prisms, and an adhesive part which is at a side of the upper prism layer and is adhered to the lower prism layer and the non-display area of the display panel, wherein the adhesive part fixes the upper prism layer and the lower prism layer to each other.
US09022628B2
A compact, high-efficiency, high-power, solid state light source, comprising a high-power solid state light-emitting device, a light guide having a proximal light-receiving end proximate the light-emitting device and a distal light-transmitting end spaced farther from the light-emitting device, and a mechanical light guide fixing device coupled to the light guide near its proximal end, to hold the proximal end of the light guide in position near the light-emitting device.
US09022621B2
A luminaire having a housing defining one or more unthreaded mounting holes therein, a connector having a head and a shaft, the connector shaft located at least partially in one of the one or more mounting holes, the connector shaft comprised of a pliable material, a circuit board mounted to the housing by the connector head, the circuit board populated with one or more LEDs, and a lens resting against and spaced form the circuit board by the connector head.
US09022617B2
A lens includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and a side surface interconnecting outer edges of the top surface and the bottom surface. An aspheric protrusion member protrudes from the top surface. The protrusion member includes coaxial extending portions which are stacked along an optical axis of the lens. A step is formed between each two adjacent extending portions. A receiving chamber is recessed from the bottom surface and oriented toward the top surface. The receiving chamber includes a top surface being roughened to diffuse light and make the diffuse light evenly travel through the lens.
US09022615B2
A light-emitting module of the present invention comprises: a light source in which an LED element is disposed on a substrate and electrodes electrically connected to the LED element are provided on the substrate; a metal plate on which the light source is disposed; lead wires connected to the electrodes directly or via other electrode pattern; and a housing made of resin fixed onto the metal plate and housing the light source therein. Moreover, the housing includes a hole opening above the light source, and includes at least one pair of protrusions that protrude facing one another inside the hole and apply a bias to the light source to press the light source onto a metal plate side.
US09022607B2
A multi-segment display is disclosed. The multi-segment display includes substantially no hotspots and is substantially free of color discoloration that accompanies hotspots. The multi-segment display is configured for surface mounting. The multi-segment display is provided with a leadframe that fits into a package body thereby placing the light sources mounted on the leadframe in closer proximity to the encapsulant that fills vias of each segment.
US09022606B2
A luminaire is provided, that includes a housing and a plurality of solid state light sources connected thereto. The housing has a top side, two lateral sides, a protrusion in the top side, and two light source mounting surfaces. The top side is diffusely reflecting and has opposing lateral edges and a center. The lateral sides are specularly reflecting and extend generally downward from the opposing lateral edges of the top side. Each has a respective bottom edge. The light source mounting surfaces extend laterally inward from the respective bottom edges. The plurality of solid state light sources is disposed along the pair of light source mounting surfaces proximate the pair of specularly reflecting lateral sides. These emit light, which travels upward to the top side and is also specuarly reflected by the lateral sides toward the top side. The top side diffusely reflects the light out of the luminaire.
US09022605B2
A charging connection device includes a device connector configured to be coupled to a rechargeable electronic device, and a circuit board coupled to the connector and including charging circuitry and an associated light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED), thereon. A housing encloses the circuit board and includes a first end comprising a lens, with the connector extending from the first end. A touch switch, such as touch plates, is on the housing, coupled to the circuit board, and configured to activate the light source. A power source connector is coupled to the circuit board and associated with a second end of the housing. One of the touch plates and/or one side of the housing may include at least one opening therein to transmit light from the light source and indicate right-side-up.
US09022589B2
A simulated sunlight irradiation apparatus (100) has transmittance adjustment members (13a and 13b) provided above an irradiation surface of a light guide plate (10) and in the vicinity of either incident face of the light guide plate (10) on which simulated sunlight is incident. The transmittance adjustment members (13a and 13b) adjust the transmittance of light in a portion of a wavelength band of simulated sunlight that is emitted from the irradiation surface of the light guide plate (10), thus bringing about improvement in spectral coincidence of the simulated sunlight. This provides a simulated sunlight irradiation apparatus that can radiate simulated sunlight with high spectral coincidence.
US09022587B2
In a vehicle door mirror device, when a fitting recess portion and a fitting protrusion portion fit, a gap is formed between an orthogonal face and an opposing face due to a fitting recess portion and a fitting protrusion portion contacting along case rotating direction. Accordingly, even when the fitting protrusion portion wears and external shape becomes smaller, the fitting recess portion and the fitting protrusion portion are contacted and fitted until the gap disappears. The gap is set larger than a gap between a visor and a stay. Therefore, the fitting recess portion and the fitting protrusion portion contact along the case rotating direction even when the visor contacts the stay, due to presence of the gap. Accordingly, even when the visor contacting the stay is taken as useful life indicator of the device, rattling of the visor against the stay can be suppressed at this stage.
US09022578B2
A projection display device includes light sources having light-emitting elements for emitting lights in R, G, B colors, temperature sensors for the respective colors disposed near the light sources in the respective colors, light sensors for the respective colors disposed near the light sources in the respective colors for detecting light leakages from the light sources in the respective colors, a cooling unit for cooling the light sources in the respective colors, light modulators employing three panels of liquid crystal devices, a projection optical system, an amount-of-light controller for maintaining a predetermined ratio of the amounts of lights emitted from the light sources in the respective colors, and a cooling controller for controlling the cooling unit for the light sources in the respective colors.
US09022569B2
When an anterior segment photographing mode is selected, ease of operation by an inspector is improved. An ophthalmologic apparatus includes an area changing unit for changing a movement area of an optical unit including an optical path of measuring light, when an anterior segment photographing mode for photographing an anterior segment of an eye to be inspected is selected, to be different from a movement area when a mode other than the anterior segment photographing mode is selected.
US09022567B2
An ophthalmic imaging apparatus divides a frame image obtained by capturing a moving image into a plurality of regions grouping pixels, and acquires photometric values corresponding the plurality of the regions. Further, the ophthalmic imaging apparatus determines acknowledgement or dis-acknowledgement of capturing a still image based on temporal variation of the acquired photometric values or distribution of the acquired photometric values on a fundus image. The ophthalmic imaging apparatus inhibits to execute a still image capturing of the fundus if the dis-acknowledgement of capturing is determined.
US09022566B2
There is provided an ophthalmic device that includes a plurality of light sources including at least a light source for obtaining a return light of which aberration has been corrected with a correction unit from an eye under examination; and a control unit configured to control measurement lights from the plurality of light sources such that the measurement lights enter the eye under examination in a predetermined order when a photography of a second eye is started after a photography of a first eye has been completed.
US09022563B2
Aspects of the present invention provide a lens comprising a non-rotationally symmetric aspheric optical element, surface or feature and a rotationally symmetric aspheric optical element, surface or feature. The non-rotationally symmetric aspheric optical feature can be a progressive power region. The non-rotationally symmetric aspheric optical feature and rotationally symmetric aspheric optical feature can be in optical communication when located on different surfaces of a lens or can be collapsed to occupy a single surface of a lens. The non-rotationally symmetric aspheric optical feature and rotationally symmetric aspheric optical feature can each contribute to the add power of a lens. Distortion (e.g., astigmatism) of a lens of the present invention can be reduced (e.g., globally and/or locally) by optically combing the non-rotationally symmetric aspheric optical feature with the rotationally symmetric aspheric optical feature. Accordingly, the effective or useable vision zones of a lens of the present invention can be increased.
US09022561B2
In a plastic optical product, an optical multilayer film having a seven layer structure is formed on a surface of a plastic substrate directly or with an interlayer interposed therebetween. In the seven layer structure of the optical multilayer film, a layer on the plastic substrate side is a low refractive index layer, and the low refractive index layers and high refractive index layers are alternately disposed. At least the high refractive index layer at the center of the seven layer structure contains substoichiometric titanium oxide. In a plastic lens for spectacles belonging to such a plastic optical product, the plastic substrate is a plastic lens substrate for spectacles, the interlayer is a hard coat film, and the optical multilayer film is an anti-reflective film.
US09022546B1
An indirect printing process for printing a gel ink. The process comprises providing a gel ink composition in an inkjet printing apparatus. Droplets of gel ink are ejected in an imagewise pattern onto an intermediate transfer member wherein each ink droplet forms a substantially circular image on the transfer member. The ink droplets are gelled and dried or solidified to form a substantially dry ink pattern on the intermediate transfer member. The substantially dry ink pattern is transferred from the intermediate transfer member to a final substrate.
US09022538B2
An image forming apparatus includes a treatment-liquid application unit applying a treatment liquid from a chamber to a recording medium; a treatment-liquid storage unit to store the liquid; a supply channel member forming a supply channel to supply the liquid from the treatment-liquid storage unit to the chamber; a collection channel member forming a collection channel to collect the liquid from the chamber; and a temporary storage portion disposed in the collection channel to temporarily store the liquid. The temporary storage portion has an internal horizontal cross-sectional area greater than a channel cross-sectional area of the collection channel. The collection channel member has a first channel portion of a channel cross-sectional area smaller than the internal horizontal cross-sectional area of the temporary storage portion. A liquid level of the liquid in the collection channel is maintained in the first channel portion after termination of collecting operation.
US09022529B2
A liquid ejecting head includes a pressure chamber substrate formed of silicon where a pressure chamber is formed, and a communication plate penetrated by communication holes in a plate thickness direction, in which the pressure chamber partitioned by partition walls formed of crystal orientation planes being formed in the recording head through etching. Acute angle portions are formed, by the partition walls intersecting with each other at an acute angle, in both end portions of the pressure chamber in a first direction, and a first step is disposed in the middle of each of the acute angle portions in an etching direction. Parts of the communication holes are arranged at positions superimposed on the acute angle portions in a bonding surface and remaining parts of the communication holes are arranged on outer sides in the first direction with respect to the acute angle portions such that a second step is formed in a communication portion between the pressure chamber and the communication holes.
US09022524B2
A liquid ejecting head unit includes a first nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles, a second nozzle group including another plurality of nozzles, a first flow path substrate including a first pressure chamber group including a plurality of first pressure chambers that eject a liquid from the nozzles of the first nozzle group upon being subjected to a pressure, a second flow path substrate including a second pressure chamber group including a plurality of second pressure chambers that eject a liquid from the nozzles of the second nozzle group upon being subjected to a pressure, and a supply substrate including a first liquid supply path through which the liquid is supplied to the first pressure chamber group, and a second liquid supply path through which the liquid is supplied to the second pressure chamber group.
US09022517B2
Proper recording is performed whether a device is tilted or not while a cost increase is suppressed. A recording device includes a recording head which performs recording on a medium, a carriage which is moved in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, a guide which guides the carriage in the first direction and the second direction, a drive motor which drives the carriage, and a controller which executes a reciprocation load detection mode where a driving load on the drive motor due to a tilt of the recording device in a movement of the carriage in the first direction is detected and a driving load on the drive motor due to the tilt of the recording device in a movement of the carriage in the second direction is detected.
US09022513B2
A recording apparatus including: a medium support tray capable of supporting a recording medium; a moving mechanism moving the medium support tray; a recording head capable of recording on the recording medium which is transported by moving the medium support tray; a protective member of the recording head; an instruction receiving section which receives an instruction of a maintenance start of the protective member; and a controller which controls the moving mechanism so as to retract the medium support tray from a set position in which the recording medium is set on the medium support tray when the instruction receiving section receives the instruction of the maintenance start.
US09022511B2
An image recording apparatus includes a transport unit which transports a medium with a joint portion along a transport path, a head unit which performs recording of a printing image on both the joint portion and a non-joint portion by ejecting ink onto the medium, a heating unit which dries liquid forming the printing image by heating a portion of the medium located at a heating region on the transport path, a detection unit which detects the joint portion, and a controller which controls transporting of the medium by the transport unit so that a heating time of the joint portion in the heating region becomes longer than a heating time of the non-joint portion in the heating region on the basis of a detection signal from the detection unit.
US09022501B2
A method for printing on a continuous sheet with an inkjet head includes printing a plurality of images in sequence and performing plural kinds of maintenance operations by using intermediate areas located between one of the images and next one of the images in accordance with a schedule, and setting the schedule such that a first maintenance operation included in the plural kinds of maintenance operations and a second maintenance operation which is performed with frequency different from that of the first maintenance operation are not performed at the same intermediate area.
US09022484B2
A mining machine for cutting material from a mine wall includes a cutting head that is movable to engage the mine wall, a vacuum duct positioned proximate the cutting head and including an inlet for receiving the material that is cut from the mine wall, and a sizer for reducing the size of material that passes into the vacuum duct, the sizer being positioned proximate the inlet.
US09022476B2
A control assembly for a chair includes a base structure having a first pivot point and a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, a seat support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to an upper portion of the base structure for rotation about the first pivot point, a back support structure having a forward portion pivotably coupled to a lower portion of the base structure for rotation about the second pivot point, wherein the back support structure is adapted to move between a first and second positions, and a control link having a first end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the seat support structure for rotation about a third pivot point, and a second end pivotably coupled to a rearward portion of the back support structure for rotation about a fourth pivot point.
US09022473B2
A rocker-type seating unit that includes a base for providing vertical support, a seat support, and a backrest support. The seating unit adjusts between an upright position and a reclined position. The seating unit includes a support frame, a seat assembly, and a rocker mechanism. The support frame includes lower crossbeams coupled to the base, and a traverse plate fixedly attached to and extends upward from the lower crossbeams. The seat assembly includes a seat frame for carrying the seat support over the support frame, seat-mounting plates fixedly attached to and extend downward from the seat frame, and an upper crossbeam that spans and couples the seat-mounting plates. The rocker mechanism is connected to the upper crossbeam on one end and connected to the traverse plate on another end. The interconnection of rocker mechanism enables a controlled, fore-and-aft sway of the seat assembly with respect to the support frame.
US09022471B2
A child restraint includes a juvenile seat and a child-restraint harness coupled to the juvenile seat. The child restraint also includes a headrest mounted for up-and-down movement relative to a seat back included in the juvenile seat.
US09022470B2
A child car seat (10) includes a child-car-seat body (15) includes a seat part (40) having a seat plate part (41) and a back plate part (45), a sliding member (60) located on a position opposed to the back plate part from a front side, the sliding member being slidable with respect to the back plate part so as to move in a height direction, and a child belt disposed on the child car-seat body. The sliding member (60) has a through-hole (66) through which the child belt (30) can pass. The back plate part has, at a position opposed to the through-hole, an elongate hole (66) extending in a sliding direction of the sliding member with respect to the back plate part.
US09022469B2
A mounting system includes a cradle disposed in a headrest in a vehicle, and a primary adapter. The cradle is shaped and dimensioned to receive the primary adapter. The primary adapter includes first to fourth lips forming a recess in the primary adapter. The recess is shaped and dimensioned to receive a first computing device or a secondary adapter. The first computing device, or a bezel of the secondary adapter, is substantially flush with an outer surface of the headrest upon mounting the first computing device or the secondary adapter to the primary adapter.
US09022468B2
The present invention introduces an interactive sitting system that measures and analyzes the forces exerted on a human body during contact with other objects such as a seat to provide a feedback for the user to assess the risk of such forces on the spine and the skin to avoid complications of abnormal or prolonged sitting.
US09022454B2
The invention relates to a method for producing trim panels of motor vehicles with lined visible surfaces made of real leather, imitation leather and/or fabric. The invention also relates to the thus obtained trim panels.
US09022445B1
A telescoping grab handle mounted on the side wall of the cargo box, adjacent the tailgate, in a pickup truck. The device has only one moving part which allows the telescoping grab handle to be easily raised vertically and locked into the extended position or easily lowered to the retracted or stowed position while standing on the ground outside the cargo box. The telescoping grab handle mounted on the side wall of the cargo box also overcomes many disadvantages of tailgate mounted grab handles which interfere with cargo handling and are rendered inoperable if the tailgate is damaged. The telescoping grab handle mounted on the side wall of the cargo box may be added as an aftermarket accessory, but the internal components of the device could also be incorporated directly into the side wall of the cargo box by the auto manufacturer during initial manufacture of the vehicle.
US09022443B1
A tool to grasp objects, and to expand and/or retract while holding the objects, wherein the tool can include at least one handle disposed on a first end of an expandable assembly. At least one handle can be adapted to expand the expandable assembly when actuated or when there are a pair of handles and they are moved towards one another and retract the expandable assembly when they are moved away from one another. A gear assembly can be disposed on a second end of the expandable assembly. The tool can allow users to reach, grasp, move, and release remote objects.
US09022440B2
A guide has an open end and a finger structure preferably of a shape memory alloy. The guide is run in small-diameter configuration through a restriction with a fishing tool, such as an overshot, above it. Once through the restriction, power to heaters on the fingers takes the material past its transition temperature to allow the guide lower end to fan out and surround a skewed fish that is in a slanted position and leaning on a wall of a surrounding tubular that has a larger dimension than the restriction. The bottomhole assembly is then advanced until the fish is captured by the fishing tool and pulled out of the hole. The fingers are forcibly retracted as the assembly is pulled back through the restriction. The guide can use retained fingers with an outward bias to flare out after passing through a restriction, thus acting as a fish guide.
US09022438B2
A cap assembly for a vehicle includes a base and a cap pivotally mounted to the base. The base can define a recess for receiving a component therein to be captured by the cap. The cap is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The cap includes a locking feature that maintains the cap in the locked position and urges the cap to the locked position when nearly in the locked position. When the cap is in the locked position, the component is locked within the recess. When the cap is in the unlocked position, the component is removable from the recess.
US09022429B2
A pipe reduction piece (10) made from plastic material, having an interior volume (12) that is provided for being flowed through by a fluid in a predetermined flow direction, wherein the pipe reduction piece (10) is formed from a first section (14) and a second section (16), said sections having interior walls (18, 20) adjoining one another in a flush manner, wherein the interior wall (18) of the first section (14) delimits a first cylindrically configured partial volume (22) of the interior volume (12), and wherein the interior wall (20) of the second section (16) delimits a second partial volume (24) of the interior volume (12), the second partial volume being configured with a decreasing cross-sectional surface in the direction of the first partial volume (22).
US09022417B2
Airbag inflator system includes an inflatable airbag, e.g., a side curtain airbag, a housing, a gas generating system arranged apart from the housing for generating gas, and a conduit leading from the gas generating system to the housing to provide gas to the housing, e.g., to a lateral end of the housing. A filter may be arranged between the gas generating system and the housing, possibly in the conduit. A nozzle may be arranged between the gas generating system and an interior of the airbag, which nozzle is varied as a function of temperature. The housing may be movably arranged relative to a fixed base and mounted to vary its relation to the base as a function of temperature, e.g., via elastic or deformable supports which support the housing on the base.
US09022416B2
An airbag housing is carried on a formed part extending from a lower section of an instrument panel for a motor vehicle. The formed part forms at least a front section of an upper wall of a footwell assigned to the vehicle occupants. A knee airbag is disposed in the airbag housing.
US09022415B2
A cover for an airbag device, which includes: a cover portion configured to cover an airbag in a folded state; a hollow insertion portion configured to be inserted into an attachment hole on the vehicle; a locking portion inserted into the attachment hole together with the insertion portion and locked at the vehicle; and a connecting portion provided inside the insertion portion and connecting inner surfaces of the insertion portion with each other so as to reinforce the insertion portion. The cover portion, the insertion portion, the locking portion, and the connecting portion are integrally formed, and the connecting portion is present at least at a position closer to a distal end side of the insertion portion in an insertion direction than the position of the attachment hole when the locking portion is locked.
US09022412B2
Splitboard boot bindings for backcountry splitboarding. Each of a pair of soft-boot bindings is provided with an integral boot binding lower that conjoins the two halves of a splitboard without the additional weight or height of an adaptor mounting plate, upper binding baseplate or “tray”, and extra fasteners of the prior art. The boot binding lower is formed as a box girder and provides improved torsional stiffness for splitboard riding. When subjected to a torque applied by the rider, the bottom mediolateral edges of the box girders are configured to contactingly engage the top face of the splitboard, thereby dynamically coupling the rider's boot sole and the board via a single rigid structure. In a preferred embodiment, the web or “spacer” members of the box girder are characterized by an aspect ratio or contour height that is varied from heel to toe.
US09022410B2
A ski binding device for fastening a boot on a ski is described. The device includes a toepiece and a heelpiece fixed to the ski and structured to selectively retain the boot. The heelpiece includes a turret and a hooking projecting appendix (“HPA”) that juts out from the turret towards the toepiece while remaining substantially parallel to a first reference axis. The turret having a lower casing which is fixed on a fastening base of the toepiece and a titlable upper casing resting hingedly connected thereto to the lower casing. The HPA protrudes from the titlable upper casing while remaining substantially parallel to the first reference axis, and the heelpiece includes a programmed-release locking means structured to lock and retain the upper casing until the titling torque transmitted to the upper casing exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
US09022408B2
An improved system for transporting an over-sized load is described herein. In one embodiment, the system can comprise a center support, a plurality of swing arms, and a dolly. The center support can comprise a beam. The swing arms can be mounted to the left side and the right side of the beam. The dolly can be mounted to each of the swing arms.
US09022403B2
A vehicle front suspension includes a suspension support structure, a transverse link, a front link breakaway structure and a rear link breakaway structure. The transverse link has an inboard side with a front connection structure connecting a front end of the transverse link to the suspension support at a first location and a rear connection structure pivotally connecting a rear end of the transverse link to the suspension support at a second location that is spaced rearwardly of the first location. The front link breakaway structure is configured to release the front end of the transverse link from the suspension support upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force on the vehicle front suspension outboard of the suspension support structure. The rear link breakaway structure is configured to release the rear connection structure of the transverse link from the suspension support upon rearward rotation of the transverse link about the rear connection structure.
US09022399B2
A device for suspending the cab of a vehicle includes a U-shaped main torsion bar (5) and a main actuator (3). The U-shaped main torsion bar (5) is positioned more or less along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
US09022395B1
A cooler comprises a main body which includes a base, an upper rim, and one or more cooler walls extending therebetween. The cooler further comprises a removable wheel assembly which includes two coaxial wheels, and an axle. The two coaxial wheels are removably securable to the axle. The cooler still further comprises a wheel fastening system configured to secure the removable wheel assembly to the base of the main body which includes a mount, a clip hingedly connected to the mount, and a locking clasp configured to lock the clip into a closed position to secure the wheel assembly. The cooler yet further comprises a lid including two wheel storage recesses, each being sized and dimensioned to receive and retain one of the coaxial wheel of the wheel assembly, and an axle storage recess sized and dimensioned to receive and retain the axle of the wheel assembly.
US09022393B2
A cutting tool includes a chuck, a compressible conical collet and a lock nut for locking the collet. The cutting tool lock nut has a nut portion with a threaded portion for threading with the chuck, and a locking portion with a collet-locking surface formed with angled coolant grooves thereon. The collet-locking surface presses on the collet head, thereby compressing it to grip a tool shank in a collet bore thereof. As the locking portion presses only against a peripheral surface of the collet head, the lock nut is suitable for locking collets with different bore diameters. When the chuck is provided with a coolant fluid, the coolant fluid flows through the chuck and through the collet towards the locking portion, passing through the coolant notches between the locking portion and the collet head, and sprayed towards a location along the tool shank.
US09022379B2
In the present invention, when a status of clogging a paper due to some cause occurs, controls of inverting a conveyance roller and returning the jammed paper in a paper feeding tray is performed. At this time, the position of a paper damming up member is lowered by an actuator when the jammed paper is returned to the paper feeding tray and the conveyance roller is inverted so as to avoid a state in which the paper damming up member 33 hinders the returning of the paper and the paper cannot be returned to the paper feeding tray. The paper damming up member is lowered to a position that is lower than a conveyance guide plate at a downstream side in a paper conveying direction. Then, the paper is returned to the paper feeding tray without damage. The returned paper can be reused.
US09022372B2
A panel jig apparatus is provided which has first moving units that are respectively installed at the left and right sides of a base frame, and selectively reciprocate a first sliding plate provided on top of the base frame leftward and rightward on the base frame. Likewise, the second moving units are respectively installed at the front and rear sides of the base frame, and selectively reciprocate a second sliding plate provided on top of the base frame forward and rearward on the base frame. The first support units are movable leftward and rightward on the base frame by the respective first sliding plates, and movable upward and downward by an ascending and descending means so as to support a panel. The second support units are movable forward and rearward on the base frame by the second sliding plates, and provided to support the panel.
US09022371B2
Kit of improved accessories suitable for automated storage structures (20) comprising an automatic clamping system adapted to lock in position workpieces stored during transport on a truck, plant conveyor or any other vehicle and supporting elements (11) for the workpieces stored each formed by bending of iron wire according to the workpiece profile.
US09022368B2
A switchable, hydraulic damping mount includes a work chamber filled with hydraulic fluid and a compensation chamber connected to the work chamber via a channel. A partition wall mutually separates the chambers. A ferromagnetic diaphragm is arranged in the partition wall and is deflectable. An electromagnetic switching actuator has a deenergized state and an energized state and controls the diaphragm. The switching actuator applies a magnetic holding force to the diaphragm and fixes the diaphragm in a rest position when the switching actuator is in the deenergized state and reduces the magnetic holding force to such an extent that the diaphragm is enabled for movement in the longitudinal direction of the mount when the switching actuator is in the energized state.
US09022364B2
A system for removing gray water from a lavatory or galley area has a container positioned in a floor of the lavatory or the galley. A conduit is provided in flow communication with the container. The conduit is coupled to a ventilation device configured to generate an air flow in the conduit to evaporate the gray water collected in the container.
US09022363B2
In accordance with one implementation, a carburetor includes a body having a fluid passage formed therein and a counterbore located along the fluid passage. The counterbore has a first sealing surface and a central axis, and the body further includes a second sealing surface located radially closer to the central axis than is the first sealing surface. The carburetor also includes a plug affixed to the body at the counterbore and in contact with both of the first and second sealing surfaces. Engagement of the plug with the two sealing surfaces may improve the connection between the plug and carburetor body. In at least some implementations, the plug may be held in place without aid of an adhesive or other secondary connector or connection aid.
US09022362B2
Provided are an apparatus for removing residual monomers and a method of producing a polyvinyl alcohol resin that can prevent drift of the organic solvent gas and residual of the polymerization solution on the trays and permits efficient removal of the unreacted monomers from the polymerization solution. An apparatus 1 for removing residual monomers having a column main body and valve trays 2 having multiple gas blowout ports each having openings only in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the polymerization solution 4 or openings directed downward in the flow direction of the polymerization solution, which are installed in multiple stages in the column main body is used in a monomer-removing step of removing monomers in a polymerization solution 4 by bringing an organic solvent gas, such as methanol gas, into contact with a polymerization solution 4 obtained from a polymerization reactor 3.
US09022359B2
A gate assembly may include a gate with a first rail and a second rail. A first guide assembly may include a first mounting piece and a first securing piece. The first mounting piece may include a first ring portion and a first rail securing portion. The first ring portion may define a first rod aperture and may be coupled to the first rail securing portion. The first securing piece may be used to secure the first guide assembly to the first rail of the gate. The gate assembly may also include a drop rod that may be inserted into the rod aperture to sideably couple the drop rod with the first guide assembly thereby substantially aligning the drop rod vertically, relative to ground. When the drop rod is put in a disengaged position, the drop rod removably couples to the second rail to allow motion of the gate.
US09022351B2
A butterfly valve (100) is provided. The butterfly valve (100) includes a valve body (103) including a valve bore (109) passing through the valve body (103), with the valve bore (109) including an upstream valve bore portion (109U) and a downstream valve bore portion (109D), a shaft bore (112), a valve shaft (121) located in the shaft bore (112) and extending substantially across the valve bore (109), and a valve flap (107) affixed to the valve shaft (121) and configured to be rotated by the valve shaft (121). The valve flap (107) is configured to rotate between a closed orientation blocking the valve bore (109) and an open orientation. The valve flap (107) is affixed on an upstream valve bore portion side of the valve shaft (121), wherein incoming fluid presses the valve flap (107) against the valve shaft (121).
US09022348B2
This invention relates to a novel rotary control valve with new joint methods and flow control mechanisms, inline-reparability and fully metal seals more particularly to a triple offset butterfly valve or ball valve with those features used for on-off and flow controlling under multiple extreme conditions or in severe services; such as the integrated gasification combined cycle under high temperature and pressure, Fluid Catalytic Cracking under high temperature over 1200 F with hard diamond like catalytic particles, shale fracking process under extreme high pressure and high velocity fluid with solid particles and corrosive additives and other critical applications for products life lasting 5 to 30 years like deepsea flow control systems and nuclear power plants and for the applications of millions cycles like jet or rocket turbine engine fuel delivery systems with high velocity fuel fluid mixed with highly oxidative gas under temperature 1365 F.
US09022333B2
A clipping jointer structure including a hooking member, a first moving fastener and a second moving fastener is provided. The hooking member is assembled to a rigid body, and has a suspending portion to buckle the hooking member onto one side of the rigid body. The first moving fastener is disposed on a board of the hooking member, and has an operating portion to buckle the first moving fastener onto another side of the rigid body or separate the first moving fastener from the rigid body. The second moving fastener is disposed on the board of the hooking member, and has a supporting portion to buckle the second moving fastener onto the structure body.
US09022332B2
Clamp for clamping an article including a plurality of pads (10) which may be arranged in a circle around a support frame (90) and pivotally connected thereto by pivot arms (26) pivotable about an axis parallel to the axis of an article (92) to which the pads (10) are to be clamped. The pads (10) are supported on the arms (26) by ball-joints or universal joints (48) such as to ensure any off-center load L is passed through said pads (10) as a vertical load having no radial component.
US09022328B2
A center armrest supporting structure for supporting a swivelable center armrest in a vehicle has an arm support which can be swiveled about a swivel axis into a lower use position and into an upper rest position. Console parts of the vehicle are connected to the arm support by bearing bolts. A stop bolt limits the swivel path of the arm support at least in the use position. A latching bolt prevents unintentional backward swiveling out of the use position and/or the rest position. A latching element has a sliding guide surface along which the stop bolt or the latching bolt slides when the arm support is swiveled A spring element is disposed between the frictional latching element and the bearing bolt, wherein the spring element produces a frictional force between the sliding guide surface and the stop bolt or the latching bolt, which counteracts the swivel movement.
US09022327B2
A device for managing cables for an information handling system may include a rigid but flexible body defining multiple cable retaining regions. Each of the multiple cable retaining regions may include a first portion shaped and sized to receive and retain a first type of cable having a first cross-sectional geometry, and a second portion shaped and sized to receive and retain a second type of cable having a second cross-sectional geometry different than the first cross-sectional geometry.
US09022308B2
A bucket (10) that is attachable to a piece of earth moving equipment by means of transverse shafts (11). The bucket (10) includes an outer casing (12) providing an upper (first) jaw member (13) and a lower (second) jaw member (14) so as to generally encompass a passage (15) along which material to be crushed passes from a passage inlet (16) to a passage outlet (17). Preferably the jaw member (13) includes an attachment assembly (42) that provides for attachment of the bucket (10) via shaft (35) to the piece of moving equipment that is to use the bucket (10).
US09022306B2
The present invention may be embodied as a compounding system having a chamber assembly defining a working chamber; a shaft, a sleeve assembly, and a plurality of arms. The sleeve assembly has first and second sleeve members each defining at least one arm opening and adapted to be arranged in a first configuration in which the first and second sleeve members are detached from each other and a second configuration in which the first and second sleeve members are secured together around the shaft to support the sleeve assembly on the shaft. Each of the arms is configured to be inserted partly through one of the arm openings when the sleeve assembly is in the first configuration and held in a desired configuration relative to one of the first and second sleeve members when the sleeve assembly is in the second configuration.
US09022301B2
An improved manifold for an aerosol system may include a valve interface (120) capable of flexing to fit with a valve stem of an aerosol system and form a seal and methods for making a manifold may include a gate (106) positioned to improve contact between steel defining a fluid flow path in the manifold.
US09022295B2
A wireless IC device includes a wireless IC chip arranged to process a radio signal, a power-supply circuit board that is connected to the wireless IC chip and that includes a power supply circuit including at least one coil pattern, and a radiation plate arranged to radiate a transmission signal supplied from the power-supply circuit board and/or receiving a reception signal to supply the reception signal to the power-supply circuit board. The radiation plate includes an opening provided in a portion thereof and a slit connected to the opening. When viewed in plan from the direction of the winding axis of the coil pattern, the opening in the radiation plate overlaps with an inner area of the coil pattern and the area of the inner area is approximately the same as that of opening.
US09022289B1
Methods and apparatus for a product authenticator and barcode scanner interlock. An example apparatus includes a barcode scanner to scan a barcode on an item and a tester to determine whether the item is authentic, wherein the tester prevents the barcode from scanning the item if the item is not authentic.
US09022286B2
An embodiment includes a credit card device capable of generating a programmed magnetic field of alternating polarity based on a speed of a card swipe, and methods for constructing the device for the purpose of emulating a standard credit card. An apparatus is described to allow said device to emulate behavior of a credit card when used in electronic credit card readers. Additionally methods are described to allow user control of said device for the purpose of authorizing or controlling use of said device in the application of credit, debit and cash transactions, including cryptocurrency and card-to-card transactions. Methods are also described for generating a limited-duration credit card number when performing a transaction for the purpose of creating a limited-use credit card number, which is limited in scope of use to a predetermined number of authorized transactions. Furthermore said device may interact with other similar devices in proximity for the purpose of funds or credit/debit transfers.
US09022281B2
A commodity sales data processing apparatus determines, based on the imaged image of the commodity, whether or not the commodity is provided with an image display element for displaying a specific image representing that the commodity is a commodity adhered with a security tag, if it determines that the commodity is a commodity adhered with a security tag, the processing that the first resonant circuit become unusable for the security tag using the first communication device is carried out, in this state, if the first communication device carries out no communication and the second communication device carries out communication, carries out for shifting the processing of next commodity.
US09022280B2
Methods and systems for generating and resolving multi-mode barcodes comprise: inputting graphical data representing a barcode pattern into memory; translating the graphical data into barcode information according to a standard for translating a particular type of barcode pattern into barcode information; detecting the presence of multiple, distinct data items of different types in the barcode information, wherein each data item specifies an action to be taken by the scanning device; identifying a data item in the barcode information for which the scanning device is capable of taking the action specified by the data item; and performing the action specified by the data item.
US09022278B2
A printer credit management method is disclosed, the method includes receiving a code at a printer. From the code, a printer identifier and a credit value are discerned. It is determined if the printer identifier corresponds to a unique identifier assigned to the printer. Only upon a positive determination, a credit balance maintained by the printer is updated to include the credit value.
US09022277B2
A carrier for holding a plurality of articles. The carrier comprises a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a first bottom panel and a second bottom panel. At least one locking feature comprises a female locking feature in the first bottom panel and a male locking feature in the second bottom panel. The female locking feature comprises a locking flap, and the male locking feature comprises a retention feature. At least a portion of the male locking feature engages the female locking feature, and at least a portion of the locking flap at least partially engages the retention feature.
US09022275B2
Automatic welding equipment includes a wave soldering machine including a tank, a plurality of first nozzles, a first pump, and a first guide plate. The tank has an opening. The first nozzles and melted solder are disposed in the tank. The first pump is disposed in the tank for jetting the solder via the first nozzles. The first guide plate is located at the opening and includes a first plate portion and a second plate portion. The first plate portion is located over the first nozzles and has a plurality of first holes for passed through by the solder jetted from the first nozzles. The second plate portion, connected to the first plate portion, guides the solder to flow out of the first holes. The solder guided by the second plate portion passes through second holes of the second plate portion and returns into the tank.
US09022269B1
A modular fishing vest system combining the load capacity of a backpack with the advantages of a fishing vest is described. The modular fishing vest system typically includes a fishing vest with a first storage module removably coupled to a back side of the vest. The first storage module can resemble a backpack. The modular fishing vest system typically further includes shoulder straps installed inside the fishing vest in order to transfer load to a user's shoulders. The shoulder straps are typically removably coupled to an inside surface of the vest. The modular fishing vest system further includes second storage modules detachably installed on a front side of the vest. The second storage modules can include a shelf pocket that opens to provide a shelf approximately horizontally disposed, on which pocket contents or other items can be supported.
US09022264B2
A roof rack attachment assembly for a vehicle is provided along with a method of assembling a vehicle having a roof panel capable of receiving a roof rack attachment at a predetermined attachment point is provided. The vehicle may include a roof panel defining a plurality of elongated grooves. The assembly may include a groove applique disposed within and along the length of each of the elongated grooves. The groove applique may be secured within each of the elongated grooves with a plurality of securing components placed along the length of the elongated groove. A plurality of attachment features may be coupled to the groove applique at predetermined locations, defining a predetermined attachment point for a vehicle roof rack. The roof rack assembly allows a roof rack of any style to be added, removed, or replaced at the each of the predetermined attachment points throughout the life of the vehicle.
US09022254B2
A vending machine to dispense purchased goods includes a frame, a dispensing member, a controlling member, a blocking member and a driving member. The controlling member can slide a limiting shaft between a latched position and a releasing position. The driving member is a spring which is partly uncoiled and which constantly pulls the dispensing member, and thus a line of goods, towards the blocking member. When the limiting shaft is in the latched position, the limiting shaft prevents the blocking member rotating, so holding back the line of unpurchased goods. When the limiting shaft is retracted to the releasing position, the pressure of the line of goods rotates the blocking member through ninety degrees to allow one of the goods to pass out of the goods channel.
US09022250B2
A tilted sensory aroma glass is disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a fluid container having a rim and a base. The base is parallel to and in contact with a surface when the fluid container is placed on the surface. The rim and the base lie on intersecting planes. The apparatus further includes a fluid barrier having an opening. The fluid barrier is in contact with the fluid container and extends into the fluid container. The opening is configured to allow an aroma of a fluid in the fluid container to escape through the opening. The aroma glass allows consumers to view and smell the liquid contents of the aroma glass, but prevents consumers from consuming the liquid contents.
US09022248B2
The present invention is a portable beverage container with a permanent neoprene cover. The container has a vessel, a permanent neoprene cover, a weight, a bottom cover, a protective rubber bottom and a lid. The permanent neoprene is made of neoprene wetsuit material or other closed cell foam rubber for enhanced insulation. The permanent neoprene cover has a laminated fabric cover whereon any printed image can printed upon. The permanent neoprene cover is capped by an overarching rim and a bottom rim of the bottom cover. The protective rubber bottom of the container is a self-adhered cup coaster which prevents the condensation of the liquid from permeating therethrough. The container further comprises a flathead screw which attaches the bottom cover to the weight and the bottom of the vessel. Together with the neoprene wetsuit material, protective rubber bottom, and the lid, the container is therefore a convenient insulated beverage container.
US09022247B2
The present invention is directed to a container suitable for use in the disinfection of blood glucose meters and other medical devices. In one embodiment, the container comprises a tray with a formed cavity in it, such that a blood glucose meter or medical device may be placed and retained in it. In certain related embodiments, the meter has been wrapped in a disinfection wipe prior to placement into the container.
US09022246B2
The present invention provides a device that minimizes or eliminates under-filling of a pressure vessel by integrating phase change material (PCM) within one or multiple component of the pressure vessel. In one particular embodiment, the inner surface of the pressure vessel comprises a PCM. During a gas-filling process, PCM reduces the rate and/or the amount of temperature increase. Reduction of the temperature increase in the pressure vessel increases the amount of gas filled during a gas-filling process.
US09022228B2
A domestic appliance filter for use in a laundry treatment device includes a basic filter material with a hydrophobic coating for filtering out matter from a process water duct or a process air duct. The basic filter material includes a material which is resistant to temperatures of 160° C. or more and the hydrophobic coating on the basic filter material effects a surface energy of less than 35 mN/m.
US09022227B2
A polymeric membrane includes an active layer over a support, wherein the active layer includes at least two chemically distinct polyamide films. A first one of the films is in contact with the support, and a second one of the films is not in contact with the support. The second polyamide film is crosslinked with the first polyamide film at an interface therewith, and the second polyamide film includes a structure having a side chain group including an ammonium salt.
US09022220B2
A sieving system includes a filter; a blade stirring a powder accumulated on the filter; a driver driving the blade; a notifier notifying predetermined information of a status of the filter, based on a load of the driver while driving the blade.
US09022216B2
A reticle pod with drain structure comprises an outer container and an inner container, wherein an upper cover of inner container is disposed with a plurality of retainers, and a plurality of supporters disposed on the outer container are used to press the retainers for fastening and stabilizing the reticle in the inner container and thus ensuring safety and stability of the reticle in the reticle pod. Collision risks of the reticle in the reticle pod due to vacillation of reticle pod during transportation can be reduced. Cost of reticles also can be greatly decreased. Further, a plurality of drain holes is disposed on a lower cover of the outer container for draining the remained water in the outer container. It will be done without disassembling the lower cover of outer container for reducing the contamination opportunity in the pod and preventing from wasting of labor and time for disassembling.
US09022214B2
A clamp is provided. The clamp comprises a frame and a movable structure. The movable structure is detachably connected with the frame to define a receiving space for receiving at least one substrate. After sliding along a surface of the frame to a suitable position, the movable structure is adapted to be fastened together with the frame to fix the at least one substrate in the receiving space.
US09022209B2
A hygienic drive system for a belt conveyor. The drive system has a stator rigidly mounted in a housing having an outer bearing surface that is continuous with the outer surface of mounting supports and avoids hard-to-clean nooks. A rotor assembly formed by drive wheels rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the housing or by a magnetic belt wrapped around a portion of the outer surface is rotated by a rotating magnetic wave produced by the stator. The stator and rotor can form an induction motor or a synchronous motor.
US09022208B2
The application relates to freight loading systems for transporting freight items. Corresponding freight loading system comprises a freight deck having a plurality of freight handling devices, a control device which is communicatively connected to the freight handling devices in order to handle at least one freight item on the freight deck, and a remote control, which is communicatively connected to the control device in order to output control signals to the control device. The control device is intended to comprise a position determination unit for determining a remote control position on the freight deck and/or the orientation of the remote control, wherein the control unit is designed to select a number of freight handling devices and drive same depending on the control signals received and the remote control position and/or orientation of the remote control. This allows easier control of the freight items on the freight deck.
US09022205B2
An article carrier includes a first supply wheel adjacent to a receiving wheel and a second supply wheel provided on the upstream side in the rotating direction of the receiving wheel from the first supply wheel. A switching device for switching a gripper of the first supply wheel between a use state so as to transfer a plastic bottle to a gripper of the receiving wheel and a retracted state so as not to interfere with the plastic bottle held by the gripper of the receiving wheel is also provided. When a first carrier path is used, the switching device brings the gripper of the first supply wheel into the use state, and when a second carrier path is used, the switching device brings the gripper of the first supply wheel into the retracted state.
US09022198B2
A device 202 for servicing and/or inspection of a material handling system 204 is disclosed, which device provides safer, less time consuming and less difficult service and/or inspection of the material handling system 204 than other devices. The device 202 is adapted to be moved along a track 214 of the material handling system and adapted for servicing and/or inspection of the material handling system or components thereof positioned on or adjacent to the track 214. The device includes at least one section, such as a hatch and/or a sliding bearing surface 216, 602, 706, 708, 710, 902, 1002, displaceable between a first and a second position, where the section positioned in the second position is enabling a person of accessing parts of the material handling system which are moving relatively to the device during movement of the device or during operation of the material handling system.
US09022196B2
A clutch assembly, including: a hub including a first radially disposed portion with a plurality of circumferentially aligned slots passing though the first radially disposed portion; and a ring gear carrier including a plurality of protrusions disposed in the plurality of circumferentially aligned slots and in compressive engagement with the hub to fixedly connect the hub to the carrier. Each slot in the plurality of circumferentially aligned slots extends further in a circumferential direction than in a radial direction. Each protrusion in the plurality of protrusions extends further in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction.
US09022188B2
A dust seal structure for a shock absorber includes a cylindrical base shell, in which a piston valve and a piston rod are embedded, a cap member covering one end of the base shell, an oil seal sealing the base shell, and a dust sealing member blocking dusts from being introduced at one side of the oil seal.
US09022187B2
The damping valve for a shock absorber includes a valve disc that delimits a cylinder interior filled with a working fluid, a port connects fluid chambers delimited by the valve disc, an leaf valve that is laminated onto the valve disc and is capable of moving in an axial direction of the valve disc so as to open and close the port in accordance with a differential pressure between the fluid chambers, and a biasing mechanism that biases the leaf valve in a direction for closing the port, wherein the biasing mechanism includes a shaft member constituted by a non-magnetic body, the leaf valve being disposed to be free to slide on an outer periphery of the shaft member; and a moving magnet that uses a magnetic force thereof to bias the leaf valve toward the valve disc.
US09022185B2
An electromechanical friction shock absorber is used in washing machines wherein the washing drum rotates on the horizontal axis and comprises at least one cylindrical shock absorber piston, at least one shock absorber body that surrounds the shock absorber piston, moving telescopically along the same work axis with the piston, and a bearing piston from its end part. At least one brake shoe is seated in the clearances provided on the shock absorber body via sliding surfaces. At least one friction element is located on the inner part of the brake shoe and the outer part of the shock absorber and includes surfaces along the work axis that do not contact the brake shoe. At least one lock ring bears the shock absorber piston on the shock absorber body and prevents the friction element from getting displaced out of the body, with the inventive electromechanical friction shock absorber.
US09022184B2
A brake pad (10) includes a backing plate (12) of plastic material, a friction lining (14) overmolded on the backing plate (12) and a metal reinforcement plate (16) embedded in the backing plate (12). The backing plate (12) has a solid peripheral structure (18) and an inner structure (20) made as a grid-like reticular structure having a plurality of cavities (22) evenly distributed on its surface and filled at least partially by the material of the friction lining (14). At least part of the cavities (22) are made as through cavities, whereby the friction lining (14) forms columns (24) which extend into the through cavities (22) and improve the adhesion between the friction lining (14) and the backing plate (12). The area of the through cavities (22) amounts at least to 4.5% of the area of the face of the friction lining (14) opposite to the one in contact with the backing plate (12).
US09022174B2
A lubrication device for a hybrid vehicle power transmission device including a gear member, a first electric motor, and a second electric motor within a transaxle case, the lubrication device includes: a first pipe supplying oil forcibly transferred from an oil pump to the second electric motor; an oil passage branched from the first pipe; a first catch tank supplied with oil from the oil passage; a second pipe connected to the first catch tank to supply oil accumulated in the first catch tank to the first electric motor; an oil flow outlet disposed in the first catch tank and located above the second pipe; and a second catch tank disposed vertically beneath the first catch tank to receive oil outflowing from the oil flow outlet.
US09022172B2
A ladder accessory that is used with a ladder that extends out from the side of the ladder to provide footing for a worker. The accessory comprises an elongated rectangular open box structure defining at least one set of two parallel ladder rail channels that are placed crosswise (perpendicular) to the length of the box structure and are spaced apart a distance such that one of said channels can engage one rail of a ladder and the other channel can engage the other rail and both channels engage a rung. The rectangular elongated box defines two side walls that contain single hook key slots that can be engaged with rungs of the ladder when the accessory is placed lengthwise parallel to the rails of the ladder and, with a rung lock mechanism, can be fastened to the ladder and carried with the ladder.
US09022168B2
A vehicle includes an engine assembly configured to power a vehicle. The engine assembly defines a first engine end and a second engine end opposite the first engine end. The first engine end is spaced apart from the second engine end along a first direction. The engine assembly defines a third engine end and a fourth engine end opposite the third engine end. The third engine end is spaced apart from the fourth engine end along a second direction. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The vehicle further includes a steering assembly disposed in close proximity to the engine assembly. The steering assembly includes a steering body disposed closer to the first engine end than to the second engine end.
US09022165B2
A method of controlling a fluid pump to supply lubricating fluid to a plurality of fluid requiring components in a hybrid vehicle powertrain includes selecting a component-required flow rate for each respective component using a determined operating speed and torque for that respective component. Once the each component-required flow rate is selected, the system flow rate is set to the maximum component-required flow rate of the plurality of component-required flow rates. The fluid pump is then commanded to supply fluid to each of the plurality of fluid requiring components at the system flow rate.