US09328972B2

A sub-cooled condenser for an air conditioning system includes a condenser portion, a sub-cooler portion located below that of the condenser portion, an integral receiver tank having an upper receiver first chamber with a first fluid port in hydraulic connection with the condenser portion and a lower receiver second chamber having a second fluid port in hydraulic connection with the sub-cooler portion, and a refrigerant conduit disposed in the receiver tank. The refrigerant conduit may include a top entry end extending into the upper receiver first chamber and a bottom discharge end extending in the lower receiver second chamber, wherein the bottom discharge end may extend below the second fluid port. The condenser portion may include multiple passes in which the refrigerant flows in an upward direction from the inlet of the condenser portion to the first fluid port that is in hydraulic connection to the upper receiver first chamber.
US09328966B2

A heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes, a collection tank having an inlet port and an internal chamber in fluid communication with the plurality of tubes, a header coupled to the collection tank and having a plurality of apertures each dimensioned to receive a corresponding tube, a gasket separating the header from the collection tank and sealing a gap between the header and the collection tank, and a reinforcement retaining the gasket in position between the header and the collection tank. The reinforcement includes a first web extending across the internal chamber and a second web spaced apart from the first web and extending across the internal chamber. The heat exchanger also includes a baffle coupled to and extending between the first web and the second web. The baffle extends across at least a portion of the internal chamber between the inlet port and the plurality of tubes.
US09328964B2

An immersion cooling tank includes: a tank comprised of a base wall, and perimeter walls, and having a lower tank volume in which a liquid can be maintained and heated to a boiling point to generate a rising plume of vapor; a rack structure within the tank volume that supports insertion of multiple, heat dissipating electronic devices in a side-by-side vertical configuration; and a condenser configured as a plurality of individually rotatable condenser sub-units, with each condenser sub-unit located above a vertical space that extends vertically from the lower tank volume and within which an electronic device can be inserted. Each individual condenser sub-unit can be opened independent of the other sub-units and each other condenser sub-unit can remain in a closed position while a first condenser sub-unit is opened to allow access to a first vertical space and any existing electrical device contained therein below the first condenser sub-unit.
US09328958B2

The present application discloses an apparatus for manufacturing high-quality coal products. In certain embodiments, the apparatus comprises a housing and a heat conducting mechanism disposed within the housing. The heat conducting mechanism is provided with a heat conducting medium inlet proximate a material outlet end and a thermal conduction medium outlet proximate a material inlet end. The heat conducting mechanism comprises multiple groups of heat conducting units and the heating conducting unit comprises a plurality of heat conducting tubes. The heat conducting tubes are in communication with the heat conducting medium inlet and outlet. A plurality of fins inclining downward relative to the vertical direction are arranged along the longitudinal direction between adjacent heat conducting tubes. The present application also discloses a system for manufacturing high-quality coal products, comprising a material feed apparatus, a high-quality coal product production apparatus, a heat-conducting medium supply apparatus, and a recycling processing apparatus.
US09328955B2

A refrigerated cabinet having a cabinet, thermal insulation, cover or liner, which help it form a cavity which can house objects to be refrigerated with at least one shelf and one door comprising a vegetable drawer which itself on its lateral and opposite walls having an appendage integrated by a head, an upper crossbar, a lower crossbar, a skate, a hump; which runs within a rail comprising a channel formed by a barrier, a lower bay, a neck in C with a straight which is inclined, a gulf and a stump; with the peculiarity that when the vegetable drawer is found in its resting or closed position, the front wall of said vegetable drawer is in close proximity to the vertical; the head (32) is coupled within the neck in C, the skate is in contact with the upper face of the lower bay, and the barrier is in contact with a portion of the lower face of the lower crossbar; and that when the vegetable drawer is extracted in its final runner position, the vegetable drawer has an α inclination with relation to the horizontal; wherein the head (32) is coupled unto the gulf of the rail, and the barrier is in contact with a lateral face of the skate, as well as with a portion of the lower face of the lower crossbar.
US09328952B2

A refrigerating machine having tube-cooled evaporator & air-cooled evaporator includes a refrigerating device (1) and a defroster (4). The refrigerating device (1) includes a compressor (11), a condenser (12), a reservoir (13), a heat exchanger (14), a first refrigerating electromagnetic valve (15a), a first expansion valve (16a), a tube-cooled evaporator (2), a second refrigerating electromagnetic valve (15b), a second expansion valve (16b), an air-cooled evaporator (3), and a plurality of pipes (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10g). The defroster (4) includes a micro switch (41), a door-opening relay, a high/low pressure switch (43), a compressor electromagnetic switch, a delay relay (45), a set timer (46), a defrosting timer (47), a defrosting conversion contactor, and a defrosting resetting temperature switch (40). The air-cooled evaporator 3 can absorb hot air entering a refrigerating chamber (5) and absorbing moisture in the hot air to increase the freezing effect and refrigerating efficiency in the refrigerating chamber (5).
US09328939B2

An air handling unit has a cabinet forming a duct, a mixed-flow blower assembly configured to provide airflow through the duct, and a refrigeration coil assembly disposed within the cabinet and downstream of the mixed-flow blower assembly. Another air handling unit has a cabinet forming a duct having a generally downstream direction and a blower assembly to provide airflow through the duct. The blower assembly may have an axis of rotation generally parallel to the downstream direction and the blower assembly may be configured to primarily expel air in a direction that has a directional component that extends radially away from the axis of rotation.
US09328937B2

An exemplary temperature control system for animal confinement buildings includes an agricultural heater and a ventilation system. The agricultural heater is modified to be a variable rate heater using SmartBox technology or by applying appropriate control logic and outputs to a conventional room controller. A heat on/off relay of the room controller can serve as an enable signal connected to the SmartBox. Heating is controlled using a proportional-plus-integral algorithm for error correction. Error correction may be ceased when temperatures fall within a dead band. Heat is turned on when the temperature drops to an on temperature equal to a set point minus 0.5F. Heat can be turned off when the heater has been at a minimum output level for a minimum output period (such as 90 seconds) and the temperature has not dropped below the on temperature during the minimum output period. An auto-variable radiant brooder may be incorporated.
US09328935B2

A base portion has a separation wall, and an air hole is defined in the separation wall. A case portion defines a first space with the separation wall of the base portion. A covering portion defines a second space with the separation wall of the base portion. A waterproof and breathable sheet covers the air hole. A water guiding portion is arranged adjacent to a surface of the sheet not to contact the surface of the sheet. The water guiding portion is located between the covering portion and the sheet.
US09328934B2

An air handling unit has a refrigeration coil assembly and a subcooler circuit disposed in a downstream airflow path relative to the refrigeration coil assembly.
US09328931B2

A heating and/or cooling system for maintaining an environment at a desired temperature. The heating and/or cooling system includes a heat pump, a temperature sensor disposed to measure a temperature of the environment, and a system controller. The system controller may be configured to control a condensing temperature within the condenser such that the condensing temperature is set as low as possible while maintaining the condensing temperature a predetermined amount above the desired temperature that is being maintained. The system controller may also be configured to control the evaporating valve in order to vary, based on the measured temperature, an evaporating temperature in order to reduce the difference between the evaporating and condensing temperatures.
US09328929B2

An oven appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chamber. A pair of doors is rotatably mounted to provide selective access to the chamber of the cabinet. The pair of doors is connected with a linkage assembly such that the doors rotate open and closed simultaneously. The linkage assembly includes a spur gear that engages another gear of the linkage assembly. The spur gear can hinder unwanted rotation of the pair of doors or compress the pair of doors against a seal.
US09328924B2

A first orifice on a first inner surface of a first annular zone of a forward-bounded annular combustor provides for injecting air forward and radially outwards thereinto, from a location aft of a fuel slinger/injector. A radial dimension of a first outer surface of the first annular zone exceeds that of a corresponding first inner surface. A radial dimension of a second outer surface of a second annular zone of the annular combustor—aft of the first annular zone—exceeds that of a corresponding second inner surface. The first and second outer surfaces, and the first and second inner surfaces, are respectively coupled by transitional outer and inner surfaces of an annular transition zone located therebetween. The radial dimensions of the transitional outer and inner surfaces at the junctions with the corresponding second surfaces exceed the corresponding radial dimensions at the junctions with the corresponding first surfaces.
US09328919B2

A system adapted to separate a natural gas feed stream into a sweetened gas stream and at least one gaseous waste stream, and to discharge, recover or destroy the at least one gaseous waste stream. The system includes an acid gas separation subsystem adapted to separate the natural gas feed stream into the sweetened gas stream and a first portion of the at least one gaseous waste stream, a destruction subsystem adapted to incinerate the first portion of the at least one gaseous waste stream to form a flue gas, and a scrubber reactor subsystem adapted to receive a water stream and/or an oxygen containing air stream, and to remove at least one portion of the flue gas using the water stream to form a vent gas stream and a wastewater stream, wherein the vent gas is exhausted to the atmosphere.
US09328918B2

Different types of apparatus for fabricating a deposit, method of deposition and an article are presented. The apparatus include a thermal spray gun comprising a combustion chamber, combustion zone, an air injection port, a fuel injection port, a nozzle and a liquid injection port. The combustion zone exists between the inlet side and outlet side of the combustion chamber. The method includes, among other things, providing a fuel and an oxidizer inside the combustion zone, initiating combustion inside the combustion zone, and directing products of the combustion toward the outlet side to create a combustion product stream. The method also includes introducing a feedstock mixture comprising a feedstock material and a liquid into the combustion product stream to create an entrained feedstock stream, and expelling the entrained feedstock stream from the spray gun through a nozzle to form a deposit on a surface of the article.
US09328911B2

A LED lamp includes an LED module and thermo-conductive members. The LED module has a transparent base, a plurality of LEDs mounted on the transparent base and a transparent film covering the LEDs. The transparent base has thermo-conductive sections and electro-conductive sections. The thermo-conductive members are attached on the thermo-conductive sections. Thereby, the invention can omnidirectionally emit light and has great effect of heat dissipation.
US09328909B2

There is provided a light source apparatus including a light source, a spreader to spread heat, and a conductor having a plurality of parts to conduct heat diffused from the light source. There is also provided a projector apparatus includes the light source apparatus.
US09328899B2

Light from an LED (light-emitting diodes) has strong directional characteristics; therefore, lighting over large area, as well as control of the quality or the distribution of lighting was impossible. Placing a liquid-crystal panel in front of an LED (light-emitting diodes) enables to control light from the LED and the quality or the distribution of lighting.
US09328886B2

A system and method for controlling a head lamp for a vehicle are provided. The system includes a first head lamp that is configured to block a part of a first light emitted from a first light source to form a first shaded line on a front road of a vehicle. In addition, a second head lamp is configured to block a part of a second light emitted from a second light source to form a second shaded line on the front road of the vehicle.
US09328879B2

The present invention provides a light-emitting diode (LED) device and a method for manufacturing the same. The LED device comprises: a substrate (1); a chip (2) disposed on the substrate (1); and a first lens (3) disposed on the substrate (1) and spaced from the chip (2); wherein the first lens (3) comprises luminescent powder (7) and at least one of light-diffusing particles (8) and light-reflecting particles (10). The LED device provided by the present invention has a high luminous efficiency, and solves the problem in the prior art that the LED device has a small angle of emergence and the emergent light emergence lacks of uniformity.
US09328878B2

A green emitting phosphor composition is disclosed. A phosphor composition of formula Ca1-xEuxAlB3O7, where 0
US09328872B2

A method of supplying multiple chemicals in a supply line. The method includes: supplying a first chemical to the supply line; and supplying a second chemical, different from the first chemical, to the supply line. The first and second chemicals are sequentially supplied as discrete slugs.
US09328860B1

A mount for supporting a gun, bow, or other object is provided. The mount includes a support for contacting a ground surface, a beam extending from the support and being pivotable relative thereto, and a first and second clamp assembly extending from the beam for clamping the object thereabout.
US09328854B2

A method for manufacturing a connection between a hose and coaxial line section is provided. The method includes providing an outer pipe, inserting an inner pipe along with a hose situated at least partially on an outer periphery of the inner pipe inside the outer pipe, and deforming the outer pipe, the inner pipe or both so that the hose becomes clamped between the inner pipe and outer pipe. A coaxial line section for a refrigerant circuit of a motor vehicle also is provided.
US09328849B2

A microdevice structure of microchannel chip is provided which includes one gas channel and at least one liquid channel. The microchannel connects the gas channel and each liquid channel. The most basic microdevice of the mirochannel chip comprises micropressure sensor, microvalve, micropiston and micropump which are controlled by digital pressure gas microcircuit in the chip. Each microdevice isolates the gas phase and liquid phase by microhole without any movable component and any special ventilate or elastic material. The gas-liquid interface is driven by the pressure difference of gas phase and liquid phase to enable the microdevice to implement the functions, such as sensing pressure, switching fluid channel, transporting liquid effectively, and so on. All kinds of microdevices can be shaped on the hard material (for example glass) by etching, so as to integrate a great lot microdevices with low cost, and the structure of chip and these several microdevices can be formed by adopting other methods on other material.
US09328846B2

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a bi-directional shut-off trim for a valve which possesses the functional attributes of a pilot operated trim and a balanced trim through the integration of a spring loaded check valve into a pilot trim. In forward flow isolation, the bi-directional shut-off trim of the present invention acts as a normal pilot operated trim. In reverse flow, the check valve of the shut-off trim opens to balance the pressure on either side of the plug thereof.
US09328840B2

A solenoid is operated so as to be switched between a closed valve state in which the valve element is brought into contact with the valve seat by application of a spring force and an open valve state in which an electric current is passed through a coil (16) and the valve element is separated from the valve seat by a magnetic force. A fixed iron core (15) has a U-shape, and magnetically-attracting surfaces (26) are provided on respective ends thereof. A resin case (17) into which the fixed iron core (15) and the coil (16) are incorporated is provided with a bottom surface (27) having openings through which the magnetically-attracting surfaces (26) are exposed to the outside. A case contact surface (51) protruding toward a movable element in comparison with the magnetically-attracting surfaces (26) is formed on the bottom surface (27) of the case (17). Resin films (52) are provided on the respective magnetically-attracting surfaces (26).
US09328839B2

A torque motor valve actuator includes a first magnetic pole piece, a second magnetic pole piece, an armature, and a coil. The first magnetic pole piece is of a first magnetic polarity. The second magnetic pole piece is of a second magnetic polarity, and is spaced apart from the first magnetic pole piece to define a gap. The armature is rotationally mounted and disposed in the gap between the first and second magnetic pole pieces. The coil surrounds at least a portion of the armature and is disposed such that it is not surrounded by either the first magnetic pole piece or the second magnetic pole piece. The coil is adapted to receive electric current and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to generate a magnetic force that causes the armature to rotate.
US09328823B2

The present invention provides a steel piston having cooling channel without flash, including an upper piston part having a circle shape outer wall and an inner wall formed inward from the outer wall with a desired distance, and a lower piston part having a circle shape outer wall and an inner wall formed inward from the outer wall with a desired distance on the place corresponding each other when they are coupled, in which one or more concave grooves are formed on the outer wall of the upper piston part, and two concave grooves are formed on the inner wall of the upper piston part, and the inner circumference surface of the upper end of the outer wall of the lower piston part is carved as much as a desired depth, and therefore, a stepped portion is formed between the inner and the outer circumference surfaces, and the inner and outer circumference surfaces of the upper end of the inner wall of the lower piston part are carved as much as a desired depth, and a protrusion is formed at the middle of the upper end of the inner wall, and therefore, the stepped portions are formed between the inner and outer circumference surfaces, and therefore, having the effect that improve the cooling efficiency of the piston by preventing from accumulating of carbides by limiting forming flash inside oil gallery during friction welding.
US09328821B2

A hydrostatic drive system for a machine is provided. The hydrostatic drive system includes a first hydraulic circuit, and a second hydraulic circuit. The first hydraulic circuit includes a first pump and a first hydraulic motor configured to selectively receive a flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the first pump at a first pressure. The second hydraulic circuit includes a second pump and a second hydraulic motor configured to selectively receive the flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the second pump at a second pressure. The hydrostatic drive system further includes a controller configured to maintain a pressure balance between the first and the second hydraulic circuits based on a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.
US09328818B2

An example epicyclic gear train assembly includes a flexure pin received by a carrier. The flexure pin and the carrier respectively include first and second pin apertures configured to receive a retainer pin. The flexure pin further includes a lubricant conduit separate from the first pin aperture.
US09328817B2

A drive device for a construction machine includes a speed reduction unit reducing speed of rotational force output from a motor, the speed reduction unit has a gear mechanism provided in a casing and reducing the speed of the rotational force output from the motor, and an oil receiver arranged above the gear mechanism in the casing, the oil receiver forms a main storage space for storing the lubricant oil, and is arranged in the casing such that an oil passage for guiding a rising lubricant oil to the main storage space is formed between an outer surface of the oil receiver and an inner wall surface of the casing, the oil receiver is provided with an oil drain opening, the oil drain opening designed to gradually discharge the lubricant oil stored in the main storage space toward the gear mechanism through the oil drain opening.
US09328814B2

A bicycle chainring, including a generally annular body formed of at least an inner material, the inner material including a first side and a second side opposite the first side and a plurality of teeth disposed about a periphery of the body. At least some of the plurality of teeth are formed of both the inner material and an outer material, the outer material disposed on one or both of the first and second sides, the outer material having a greater wear resistance relative to the inner material and a thickness greater than 0.1 millimeter.
US09328811B2

A drive plate includes a disk-shaped plate portion; and a tooth-shaped portion formed at an outer peripheral end of the plate portion. The plate portion and the tooth-shaped portion are integrally shaped from a single steel plate material. The plate portion and the tooth-shaped portion include a carburized layer provided over an entire surface layer of the plate portion and the tooth-shaped portion, the carburized layer having a carbon concentration higher than that of a center portion of the plate portion and the tooth-shaped portion in a thickness direction. The carburized layer of the plate portion is higher in hardness than the center portion of the plate portion in the thickness direction. The carburized layer of the tooth-shaped portion has been subjected to a quenching process, and is further higher in hardness than the carburized layer of the plate portion.
US09328809B2

A ballscrew assembly may include a ballnut configured to combat the negative effects of thermal expansion of dissimilar materials used within the ballscrew assembly. Moreover, the ballscrew assembly described herein may have a decreased coefficient of friction as compared with a steel on steel housing and ballnut configuration. A ballscrew assembly may comprise a ballnut made from a first material, a ballnut housing made from a second material, and a sleeve made from a third material. The sleeve may be positioned between the exterior of the ballnut and an interior of the ballnut housing to reduce friction between the exterior surface of the ballnut and an interior surface of the ballnut housing.
US09328807B2

Disclosed here are inventive systems and methods for a powertrain of an electric vehicle (EV). In some embodiments, said powertrain includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to an electric drive motor, wherein a control system is configured to control the CVT and/or the drive motor to optimize various efficiencies associated with the EV and/or its subsystems. In one specific embodiment, the control system is configured to operate the EV in an economy mode. Operating in said mode, the control system simultaneously manages the CVT and the drive motor to optimize the range of the EV. The control system can be configured to manage the current provided to the drive motor, as well as adjust a transmission speed ratio of the CVT. Other modes of operation are also disclosed. The control system can be configured to manage the power to the drive motor and adjust the transmission speed ratio of the CVT taking into account battery voltage, throttle position, and transmission speed ratio, for example.
US09328802B2

Planetary gear set with several gear stages, comprising an annular ring with which the planet gears are in engagement with at least one gear stage; according to the invention it is provided that at least one circular insert part with external and internal gearing is arranged in an annular ring, whereby the external gearing is in engagement with the annular ring and the internal gearing meshes with planet gears of another gear stage.
US09328801B2

Connection between a drive shaft and a driven shaft, and this connection is realised by means of a drive gearwheel on the drive shaft and a driven gearwheel on the driven shaft, whereby the drive gearwheel and the driven gearwheel are affixed in a housing, and this housing is on the one hand connected to a housing of the motor, and on the other hand is connected to a housing of the driven apparatus, and whereby the drive gearwheel or the driven gearwheel is a ring gear with internal toothing and the remaining gearwheel of the connection is a pinion with external toothing.
US09328800B2

A chain joint for link chains, having a main body in the form of an oval chain link with two mutually parallel longitudinal legs which are connected to one another at their ends via a rounded link portion, one defining a receiving opening for receiving chain links. The receiving opening is bounded at its ends by one longitudinal leg section, wherein, in the longitudinal leg, a threaded bore runs in the longitudinal direction and extends in both longitudinal leg sections. A closure screw engages the threaded bore in both longitudinal leg sections, so that, while maintaining the predefined sizes for outer circumference and link width of the main body, the main body, in the region of its longitudinal legs, includes a profile cross section that is larger than the profile cross section in the region of its rounded link portions.
US09328798B2

The use of metal particles inside the belt back (4) of a force transmission belt (1) serves primarily to protect the belt from overheating in transient temperatures of between 100° C. and approximately 400° C. which can occur during operation in motor vehicle engine compartments and in the heat radiation region of exhaust systems. To this end, the force transmission belt (1), which has a main body (3) made of at least one elastomeric material and having a sub-structure and a belt back (4), and a force transmission zone on the sub-structure, has lamella-type or flake-type particles made of metal, particularly aluminium, mixed into the elastomer at least in an outermost layer (5) of the belt back (4).
US09328796B2

A centrifugal pendulum mechanism, in particular a trapezoidal centrifugal pendulum mechanism, for a damping device and/or a torque transmission device, in particular for a drive train of a motor vehicle, comprising a pendulum mass carrier, which can be rotated about a rotational axis (S) and on which a plurality of pendulum masses or pendulum mass pairs that can be moved relative to the pendulum mass carrier are provided in the circumferential direction, wherein two pendulum masses or pendulum mass pairs directly adjacent in the circumferential direction of the pendulum mass carrier are or can be mechanically coupled to each other by means of a damping element.
US09328792B2

A hydraulic shock absorber includes a damping force generation unit and a damping force adjustment unit. The damping force adjustment unit includes a push rod that changes an opening area of an oil path formed in a piston rod, an electric motor functioning as a driving source, and a feed screw mechanism that converts rotation of the electric motor into linear movement of the push rod. The feed screw mechanism includes a first slider that is screwed to an output shaft of the electric motor in an advanceable/retractable manner, a second slider is fitted movably to the first slider, and a set spring that pushes the second slider against one end of the push rod.
US09328770B2

A cap for bearing device is attached to one end portion of an outer race member in a bearing device to block an opening portion, and includes: a cylindrical part that is fitted to the outer race member; a lid part configured to block an end portion of the cylindrical part; an annular seal part configured to, when being fitted to the outer race member, be compressed between the cap for the bearing device and the outer race member; and a ventilation part, which, in the course of fitting the cylindrical part to the outer race member, allows air to pass between inside and outside of a bearing space, and in the state where the cylindrical part is fitted to the outer race member, the ventilation is shut down.
US09328767B2

A bearing assembly includes first and second rolling-element bearings each having an inner ring with a running surface for rolling elements and a guide flange that extends radially outwardly beyond the running surface for limiting axial movement of the rolling elements. The inner rings are configured such that they are in contact with each other exclusively within a contact surface diameter that is smaller than an average value of a maximum diameter of the running surface of one of the inner rings and a maximum outer diameter of that inner ring. The guide flanges are disposed on sides of the inner ring of the first rolling-element bearing and of the second rolling-element bearing that face each other axially.
US09328760B2

The present invention is directed to a rod string with a plurality of rod sections and a method for making up and breaking out the rod sections. The rod sections have corresponding pin and box ends, each having grooves and lands and an ungrooved portion. The rod sections can be connected by inserting the pin end into a box end and turning less than a full turn. A lock engagement mechanism having a first end and a second end is provided inside the rod sections and locks when the pin end is rotated into place. The lock engagement mechanism has a rotation stop which protrudes proximate the first end to prevent relative rotation of two rod sections until a key manipulates the lock engagement mechanism to retract the rotation stop.
US09328756B2

A fixing device for cables has at least an edge clip part for mounting the fixing device on an edge of a base part. The edge clip part includes a plug-on gap into which the edge is introduced when plugging the edge clip part onto the edge. At least one protective tab is provided which is articulated to a boundary wall of the plug-on gap and extends towards an opposed boundary wall of the plug-on gap. A recess for the protective tab is provided on the opposed boundary wall of the plug-on gap, into which the tip of the protective tab partly engages in the unloaded condition of the edge clip part.
US09328754B2

A fastener for removably attaching a filter material to a mounting structure includes a base and corresponding safety retainer. The base includes an elongate shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end including an attachment means for removably attaching the fastener to the mounting structure. The safety retainer is configured to be removably received onto the shaft to secure at least a portion of the filter material between the safety retainer and the base.
US09328751B1

A clamp may include a fixed clamp, a movable clamp, a control handle and a restricting unit. The fixed clamp has a clamping block and a rod. The movable clamp has a clamping unit which faces the clamping block, and a teeth unit disposed at a rear side of the clamping unit. The control handle has a receiving slot near the teeth unit, and a plug disposed on both sides of the receiving slot. The restricting unit has a non-circular elongated slot and disposed at the receiving slot and a plug is passing through the elongated slot. A teeth portion of the restricting unit and teeth unit are engaged with each other, and when the restricting unit is pressed to separate the teeth portion and teeth unit, the restricting unit moves along the elongated slot to drive the teeth portion to move backwards to separate from the teeth unit.
US09328746B2

An accumulator has a seal member retained to a port hole side of a bellows cap via a seal holder. The seal member comes into contact with a seal portion so as to occlude a liquid chamber in the case that an operation of a device stops and the pressure within a pressure piping is lowered. The seal member moves in a direction that the bellows cap moves away from the seal portion while being in contact with the seal portion when the liquid confined in the liquid chamber thermally expands in a state in which the liquid chamber is occluded. The seal member is obtained by attaching a flexible portion constructed by a rubber-like elastic body to an outer peripheral surface of a rigid plate, and the flexible portion allows relative movement of the bellows cap by shear deformation on the basis of engagement with the seal holder.
US09328744B2

A hydraulic control system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic control system may have a tank, a pump, and a fluid actuator. The hydraulic control system may further have an accumulator configured to selectively receive pressurized fluid discharged from the fluid actuator and selectively supply pressurized fluid to the fluid actuator. The hydraulic control system may also have a pressure sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure of the accumulator, a charge valve, a discharge valve, and a controller in communication with the control valve, the charge valve, and the discharge valve. The controller may be configured to detect stall of the fluid actuator, to make a comparison of the pressure of the accumulator with a threshold pressure, and to selectively move the charge valve to charge the accumulator or move the discharge valve to discharge the accumulator during the stall based on the comparison.
US09328739B2

A fan includes an outer casing having an air inlet and an air outlet, and an impeller housing located within the casing. An impeller is provided within the impeller housing for generating an air flow along a path extending from the air inlet to the air outlet through the impeller housing. A motor for driving the impeller is located within a motor housing connected to the impeller housing. A foam annular seal is located between the impeller housing and a seat to inhibit the leakage of air between the impeller housing and the casing. A plurality of resilient supports is provided between the impeller housing and the seat to reduce the load on the annular seal.
US09328735B2

A valve includes a body with bleed ports and a ring. The ring surrounds the body and includes two adjacent ring segments. The ring is movable between an open position and a closed position, the latter of which prevents flow through the ports.
US09328729B2

A drilling fluid pumping system including a pump apparatus with a pumping chamber having an inlet valve and an outlet valve and a dampener system in fluid communication with the pumping chamber for damping the flow of fluid, e.g. drilling fluid, 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).
US09328724B2

A rocking piston type compressor is provided with a piston rod, a lip ring, and a ring holding member. The lip ring includes a center portion fixed by the ring holding member, and a lip portion upwardly extending around the center portion along a periphery of the ring holding member. The ring holding member includes a flange portion covering at least a part of an upper end surface of lip portion. A back pressure introducing portion is provided in a part of the flange portion.
US09328723B2

A valve member of a pressure relief valve has a shaft portion, a pressure receiving portion, and a guide portion, wherein the valve member is axially movable in a fuel return passage. When a forward end of the shaft portion is seated on a valve seta, the fuel return passage is closed, while the shaft portion is separated from the valve seat the fuel return passage is opened. A notched portion is formed at an outer wall of the guide portion to thereby form an outer-surface passage. A fuel inlet port is formed in the valve member for communicating a fuel inlet chamber to the fuel return passage at a downstream side of the valve member.
US09328722B2

The present invention relates to a metering system for metering a liquid metering medium, with a suction line, which is filled with a metering medium at the liquid pressure ps, and a pressure line, which is filled with the metering medium at the liquid pressure wherein the suction line is connected to the pressure line by a metering member configured as a metering pump, with which metering medium can be conveyed from the suction line into the pressure line, wherein the metering pump has a conveying chamber, the volume of which can be changed with the aid of a movable displacement element in such a way that, in a first position of the displacement element, the conveying chamber has a minimum volume Vmin and, in a second position of the displacement element, the conveying chamber has a maximum volume Vmax, the conveying chamber being connected by a pressure valve to the pressure line and by a suction valve to the suction line, so, by an oscillating movement of the displacement element, metering medium can alternately be sucked out of the suction line via the suction valve into the conveying chamber and metering medium can be discharged from the conveying chamber via the pressure valve into the pressure line. In order to provide a metering system and a metering pump adapted for this, which has a high degree of efficiency, exhibits no leakage flow and is simply constructed, it is proposed according to the invention that V ma ⁢ ⁢ x V m ⁢ ⁢ i ⁢ ⁢ n > P d P s κ , wherein κ=1.5.
US09328721B2

Provided is a variable displacement swash plate type compressor including: a lug plate fixed to a driving shaft; and a swash plate combined to the lug plate and whose tilt angle is varied according to rotatory motion, wherein the lug plate includes a protruding portion protruding towards the swash plate, and a rotatory power projection transmitting power for rotating the swash plate is formed at a leading end of the protruding portion through the swash plate. Accordingly, a varying operation between a maximum tilt angle and a minimum tilt angle of the swash plate and a rotatory power transmitting operation for rotating the swash plate are performed at different locations, thereby simultaneously improving the varying operation and the rotatory power transmitting operation of the swash plate.
US09328719B2

A method of calculating available output power of wind farm includes following steps. A space vector Vk is obtained by decomposing a power sequence of benchmarking wind turbines in a wind farm based on empirical orthogonal function. A typical power sequence of the benchmarking wind turbines is calculated by restoring the space vector Vk. A total power Ptotal of a feeder on which the benchmarking wind turbines is operated is obtained by enlarging a typical power of each benchmarking wind turbine in proportion according to the quantity of the benchmarking wind turbines operated on the feeder. An output power Pestimate of the wind farm is obtained by accumulating the total power Ptotal of all the benchmarking wind turbines.
US09328715B2

A modular multi-turbine unit of fixed toroidal support structures having a rail system designed to allow each of the plurality of turbines to rotate to a most efficient position relative to the wind for generating power, a computer control system capable of positioning each of the plurality of turbines to most effectively generate power from the wind, preventing damage to the turbines, and providing a wind predictive model based on the wind characteristics for the area in which the wind turbine is located.
US09328712B2

Provided is a control device for an internal combustion engine, employing a microprocessor to control a load other than an ignition device, the control device being provided to an internal combustion engine in which is installed a magnet generator that has a magneto coil for successively generating, in association with revolution of the internal combustion engine, a first half wave voltage, a second half wave voltage of different polarity than the first half wave voltage, and a third half wave voltage of identical polarity to the first half wave voltage; and the magnet generator employing the second half wave voltage to drive the ignition device. The device is provided with an electricity storage element which draws excess power from the output that is output by the magnet generator for the purpose of driving the ignition device, and which is charged by the first and second half wave voltages, as well as being charged by the second half wave voltage as well at times that the internal combustion engine is in the exhaust stroke, in order to supply power to the load and to the microprocessor. The power source circuit is constituted to use the energy stored in this electricity storage element to generate power source voltage for presentation to the microprocessor and to the load other than an ignition device.
US09328710B2

The invention proposes a fuel delivery device for a fuel injection device of an internal combustion engine, having a delivery pump (10) and having at least one high-pressure pump (16). By means of the delivery pump (10), fuel from a storage container (12) is delivered to the suction side of the high-pressure pump (16), and fuel is delivered into a high-pressure region (18) by the high-pressure pump (16). The delivery pump (10) has an adjustable displacement volume, which means that a variable quantity of fuel can be conveyed at the same rotational speed.
US09328709B2

A fuel supply structure of a saddle-ride type vehicle wherein a wrong operation of a hose locking member is more securely prevented during maintenance of the vehicle to enhance the maintainability without increasing the number of parts. Fuel supplied from a fuel tank to a throttle body is supplied via fuel supply parts through a flexible fuel hose. A cover member for covering the fuel supply parts is provided. The cover member is provided with a cover that covers a fuel hose locking member for locking the connection of the fuel hose and each fuel supply part. In addition, the cover covers the fuel hose locking member to disenable removing the fuel hose locking member.
US09328708B2

The invention relates to a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, comprising a presupply pump (1) and a downstream high-pressure pump (7), which is connected to a high-pressure accumulator (9) and wherein the high pressure accumulator (9) is operatively connected to at least one fuel injector (10). According to the invention, a fuel injection system is provided and a method for operating such a fuel system is described which avoids the disadvantage of a slow pressure build-up in the high-pressure accumulator (9) and rather allows a rapid start of the internal combustion engine. This is achieved in that the presupply pump (1) is designed to generate a delivery pressure by which a fuel injection by means of the fuel injector (10) is effected, at least in a defined operating state of the internal combustion engine. At the delivery pressure generated by the presupply pump (1), the fuel injector is prompted to open by a control device. A corresponding method for operating the fuel injection system provides for the presupply pump (1) to be operated in a starting operating mode until the internal combustion engine has been started, and after the internal combustion engine has been started to be operated in a presupply operating mode.
US09328707B2

The invention relates to a control chamber, the pressure of which determines the strokes or positions of a nozzle needle, and which is assigned to a force or pressure sensor in order to detect the progression of the control chamber pressure. Because the control chamber pressure significantly changes during the closing of the nozzle needle, the operating phases of the injector can be exactly determined from the sensor data and supplied to an engine controller.
US09328696B1

A carburetor with a throttle valve is provided in which a linkage member is in communication with the throttle valve. An idle down handle can be moved from an unactuated position to an actuated position and is in communication with the throttle valve. Movement of the idle down handle to the actuated position causes the throttle valve to be placed into the closed position. When the idle down handle is in the unactuated position the throttle linkage member can cause the throttle valve to be moved back and forth between the open and closed positions.
US09328690B2

A control system for an engine includes an injection timing adjustment module and an injection control module. The injection timing adjustment module generates an adjusted fuel injection timing when a fuel request is received and the engine is operating in a transient state, wherein the adjusted fuel injection timing is based on a base fuel injection timing, an elapsed time since the fuel request, and at least one of a plurality of engine operating parameters. The injection control module controls fuel injection based on the adjusted fuel injection timing for a period, and controls fuel injection based on the base fuel injection timing after the period.
US09328681B2

A control apparatus for a multicylinder internal combustion engine includes: a detection portion that detects a parameter that represents degree of variation in air/fuel ratio among cylinders; a measurement portion that measures stored oxygen amount of a catalyst provided in an exhaust passageway of the internal combustion engine; and a rich-control portion that switches between execution and stop of a rich control for enriching the air/fuel ratio according to the stored oxygen amount measured by the measurement portion when the parameter detected by the detection portion is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
US09328673B2

It is an object of the present invention to provide an engine which can easily be produced. In an engine including an electronic throttle device, a control unit for controlling the electronic throttle device, and a gas fuel supply unit, a gaseous-fuel mixer is used as the gas fuel supply unit, and when an extending direction of a crankshaft is defined as a longitudinal direction and an engine cooling fan is defined as existing on a front side and a side opposite from the front side is defined as a rear side, a collector of an intake manifold extends in the longitudinal direction, the electronic throttle device is mounted on the rear side of the collector, and the gaseous-fuel mixer is mounted on the rear side of the electronic throttle device.
US09328670B2

A system for tuning the operation of a gas turbine is provided based on measuring operational parameters of the turbine and directing adjustment of operational controls for various operational elements of the turbine. A controller is provided for communicating with sensors and controls within the system. The controller receiving operational data from the sensors and comparing the data to stored operational standards to determining if turbine operation conforms to the standards. The controller then communicates selected adjustment in an operational parameter of the turbine. The controller then receives additional operational data from the sensors to determine if an additional adjustment is desired or is adjustment is desired of a further selected operational parameter.
US09328668B2

A reliable and flexible black start network restoration for a combined cycle power plant can be achieved by synchronizing a steam turbine and ramping that steam turbine up to an operating point where a maximum power increase is achieved. The resulting steam turbine load change can be compensated by the gas turbine. The increase in the demanded load can be provided by the steam turbine. The load of the steam turbine can also be gradually reduced to increase its load-increasing capacity.
US09328655B2

Various methods and systems are provided for cooling exhaust system components. In one example, a system comprises heat shield surrounding at least a part of an engine exhaust passage valve positioned in an engine exhaust passage of an engine, and an air jet configured to direct compressed air into the heat shield. The heat shield contains the compressed air around an exterior of the at least the part of the engine exhaust passage valve.
US09328650B2

An engine cooling system may include a housing forming an enclosed duct having an air intake opening, an air intake door, an exhaust opening, and an exhaust door; at least one heat exchanger positioned within the duct such that ambient air entering the air intake opening flows through the duct to contact the at least one heat exchanger and exits the duct through the exhaust opening; and a controller connected to vary a degree that one or both of the air intake door and exhaust door is open to modulate a mass flow rate of ambient air contacting the at least one heat exchanger to vary a heat transfer from the at least one heat exchanger to the ambient air in the duct to maintain a temperature of a fluid within the at least one heat exchanger within a preferred temperature range.
US09328636B2

A supply oil passage is defined in a sleeve and communicates to a feed port to which oil is supplied. A valve object is able to be seated on or separated from a valve seat defined on an inner wall of the supply oil passage. A guide wall is defined by an inner wall of the sleeve, and the valve seat is located between the feed port and the guide wall. A forward flow port extends from the guide wall to an oil passage of an attachment component. A pressure chamber is defined in the sleeve, and the valve seat is located between the supply oil passage and the pressure chamber. A backflow port always allows the pressure chamber and the oil passage of the attachment component to communicate with each other. The forward flow port is located between the valve seat and the backflow port.
US09328629B2

An outer case employed in a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of support member bosses and a plurality of gusseted bosses. The plurality of support member bosses are disposed circumferentially around the outer case for receiving and securing support members that attach the outer case to an inner hub. The plurality of gusseted bosses are disposed circumferentially around the outer case and between the plurality of support member bosses.
US09328624B2

A hydrocratic generator comprises a generally horizontal solid pipe and an inner tube, and an annular space formed between the solid pipe and the inner tube. The solid pipe receives a first aqueous solution and the inner tube receives a second aqueous solution. The inner tube is comprised of a membrane wall which facilitates the mixing between the first and the second aqueous solution.
US09328621B2

A rotor blade assembly tool for coupling a plurality of circumferentially spaced rotor blades to a rotor disc of a turbine rotor assembly, includes a base ring with an array of circumferentially spaced resilient fingers axially extending from the base ring. The resilient fingers are configured each to radially abut a blade seal, damper or other engine component against radially inner facing surfaces of platforms of the respective blades when the blades are being seated onto the disc during an assembly procedure.
US09328620B2

A method for making a gas turbine engine matrix composite structure. The method includes providing at least one metal core element, fabricating a matrix composite component about the metal core element, and removing at least part of the metal core element from the matrix composite component by introduction of a halogen gas.
US09328617B2

An airfoil includes a leading edge, a trailing edge region, a suction surface, a pressure surface, a cooling passageway, and a column of flow separators. The suction surface and the pressure surface both extend axially between the leading edge and the trailing edge region, as well as radially from a root section of the airfoil to a tip section of the airfoil to define a central cavity of the airfoil. The cooling passageway is located within the central cavity at the trailing edge region. The column of flow separators is located in the cooling passageway adjacent the trailing edge and includes a first flow separator having a first longitudinal axis and a second flow separator having a second longitudinal axis. The first longitudinal axis is offset at an angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis.
US09328614B2

A metal reinforcing piece for mounting on a leading edge or trailing edge of a composite blade for a turbine engine is made by shaping two metal sheets, positioning them on either side of a core, assembling the two sheets together around the core under a vacuum, shaping them on the core by hot isostatic compression, and cutting them to separate the reinforcing piece and release the core. A predetermined roughness is given to at least a portion of the surface of the core and is transferred to a corresponding portion of an inside surface of the reinforcing piece by the hot isostatic compression.
US09328611B1

In a hydrostatic device using an axial piston pump, a yoke is mounted so that it contacts the movable swash plate of the hydrostatic transmission. The yoke is biased by a spring-type mechanism to force the swash plate to return to neutral, and the set position of the yoke plate may be externally adjusted. A bias or load arm rotatably fixed to a housing at one end and connected to a spring at the other end is engaged to the yoke to provide the return force to the yoke plate. The yoke plate may have two legs to provide a return to neutral force to the swash plate in either direction, or one leg to provide the return to neutral force in only a single direction.
US09328608B2

Implementations include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems.
US09328602B2

An improved MWD system for drilling unconventional wells. Embodiments provide a particular combination of sensors in a specific arrangement in order to provide a system expressly designed for drilling unconventional wells. By minimizing modularity to reduce the need for redundant/duplicated components, including only sensors specifically needed for unconventional wells, and by separating long-life components such as sensors from components requiring more frequent maintenance or service such as batteries, the components can be more efficiently combined into a BHA sensor assembly having the shortest possible length.
US09328598B2

Systems and methods for stimulating a plurality of zones of a subterranean formation to increase production of reservoir fluids therefrom. The subterranean formation contains a well that includes a liner that defines a liner conduit, and the systems and methods include stimulating the plurality of zones with a stimulation assembly that is present within the liner conduit without requiring removal of the stimulation assembly from the liner conduit. The stimulation assembly includes a perforation device, which is configured to selectively form one or more perforations in a plurality of portions of the liner, and a resettable sealing device, which is configured to fluidly isolate the plurality of portions of the liner from a plurality of respective downhole portions of the liner. The fluid isolation provides for selective introduction of a stimulant fluid to a selected zone of the subterranean formation that is associated with a corresponding portion of the liner.
US09328595B2

A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a sub-surface reservoir having present therein a wellbore in which a production conduit and an injection conduit are located includes injecting a heating fluid into the reservoir via said injection conduit where the heating fluid is released via a plurality of discrete permeable sections located along the length of the injection conduit and produced hydrocarbons are collected via a plurality of discrete permeable sections located along the length of the production conduit.
US09328594B2

A method for developing deposits and extracting oil and gas from formations is provided including pumping electrically conductive fluid under pressure into a first heating well and a second heating well, creating an electrically conductive zone between the first heating well and the second heating well, positioning at least one first electrical current source into the first well and at least one second electrical current source into the second well such that the first and second electrical current sources come into contact with the electrically conductive fluid, applying alternating current to the at least one first electrical current source and the at least one second electrical current source, and generating an electric arc in the electrically conductive zone.
US09328593B2

A method for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation may include positioning a tubular conductor within a wellbore in the subterranean formation and slidably positioning a radio frequency (RF) transmission line within the tubular conductor so that a distal end of the transmission line is electrically coupled to the tubular conductor. The method may also include supplying RF power, via the RF transmission line, to the tubular conductor so that the tubular conductor serves as an RF antenna to heat the hydrocarbon resources in the subterranean formation.
US09328591B2

A system is provided that allows relatively low temperature water to be withdrawn from a pipeline for heating and then returning the heated water to the pipeline, wherein the assembly includes a device for limiting or preventing excess air within the pipeline to also be drawn into the one or more water heaters being used. At least one embodiment further includes a device for adjusting the rate of flow through a primary pipe so that desired temperatures are maintained during the heating process.
US09328589B2

An apparatus for controlling the injection pressure of an aqueous polymer solution in a subsea oil wellhead, includes a linear pressure reducer in the form of a tube connected in series to the main injection line that is capable of absorbing the majority of the pressure drop and a choke that is capable of being regulated in order to enable a pressure control between 0 and 10 bar. Also, a process of offshore enhanced oil recovery by injection of an aqueous polymer solution uses the apparatus.
US09328584B2

A wellbore ball valve includes a ball-type valve closure having an interior, central bore. A lower ball carrying assembly defines a first annular, sealing seat surface in contact with and adapted to seal with the exterior of the valve closure. The first seat surface defines a first through hole. An upper assembly defines a second annular seat surface in contact with the exterior of the valve closure. The second seat surface defines a second through hole. The second through hole is shaped differently from the first through hole in that it at least partially overlaps with the central bore while the first through hole is sealed from the central bore.
US09328574B2

A method for characterizing a subsurface formation using a fluid pressure response during wellbore drilling operations includes the steps of determining a change in wellbore pressure proximate the surface, calculating a change in volumetric flow rate out of the wellbore as a function of the change in wellbore pressure proximate the surface, determining a downhole fluid pressure in the wellbore corresponding to the change in wellbore pressure proximate the surface and determining a productivity index value as a function of the change in volumetric flow rate, the downhole fluid pressure and a reservoir pressure.
US09328563B2

An underreamer for increasing a diameter of a wellbore. The underreamer includes a body having an axial bore extending at least partially therethrough. An annular sleeve may be coupled to the body and adapted to move with respect to the body. The sleeve may include a plurality of grooves formed therein that are circumferentially offset from one another. A pin may be coupled to the body. The sleeve may be adapted to move with respect to the pin to transition the pin from a first groove in the sleeve to a second groove in the sleeve. The sleeve may be in a first axial position with respect to the body when the pin is positioned in the first groove, and the sleeve may be in a second axial position with respect to the body when the pin is positioned in the second groove. The underreamer also includes one or more cutter blocks. The radial cutting diameter of the one or more cutter blocks depends on the axial position of the one or more cutter blocks and may be determined therefrom.
US09328562B2

A rolling cone drill bit for cutting a borehole comprises a rolling cone cutter mounted on a bit body and adapted for rotation about a cone axis. Further, the bit comprises a tooth extending from the cone cutter. The tooth includes a base at the cone cutter and an elongate chisel crest distal the cone cutter. The crest extends along a crest median line between a first crest end and a second crest end and includes an elongate crest apex. The tooth also includes a first flanking surface extending from the base to the crest, and a second flanking surface extending from the base to the crest. The first flanking surface and the second flanking surface taper towards one another to form the chisel crest. Moreover, the tooth includes a first raised rib extending continuously along the first flanking surfaces and across the chisel crest to the second flanking surface.
US09328555B2

A covering for an architectural opening is provided. The covering may include a rotatable roller, a shade attached to the rotatable roller, and a shade actuation system. The shade may be wrappable about the roller. The shade may include two laterally-separable sheets interconnected by a plurality of vertically-spaced vanes. The shade actuation system may be selectively engageable with a confronting face of one of the two laterally-separable sheets. Engagement of the shade actuation system and the one of the two laterally-separable sheets may restrict movement of the one of the two laterally-separable sheets relative to the other of the two laterally-separable sheets.
US09328553B2

A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.
US09328552B2

A covering for an architectural opening with improved insulating properties in one embodiment includes face-to-face cellular insulative components defining a fabric with dual layers of cells with the fabric being retractably mounted in a headrail so as to either be rolled about a roller or gathered adjacent to the bottom of the headrail. A first component of the fabric includes a pair of spaced parallel sheets of material interconnected with horizontally-extending flexible vanes so as to define a plurality of horizontally-extending, vertically adjacent cells of generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration. A second component of the fabric is mounted on one sheet of the first component of the fabric so as to form a plurality of vertically adjacent drooping segments of fabric forming a roman-shade appearance. Single or multiple layers of the components can be used with or without the other type of component.
US09328537B2

An inventory and anti-theft alarm tag system that includes at least one RFID tag including an RFID transmitter, a counting chip and a locking mechanism having a pressure sensor. The counting chip can be activated when the locking mechanism is in a locked position. The inventory and anti-theft alarm tag system also includes a master database for communication between the at least one RFID tag and the master database via the RFID transmitter. The at least one RFID tag transmitting counting chip information to the master database. The counting chip information including an open position in response to pressure being applied to the pressure sensor. The master database tracking a logical sequence of the counting chip information for the at least one RFID tag, and, if the counting chip information is out of logical sequence, the master database sends an alert.
US09328536B2

A security device for protecting a merchandise item against theft typically includes a pair of clamping members, a cable extending between the clamping members, and a tightening mechanism for tightening the cable to cause the clamping members to move toward one another and clamp onto the merchandise item. One of the clamping members typically serves as a housing containing the tightening mechanism, which may include a spool, a lock slide for releasably securing the spool and a locking mechanism for releasably securing the lock slide. The locking mechanism may be unlocked with a magnetic key. The security device is typically configured to set off an alarm upon tampering or attempted removal of the item and security device from a store.
US09328534B2

Described is a locking mechanism for a lock box comprising a plurality of buttons connected to either a sliding dawg or a dummy dawg. The sliding and dummy dawgs are supported by a retaining bar in a first position and can slide into a second position when its corresponding button is pressed. Each dawg comprises a hook that is adapted to engage with a lock bar. The sliding dawgs have hooks that are engaged with the lock bar until the corresponding button is pressed, while the dummy dawgs have hooks that are not engaged with the lock bar unless the corresponding button is pressed. The locking mechanism locks if a button corresponding to a dummy dawg has been pressed, and the locking mechanism can then be opened only by use of a key. The locking mechanism opens if the correct buttons are pressed, regardless of the sequence.
US09328532B2

An electronic lockset with a radio frequency harvesting circuit. In one embodiment, the electronic lockset includes a mechanical locking portion movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. One or more energy consumption devices are provided that actuate the mechanical locking portion between the locked position and the unlocked position. A rechargeable battery provides electrical power to the energy consumption devices. A radio frequency (“RF”) transmitter and RF energy harvesting circuit are used to wirelessly recharge the battery. Typically, the RF transmitter is configured to transmit at a predetermined frequency. The RF energy harvesting circuit is tuned to the predetermined frequency and is electrically coupled with the rechargeable battery to recharge the battery.
US09328530B2

A line start/end post or corner post (1) for a fence, the post including a first metal picket (2) to be driven into the ground (5) in a substantially vertical position, a reinforcing element that includes a second metal picket (3) to be obliquely placed between the first picket (2) and the ground (5) within a non-sink part taken from the first picket (2), and a connecting element (4) made of fence wire and connecting a first extremity (3b) of the second picket (3), laid on the ground (5), to the first picket (2).
US09328529B2

A mounting pole for high voltage equipment can be adjusted at particular increments to provide for installations at various heights. A base section includes a right-side flange, a left-side flange, and a center web formed substantially in the shape of an I-beam with a front channel. The center web includes a first set of adjustment holes. The base section also includes a control mounting bracket to receive hardware for securing a control unit for a high voltage switch. A channel assembly is slideably contained within the front channel. The channel assembly includes a second set of adjustment holes, and a set of mounting holes to receive hardware for securing the high voltage switch. The base section and the channel assembly are configured so that the first and second set of adjustment holes can be selectively aligned during field operations to set the mounting pole at one of multiple height increments.
US09328526B2

An automated vehicle positioning system for use with a transport mechanism of an automated vehicle conveying system comprising one or more position sensors for detecting a position of a vehicle on a rotatable platform; and a controller adapted to control a travel distance of the rotatable platform for directionally aligning the vehicle to a conveying direction of the transport mechanism and for aligning a centerline of the vehicle with a centerline of the transport mechanism.
US09328524B1

A pool cover assembly having a pole that extends from a bottom end to a top end; a socket, that is attachable to the top end of the pole; a base, that includes a pole receiving aperture formed proximate a center of the base for receiving at least a portion of the bottom end of the pole; and a pool cover canopy that includes a plug located on and underside of the circular pool cover canopy, wherein the plug is mateable with the socket, and wherein the pool cover canopy includes a drawstring style cinching line threaded through apertures formed at spaced apart locations proximate an edge of the pool cover canopy.
US09328523B2

A mould for constructing a protection and securing element of the mattress type comprises an upper frame (10), a lower frame (30) and a plurality of dies engaged in the lower frame and particularly suitable during use for receiving cement material. The upper and lower frames are modular structures which each comprise a plurality of carrier elements which are selectively connected to each other, the number and/or length of the carrier elements being variable, during use, so as to vary the length and/or the width of the mould.
US09328516B2

A trellis system including a front tube, a back tube, and two end tubes joined together, a plurality of roof panels, each panel having a perimeter, wherein the perimeter of the panel is coupled to at least a back tube surface and a front tube surface. An internal drainage system facilitates drainage of precipitation from the trellis. The internal drainage system further comprises an internal channel located within the tube member.
US09328511B2

Provided is a method for manufacturing a panel including a core having a truss structure between upper and lower face sheets. The manufacturing method includes disposing the upper and lower face sheets in parallel to each other at a predetermined distance, repeatedly performing, several times, a process in which a plurality of flexible wires vertically pass through the upper and lower face sheets to reciprocation-connect the upper and lower face sheets to each other, thereby sewing the upper and lower face sheets after the upper and lower face sheets horizontally move in parallel to each other, and maximally spacing both face sheets in a vertical direction while being maintained in a parallel to each other after a relative displacement of the upper and lower face sheets is solved, and fixing the face sheets and the wires to each other.
US09328504B2

Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for connecting one or more divider walls to structural components of a building. Particularly, at least one implementation includes a flexible connection that can allow at least a portion of the divider wall to move relative to the building's structural components. Consequently, such movement can help the divider wall to withstand seismic events, such as earthquakes.
US09328499B2

An object of this invention is to provide an improved means of water treatment effectiveness. The invention strips floating and sinking particulates from flowing water with netting and inclined settling cells, which are arranged in an overlapping fashion to save treatment space. The effluent invert is virtually level with the influent invert to minimize pressure loss. The device pre-treats water for further treatment by filtering methods and among other application is ideally suited for applications where low depth profile treatment is beneficial or required.
US09328493B2

A vertical carrier for a wall-hung lavatory includes at least two vertically-extending upright members and at least one waste line sleeve connected to the at least one of the at least two vertically-extending upright members. The at least one waste line sleeve includes a horizontal passageway defined therein, the horizontal passageway being configured to allow a horizontal waste line to extend through the at least one waste line sleeve and the at least one of the at least two vertically-extending upright members.
US09328489B2

A flow control assembly for a single lever faucet includes a coupler adapted to operatively connect a handle to a valve stem of a valve assembly. A cam mechanism has a valve stem portion and a handle portion, where the cam mechanism is operatively connected to the valve stem and the cam mechanism engages the valve stem to move the valve stem to a predefined open position in response to the handle being moved from a neutral handle position to a water on position. The coupler provides a biasing resistance that increases resistance to handle movement as the handle is oriented in a position other than a neutral handle position.
US09328488B2

A bath spout faucet assembly having a handle portion and a hub portion. The handle portion includes a bore disposed therein. The handle portion may also include a cylindrically-formed slot located around the bore. The hub portion is sized to fit into the cylindrically-formed slot of the handle portion. The cylindrically-formed hub portion forms an opening that is configured to be in communication with the bore in the handle portion, and is configured to receive a stem portion of a valve assembly. The bore in the handle portion is configured to receive the stem portion and the handle portion is configured to rotate the stem portion.
US09328482B2

A method of optimizing machine performance in a plurality of load cases. According to the present invention, a maximum load case, which involves application of a maximum force to at least one member of a machine, is determined for the machine. For each of a plurality of member joints of the machine, a maximum member joint load is determined for the maximum load case for the machine. The machine is then operated by applying a force to the at least one member of the machine in each of the plurality of load cases so as not to exceed the maximum member joint load while exceeding the maximum force during at least one of the plurality of load cases.
US09328480B2

In a hydraulic excavator, a hydraulic cylinder drives a boom via a hydraulic fluid discharged from a first hydraulic pump. A first hydraulic circuit connects the first hydraulic pump and the hydraulic cylinder and forms a closed circuit therebetween. A hydraulic motor rotates a revolving upper unit with hydraulic fluid discharged from a second hydraulic pump. A second hydraulic circuit independent from the first hydraulic circuit connects the second hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor. A motor hydraulic pressure reduction unit reduces the driving hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic motor when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition is a condition in which an operation of the boom operating member to raise the boom and an operation of the rotation operating member to rotate the revolving upper unit are conducted together and an operation amount of the boom operating member is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.
US09328468B2

In a self-propelled road milling machine for processing road surfaces, with a machine frame supported by a height-adjustable chassis, with a milling drum mounted to rotate in a milling drum housing, with a milling drum drive for the milling drum, and with a height-adjustable scraper blade in the milling track of the milling drum, said scraper blade closing the milling drum housing towards the rear, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: that the scraper blade, laterally in the milling track of the milling drum, lies resiliently against the milling edge of the milling track, said milling edge extending orthogonal to the road surface.
US09328461B2

A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a web forming unit configured to form a web that includes fibers and a resin, a transferring unit configured to transfer the web that has been formed, a first cutting unit configured to cut the web in a direction intersecting with a transfer direction of the web being transferred, and a heating unit having a first roller configured to heat the web that has been cut.
US09328458B2

The invention relates to an improved design of the bottom of a continuous digester reducing the torque load on conventional bottom scrapers with scraper arms arranged at an angle α in relation to the horizontal plane in the range between 5°-30°. A simple digester shell extension VE is installed below the lowermost wash screen WS, ending at a small distance D above the end of the outer end of the scraper arm. The shell extension prevents the descending pulp column from expanding below the wash screen and enables easier shaving action from the scraper, using a dilution and expansion volume established at the outer ends of the scraper arms.
US09328456B2

The present invention relates to the method for manufacturing textile, by treating textile with an isolated polypeptide having endoglucanase activity, especially in biostoning and bio-polishing process.
US09328450B2

A washing machine in which a detergent case is located below a washing tub unit and detergent and wash water are supplied from the detergent case to the washing tub unit by a pump. An overflow hole to prevent overflow of water to the outside the detergent case is provided on the detergent case, and the detergent and the wash water do not overflow the detergent case and are discharged to an outside of the washing machine through the overflow hole when the pump breaks down.
US09328445B2

A clutch positioning assembly for a washing machine appliance is provided. The assembly uses a cam that can be rotated so as to position the clutch between different positions that provide for engaging or disengaging a motor from a wash basket. A leaf spring, configured as a yoke in one exemplary embodiment, provides a force to urge the clutch into a position that e.g., disengages the wash basket from the motor during e.g., wash modes while also allowing the clutch to be moved into a position that engages the wash basket with the motor during spin modes. The clutch positioning assembly can be provided as a modular unit that is connected with the appliance during manufacturing.
US09328439B2

An electromagnetic actuator, particularly for needle selection devices in machines for knitting, hosiery or the like, with high gauge. The electromagnetic actuator comprises a main magnet which has at least two polar regions which are side-by-side and separated by a gap and two selection electromagnets, each provided with at least one polar region which is aligned with the gap and spaced laterally from said gap. The at least one polar region of a selection electromagnet is arranged laterally on the side opposite to the at least one polar region of the other selection electromagnet with respect to the gap. The selection electromagnets can be activated individually to generate or cancel or reduce an attractive magnetic force at the corresponding polar region.
US09328435B2

A functional weaving vamp fabric is disclosed, which is formed by a two beams jacquard according to a texture composition. The two beams jacquard comprises two warp beams, a jacquard and a plurality of weft knitting mechanisms, characterized in: the warp group having a plurality of first warp units and a plurality of second wrap units, the two warp beams yarn feed roller groups respectively delivering the plurality of first warp units and the plurality of second wrap units, the weft group having a plurality of weft units, and respectively delivering the plurality of corresponding weft units; wherein the jacquard interlaces the warp group and the weft group according to the texture composition, and using diversity of yarn materials or thread diameters of the plurality of first warp units and the plurality of second wrap units to produce the functional weaving vamp fabric in the process of single weaving.
US09328434B2

Disclosed are a method for manufacturing a drawn fiber, which is suitable for manufacturing a poly(ethylene terephthalate) drawn fiber showing superior strength and dimensional stability and having a high fineness of 2000 denier or more without breakage or reduction in physical properties during the manufacturing process, and a poly(ethylene terephthalate) drawn fiber and a tire-cord obtained therefrom.
US09328433B2

The present invention generally relates to a device for measuring characteristics of polymeric fluids (semi-dilute and concentrated polymer solutions and melts) in extremely strong elongational flows. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a device for measuring characteristics of polymeric fluids (semi-dilute and concentrated polymer solutions and melts) in extremely strong elongational flows in spinning jets and/or electrified jets. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for determining the elastic modulus and the relaxation time of a polymeric fluid. Also, the present invention enables one to determine and/or measure the primary parameters needed to describe a viscoelastic material.
US09328431B2

An apparatus for manufacturing a silicon carbide single crystal grows the silicon carbide single crystal on a surface of a seed crystal made from a silicon carbide single crystal substrate by supplying a material gas for silicon carbide from below the seed crystal. The apparatus includes a base having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The seed crystal is mounted on the first side of the base. The apparatus further includes a purge gas introduction mechanism for supporting the base and for supplying a purge gas to the base from the second side of the base. The base has a purge gas introduction path for discharging the supplied purge gas from the base toward an outer edge of the seed crystal.
US09328426B2

A system includes a photoelectrolysis system having a solar collector configured to collect and concentrate solar radiation to heat water, generate electricity, or both. The system also includes an electrolysis unit configured to electrolyze the heated water using at least the generated electricity to produce a first gas mixture and a second gas mixture. The first gas mixture includes oxygen and steam and the second gas mixture includes hydrogen and steam. The system further includes a first device configured to receive and use the first gas mixture as well as a hydrogen membrane configured to receive and separate the hydrogen and steam mixture into a hydrogen component and a steam component.
US09328423B2

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming a coating on the surface of an aluminum or aluminum alloy using a trivalent chromate solution which dose not contain any harmful hexavalent chromium, in which the coating has an excellent corrosion resistance and adhesion with paints.The present invention provides a hexavalent chromium free trivalent chromate solution for an aluminum or aluminum alloy, in which the concentration of a trivalent chromium is in the range of from 0.01 to 100 g/L, the concentration of a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, cobalt, nickel and a combination thereof is in the range of from 0.01 to 100 g/L and the concentration of a fluorine is in the range of from 0.01 to 50 g/L.
US09328418B2

A method of producing a patterned polymeric insulator includes providing a substrate. A patterned polymeric inhibitor is provided on the substrate. An inorganic thin film is deposited using an atomic layer deposition process on the substrate in an area where the patterned polymeric inhibitor is absent. A material layer is deposited over the inorganic thin film and the patterned polymeric inhibitor.
US09328417B2

A reaction chamber assembly suitable for forming thin film deposition layers onto solid substrates includes a reaction chamber and an input plenum for receiving source material from gas source containers and delivering a flow of source material into the reaction chamber uniformly distributed across a substrate support width. An output plenum connected between the reaction chamber and a vacuum pump uniformly removes an outflow of material from the reaction chamber across the substrate support width. The input plenum is configured to expand a volume of the source material and deliver the source material to the substrate support area with uniform source material flow distribution across the substrate support width. The output plenum is configured to remove the outflow material across the entire substrate support width and to compress the volume of outflow material prior to the outflow material exiting the output plenum. The resulting source material flow over substrates supported in the substrate support area is uniformly distributed across the substrate support width and unidirectional with a uniform flow velocity. The configuration of the reaction chamber assembly reduces pump down times.
US09328414B2

Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a thin film semiconductor device includes the step of forming a silicon thin film including a crystalline structure on a substrate by a plasma CVD process in which a high order silane gas represented by the formula SinH2n+2 (n=2, 3, . . . ) and a hydrogen gas are used as film forming gases.
US09328412B2

An Fe—Pt-based ferromagnetic material sputtering target comprising a metal and a metal oxide, wherein the metal has a composition in which Pt is contained in an amount of 5 mol % or more and 60 mol % or less and the remainder is Fe. An object of the present invention is to provide a ferromagnetic material sputtering target, which enables to form a magnetic recording layer composed of a magnetic phase such as an Fe—Pt alloy, and a non-magnetic phase to isolate the magnetic phase, and in which a metal oxide is used as one of the materials for the non-magnetic phase. Provided is a ferromagnetic material sputtering target wherein an inadvertent release of the metal oxide during sputtering and particle generation due to abnormal electrical discharge starting at a void inherently included in the target are suppressed, the adherence between the metal oxide and the matrix alloy is enhanced, and its density is increased.
US09328410B2

In various embodiments, a physical vapor deposition tile arrangement is provided. The physical vapor deposition tile arrangement may include a plurality of physical vapor deposition tiles arranged next to each other; and a resilient structure configured to press the plurality of physical vapor deposition tiles together.
US09328406B2

Methods are provided for shape-setting hyperelastic, single-crystal shape memory alloy (SMA) material while preserving the hyperelastic properties of the material. A wire or rod of a single crystal shape memory alloy material is heated to an annealing temperature (Ta). While maintained at the annealing temperature, the wire or rod is shaped by driving the wire or rod and a shaping form together into contact with each other, and the shaped wire or rod is quenched in a quenching medium virtually simultaneously with the shaping.
US09328404B2

A method according to one embodiment includes combining an amorphous iron-based alloy and at least one metal selected from a group consisting of molybdenum, chromium, tungsten, boron, gadolinium, nickel phosphorous, yttrium, and alloys thereof to form a mixture, wherein the at least one metal is present in the mixture from about 5 atomic percent (at %) to about 55 at %; and ball milling the mixture at least until an amorphous alloy of the iron-based alloy and the at least one metal is formed. Several amorphous iron-based metal alloys are also presented, including corrosion-resistant amorphous iron-based metal alloys and radiation-shielding amorphous iron-based metal alloys.
US09328398B2

A method for recycling noble metals from electronic waste materials and apparatus thereof. The method comprises the following steps: mechanically breaking up the electronic waste materials; removing rubber and plastic materials by electrostatic separation; removing ferromagnetic metals by magnetic separation; removing residual rubber and plastic materials by microwave pyrolysis; removing low-melting-point metals by indirectly heating using microwave; separating the noble metals from one another in turn from low-melting-point metal to high-melting-point metal for recycle. The apparatus includes a microwave housing. A filtering screen is positioned on the inside wall of the housing horizontally, and vertically-arranged and open-ended heating pipes are positioned over the filtering screen. The method and apparatus can adequately recycle resources in the electronic waste materials.
US09328397B2

The object of the invention is the plasmid pSheB, particularly a plasmid which may comprise a fragment of pSheB including the arr module and functional derivatives thereof, and strains containing such a plasmid, preferably the Shewanella sp. strain, deposited as KKP 2045p, which are capable of removing arsenic by dissolution of minerals and reduction of arsenates to arsenites. The object of the invention is also the method and the use of such bacterial strains or compositions which may comprise them, for the selective removal of arsenic from mineral resources, raw materials industry waste or soil.
US09328396B2

The present invention has as objective a procedure for the oriented-grain magnetic sheet that provides particular operative hot rolling mill conditions of silicon steel slabs, by means which it is possible to highly contain the heterogeneities of hot rolled sheet re-crystallization. The use of these operative conditions permits to reduce the growing tendency of the crystallized grain during the annealing of the sheets at a final thickness that precedes the secondary oriented re-crystallization. Contemporarily, the particular operational conditions of hot rolling mill according to the invention permit a fine precipitation of secondary phases useful to the control of the grain growing, starting from a quantity of sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) in matrix lower than corresponding provided by the conventional technologies and consequently disposable in metallic solid solution before the rolling after the heating of the slabs at temperature values lower than 1300° C.
US09328394B2

Process for the tanning of hides and skins, characterized in that hides and skins are treated with tanning agents containing deglycosylated iridoids and/or deglycosylated secoiridoids, excluding tanning agents containing genipin.
US09328388B2

This disclosure features methods of identifying an organism. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods of distinguishing virulent and non-virulent strains of organisms, such as E. coli.
US09328387B2

The present invention relates to the prediction of antipsychotic treatment efficacy based on a patient's genotype at one or more single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci and to the treatment of a patient based on such prediction.
US09328385B2

The present invention relates to a method for quantifying and/or detecting one or more nucleic acids of a genome in a sample, wherein in an amplification reaction, (i) a first nucleic acid is amplified, the locus that is amplified is a multicopy locus (MCL) within the genome, wherein the locus shares at least 80% sequence identity to a sequence according to SEQ ID NO. 1 over a stretch of 80 base pairs, and wherein the multicopy locus has copies on at least two different chromosomes, (ii) a second nucleic acid that has been added as an internal control (IC) is also amplified, and (iii) the amount of amplification product from the amplification of the first nucleic acid is determined.
US09328382B2

This disclosure provides methods and compositions for tagging long fragments of a target nucleic acid for sequencing and analyzing the resulting sequence information in order to reduce errors and perform haplotype phasing, for example.
US09328380B2

A real time analysis in accordance with temperature change and highly sensitive detection are permitted. A flow passage device has a flow passage (1) and is able to heat a fluid in the flow passage. A state of the fluid in the flow passage is observable using light. The flow passage device includes a first member (2) including an observation surface (3) and an upper inner wall surface (4), and a second member (5) including a lower inner wall surface that opposes the upper inner wall surface (4) and that is part of inner walls of the flow passage. A heating resistor (6) having a reflective surface that reflects light is provided on the lower inner wall surface. The light reflected by the reflective surface passes through the upper inner wall surface (4) and the observation surface (3).
US09328369B2

The present invention is aimed to provide a method for industrially producing a useful substance (protein etc.) utilizing a bacterium such as Escherichia coli in the presence of a surfactant and a surfactant to be used in this method for producing a useful substance. The present invention is a method for producing a useful substance into a culture solution by secretion by a bacterium in the culture solution, wherein the culture solution contains a surfactant (A), and a dried cell density based on the volume of the culture solution is 1.5 to 500 g/L. More preferably, the present invention is a method for producing a useful substance wherein the surfactant (A) is at least one agent selected from the group consisting of an amphoteric surfactant, an anionic surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant having an HLB value of 0 to 13.
US09328366B2

Provided is a method of mass-producing high-purity nucleotides including providing a sequencing substrate having a clonal library of oligonucleotides on a solid support, sequencing the clonal library, obtaining measured location data of the solid support on the sequencing substrate, mapping pixel data of a signal generated from the solid support given as a result of the sequencing with the measured location data, extracting the solid support having a desired base sequence from the sequencing substrate using the mapping result, and amplifying an oligonucleotide on the extracted solid support to replicate on a large scale.
US09328362B2

Described herein is a fusion polypeptide containing an aconitase and a cis-aconitate decarboxylase. Also described are a genetically modified cell expressing the fusion polypeptide and a method of using the cell to produce itaconate.
US09328357B1

A novel maize variety designated X08B741 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08B741 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08B741 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08B741, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08B741. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08B741.
US09328352B2

A potato cultivar designated E12 is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato cultivar E12, to the seeds of potato cultivar E12, to the plants of potato E12, to the plant parts of potato cultivar E12, to food products produced from potato cultivar E12, and to methods for producing a potato plant produced by crossing potato cultivar E12 with itself or with another potato variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a potato plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic potato plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to potato cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from potato variety E12, to methods for producing other potato cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from potato cultivar E12 and to the potato plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid potato tubers, seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing potato cultivar E12 with another potato cultivar.
US09328349B2

In accordance with the invention, a novel gene translocation, (5q32, 6q22), in human non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) that results in a fusion proteins combining part of CD74 with Proto-oncogene Tyrosine Protein Kinase ROS Precursor (ROS) kinase has now been identified. The CD74-ROS fusion protein is anticipated to drive the proliferation and survival of a subgroup of NSCLC tumors. The invention therefore provides, in part, isolated polynucleotides and vectors encoding the disclosed mutant ROS kinase polypeptides, probes for detecting it, isolated mutant polypeptides, recombinant polypeptides, and reagents for detecting the fusion and truncated polypeptides. The disclosed identification of the new fusion protein enables new methods for determining the presence of these mutant ROS kinase polypeptides in a biological sample, methods for screening for compounds that inhibit the proteins, and methods for inhibiting the progression of a cancer characterized by the mutant polynucleotides or polypeptides, which are also provided by the invention.
US09328348B2

The present invention provides siRNAs for inhibiting the expression of plk1 gene, and the method for inhibiting the expression of plk1 gene in mammalian cells. The siRNAs of the present invention have the double-stranded structure, and said double-stranded structure is composed of the first single strand and the second single strand that are fully complementary, wherein the sequence of said first single strand is the same as the target sequence within the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, and the sequence of said second single strand is complementary to the target sequence within the sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1. The siRNAs of the present invention can sequence specifically mediate the inhibition of plk1 gene expression, and have a good serum stability. By the introduction of the siRNAs of the present invention into the tumor cells, the expression of plk1 gene can be effectively inhibited, and the growth of tumor cells is inhibited and the apoptosis of tumor cells is promoted.
US09328344B2

The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays and combinatorial chemistry. Such methods can include labeling a library of compounds by emulsifying aqueous solutions of the compounds and aqueous solutions of unique liquid labels on a microfluidic device, which includes a plurality of electrically addressable, channel bearing fluidic modules integrally arranged on a microfabricated substrate such that a continuous channel is provided for flow of immiscible fluids, whereby each compound is labeled with a unique liquid label, pooling the labeled emulsions, coalescing the labeled emulsions with emulsions containing a specific cell or enzyme, thereby forming a nanoreactor, screening the nanoreactors for a desirable reaction between the contents of the nanoreactor, and decoding the liquid label, thereby identifying a single compound from a library of compounds.
US09328343B2

Many areas of biomedical research depend on the analysis of uncommon variations in individual genes or transcripts. Here we describe a method that can quantify such variation at a scale and ease heretofore unattainable. Each DNA molecule in a collection of such molecules is converted into a single particle to which thousands of copies of DNA identical in sequence to the original are bound. This population of beads then corresponds to a one-to-one representation of the starting DNA molecules. Variation within the original population of DNA molecules can then be simply assessed by counting fluorescently-labeled particles via flow cytometry. Millions of individual DNA molecules can be assessed in this fashion with standard laboratory equipment. Moreover, specific variants can be isolated by flow sorting and employed for further experimentation. This approach can be used for the identification and quantification of rare mutations as well as to study variations in gene sequences or transcripts in specific populations or tissues.
US09328337B2

The present invention concerns methods for obtaining from samples of rock of different natures, specifically chondrites, organic, metallorganic material or material of biological origin, and the materials themselves so obtained. In addition, the invention concerns their use in instrumentations exploiting their physical and physico-chemical properties, and fluorimetric methods to reveal such materials.
US09328334B2

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and useful luciferase. The luciferase according to the embodiments of the invention is derived from Lucidina accensa.
US09328332B2

Methods and composition of induction of pluripotent stem cells and other desired cell types are disclosed. For example, in certain aspects methods for generating essentially vector-free induced pluripotent stem cells are described. Furthermore, the invention provides induced pluripotent stem cells and desired cell types essentially free of exogenous vector elements with the episomal expression vectors to express differentiation programming factors.
US09328325B2

The present disclosure describes methods for concentrating microorganisms with concentration agents in a sampling device and the sampling device described herein. More specifically, methods for concentrating microorganisms from large volume samples with concentration agents in a sampling device can provide for rapid, low cost, simple (involving no complex equipment or procedures), and/or effective processes under a variety of conditions.
US09328322B2

The invention relates to a device (7) for collecting particles and microorganisms present in ambient air, the device comprising a cyclone enclosure (8) for centrifuging air, the enclosure being of conical or frustoconical shape, external air inlet means (16) for admitting air into the enclosure (8), and air outlet means connected by coupling means (19, 20, 21) to air inlet filter means (4) of an individual motorized respiratory protection appliance (A).
US09328320B2

A maintenance liquid for inkjet printers includes at least 50 wt % of at least one ether solvent according to Formula (I) or (II) with the wt % based on the total weight of the maintenance liquid: R1(CO)x(OR2)yOR3  Formula (I), and R4CO(OR5)zOCOR6  Formula (II), wherein R1, R4 and R6 independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R2 rand R5 independently represent an ethylene group or a propylene group; R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; x represents an integer of 0 or 1; y and z independently represent an integer of 1 to 4; and wherein the maintenance liquid contains no more than 25 ppm of peroxide expressed as hydrogen peroxide.
US09328313B2

A method of extracting recovering oil from vegetable material in which oil bearing material is heated and subjected to sonication at least one frequency above 400 kHz, removing a first yield of oil by decanting and subjecting the retained material to centrifugal separation to separate out a second yield of oil. Preferably the raw vegetable material is passed through a screw press and the obtained material is heated and subjected to the ultrasonic treatment and then allowed to settle for a predetermined period before decanting the oil layer. Preferably two frequencies above 400 kHz are used, one below 1 MHz and the second from 1 MHz. There are many potential transducers arrangements possible for producing standing waves.
US09328311B2

A method and system for bio-oil recovery from biomass are provided which includes adding at least one separation aid to stillage that contains oil to form a treated stillage prior to centrifuging the stillage, and centrifuging the treated stillage in at least one centrifuge to separate at least a portion of the oil from the treated stillage. The separation aid can contain at least one lecithin and at least one oil and optionally at least one surfactant having an HLB value of at least 6. Treated stillage products are also provided which can contain the indicated separation aid and recovered oil.
US09328304B2

Composite particles and a method of forming composite particles are described. The composite particles comprise at least one inorganic nanoparticle covalently bound to at least one inorganic microparticle with a linking compound. Lubricant compositions and sprayable dispersion compositions comprising composite particles are also described.
US09328301B2

An injector for co-feeding liquid and solid fuels into a gasifier is provided. The injector includes a body, a first member, and a second member. The body comprises a first channel for conveying a liquid fuel. The first member surrounds the body to define a second channel for pneumatically conveying a solid fuel. The second member surrounds the first member to define a third channel for conveying a fluid stream for dispersing the solid fuel. The liquid fuel is atomized before being mixed with the solid fuel. A method for co-feeding liquid and solid fuels is also presented.
US09328300B2

The present invention provides a method, an apparatus and chemical products for treating petroleum equipment wherein a fluid is flowing, preferably of the hydrocarbon type, and wherein treating is performed by establishing a closed or semi-closed flow circulation loop, during the normal production operations of the equipment. The treatment can refer to the cleaning of equipment, to yield improvement as compared to normal run conditions and/or to a reduction of coke formation and/or to coke removal on catalysts.
US09328295B2

Recycle of an extract stream containing a contaminant is used to improve recovery of hydrocarbons in a contaminant removal process. At least a portion of an extract stream is recycled to a contaminant extraction zone and contacted with rich ionic liquid. Contaminants in the recycle extract stream are transferred to the rich ionic liquid.
US09328288B2

A method for making a rare-earth oxyorthosilicate scintillator single crystal includes growing a single crystal from a melt of compounds including a rare-earth element (such as Lu), silicon and oxygen, a compound including a rare-earth activator (such as Ce), and a compound of a Group-7 element (such as Mn). The method further includes selecting an scintillation performance parameter (such as decay), and based on the scintillation performance parameter to be achieved, doping activator and Group-7 element at predetermined levels, or relative levels between the two, so as to achieve stable growth of the single-crystalline scintillator material from the melt.
US09328286B2

A phosphor and a light emitting device containing the phosphor are provided. According to an embodiment, the phosphor is expressed in a chemical formula of LxMyCz1Nz2:Aa where L is at least one of an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, Zn, Cd, Al, Ga, In, Ti, Ge, and Sn; M is at least one of B, Si, P, S, F, Cl, I, and Se; and A is at least one of an alkaline rare earth metal and the transition metal, and where 0
US09328279B2

The hydration of clays and shale in drilling operations may be inhibited by employing an aqueous based drilling fluid comprising a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbons, R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbons, and X is an anion. The shale hydration inhibition agent should be present in the aqueous based drilling fluid in sufficient concentration to reduce the reactivity, such as swelling, of clays and shale when exposed to water-based drilling fluids.
US09328269B2

A pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is provided. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition can show stable antistatic performance, and in particular can stably maintain its antistatic performance even when the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is kept for an extended time under extreme conditions or conditions in which environmental changes are severe, and also has excellent general physical properties such as pressure-sensitive adhesive properties, durability and workability.
US09328268B2

A continuous process for preparing a pressure sensitive adhesive using a planetary roller extruder is described. The continuous process includes introducing at least one non-thermoplastic elastomer into a planetary roller extruder and initially compounding the non-thermoplastic elastomer in the planetary roller extruder to form an initially masticated non-thermoplastic elastomer. Then, a solid raw material, a liquid material, or both are introduced into the initially masticated non-thermoplastic elastomer in the planetary roller extruder, and subsequent compounding of the initially masticated non-thermoplastic elastomer with these additional components occurs to form an adhesive composition.
US09328264B2

Provided is a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition that makes it possible to prevent electrification of a non-antistatic protected material during peeling, is reduced in the risk of staining the protected material, and has good removability, and to provide a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet. Specifically provided is a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition which comprises: a (meth)acryl-based polymer including, as a main component, a (meth)acryl-based monomer component having an alkyl group of 1 to 14 carbon atoms; an alkali metal salt; and an organopolysiloxane having a polyoxyalkylene side chain, wherein the (meth)acryl-based polymer has an acid value of 1.0 or less, and the total amount of the alkali metal salt and the organopolysiloxane is from 0.15 to 4 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the (meth)acryl-based polymer.
US09328263B2

A process for production of a crosswound long roll of an at least single-side-adhesive adhesive tape in which at least one adhesive side of the adhesive tape has been covered with a liner, in the form of an Archimedean spiral. The process releasably fixes a core on an axle, wherein the adhesive tape covered with the liner is wound on to the core, contacts a pressure roll with a curved surface of the core or with the adhesive tape which has been covered with the liner and already wound on the core, in such a way as to give a nip between pressure roll and curved surface of the core or adhesive tape covered with the liner, where core and pressure roll rotate in opposite directions. Further, the process unwinding the liner from a liner roll, places the liner on to the at least one open adhesive side of the adhesive tape which is guided on the pressure roll in the direction of the nip, and guides a laminate made of adhesive tape and liner on the pressure roll into the nip.
US09328260B2

Disclosed are processes for the preparation of rosin diols accomplished by the reaction of a rosin acid with a glycerine carbonate in the presence of a catalyst, and subsequently where the rosin diol can be reacted with a diacid to generate an amorphous polyester resin.
US09328250B2

A solventless radiation curable stretchable ink composition including an aliphatic urethane monomer or oligomer; an acrylic ester monomer; a photoinitiator; and an optional colorant. A patterned article including a deformable substrate; an image printed on the deformable substrate, the image being formed from a radiation curable stretchable ink composition comprising an aliphatic urethane monomer or oligomer; an acrylic ester monomer; a photoinitiator; and an optional colorant.
US09328249B2

An optically clear fluid composition includes a vehicle including an organic solvent, a polymeric binder dispersed in the vehicle, and metal oxide particles dispersed in the vehicle. The metal oxide particles have an effective diameter ranging from about 20 nm to about 140 nm, and are chosen from metal oxide particles that are optically clear and have a refractive index that is larger than 1.65, and the metal oxide particles are only one type of metal oxide particle selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide and zinc oxide.
US09328246B2

Nonpolymeric compounds, compositions, and methods for forming microelectronic structures, and the structures formed therefrom are provided. The nonpolymeric compounds are ring-opened, epoxide-adamantane derivatives that comprise at least two epoxy moieties and at least one adamantyl group, along with at least one chemical modification group, such as a chromophore, bonded to a respective epoxy moiety. Anti-reflective and/or planarization compositions can be formed using these compounds and used in lithographic processes, including fabrication of microelectronic structures.
US09328244B2

In an embodiment, the invention provides a surface treated calcium carbonate and method for making the same. In embodiments, the calcium carbonate is surface treated with a hydrophobic compound, such as a trialkoxyalkylsilane (i.e., triethoxycaprylylsilane), fluoro high purity ammonium C6-16 perfluoroalkyl phosphate, or dimethicone trimethylsiloxysilane.In another embodiment, the invention provides a personal care product comprising the surface treated calcium carbonate. In embodiments, the personal care product is a darker skin tone makeup.
US09328243B2

A method and apparatus are directed to heating materials by application of radio frequency (“RF”) energy. The materials to be heated may include petroleum ore, such as bitumen, oil sands, oil shale, tar sands, or heavy oil. Petroleum ore is mixed with a substance that includes mini-dipole susceptors such as carbon strands. A source is provided which applies RF energy to the mixture of a power and frequency sufficient to heat the mini-dipole susceptors. The RF energy is applied for a sufficient time to allow the mini-dipole susceptors to heat the mixture to an average temperature greater than about 212° F. (100° C.). Optionally, the mini-dipole susceptors can be removed after the desired average temperature has been achieved. The susceptors may provide advantages for the RF heating of hydrocarbons, such as higher temperatures (sufficient for distillation or pyrolysis), anhydrous processing, and greater speed or efficiency.
US09328242B2

The present invention relates to a polysiloxane composition which contains (A) at least one type of organopolysiloxane that contains at least two unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups in the molecule, (B) at least one type of organohydrogenpolysiloxane that contains at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms in the molecule, (C) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst, and (D) inorganic particles which have a major axis to minor axis ratio of 1 to 1.5 and in which the proportion of particles having a diameter of 50 μm or greater is 5 wt. % or less of the total quantity of particles, and which satisfies prescribed conditions. The polysiloxane composition of the present invention has good processability and can provide a hard cured product having an extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion after curing.
US09328236B2

The present invention relates to a resol resin consisting of at least one aromatic component with a phenolic OH group and at least one aldehyde component, wherein areas embedded in the resol resin matrix consisting of organically-modified polysiloxane, with said polysiloxane containing hydrocarbon groups that are at least partially bonded to said silicon in the form of non-substituted or substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl or alkyl-aryl groups and that are not linked by covalent bonds to reactive groups of said resol resin. The invention additionally relates to molded articles manufactured from said resin, composites from a sheet material impregnated with said resin, which was subsequently hardened, as well as methods for manufacturing said resin, said molded articles, and said composites.
US09328234B2

The present invention discloses a poly((meth)acrylic acid-b-styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) block copolymer latex and a method for preparing the same. The poly((meth)acrylic acid-b-styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) block copolymer latex is directly and stably obtained by emulsion polymerization in the presence of an amphiphilic macromolecule reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer agent as both chain transfer agent and reactive emulsifier. The present invention has simple operation, and the process is environmentally friendly and energy-saving, the product poly ((meth) acrylic acid-b-styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) block copolymer latex has a good prospect in many fields, such as bitumen modification, adhesives, polymer toughening and the like.
US09328232B2

A propylene-ethylene copolymer resin composition including: 97 to 65 parts by weight of a propylene polymer (A) produced with a metallocene catalyst and 3 to 35 parts by weight of a propylene-ethylene copolymer (B). The copolymer (B) includes: 65 to 95% by weight of a propylene polymer component (B1) and 5 to 35% by weight of a propylene-ethylene copolymer component (B2).
US09328229B2

Ski boots and other cold weather articles are described made from polymer compositions that are exceptionally stable at low temperatures. The polymer composition, for instance, may contain a thermoplastic polymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, an impact modifier and a wear resistant additive. In one embodiment, various polymer components are selected such that they do not undergo a second order transition within a temperature range of from about 50° C. to about −40° C., and particularly from about 23° C. to about −40° C. In one embodiment, the polymer compositions are used to mold the outer shell of a snow ski boot.
US09328227B2

A sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture, particularly for treads of pneumatic tires, comprises at least two diene rubbers and from 0.1 to 20 phr of at least one aliphatically modified C9 hydrocarbon resin and from 0.1 to 7 phr of at least one other processing ingredient. The rubber mixture has improved abrasion resistance and improved properties during braking under wet conditions for identical rolling resistance, identical chip & chunk resistance and an identical level of other tire properties.
US09328223B2

A thermoplastic starch composition acquired from compounding a mixture comprises starch-containing agricultural waste in 45 to 70% by weight of total composition that the agricultural waste contains starch content less than 50% in dry weight; thermoplastic synthetic polymer in 25 to 50% by weight of total composition; plasticizer in 0.01 to 10% by weight of total composition; and coupling agent in 1 to 5% by weight of total composition; wherein the compounding is performed at a first temperature which is higher than room temperature.
US09328222B2

The present invention relates to high solids aqueous mineral and/or filler and/or pigment suspensions in acidic pH environment, to a method for producing such high solids aqueous mineral and/or filler and/or pigment suspension to the use of the high solids aqueous mineral and/or filler and/or pigment suspension in paper making, paper coating, plastic, agricultural and/or paint applications and as filler in paper and to a coating color formulation comprising the high solids aqueous mineral and/or filler and/or pigment suspension.
US09328216B2

The present invention relates to improved clayey barriers, such as compacted clay liners or geosynthetic clay liners, which can be used, among other uses, to isolate waste liquids from the environment. More in particular, the present invention relates to clay which is treated with an anionic polymer and is subsequently dehydrated before it is used as a barrier. The latter improved clays are surprisingly well, and for a long term, protected from chemical attack by aggressive electrolyte solutions present in, for example, sea water or waste liquids.
US09328214B2

A fluorinated copolymer composition comprises ethylene/tetrafluoroethylene-containing copolymer and copper oxide. The ethylene/tetrafluoroethylene-containing copolymer comprises repeating units (A) based on ethylene, repeating units (B) based on tetrafluoroethylene and repeating units (C) based on another monomer, in a molar ratio of the repeating units (A) to the repeating units (B) of from 38/62 to 44/56, and in an amount of the repeating units (C) of from 0.1 to 2.6 mol % in all the repeating units of the ethylene/tetrafluoroethylene-containing copolymer. The content of the copper oxide is from 0.2 to 10 ppm based on the total weight of ethylene/tetrafluoroethylene-containing copolymer. The copper oxide has a BET surface area of from 5 to 30 m2/g. The volume flow rate of the fluorinated copolymer composition at 297° C. is from 15 to 150 g/10 min.
US09328206B2

Disclosed are self-assembling diblock copolymers of the formula (I): wherein R1 is —(CHR—CH2—O)p—R′, p=2-6, R is H or methyl, and R′ is H, C1-C6 alkyl, or C3-C11 cycloalkyl, R2 is C6-C20 aryl, one of R3 and R4 is C6-C14 aryl or heteroaryl, and the other is C1-C22 alkoxy, and n and m are independently 2 to about 2000, which find use in preparing self-assembled structures and porous membranes. Embodiments of the self-assembled structures contain the diblock copolymer in a cylindrical morphology. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such copolymers.
US09328204B2

A benzodithiophene based copolymer containing thiophene pyrroledione units, a preparing method thereof, and applications of the copolymer in polymer solar cells, organic light-emitting, organic field effect transistors, organic optical storage, organic nonlinear materials or organic laser.
US09328199B2

The invention encompasses the process for the preparation of a cross-linked aramid polymer comprising the step of heating a non-crosslinked polymer comprising the repeating unit of formula (I) at a temperature comprised of from 150 to 400° C. for a period of time comprised of from 1 second to 20 minutes, wherein A and B are independently selected from meta-phenylene and para-phenylene, and R1 and R2 are independently selected from H and N3, with the proviso that at least one of R1 and R2 is N3 and R1 and R2 are attached to any of the positions 1, 2, 3, or 4 in para-phenylene and 1, 2, 3 in meta-phenylene; and the obtained cross-linked aramid polymer.
US09328184B2

There is provided a branched conjugated diene copolymer prepared by copolymerizing 1 to 99% by weight of a branched conjugated diene compound (1): wherein R1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having 6 to 11 carbon atoms, less than 99% by weight of a conjugated diene compound (2): wherein R2 and R3 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, or the like, and less than 99% by weight of a vinyl compound (3): wherein R4 is an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, or the like. The branched conjugated diene copolymer is useful as a rubber component of a rubber composition for a tire enhancing both of abrasion resistance and grip performance to a high level and exhibiting excellent processability.
US09328179B2

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass water soluble polycyclic vinyl addition polymers having a norbornene type repeat unit derived from a norbornene type of monomer that encompasses a saccharide functional moiety. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention also encompass low and high molecular weight polymers with low catalyst loading.
US09328174B2

The present invention relates to polypeptides directed against or specifically binding to CXC chemokine receptor 2 (“CXCR2”) and in particular to polypeptides capable of modulating signal transduction from CXCR2. The invention also relates to nucleic acids, vectors and host cells capable of expressing the polypeptides of the invention, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polypeptides and uses of said polypeptides and compositions for treatment of diseases involving aberrant functioning of CXCR2.
US09328173B2

Provided are multifunctional antibodies, and/or antigen-binding fragments, that bind to, and inhibit the activity of, both human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and MET, and that are effective in treating cancers and other diseases, disorders, or conditions where pathogenesis is mediated by EGFR and MET.
US09328171B2

[Problem] To provide an anti-human TSLP receptor antibody that specifically binds to human TSLP receptor and inhibits an action of human TSLP through human TSLP receptor.[Means for Solution] An anti-human TSLP receptor antibody had been studied by the present inventors, and an anti-human TSLP receptor antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequence of amino acid numbers 1 to 118 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a light chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequence of amino acid numbers 1 to 108 of SEQ ID NO: 3 was provided. It was revealed that the anti-human TSLP receptor antibody inhibits expression of TARC mRNA induced by TSLP and production of MDC proteins, and suppressed an allergic reaction in a monkey Ascaris antigen sensitization model, and then the present invention was completed.
US09328166B2

The invention relates to an isolated interleukin-17 (IL-17)-binding agent which comprises an immunoglobulin heavy chain polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 78, or SEQ ID NO: 79, and an immunoglobulin light chain polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO: 23, except that one or more specific of residues of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 23 are replaced with a different residue. The invention also provides vectors, compositions, and methods of using the IL-17-binding agent to treat an IL-17-mediated disease.
US09328165B2

The invention provides a method for producing a host cell protein—(HCP) reduced antibody preparation from a mixture comprising an antibody and at least one HCP, comprising an ion exchange separation step wherein the mixture is subjected to a first ion exchange material, such that the HCP-reduced antibody preparation is obtained.
US09328161B2

The invention provides therapeutic methods featuring the use of chimeric human/mouse antibodies for the treatment of neoplasia.
US09328158B2

Dextrans produced by lactic acid bacteria Leuconostoc mesenteroides and consisting of linear α1,6-glucan chains modified with short side-chains composed of consecutive α1,6-linked glucose residues were linked to a carrier protein. Three dextrans, namely Dextran-5K, Dextran-3.5K and Dextran-1.5K, with molecular masses of 5,000 Da, 3,500 Da and 1,500 Da, respectively, were modified with a diamino group-containing linker, followed by the introduction of maleimido functionality and conjugation to thiolated tetanus toxoid (TT), yielding Dextran-5K-TT, Dextran-3.5K-TT and Dextran-1.5K-TT conjugates. Studies performed with post-immune sera of mice and rabbits immunized with dextran-based glycococonjugates demonstrated cross-reactivity with LPS from typeable and non-typeable H. pylori strains and selected mutants. The post-immune sera from rabbits that received the conjugates exhibited functional activity against α1,6-glucan-positive strains of H. pylori, 26695 HP0826::Kan mutant lacking the O-chain component and corresponding wild-type strain 26695. This study provides the proof that α1,6-glucan-based conjugates provide an alternative vaccine strategy for protection against H. pylori infections.
US09328153B2

The invention relates to polypeptides comprising an N-terminal portion and a C-terminal portion, wherein said N-terminal portion comprises the signature sequence QGP[P or L] and the amino acid sequence of said C-terminal portion is at least 70% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1, and uses thereof.
US09328148B2

The present invention provides immunogenic compositions against Campylobacter and methods for using the immunogenic composition to generate an immune response against Campylobacter and/or reduce intestinal colonization by Campylobacter.
US09328143B2

The invention relates to peptide derivatives (peptides and pseudo-peptides) and use thereof as vectors for molecules of interest. The invention also relates to conjugates containing a peptide derivative of the invention bound to a molecule of interest. The peptides and prodrug conjugates of the invention can be used to vectorize molecules of pharmaceutical or diagnostic interest, such as, for example, therapeutic molecules, imaging or diagnostic agents, or molecular probes, across cell membranes, and notably to promote their transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
US09328139B2

Structural and functional analysis of peptide inhibitor binding to the cyclin D1 groove has been investigated and used to design peptides that provide the basis for structure-activity relationships, have improved binding and have potential for development as chemical biology probes, as potential diagnostics and as therapeutics in the treatment of proliferative diseases including cancer and inflammation.
US09328134B2

Compounds of Formula (I) are useful as modulators of glycosylation. Compounds of Formula (I) have the following structure: (I) and the definitions of the other variables are provided herein.
US09328127B2

A protected organoboronic acid includes a boron having an sp3 hybridization, a conformationally rigid protecting group bonded to the boron, and an organic group bonded to the boron through a boron-carbon bond. A method of performing a chemical reaction includes contacting a protected organoboronic acid with a reagent, the protected organoboronic acid including a boron having an sp3 hybridization, a conformationally rigid protecting group bonded to the boron, and an organic group bonded to the boron through a boron-carbon bond. The organic group is chemically transformed, and the boron is not chemically transformed.
US09328116B2

Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR1 receptor, and have in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The compounds are diazole lactam derivatives and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR1-mediated disease, and as controls in assays for the identification of competitive CCR1 antagonists.
US09328110B2

Imidazo ring systems substituted at the 1-position, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, intermediates, methods of making the compounds, and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for inducing cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral and neoplastic diseases are disclosed.
US09328105B2

A method of treating inflammation, by administering an effective amount of a β2 integrin agonist to a patient, and reducing inflammation. A method of treating cancer, by administering an effective amount of a β2 integrin agonist to a patient, and reducing tumor growth. A method of treating a patient exposed to radiation, by administering an effective amount of a β2 integrin agonist to the patient after radiation exposure, and mitigating the effects of radiation exposure in the patient. A method of preventing effects of radiation, by administering an effective amount of a β2 integrin agonist to the patient prior to radiation exposure, and preventing the effects of radiation exposure on the patient. A method of treating acquired bone marrow failure (BMF), by administering an effective amount of a β2 integrin agonist to a patient. Methods of improving the health of damaged vasculature in a patient and activating β2 integrins.
US09328104B2

The present invention relates to a compound of Formula 1, 2 or 3: wherein A is N or —CR0—, where R0 is hydrogen, C1-C6 linear or branched chain alkyl, etc., Z is —CRe—, or, —N—, where Re is hydrogen, C1-C6 linear or branched chain alkyl, etc.; R1 is hydrogen, C1-C6 linear or branched chain alkyl, etc.; R2 are independently hydrogen or C1-C6 linear or branched chain alkyl; R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, C1-C6 linear or branched chain alkyl, etc.; R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen or C1-C6 linear or branched chain alkyl, etc.; R8 is hydrogen, C1-C6 linear or branched chain alkyl, etc.; R9 and R10 are independently hydrogen or C1-C6 linear or branched chain alkyl, etc.; Q is —CO—, —(CH2)q—, —(CHRs)q—, or —(CRsRt)q—, where Rs and Rt are independently C1-C6 linear or branched chain alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, heteroaryl or alkylheteroaryl; where q is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and, where n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; or, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to compositions containing such compounds; and to the uses of such compounds in the treatment of various diseases, particularly, those affected or mediated by the androgen receptor.
US09328102B2

A method of performing a chemical reaction includes reacting a compound selected from the group consisting of an organohalide and an organo-pseudohalide, and a protected organoboronic acid represented by formula (I) in a reaction mixture: R1—B-T  (I); where R1 represents an organic group, T represents a conformationally rigid protecting group, and B represents boron having sp3 hybridization. When unprotected, the corresponding organoboronic acid is unstable by the boronic acid neat stability test. The reaction mixture further includes a base having a pKB of at least 1 and a palladium catalyst. The method further includes forming a cross-coupled product in the reaction mixture.
US09328095B2

The present invention comprises compounds of Formula I. wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 R8, and R9 are defined in the specification. The invention also comprises a method of treating or ameliorating a syndrome, disorder or disease, wherein said syndrome, disorder or disease is rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis. The invention also comprises a method of modulating RORγt activity in a mammal by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of claim 1.
US09328088B2

The present invention relates to organic compounds, usable as ligands in the preparation of lanthanide complexes or of certain water-soluble transition metals, a method for preparation thereof, and the use of said organic compounds as fluorescent probes.
US09328080B2

A process for selectively preparing dihydroxyethyl piperazine by reacting hydroxyethyloxazolidinone with an acid catalyst wherein the selectivity of hydroxyethyloxazolidinone to dihydroxyethyl piperazine is at least 55%.
US09328075B2

In one aspect, the invention relates to novel, broad-spectrum anti-viral, pyrimidinone compounds, methods of use, compositions and kits useful in treating and/or preventing influenza. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US09328071B2

The present invention relates to compounds of the formula I, wherein A, Y, Z, R3 to R6, R20 to R22 and R50 have the meanings indicated in the claims, which are valuable pharmaceutical active compounds. Specifically, they are inhibitors of the endothelial differentiation gene receptor 2 (Edg-2, EDG2), which is activated by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and is also termed as LPA1 receptor, and are useful for the treatment of diseases such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and heart failure, for example. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds of the formula I, their use and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US09328069B2

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an imine having no substituent group on the nitrogen by using, as a catalyst, a metal complex on an organic azide compound, and more specifically relates to a method in which a metal-complex catalyst is used to produce, from an organic azide having an alpha-hydrogen, an imine having no substituent group on the nitrogen via a continuous nitrogen removal and 1,2-hydrogen transfer reaction. The imine having no substituent group on the nitrogen manufactured by means of the method of the present invention can synthesize diverse coupling products comprising amine compounds by means of reactions with diverse nucleophiles.
US09328063B2

The invention relates to a method for producing acrylonitrile which includes a vapor phase catalytic ammoxidation process of performing vapor phase catalytic ammoxidation by bringing a source gas containing propylene, molecular oxygen, and ammonia into contact with a fluidized bed catalyst to obtain acrylonitrile. The method is characterized in that the fluidized bed catalyst consists of particles containing Fe, Sb, and Te, and the vapor phase catalytic ammoxidation process is performed while maintaining a B/A in the range of 2.0 to 5.0, where A denotes an atomic ratio of Te/Sb in a bulk composition of the fluidized bed catalyst and B denotes an atomic ratio of Te/Sb in a surface composition of the particles of the fluidized bed catalyst. According to the method for producing acrylonitrile of the invention, it is possible to stably maintain a high acrylonitrile yield over a long period of time.
US09328052B2

This invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkenoic acid esters comprising contacting a lactone with an alcohol and an acidic heterogeneous catalyst, characterized in that the process is carried out in the presence of at least 20 ppm of an acid having a pKa of 5 or less, relative to the amount of the lactone. The presence of at least 20 ppm of an acid having a pKa of 5 or less may stabilize the catalyst during the reaction and may also be used for reactivating an acidic heterogeneous catalyst. The improved yield advantageously allows energy conservation.
US09328051B2

Disclosed is a method for purifying aromatic dicarboxylic acid such as isophthalic acid or terephthalic acid. The process treats a crude carboxylic acid (CCA) composition by: a) feeding a CCA composition comprising a liquid and a solid, said liquid comprising an organic solvent and said solids comprising dicarboxylic acid (DCA), to a filter cake formation zone to form: (i) a CCA wet cake composition comprising said DCA solids and a portion of said organic solvent, said CCA wet cake composition having a first liquid level; and (ii) a first mother liquor stream; b) dewatering said CCA wet cake composition to form: (i) a dewatered CCA wet cake composition having a second liquid level that is lower than the first liquid level or having no liquid level; and (ii) a second mother liquor stream; and c) washing the dewatered CCA wet cake composition with a wash stream in a wash zone to form: (i) a washed CCA wet cake composition; and (ii) a wash liquor stream; wherein step b) is performed before step c) by dewatering before a final wash stage is performed, the amount of cobalt metal in the final wet cake product is reduced. The process is flexible in that it allows one to use less wash solvent to obtain an equivalent reduction of cobalt metal in the wet cake composition. Optionally, one may obtain a low moisture wet cake without employing a separate drying step.
US09328047B2

A process for stabilizing a phosphite ligand against degradation in a hydroformylation reaction fluid, said process comprising adding an epoxide to the reaction fluid, and further comprising separating one or more phosphorus acidic compounds from the reaction fluid by treating the reaction fluid with an aqueous buffer solution under conditions sufficient to neutralize and remove at least some amount of the phosphorus acidic compounds from the reaction fluid.
US09328046B2

A method for recovering a dihydroxy aromatic compound and urea from a polycarbonate-containing composition comprising a polycarbonate and a phosphorus-containing flame retardant, comprising contacting the composition with ammonia in the presence of a swelling solvent for a time sufficient to depolymerize the polycarbonate producing a dihydroxy aromatic compound and urea.
US09328040B2

A process for separating xylene from a feedstock in which the feedstock is separated into a xylene stream, a benzene rich stream and a light ends stream. Two separation zones may be utilized in which liquid from both is sent to a stabilization zone and the vapor from the stabilization zone is combined with a stream prior to the stream entering the second separation zone.
US09328037B2

A process for making linear alkyl aromatics is described. The process involves preparing the paraffin feed by dehydrogenating normal paraffins, selectively hydrogenating any diolefins, and adsorbing any aromatics to form an olefin feed. The olefin feed is contacted with an aromatic feed in the presence of an ionic liquid catalyst to form a mixture of alkylated aromatics. The ionic liquid catalyst is separated from the mixture of alkylated aromatics by gravity, and any ionic liquid retained in the alkylated aromatics is removed by adsorption or extraction. The mixture of alkylated aromatics is then separated into monoalkylated aromatics and dialkylated aromatics.
US09328035B1

In one embodiment, liquid hydrocarbon fuels are produced in a single reactor using a hybrid catalyst system including a reforming catalyst, a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalyst, and a porous material that spatially separates the reforming catalyst from the FTS catalyst.
US09328034B2

A liquid electrically initiated and controlled composition comprising an oxidizer, soluble fuel additive(s), and other optional additives to enhance the chemical or ballistic properties, or a combination thereof is disclosed. The liquid composition further comprises stabilizers to enhance thermal stability, sequestrants to minimize deleterious effects of transition metal contaminants, and combustion enhancers maximizing efficiency. Buffers and heavy metal sequestering or complexing agents may be used in combination to achieve the highest degree of thermal stability. Additional ionic co-oxidizers may be added to the liquid composition to stabilize the liquid oxidizer and further depress freezing point. The liquid phase of matter allows flow via pipes or tubes from tanks, reservoirs, or other containers, through metering valves, followed by ignition or combustion modulation when stimulated by electrodes, statically or dynamically.
US09328028B2

A hybrid ceramic structure and a method for protecting the hybrid ceramic structure from moisture attack in a high temperature combustion environment are provided. The structure includes a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) substrate (12). A thermal insulation material (14) is disposed on the substrate. A vapor resistant material (20) is applied through at least one surface of the hybrid ceramic structure while the hybrid ceramic structure is in a bisque condition that provides a degree of porosity to the hybrid ceramic structure so that the vapor resistant material is infiltrated through interstices available within a thickness of the hybrid ceramic structure.
US09328026B2

A raw ceramic portion is formed on each of first and second lateral surfaces of a raw ceramic body. The raw ceramic portions contain ceramic particles and more of at least one constituent selected from Ba, Mg, Mn, and a rare-earth element between the ceramic particles than the ceramic section of the raw ceramic body in terms of total amount. The raw ceramic body is fired with the raw ceramic portions thereon. In this way, a ceramic electronic component is obtained that has a main body left after the raw ceramic body is fired with the raw ceramic portions thereon.
US09328021B2

Compositions and methods for increasing grinding efficiency of cement, cement clinker, raw materials for cement, and other inorganic particles. Use of biomass-derived polyols such as diols, triols, or mixtures thereof, optionally with a conventional grinding aid, cement quality improver, and/or hexavalent chromium reducer, are believed to provide less risk of sludging when compared to glycerides obtained from fossil fuel sources.
US09328019B2

The invention relates to the use of calcium nitrate for producing a cementitious composition and/or a cementitious solid at high ambient temperatures. The invention is directed to ensuring sufficient hydration by a limitation of the maximum hydration temperature.
US09328012B2

To manufacture glass base material with high manufacturing yield, provided is a glass base material elongating method comprising forming a tapered portion where the outer diameter of the glass base material changes continuously, holding the glass base material with chucks, heating the glass base material held by chucks with a heat source, and with a portion of the glass base material softened, increasing the distance between the chucks to elongate the glass base material. The elongation begins from a state in which a position of the heat source at a position at which the outer diameter of the glass base material is set in a range from no less than 95% to no more than 98% of an average outer diameter of the trunk portion of the glass base material.
US09328004B2

A method of assessing biofilm thickness in a membrane supported biofilm reactor (MSBR) of the type comprising a lumen containing a gas phase, a liquid phase, and a gas permeable membrane providing an interface between the gas and liquid phases, the method comprising the steps of charging the lumen with an inert gas, closing the lumen to establish an initial elevated pressure in the lumen, measuring the rate of change of pressure within the lumen, and correlating the rate of change of pressure (dP/dt) with biofilm thickness. The step of correlating dP/dt with biofilm thickness involves correlating dP/dt with the rate of diffusion of the inert gas (dn/dt), correlating dn/dt with an overall mass transfer coefficient (K), correlating K with the mass transfer coefficient of the biofilm (kB), and correlating kB with the biofilm thickness. Also described is a membrane supported biofilm reactor (MSBR) of the type comprising a gas permeable membrane providing an interface between a lumen containing a gas phase, and a liquid phase, characterized in that the MSBR comprises means for flushing the lumen with an inert gas, means for closing and re-opening the lumen, and means for detecting intra-membrane pressure within the lumen. The means for detecting intra-membrane pressure is provided by a pressure transducer.
US09327984B2

A method for preparing graphene nanoplate (GNP) is provided and includes preparing expanded graphite (EG) and exfoliating, grinding, or cracking the expanded graphite to crack the EG induced by gas-phase-collision. A graphene nanoplate paste and a conductive coating layer formed of the graphene nanoplate paste are provided and are prepared by the method for preparing graphene nanoplate.
US09327976B2

The present invention relates to a hydroxyapatite multi-substituted with, physiologically compatible ion species and to its biohybrid composite with a natural and/or synthetic polymer, which are useful in the preparation of a biomimetic bone substitute for treating bone tissue defects. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for their preparation and uses.
US09327957B2

A water dispenser is proposed of which a raw water container is mounted upside down at the lower portion of a housing. The water dispenser has a piercing member which serves both as one end of a water supply line and one end of an air intake line. With this arrangement, when the raw water container is opened, the interior of the raw water container is simultaneously connected to the water supply line and the air intake line. Raw water containers can be easily exchanged. The raw water container is made of a soft material, so that air can be freely sucked into the raw water container through the air intake line while a pump is activated. This allows the pump to lift water with a minimum force.
US09327956B2

The subject matter discloses an apparatus, which includes a housing; a mineral water container positioned within the housing and formed as a bag and box package unit; a chilled water faucet and a hot water faucet configured to dispense chilled mineral water and hot mineral water from the apparatus. In some cases, the apparatus further includes a cold water tank for receiving water at room temperature from the mineral water container and supply cold water to the cold water faucet and a hot water tank for receiving water at room temperature from the mineral water container and supply hot water to the hot water faucet. The apparatus may include a pump for pumping water from the mineral water container to the cold water tank and the hot water tank.
US09327955B2

A funnel for facilitating emptying of a liquid-filled container includes a receptacle. The receptacle is configured to support the liquid-filled container in a declined position with an opening of the container at or near a lowermost point of the container. The receptacle has an outlet for liquid. The funnel also includes a container shelf, adjacent to the receptacle, configured to support the liquid-filled container in an inclined position in which the container is inclined towards the receptacle. A tipping edge between the receptacle and a top of the container shelf is adapted to act as a fulcrum for tipping the container from the inclined position to the declined position. The receptacle may be formed within an insert that is removable from a base section of the funnel. A piercing element for piercing a protective seal on the opening may protrude inwardly into the receptacle on an angle.
US09327949B2

The invention relates to a jib-bracing system for a revolving tower crane, in the case of which the length of a jib (2) and the length of a bracing means (5) for the jib can each be changed. The bracing means comprises at least part of a cable (6) of which one end can be connected to the jib at at least two different fixed points (8, 9) arranged on the jib, wherein a deflecting element (7), over which the cable can be guided, is arranged on the jib, and wherein the one end of the cable can be fastened at at least one of the fixed points when the cable has been guided over the deflecting element.
US09327948B2

A telescopic boom provided in a crane includes a boom body and a telescopic cylinder for extending/contracting the boom body. A roller is provided in a tip end portion of the telescopic cylinder to be rotatable in a longitudinal direction. A peripheral surface of the roller is formed to be curved (crowning) in a convex shape outside as viewed in the longitudinal direction and make contact with a lower plate of the boom body in a state where both corner parts are away from the lower plate.
US09327938B2

A cable retractor for use in a variety of applications includes a housing forming an internal chamber, and first and second drums within the chamber for winding of the cable. The first drum may include a stationary outer surface, and the second drum may be formed by a plurality of rollers mounted on a rotatable frame. The rollers may orbit about the first drum upon rotation of said frame, with each of the rollers also rotating about its own roller axis. The first and second drums may be sized to enable wrapping of the cable both side-by-side and in multiple layers about at least one of the first drum and the second drum. The cable retractor may include structure to urge the rollers to rotate with respect to the frame as the frame rotates. For example, a portion of the rollers may be frictionally engaged with a track, and capable of slipping with respect to the track to provide smooth extension and retraction of the cable even as multiple layers of cable are wound about the first and second drums.
US09327935B2

The present invention relates to apparatuses and processes for forming tabs on adhesive backed products. Specifically, the apparatus of the present invention provides a sequential series of mechanisms to form a tab on an adhesive-backed product, such as adhesive tape, so that the same may be easy to remove from an article at a later date. More specifically, the apparatus of the present invention provides a sequential series of mechanisms to form a tab that is formed solely of the adhesive-backed product itself, which may be utilized for the subsequent removal thereof after placement on an article.
US09327932B2

The rewinding machine includes a path for feeding a web material; a first winding roller and a second winding roller defining a nip, across which the web material passes; downstream of the nip a third winding roller with movable axis, cooperating with the first winding roller and the second winding roller to form a winding cradle for the rolls. An auxiliary winding roller with movable axis is also provided, which can be inserted between the first winding roller and the second winding roller downstream of the nip.
US09327930B2

A sheet conveying device includes a blocking member having a blocking surface with which a leading end of a sheet that is being conveyed comes into contact for obliquity correction. The blocking member is rotated by being pushed by the sheet against an urging force of a positioning unit that positions the blocking member to be in the standby position. The blocking member is rotatable to be in a sheet-passage-allowing orientation in which the sheet is allowed to pass. When a trailing end of the sheet that is being conveyed has passed the blocking member, the blocking member that is in the sheet-passage-allowing orientation rotates in a same direction as a sheet conveyance direction and is positioned to be in a standby position.
US09327927B2

A sheet conveying device includes a conveyor for conveying a sheet along a predetermined conveyance path and a feeder unit for supporting the sheet to be fed to the conveyor. The conveyor includes a first guide part for guiding the sheet toward a downstream side in the conveying direction in a direction inclined at a downward gradient, a second guide part for guiding the sheet from the first guide part toward a further downstream side in a direction inclined at an upward gradient, a suction roller arranged at the first guide part for conveying the sheet supported by the feeder unit toward the downstream side, and a first conveyance roller arranged at the second guide part and for conveying the sheet conveyed by the suction roller toward the downstream side one at a time.
US09327921B1

A sweep assembly having a drive system connected to a sweep auger and a backboard. The backboard is connected to support members that are also connected to a mounting plate. The mounting plate has flanges that are connected to pins. The pins are received in elongated slots that are part of a central pivot section.
US09327920B2

A method and apparatus are disclosed that allow items to be placed on a stack of items in a manner that minimizes interference with the existing stack. Further, a method and apparatus are disclosed for stacking items such that marking of the items is minimized while the item is stacked. In some embodiments, the method and apparatus may include employing a plurality of forks, where a first fork in the plurality includes a belt that rotates at least partially within a tapered housing of the fork. In some embodiments, the plurality of forks is vertically movable, and the method and apparatus may include a squaring mechanism that is separate from the plurality of forks. The overall throughput of the method and apparatus may be increased by employing this independent squaring mechanism.
US09327909B2

The invention relates to an installation for conveying products, in particular product slices or product portions combing from a slicing machine for food products, having at least one conveyor which includes a carrier and at least one conveyor section held at the carrier, wherein at least a part of the conveyor section is tiltable relative to the carrier between a conveying position and a safety position about an axis extending in the conveying direction.
US09327907B1

A conveyor belt system and a conveyor belt drive roller and method of making in which the drive roller comprises a cylindrical body having a circumference and opposite ends, a plurality of annular drive sections axially spaced apart by annular relief lands. The annular drive sections have circumferentially spaced apart lug grooves formed by raised portions extending parallel to the body axis. The lug grooves have opposite ends communicating with an annular relief land for discharge of waste material. A drive shaft with left and right knurling at opposite ends is press fitted into the body of the drive roller creating a balance resistance to movement of the shaft in opposite directions.
US09327905B2

A conveyor belt module includes a body, a link end formed by the body, and an opening through the link end along a hinge axis. A cover extends from the body in a direction of the hinge axis and a post extends from the cover; a bearing is rotatably engaged with the post. A fastener engages the post to capture the bearing between the cover and the fastener, such that the bearing is housed at least partially between the upper and lower extremes of the body. A track for supporting and guiding the conveyor belt module includes a guide arm extending into a guide channel defined by the body to engage the bearing. The conveyor belt module may also include laterally offset protrusions extending from the link end in opposite directions to inhibit engagement with a drive member.
US09327894B2

The invention provides a dispensing system for viscous liquids comprising suspended large particulate material, the system comprising a deformable container having an outlet nozzle, the container holding the viscous liquid. It has been found that this combination of features enables a viscous liquid which may otherwise give rise to frequent blockages and difficult dispensing of a liquid through a constriction, such as in the nozzle, to be evenly, reproducibly and continuously dispensed as a manual operation.
US09327892B2

An assembly offering to consumers a choice between two types of closure systems for a wipes flexible container is provided. The assembly comprises at least one flexible container and a reusable closure element.
US09327882B2

A bottle assembly is provided having a body portion defining a cavity therein, a top lid assembly connectable to the body portion, which includes a selectively deployable and retractable spout, a spout bottom lid; and a resilient tube having a lumen therethrough, wherein the lumen is occluded when the spout is retracted and the resilient tube is kinked, and wherein the lumen is opened when the spout is deployed and the resilient tube is not kinked; a trigger assembly for selectively moving the spout between a deployed and a retracted condition; and a bottom lid assembly selectively connectable to a bottom end of the body portion, the bottom lid assembly including a valve assembly to open and close a fluid path into the cavity of the body portion.
US09327878B2

A screw closure (1) and a security ring (2) for closing an opening of a container, the screw closure (1) being connected to the security ring (2) by way of breakable bridge elements (4), the screw closure having an internal thread (6) for screwing onto an external thread on the opening of the container. The security ring (2) includes latching means which are intended to engage behind a bead on the opening of the container such that, when the screw closure (1) is unscrewed for the first time, the bridging elements (4) break and the screw closure (1) and the security ring (2) are separated from one another. A security seal (13) is provided on the screw closure (1) and the security ring (2) and is damaged when unscrewing takes place for the first time. The security seal can be attached to the screw closure and security ring in a separate operation from the filling and closing of the container.
US09327877B2

A passive valve closure for liquid medicaments, configured to permit irreversible attachment to a pre-existing bottle and reversible engagement with a dosage cup bearing lugs such that when the dosage cup engages skirt lugs on the closure, a child-resistant closure is effected.
US09327869B2

A joint member includes a base member and a key member. The base member includes: a cylindrical portion having a first opening at one end and second opening at other end that is inserted into the through-hole; a flange portion that is formed around a first opening of the cylindrical portion; hook members that are connected to opposite inner walls of the cylindrical portion; a rib that is formed on at least one of the hook members and extends toward the first opening. The key member includes: a pushing portion that is insertable into the cylindrical portion through the first opening, butts against the rib portion to rotate the hook member toward the second opening. When the pushing portion is inserted in the cylindrical portion, the flange portion and the hook member sandwich the packing members, and the ribs close the opening at the other end of the cylindrical portion.
US09327868B1

A novel pallet construction includes a rigid pallet body including a linear conduit passing through the pallet between opposing sides of the pallet and open at the ends of the conduit. The conduit includes a removable lining to prevent destruction of the pallet and conduit during use. In alternative configurations, two offset conduits may be provided to accommodate other hardware and use constraints.
US09327863B1

A system for constructing an integrated gift box and ornamental character article includes a plurality of sides and a lid forming a box having an interior compartment adapted to enclose a gift therein. The lid is movable relative to the sides to open and close the interior compartment for placing the gift into and removing the gift from the interior compartment such that the box has an internal construction that functions as a gift box. The system also includes a plurality of appendages attached and extending outwardly from at least some exterior surfaces of different ones of the sides of the box, and a plurality of graphical images applied on at least some exterior surfaces of different ones of box sides such that the box, appendages and graphical images integrate together to provide an external construction that functions as an ornamental character wherein the box also functions as a body of the ornamental character.
US09327855B2

A feeding device for feeding products (12a-k) and/or stacks of products (14a-k) to a packaging process of a packaging machine (16a, 16d-k), in particular of a horizontal tube packaging machine, comprises a guide unit (22a-k) which is disposed as a closed loop (18a, 18c-k) and on which a plurality of arranged conveyor elements (22a-k) are arranged so as to be drivable mutually independently in a speed- and/or position-controlled manner at least along at least one working section (24a, 24c-d, 24f-k) of the guide unit (20a-d, 20f-k). At least one conveyor element (22a-k) has a holder (26a-k), and at least one conveyor element (22a-k) that follows contrary to a conveying direction (28a, 28c-k) has a counter holder (30a-k).
US09327850B2

A powder doser for accurately dispensing powder, for example a pharmaceutical substance, into a receptacle, the powder doser comprising a hopper with a tip having an aperture through which powder may flow, a closure to close the aperture and a vibration device configured to agitate the hopper, wherein a first portion of the hopper is formed of flexible material and a second portion proximate the tip is formed of substantially rigid material.
US09327844B2

A method for balloon launching may include loading a pre-packaged balloon and payload into a shell structure. The pre-packaged balloon may be pulled out of its packaging in a vertical direction, for instance using a gantry crane. The gantry crane may be configured to inflate the balloon from the top of the envelope. The balloon may be inflated while substantially within the shell structure, which may provide protection from wind gusts. A vehicle, such as a heavy forklift, may provide mobility and support for the balloon and shell. Once the balloon is inflated, the vehicle may move the balloon/shell combination at a rate and direction substantially matching the current wind direction/speed. Furthermore, after reaching a zero-velocity condition relative to the wind, the vehicle may assist and/or initiate the opening of the shell. A tether connecting the balloon to the shell structure may be disconnected, allowing the balloon to launch.
US09327843B2

A strobe light unit, particularly wing anti-collision strobe light unit for an aircraft, comprises at least one light source, particularly at least one LED; a reflector element, the at least one light source and the reflector element being configured for projecting light into a desired range of directions; and a stray light blocking element for blocking stray light from being projected into undesired directions, the stray light blocking element attached to the reflector element or to a base portion of the strobe light unit.
US09327828B2

A configuration and system for rendering an aircraft spin resistant is disclosed. Resistance of the aircraft to spinning is accomplished by constraining a stall cell to a wing region adjacent to the fuselage and distant from the wing tip. Wing features that facilitate this constraint include but are not limited to one or more cuffs, stall strips, vortex generators, wing twists, wing sweeps and horizontal stabilizers. Alone or in combination, aircraft configuration features embodied by the present invention render the aircraft spin resistant by constraining the stall cell, which allows control surfaces of the aircraft to remain operational to control the aircraft.
US09327827B2

An system for increasing the descent rate of an aircraft may include a flight control computer, an edge control system, and a speedbrake control device. The flight control computer may be configured to compute a first setting for a leading edge device and/or a trailing edge device of an aircraft wing. The edge control system may be communicatively coupled to the flight control computer and may include an edge control device having a plurality of control device positions including a cruise position. The speedbrake control device may include a plurality of speedbrake detents including a flight detent. The edge control system may be configured to automatically command the leading edge device, the trailing edge device, or both, to a deflection angle corresponding to the first setting if the edge control device is in the cruise position and the speedbrake control device is in the flight detent.
US09327826B2

An apparatus for controlling positioning of flaps in an aircraft includes a shift lever movable to each of a plurality of shift lever positions to control positioning of the flaps of the aircraft to each of a respective plurality of associated flap positions. A shift lever indexing plate includes a plurality of engagement positions associated with the plurality of shift lever positions, respectively, the shift lever being coupled to an engagement member, the engagement member moving with the shift lever and being biased to selectively engage a selected one of the plurality of the engagement positions associated with a selected one of the shift lever positions to command the aircraft flaps to the flap position associated with the selected one of the shift lever positions. The shift lever indexing plate includes a web portion which separates the engagement positions of the shift lever indexing plate, the web portion and the shift lever being shaped and the shift lever being biased such that when the shift lever is at rest and only the shift lever bias is applied to the shift lever, the engagement member must be engaged with one of the plurality of engagement positions of the shift lever indexing plate.
US09327823B2

A device for reducing structural vibrations of airfoils in an aircraft comprises, in the region of the airfoil tips, at least one force generator acting substantially in the direction of movement of the vibrations. This arrangement has the advantage that such a force generator is considerably less susceptible to wear than conventional aerodynamic flaps and therefore effective vibration damping is possible with a reduced outlay on maintenance and greater efficiency.
US09327816B1

This disclosure relates to the use of an optimal altitude controller for super pressure aerostatic balloon in connection with a balloon network. The aerostatic balloon includes a bladder containing a gas that is lighter than the air present in the environment of the balloon. Additionally, the aerostatic balloon includes an envelope filled with air. A mass-changing unit configured to selectively add or remove air may control the amount of air in the envelope. Further, the balloon has a communication module configured to transmit data relating to a current balloon state, and receives data relating to a desired balloon state. Additionally, the balloon includes a processor configured to control the mass-changing unit based on the desired balloon state. The mass-changing unit of the aerostatic balloon may be powered by a renewable energy source, such as solar power. The mass-changing unit adds or removes air with an impeller.
US09327813B2

A sail for sailboats is described. The sail having portions wherein shape memory elements in the form of filiform members made of a shape memory alloy are incorporated, the surface area resulting from the sum of the surface areas of the portions incorporating shape memory alloy elements being between 0.01% and 50% of the surface area of the whole sail. A control apparatus is also disclosed for controlling the operation of the sail. A method is further disclosed for controlling operation of a sailboat sail.
US09327810B2

There is provided a high power laser system for powering a remotely located laser device, such as an ROV, using a high power laser fiber optic tether and a photo-conversion device, such as a laser photovoltaic assembly. Laser device systems, such as ROV systems that utilizes a high power laser cutting and/or cleaning tools are also provided.
US09327803B2

A multi-directional signal assembly includes a signal display assembly having one or more display surfaces, and at least one signal indicia affixed to each display surface. The multi-directional display assembly comprises a buoyant construction such that the signal indicia affixed to the display surface(s) are readily visible above the surface of a body of water in which the assembly is deployed. A counterweight assembly is mounted to the signal display assembly to maintain the signal display assembly in a substantially upright, operative orientation when deployed. An illumination assembly comprising one or more illumination members is mounted to the signal display assembly, and is actuated to increase visibility of the signal display assembly while it is deployed on the surface of a body of water.
US09327798B1

The present application is directed to a drive system. The drive system comprises a drive shaft and a driven wheel assembly. The wheel assembly includes a split axle coupled perpendicular to the drive shaft. An overrunning clutch is coupled between each section of the split axle and the drive shaft. A wheel is coupled to spin with each axle section. The wheels receive power from the drive shaft and are driven so that when power is applied from the drive shaft to the driven wheel assembly, whichever wheel that is spinning the slowest receives the power. The drive system may be incorporated into any number of vehicles to improve traction around turns, improve wheel slippage on uneven terrain and generates new options for how and where vehicles may be ridden.
US09327795B2

An operating device is provided that is configured to be attached to a handlebar of a bicycle. The operating device includes a first operating unit and a second operating unit. The first operating unit includes a first input part and a fixing part configured to be fixed on the handlebar. The second operating unit includes a second input part that is rotationally arranged around an axis of the handlebar. The second operating unit is detachably attached on the first operating unit.
US09327774B2

A mounting structure for mounting a cab enclosure incorporating a ROPS therein to a frame of a construction machine allowing accessibility thereto from inside the cab enclosure. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a mounting structure for a cab enclosure incorporating a ROPS, the mounting structure including an isolation mount therein, the mounting structure providing desired structural rigidity to the ROPS while providing desired vibration damping characteristics to the cab enclosure and while allowing accessibility for service thereto.
US09327762B2

A method is provided for controlling a motor drive torque in an EPS system having a motor and a steering assembly. The method includes receiving a torque signal from the steering assembly; processing the torque signal in accordance with a steering perception program to produce a motor control signal; and controlling the motor drive torque based on the motor control signal.
US09327761B2

An electric power steering apparatus including: a steering angle control section that calculates a motor current command value and a switching section that inputs the motor current command value to switch. The steering angle control section has a feedback control section that generates a feedback control current command value; an SAT compensating section that generates an SAT compensation current command value; and an output section that generates the motor current command value from the feedback control current command value and the SAT compensation current command value. The switching section is switched depending on a switching command of an automatic steering mode and a manual steering mode, a motor is drive-controlled based on the motor current command value in the automatic steering mode.
US09327760B2

There is provided an electric power steering system that makes it possible to improve the driver's steering feel, and that includes a controller that controls driving of a motor. The controller computes a first assist component based on a steering torque. The controller computes a torque command value based on a basic drive torque that is the sum of the steering torque and the first assist component, and computes an assist compensation component through feedback control based on the torque command value. The controller computes a steered angle command value based on a value obtained by adding the assist compensation component to the basic drive torque, and computes a second assist component through feedback control based on the steered angle command value. The controller controls driving of the motor based on an assist command value that is the sum of the first assist component and the second assist component.
US09327758B2

A steering apparatus includes a motor, a rack shaft, a belt transmission mechanism that is provided with a drive pulley connected to the motor, a driven pulley, and a belt wrapped around the drive pulley and the driven pulley, and a converting member that is provided to extend along an axial direction of the rack shaft and that converts a rotational force of the driven pulley into a movement force in the axial direction of the rack shaft. The driven pulley is fastened and fixed to the converting member by a bolt, and the steering apparatus further includes a retaining member that prevents detachment of the bolt by restricting movement of a head of the bolt.
US09327741B2

A method and system for identifying cargo-carrying vehicles (CCV) to be included in a vehicle system that are non-propulsion-generating vehicles scheduled to depart from a vehicle yard and travel to one or more destination locations at a predetermined departure time. Further includes, calculating a minimum tractive effort threshold required by one or more propulsion-generating vehicles (PGV) to propel the vehicle system to the one or more destination locations along a route within a predetermined time period. And selecting a set of one or more PGV from a larger group of PGV within the vehicle yard to be included in the vehicle system. The set of one or more PGV produce a tractive effort of at least the minimum tractive effort threshold, and having at least one of a lower fuel consumption or lower emissions than selecting one or more of the remaining PGV from the larger group of PGV, respectively.
US09327740B2

A method includes defining a pre-load zone that has reliable communication along a route. The pre-load zone is associated with a trip of a vehicle traveling along the route. A starting location of the trip is located outside of the pre-load zone. The vehicle is configured to enter the pre-load zone and exit the pre-load zone prior to reaching the starting location of the trip. The method includes receiving a trip request message that identifies the pre-load zone from the vehicle after the vehicle enters the pre-load zone and prior to the vehicle exiting the pre-load zone. The method also includes sending a trip response message to the vehicle that the vehicle receives prior to exiting the pre-load zone. The trip response message includes trip data specific to the trip that is selected based on the association between the pre-load zone and the trip.
US09327737B2

A plate spring bogie includes: a cross beam supporting a carbody of a railcar; a pair of front and rear axles sandwiching and respectively arranged in front of and behind the cross beam in a railcar longitudinal direction to extend in a railcar width direction; bearings respectively provided at both railcar width direction sides of each of the axles and rotatably supporting the axles; axle boxes respectively accommodating the bearings; plate springs extending in the railcar longitudinal direction to respectively support both railcar width direction end portions of the cross beam and each including both railcar longitudinal direction end portions respectively supported by the axle boxes; and an auxiliary supporting mechanism supporting the railcar width direction end portion of the cross beam in a case where the railcar width direction end portion of the cross beam is displaced downward beyond a predetermined elastic deformation range of the plate spring.
US09327733B2

A method of controlling a clutch-to-clutch power-on upshift of a transmission includes defining a possible engine torque as a latched possible engine torque value. An on-coming clutch torque phase target value is defined as a latched on-coming clutch torque value, and held constant until a final ramp. A commanded engine torque is reduced and maintained to a maximum torque reduction value until a shift completion ratio is achieved. The commanded engine torque is increased until the commanded engine torque is equal to a restore ramp target value. Both the on-coming clutch torque and the commanded engine torque are simultaneously increased at a final ramp rate, such that the increase in the on-coming clutch torque parallels the increase in the commanded engine torque, until an actual engine torque is substantially equal to the possible engine torque, to complete the shift.
US09327732B1

An exemplary method includes adjusting a proportion of engine braking used to achieve a target deceleration of a vehicle to change an amount of thermal energy generated from engine braking. An exemplary assembly includes a friction brake to selectively provide friction braking to a vehicle, an engine brake to selectively provide engine braking to the vehicle, and a controller configured to adjust a proportion of the engine braking used to achieve a target deceleration of the vehicle to change an amount of thermal energy generated from engine braking.
US09327728B2

Systems and methods for improving operation of a power take off are presented. In one example, the power take off may be rotated in two different directions. The approaches may improve operation of a power take off device.
US09327724B2

A separation controller for motor vehicles, having a localization device for measuring separations from preceding vehicles, an actuator system for intervention in the longitudinal guidance of the own vehicle, and an electronic control device for applying control to the actuator system and for regulating to a target separation the separation from a preceding vehicle in the own lane, wherein the control device has an adjacent-lane mode in which the target separation is modified as a function of a measured separation from a vehicle driving in an adjacent lane.
US09327723B2

A system for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle includes a control unit for determining whether or not an Oil Pump Unit (OPU) and an Electric Oil Pressure (EOP) temperature sensor are normally operated; a phase current density comparison unit for comparing the mean density of phase currents acquired after shifting the gears of the vehicle with the density of coil phase currents which flow through a coil at a maximum permissible temperature at which the coil is not burning; and a torque control unit for controlling the value of torque to be applied to a transmission according to a result acquired by the phase current density comparison unit.
US09327718B2

A hybrid vehicle control apparatus configured to control a hybrid vehicle having an engine, a first electrical rotating machine, a second electrical rotating machine, a power supply, and an engagement mechanism, is provided with: a specifying device configured to specify a state of the power supply; and a controlling device configured to select and perform one control on the basis of the specified state of the power supply and required torque of engine brake, from among a plurality of controls including (1) first control in which the engagement mechanism is controlled to be in a disengaged state and the first electrical rotating machine is controlled according to the required torque of the engine brake and (2) second control in which the engagement mechanism is set to be in an engaged state and the second electrical rotating machine is controlled according to the required torque, if the engine brake is required.
US09327702B2

A caliper brake device includes a brake shoe for exerting a friction force by sliding in contact with a disk, a caliper main body fixed to a vehicle and an actuator for pressing the brake shoe against the disk. The actuator includes an elastic film fixed to the caliper main body, a drive pressure chamber defined by the elastic film and supplied with a fluid, a valve introducing the fluid to the drive pressure chamber, and a piston interposed between the elastic film and the brake shoe. The fluid is supplied to the drive pressure chamber and the elastic film swells toward the brake shoe, whereby the piston brings the brake shoe into sliding contact with the disk. The valve introduces the fluid to the drive pressure chamber when the brake is applied while limiting the discharge of the fluid from the drive pressure chamber when the brake is released.
US09327689B2

When receiving no reverse state signal, which indicates that a vehicle is in reverse, a wash control circuit allows the actuation of the wiper motor by the interlocking operation and retains a changeover valve device on the side of the window washing nozzle. When receiving a reverse state signal, the wash control circuit switches the changeover valve device from the window washing nozzle to a camera washing nozzle and inhibits the actuation of the wiper motor by the interlocking operation.
US09327688B2

A windscreen wiper device comprising a wiperblade having at least one yoke which is attached to a carrier and an oscillating arm pivotally connected to the carrier about a pivot axis near one end with the interposition of a connecting device, the oscillating arm comprising two longitudinal arm sections connected to each other by means of a curved intermediate arm section, wherein the connecting device comprises a resilient leg comprises at least one upwardly extending protrusion and at least one downwardly extending protrusion, wherein the upwardly extending protrusion is adapted to engage in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in an oscillating arm of a first type, and wherein the downwardly extending protrusion is adapted to engage in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in an oscillating arm of a second type, the oscillating arms of the first and the second types mutually differing in the distance between their respective longitudinal arm sections.
US09327686B2

A vehicle wiper device includes a wiper arm, a drive source, a drive shaft that is pivoted by the drive source, and a wiper arm urging member. The wiper arm urging member includes a swing member, an inclination member, a rod, and a compression spring. The inclination member includes a wiper fixing portion and a drawing portion. The rod includes a basal end supported by the drawing portion. A first end of the compression spring is supported by the swing member and the second end applies an urging force to a distal end of the rod. The compression spring acts to draw the drawing portion and urge a distal end of the wiper arm toward a wiped surface.
US09327684B2

The invention concerns a process and assistance system for warning of an unauthorized access to a parked vehicle. The process includes a first step for providing a communication as to whether the vehicle is at least partially unlocked. In a second step, in the case of an affirmative communication, the transmission of the current location of the vehicle takes place. In a third step, a comparison is made between the current location with at least one predetermined home location. In a fourth step, in the case in which the current location does not correspond with at least one home location, a wireless transmission of a warning signal to a mobile unit is given. In a fifth step, following the receipt of the warning signal by the mobile unit, a warning that is perceptible optically and/or acoustically and/or haptically is undertaken.
US09327681B2

A seat belt retractor including a belt shaft rotatably supported in a frame and two force-limiting devices acting in parallel. The first and the second part of the belt shaft axially overlap forming an annular space. The second force-limiting device is a band element abutting a radial outer wall of the annular space with a first section, and on the radial inner wall with a second section and is deflected in a deflection fitting between the first and the second sections (20, 21, 29, 30). During relative movement between the first and second parts, the band element can be unwound or wound up from the outer wall onto the inner wall or vice versa in an energy-dissipating manner.
US09327665B2

A collision energy absorption apparatus and a vehicle front end structure including the apparatus. The apparatus is welded to a bumper beam and is laterally adjacent a longitudinally extending member disposed behind the bumper beam. The apparatus has a central body having a front edge attached to the bumper beam and a rear edge that is spaced from the bumper beam and the longitudinally extending member. Upper and lower triangular walls extend between the central body and the longitudinally extending member. A rib extends laterally outwardly from the central body.
US09327657B2

A bus bar module has a bus bar housing portion housing a plurality of bus bars placed side by side in a first direction, and a plurality of voltage detecting lines extending in the first direction and each connected electrically to a different one of the bus bars through a conductive member. The plurality of voltage detecting lines are placed adjacently to the bus bar housing portion and are placed diagonally in a second direction inclined relative to an in-plane direction including the bus bar such that a first region in the plurality of voltage detecting lines separate from the bus bar housing portion is located below a second region in the plurality of voltage detecting lines closer to the bus bar housing portion.
US09327654B2

A ladder rack for supporting a ladder in a stowage position and for moving the ladder between the stowage position and a loading/unloading position at which the ladder can be loaded onto the rack or unloaded from the rack. The ladder rack includes a frame assembly which is mounted on a support structure such as a vehicle roof and a bed platform having opposite ends that are coupled to the frame assembly for sliding and hinged movement with respect to the frame assembly. At least one of the ends of the bed platform is configured to be extendible when pivoted downward into a loading or unloading position.
US09327648B2

A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a rearview device having a peripheral edge. A carrier plate is operably coupled to the rearview device. The carrier plate includes a peripheral wall with a forward edge and a rearward edge. The forward edge is substantially aligned with the peripheral edge of the rearview device. A housing includes a forward lip configured to abut the rearward edge of the peripheral wall to provide a substantially smooth exterior transition from the housing to the peripheral wall to the rearview device.
US09327647B2

A clamp is for mounting on an arm. The clamp comprises a frame, a gripping element and a moveable clamping member. The frame comprises an upright portion and a lip located at a lower end of the upright portion and extending substantially perpendicularly to the upright portion. The gripping element is connected to the frame, and is arranged to mount on the arm, and comprises a first component and a second component connected together at one end and spaced apart at the other end, the arm to be located between the first component and a second component in a hole. The moveable clamping member is mounted through a hole in the second component, and comprises a shaft and an engaging portion arranged to be moved towards the lip of the frame.
US09327641B1

A vehicle-roof mounting-base, for supporting sign or light elements, that uses vacuum evacuation to adhere the vehicle-roof mounting-base to a vehicle roof. The vacuum evacuation is accomplished by using a continuous, gas impermeable seal between the lower surface of the vehicle-roof mounting-base and the vehicle roof. A vacuum pump then partially evacuates the volume enclosed by the continuous seal, the vehicle roof, and the lower surface of the vehicle-roof mounting-base, providing sufficient retention force to hold the vehicle-roof mounting-base to the vehicle roof.
US09327640B2

A fog lamp for use in an automobile includes a plurality of reflectors each sharing a common focus point, a light emitting diode array positioned at the common focus point, and a circular, non-optic window. The window fits through a standard-sized opening in an automobile fascia substantially two inches in diameter. The reflectors include a central reflector, a pair of lateral reflectors surrounding the central reflector and angled toward a center axis of the fog lamp, and a pair of converging reflectors surrounding the lateral reflectors and angled more sharply toward the center axis of the fog lamp. The central reflector and lateral reflectors produce beams of reflected light through the outer circumference of the window. The converging reflectors produce beams of reflected light converging at a secondary focus point within the fog lamp and transmitting through the window.
US09327637B2

A vehicle lighting unit can have an aiming mechanism with a pivot holder structure such that a pivot attached to a reflector that holds a bulb is supported by a pivot holder integrally formed with a housing while the pivot is rotatable and an adjustment bolt is provided, so that the rotation of the adjustment bolt can achieve adjustment of an optical axis by inclining the reflector. The pivot holder can include a reception seat extending in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the pivot is inserted and having an arc-like curved surface for receiving a ball of the pivot, and a pair of claws extending in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the pivot is inserted so as to be parallel with each other and configured to support the ball, the pair of claws being coupled to each other by an arc-shaped bridge.
US09327634B2

A dunnage device for securing a load to a cargo deck includes an elongated tubular body having an interior space. A transverse wall is positioned within the interior space of the tubular body. The elongated tubular body is adapted to be positioned on the cargo deck.
US09327626B1

Adjustable boat seat handles are described. A described apparatus comprises an elongated lever having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end having a hand grip and the second end having a first flange extending away from the first end, the first flange having a first bore extending through the first flange, a rocker arm having a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end, the third end having a second flange extending away from the third end, the second flange having a second bore extending through the second flange and a pin extending through the first and second bores rotatably coupling the first and second flanges, wherein rotation of the lever in a first direction relative to the rocker arm causes the lever to rotate the rocker arm to enable adjustment of a seat and rotation of the lever in a second direction opposite the first direction causes the lever to fold relative to the rocker arm to be in a stowed position under the seat.
US09327625B2

A vehicle seat includes: a seat back which has a backrest support surface for a seat occupant that is variable in shape; a plurality of air bags that are located behind a support surface portion of the seat back and change the shape of the support surface upon introduction or discharge of air thereinto or therefrom; and a control device that is configured to control the introduction and discharge of air into and from the air bags. The control device controls the introduction and discharge of air into and from each air bag based on a state of change in the air in each air bag that occurs when the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat with the air bags in the set state to change the shape of the backrest support surface to a shape that conforms to the seat occupant's unique sitting position.
US09327624B1

A vehicle safety device for reducing whiplash in a vehicle includes a curved guide configured to allow a seat to slide thereon, an impact sensor that can detect an impact on a rear end of the vehicle; and a locking mechanism that can allow the seat to slide on the curved guide when an impact is detected by the impact sensor. The locking mechanism can prevent the seat from moving relative to the curved guide when there is no impact detected by the impact sensor.
US09327613B2

An arrangement structure of an inverter in a fuel cell vehicle, capable of protecting the inverter from an impact during a vehicle collision with a simple configuration, is provided. The inverter is arranged on a frame in an inclined posture so that an outer side surface faces the power control unit and so that a hydrogen side output connector is directed downward of the power control unit, and the hydrogen side output connector and a hydrogen side wire are connected through below the power control unit.
US09327610B2

A system and method for individually discharging battery cells in a high voltage vehicle battery. The system includes a battery controller that monitors and controls the state-of-charge of each of the battery cells and a cell balancing circuit for maintaining the charge of the cells substantially equal. The controller receives a signal from a vehicle crash detector indicating that the vehicle has been in a crash, and in response instructs the cell balancing circuit to discharge all of the battery cells.
US09327606B2

A charging apparatus includes a fixed member to be fixed to a fixed object, a charging cable unit including a cable, a connecting portion connected to the cable and to be connected to a charging unit provided for a vehicle, a control unit controlling electric power to be supplied to the charging unit, and a case housing the control unit, a cable holder including a case housing section housing the case so as to be pulled out, the charging cable unit being arranged in the cable holder and the cable holder being attachable/detachable to/from the fixed member, and a restricting portion restricting exiting of the case housed in the case housing section from the case housing section when the cable holder is fitted to the fixed member.
US09327604B2

According to one embodiment, an electric vehicle control apparatus is provided with a converter having a diode and a switching device which convert an AC voltage or a DC voltage supplied from an input side into a DC voltage, whose output side is connected to a main motor through an inverter, a battery connected to the converter through a reactor, to provide a power source for the main motor, and a boosting chopper circuit composed the diode and the switching device which the converter has, so as to boost a voltage of the battery.
US09327600B1

The present example provides aircraft integrated aircraft utility management and power distribution systems. Included are three exemplary implementations of aircraft power management systems (a DC power distribution system, a utility management system, and a combined system) that may utilize the like architecture, technologies, and components advantageously. A DC power distribution system can include two parts: primary DC power distribution and secondary DC power distribution systems. The utility management system integrates aircraft sub functions and utilities into one fault tolerant system. The systems described makes use of secondary power distribution units of a modularized design, including standard I/O modules, power modules, and aircraft computing modules.
US09327597B2

A solar battery mounting structure including a solar battery module which frame includes a light transmissive plate member, an adhesive portion by which a lower surface of a side end portion of the light transmissive plate member is adhered to an adhesive surface of a vehicle body frame member, and a fixation portion which is fixed to a lower surface of the light transmissive plate member through a sealing material layer, and is fixed to a fixation surface of the vehicle body frame member facing the lower surface, a protrusion portion in contact with the lower surface of the light transmissive plate member through the sealing material layer is fainted in the fixation portion, and frame a step portion is formed between the adhesive surface and the fixation surface.
US09327593B2

A fuel housing assembly for a vehicle includes a fuel door. A primary fuel door lock system includes a locking shaft having a locked configuration where a locking end of the locking shaft engages a locking member of the fuel door to inhibit opening of the fuel door and an unlocked configuration where the locking end of the locking shaft is removed from the locking member to allow opening of the fuel door. A secondary fuel door lock system is connected to the locking shaft by a decoupling structure that allows movement of the locking shaft between the locked and unlocked configurations relative to the secondary fuel door lock system.
US09327588B2

A method of controlling a drive system includes receiving a machine travel speed request, and determining an output speed of a variator, associated with the drive system, required to satisfy the travel speed request at a current power source speed. The method also includes determining that a storage device operably connected to the variator has an amount of stored energy sufficient to operate the variator at the variator output speed, and providing torque to a machine transmission with a machine power source and the variator. The variator is operated at the variator output speed using stored energy from the storage device to provide torque to the transmission. The torque provided to the transmission with the power source and the variator is sufficient to satisfy the travel speed request at the current power source speed.
US09327580B2

A vehicle air-conditioning system includes a solar radiation amount detection element configured to detect the amount of solar radiation incident on an instrument panel, a temperature correction element configured to correct a detection signal value output from the solar radiation amount detection element according to a temperature on the instrument panel, a solar radiation sensor configured to output a detection signal in which a temperature is corrected by the temperature correction element, and an air conditioner configured to control air conditioning inside a vehicle based on the detection signal from the solar radiation sensor.
US09327579B2

A vehicle engine warm-up apparatus includes a coolant temperature sensor, an intake temperature sensor, an air intake heater, a heating system and a controller. The intake temperature sensor measures a temperature of combustion air entering the engine. The coolant temperature sensor measures a temperature of engine coolant. The air intake heater is configured to heat the combustion air. The controller is operably coupled to the coolant temperature sensor, the intake temperature sensor and the air intake heater. The controller is configured to operate the air intake heater with the vehicle engine running to increase a rate of heating of the coolant by the engine to more rapidly make heat available to the heating system in response to determining that the air intake temperature is below a first temperature threshold and the coolant temperature is below a second temperature threshold.
US09327577B2

A heat pump system, including a thermal storage medium, for use in a vehicle having a passenger compartment, and a corresponding method for providing heat to a vehicle passenger compartment. The vehicle may have an electric only vehicle mode wherein the vehicle may occupy one of an active electric drive state and an inactive state. The heat pump system may include a thermal storage medium configured to store heat produced during the inactive state. The thermal storage medium may be a device which has a thermal capacity exchangeable with a fluid medium such as an Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) or a phase change material. The heat stored by the thermal storage medium during the vehicle charge event may be transmitted from the thermal storage medium to the passenger compartment via the heat pump system during the active electric drive state.
US09327575B2

An air spring for a vehicle may include a piston chamber with a bottom connected with an axle assembly to be able to move up/down, an air chamber with a top fixed to a car body and a bottom seated over a top of the piston chamber to be extendable and contractible by inflow/outflow of air, a piston positioned in the piston chamber, vertically dividing an internal space of the piston chamber into upper and lower internal spaces, and airtightly separating the upper internal space from the lower internal space, and an air control mechanism allowing air to flow into/out of the upper and lower internal spaces of the piston chamber and the internal space of the air chamber so that the piston chamber and the axle assembly are moved up/down with extension/contraction of the air chamber by the inflow/outflow of the air.
US09327572B2

An air spring (100) for a vehicle is provided. The air spring comprises a first mounting element (110) for being fixed to a vehicle's chassis (210), a second mounting element (120) for being fixed to a movable part (220) of a vehicle being movable with respect to the chassis, a bellow (130) extending from the first mounting element to the second mounting element and including an air volume (140), and a sensor arrangement (150) being arranged within the air volume. The sensor arrangement is adapted for sensing at least one of a road condition, a vehicle condition and a pay load condition.
US09327571B2

The invention relates to a spring seat for a mechanical spring axle/suspension system that includes continuous window welds and facilitates the use of a thin-wall axle, thereby saving weight and cost. The seat secures at least one mechanical spring of the axle/suspension system to an axle of the axle/suspension system. The spring seat comprises at least one body configured to seat on the axle, and the body forms at least one window when disposed on the axle. The body is rigidly attached to the axle by a continuous weld formed in the window. The spring seat is free of a line weld between the body and the axle.
US09327569B2

A mobile vehicle 1 has two wheels 5, 5 on the rear side of a vehicle body 3, and is capable of causing a roll driving moment to act on the vehicle body 3 by an actuator 33 in a roll driving mechanism 23. A control device 70 controls the actuator 33 such that the function characteristics of the roll driving moment implemented by the control of the actuator 33 with respect to a vehicle body roll angle (inclination angle in the roll direction of the vehicle body 3) become as shown in FIG. 6A or 6B.
US09327566B2

A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can comprise a ball portion for interfacing with a ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer, a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle, and a load measurement device associated with the hitch portion. The hitch portion can be configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiver about a fulcrum in response to a downward force on the ball, with the hitch receiver resisting rotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrum thereby inducing a load on the hitch portion. The load measurement device can be configured to determine a magnitude of the downward force on the ball based on the load on the hitch portion.
US09327564B2

A hitch device for a trailer mount is provided. The hitch device includes a mounting portion, a receiver sleeve receiving the mounting portion, wherein the receiver sleeve includes a cross-section having a quadrilateral shape. In one aspect, the mounting portion includes a plurality of walls, wherein each of the walls projects towards internal corners of the receiver sleeve. In another aspect, the walls includes a concave portion and a convex portion. In yet another aspect, a center distance between each of first center portions of a first pair of opposing walls is less than an edge distance between each of two first edge portions, and a second center distance between each of second center portions of a second pair of opposing walls is less than a second edge distance between each of two second edge portions.
US09327560B2

A tire having a tire cavity is disclosed, wherein the tire has a bi-directional pump assembly including a pump passageway having an inlet end and an outlet end, and being operative to allow a portion of the pump passageway near a tire footprint to substantially close and open the pump passageway. The tire includes a valve assembly having a valve housing, wherein a diaphragm is mounted in the valve housing forming an interior chamber, and wherein the diaphragm is responsive to the pressure of the tire cavity. The interior chamber has a first hole in fluid communication with the inlet end of the pump passageway, a second hole in fluid communication with the outlet end of the pump passageway, and a third hole in fluid communication with the outside air. The valve housing has a passageway in fluid communication with the tire cavity and the outlet end of the pump. The valve assembly further includes an inlet control valve having a valve bottom positioned over the third hole and operative to open and close the third hole to allow air to enter the system. The inlet control valve has a first end connected to the diaphragm, and a resilient member biases the inlet control valve into the open position.
US09327558B2

A tire includes a tire carcass and a tread extending circumferentially about the tire carcass The tread includes a plurality of tread elements disposed in a tread pattern. The plurality of tread elements have one of two different pitch lengths and are disposed in a noise-reducing pitch sequence.
US09327546B2

There is provided a matting activator for water pressure transfer film adapted to impart the maximum matting effect to a decoration obtained by water pressure transfer with a matting agent added to the activator. To an ultraviolet ray hardening resin composite, the main component of the activator are added a matting agent and a resin bead gathering agent. The ultraviolet ray hardening resin composite includes a photo-polymerization monomer including a photo-polymerization component having at least photo-polymerization monomer and a photo-polymerization initiator, the matting agent comprises resin beads, the resin bead gathering agent comprises particulate silica, the weight ratio of the blend of the resin beads relative to the ultraviolet ray hardening resin composite is 0.01-0.3 and the weight ratio of blend of the resin bead gathering agent relative to the resin beads is adjusted in 0.05-1.5 according to the weight ratio of blend of the resin bead.
US09327534B2

An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a return-sheet conveyer unit to convey a recording sheet carried from the image forming unit along a return-sheet path to return to the image forming unit, an upper frame unit including a pair of side frames to support the image forming unit in a position there-between, and a pair of lower frames arranged to have a predetermined amount of clearance there-between to have the return-sheet conveyer unit in the clearance, and configured to be less rigid than the upper frame unit and to support lower sections of the pair of side frames. A vertical position of the return-sheet conveyer unit with respect to the image forming unit is defined with reference to the upper frame unit by having a part of the return-sheet conveyer unit aligned to be in contact with the upper frame unit.
US09327531B2

A tape cartridge 2 includes a tape core 21b rotatably supported in a cartridge case 25 and houses a print tape 21a wound around the tape core 21b such that the print tape 21a can be unwound. The tape core 21b includes a core body 26 with the print tape 21a wound around an outer peripheral surface of the core body 26, a disk-like rib 27 provided at a middle portion in an axial direction of an inner peripheral surface of the core body 26, and a shaft hole 28 formed at an axis center of the rib 27. The cartridge case 25 includes a shaft support 41 that is inserted into the shaft hole 28 and rotatably supports the tape core 21b, and a rotation guide 42 that slides on the inner peripheral surface of the core body 26.
US09327527B2

A printing apparatus includes a printing unit, first and second conveying units conveying a printing medium, a driving unit driving the first and second conveying units, and a control unit controlling the driving unit. The conveyance state of the printing medium makes transition from a first conveyance state in which the printing medium is conveyed only by the first conveying unit to a second conveyance state in which the printing medium is conveyed by both the first and second conveying units. The control unit controls the driving unit based on a fluctuation in a load that mutually acts between the first and second conveying units through the printing medium to suppress a fluctuation in a conveyance amount at the time of the transition of the conveyance state from the first conveyance state to the second conveyance state.
US09327517B2

A diverter assembly to transport a substrate along a transport path includes a plurality of sets of idle rollers and at least one support member. Each set of idle rollers may include a longitudinal axis and a plurality of respective idle rollers disposed along the respective longitudinal axis. Each idle roller of adjacent sets of idle rollers may be in a staggered arrangement with each other. The at least one roller support member may rotatably support the respective sets of idle rollers. The plurality of sets of idle rollers may be in a circumferential arrangement with each other.
US09327515B2

Disclosed are methods and systems for compensating for process direction banding associated with a document processing system including a ROS. According to one exemplary embodiment, a ROS driver uses a plurality of beam delay/advance values to compensate for banding caused by an interaction of a halftone pattern and process direction density variations associated with the ROS.
US09327513B2

A pressure regulating unit capable of suitably regulating pressure to be applied to liquid, a liquid supplying apparatus, and a liquid ejecting apparatus are provided. An ink communication path allows an ink introducing chamber communicating with an ink inlet and a pressure chamber communicating with an ink outlet to communicate with each other. A part of the pressure chamber is formed of a flexible film. A valve including a valve body and a valve seat adjusts an opening degree of the ink communication path. An urging member applies, to the valve, a first urging force acting in a direction in which the ink communication path is closed. An urging member applies, to the film, a second urging force that is greater than the first urging force and acts in a displacement direction in which the volume of the pressure chamber is reduced.
US09327502B2

A method of manufacturing a head chip includes a groove forming step for forming grooves which are the bases of ejection grooves on a first surface of the actuator substrate, a substrate grinding step for grinding a second surface of the actuator substrate so that each of the grooves has a predetermined depth, a recessed portion forming step for forming an inspection recessed portion which changes its state in the second surface of the actuator substrate according to the grinding amount of the actuator substrate in the substrate grinding step, and a grinding amount determination step for determining the grinding amount of the actuator substrate on the basis of a state of the inspection recessed portion after the substrate grinding step.
US09327486B2

This invention generally relates to a tape dispenser with automatic backing removal more particularly including a spindle rotatably mounted for receiving said supply of tape; a pinch roller set in tension having an adjustment to set the drag for the tape supply passing through the pinch rollers that convert a pull of the tape to a rotary motion; a take-up spindle for spooling the protective backing layer when separated from the tape; a set of drag washers to maintain an pre-set tension as the protective backing is spooled onto the take up spindle; a first gear responsive to the rotary motion of the pinch roller set and a second gear responsive to the motion of the first gear and axially attached to the take-up spindle for spooling the protective backing.
US09327484B2

A process of making an improved sheet/card laminate for packaging, signage, displays, transaction cards, ID cards and the like. The process comprises registering flat sheets to a film and then laminating the film or transferring coating(s) from the film to the individual, generally flat sheets via an adhesive. The film or coating(s) may include layered security, functional and/or decorative features.
US09327482B2

A method of forming a bonded part with a press-fit, vulcanized rubber member residing in compression between two rigid members and bonded thereto. The rubber member is a laminate with a core layer between two self-bonding rubber layers. The bonded part may be, for example, a vibration damper, isolator or absorber. The core layer and the self-bonding layers may have the same primary elastomer and cure system type, and the self-bonding layers have an adhesion promoter not present in the core layer. The adhesive layers may be from 0.05 to 1 mm thick or from 5% to 10% of the laminate thickness.The method includes forming a rubber core layer, curing it, applying a rubber adhesive layer on each side to form a laminate, inserting the laminate between two rigid members under compression, and post-curing to form a bonded part. The adhesive layers may be partially cured before inserting.
US09327475B2

The gas barrier layered product of the present invention includes a base and a gas barrier layer stacked on the base. The gas barrier layer is formed of a composition that includes the hydrolyzed condensate of at least one type of compound (L) containing a hydrolyzable characteristic group, and a polymer (X) containing at least one functional group selected from a carboxyl group and a carboxylic acid anhydride group. At least part of —COO— group contained in the functional group of the polymer (X) is neutralized and/or reacted with a compound (P) containing at least two amino groups. At least part of the —COO— group of the polymer (X) is neutralized with a metal ion having a valence of at least two. The ratio of [the equivalent amount of the amino groups contained in the compound (P)]/[the equivalent amount of the —COO— group of the polymer (X)] is in the range of 0.2/100 to 20.0/100.
US09327473B2

The present invention is directed to a fluid-entangled laminate web and the process and apparatus for its formation as well as end uses for the fluid-entangled laminate web. The laminate web includes a support layer and a nonwoven projection web having a plurality of projections which are preferably hollow. As a result of the fluid-entangling process, entangling fluid is directed through the support layer and into the projection web which is situated on a forming surface. The force of the entangling fluid causes the two layers to be joined to one another and the fluid causes a portion of the fibers in the projection web to be forced into openings present in the forming surface thereby forming the hollow projections. The resultant laminate has a number of uses including, but not limited to, both wet and dry wiping materials, as well as incorporation into various portions of personal care absorbent articles and use in packaging especially food packaging where fluid control is an issue.
US09327472B1

A composite substrate with a degree of porosity, optionally of a carbon based material, and at least a first layer over coating the first portion by a predetermined amount, including at least a portion of the interior surfaces of the first portion and reducing the porosity of the composite substrate by a predetermined amount. The structure and composition of the composite substrate enable functionalities in different classes of completed devices ranging from energy conversion and storage, chemical processing and filtration.
US09327466B2

Tool for transporting and shaping flexible laminar parts, which comprises a chamber 1 having a flexible and impermeable wall, with a bottom 3 provided with though holes 6. The chamber 1 houses a flexible and impermeable plate, a rigid plate 4, which reproduces the final three-dimensional shape that the flexible laminar part 5 has to adopt, and a suction tube 8.
US09327465B2

A retreaded tire manufacturing method, which avoids forming the buffed surface always in the same position by buffing in tire retreading and the resulting drop in delamination resistance of new tread rubber, and tires suitably retreaded by this manufacturing method are provided. In this method, the tread rubber of a tire is abraded away circumferentially to form a tread application surface of the tire to which new tread rubber is applied. And the position where the tread application surface is formed is radially changed as the repeat count of retreading rises.
US09327458B2

A method of manufacturing a composite article may include attaching a polymer element to a tool. The polymer element may be pre-stretched prior to attachment to the tool. The method may further include annealing the polymer element at a predetermined temperature while constraining a length of the polymer element using the tool. In addition, the method may include curing or solidifying resin associated with the polymer element. The annealing step may be performed prior to the curing or solidifying step. Alternatively, the annealing step may be performed concurrently with the curing or solidifying step.
US09327453B2

Various embodiments related to three dimensional printers, and reinforced filaments, and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a void free reinforced filament is fed into an conduit nozzle. The reinforced filament includes a core, which may be continuous or semi-continuous, and a matrix material surrounding the core. The reinforced filament is heated to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of the matrix material and less than a melting temperature of the core prior to applying the filament from the conduit nozzle.
US09327450B2

A device and a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object (3) by solidifying layers (25) of a material in powder form at those positions corresponding to the respective cross-section of the object (3) are provided. The device comprises an application device (40) for applying layers of the material in powder form (47) in the building area (5), which can be moved over the building area (5). The application device (40) is formed to have a first longitudinal wall (41a) and a second longitudinal wall (41b) that are connected to one another via two side walls. The application device (40) is provided with a fluidization device for homogenizing the material in powder form (47). This fluidization device comprises at least one hollow body having escape openings in its walls, through which escape opening a gas can flow from the hollow body into the material in powder form (47).
US09327449B2

A three-dimensional printing apparatus including a tank, a moving platform, a light source disposed below the tank, a detecting unit and a control unit is provided. The tank is filled with a liquid forming material and a separating liquid, wherein the specific density of the separating liquid is larger than the specific density of the liquid forming material, so that the separating liquid sinks between the tank and the liquid forming material. The control unit controls an initial depth at which the moving platform immerses into the liquid forming material, so as to form a three-dimensional object. A three-dimensional printing apparatus is also provided, wherein the light source thereof is disposed above the tank, and the specific density of the liquid forming material is larger than the specific density of the separating liquid, so that the liquid forming material sinks between the tank and the separating liquid.
US09327445B1

A method and means for accenting a wheel. The means for accenting the wheel comprises design segments comprised of a wrap film. The method of this invention comprises the steps of: (1) providing a plurality of vinyl film segments; (2) positioning the design segments onto portions of the wheel so that the design segments are spaced-apart from one another; and (3) applying pressure to the design segments to adhere the design segments to the wheel.
US09327440B2

A device for the production of film tubes includes a die head having an annular nozzle, from which a plastic melt for producing the film tube can be extruded in a transport direction (y), a fluid-application device, which is annular in shape at least in certain regions and which follows the die head in the transport direction (y) and which surrounds the film tube annularly, and via which a fluid can be guided toward the film tube, and a ring, the diameter of which is larger than the annular nozzle of the fluid-application device. The device has an adjusting device, via which the ring can be adjusted in height relative to the fluid-application device.
US09327437B2

A method of providing a mould with a conformal cooling passage includes rough machining a mould cavity generally corresponding to a moulded part shape using CAD data. Conformal cooling slots are cut in the mould cavity using the CAD data. The conformal cooling slots are welded shut using the CAD data to provide conformal cooling passages. A class A surface is machined over the conformal cooling passage and corresponds to a finished mould part shape using the CAD data.
US09327430B2

This invention discloses a method for preparing rotomolded articles having asymmetrical layering.
US09327428B2

Disclosed is a casting mold comprising at least two adjoining molds that enclose a hollow space, the cavity, which is accessible from the outside via at least one inlet duct and into which liquid casting material can be injected or pressed, and at least one vent opening that extends from the cavity to the outer surface of a mold, points approximately in the direction in which the hardened cast part is removed from the mold, and is closed by a pin-type breather. The face of the breather facing the cavity is perforated by small air holes which are permeable to air while retaining the liquid casting material and which are connected to the outer surface of the breather.
US09327421B2

A device for a waste stripping unit fitted with two rotating tools which cooperate to strip at least one item of waste which originates from a blank of a plate element (4) which passes through the unit and between the two tools. At least one tool has pins that remove the waste items. At least one part (39) is inserted between the two tools and which forms a support for the blank and also opens a passage for the stripped off waste. The part is shaped and positioned in accordance with the layout of the blank.
US09327406B1

One or more images of a physical environment may be received, where the one or more images may include one or more objects. A type of surface feature predicted to be contained on a portion of one or more surfaces of a single object may be determined. Surface features of the type within regions of the one or more images may then be identified. The regions may then be associated to corresponding objects in the physical environment based on the identified surface features. Based at least in part on the regions associated to the corresponding objects, a virtual representation of the physical environment may be determined, the representation including at least one distinct object segmented from a remaining portion of the physical environment so as to virtually distinguish a boundary of the at least one distinct object from boundaries of objects present in the remaining portion of the physical environment.
US09327404B2

Methods and systems for determining a status of a component of a device are provided. An example method includes triggering an action of a component of a device, and responsively receiving information associated with the action of the component from a sensor. The method further includes a computing system having a processor and a memory comparing the information with calibration data and determining a status of the component based on the comparison. In some examples, the calibration data may include information derived from data received from a pool of one or more devices utilizing same or similar components as the component. The determined status may include information associated with a performance of the component with respect to performances of same or similar components of the pool of devices. In one example, the device may self-calibrate the component based on the status.
US09327401B2

A method for controlling a redundant robot arm includes the steps of selecting an application for performing a robotic process on a workpiece with the arm and defining at least one constraint on motion of the arm. Then an instruction set is generated based upon the selected application representing a path for a robot tool attached to the arm by operating the arm in one of a teaching mode and a programmed mode to perform the robotic process on the workpiece and movement of the arm is controlled during the robotic process. A constraint algorithm is generated to maintain a predetermined point on the arm to at least one of be on, be near and avoid a specified constraint in a robot envelope during movement of the arm, and a singularity algorithm is generated to avoid a singularity encountered during the movement of the arm.
US09327400B2

The present invention applies to a mobile robot which can have a human appearance and sophisticated functions enabling it to execute missions. To enable communications internal to the robot to be optimized and allow for a versatility that is both physical (possible substitution of parts of the robot) and software (replacement of programs to adapt it to new missions), an architecture with three computer levels is provided. The highest level comprises the intelligence of the robot which generates commands which are transmitted by an intermediate computer to low-level cards which control the sensors and actuators. Communication between the intermediate computer and the low-level cards is managed by at least one specific secure communication protocol.
US09327398B2

It is an object of the present invention to reduce energy consumed when a rotary apparatus is used and to suppress abrasion and breakage on the rotary apparatus and a driving apparatus which drives the rotary apparatus. Provided is a rotation adjustment apparatus (1) comprising a rotary apparatus (10) which has a plurality of members coupled to each other via a plurality of rotation axes, the rotary apparatus providing a rotational movement of one of the members rotating around the rotation axis with respect to another one of the members; and a rotation restraining mechanism (30, 72) which restrains at least one of a plurality of rotational movements provided by the rotary apparatus.
US09327393B1

A valve spring compression and valve guide seal remover system is a hand tool that is able to grip a valve stem while compressing the valve spring to release and replace the valve stem seals of motorcycle engines without having to remove the head from the engine or the engine from the motorcycle frame.
US09327392B2

An apparatus includes a shaft having a first end comprising a beveled surface. A second end of the shaft includes a gripping member. The apparatus additionally includes a channel formed on the beveled surface, wherein the channel comprises an opening, and wherein the opening traverses the beveled surface at a constant vertical position relative to an angle of the beveled surface.
US09327389B2

A ratchet wrench includes a wrench body, a ratchet assembly and a C-ring. The wrench body has a driving head at one end. The driving head has a cavity therein and a retaining groove defined in an inner periphery of the cavity. The ratchet assembly is mounted in the cavity of the driving head. The C-ring is configured to retain the ratchet assembly in place and defines an outer portion and an inner portion. The C-ring has two free ends, and at least one of the two free ends has an oblique face with a pointed edge towards an inside of the C-ring, which is allowed to pry the C-ring moving inward to be detached.
US09327388B2

A ratchet wrench includes a handle, a driving head, an engaging member, a spring and a controlling knob. The handle has a receiving groove, a transverse hole in one lateral side of the handle, and a longitudinal hole in a bottom of the receiving groove. The driving head has a connecting portion pivotally connected to the handle. The engaging member is movably received in the longitudinal hole, and has a guiding cutout in a lateral side thereof. The spring is interposed between a bottom of the longitudinal hole and the engaging member. The controlling knob has an abutting block received in the guiding cutout of the engaging member. The abutting block is substantially oblong in shape such that rotational movement of the controlling knob drives the engaging member to be disengaged from the driving head.
US09327379B2

A blade processing (e.g., sharpening) device includes two sets of overlapping edge processing rings Inner diameter surfaces of the edge processing rings define a notch suitable for effectively processing a blade with a convex cutting edge profile. Certain types of edge processing rings are movable relative to one another to adjust an edge processing angle of the notch. Certain types of blade processing devices also can also process blades with concave cutting edge profiles. The rings may be contained at least partially within a protective housing. A blade can be processed by inserting a blade through a blade insertion opening in the housing and into the notch while a handle of the blade remains outside the housing. By grasping the handle, the blade can be manually reciprocated within the notch during edge processing.
US09327378B2

A blade sharpening system is provided that includes a base, and a pivoting member rotatably coupled to the base by a shaft. The blade sharpening system also includes a sharpener coupled to the pivoting member and configured to engage a generally circular blade of an agricultural implement while the generally circular blade is mounted on the agricultural implement. The pivoting member is configured to enable movement of the sharpener to accommodate lateral variations in a profile of the generally circular blade, and the shaft is movable relative to the pivoting member to adjust a contact force between the sharpener and the generally circular blade.
US09327366B2

The present invention relates to a flux cored electrode used in electric arc welding and more particularly to the use of a specific form of magnesium particles in the core of the electrode or wire.
US09327364B2

A solder piece that has a rectangular parallelepiped shape formed by a punching process. Any one of the four surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped other than the surface on which the shear droop portion generated by the punching process is formed and a surface opposite to the surface on which the shear droop portion is formed is a vacuum pickup surface. Each vacuum pickup surface is a sheared surface and extends along a longitudinal direction of the rectangular parallelepiped solder piece. The solder piece may be located in an open cavity in a supply tape with one of only the four vacuum pickup surfaces exposed to be available for vacuum pickup.
US09327357B2

A gear machining apparatus includes a skiving mechanism positioning a work to be machined and a pinion type cutter on axes skewing from each other, the skiving mechanism rotating the work at a predetermined position and feeding the cutter while rotating in a direction of a tooth trace of a gear to be formed at the work synchronously to the rotation of the work for producing the gear from the work. The cutter includes a tooth surface which is formed with an involute region having an involute curve in an area including a pitch circle in a tooth depth direction, an addendum region continuously formed from the involute region to an addendum, and a dedendum region continuously formed from the involute region to a dedendum the addendum region and the dedendum region being shaped in a configuration different from the involute region.
US09327355B2

A circular saw conversion table device supports a circular saw in position for use as a table saw. The device includes a panel having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter edge extending around and between the top surface and the bottom surface. A slot extends through the panel. A track is coupled to the bottom surface of the panel. The track extends around the slot. The track defines a lip configured for receiving and supporting a deck of a circular saw such that the a blade of the circular saw extends through the slot and projects from the top surface of the panel. A stand is coupled to the panel and configured for supporting the panel on a surface.
US09327353B2

An end mill having a plurality of teeth configured for both roughing and semi-finishing applications, the teeth being alternated with a plurality of flutes. At least one tooth of the plurality of cutting teeth is a serrated tooth formed with serrations along a relief surface thereof and at least one other tooth is free of serrations. Each tooth of the plurality of cutting teeth includes an actual internal cutting angle formed at an intersection of a rake cutting sub-surface and a relief surface. The actual internal cutting angle of each tooth has a greater value than an imaginary internal cutting angle formed at an intersection of imaginary extension lines of a rake recessed sub-surface and a relief surface of the same tooth.
US09327350B2

A method for printing three-dimensional parts with an additive manufacturing system, comprising printing successive layers having increasing cross-sectional areas, and printing layers of a three-dimensional part onto the previously printed layers, where a last layer of the previously printed successive layers has a cross-sectional area that is at least as large as a footprint area of the three-dimensional part.
US09327342B2

Forge lubrication processes are disclosed. A solid lubricant sheet is placed between a workpiece and a die in a forging apparatus. Force is applied to the workpiece with the die to plastically deform the workpiece. The solid lubricant sheet decreases the shear friction factor for the forging system and reduces the incidence of die-locking.
US09327336B2

Disclosed is a metal joint having improved electrical characteristics and mechanical strength. A center swaged part (2) formed by putting metal plates (11, 12) on top of each other, cutting the metal plates (11, 12) along a first to a fourth cut lines (L1 to L4), and depressing a part surrounded by the first to the fourth cut lines (L1 to L4). Metal joint parts are formed on cut surfaces of the first to the fourth cut lines (L1 to L4) because the cut surfaces of the first to forth cut lines (L1 to L4) are, while rubbing each other, depressed.
US09327332B2

The aim of the invention is to provide a method for controlling the flow of material when deep-drawing a workpiece, which better utilizes the drawing capacity of a workpiece and produces a better shape accuracy, particularly of the bottom of the drawn part. The aim is achieved by a method in which the deep-drawing process is performed incrementally and in which at least one bead is incorporated into the flange region of the workpiece prior to each increment of the deep-drawing process. Due to this, the shape accuracy of the bottom can be improved and material accumulations in the flange zone can be prevented.
US09327329B2

The present invention describes a rolling tool device for compression rolling of, in particular, blade elements of a rotor area of a jet engine provided with a tool carrier. The tool carrier is connectable to a carrier spindle. Furthermore, two pliers-type bodies are rotatably connected to the tool carrier. The pliers-type bodies are each provided with a rolling area, with a distance between the rolling areas being variable in dependence of the rotary movement of the pliers-type bodies. In accordance with the present invention, an axis of the carrier spindle in the state connected to the tool carrier passes between the rolling areas through a contact point present at a distance between the rolling areas equal to zero.
US09327328B1

An apparatus used to repair damage from metal body panels of a transportation container. The apparatus includes a platform having wheels that can optionally be locked. The apparatus further includes a pivoting arm that can be selectively raised, lowered, extended or retracted to repair virtually any area of a transportation container. At the end of the pivoting arm is a cross-arm member comprised of a piston repair arm that can be fitted with a plurality of attachments depending on the contours of the surface being repaired. The area to be repaired can include perimeter walls, ceilings, doorframes, and/or corner posts. The pivoting arm and piston repair arm are driven using a pneumo-hydraulic system that is lighter than any other system currently used on transportation repair devices. The substantial reduction in weight allows the apparatus to readily enter transportation containers and be easily handled by a single operator.
US09327327B2

A method of manufacturing a pipe with different diameters along a longitudinal direction that has a small diameter portion, a large diameter portion, and a diameter-changing portion provided between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion and is formed by press forming a blank made of a metal sheet includes press forming the blank with a U-shape forming die into a U-shaped formed part and press forming the U-shaped formed part with an O-shape forming die set into a circular cross-section formed part. A length of a vertical wall of the U-shape forming die is longer than a length of a vertical wall portion of the U-shaped formed part. In the O-shape forming die set, a die mating line is inclined downwardly, and a ratio t/D of a sheet thickness t of the blank to a diameter D, which represents a diameter of a portion of the O-shape forming die set corresponding to the small diameter portion and a diameter of a portion of the O-shape forming die set corresponding to the large diameter portion, is 0.010≦t/D≦0.080.
US09327324B2

A system and method are described, for use in cleaning of a vacuum chamber. The method comprising connecting a vacuum chamber to a plasma generating unit via a plasma connection port and connecting the vacuum chamber to a high vacuum pumping unit via a pumping port. A flow conductance through the plasma connection port to the vacuum chamber is controlled to limit passage of charged particles and cleaning substances produced in the plasma generating unit, to thereby maintain a working pressure inside the vacuum chamber while cleaning the vacuum chamber by said cleaning substances.
US09327317B2

The present application provides a multilayer lateral mode coupling method for phased array construction and transducer devices built accordingly. This disclosure describes and demonstrates that the electrical impedance of a phased array can be substantially reduced and readily controlled to be close to the source impedance. The fabrication process is relatively simple and inexpensive. In addition, the elements are robust for use in 1.5, 2, 3 or other dimensional configurations, over an extended period of operation, without structural failure, and providing a high power output required for imaging and/or medical therapy applications.
US09327307B2

A dispenser for applying small amounts of liquid to a substrate. The dispenser includes a dispenser body, an actuator in the dispenser body, and a dispensing element including a dispensing element body removably coupled to the dispenser body. A valve stem is mounted for reciprocating movement within the dispensing element body. Additional aspects include a deformable valve seat, a deformable and resilient valve stem tip and a method of applying liquid in discrete amounts to a substrate.
US09327301B2

A disposable cartridge assembly for use with a paint spray gun is disclosed, being made out of an inexpensive material, such as plastic, wherein the paint flows into the cartridge assembly and is sucked out of the tip of the cartridge assembly by the force of pressurized air flowing around the cartridge assembly and past the cartridge assembly fluid spray tip opening, thereby atomizing the paint, allowing for an even application of the paint onto a working surface, such as an automobile body. The inexpensive material allows the cartridge to be disposed of after use, rather than cleaned. Further, keeping the paint within the cartridge assembly and away from any inner workings of the paint spray gun reduces or eliminates the need to clean the spray gun after use.
US09327300B2

A paint spray gun for use in association with a HVLP turbine blower and an attachable paint container divides input air flow into two horizontally adjacent channels. Air flow through one channel remains open whereas air flow through the second channel may be varied by a side air controller such that when air flow is cut off from the second channel, the paint mixture is sprayed in a substantially circular shape whereas when air flows through the second channel the paint mixture is sprayed in a substantially fan shape. In another embodiment, a rotatable nipple is positioned to redirect some air flow from the channels to drive paint from the paint container.
US09327296B2

Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).
US09327295B2

The present disclosure relates to a method for concentrating a substance, which may be an electrostatic printing ink. An apparatus for concentrating a substance is also described.
US09327294B2

A synthetic bead for use in mineral separation is described. The synthetic bead has a surface made of or coated with a synthetic material such as a polymer that is naturally hydrophobic or a polymer that is hydrophobically modified. The synthetic bead can be made of glass having a coating or polysiloxane. The synthetic beads can be placed in flotation cell containing a mixture of water, collector molecules, valuable material and unwanted material or in a pipeline where the mixture is transported from one location to another. The collector chemical can be xanthates. The enriched synthetic beads carrying the mineral particles are separated from the unwanted materials in the mixture. The mineral particles are then released from the synthetic beads by means of low pH treatment, ultrasonic agitation, thermal or electromagnetic treatment.
US09327288B2

A method of grinding a powder, which grinds a powder using an air stream generated inside a grinding chamber in a jet mill in which there is no place to retain powder inside the grinding chamber is provided. The method includes: a mixing step of mixing an auxiliary agent with the powder; a heating step of heating a high pressure gas; a supplying step of supplying the high pressure gas heated in the heating step into the grinding chamber; an injecting step of injecting the powder in which the auxiliary agent is mixed in the mixing step into the grinding chamber in a predetermined amount in which the concentration of the auxiliary agent inside the grinding chamber is lower than an ignition concentration; and a grinding step of grinding the powder using the air stream generated inside the grinding chamber by the high pressure gas supplied in the supplying step.
US09327287B2

The invention refers to a mallet, in particular for comminution devices with a rotor or at least one shaft, on or at which the mallet (1) can be fastened, consisting of a basic element (2) provided with a through bore hole (B), wherein the through bore hole (B) is provided for connecting the mallet (1) with the rotor or the shaft, and a cutting insert (3) that can be connected releasably/fixedly with the basic element (2) by at least one form-locking connection (V) as well as by at least one connecting means (4), the connecting means (4) exerts power (P) drawing or pressing the cutting insert (3) in the form-locking connection (V) of the basic element (2).The invention is characterized in that referring to the power (P) a power (P1) results drawing or pressing the cutting insert (3) in a sloping angle (α) with reference to an axis (Y) of the mallet (1) and a symmetry axis (A) of the connecting means (4) essentially parallel to the axis (Y) in the basic element (2).
US09327284B2

A sampling and assay device comprises at least three chamber portions connected together in a row. Each chamber portion defines a chamber separated by respective partitions. One end chamber is capable of receiving a sample. The other chambers contain reagent. In respect of each pair of adjacent chamber portions one of the adjacent chamber portions has the respective partition fixed thereto and the other of the adjacent chamber portions has a rupture member arranged to rupture the respective partition on relative movement of the adjacent chamber portions. Each pair of adjacent chamber portions have respective connection portions mated together, the connection portions being designed to allow further chamber portions identical to an intermediate chamber portion to be connected into said row.
US09327275B2

The invention relates to a self-supported mixed metal sulfide (MMS) catalyst for hydrotreating hydrocarbon feedstock and to a method for preparing the catalyst. The MMS catalyst is characterized as having a BET surface area of at least 20 m2/g and a pore volume of at least 0.05 cm3/g. In one embodiment, the MMS catalyst is also characterized as having a multi-phased structure comprising five phases: a molybdenum sulfide phase, a tungsten sulfide phase, a molybdenum tungsten sulfide phase, an active nickel phase, and a nickel sulfide phase.
US09327268B2

Macroporous desiccant based honeycomb matrix comprising the macroporous desiccant synthesized “in-situ”, said desiccant having a differential water adsorption. Process for the “in-situ” preparation of the macroporous desiccant based honeycomb matrix comprising the steps of soaking honeycomb substrate impregnated with water glass, in aqueous metal salt(s) solution or acid solution, or combination thereof, till such time the hydrogel honeycomb matrix is obtained and thermally activating said hydrogel honeycomb matrix to produce macroporous desiccant based honeycomb matrix.
US09327264B2

The invention provides a method for producing a mixture of amorphous compounds, the method comprising supplying a solution containing the compounds; and allowing at least a portion of the solvent of the solution to evaporate while preventing the solute of the solution from contacting a nucleation point. Also provided is a method for transforming solids to amorphous material, the method comprising heating the solids in an environment to form a melt, wherein the environment contains no nucleation points; and cooling the melt in the environment.
US09327259B2

Apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons are presented. In one example, a method comprises burning fuel gas to form a hot flue gas and heat a reforming-zone feedstock that contains (C5-C11) hydrocarbons to form a heated reforming-zone feed stream. The heated reforming-zone feed stream is partially reformed to form a partially reformed effluent. The partially reformed effluent is advanced through a process heat recovery coil arrangement that is recovering heat from the hot flue gas to form a heated partially reformed effluent. The heated partially reformed effluent is contacted with reforming catalyst at reforming conditions effective to form a reforming reaction-zone effluent. The reforming reaction-zone effluent comprises H2, C5+ hydrocarbons including aromatics, and C4− hydrocarbons.
US09327258B2

Disclosed are porous silica-based particles having high surface smoothness, a method for producing the porous silica-based particles, and a cosmetic comprising the porous silica-based particles. The porous silica-based particles have an average particle diameter of 0.5 to 30 μm and have a surface smoothness of a level to such an extent that, when the entire surface of the particle is observed from a photograph thereof taken by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with a magnifying power of 10,000, a foreign matter attached to the surface thereof can be hardly seen.
US09327250B2

A bubble cap assembly for an air distribution grid includes a stem having a top region and a bottom region, a bubble cap connected to the top region of the stem, a membrane having an opening, the bottom region of the stem communicating with the opening; a flange connected to the bottom region of the stem; at least one clamp for pressing the flange against the membrane, and a gasket squeezed between the flange and the membrane by the clamp to provide an air-tight connection between the flange and the membrane.
US09327248B1

A copolyimide polymer membrane is provided for separation of hydrocarbons including separation of olefins from paraffins and isoparaffins from other paraffins. The copolyimide polymer membranes include a poly(3,3′-diaminobenzophenone-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl-4,4′-methylene dianiline-pyromellitic dianhydride) (abbreviated as poly(DAB-TMMDA-PMDA)). The copolyimide membranes prepared from poly(DAB-TMMDA-PMDA) with varying molar ratios of DAB to TMMDA (abbreviated as PI-DAB-T) showed excellent separation properties for propylene/propane separation.
US09327245B2

Metallic-ceramic composite membranes and methods for producing the metallic-ceramic composite membranes are disclosed. The metallic-ceramic composite membranes include the advantages of a metallic substrate relative to known ceramic substrates, such as high permeability, better mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance, and the advantages of a ceramic membrane, such as high permeability, high permselectivity, mechanic strength, and thermal stability. Therefore, a three-layer metallic-ceramic composite membrane, including a porous metallic substrate, a first, intermediate mesoporous γ-alumina membrane layer, and a second, top mesoporous γ-alumina membrane layer, is disclosed. Because of the high mechanical strength of the metallic-ceramic composite membrane and because the pores of the second mesoporous γ-alumina membrane have a narrow size distribution and average size of about 2.1 nanometers, the metallic-ceramic composite membrane can be used to separate gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), in high-pressure environments.
US09327240B2

In a method for estimating the quality of an urea based reagent in terms of urea concentration, the reagent is injected upstream of a SCR catalyst in an exhaust aftertreatment system. A demanded NOx conversion rate is set substantially lower than a currently estimated maximum NOx conversion rate of the SCR catalyst. An actual NOx conversion rate is monitored for a certain time period. The urea concentration of the reagent is estimated based on comparing the monitored actual NOx conversion and the demanded NOx conversion during the time period. A corresponding system is also disclosed.
US09327225B2

The present disclosure provides an air cleaning filter that includes a ginseng extract, a binder and a supporting material, and a method of manufacturing the same. The present disclosure may remove or sterilize microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and the like, and provide an air cleaning function along with antibiotic and deodorization functions as well as provide an air cleaning filter which is safe to the human body.
US09327206B2

A building toy and a method of building with it. The toy is designed to be constructed of a rigid and generally non-deformable material such as, but not limited to, wood and particularly hardwood, and is constructed in the fashion of a log-style building toy. The toy utilizes interconnecting notches in its construction, but provides for a variety of specialized pieces which allow for interconnection of parts where there is one notch but not another, as well as the ability to build roofs, floors, and specialty structures such as fireplaces through the use of specialized components. Further, the use of more strongly connecting components allows for stronger structures to be built.
US09327201B2

A server device is configured to display a game screen on a user terminal used by a user. The server device includes an item manager configured to manage points of an item obtained by the user for use in the game, and a game processor configured to calculate a first total value of points of an item selected by the user via the user terminal, to calculate a second total value of points of an item for increasing the first total value, and to increase the first total value according to the second total value.
US09327192B2

A movement vector of an object which appears in a virtual game world is determined in accordance with an operation of a direction instruction section which is provided in a housing. The movement vector is corrected in accordance with a change in an orientation of the housing from a reference orientation or acceleration generated in the housing. Then, movement of the object in the virtual game world is controlled based on the corrected movement vector.
US09327190B2

A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon an information processing program executable by a computer of an information processing device which presents information corresponding to a biological signal acquired from a user, is provided. The information processing program causes the computer to function as biological signal acquiring means, motion/attitude information acquiring means, and presentation means. The biological signal acquiring means acquires the biological signal from the user. The motion/attitude information acquiring means acquires information about a motion or an attitude of the user from detecting means, in association with the biological signal acquired by the biological signal acquiring means. The presentation means performs predetermined presentation based on both the biological signal acquired by the biological signal acquiring means and the information acquired by the motion/attitude information acquiring means.
US09327187B2

A gaming machine comprises a display, a game player input means and a game controller arranged to control images displayed on the display. The game controller controls play of a game in which a winning game result causes a prize to be awarded to a game player. The game comprises an interactive sequence related to a tournament in which a representation of a first video-player, of one team is displayed. An action of the first video-player to be executed is selected by the game player via the game player input means and the game controller selects an action to be performed by another video player. Depending on an outcome resulting from the selected actions, an award is made to the game player.
US09327182B1

A two wheeled recreational board (1) which an individual can ride across smooth or rough terrain. Wheels (11, 12) are mounted on an elongated board (2) in line with a central axis (9) of the elongated board and located proximate to a front end (3) and rear end (4), respectively, of the elongated board. The wheels are mounted on raised axles (13) that only allow a predetermined portion of the wheels to extend below the elongated board. This makes the board easier to maneuver without the board tipping over.
US09327177B2

A swing analyzing apparatus includes: a three-axis acceleration sensor attached to a tennis racket, for measuring accelerations in the directions of three axes when a swing for hitting a tennis ball is taken with the tennis racket; a three-axis gyro sensor attached to the tennis racket, for measuring angular speeds about the three axes; and an analyzing device. The analyzing device has a receiving function to receive data regarding the accelerations and the angular speeds from the three-axis acceleration sensor and the three-axis gyro sensor; a coordinate axis conversion function to convert relative coordinate axes that are the three axes for the accelerations into absolute coordinate axes on the basis of the angular speeds; and a calculation function to calculate an index of the swing on the basis of accelerations resulting from the coordinate axis conversion.
US09327168B2

Methods for making golf balls having a cover made from polyurea and polyurethane compositions are provided. The methods for making the polyurea and polyurethane composition involve preparing an amine-terminated or hydroxyl-terminated first prepolymer by reacting a first isocyanate compound with a stoichiometric excess of polyamine or polyol (depending on the type of prepolymer desired). The first prepolymer is then reacted with a stoichiometric excess of a second isocyanate compound to form an isocyanate-terminated second prepolymer. The second prepolymer is then reacted with a chain extender.
US09327165B2

A propulsion system, for use by a swimmer in both on-water and under-water applications, includes at least one power supply unit attached to a sleeve secured about and to a forearm of the swimmer, at least one corresponding propulsion unit including a motor and an impeller, the propulsion unit offset from the forearm near to the wrist and away from the head of the swimmer, and control elements that actuate the power and propulsion units. One control element includes a grip upon the flexion axis of the swimmer which controls pitch of a longitudinal axis of the propulsion unit relative to a forearm of the swimmer, the control elements include a pivotally secured bracket, and elements for control of the level of power provided to the propulsion unit, in which the rotation and control elements are both positioned for ease of accessibility by a hand of the swimmer.
US09327163B2

A swingable exercise bike includes a base, a bike body and multiple cushion units. The base has two horizontal tubes. The bike body is pivotally connected with the base and has a bike frame and two swinging seats. The swinging seats are respectively securely mounted on a front end and a rear end of the bike frame. The cushion units are elastic and are mounted between the horizontal tubes and the swinging seats, each cushion unit having a fixed end and a free end opposite to the fixed end. The cushion units can help the bike body simulate a situation of riding a real bike, and provides fun and variations during exercising.
US09327150B2

A firefighting vehicle includes a chassis, a front wheel assembly coupled to the chassis and having at least one front wheel defining an axis of rotation that is substantially perpendicular to the chassis when in a straight position, an operator cab positioned at a front portion of the chassis, and an engine supported by the chassis. The operator cab has a floor section extending laterally between a driver seat and a passenger seat at a position forward of the axis of rotation, and the floor section is substantially flat. The engine is disposed under the operator cab and at least partially rearward of the axis of rotation.
US09327149B2

An aerial fire suppression system mountable to a helicopter fuselage is provided. The system having a tank divided into at least two compartments by a barrier. The base of each compartment having an outwardly opening door. The system also having a retractable snorkel unit attached to the tank for transferring liquid from a liquid source into the compartments. An inflatable seal minimizes the leakage of the liquid from the compartments at the junction where the outwardly opening door engages the tank. A modified cyclic controls the operation of the tank and the components thereof. Also described is a method of suppressing a fire using the aerial fire suppression system.
US09327148B2

A drive apparatus (1) for a fire damper (2) having an electric drive (10), which holds the fire damper in a normal position when power is supplied and moves it into a safety position when no power is supplied. A thermal contact breaker (12) interrupts the power supply to the drive (10) at a melt temperature. The drive apparatus (1) also has a temperature sensor (13) for measuring the air temperature (T), a gas sensor (14) for measuring the content (G) of fumes in the air, and a switch module (15), which interrupts the power supply depending on the values of T and G. In the event of a fire, the fire damper can thus be moved into a safety position not only when the temperature in the region of the thermal contact breaker (12) is high, but already when smoke or gas develops as a result of the fire.
US09327146B2

This invention relates to cabin service arrangement assigned to at least one passenger seat in a seat row of an aircraft, comprising: a lighting unit for providing a light projection and at least one man machine interface for operating the lighting unit, wherein the at least one man machine interface is associated with an initiating unit for providing an activation of the lighting unit and a deactivation unit for receiving an indication for deactivation of the light projection, wherein the deactivation is initializable by an external signal, and wherein the light projection from the lighting unit comprises an illumination, the illumination being adapted to effect a cabin attendant call. According to the invention the illumination is adapted to be projected to a projection spot outside of the seat row, and the deactivation of the illumination is effectable from outside of the seat row.
US09327133B2

An implantable medical device is provided for sensing cardiac activity within a patient's body. The device comprises a canister, control circuitry disposed within the canister, and a lead assembly extending from the canister. At least one sense electrode is coupled to the circuitry and disposed on the lead assembly for sensing cardiac activity. At least one spacer is coupled between the lead assembly and the canister for maintaining a minimum predetermined distance between the at least one sense electrode and the canister.
US09327121B2

Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 100 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region from an epidural location to address phantom limb pain without creating paresthesia in the patient.
US09327114B2

A user-activated self-contained co-packaged iontophoretic drug delivery system and method of use for treatment of a subject are described.
US09327113B2

Various embodiments concern a lead having a proximal section and a curbed section. The lead can comprise an outer tubular portion having a bias such that the lead assumes a curved shape along the curved section. The lead can further include an inner tubular portion extending within the outer tubular portion, the inner tubular portion comprising an inner coil conductor and an inner polymer jacket over the inner coil conductor along the curved section, the inner tubular member stiffer along the proximal section than the curved section, the outer tubular portion stiffer along the curved section relative to the inner tubular portion along the curved section such that the inner tubular portion can rotate relative to the outer tubular portion while the curved shape is substantially maintained. Relative rotation can extend and rotate and active fixation element.
US09327112B2

A stimulation lead is disclosed. This lead comprises a lead body having a lumen housing an inner conductor, the conductor being axially and rotationally movable within the lumen, and coupled to a generator of an active implantable medical device. The lead also has a helical anchoring screw extending from a distal end configured to penetrate target tissue, and a stimulation needle electrically coupled to the conductor and comprising at its distal end an active free portion with at least one stimulation electrode for application of pacing pulses to the target tissue. The stimulation needle is axially movable between a retracted position inside the tubular body, and a deployed position with the active free portion of the needle emerging out of the tubular body, utilizing an actuating mechanism for moving the needle from its retracted position to its deployed position under the effect of rotary movement relative to the lead body.
US09327111B2

A paddle lead assembly for providing electrical stimulation of patient tissue includes a paddle body having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. The paddle body includes a plurality of electrodes disposed into at least four columns extending parallel with the longitudinal axis. The at least four columns include two lateral columns and at least two medial columns disposed therebetween. The electrodes of the at least two medial columns are arranged into rows aligned along the transverse axis. The electrodes of the two lateral columns are each longitudinally offset from the rows of electrodes of the at least two medial columns. An array of terminals are disposed on each of at least one lead body coupled to the paddle body. A plurality of conductive wires couple each of the electrodes to at least one terminal of the terminal arrays.
US09327109B2

Disclosed is an implantable, coin-sized, self-contained, leadless electroacupuncture (EA) device having at least two electrode contacts attached to the surface of its housing. The electrodes include a central cathode electrode on a bottom side of the housing, and a circumferential anode electrode that surrounds the cathode electrode. In one embodiment, the anode annular electrode is a ring electrode placed around the perimeter edge of the coin-shaped housing. The EA device is adapted to be implanted through a very small incision, e.g., less than about 2-3 cm in length, directly adjacent to a selected acupuncture site known to moderate or affect a hypertension condition of a patient. Appropriate power management circuitry within the device allows a primary battery having a relatively high internal impedance to be used without causing unacceptable dips in battery voltage when the instantaneous battery current surges. Stimulation pulses are generated during a stimulation session that has a duration of T3 minutes and which is applied every T4 minutes. The duty cycle, or ratio of T3 to T4, is very low, not greater than 0.05. This low duty cycle, along with careful power management, allows the EA device to perform its intended function for several years.
US09327105B2

The present invention relates to an active transdermal drug delivery system performing transdermal drug delivery comprising of a patch capable of being attachable to the skin of the subject; at least one electrical energy power input; a plurality of converters/energy transducers configured for converting the electrical energy to different forms of energy; and a controller including a programmable microprocessor configured for providing the intensity, sequence, nature, and timing information for the different energies supplied and thereby providing activating signals to the said converters for the transdermal drug delivery by the said patch, and a method for performing transdermal drug delivery using said electronic patch.
US09327101B2

Adjustable balloon catheter including an inner tubular member that has an inflation lumen defined therein. An expandable member is coupled to the distal end portion of the inner tubular member and has an inner chamber in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The expandable member is transitionable between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration. The expandable member defines has a non-cylindrical shape along at least a portion of a working length thereof when in the inflated configuration. An outer tubular member is movable relative to the inner tubular member, the outer tubular member includes a distal end. The outer tubular member is moveable between an extended position disposed over the expandable member and a retracted position proximal to the extended position. The outer tubular member is selectively positioned between the extended position and the retracted position to define an exposed length of the working length of the expandable member.
US09327096B2

A method and apparatus for fluid delivery enables navigation through tortuous, spatially restricted body anatomy to access narrow diameter body lumens for the continuous delivery of fluids, including therapeutic fluids, to the lumen in an atraumatic manner that avoids damage to the body lumen. The fluid delivery device can have a flexible conduit having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending along an interior of the flexible conduit providing a fluid flow path between the proximal and distal ends, where the lumen transitions into a micro-lumen exiting through a port through which a high concentration of fluid injected into the lumen exits laterally out along an image viewable zone at the distal end of the flexible conduit. The flexible conduit has a maximum outer diameter sized sufficient to navigate narrow diameter body lumens.
US09327091B2

Tracheal tube systems may include first and second tubes and an inflatable balloon. The first tube may be flexible and hollow and have first and second open ends. The inflatable balloon may be affixed to and circumferentially surround a portion of the first tube. The inflatable balloon may include an indentation sized and positioned to accommodate a portion of a second tube positioned therein, when the inflatable balloon is inflated. The second tube may be hollow and have a multiplicity of holes along a sidewall not in contact with the balloon. The second tube may be configured to be coupled to a suction device that creates a negative pressure in the second tube. When the tracheal tube system is inserted in a patient's trachea, the negative pressure in the second tube may act to remove, or suction out, fluids and other matter from the trachea.
US09327088B2

There is provided a drug dispenser device comprising a housing defining a first chamber; extending from said housing and defining a second open chamber, an outlet for insertion into a body cavity of a patient; provided to said first chamber of the housing, a discharge block defining a discharge block orifice; receivable within the first chamber for movement therewithin, a drug discharge device, said drug discharge device having a longitudinal axis and comprising a container for storing a drug formulation to be dispensed, a discharge mechanism and a discharge channel from said container, wherein said discharge channel is receivable by said discharge block to enable discharge of said drug formulation via said discharge block orifice to said outlet; provided to the housing; and at least one finger operable member moveable to apply a force directly or indirectly to the drug discharge device for movement along the longitudinal axis towards the discharge block to actuate said discharge mechanism. The housing further defines an aperture through which said at least one finger operable member in part protrudes, and wherein the at least one finger operable member is moveable from a rest position in which the at least one finger operable member acts to block off said aperture to an actuating position in which the aperture is unblocked and through which air may be drawn into the housing in response to patient inhalation through the outlet.
US09327081B2

A tool actuating assembly for a multi-function surgical instrument is disclosed. The tool actuating assembly of the present invention can be utilized in a variety of differently configured multi-function surgical instruments and can be embodied in various physical configurations. The tool actuating assembly of the present invention provides for more efficient use of the tools of the instrument by the surgeon who is utilizing the instrument.
US09327075B2

Methods and apparatus for translating a continuous-delivery delivery profile into a plurality of periodic bolus deliveries.
US09327074B2

Implantable infusion apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of a sensor that is associated with the catheter outlet.
US09327069B2

Methods of treating a medical condition include applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within the brain of a patient with an implanted stimulator in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The at least one stimulus is configured to promote neural remodeling within the brain of the patient. Systems for treating a medical condition include an implantable stimulator configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within the brain of a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The at least one stimulus is configured to promote neural remodeling within the brain of the patient.
US09327067B2

An impeller for a pump is disclosed herein. The impeller can include a hub having a fixed end and a free end. The impeller can also have a plurality of blades supported by the hub. Each blade can have a fixed end coupled to the hub and a free end. The impeller can have a stored configuration and a deployed configuration, the blades in the deployed configuration extending away from the hub, and the blades in the stored configuration being compressed against the hub.
US09327064B2

The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods for applying reduced pressure to a subcutaneous tissue site. In one illustrative embodiment, the apparatus includes a membrane having a substantially uniform membrane wall thickness and a first, tissue-facing surface. The membrane may be shaped to form a plurality of protrusions on the tissue-facing surface. The plurality of protrusions at least partially defines at least one channel operable to transfer the reduced pressure along the tissue-facing surface.
US09327053B2

A composition suitable for bone replacement is provided. The composition is a nanocomposite matrix, resembling both the structure and the properties of natural bone, including morphology, composition and mechanical characteristics. The nanocomposite is preferably porous and comprises: (1) micro or nano scale cellulose crystals or fibers; (2) hydroxyapatite nanoparticles; (3) Poly L-Lactide Acid or poly glycolic acid; and (4) a coupling agent, for example a surfactant, preferably an anionic surfactant such as sodium dodecyl sulfate. The composition is useful as an artificial bone replacement or bone graft, is preferably biomimetic, and can be suitable for use, for example, in trabecular bone substitution and osteoanagenesis applications. A method of fabrication of the nanocomposite is also provided.
US09327051B2

An interbody spinal implant, such as a solid-body or composite implant. The implant has at least one integration surface with a roughened surface topography including a repeating pattern, without sharp teeth that risk damage to bone structures, adapted to grip bone through friction generated when the implant is placed between two vertebral endplates and to inhibit migration of the implant. The repeating pattern is formed of at least three at least partially overlapping repeating patterns. The repeating patterns may radiate at a fixed distance from at least one point and may include recesses having a slope of thirty degrees or less relative to the integration surface. Also disclosed are processes of fabricating the integration surfaces.
US09327050B2

A hemostatic material as a high-performance medical material is described, which is capable of stopping bleeding in short time and is easy to handle and produce. The hemostatic material contains a nano-fiber that contains: a polymer, and a polypeptide having a peptide fragment represented by formula (1): -(Pro-Y-Gly)n-  (1) wherein Y represents hydroxyproline or proline, and n represents an integer ranging from 5 to 9000.
US09327042B2

The multi-panel sterilization assembly includes a barrier panel formed of permeable material having barrier properties, side wings that can include grip portions for folding or unfolding the barrier panel; and a fold protection panel. The fold protection panel and/or either or both wings may be made from a stretchable material.
US09327033B2

The present invention relates to degradation-stabilized, biocompatible collagen matrices which are distinguished in particular by the fact that they contain soluble collagen and peptide constituents, to processes for the preparation of such collagen matrices, which processes include in particular chemical crosslinking with an epoxy-functional crosslinking agent, and to the use of the collagen matrices according to the invention as a cosmetic or pharmaceutical agent, in particular for topical use, and as a wound treatment agent, as an implant or as a haemostatic agent in humans or animals, and as a scaffold for cell population in the biotechnology, basic research and tissue engineering field.
US09327027B2

The present invention relates to hydroxyapatite doped with Fe2+ ions and Fe3+ ions which partially substitute the calcium ions in the crystal lattice. The hydroxyapatite is characterized by an intrinsic magnetism of 0.05 to 8 emu/g, measured by applying a magnetic field of 34 Oe, due to the presence of magnetic nano-domains in the crystal lattice of HA, given the limited amount of magnetic secondary phases present, less than about 3% by volume.The intrinsically magnetic hydroxyapatite can be loaded with biological substances selected in the group consisting of proteins, genes, stem cells, growth factors, vascularization factors, active substances and drugs, under the control of an external magnetic field, as a carrier and release agent for biological substances or drugs, as a contrast agent in diagnostics or for bone or osteocartilage regeneration.
US09327021B2

The present invention provides compositions comprising a Chlamydial major outer membrane protein (referenced herein as “MOMP”), from at least one Chlamydial serovar and an adjuvant, characterized in that the adjuvant comprises the product E6020 having CAS Number 287180-63-6. The composition may further comprise at least one carrier system (e.g., emulsion, mineral particle). The MOMP protein may be derived from any species of Chlamydia (e.g., C. trachomatis, C. pneumoniae, C. psittaci, or C. trachomatis MoPn). In preferred embodiments, the composition comprises one or more major outer membrane proteins each derived from different serovars of C. trachomatis. The invention also provides methods of inducing an immune response to a Chlamydia species (e.g., C. trachomatis) in a subject, by administering to the subject a composition of the invention.
US09327012B2

In order to provide a composition for treating, improving, or preventing pain, it has been found out that a metallothionein protein is expressed in a normal peripheral nerve, and that the expression is not observed in a peripheral nerve producing pain. Moreover, it has been found out that administering metallothionein to rats having neuropathic pain suppresses the pain in the rats.
US09327008B2

The described invention provides kinase inhibiting compositions containing a therapeutic amount of a therapeutic inhibitor peptide that inhibits at least one kinase enzyme, methods for treating an inflammatory disorder whose pathophysiology comprises inflammatory cytokine expression, and methods for treating an inflammatory disorder whose pathophysiology comprises inflammatory cytokine expression using the kinase inhibiting compositions.
US09327001B2

According to one embodiment, a nutritional supplement for suppressing an appetite while maintaining muscle mass of a subject during weight loss is provided. The nutritional supplement includes beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyric acid (HMB), chromium, and Caralluma fimbriata.
US09326998B2

The invention relates to the use of viral inactivated-plasma cryoprecipitate concentrate (VIPCC) comprising a suitable fibronactin/fibrinogen ratio for treating a spine disease, disorder or condition such as intervertebral disc degeneration.
US09326992B2

Provided are methods of treatment in subjects having progeroid diseases and related conditions which rely upon LMNA-targeted antisense oligonucleotides for reducing expression of one or more aberrantly spliced LMNA mRNA isoforms that encode progerin.
US09326976B2

Compounds of formula (I) defined herein are both phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) enzyme inhibitors and muscarinic M3 receptor antagonists and are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract.
US09326971B2

Provided herein are methods, compositions and formulations to prevent or ameliorate ethanol intolerance, reduce or ameliorate symptoms associated with acetaldehyde accumulation accompanying ethanol consumption, or reduce the risk of diseases or disorders caused by acetaldehyde accumulation, comprising administering 4-MP, or physiologically acceptable salts thereof, to subjects with reduced or absent aldehyde dehydrogenase subtype 2 (ALDH2) activity.
US09326968B2

The present invention relates to a composition for enhancing immunity through inducing the expression of interferon-β comprising a compound represented by Formulas 1 to 8, or Sophora flavescens extract comprising the same and fractions thereof as an active ingredient, a feed additive, feed composition, pharmaceutical composition, food composition, and over-the-counter (OTC) drug composition comprising the composition, and a method for enhancing immunity through administrating the composition. A composition for inducing the expression of interferon-β, comprising a compound represented by Formulas 1 to 8 of the present invention, Sophora flavescens extract comprising the same, or fractions thereof as active ingredient can prevent, alleviate, or treat the diseases that can be prevented or treated by increasing the expression of interferon.
US09326966B2

The present disclosure provides methods for evaluating daily ammonia exposure based on a single fasting ammonia blood level measurement, as well as methods that utilize this technique to adjust the dosage of a nitrogen scavenging drug, determine whether to administer a nitrogen scavenging drug, and treat nitrogen retention disorders.
US09326960B2

Disclosed is a composition for preventing or treating eye diseases. The composition for preventing or treating eye diseases contains S-allyl-L-cysteine, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a solvate or a hydrate thereof as an active ingredient, and may inhibit photo-oxidation. The composition for preventing or treating eye diseases inhibits the accumulation of A2E in retinal pigment epithelial cells and the oxidation of A2E, thereby remarkably preventing or treating eye diseases including age-related macular degeneration or degenerative retinal disorder.
US09326952B2

The invention is intended to provide an adhesive patch which contains a drug except bisoprolol and which effectively inhibits the occurrence of oozing out or sticking out of the adhesive layer components from the exposed area of the adhesive layer of the adhesive patch during storage as well as the occurrence of oozing out of the drug from the adhesive layer thereby preventing the reduction in drug content. The support, the release liner and the adhesive layer constituting the adhesive patch each are formed to have a rectangular planar shape and the entire adhesive patch are formed to have a rectangular planar shape, and a protrudent part is formed on the support-side surface of the adhesive patch at a corner thereof. In addition, the adhesive patch may be formed to have a middle part and a peripheral part, and the protrudent part may be formed at a corner of the rectangular middle part. Further, between the adjacent at least two protrudent parts, a connecting built-up part may be provided in which the thickness of the adhesive patch is smaller than the thickness of the adhesive patch in the protrudent part. In case where the release liner has a split part, the split part is made so as not to traverse the protrudent part.
US09326941B2

Provided are a double-stranded oligo RNA structure and a method of preparing the same, and more specifically, a double-stranded oligo RNA structure in which a polymer compound is covalently bound to a double-stranded oligo RNA in order to improve stability in vivo and a cell delivery efficiency of the double-stranded oligo RNA, and a method of preparing the same.The double-stranded oligo RNA structure having the optimized structure according to the present invention may not inhibit functions of the double-stranded oligo RNA, but effectively improve stability and cell membrane permeability of the double-stranded oligo RNA, such that the double-stranded oligo RNA may be delivered into the cell even at a low concentration dosage thereof to be significantly used as a tool for treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, and the like, as well as a new delivery system of the double-stranded oligo RNA.
US09326937B2

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical preparation for tumor chemotherapy and a method for producing the same, the pharmaceutical preparation for tumor chemotherapy comprises cell vesicles derived from apoptotic tumor cells and chemotherapeutic drugs as active ingredients wrapped within the cell vesicles. The chemotherapeutic drugs contained within the pharmaceutical preparation are chemotherapeutic drugs containing active ingredients for the treatment of the tumors from which the cell vesicles are provided. The present invention also provides a method for producing the pharmaceutical preparation for tumor chemotherapy. The technical solutions provided by the present invention can selectively release the chemotherapeutic drugs to the tumor sites and maintain lasting medicinal effect, increasing their killing effects against tumor cells and reducing the toxic side-effect of the chemotherapeutic drugs to normal cells.
US09326933B2

In accordance with this invention, there is provided an oral care composition comprising a multimodal blend of copolymers of maleic acid or maleic anhydride and an alkyl vinyl ether and a non-cationic antibacterial agent. The compositions feature improved retention of the antibacterial agent on teeth.
US09326931B2

The present invention relates to the cosmetic use, as an antidandruff agent, of catalytic oxidation compounds chosen from porphyrins, or of a cosmetic composition comprising the same.
US09326926B2

Formulations, kits, and methods for rebuilding the disulfide bonds in keratin found in hair, skin, or nails. Hair that is damaged due to a hair coloring treatment and/or other reducing treatment, such as during a permanent wave, can be treated with the formulations containing one or more active agents. The formulations may be applied subsequent to a hair coloring treatment or simultaneously with a hair coloring treatment. Use of the active agent formulations during a permanent wave treatment prevents the reversion of the hair to its previous state, for at least one week, preferably at least three months, more preferably at least one year, most preferably greater than one year, after one or more than one application of the formulation. Application of the active agent formulation to skin or nails can help repair damaged disulfide bonds due to natural wear and tear or natural aging.
US09326925B1

Provided are compositions comprising succinic acid, aconitic acid, and a carrier, wherein the succinic acid and aconitic acid are present in a ratio of from about 0.9:1 to about 40:1. Also provided are methods of disrupting a biofilm comprising applying to a surface having a biofilm a composition of the present invention.
US09326923B2

Disclosed is a water-in-oil-type skin-whitening cosmetic, which has a moist feel without stickiness when used and has good emulsion stability over time even when accommodated in a glass container or a metal container. The water-in-oil-type skin-whitening cosmetic is characterized in that it contains an alkoxysalicylic acid or a salt thereof, an organic modified clay mineral, and a liquid fatty acid. It is preferable that the liquid fatty acid is selected from higher fatty acids having 12 to 22 carbon atoms and having a linear or branched alkyl chain, such as oleic acid, linolic acid, linolenic acid, and isostearic acid.
US09326920B2

The invention provides an ultraviolet-shielding agent including resin particles formed by coating a core portion with a coating layer, wherein the core portion is made of any one resin of an organic ultraviolet absorbent-containing resin and an inorganic particle-containing resin, and the coating layer is made of the other resin or both resins, a method for producing the same, an ultraviolet-shielding agent-containing dispersion liquid, and a cosmetic preparation.
US09326916B2

A non-spill valve for the neck of a liquid container. The invention also relates to a non-spill valve for the nipple of a feeding bottle, to a teat which is provided with such a nipple and to a feeding bottle which has such a teat. The valve has a tube which is open at one end and upstands from a support, which is complementary with interior element so that it forms a partition and permits the passage of liquid from an aperture in the support only into the tube interior, wherein the other end of the tube is closed except for an incision which separates the closed end from an adjoining side wall portion. The incision defines a flap that can permit liquid to reach from the tube interior to the mouth of the neck or spout or nipple.
US09326915B2

A device having a compartment with cavities disposed on opposite sides, each cavity disposed for receiving at least one pill case. The pill cases are disposed on mounts in the cavity using pressure to hold in place. A drawer is disposed in a cavity opening on a top surface. The device is held upright by a support structure to allow a user to access pill cases from each side of the device. The pill cases may be disposed between rails. An indicator may be attached to the rails thus allowing a user to indicate which pill cases, or compartments in pill cases do not have an adequate supply medicine.
US09326892B2

A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, a housing sleeve disposed in an inner bore of the handle configured to project a distance from the handle distal end, an optic fiber disposed in the housing sleeve, a shape memory sleeve disposed over a distal end of the optic fiber, and a light source configured to connect to a proximal end of the optic fiber. The shape memory sleeve may be configured to curve the distal end of the optic fiber at an angle, e.g., 90 degrees, when the shape memory sleeve is not contained within the housing sleeve.
US09326889B2

An inflatable convective pad for warming a person during surgery has two ends, two sides, and at least two openings, each located in an area of the pad between the two ends and between a respective side and the center of the pad. The openings, which may be in the form of slits, allow the threading of a sheet or the person's arms through the pad to restrain the arms during surgery.
US09326888B2

A system and method for thermal regulation, the system comprising a bedding element that is configured to enclose at least a part of a living being or other object. The system further comprising a temperature regulation element that is included in the bedding element and that includes a phase change material which changes between a liquid phase and a solid phase within the desired temperature range.
US09326883B2

A sacroiliac belt with a non-elastic inner belt to wrap around the user's hips and an elastic outer belt to wrap from the back to opposite sides of the inner belt. Non-cinchable hook and loop fastener construction is used to secure the inner and outer belts in position. The inner belt includes an inside elastomeric foam layer with open-cell frictional gripping surface, a non-elastic outside layer of loop material, and a hook tab for engaging the loop material to close the belt. The inner belt may be established with a non-elastic composite foam-fabric structure comprising a bi-laminate of the foam and elastic fabric, and a strip of loop material secured lengthwise onto the fabric side of the bi-laminate. The outer belt includes an elastic strip and hook tabs for connecting to the strip of loop material. The non-elastic composite foam-fabric may be used in other orthopedic braces and supports.
US09326872B2

A handle assembly for use in the deployment of a medical device via a plurality of deployment lines that extend through a catheter. The handle assembly includes a plurality of removable members for deployment or actuation of the medical device. The handle assembly also includes an actuating mechanism for displacing a wire extending through the catheter for actuating the medical device independently of the plurality of removable members.
US09326871B2

Implantable frames for use in body passages are provided herein. The implantable frames can include a plurality of hoop members joined by a plurality of longitudinal connecting members to form a tubular frame defining a cylindrical lumen. The plurality of longitudinal connecting members may include first and second longitudinal connecting members joining a first hoop member to a second hoop member such that the first and second longitudinal connecting members extend across an entire space separating the first and second hoop members.
US09326870B2

A hybrid stent prosthesis including a biodegradable tubular body, a first non-biodegradable self-expanding ring coupled to a proximal end of the biodegradable body, and a second non-biodegradable self-expanding ring coupled to a distal end of the biodegradable body. The hybrid stent includes a mechanism for longitudinally compressing the tubular body to increase the radial or hoop strength thereof. The longitudinally compressing mechanism may be protruding elements coupled to and extending radially outward from the hybrid stent or elastomeric compression bands or tethers extending between the non-biodegradable rings. The compression bands may be pre-connected to both non-biodegradable rings prior to stent delivery, or may be connected to one non-biodegradable ring prior to insertion and connected to the other non-biodegradable ring in situ.
US09326869B2

The invention is to methods of deploying polymeric biodegradable or non biodegradable stents by use of stepwise creases in the pressure placed upon the inner diameter of the stent to slowly increase the stent diameter. In one embodiment, the pressure on the interior stent diameter is slowly increased. The stent is allowed to acclimate to this diameter for a set period of time, and then the pressure is again increased. This series of steps continues until the stent reaches its final diameter and a final period of acclimatization is maintained prior to the removal of the deployment/delivery device.
US09326865B2

A prosthesis is provided and includes a central body having an outer surface and a longitudinal axis extending between a first end having an opening operable to receive an installation tool and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The outer surface extends between and connects the first end and the second end and defines the length of the central body. The prosthesis additionally includes a plurality of arms each attached to the outer surface of the central body and having an outer shape defined by a porous coating independent from a shape of the central body. The porous coating completely covers the outer surface of the central body between the first end and the second end.
US09326864B2

An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial bearing and a femoral component configured to articulate with the tibial bearing. The femoral component includes a posterior cam configured to contact a spine of the tibial bearing and a condyle surface curved in the sagittal plane. The radius of curvature of the condyle surface decreases gradually between early-flexion and mid-flexion. Additionally, in some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the condyle surface may be increased during mid-flexion.
US09326863B2

Methods of selecting and implanting prosthetic devices for use as a replacement meniscus are disclosed. The selection methods include a pre-implantation selection method and a during-implantation selection method. The pre-implantation selection method includes a direct geometrical matching process, a correlation parameters-based matching process, and a finite element-based matching process. The implant identified by the pre-implantation selection method is then confirmed to be a suitable implant in the during-implantation selection method. Methods of implanting meniscus prosthetic devices are also disclosed.
US09326862B2

The present teachings are directed to a shoulder prosthesis having an adjustable radial offset and/or angular inclination provided by relative rotation of an adapter interdisposed between a stem and a head. In one example, a prosthesis has a stem having a first longitudinal axis. The prosthesis can also include an adaptor including a first taper. The first taper can have a first taper axis. The prosthesis can include a head supported by the adaptor. The head can be selectively oriented and then coupled to the first taper and the combination can be selectively orientated and the coupled to the stem.
US09326860B2

A biologic artificial bone includes an artificial fiber material formed from a synthetic polymer with mechanical properties similar to type I collagen. A biocompatible liquid substance is impregnated in the fiber material that hardens and stiffens the fiber material. A bone substitute is impregnated in the hardened and stiffened fiber material forming an artificial bone composite. Vascular channels are formed in the artificial bone composite to facilitate in-growth of vessels and bone forming cells. The construction and methods achieve an artificial composite structure that is similar to natural bone with comparable properties.
US09326852B2

A method for implanting a prosthetic valve apparatus in a novel location which replaces the function of a native diseased valve after an Alfieri procedure. The prosthetic valve apparatus includes a one way valve and an expandable valve seating. anchoring and securing apparatus in a newly created orifice near or at the center of the anterior valve leaflet. The prosthetic valve apparatus also causes the sealing of the native valve and thus results in a solution for paravalvular leakage and regurgitation.
US09326843B2

Multi-filter endolumenal methods and systems for filtering fluids within the body. In some embodiments a multi-filter blood filtering system captures and removes particulates dislodge or generated during a surgical procedure and circulating in a patient's vasculature. In some embodiments a dual filter system protects the cerebral vasculature during a cardiac valve repair or replacement procedure.
US09326840B2

A biocompatible surgical silk mesh prosthetic device employs a knit pattern that substantially prevents unraveling and preserves the stability of the mesh device, especially when the mesh device is cut. An example prosthetic device employs a knitted mesh including at least two yarns laid in a knit direction and engaging each other to define a plurality of nodes. The at least two yarns include a first yarn and a second yarn extending between and forming loops about two nodes. The second yarn has a higher tension at the two nodes than the first yarn. the second yarn substantially prevents the first yarn from moving at the two nodes and substantially prevents the knitted mesh from unraveling at the nodes.
US09326835B2

The invention relates to a process for preparing dental restorations, wherein a lithium silicate glass ceramic or a lithium silicate glass is used which contains at least 8.5 wt.-% transition metal oxide selected from the group consisting of oxides of yttrium, oxides of transition metals with an atomic number from 41 to 79 and mixtures of these oxides.
US09326830B2

Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement.
US09326800B2

A device for cement augmentation of bone implants that includes a hollow cylinder having an inner diameter, an outer diameter and a longitudinal axis. The hollow cylinder includes an inner cavity, a front end configured and adapted for insertion into a bone, a rear end having a bore hole in communication with the inner cavity, and a shell having at least one perforation. The device also includes a bone implant insertable into the hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder is adapted and configured to receive unhardened bone cement through the bore hole into the inner cavity.
US09326783B2

Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment, a tool for use with an endoscopic procedure comprises an expandable thermoplastic polyurethane vessel. The expandable vessel may be fused to a shaft and may be configured to receive a fluid from the shaft. The shaft may comprise a distal port and a proximal port configured to dispense a dye material exterior to the expandable vessel.
US09326781B2

An apparatus for providing a reference indication to a patient tissue includes a primary locating block having a patient-specific primary mating surface contoured for mating contact with a portion of the patient tissue in a predetermined primary mating orientation custom-configured responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue. At least one mounting feature is provided to the primary locating block. At least one secondary item is configured for selective engagement with the primary locating block. The secondary item is at least one of a noncustomized secondary item and a patient-specific secondary item. The secondary item provides a reference indication to at least a portion of the patient tissue. The mounting feature of the primary locating block is configured for engagement with at least one secondary item in a predetermined secondary mounting relationship. The secondary mounting relationship is custom-configured for the patient tissue responsive to preoperative imaging of the patient tissue.
US09326771B2

A surgical stapling instrument can include a staple cartridge, wherein the staple cartridge includes a cartridge body, a plurality of staples, a cutting member stored therein, and means for covering, enclosing, encasing, and/or protecting the cutting member. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge body can include a housing which can extend around and/or over the cutting member when the cutting member is in an unfired position. In various circumstances, the housing can protect a clinician as they assemble the staple cartridge to the surgical stapling instrument.
US09326769B2

A surgical stapling system is disclosed. The surgical stapling system comprises a housing comprising a motor and a battery configured to supply power to the motor. The surgical stapling system further comprises a firing actuator operably coupled with the motor and a stapling assembly comprising a plurality of staples and a distal end. The surgical stapling system further comprises a shaft configured to support the stapling assembly, a firing member configured to transmit a firing motion from the motor to the stapling assembly, and a firing member sensor system configured to detect the position of the firing member within a detectable range of positions relative to the end of the stapling assembly.
US09326763B2

A suture passing instrument including an operation handle, a needle member, and a suture holder assembly. The operation handle has at least one actuator movable between a first position and a second position. The needle member extends from the operation handle. The needle member has a curved end portion and defines an eyelet extending therethrough. The suture holder assembly extends from the operation handle and has a movable suture carrier at a distal end configured to hold a suture. The movable suture carrier has a suture pusher telescopically and movably received in the movable suture carrier. The suture carrier is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The suture pusher is movable beyond the suture carrier to carry the suture through the eyelet.
US09326757B2

Various surgical instruments for laparoscopic procedures are provided for aspirating and retracting a hollow organ such as a gallbladder. The surgical instruments include a needle body and an anchor coupled to the needle body. The anchor is adapted and configured for engaging and retracting the hollow organ, and can be held and deployed from within the needle body or from an outside surface of the needle body. The needle body defines an aperture for permitting aspiration of contents of the hollow organ.
US09326755B2

A biopsy device includes a probe, a holster, and a tissue sample holder for collecting tissue samples. The probe includes a needle and a hollow cutter. The tissue sample holder includes a housing having one or more chambers that are configured to receive a removable tray including one or more prongs and a bulk chamber of a different volume than the one or more chambers. The housing is releasably engageable with the probe. Each tray prong is configured to receive a tissue sample communicated through the cutter lumen. The tray is removable from the housing, such as along an axial direction. The tissue sample holder is rotatable to successively index each chamber to the cutter lumen. The trays may be flexible, resilient, or rigid.
US09326754B2

A tissue sampling device includes a sheath having an inner surface having a proximal end and a distal end, and an inner surface defining a passage. An inner tube is disposed within the passage. The inner tube has an inner surface defining a passage, and an outer surface radially spaced outward from the inner surface. A cutting needle is pivotally mounted to the inner tube and pivots between a first position radially inward of the inner surface of the sheath and a second position substantially radially outward of the outer surface of the inner tube. Relative movement between the inner tube and the sheath causes the cutting needle to move between the first position and the second position. Rotation of the inner tube relative to the sheath when the cutting needle is in the second position causes the cutting needle to remove tissue in a helical path.
US09326752B2

An ultrasonic imaging device includes an ultrasonic probe including a piezoelectric device transmitting ultrasonic waves to a sample and receiving echo waves, an X axis scanner and a Y axis scanner scanning the sample and positions the probe at a scanning position, a frequency controller controlling a frequency of a received signal in accordance with the position of the scanning position, a signal processing unit processing the received signal, and an image generator generating an ultrasonic wave image at the frequency based on an output of the signal processing unit. The frequency controller generates and supplies a burst signal having a predetermined frequency by a burst wave oscillator to the piezoelectric device of the ultrasonic probe to generate the ultrasonic waves having a predetermined frequency.
US09326745B2

A dynamic diagnosis support information generation system includes: a radiation generator capable of irradiating a pulsed radiation; a radiation detector which is provided with a plurality of detecting elements arranged in two-dimension, detects the pulsed radiation irradiated from the radiation generator at each of the plurality of detecting elements and generates frame images successively; and an analysis section which calculates and outputs a feature value relating to a dynamic image of a subject based on a plurality of frame images generated by radiographing the subject by using the radiation generator and the radiation detector, wherein the analysis section calculates the feature value relating to the dynamic image of the subject by corresponding pixels to each others representing outputs of a detecting element at a same position in the radiation detector among the plurality of the frame images.
US09326743B2

The present invention relates to a Computed Tomography (CT) imaging system, in particular to a multi-energy CT imaging system and imaging method.
US09326738B2

Approaches for acquiring CT image data corresponding to a full scan, but at a reduced dose are disclosed. In one implementation, X-ray tube current modulation is employed to reduce the effective dose. In other implementations, acquisition of sparse views, z-collimation, and two-rotation acquisition protocols may be employed to achieve a reduced dose relative to a full-scan acquisition protocol.
US09326735B2

There is provided a method of determining a measure of the cardiac output, CO, of a patient, the method comprising obtaining measurements of one or more physiological characteristics of the patient, the physiological characteristics including at least the heart rate, HR, of the patient, the systolic blood pressure, S, of the patient and the diastolic blood pressure, D, of the patient; and processing the measurements to determine a measure of the cardiac output of the patient; wherein the measure of the cardiac output of the patient is derived using the relationship CO = K 1 ⁡ ( HR ⁢ S - D S + D ) , CO = K 2 ⁢ HR ⁡ ( S - D ) ⁢ ( PTT ) 2 , and ⁢ / ⁢ or ⁢ CO = K 2 ⁢ HR ⁡ ( S - D ) ⁢ ( PAT - PEP ) 2 where K1 and K2 are patient-specific calibration factors, PAT is the pulse arrival time, PEP is the pre-ejection period and PTT is the pulse transit time, the time taken for a pulse wave to travel between two points in the body of the patient.
US09326734B1

A method of compressing an electrocardiography (ECG) signal and an ECG signal sensing apparatus thereof are provided. The method of compressing the ECG signal includes the following steps. A current first characteristic wave is identified and captured from the ECG signal. A set of difference is obtained by subtracting a previous first characteristic wave from the current first characteristic wave. A first encoding process is executed on the set of difference, so as to obtain a first bit stream. A compressed ECG data is generated, wherein the compressed ECG data at least comprises the first bit stream.
US09326730B2

Breast implants including sensor modules and related methods are described herein. Breast implants include those with: a shell configured to be substantially filled with a viscous material; at least one fluid-permeable cover, the cover completely enveloping the shell; and a plurality of sensor modules attached to the shell and positioned at a distance from each other, each of the sensor modules oriented to detect one or more analytes in a fluid between the shell and the cover, wherein each of the plurality of sensor modules includes a unique identifier and is configured to utilize energy transmitted from an external source.
US09326727B2

Devices and methods for maintaining a medical device on-body are provided. Embodiments include medical device securement systems having first and second on-body securement elements. Also provided are systems and kits for use maintaining a medical device on-body.
US09326725B2

An apparatus and method for performing human algometry are disclosed. They include a stimulator configured to apply electrical stimulation of variable intensity to an area of a patient's body, a monitoring device configured to measure a level of cortical activity in one or more regions of the patient's brain, and a microprocessor connected to the stimulator and the monitoring device that is configured to correlate the intensity of the electrical stimulation with the level of activity in the one or more regions of the patient's brain and to determine at least one of a measurement of pain intensity, a measurement of a sensory detection threshold (SDT), a measurement of a drug's analgesic impact, an indication of an onset of tolerance to a drug, an indication of an onset of analgesic-induced hyperalgesia, an indication of conditions of allodynia, a measurement of dose-response characteristics of pain management drugs, and a characterization of a pain condition.
US09326718B2

A system is proposed for detection of at least one analyte in a body fluid, in particular for detection of blood glucose. The system is designed to generate a sample of the body fluid and to transfer at least some of the sample to at least one test element, in particular a test panel. The system is designed such that a time period between the generation of the sample and the application to the test element is less than 1 second, preferably less than 500 ms.
US09326704B2

A method and apparatus for detecting a jump of a moving sportsman and separating the jump from other sportsman motion is described. Accelerometer data generated by a sportsman's motion is received in a computing device. The computing device is used to apply fuzzy logic membership functions to a plurality of parameters associated with the accelerometer data to detect a pattern associated with jumps. A subset of the data is identified as representing a jump based upon the detection of the pattern. The determination is used in the computing device to transform data, whereby jumps are separated from other sportsman motion.
US09326699B2

Methods for use of EIT. Disclosed are: (1) EIT used to obtain a final solution to an EIT inverse problem for localizing tissues undergoing changes in impedance, which is used as a constraint on solving an EEG source localization inverse problem; (2) EIT used with MREIT, where the MREIT is used to constrain the solutions to the EIT inverse problem for the distribution of static tissue impedance; (3) EIT used with MREIT, where the MREIT is used to constrain the solutions to the EIT inverse problem for localizing tissues undergoing changes in impedance; and (4) EIT according to any of (1)-(3) as feedback for modifying at least one of the location, magnitude, and timing of currents injected for the purpose of neurostimulation.
US09326698B2

Oscillatory signals may be used to determine a region of a patient's body that is associated with a medical condition. As described herein, oscillatory signals may be detected using a high sensitivity, low specificity detector. The oscillatory signals may be representative of discrete events in a patient's body. The detected signals may be tested in the context of surrounding background activity to identify anomalous discrete physiologic events that are sufficiently different from the surrounding background activity. The anomalous discrete physiologic events having correlative morphological, time, or location characteristics may be automatically clustered and clusters of anomalous physiologic events may be determined that are indicative of at least one region of the patient's body that is associated with a medical condition.
US09326691B1

A pad of disposable protective barrier films for adhesive attached to a blood pressure cuff prior to its placement on a limb of a subject. The barrier film is a thin, non-permeable polymer, typically having a thickness of between approximately 1.0 and 3.0 mil. A portion of the side of the barrier adapted for attachment of the blood pressure cuff is coated with a low tack adhesive. The low tack adhesive holds the barrier in place during installation and use of the blood pressure but allows easy removal and disposal thereof upon completion of the blood pressure measurement. A unique packaging system is provided whereby no adhesive backing strips are required, successive barrier sheets are merely peeled from a stack. In still other embodiments, the barrier or the adhesive may include a germicidal material to further help protect the blood pressure cuff to from germs or other contamination.
US09326689B2

Motion tracking is performed with a thermal pattern within a patient. A pattern of different temperature is created in tissue, such as warming up tissue in a checkerboard pattern. The temperature pattern is used over time to track motion of the tissue. The tracked motion may be used to treat the tissue throughout at least part of a periodic cycle.
US09326688B2

The present invention employs an object information acquiring apparatus that includes a light source, a holding plate configured to hold an object, a supporting unit configured to support the holding plate, and a probe configured to receive, via the holding plate, an acoustic wave generated from the object on which light is irradiated from the light source. A light reflecting member is provided between the supporting unit and the holding plate.
US09326671B2

It is described a surgical instrument such as a speculum comprising longitudinally extending cups-shaped pivotably mounted blades manufactured from a moldable material, such as plastic or metal. Each blade has an inwardly curved circumferential edge with an edge face which is provided with a parting line resulting from molding the blades. Negative effects such as possible injuries associated with parting lines or steps can be mitigated by inwardly relocating these lines on an edge face of the inwardly curved circumferential edge.
US09326668B1

An otoscope provides an extremely narrow tip holding an electronic camera sized to allow the space of the ear canal to be shared between the otoscope and a tool such as a curette for removing foreign objects. The tip may be flexible for increased patient comfort when using a compact tip design.
US09326664B2

An endoscope apparatus includes an illuminating section capable of irradiating a subject with a light in a first wavelength band and light in a second wavelength band, an image processing section including a color filter configured by a plurality of filters, the image processing section generating, from two image pickup signals respectively generated in a first pixel and a second pixel that respectively receive light in a predetermined wavelength band and light in a wavelength band different from the predetermined wavelength band among return lights from the subject, first and second image signals, a control section that determines whether the two image pickup signals can be separated into the first and second image signals, and an illumination control section that performs irradiation in a time division manner or simultaneous irradiation according to a determination result whether the separation is possible or not.
US09326663B2

An endoluminal crawler used in endoscopic procedures includes a body and an actuation unit. The body includes a tubular portion. The actuation unit includes an actuator providing a rotational output and a traction belt. The traction belt includes a traction portion and an engaging portion. The traction portion protrudes out of a slot defined in the tubular portion and the engaging portion operatively engages the actuator.
US09326662B2

A probe is a probe insertable through a channel provided in an endoscope insertion portion. The probe is provided with a plurality of accommodation portions for accommodating a plurality of coil units having a predetermined length and a predetermined height, and a plurality of axial portions. Each accommodation portion includes a base portion having a length substantially equal to the predetermined length in a longitudinal direction of the probe, and two wall portions provided to stand upright at both ends of the base portion in the longitudinal direction at a height substantially equal to the predetermined height from the base portion, and the base portion and the wall portions are integrally formed. The plurality of axial portions extend from the wall portions in the longitudinal direction and connect between the plurality of accommodation portions.
US09326660B2

An endoscope system includes: an image storage section that stores image information associated with position information of a luminal organ of a subject; a virtual endoscopic image generating section that generates a virtual endoscopic image endoscopically depicted; an image pickup section that picks up an image in the luminal organ; a position registration processing section that compares the virtual endoscopic image and an endoscopic image, and extracts an virtual endoscopic image similar to the endoscopic image; a position estimation section that estimates a distal end position of an endoscope insertion portion; a feature region determination section that determines whether or not the distal end position exists in a feature region; a storage section that stores information for presentation; and a candidate information presentation control section that presents the virtual endoscopic image based on the information in the storage section, to a display section as candidate information.
US09326656B2

A dishwasher includes a water intake device having a hot water intake which receives hot water from an external hot water supply fed, at least partially, by a thermal solar system, and a cold water intake which receives cold water from an external cold water supply. A program control device stores at least one wash program for controlling a wash cycle for cleaning dishes. The at least one wash program has a program step for washing dishes using hot water from the hot water supply and another program step for washing dishes using cold water from the cold water supply.
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