US09410561B2

By a control processing of the sliding-mode control using a switching function configured from a first variable component, which is a deviation between an observed value and a desired value of a secondary power imparted to a secondary element (3) from a primary element (2) via an elastic deformation member (4), and a second variable component which is a temporal change rate of the deviation, so as to sequentially determine a control input to control an actuator (5) to converge the first variable component to zero on a switching hyperplane. A gradient of the switching hyperplane is set such that a time constant corresponding to the gradient of the switching hyperplane is equal to or larger than a given specific time constant.
US09410560B2

A power machine and a power conversion system for a power machine are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the power conversion system includes a pump configured to provide a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and a control valve assembly to receive the hydraulic fluid. The control valve assembly includes a first valve element configured to direct hydraulic fluid to an actuator when the first valve element is in first and second actuated positions. The control valve assembly also includes a second valve element downstream of the first spool. The first valve element is moveable between an unactuated position and the first and second actuated positions and is configured to direct hydraulic fluid received from the actuator through the second actuated position to the second valve element and to direct hydraulic fluid received from the actuator through the first actuated position to bypass the second valve element.
US09410559B2

An energy-accumulation apparatus includes a variable-buoyancy assembly configured to be selectively buoyant in a body of water. The energy-accumulation apparatus also includes a delivery assembly coupled to the variable-buoyancy assembly. The delivery assembly is configured to deliver the variable-buoyancy assembly within the body of water between a first position to a second position.
US09410554B2

A method for controlling a gas compressor is disclosed. The method includes communicating feedback data about two magnetic bearings to a computer including a multi-core processor via a communication link. The method also includes processing the feedback data about the two magnetic bearings where the feedback data for each of the two magnetic bearings is processed on separate cores of the multi-core processor in parallel and issuing a bearing control command to each of the two magnetic bearings in response to the feedback data. The method further includes communicating the bearing control commands to the two magnetic bearings from the computer via the communication link.
US09410552B2

A current switch that can be reset when it is not powered automatically calibrates itself when the circuit monitored by the current switch is energized.
US09410548B2

A pump is disclosed, with a casing comprising a substantially circular body having at least two radial inlets, at least one peripheral outlet and a transversal aperture. The casing further comprises a substantially circular impeller mounted within the body for rotation about the aperture. The impeller has a substantially uninterrupted sinusoidal profile. A pumping system and a method of pumping are also disclosed, which use the pump configuration.
US09410533B2

The invention relates to a wind turbine rotor blade having a blade root, a blade tip, two interconnected rotor blade half shells, which include a fiber-reinforced plastics material, and an electrical heating element, which is arranged on an outer side of the rotor blade and has a blade root end and a blade tip end, wherein the blade tip end is connected via an electrical line leading to the blade root and at least a first segment of the electrical line, which is arranged on an inner side of one of the rotor blade half shells, is made of a carbon fiber material. Further, the present invention relates to a method for making a wind turbine rotor blade having an electrical heating element.
US09410525B2

An internal combustion engine combustion system, including an ignition element and an ignition actuation member. The ignition element is configured to ignite an air-fuel mixture compressed within a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The ignition actuation member is movable between a first position in which the ignition actuation member prevents ignition of the air-fuel mixture when present in the combustion chamber, and a second position in which the ignition actuation member permits ignition of the air-fuel mixture by exposing the ignition element to the air-fuel mixture when the air-fuel mixture is present in the combustion chamber.
US09410523B2

An inventive system and method for managing vehicle power is presented. The novel technology provides a means to automatically shutdown a vehicle's engine when conditions are such that engine power is not needed, reducing fuel consumption as well as lowering noise and emissions. A series of conditions are examined to determine whether engine power is needed and hence whether shutdown can be safely performed. The inventive system and method can also determine when power is again needed by the engine and can re-start the engine automatically at such times.
US09410522B2

A pressure control valve for a high-pressure accumulator of an injection device of an internal combustion engine, includes a magnetic actuator. The magnetic actuator has a magnetic core with contacting pins and a magnetic armature with an armature plate. The contacting pins pass through feedthroughs formed in the armature plate. The armature plate is hydraulically connected by a pressure equalization channel to a valve chamber connected to low pressure. The pressure equalization channel has an opening on the magnetic core end face which opens into the armature space. At least one of the feedthroughs forms a passage for the fuel through the armature plate for the pressure equalization. A residual air gap disk is arranged between the magnetic core and the armature plate. The residual air gap disk forms an additional feedthrough with a radial extension that extends in the direction of the opening.
US09410517B2

A fuel line, in particular a fuel line for a gasoline direct injection line system, having an inner steel tube and an outer steel tube, wherein the inner steel tube is accommodated in the outer steel tube in a force-locking manner. The inner steel tube is made of a corrosion resistant steel and the outer steel tube is made of an outer steel tube alloy, wherein a wall thickness of the inner steel tube is smaller than a wall thickness of the outer steel tube. A maximum carbon content of the outer steel tube alloy is higher than a maximum carbon content of the corrosion resistant steel. A thickness of the fuel line amounts to between 5% and 60% of an inner diameter of the motor vehicle fluid line.
US09410494B2

A method of assessing the functioning of an EGR cooler of an EGR system in an internal combustion engine, wherein the EGR cooler can be selectively operated in a first and a second operating condition; and wherein the engine comprises at least one cylinder equipped with a pressure sensor. The assessment of the functioning of the EGR cooler is based on the variation of a combustion characteristic value depending on cylinder pressure (CA50), upon switching of the EGR cooler from a first to a second operating condition.
US09410493B2

According to the invention, a particulate matter sensor is installed in an exhaust passage of an internal-combustion engine. A control unit for this internal-combustion engine detects a particulate amount in an exhaust gas through the exhaust passage in response to an output from the particulate matter sensor. Further, the control unit for the internal-combustion engine forms a particulate layer on electrode surfaces of the particulate matter sensor by applying a particulate capturing voltage between the electrodes during a first period. Further, the control unit maintains the formed particulate layer during a second period. It is noted here that the phrase “maintain the formed particulate layer” includes the meanings “maintaining the formed particulate layer as it is” and “inhibiting control to remove the particulate layer”.
US09410486B2

This system for supplying a turbine with liquid fuel comprises a liquid fuel inlet (3), a piping assembly (4) connecting the inlet to the turbine, and draining means for draining at least a portion of the said piping assembly.The draining means comprise water inlet means (9) and a system of controllable valves suitable for injecting water into at least one of the said portions of the piping assembly.
US09410484B2

A cover (54, 54A-B) enclosing with clearance (65) an acoustic damping resonator (24) on a working gas path liner (22) of a gas turbine component (28). The cover includes a coolant inlet chamber (56, 56B) with a top wall (58, 58B) that is closer to the liner than a top wall (32) of the resonator, and extends upstream from the resonator relative to the working gas flow (48). Compressed air (26) surrounds the cover at a higher pressure than the working gas and flows (44) into and through the coolant inlet chamber, then through holes (34) in the resonator, then exits through holes (38) the liner into the working gas. The coolant inlet chamber directs the flow of compressed air over a weld (50) of the upstream wall (40) of the resonator to cool it. The cover may be formed as a box (57) or a sleeve (69).
US09410483B2

A gas turbine engine includes a bearing structure mounted to the front center body case structure to rotationally support a shaft driven by a geared architecture. A bearing compartment passage structure is in communication with the bearing structure through a front center body case structure.
US09410480B2

A synthesis gas (H2+CO) that comes from a gasifier is supposed to be used in more efficient and optimal manner, particularly for generating electricity, whereby then, CO2 that occurs at the same time is supposed to be passed to storage. This is achieved in that—the synthesis gas (H2+CO) and oxygen (O2) from an air separation system are combusted in a burner, and relaxed by way of a gas turbine (driving a generator), —CO2 is separated in the waste gas stream and passed to a compressor driven by the gas turbine, and—passed to CO2 storage as compressed CO2.
US09410477B2

In some aspects, a power delivery device configured to couple to a reciprocating element of a reciprocating engine is configured to couple to a power output element via a substantially steady, invariant (e.g., constant) moment arm in order to generate increased torque and power.
US09410472B2

An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block having a cylinder head connected to an upper end thereof. A front end of the cylinder block has a coolant introduction passage. A timing chain provided at the front end is engaged to a camshaft sprocket associated with the cylinder head. A timing chain cover is mounted to and spaced forward of the cylinder block front end. A water pump assembly includes a pump housing and an impeller assembly. The pump housing is directly secured to the cylinder block and interposed between the timing chain cover and the front end of the cylinder block. The pump housing has a pump chamber in fluid communication with the coolant introduction passage. The impeller assembly is removably mounted in the pump chamber without removal of the timing chain cover. An end of an impeller drive shaft extends forward of the timing chain cover.
US09410470B2

An exhaust manifold for installation onto a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine includes a housing having plural inlet openings and an outlet opening. The housing includes an inner shell and an outer shell in surrounding relationship to the inner shell to define a gap there between. The inner shell is floatingly arranged in the outer shell and rests at a side of the cylinder head upon a guide plate which is formed with the plural inlet openings and includes guide members respectively arranged about a circumference of the inlet openings. The outer shell has a cylinder-head-proximal marginal region formed with an outwardly bent flange that rests upon the guide plate and is joined in gastight manner to the guide plate by a material joint. The flange has an outer side in opposition to the guide plate, with a collar being arranged on the outer side of the flange.
US09410468B2

A temperature sensor (1) is configured such that a ring pressure section (21) is fixed to a ring seat face (39b) by screwing a fixing member (25) into a screw attachment member (37) in a state in which the ring pressure section (21) is seated on the ring seat face (39b), and pressing a front-end facing surface (25b) of the fixing member (25) against a rear-end facing surface (21c) of the ring pressure section (21). A dry film (41) containing an organic silicon polymer having a polycarbosilane skeleton that is cross-linked by a metal element and a solid lubricant such as molybdenum disulfide and mica is provided on at least one of the front-end facing surface (25b) of the fixing member (25) and the rear-end facing surface (21c) of the ring pressure section (21).
US09410467B2

Various methods and system are described for determining ambient humidity via an exhaust gas sensor disposed in an exhaust system of an engine. In one example, a reference voltage of the sensor is modulated between a first and second voltage during non-fueling conditions of the engine. The ambient humidity is determined based on an average change in pumping current while the voltage is modulated.
US09410455B2

Engine valve actuation systems and methods used to decompress an engine cylinder during engine start-up, shut-down, and for bleeder braking are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a rocker shaft, and a structure mounted adjacent to the rocker arm in a fixed position relative to the rocker arm. A latch piston may be slidably disposed between the rocker arm and the structure. The latch piston may be selectively extended to engage both the rocker arm and structure to limit the pivotal motion of the rocker arm and maintain the engine valves in an open condition.
US09410454B2

A valve opening/closing timing control device includes an advancing chamber and a retarding chamber between driving and driven rotating bodies, an intermediate locking mechanism performing switching between a locked state and an unlocked state, an advancing channel connected to the advancing chamber, a retarding channel connected to the retarding chamber, and at least one electromagnetic valve supplying/discharging working fluid to/from the advancing chamber, retarding chamber, and intermediate lock mechanism due to an electricity supply amount being changed. When working fluid is discharged from the intermediate lock mechanism, and working fluid is supplied to the advancing chamber and is discharged from the retarding chamber, the maximum working fluid flow amount through the advancing and retarding channels is greater than the maximum working fluid flow amount through the advancing and retarding channels when the electromagnetic valve is controlled such that the working fluid is supplied to the intermediate lock mechanism.
US09410443B2

A variable vane damping assembly includes an inner bushing and an outer bushing. The inner bushing comprises an elastomeric material.
US09410442B2

A turbomachine having a rotor assembly, a stator assembly and a toroidal inductor. The rotor assembly includes an impeller. The inductor is located between the impeller and the stator assembly, and is exposed to an airflow generated by or acting upon the impeller.
US09410440B2

A rotor assembly includes a rotor disc and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, radially outwardly extending rotor blades. The rotor disc has a rim and a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots provided in the rim of the rotor disc, each rotor blade having a root, the root of each rotor blade being arranged in a corresponding one of the slots in the rim of the rotor disc, and at least one of the slots having a chocking device accommodated within a space between a radially outer surface of the slot and a radially inner surface of the root of the rotor blade. The chocking device includes at least a first spring and a second spring, the first and second springs each abutting a radially inner surface of the root of the corresponding rotor blade and arranged transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the slot.
US09410435B2

A component for a gas turbine engine includes a gas path wall having a first surface, a second surface exposed to hot gas flow, and a cooling hole extending through the gas path wall. The cooling hole includes an inlet formed in the first surface, an outlet formed in the second surface, cooling hole surfaces that define the cooling hole between the inlet and the outlet, and a longitudinal ridge formed along at least one of the cooling hole surfaces. The longitudinal ridge separates the cooling hole into first and second lobes. The cooling hole diverges through the gas path wall, such that cross-sectional area of the cooling hole increases continuously from the inlet through the cooling hole to the outlet.
US09410434B2

A propeller blade includes a foam core having a groove formed therein, a fibrous material filling at least a portion of the groove and a structural layer that surrounds the fibrous material and at least a portion of the foam core.
US09410432B2

A plurality of stepped parts which have step surfaces facing an upstream side in a rotating axial direction of a structural member are provided in a tip portion of a blade, and seal fins which extend toward a circumference surface of each of the stepped parts and form small clearances between the seal fin and the circumference surface corresponding to the each of the stepped parts is provided in the structural member. Also, lengths from the small clearance to the step surface on the upstream side along the rotating axial direction of the structural member are set such that one of the stepped parts on the downstream side is smaller than the other one of the stepped parts on the upstream side.
US09410431B2

A nose cone assembly is provided comprising a nose cone 104, a support ring 106 on which the nose cone 104 is mounted, and an insulating layer 110 disposed between the nose cone 104 and the support ring 106, the insulating layer 110 at least partially comprising glass fibers.A composite nose cone is also provided comprising an attachment region A, in which composite fibers are oriented substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the nose cone 104, and an impact region I, in which composite fibers are oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the nose cone 104. Also provided is a support ring 106 for a nose cone assembly, the support ring 106 comprising an annular main body 140 and an annular projecting attachment flange 142, the attachment flange 142 terminating in a plurality of circumferentially spaced attachment tabs 144, wherein the attachment flange 142 forms with the main body 140 a cross section having at least two C curves 160, 162.
US09410429B2

A gas turbine engine including a compressor rotor and a turbine rotor connected by a compressor shaft portion connected to the compressor rotor and a turbine shaft portion connected to the turbine rotor. The compressor shaft portion and the turbine shaft portion are connected axially together by a shaft coupling, between the compressor rotor and the turbine rotor, and at least a bearing rotatably coupled to the compressor shaft portion adjacent the shaft coupling. The compressor shaft and/or the turbine shaft are provided with openings permitting cooling air to enter air passages in the area of the shaft coupling and surrounding the end of the turbine shaft portion, in order to dissipate heat originating at the turbine rotor and thus reducing the thermal stresses at the bearing.
US09410396B2

The invention provides a gate valve for control of production of petroleum, distinctive in that the valve comprises a coating or hard facing on the internal bore surface exposed to flow of petroleum and associated fluids and solids.
US09410385B2

A system and method for building and handling oilfield tubular stands while drilling operations are simultaneously and independently occurring with one drilling deck, one derrick, and one rotary system. An offline guided path horizontal to vertical arm lifts and moves in the same plane tubulars stored horizontally on the catwalk and positions the tubulars vertically directly into a preparation hole for assembling and disassembling tubular stands while online drilling operations are simultaneously being conducted. A stand arm lifts and lowers the tubulars into and out of the adjustable preparation hole, and transports the tubulars for storage to an auxiliary tubular racking station in the upper part of the derrick. A bridge racker crane moves tubular stands from the auxiliary tubular racking station to the top drive or another tubular racking station.
US09410376B2

The present invention relates to a drilling system with a multi-function drill head used in, among other applications, oil and gas drilling. The system is used to enhance the effective permeability of an oil and/or gas reservoir by drilling or cutting new structures into the reservoir. The system is capable of cutting straight bores, radius bores, or side panels, by water jets alone or in combination with lasers. In various embodiments, a device for remotely controlling the mode of the system by variations in the pressure of a drilling fluid is also provided, allowing an operator to switch between various modes (straight drilling, radius bore drilling, panel cutting, etc.) without withdrawing the drill string from underground.
US09410374B2

A ladder lift is provided. The ladder lift may include a foldable platform, a frame, a motorized gear mechanism, a gear channel and a toggle switch. The gear channel may extend upwardly from a supporting surface along the length of the frame. The gear channel may house a belt track extending along the length of the gear channel. The foldable platform may be rigidly connected to the motorized gear mechanism. The motorized gear mechanism may selectively engage the belt track for causing the foldable platform to move in a specified direction along the length of the gear channel. The toggle switch may be used to engage and disengage the motorized gear mechanism. The frame may support the gear channel, the foldable platform, the motorized gear mechanism and a user. The user may be accommodated on the foldable platform. Then the user may activate the toggle switch so that the foldable platform moves in a specified direction along the length of the gear channel for a predetermined distance.
US09410368B2

A door assembly having a flexible door panel wound and unwound on a drum or the like to selectively block or permit access through an opening, the flexible door panel having a stiffness, a width, and a length. The door assembly further includes vertically extending side columns disposed on opposite sides of the opening, the side columns being configured to engage a marginal edge of the flexible panel to vertically guide the panel while opening or closing. Attached to a leading edge of the door panel is a bottom bar having a greater stiffness than the door panel and a narrower width than a distance between the vertical panel guide assemblies. Bottom bar guides are disposed proximate a lower portion of the opening and are configured to engage a portion of the bottom bar only when the bottom bar is located in at least a partially closed position.
US09410352B2

Disclosed is a door closer provided with a unit for adding door-closing force inside a housing. The disclosed door closer comprises a force-adding unit, which is included inside the housing, for adding the door-closing force. The force-adding unit comprises a cam which coaxially rotates with a link shaft inside the housing, and a cam pusher which is elastically compressed so as to come into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cam. The outer circumferential surface of the cam comprises an arc surface portion which is separated apart from a rotary axis of the cam at an equal distance, a concave surface portion which is separated apart from the rotary axis of the cam at a distance shorter than that to the arc surface portion, and one pair of protruding corner portions for connecting the arc surface portion and the concave surface portion. When the outer circumferential surface of the cam with which the cam pusher comes into close contact is converted from the arc surface portion to the concave surface portion due to the rotation of the cam, the rotational force of the link shaft is increased due to the elastic pressing force of the cam pusher.
US09410340B2

A structural entity for transferring structural loads from a Tower of a Wind Turbine Generator to its Foundation, by means of a Plated Transition Piece characterized in that it consists of a cylindrical central body connected by a series of inclined plates and shear plates and beams to legs that connects to a foundation structure.
US09410339B2

A data center includes a floor that supports rack computing systems and walls that enclose a computing room. The computing room holds the rack computing systems. One of the walls is a movable wall. The movable wall translates relative to the other walls to increase or decrease the size of the computing room.
US09410331B2

A magnetic anchor system, method, and device for attaching a rigging line to an elevated work structure. A transport vehicle may be used to position and attach at least one magnetic anchor to the elevated work structure, while being operated by a user at a safe location. Upon attachment of the magnetic anchor the strength of the magnetic connection of the primary magnetic anchor to the work structure is tested before anything is attached to a rigging line secured to the magnetic anchor.
US09410327B2

A joint guard provided for protecting, and stabilizing portions in the edge region of a panel, the portions being selected from the group consisting of a distal edge, a downwards protruding heel, a upper joint edge, a groove, a lower cheek, a distal end, an upwards protruding lower cheek heel, an upper joining edge, an undercut, a moveable locking element, a locking tongue, a locking tongue leg and a maneuvering leg.
US09410320B2

A main reinforcing bar has a strength transition portion between a normal strength portion and a high strength portion. The high strength portion is arranged in a joint section. The boundary between the normal strength portion and the strength transition portion is configured as a deigned point. The designed point is designed such that, at the time of an earthquake, the main reinforcing bar yields at the designed point before the main reinforcing bar yields at the root of the beam at of the joint section. The boundary between the high strength portion and the strength transition portion is located in the joint section, and the root of the beam is located at the strength transition portion. The strength of the strength transition portion at the root of the beam is equal to or higher than the required strength.
US09410312B2

A shelter has a packaged configuration and a deployed configuration. The shelter has four panels, each with four edges and two faces. The first and fourth panels have a rectangular shape, and the second and third panels have a quadrangle shape. The relationship of panel edge lengths and angles of the quadrangle shelter panels create a sturdy enclosure that is easy to erect, manipulate, and reconfigure. Furthermore, the shelter may be erected by rotating the panels into place via pivotal connections between the panels and optionally through the use of a lever arm.
US09410293B2

A high-speed railway aerodynamic sleeper (1) including one central area (2), two support areas (3) on each side of the central area (2), on which the rails are placed, and two outer areas (4), located at the ends of the sleeper (1), following the support areas (3). The cross-section of the sleeper (1) includes, on the central area (2), and the support areas (3), and the two outer areas (4), a first bottom section (5) comprising a first polygon (7) having at least 4 sides and a second top section (6) having at least one second polygon (8) of n sides, n being≧4, the first bottom section (5) and the second top section (6) being attached to each other, and the top base (10) of the first polygon (7) and the bottom base (9) of the second polygon (8) share their sides.
US09410273B2

There is provided a fiber bundle that strikes an excellent balance between the properties and performance of the resulting web and the finished products obtained from this web, and cost, ease of work, and productivity. There is also provided a method for manufacturing a web using this fiber bundle. There is also provided a web that is uniform and has excellent soft touch and bulkiness. This is achieved by a fiber bundle with a total denier of 10,000 to 500,000 dtex, obtained by bundling thermoplastic, conjugate, continuous fibers that have a single filament denier of 0.5 to 100 dtex/f and in which the center of gravity of conjugate components varies among the conjugate components in a fiber cross section, wherein the thermoplastic, conjugate, continuous fibers that make up the fiber bundle have a spontaneous crimp of 8 to 30 crimps per 2.54 cm, the fiber bundle density as defined by D1/(W1×L1) (where D1 is the total denier, W1 is the fiber bundle width, and L1 is the fiber bundle thickness) is 100 to 2000 dtex/mm2, and the density ratio by spreading (the web density/fiber bundle density after spreading by drawing to a ratio of 1.6 in a pinch roller spreading machine at a rate of 25 m/min and a fiber bundle temperature of 25° C.) is 0.10 or less.
US09410268B2

The present invention provides a method for preparing carbon nanotube fibers with improved spinning properties using a surfactant and carbon nanotube fibers prepared by the method. According to the method for preparing carbon nanotube fibers of the present invention, the addition of a surfactant during the preparation of carbon nanotubes interrupts and delays the agglomeration of catalyst particles, which reduces the size of the catalyst particles and uniformly disperses the catalyst particles that play a key role in the formation of carbon nanotube fibers, thus increasing the strength and conductivity of carbon nanotube fibers and improving the spinning properties. While convention methods prepare carbon nanotube fibers by injecting a catalytic material for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes in a high-pressure supercritical state to be uniformly dispersed, the present invention uses a dispersant and thus does not require the injection in a high-pressure supercritical state.
US09410266B2

An apparatus and continuous stable process for producing multicrystalline silicon ingots with large cross-sections by an induction method, by maintaining surface temperature of the ingot at the output of the crucible within the range of 900-1150° C., and by heating the ingot at the output of the upper zone of the controlled cooling compartment to a temperature of 1200-1250° C., followed by cooling of the ingot at a rate of no more than 10° C./cm.
US09410262B2

A silicon single crystal is produced by a method wherein a silicon plate is inductively heated; granular silicon is melted on the silicon plate; and the molten silicon thus produced flows through a flow conduit in the center of the plate to a phase boundary at which a silicon single crystal crystallizes, wherein a silicon ring having a lower resistivity than the plate, and lying on the plate, is inductively heated prior to inductively heating the plate, and melting the ring.
US09410257B2

A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprises substantially concentric and tubular-shaped layers of a cathode, an anode and an ion-exchange membrane. The MEAs of the invention can be used in an electrochemical cell, which comprises the following layers which are tubular-shaped, arranged substantially concentrically, and listed from the inner layer to the outer layer; (i) a cylindrical core; (ii) one of the electrodes; (iii) a membrane; (iv) the other of the electrodes; and (v) an outer cylindrical sleeve.
US09410256B2

Provided herein are systems and methods for separation of particulate from water using ultrasonically generated acoustic standing waves.
US09410248B2

Embodiments of the device relate to a modular injector (100) for injecting a gas into a processing chamber (42), comprising at least two adjacent injectors (1), each injector comprising an inlet for receiving a gas wave or a gas flow, a flow shaping section (2) having left and right sidewalls that diverge according to a divergence angle relative to a propagation axis of the gas, for expanding the gas in a direction perpendicular to the propagation axis, and an outlet for expelling the gas. The modular injector forms an equivalent large injector having an equivalent large outlet which includes the outlets of the adjacent injectors and expands the gas over the equivalent large outlet.
US09410244B2

A semiconductor processing apparatus is described. The semiconductor processing apparatus includes a gas supply system. The gas supply system has at least one gas supply unit including a process gas source, a gas distribution manifold having an annular gas distribution conduit provided with an inlet and valved outlets; and a gas supply conduit fluidly connecting the process gas source to the inlet of the gas distribution manifold. The semiconductor processing apparatus also includes a plurality of reactors, each fluidly connected to a respective valved outlet of the gas distribution manifold, such that process gas from the process gas source of the at least one gas supply unit is selectively suppliable to a respective reactor via the gas supply conduit, the gas distribution manifold, and a respective valved outlet. A method of providing a plurality of reactors with process gas is also described.
US09410242B2

A microwave plasma reactor for manufacturing synthetic diamond material via chemical vapour deposition, the microwave plasma reactor comprising: a plasma chamber; a substrate holder disposed in the plasma chamber and comprising a supporting surface for supporting a substrate on which the synthetic diamond material is to be deposited in use; a microwave coupling configuration for feeding microwaves from a microwave generator into the plasma chamber; and a gas flow system for feeding process gases into the plasma chamber and removing them therefrom; wherein the microwave plasma reactor further comprises an electrically conductive plasma stabilizing annulus disposed around the substrate holder within the plasma chamber.
US09410239B2

An object is to provide a deposition technique for depositing an oxide semiconductor film. Another object is to provide a method for manufacturing a highly reliable semiconductor element using the oxide semiconductor film. A novel sputtering target obtained by removing an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, and hydrogen that are impurities in a sputtering target used for deposition is used, whereby an oxide semiconductor film containing a small amount of those impurities can be deposited.
US09410231B2

A steel sheet, including: as chemical components, by mass %, 0.05% to 0.35% of C; 0.05% to 2.0% of Si; 0.8% to 3.0% of Mn; 0.01% to 2.0% of Al; equal to or less than 0.1% of P; equal to or less than 0.05% of S; equal to or less than 0.01% of N; and the balance including iron and inevitable impurities, wherein the steel sheet comprises 50% or more of a ferrite phase, a bainite phase, and a tempered martensite phase, 3% or more of a retained austenite phase, and 50% or more of the crystal grains of the retained austenite phase satisfy Expression 1, wherein a carbon concentration at a position of center of gravity is Cgc and a carbon concentration at a grain boundary is Cgb.
US09410225B2

A process for the extraction of copper from a feed material comprising at least one of arsenic and antimony-bearing copper sulphide minerals is provided. The process includes fine-grinding the feed material and after fine-grinding, subjecting the feed material to pressure oxidation in the presence of surfactant and a halogen to produce a product slurry. The process also includes subjecting the product slurry to liquid/solid separation to obtain a pressure oxidation filtrate and solids comprising at least one of a compound of arsenic and a compound of antimony, and recovering copper from the pressure oxidation filtrate.
US09410207B2

Method and compositions for screening for the presence of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor variant 3 (EGFR(v3)) in a sample are described. The method comprises obtaining a sample containing a plurality of cells; hybridizing a set of chromosomal probes to the sample, wherein the set comprises an EGFR(v3)-probe and a probe to chromosome 7 different from an EGFR(v3)-probe; and visualizing the hybridization pattern of the set of chromosomal probes in the plurality of cells of the sample, wherein the presence of at least one copy of chromosome 7 lacking a hybridization signal of the EGFR(v3)-probe in at least one cell is indicative of the presence of the EGFR(v3) in the sample. The method and compositions are suitable for diagnosing the therapeutic outcome for treating a patient having a cancer with an anti-EGFR therapeutic agent and for screening a sample for a predisposition for forming an EGFR-associated cancer.
US09410206B2

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that may be used as cancer biomarkers and methods of diagnosing, prognosing and monitoring cancer including, but not limited to, cutaneous melanoma using said lncRNAs are provided herein. In some embodiments, the methods include steps of isolating one or more lncRNA transcripts in a biological sample from the subject; measuring a test level of the one or more isolated lncRNA transcripts; comparing the test level to a control level of the one or more lncRNA transcripts; and diagnosing or making a prognosis based on the lncRNA level. In some embodiments, the lncRNA transcript is an linc00340 transcript or variant thereof. These lncRNA transcripts may also be used as a therapeutic target in the treatment of cancer.
US09410205B2

Cellular and genetic signatures and methods of using same for subcategorizing stage III melanoma tumors are described herein. The signatures and methods are particularly useful with regard to establishing more distinct criteria on which basis to differentiate stage IIIB and IIIC melanoma patients. Assessment of the cellular and genetic signatures of a melanoma sample using methods described herein yields information on which basis differential survival duration and sensitivity to various cancer therapies can be predicted for a Stage IIIB or Stage IIIC melanoma patients. As described herein, gene expression profiling, determination of mitotic index (MI), and quantification of tumor infiltrating leukocytes (TILs) and CD3+ cells in metastatic lesions may be utilized to predict or assess drug response, drug sensitivity, and clinical outcome in metastatic melanoma patients.
US09410202B2

Provided herein are methods to discover and use single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) for identifying breed, or line and breed, or line composition of a bovine subject. The present invention further provides specific nucleic acid sequences, SNPs, and SNP patterns that can be used for identifying breed or breed combinations for Angus, Holstein, Limousin, Brahman, Hereford, Simmental, Gelbvieh, Charolais and Beefmaster breeds. These patterns can be utilized to manage animals in a feedlot to obtain optimum performance based on known characteristics of specific breeds and identify animals for breeding in selection programs. In another aspect, these patterns can be used to ensure labeling on breed specific branded products.
US09410201B2

The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, systems, and devices for polynucleotide processing. Such polynucleotide processing may be useful for a variety of applications, including polynucleotide sequencing.
US09410196B2

Various embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to molecular biological protocols, equipment and reagents for the sequencing of target nucleic acid (DNA, RNA, cDNA, etc) molecules.
US09410192B2

A composition is provided comprising a negatively charged group, an oligonucleotide sequence and at least none or one nuclease-resistant linkage group to form a chemically-enhanced primer. The chemically-enhanced primer can be used for sequencing and fragment analysis. Methods for synthesizing the primer as well as a method of preparing DNA for sequencing and a method of sequencing DNA and kits containing the chemically-enhanced primer are also provided. The method of sequencing DNA can comprise contacting amplification reaction products with the composition under conditions in which excess amplification primer is degraded by the nuclease and the chemically-enhanced primer is essentially non-degraded.
US09410190B2

The invention is in the field of nucleic acid amplification, hi particular, methods are described which utilize stem primers that improve the rapid and specific amplification of a test sample.
US09410183B2

Methods and kits for detecting the presence of GlcNAc modification of a peptide or protein. The steps of detection may include combining the peptide or protein with PAP35S and a sulfotransferase to produce a reaction product including 35S labeled GlcNAc modified protein or peptide, removing background labeling with a glycosidase, separating the 35S labeled GlcNAc modified protein or peptide from PAP35S, free S-35 sulfate and labeled oligosaccharides if present, and detecting isotopic emissions from the 35S labeled GlcNAc modified peptide or protein. The detection may further include, prior to detection, the step of combining the peptide or protein with a GlcNAc transferase and UDP-GlcNAc under appropriate conditions for the GlcNAc transferase to transfer a GlcNAc to the peptide or protein.
US09410181B2

The preparation unit comprises a body (2) within which are fixed a first (3) and a second (4) membrane, said first membrane (3) having a first predetermined pore diameter and said second membrane (4) a second predetermined pore diameter smaller than said first predetermined pore diameter of said first membrane (3), said body also comprising means (16, 20) for retrieving said sample collected on said second membrane (4).The method of preparing such a sample comprises the step of procuring such a preparation unit (1), the step of passing a predetermined volume of said liquid through said first membrane and through said second membrane (4) in order to collect a sample on said second membrane (4); and the step of retrieving said sample so collected on said second membrane (4).
US09410180B2

A biological sterilization indicator (BI) system and method. The system can include a BI and a reading apparatus comprising a well. The BI can include a housing, which can include a first portion, and a second portion movable between a first “unactivated” position and a second “activated” position. The reading apparatus can detect at least one of (i) when the well is empty; (ii) when the biological sterilization indicator is positioned in the well with the second portion of the housing in the first position, and (iii) when the biological sterilization indicator is positioned in the well with the second portion of the housing in the second position. The method can include detecting at least one of the above conditions, which can be used to detect an activation status of the biological sterilization indicator.
US09410166B2

The invention relates to suitable candidate alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzymes for production of lower alkyl alcohols including isobutanol. The invention also relates to recombinant host cells that comprise such ADH enzymes and methods for producing lower alkyl alcohols in the same.
US09410152B2

At least one microRNA selected from among hsa-miR-330, hsa-miR-7 and hsa-miR-137, the mature forms thereof, and the precursors thereof, for depigmenting the skin, and an in vitro method for identifying depigmenting compounds, which includes the steps of: a) placing at least one test compound in contact with a sample of melanocytes; b) measuring the expression or activity of at least one microRNA selected from among miR-330, miR-7 and miR-137, the mature forms thereof, and the precursors thereof, in the melanocytes; c) selecting the compounds for which at least 20% activation of the expression or of the activity of at least one of the microRNAs is measured in the melanocytes treated in a) by an element for comparing with the untreated melanocytes.
US09410150B2

Aspects of the present invention are drawn to processes for moving a region of interest in a polynucleotide from a first position to a second position with regard to a domain within the polynucleotide, also referred to as a “reflex method”. In certain embodiments, the reflex method results in moving a region of interest into functional proximity to specific domain elements present in the polynucleotide (e.g., primer sites and/or multiplex identifier). Compositions, kits and systems that find use in carrying out the reflex processes described herein are also provided.
US09410143B1

The disclosure describes a method for producing native mammalian biological molecules by electromagnetically stimulating mammalian cells using an electromagnetic field. The mammalian cells can be grown in a chamber that is exposed to a time varying electromagnetic force. The biological molecules can be isolated from the cells.
US09410141B2

The present disclosure relates to protein and nucleic acid mutants of chondroitinase ABCI. Such nucleic acid mutants encode for chondroitinase ABCI mutant enzymes exhibiting altered chondroitin lyase activity or increased resistance to inactivation from stressors including UV light or heat. Methods of using such nucleic acid mutants encoding chondroitinase ABCI mutant enzymes is also provided.
US09410140B2

The present compositions and methods relate to a thermostable carbonic anhydrases, polynucleotides encoding the carbonic anhydrase, and methods of make and/or use thereof. Formulations containing the carbonic anhydrase are suitable for use in extracting carbon dioxide.
US09410138B2

An asparaginase enzyme derived from the fungi Basidiomycete, in particular the Basidiomycete is Flammulina velutipes. A method for hydrolysing at least one of L-asparagine or L-glutamine. A method for reducing acrylamide formation in a substance comprising L-asparagine is also described.
US09410128B2

The present invention is based on the seminal concept of combining genomics and chemical biology to identify new agents useful for induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) generation. The invention provides a method of generating an iPSC utilizing agents that antagonize a cell specific gene or upregulate expression or activity of a nuclear reprogramming gene, as well as a method of screening for such agents.
US09410125B2

Disclosed are a medium for mammalian somatic cells with which mammalian somatic cells can be grown effectively when the mammalian somatic cells are cultured, while reducing the amount of serum to be added to the medium as much as possible or without adding serum thereto, and an additive to constitute the medium. By blending of a ligand for an endothelial cell differentiation gene (Edg) family receptor and a ligand for a serotonin receptor to a medium, somatic cells of mammals can be grown even in cases where the medium does not contain serum at all or contains only a small amount thereof.
US09410124B2

The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of soft tissue. Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, soft tissues in the treatment of various cosmetic or functional conditions, including malformation, injury, weakness, disease, or dysfunction. In particular, the present invention provides treatments and amelioration for dermatological conditions, gastroesophageal reflux, vesico-ureteral reflux, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.
US09410121B2

The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells.
US09410120B2

Provided is a composition for embryo culture, which contains a constitution suitable for embryo culture. Provided is a composition for embryo culture, which contains (a) a constitution shown in Table A below. TABLE A ComponentsmM L-Alanine0.297 ± 0.089 L-Asparagine0.015 ± 0.005 L-Aspartic acid0.120 ± 0.036 L-Glutamic acid0.550 ± 0.165 Glycine0.979 ± 0.294 L(−)-Proline0.105 ± 0.032 L-Serine0.176 ± 0.053 L(+)-Arginine0.108 ± 0.032 L(−)-Cystine0.048 ± 0.014 L-Histidine0.053 ± 0.016 L(+)-Isoleucine0.036 ± 0.011 L-Leucine0.081 ± 0.024 L(+)-Lysine0.176 ± 0.053 L-Methionine0.022 ± 0.007 L(−)-Phenylalanine0.045 ± 0.013 L(−)-Threonine0.109 ± 0.033 L-Tryptophan0.018 ± 0.005 L-Tyrosine0.048 ± 0.014 L-Valine0.108 ± 0.032 L-Glutamine or0.398 ± 0.119 glutamine derivative Taurine1.412 ± 0.424
US09410117B2

Culturally modified lactic acid bacterial cells containing a porphyrin compound and their use in a novel method of reducing the oxygen content in a food and feed product or starting material is provided and means of improving the shelf life and/or quality of such products by using the culturally modified bacterial cells. Such culturally modified cells are useful in the manufacturing of a food and a feed product and for the manufacturing of metabolites produced by modified cells.
US09410110B2

The invention meets the needs above by providing a surfactant system, mixture or blend that can be used as a part of a soaking composition. The surfactant system is capable of forming emulsions with, and thus removing, oily and greasy stains. In a preferred embodiment the surfactant compositions of the invention can remove non-trans fat and fatty acid stains. The invention involves foaming soaking compositions that have some or part of the anionic surfactant present in the same replaced with an extended chain anionic surfactant.
US09410107B2

A grease composition for a rolling bearing for a motor to support a rotor of the motor, containing a pentaerythritol ester base oil with a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 20 to 55 mm2/s; 7 to 13 mass % of a diurea thickener represented by formula (A) where each R group is defined; and a rust inhibitor mixture selected from the group consisting of polyol ester type rust inhibitors and organic sulfonate type rust inhibitors. The grease composition can prevent a peculiar noise from being produced at low temperatures, satisfy the low torque performance over a wide temperature range, extend the bearing lubrication life even under the circumstances of high temperature, and exhibit excellent rust inhibiting effect on varnish.
US09410104B2

The invention provides a lubricating composition containing (a) a polymer derived from greater than 50 wt % or more of a non-diene monomer, wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of about 2000 to about 200,000, and wherein the polymer has a shear stability index of about 0 to about 25; (b) a phosphorus-containing acid, salt, or ester; (c) an extreme pressure agent, other than a phosphorus-containing acid, salt, or ester; and (d) an oil of lubricating viscosity. The invention further provides a method for lubricating a mechanical device with the lubricating composition.
US09410098B2

The present invention relates to a catalytic process for making isooctenes using a reactant comprising isobutanol and water. The isooctenes so produced are useful for the production of fuel additives.
US09410097B2

Methods and systems for gasifier system are provided. The system includes a two-stage particulate separator having a side draw-off connector configured as a first virtual impactor, the first virtual impactor configured to separate a substantially particulate free flow of a reaction product from a particulate laden flow of the reaction product. The two-stage particulate separator also includes a transfer line coupled downstream of said draw-off connector, a second virtual impactor coupled downstream of the transfer line, and a quench chamber coupled downstream from the second virtual impactor, such that the quench chamber is configured to receive at least the particulate laden flow of the reaction product.
US09410095B2

A method of gasification of biomass using a gasification island. The gasification island includes: a biomass pre-treatment and storage unit, a biomass feeder, an external heat source, a gasifier, a crude syngas cooling unit, a crude syngas washing unit, a fresh syngas storage unit, and an ash and wastewater treatment unit. The method includes: pre-treating and storing biomass, gasifying the biomass in the gasifier, cooling a crude syngas, washing and removing dust from the crude syngas, and storing fresh syngas.
US09410087B2

Fire-retardant powder comprising at least 30% by weight of mono ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and/or di-ammonium monohydrogen phosphate, at least 5% by weight of alkaline bicarbonate, at least 3% by weight of silica, and at least 5% by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of: sodium chloride, potassium chloride, potassium bromide, potassium sulfate, magnesium carbonate hydroxide pentahydrate, magnesium chloride hexahydrate, iron(II) sulfate heptahydrate, zinc (II) chloride, and combinations thereof. The invention also relates to building materials preferably comprising natural fibers and comprising at least 5% by weight, and at most 30% of a powder according to the invention.
US09410086B2

There are provided a liquid crystal-polymer composite material including a nematic liquid crystal composition containing at least two types of achiral liquid crystal compounds, at least one type of chiral compound, and a polymer formed by polymerization of at least one type of polymerizable compound; a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal-polymer composite material in which polymerization of a polymerizable compound-containing liquid crystal composition including a nematic liquid crystal composition containing at least two types of achiral liquid crystal compounds, at least one type of chiral compound, and at least one type of polymerizable compound is started for curing in a temperature range in which the polymerizable compound-containing liquid crystal composition exhibits a blue phase III; and a liquid crystal optical element which uses the liquid crystal-polymer composite material.
US09410075B2

Diverting compositions for treating a subterranean zone substantially distanced from a wellbore, comprising: a carrier fluid; and a particulate, partially dehydrated or anhydrous borate source material that does not substantially swell when placed in contact with the carrier fluid. The carrier fluid is capable of carrying and placing the borate source material into a stimulation network substantially distanced from a wellbore, and wherein the borate source material is dissolvable through sufficient contact with an aqueous fluid. The carrier fluid is a water-miscible non-aqueous fluid selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, N,N- dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, 1,4-dioxane, dimethylsulfoxide, tetramethylenesulfone, acetonitrile, hexamethylphosphoramide, 1,3-methyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro- 2(1H)-pyrimidinone, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, and combinations thereof.
US09410056B2

A flame retardant coating is disclosed. The flame retardant coating comprises polyurea elastomer, spray processable graphite, a graphite stabilizer agent, and a flame retardant. A method of manufacturing a flame retardant polyurea elastomer coating is also disclosed. A two part polymerizable system is provided comprising a first part containing isocyanates, and a second part containing polyamines. At least one of the first part and the second part contains a flame retardant, and both of spray processable graphite and a graphite stabilizer agent. The first part and the second part are then mixed to form the flame retardant polyurea elastomer coating.
US09410054B2

The present invention provides a composition for treatment, the composition comprising dispersed in water (i) a fluorinated compound, (ii) a potassium or lithium silicate and (iii) an acrylic polymer. The invention further provides a method of treating substrates with the composition.
US09410048B2

An antifouling film is coated on a base, and contains a binder component, conductive particles, and a fluororesin. The conductive particles are bound together by the binder component; the binder component is closely bound to the base; and the antifouling film has a comprising the conductive particles of which surfaces are covered with the fluororesin.
US09410042B2

The present disclosure relates to a process for obtaining carbon black powder with a sulfur content of less than 0.07%. The process includes step of reacting carbon black powder with a sulfur content of 1-2% with an alkali metal or salt thereof, in a fluid media, at a temperature in the range of 100° C. to 350° C. and pressure in the range of 10 to 500 psig. It is found that in accordance with the process of the present disclosure, the sulfur content was reduced substantially from that of about 1.25% to that of 0.05%, resulting in about 96% desulfurization.
US09410041B1

A method of surface modifying graphene is disclosed and includes placing powder-like graphene into a closed container, heating up to a preset impurity detaching temperature higher than 100° C. so as to detach the impurity from the surface of graphene, further adjusting the treatment temperature to a preset surface modifying temperature, and injecting the gaseous surface modifying agent to be physically adsorbed by the surface of graphene. Thus, surface modified graphene is formed. The surface modifying temperature is higher than the sublimation temperature of the surface modifying agent and less than the decomposition temperature of the surface modifying agent. Therefore, the present invention is simpler and safer because of only physical adsorption used and no chemical reaction involved. Dispersibility of surface modified graphene in the solution is greatly increased to improve uniformity and enhance the performance of the final product formed of surface modified graphene.
US09410036B2

The invention relates to functionalized polymers including homopolymers and copolymers and their uses in industrial applications and in agricultural applications. In particular, the homopolymers and copolymers may be, for example, used in polymer blends, used as nutritives and in feed compositions, and used in combination with a pharmaceutical or nutritive.
US09410030B2

Addition-fragmentation agents of the formula are disclosed having the following functional groups: 1) a labile addition-fragmentation group that can cleave and reform to relieve strain, 2) at least two surface-binding functional groups that associate with the surface of a substrate.
US09410024B2

An azeotrope-like mixture consisting essentially of a binary azeotrope-like mixture consisting essentially of trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (trans-HFO-1233zd) and a second component selected from the group consisting of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (trans-HFO-1234ze), and combinations of these and various uses thereof.
US09410017B2

The present invention relates to a novel polyamic acid introduced with an imidazolyl group in the polymer chain, a photosensitive resin composition including the polyamic acid and that is capable of providing a photosensitive material that satisfies the characteristics of an excellent bending property and low stiffness and also exhibits excellent heat resistance and coating resistance, a dry film obtained from the photosensitive resin composition, and a circuit board including the dry film.
US09410011B2

The invention relates to an isocyanate-containing prepolymer obtainable by reacting at least one isocyanate which comprises methylene diphenyl diisocyanate with at least one first compound selected from the group comprising monohydric alcohols, thiols and secondary amines and with at least one second compound selected from the group comprising monohydric alcohols, thiols and secondary amines.
US09410004B2

A fine polymer particle production method includes producing an emulsion in a liquid prepared by dissolving and mixing a polymer A and a polymer B in organic solvents in which a solution phase composed primarily of the polymer A and a solution phase composed primarily of the polymer B are formed as separate phases, and bringing it into contact with a poor solvent for the polymer A to precipitate the polymer A. This method serves for easy synthesis of fine polymer particles with a narrow particle size distribution and the method can be effectively applied to production of highly heat-resistant polymers that have been difficult to produce with the conventional methods.
US09409997B2

The present invention is generally directed to functionalized graphene substrates, methods of making such substrates and methods of using such substrates. In one aspect, the present invention provides a graphene substrate. The substrate comprises edge and non-edge regions, and organic or inorganic molecules are bound to the edge regions of the substrate. The organic or inorganic molecules are present on the substrate edges at a population greater than about one molecule per 10,000 nm.
US09409996B2

A process is provided for inhibiting symptoms of food allergy or food intolerance in a subject that includes the oral adminstration to the subject suffering from food allergy or food intolerance an IgM. When administered in a therapeutic quantity based on the subject characteristics and the type of IgM, symptoms of food allergy or food intolerance in that subject are inhibited. Even non-secretory forms of IgM are effective when administered orally.
US09409993B2

This invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treatment and/or prevention of pancreatic cancer, comprising as an active ingredient an antibody or a fragment thereof which has immunological reactivity with a CAPRIN-1 protein or a fragment thereof comprising 7 to 12 or more consecutive amino acid residues.
US09409980B1

The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, stable aqueous solutions comprising a high concentration of an antibody that binds to human complement component C5 and methods for preparing the solutions. The disclosure also provides methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders (for example, age-related macular degeneration or rheumatoid arthritis) using the solutions. Also featured are therapeutic kits containing one or more of the solutions and a means for administering the solutions to a patient in need such a treatment.
US09409973B2

Described is a vaccine against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). More specifically, described is a recombinant subunit vaccine comprising the ectodomain of the RSV-encoded Small Hydrophobic (SH) protein. The ectodomain of SH is referred to as SHe. The ectodomain is typically presented as an oligomer, or a pentamer. Further described are antibodies, raised against the ectodomain or specific for the ectodomain, and their use for protecting a subject against RSV infection and/or for treatment of an infected subject.
US09409971B2

Among other aspects, the present invention relates to cell culture conditions for producing high molecular weight vWF, in particular, highly multimeric WF with a high specific activity and ADAMTS13 with a high specific activity. The cell culture conditions of the present invention can include, for example, a cell culture medium with an increased copper concentration and/or cell culture supernatant with a low ammonium (NH4+) concentration. The present invention also provides methods for cultivating cells in the cell culture conditions to express high molecular weight vWF and rA13 having high specific activities.
US09409970B2

The present invention provides nucleic acids encoding B7-related factors that modulate the activation of immune or inflammatory response cells, such as T-cells. Also provided are expression vectors and fusion constructs comprising nucleic acids encoding B7-related polypeptides, including BSL1, BSL2, and BSL3. The present invention further provides isolated B7-related polypeptides, isolated fusion proteins comprising B7-related polypeptides, and antibodies that are specifically reactive with B7-related polypeptides, or portions thereof. In addition, the present invention provides assays utilizing B7-related nucleic acids, polypeptides, or peptides. The present invention further provides compositions of B7-related nucleic acids, polypeptides, fusion proteins, or antibodies that are useful for the immunomodulation of a human or animal subject.
US09409959B2

The present invention provides silk proteins, as well as nucleic acids encoding these proteins. The present invention also provides recombinant cells and/or organisms which synthesize silk proteins. Silk proteins of the invention can be used for a variety of purposes such as in the manufacture of personal care products, plastics, textiles, and biomedical products.
US09409952B2

An object of the present invention is to provide methods of discovering drugs effective for tough targets, which have conventionally been discovered only with difficulty. The present invention relates to novel methods for cyclizing peptide compounds, and novel peptide compounds and libraries comprising the same, to achieve the above object.
US09409950B2

The invention is based, at least in part, on the finding that linker peptides which lack the amino acid sequence GSG reduce or eliminate the addition of posttranslational modifications to the polypeptides which comprise them. More specifically, the novel linker peptides disclosed herein reduce the ability of enzymes to link carbohydrate adducts to polypeptides comprising these linker peptides, e.g., reduce the ability of xylosyltransferase to link xylose to polypeptides. These novel linker peptides, molecules comprising same, and methods of their use are described.
US09409927B2

Compounds having a 1-bora-1-fluoro-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane moiety wherein the fluorine is 18F are described. Also described are reagents for radiolabeling a molecule having Formula I. Method for radiolabeling molecules with the disclosed reagents are also descried, as are radiolabeled molecules prepared thereby.
US09409922B2

The disclosure generally relates to compounds of formula I, including compositions and methods for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The disclosure provides novel inhibitors of HIV, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and methods for using these compounds in the treatment of HIV infection.
US09409915B2

The present invention is directed to substituted aza-bicyclic imidazole derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of disorders and conditions modulated by TRP M8, including for example, inflammatory pain, inflammatory hyperalgesia, inflammatory hypersensitivity condition, neuropathic pain, neuropathic cold allodynia, inflammatory somatic hyperalgesia, inflammatory visceral hyperalgesia, cardiovascular disease aggravated by cold and pulmonary disease aggravated by cold.
US09409912B2

The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of sitagliptin phosphate and sitagliptin phosphate anhydrous of Formula (I′) and monohydrate of Formula (I),
US09409910B2

This disclosure relates to new azepino[4,5-b]indole compounds that may be used to modulate a histamine receptor in an individual. Novel compounds are described, including new 1,2,3,4,5,6-tetrahydroazepino[4,5-b]indoles. Pharmaceutical compositions are also provided.
US09409908B2

The present invention provides compounds of Formula (X):(Formula (X), or stereoisomers, tautomers, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein all the variables are as defined herein. These compounds are selective factor XIa inhibitors or dual inhibitors of FXIa and plasma kallikrein. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods of treating thromboembolic and/or inflammatory disorders using the same.
US09409905B2

The present description relates to compounds and forms and pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods for use thereof to treat or ameliorate bacterial infections caused by wild-type and multi-drug resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens.
US09409892B2

The present invention relates to novel compounds of formula (I), and compositions capable of inhibiting PHD1 enzyme activity selectively over other isoforms, for example, PHD2 and/or PHD3 enzymes. The invention also relates to compounds of formula (I) for use in disorders such as muscle degeneration, colitis, IBD, and certain ischemias.
US09409865B2

Agents for modulating methyl modifying enzymes, compositions and uses thereof are provided herein.
US09409863B2

The present application relates to a process for preparing chloroamines which can be used as precursors for syntheses of fine chemicals and active ingredients from pharmaceuticals and/or agriculture, by reaction of secondary amines of the formula (II) with chlorine gas in the presence of an aqueous alkali metal or alkaline earth metal oxide base.
US09409859B2

Triazene-substituted diphenyl derivatives are suitable as chemotherapeutic agents for treating carcinomas in humans and animals.
US09409852B2

The invention provides a compound of the formula: wherein Ar is selected from the group consisting of aryl, monosubstituted aryl and polysubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, monosubstituted heteroaryl and polysubstituted heteroaryl; Ar′ is selected from the group consisting of aryl, monosubstituted aryl and polysubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, monosubstituted heteroaryl and polysubstituted heteroaryl; R is an alkylene radical having 2-20 carbon atoms; and n=1-20. The compounds of the invention are used with polymer resins to enhance their gas barrier properties.
US09409848B2

Processes for the reduction and/or removal of permanganate reducing compounds (PRC'S) formed by the carbonylation of methanol in the presence of a Group VIII metal carbonylation catalyst to produce acetic acid are disclosed. More specifically, processes for reducing and/or removing PRC's or their precursors from intermediate streams during the formation of acetic acid by said carbonylation processes are disclosed. In particular, processes in which a low boiling overhead vapor stream from a light ends column is subjected to a distillation to obtain an overhead that is subjected to an extraction to selectively remove and/or reduce PRC's from the process is disclosed. The processes include steps of recycling one or more return streams derived from the distillation step and/or the extraction step to a light ends column and/or a drying column in order to improve water control in the overall reaction system.
US09409844B2

The invention relates to a mixture of unsymmetric bisphosphites, to a process for preparation thereof, to the reaction thereof with metals to give mixtures comprising complexes of the bisphosphites and the metal, and to the use thereof as a catalytically active composition in hydroformylation reactions, and also to the hydroformylation reaction itself.
US09409840B2

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a catalyst composition comprising cobalt and molybdenum on a carbon support, characterized in that the cobalt- and molybdenum-source are dissolved in an organic solvent that is miscible with water. Moreover, a carbon supported cobalt molybdenum catalyst composition obtainable by said method and a process for producing alcohols from syngas using said carbon supported cobalt molybdenum catalyst composition is provided.
US09409831B2

The invention relates to a gas generator assembly for an airbag module of a motor vehicle, which is equipped for inflating a gas bag of the airbag module. The gas generator assembly comprises a generator housing, with a gas set arranged in the generator housing, from which a gas can be generated on ignition, an ignition device for igniting the gas bag, a volume compensating element which acts on the gas set under elastic pretension and which is designed as spring element, and a filter for filtering gases generated by means of the gas set, which are released from the generator housing. The volume compensating element is formed of a filter material and is arranged in the generator housing such that gases generated in the generator housing are filtered by the volume compensating element, before they exit from the generator housing.
US09409830B1

A non-toxic primer mix in which DBX-1 (copper(I) 5-nitrotetrazole) acts as the primary explosive portion of the primer. Furthermore, in this mix, boron carbide (B4C) replaces the traditional frictionator/fuel, toxic antimony trisulfide. In addition, potassium nitrate replaces the toxic barium nitrate (BaNO3)2) as the oxidizer, providing an ignition flame from the primer in a pyrotechnic reaction. The non-toxic primer therefore embodies a lead-free, barium-free, antimony-free explosive material that can include added fuels, sensitizers, explosives and/or binders.
US09409827B2

A fertilizer composition is provided that includes boron and sulfur. The fertilizer composition can be a controlled release fertilizer that includes elemental sulfur, an anhydrous boron-containing compound, and a swelling material. The fertilizer composition can be produced by mixing molten elemental sulfur with the anhydrous boron-containing compound and cooling the mixture.
US09409826B2

A porous ceramic honeycomb article includes a primary cordierite phase and an intercrystalline glass phase. In an as-fired condition, the porous ceramic honeycomb article exhibits microcrack parameter Nb3≦0.06 and an as-fired E500° C./E25° C. ratio ≦0.99. The article exhibits a coated microcrack parameter Nb3≦0.14 and a coated E500° C./E25° C. ratio ≦1.06 after the porous ceramic honeycomb article has been washcoated and calcined at a temperature of 550° C. After the article is exposed to a thermal treatment at a temperature ≧800° C. following washcoating and calcining, at least a first portion of the porous ceramic honeycomb article has a first treated microcrack parameter Nb3≧0.18, and a first treated mean coefficient of thermal expansion of not more than 12×10−7/° C. over a temperature range of 25° C. to 800° C. Methods of forming the porous ceramic honeycomb article are also disclosed.
US09409825B2

A mixture of fine powder including thorium oxide was converted to granulated powder by forming a first-green-body and heat treating the first-green-body at a high temperature to strengthen the first-green-body followed by granulation by crushing or milling the heat-treated first-green-body. The granulated powder was achieved by screening through a combination of sieves to achieve the desired granule size distribution. The granulated powder relies on the thermal bonding to maintain its shape and structure. The granulated powder contains no organic binder and can be stored in a radioactive or other extreme environment. The granulated powder was pressed and sintered to form a dense compact with a higher density and more uniform pore size distribution.
US09409823B2

This invention provides a hybrid material that exhibits strength, stiffness and ability to resist high temperatures. This hybrid material essentially consists of component A and component B. Component A is selected from the group consisting of inorganic compounds, oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, and combinations thereof. Component B is selected from the group comprising elemental carbon, inorganic compounds, oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, and combinations thereof. Component B comprises a plurality of units, each of the units substantially exhibiting a shape, such that this shape substantially exhibits a long dimension and a short dimension, with the short dimension being in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the direction of the long dimension and the short dimension being in the range from 0.1 nm to 0.5 μm. Each of the units of component B is substantially in contact with and substantially bonded to at least one of the units of component A.
US09409815B2

Disclosed herein are opaque glass-ceramics comprising at least one nepheline crystal phase and comprising from about 30 mol % to about 65 mol % SiO2, from about 15 mol % to about 40 mol % Al2O3, from about 10 mol % to about 20 mol % (Na2O+K2O), and from about 1 mol % to about 10 mol % (ZnO+MgO). Also disclosed herein are opaque-glass ceramics comprising at least one nepheline crystal phase and at least one spinel-structure phase doped with at least one colorant chosen from transition metals and rare earth elements. Further disclosed herein are methods for making these opaque glass-ceramics.
US09409809B2

A method for manufacturing a glass blank for magnetic disk and a method for manufacturing a glass substrate for magnetic disk are provided which are capable of producing a glass blank for magnetic disk having a good surface waviness by press forming. The method includes a forming process of press-forming a lump of molten glass using a pair of dies, wherein in the forming process, press forming is performed using thermally equalizing means for reducing a difference in temperature in the press forming surface of the die during pressing of the molten glass.
US09409808B2

A bottom machine is provided for a glass processing device to manufacture glass containers from glass tubes. The bottom machine includes one or a plurality of holding units for holding the glass container or glass tube, with the holding units being mounted so as to rotate around an axis of rotation of the bottom machine in order to convey the glass container or glass tube to various processing positions, a pressure source for supplying a gas flow, a duct system communicating with the pressure source for directing the gas flow to the holding units and for feeding the gas flow into the glass tube or into the glass container, with the duct system being designed to be free of gaps.
US09409806B2

A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to support an environmentally-friendly, “green” thermophilic anaerobic digestion system. The system includes a thermophilic anaerobic digester as well as various independent modular anaerobic units to generate bio-methane from certain organic energy sources, including but not limited to, among other things, green municipal waste, restaurant and organic waste and effluents from industries such as breweries, grocery stores, food processing plants, granaries, wineries, pulp and paper mills, ethanol and biodiesel plants, fat and animal rendering, agricultural field crops, organic sludge accumulation within lagoons and waterways, marine organic matter and animal manure.
US09409803B2

The invention relates to methods and systems of improving sludge removal and maintaining effluent quality. The methods include directing an incoming wastewater stream to a treatment facility, the steam having a flow of at least 20,000 gallons per day; the incoming wastewater stream having at least 50 mg/L solids and 100 mg/L BOD; removing solids and BOD from the incoming wastewater stream in the treatment facility to provide a final effluent stream; the final effluent stream having less than 10% of the solids of the wastewater stream and less than 10% of the BOD of the wastewater stream; the removal of solids and BOD yielding less than about 0.25 pounds of secondary sludge per pound of BOD removed.
US09409795B2

A water distribution system having a dual use water treatment unit. The same water treatment unit can be used to treat water supplied from a fill port to a storage tank during a fill operation, as well as water leaving the storage tank for supply to one or more points of water use during a supply operation. When a diverter valve is in a fill position, water supplied to the fill port can flow through the diverter valve and to the water treatment unit for treatment then to the storage tank for storage. When the diverter valve is in a supply position, the water from the storage tank can be delivered using means for pressurizing water to the same treatment unit for treatment, then through the diverter valve and to a point of water use device.
US09409794B2

The present invention relates to a water filter device comprising a filter head with filter head components, a replaceable filter candle with filter candle components, and an encoding structure which is formed between a filter head component and a filter candle component. Said water filter device is distinguished, in a first embodiment, in that an encoding structure is formed with axial orientation on an end face of the filter candle and/or on an element which is associated with such an end face of the filter candle. In a second embodiment, said water filter device is distinguished in that an encoding structure is formed separately from a fixing structure.
US09409793B2

The present invention relates to a novel spin coatable composition comprising (a) metallosilicic acid; (b) at least one compound comprising two or more 4-hydroxyphenyl groups; and, c) a solvent. The component b) can be a 4-hydroxyphenyl compound of structure (I) wherein W is a linking group chosen from the group consisting of an organic linking moiety, a heteroatom containing linking moiety and a direct valence bond, m is a positive integer of 1 and n is a positive integer equal to 1 or and Ri, Rii, Riii and Riv are independently chosen substituents from a group consisting of hydrogen, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C1-C6) alkoxy, (C6-C20) aryl, halides (such as Cl, I, F), hydroxyl, alkylcarbonyl (alkyl-C(═O)—), alkylcarbonyloxy (alkyl-C(═O)—O—), alkyloxycarbonyl (alkyl-O—C(═O)—), alkyloxycarbonyloxy (alkyl-O—C(═O)—O—) and mixtures of these; and a solvent. The present invention further relates to processes using the novel compositions.
US09409782B2

A method of fabricating silicon carbide powder according to the embodiment comprises the steps of preparing a mixture by mixing a silicon source comprising silicon with a carbon source comprising a solid carbon source or an organic carbon compound; reacting the mixture; and controlling the reacting of the mixture, wherein the step of controlling the reacting comprises a step of supplying process gas or reaction product gas.
US09409781B2

The present disclosure relates to a polymer-based large-area carbon nanomesh and a method for preparing same. More particularly, the present disclosure provides a method for preparing a carbon nanomesh, including: preparing a polymer nanofilm by coating a solution of a block copolymer or a polymer mixture thereof on a substrate; stabilizing the polymer nanofilm by annealing such that the polymer nanofilm is phase-separated, a pore-forming polymer is removed and, at the same time, a nanomesh-forming polymer forms a stabilized porous polymer nanomesh; and carbonizing the stabilized porous polymer nanomesh by annealing at high temperature to prepare a carbon nanomesh. Using phase separation and cyclization of a polymer, a large-area carbon nanomesh with superior activity can be prepared simply with high reproducibility in large scale.
US09409760B1

The present invention comprises a dispenser for accessing and removing residual fluid from a container that includes a base portion having a chamber therein for containing the fluid, a piercing member extending from the base portion for piercing the container to access the fluid within, and an aperture in the piercing member whereby the fluid flows through the aperture into the base portion. A fluid outlet in the base portion is provided for removing fluid therefrom.
US09409757B2

Mixing nozzle fitments and beverage devices containing the mixing nozzle fitments are provided. In an embodiment, the mixing nozzle fitment includes a first shaft defining an inlet passage, a second shaft defining a curved outlet passage and attached to the first shaft, and a coupling member attached to the second shaft. The coupling member defines a passage that leads into the curved outlet passage of the second shaft. The mixing nozzle fitment can be used in any suitable beverage dispensing device.
US09409732B2

A sheet-like object transporting device disclosed herein includes a transport plate having suction holes made penetrating therethrough, a fan that sucks in air through the suction holes, a belt that moves along an upper surface of the transport plate, and a controller. Width of the belt corresponds to width of the transport plate. The belt has an open zone whose form corresponds to a sheet-like object. A sheet-like object is loaded on the transport belt so as to close up the open zone. The belt is moved with the sheet-like object attracted onto it by suction. The sheet-like object is stably held onto the transport belt, contacting the peripheries of the open zone without misalignment, and is stably transported without moving out of position or upward. It is possible to transport a sheet-like object attracted onto the belt, while suppressing suction force wasting.
US09409731B2

Head curtains for dock shelters or dock seals are disclosed. An example dock apparatus disclosed herein includes a curtain to be suspended from a support panel and configured to be engaged by the vehicle. The curtain has a plurality of pleats overlapping a plurality of loops such that the plurality of loops is positioned between a vehicle-engaging surface of the curtain and the plurality of pleats.
US09409726B2

An apparatus and method for distributing articles made by series production is configured to deliver articles to selected storage positions in side-by-side rows of adjacent storage positions for stacked articles in a storage compartment. After selection of a storage position, a transport platform movably mounted on a horizontally movable carriage above the rows is driven to a location above the selected storage position with the platform moved between two possible positions for dispensing articles into the respective rows, an article conveyor on the platform is actuated to transport the article off the platform into the underlying storage position, where it is stacked on top of any previously stacked articles, and the platform is driven back to a start position to receive the next article. The procedure is repeated to distribute subsequent articles to selected storage positions in the storage area.
US09409715B2

A conveyor comprises two helical conveying tracks and a bridging track which connects the two helical conveying tracks to each other such that products can be transported upwardly via one helical conveying track, then via the bridging track to the other helical conveying track and subsequently downwardly via the other helical conveying track. The conveyor is provided with a driveable endless conveyor belt which follows at least one of the helical conveying tracks, at least a part of the bridging track and a return track. The return track at the one helical conveying track has a vertically oriented portion and a horizontally oriented portion. The horizontally oriented portion is disposed below the bridging track and extends beyond the vertically oriented portion with respect to the center line of the one helical conveying track.
US09409706B2

A container (10a) comprising a metal frame (164) for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse has a base (166) and opposed sides, L-shaped tracks (60), and a plurality of padded dunnage supports (94) extending between the tracks (60). One type of padded dunnage support (94) comprises end members (98) and a tubular middle member (102), the end members (98) being movable along the tracks (60). The padded dunnage supports (94) support dunnage (136), such as pouches (138).
US09409705B2

A system and method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product includes at least one disposable capsule; an apparatus comprising a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid to the at least one capsule, a receptacle for accommodating the at least one capsule, and an outlet arrangement for supplying the beverage to a container, such as a cup. The at least one disposable capsule comprises a material barrier for enclosing an inner space comprising the extractable product. The disposable capsule further comprises a displaceable body conceived to interact with the material barrier for discontinuing at least an exit area thereof for enabling passage of the at least a portion of the beverage away from the capsule.
US09409703B2

A portion capsule for producing a beverage has a capsule body with a capsule base and a filling side. A cavity for accommodating a pulverulent or liquid beverage base is formed between the capsule base and the filling side, and a filter element is arranged between the beverage base and the capsule base The filter element includes an open-pore felt and/or nonwoven. The felt and/or the nonwoven have/has an average first pore size in a first region which faces the beverage base and an average second pore size in a second region which faces the capsule base, wherein the first pore size is smaller than the second pore size.
US09409696B2

Provided is a multi-chamber container for dispensing flowable substances, comprising: a body having: a first storage chamber for storing a first flowable substance, a second storage chamber for storing a second flowable substance, a mixing chamber, a first inlet that fluidly connects the first storage chamber with a first portion of the mixing chamber, and a second inlet that fluidly connects the second storage chamber with a second portion of the mixing chamber; and a closure having a divider, wherein the closure is movable relative to the body between: (a) a first position, at which the divider isolates the first portion of the mixing chamber from the second portion of the mixing chamber and the closure is spaced from the first and second inlets, and (b) a second position, at which the first portion of the mixing chamber is in fluid communication with the second portion of the mixing chamber.
US09409688B2

A tray system for display, storage and transportation of bottles includes a first tray having a plurality of stacking units. Each stacking unit can include a lower receptacle for receiving a neck portion of a first bottle. Each stacking unit can also include an upper receptacle for receiving a base portion of a second bottle to be stacked vertically above a first bottle. The lower receptacle can include a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a sidewall connecting the first end with the second end. The first end forms an opening for receiving a neck of the first bottle into the lower receptacle. The lower receptacle further includes a protective element. The protective element can be attached to the lower receptacle to provide a protective guard between the lower receptacle and a shoulder portion of the first bottle received in the lower receptacle.
US09409686B2

A product includes a container having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a lip between the interior and exterior surfaces, and a wick having a first end disposed inside the container, a second end disposed outside of the container, and an intermediate portion extending across the lip of the container. A package may include the product, a liquid product carried within the container, and a closure coupled to the container to squeeze the wick to interrupt flow of the liquid product therethrough.
US09409685B2

The cup for making tea on the go is a cup and a pack comprising a lid, a refillable teabag, tab for lifting out the bag and an attachment system, that may be secured to the lid or be incorporated in the string, said attachment preventing the bag from falling into the beverage once the tea has been prepared and having a negative effect on the taste and properties thereof, and said pack may also include a spoon and a serving of sugar. The whole pack is provided in a sealed bag that guarantees hygiene and preserves the properties of the tea, so that it does not go stale. The main advantage of said cup is that it also serves as a teapot, so that there is no need to wait in the establishment that supplies the tea, waiting for the beverage to be prepared.
US09409683B2

A container includes a tray having an outwardly extending tray flange and a rib projecting upwardly from at least a portion of the tray flange to at least partially define an open top and a cover terminating in an outwardly extending cover flange with a skirt projecting upwardly from the cover flange. When the cover is mounted to the tray to close an open top of the tray, a portion of the skirt lies on top of the rib, and an amount of the skirt that is pinchable is insufficient to apply the force required to overcome a peripheral seal between the cover and the tray to separate the cover from the tray.
US09409673B2

A pallet includes a cargo layer, a base layer and support structures coupled between. The cargo layer includes a pair of horizontally positioned outer deck boards and at least one horizontally positioned intermediate deck board therebetween. The at least one horizontally positioned intermediate deck board has opposing sidewalls, and a spaced apart openings at least partially extending through the opposing sidewalls. The pair of horizontally positioned outer deck boards have opposing sidewalls, and spaced apart openings extending through at least one of the sidewalls of each outer deck board. The spaced apart openings in each horizontally positioned outer deck board are aligned with the spaced apart openings in an adjacent sidewall of least one horizontally positioned intermediate deck board. Inserts are in the spaced apart openings.
US09409668B1

A method of attaching an adhesive backed label onto a moving cable, the method comprising attaching the label on the cable, wherein the attached label includes different length facing edges; maintaining different length facing edges of the label beyond crest of diameter of the cable, wherein the label substantially forms a U shape; pinching the different length facing edges of the label together; and pressing the pinched label to the moving cable.
US09409663B2

A product dispensing system includes a hopper, a housing defining an outlet lumen in communication with the hopper, an exit port, a valve, and a piston. The valve is transitionable between a closed position, wherein the exit port is closed off from the outlet lumen, and an open position, establishing communication between the outlet lumen and the exit port. The piston is movable from a first use position, wherein the piston partially occupies the outlet lumen, to a storage position, wherein the piston fully occupies the outlet lumen to urge any product mixture in the outlet lumen back into the hopper. The piston may further be movable between the first use position and a second use position to draw the product mixture from the hopper into the outlet lumen and to urge the product mixture out of the exit port.
US09409658B1

A method is provided for processing extraterrestrial metal into a metal foam or gossamer structure in space, and delivering the metal foam or gossamer structure intact to the Earth's surface. Additionally, a structure is provided that is formed in space and consists essentially of an extraterrestrial metal.
US09409656B2

An aerial photographing system, comprising a flying vehicle being remotely controlled, a camera (7, 8) tiltably supported in any direction via a gimbal (25), a retro-reflector (9) tilting integrally with the camera, being set in a known relation with the camera and used as an object to be measured, and a total station (3) for tracking the retro-reflector and for measuring position of the retro-reflector.
US09409653B2

An aircraft auxiliary power and thrust unit includes at least one blade mounted to a fan shaft which are mounted to a tail cone of the aircraft and rotatable relative to the tail cone. Also included is an air intake assembly which includes an opening defined by the tail cone and a channel in fluid communication with the opening and the at least one blade. A first drive shaft positioned to extend in a direction transverse to the fan shaft and engageable to rotate with the fan shaft and first drive shaft engaged and the first drive shaft engageable to a second drive shaft positioned transverse to the first drive shaft such that the second drive shaft rotates with the first drive shaft with the first and second drive shafts engaged. The second drive shaft is positioned outside of the channel of the air intake.
US09409650B2

An aircraft nacelle includes: a thrust reverse device having movable cowls, and a supporting structure to support the thrust reverser device. The supporting structure includes: a base body extending along a longitudinal direction of the nacelle and made from a composite material, and a wall of the base body forming an unclosed cross section having an open portion to provide access to an inner surface of the supporting structure from outside, and a plurality of reinforcements which is made from a composite material, and attached on the inner surface along the longitudinal direction. In particular, the reinforcements are integrated in the inner surface of the supporting structure.
US09409646B2

Embodiments described herein may relate to systems and methods for navigating to an emergency situation. An alert device may be controlled to issue alerts to draw the attention of bystanders to associated supplies for a situation. An illustrative method involves (a) receiving, by a computing system, a transmission indicating a situation at a designated location; (b) the computing system determining an approximate target area associated with the designated location; (c) the computing system making a determination that an alert device is located within the approximate target area; and (d) in response to the determination that the alert device is located within the approximate target area, the computing system executing instructions to activate at least one alert on the alert device indicating the situation and the designated location of the situation.
US09409637B1

An enhanced system and various methods for remotely deploying boat fenders from a safe and convenient location. The fenders, which are placed along the entire periphery of the boat, may be deployed and retracted with lines attached to winches and motors. A smart phone app may be employed to remind users to deploy fenders upon entering known ports, and may also deploy the fenders automatically.
US09409635B2

A tow bar holder for securing a tow bar to a boat having an outboard engine has two separate securing elements secured to the stern of the boat. The securing elements each have a fixing element for securing to an engine plate, and a receiving element. The feet of the tow bar can be plugged into a receiving space of the receiving element. In this case, the internal dimensions of the receiving space are larger than the external dimensions of the feet of the tow bar, such that the tow bar is tiltable and/or is fixable in various positions in the receiving space.
US09409632B2

The invention relates to a cabin (70) for a floating installation, in particular for a ship (60), having a room unit (1) which is bounded at least by a ceiling (10) and walls (20), and lines (30) which supply the room unit (1), in particular with air, water, data, power, illumination, etc. Provision is made according to the invention for the lines (30) to extend in the room unit (1) in such a way that the lines (30) simultaneously act as reinforcing means for the room unit (1).
US09409626B2

A floating unit comprising: a hull having a recess in which a deployable wall is mounted, the wall being movable between a first and a second position; wherein in the first position the wall is enclosed within the hull in the recess; and in the second position the wall at least partly protrudes from the hull, thereby defining a partly enclosed space; and wherein the floating unit further comprises means for supplying air bubbles to the partly enclosed space, the partly enclosed space being configured to constitute an underwater air pocket filled with air bubbles upon supplying the air bubbles from the means for supplying the air bubbles when the floating unit floats in the water with the wall in the second position.
US09409623B1

A bicycle pedal structure capable of triggering auxiliary power includes a base, sleeve unit, crank shaft, pedal cranks and treading force sensing unit. The sleeve unit has first and second sleeves disposed in two openings of the base. The crank shaft is fitted in the first and second sleeves and thus rotatably disposed in the base. The pedal cranks are coupled to two ends of the crank shaft, extend in opposite directions, are substantially perpendicular to the crank shaft, and each have a pedal for rotating the crank shaft under a treading force. The treading force sensing unit has piezoelectric plates disposed on at least the first and second sleeves and above the crank shaft. The bicycle pedal structure is mounted on a bicycle chassis and connected to a driving-controlling system to trigger the driving-controlling system to generate and supply digit modularized auxiliary power to the bicycle pedal structure.
US09409622B2

A method for energy management in an electrically assisted vehicle includes the steps of determining the quantity of total energy required for a journey and allocating a quantity of electrical energy to the journey and deducing the quantity of human energy required for the journey on the basic thereof, or allocating a quantity of human energy to the journey and deducing the quantity of electrical energy required for the journey on the basis thereof.
US09409619B2

A tensioning device for bicycle front and rear wheel assemblies. A skewer assembly with a thumbnut is securable to the wheel assembly with a quick-release assembly. Portions of the skewer assembly are removable from the quick-release assembly by turning the thumbnut a partial turn, such as a quarter of a turn. Removal of the skewer assembly allows the front wheel to be removed. In another embodiment, the skewer assembly is able to be removed by turning the quick-release assembly by a partial turn, such as a quarter of a turn.
US09409616B2

A children's ride-on vehicle with a self-straightening mechanism/feature directed to self-correct or self-straighten the steering of the vehicle as it crosses varying types and conditions of terrain. The vehicle includes a main body, a front shaft connector to connect at least one wheel to the main body, a rear shaft connector to connect at least one rear wheel to the main body; and providing a spring piece to resiliently bias at least one of said front and rear shaft connector into a specified position.
US09409598B2

A universal replaceable cartridge for coupling together members of a linkage assembly. The cartridge includes a generally cylindrical body having first and second ends and first and second surfaces. A first threaded portion is formed on the first surface of the cylindrical body adjacent the first end and a second threaded portion is formed on the second surface of the cylindrical body adjacent the second end. The threaded portions allow the cartridge to be threadedly attached to first and second members of the linkage assembly.
US09409597B2

The present disclosure is related to a system to control switching between a two wheel steer mode and a four wheel steer mode. The system may have a sensor device that monitors an operational value indicative of vehicle speed and emits an operational signal corresponding to the operational value. A controller is provided in the system, which receives the operational signal and selects between the two wheel steer mode and the four wheel steer mode based on the operational signal.
US09409591B2

A steering device which slides when an impulse load is applied. A steering device includes an inner column having a cylindrical shape, an outer column into which at least a part of the inner column is inserted, a column bracket tightening the outer column, a pressed portion provided on the outer periphery of the inner column, a first tightening mechanism tightening the outer column in response to a rotation of a manipulation lever, a second tightening mechanism biasing a lock member to the pressed portion in a tilt direction in response to the rotation of the manipulation lever, and a separation mechanism. The separation mechanism causes the inner column detachable by changing a relative position between the inner column and the pressing bracket, when the impulse load is applied in a state where the first tightening mechanism and the second tightening mechanism are in work.
US09409587B1

The 3 in 1 ladder, dolly, and seating system is a portable, device that can function as a set of stairs, a ladder, a seating area, and a cargo dolly. It is a four wheeled dolly, or a two-handle hand truck with two wheels in front, and can extend to become a ladder or various types of stairs, including steps for sitting. It is constructed from durable aluminum, or another appropriate material. The device can convert into a set of stairs with removable guardrails, or a smaller set of stairs that can be used as seating with foldable backrests. It can be manufactured with an umbrella holder and an optional canopy tent.
US09409577B2

A method and an apparatus for controlling torque intervention of a hybrid electric vehicle are provided that determine a final engine torque and a final motor torque considering efficiency of a hybrid system. The method includes calculating a demand torque of a driver, determining receipt of a signal of the torque intervention, and calculating the demand torque of the driver on which an intervention torque is reflected. In addition, the method includes calculating first operating points of the engine and the motor considering an efficiency of the hybrid system according to the demand torque of the driver on which the intervention torque is reflected, calculating a final engine torque and a final motor torque according to each of the first operating points of the engine and the motor, and adjusting a torque reduction using the final engine torque and the final motor torque.
US09409571B2

A method supports a vehicle's traffic-light-sequence assistant system that detects traffic light sequences of a traffic light (11) with a camera (1). According to the method, when the traffic light (11) is detected in the field of view (1a ) of the camera (1), a length or an end stopping point (L) of a driving path (W) toward the traffic light (11) is determined by a control unit (3), such that the traffic light will remain within view of the camera when the vehicle drives the determined length along the driving path to the end stopping point, and a control signal (St) concerning the determined length (L) or the end stopping point of the driving path (W) is outputted.
US09409570B2

A method and apparatus to predict the most probable path of a vehicle along a roadway which may contain a junction splitting the roadway into a rootpath and one or more sub-paths, each containing one or more lanes. The method and apparatus also process vehicle sensor information pertaining to driver corrections, road boundary detection, lane marker detection, map information availability, and road surface quality at the current position of the vehicle as well as from previous passes of the vehicle past the same location and other vehicles passing the same location to provide a warning to the driver to retake control of the vehicle if information used by the automatic vehicle control will become unavailable a predetermined travel distance ahead of the current position of the vehicle.
US09409565B2

The present invention relates to a control system for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine (121) and first (123C) and second (123B) electric machines operable as propulsion motors. The second electric machine is arranged to be drivably coupled to the engine, the engine being arranged to be drivably coupled to a driveline of the vehicle by clutch means (122). The system is operable to control the vehicle to operate in one selected from amongst: an engine-driven mode in which the clutch means is closed and the engine applies torque to the driveline of the vehicle; an electric vehicle (EV) mode in which the clutch means is open and the first electric machine applies torque to the driveline; and an EV boost mode in which the clutch means is closed and both the first and second electric machines apply torque to the driveline, the engine being motored by the second electric machine, the mode in which the vehicle is operated being selected by the system in dependence on the value of one or more vehicle parameters.
US09409561B2

A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle powertrain, where the powertrain includes a motor and an engine, includes providing a first motor torque in response to an engine start request. The first motor torque cranks the engine through a first compression event. The method additionally includes providing a second motor torque in response to the engine being cranked through the first compression event. The second motor torque is less than the first motor torque.
US09409559B2

A braking system for a vehicle is operative to apply a friction brake force to at least one wheel of the vehicle. The braking system includes a master cylinder is in fluid communication with a reservoir of brake fluid and in fluid communication with the hydraulic brake device. According to one aspect, the braking system includes an electric brake force generator which moves the brake fluid within the master cylinder to deliver brake fluid to the friction brake device in response to a first predetermined displacement of a brake pedal. The electric brake force generator includes a housing defining a boost chamber filled with brake fluid and in fluid communication with the reservoir of brake fluid and further includes a drive arrangement for creating pressure in the boost chamber. In accordance with another aspect, the braking system includes a mechanical brake force generator is disposed between a brake pedal and a primary piston of the master cylinder which is operative to actuate the master cylinder in response to a predetermined displacement of the brake pedal.
US09409554B2

The invention relates to a method for improving the driving stability of a motor vehicle in which driver-independent braking interventions are triggered if a critical driving situation is to be expected on the basis of route information and instantaneous position data of the motor vehicle, and to a corresponding system. According to the invention, the driver predefines, via a human/machine interface, information about the maximum coefficient of friction to be utilized, which is used as the basis for the prediction of a critical driving situation.
US09409552B2

An electronic park brake module for use with a vehicle is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the electronic park brake module includes, but is not limited to, a processor and an electronic memory unit. The processor and the electronic memory unit are configured to cooperate to determine when a user has made a request for dynamic electronic park braking, to determine whether the user has a first intent or a second intent when requesting dynamic electronic park braking, to send a first command causing a first amount of braking force to be applied when the first intent has been determined, and to send a second command causing a second amount of braking force to be applied when the second intent has been determined.
US09409550B2

The present invention relates to a vehicle window spraying nozzle arrangement comprising a first feeder arranged for feeding window fluid and a nozzle head for dispensing window fluid towards a window when mounted. The nozzle head being arranged to be mounted to a vehicle body part with a first main surface facing towards the vehicle exterior and a second main surface facing towards the vehicle interior. The nozzle head is arranged to be connected to the first feeder. The assembled first feeder and the nozzle head are comprised in a spraying nozzle chain assembly which is arranged for mounting in a vehicle body part aperture in the vehicle body part from the second main surface towards the first main surface. The vehicle window spraying nozzle arrangement furthermore comprises a cover part arranged for mounting to said vehicle body part aperture from the first main surface towards the second main surface.
US09409549B2

At least one datum is received relating to a condition of a window in the vehicle. A determination is made to change a parameter based on the at least one datum, the parameter governing clearing the window. An instruction is provided to initiate or change operation of a vehicle component based on the change of the parameter.
US09409546B2

A device for retracting a seatbelt, having a shaft and main drive spring which prestresses the shaft in a retracting direction of the seatbelt, and a locking wheel rotatably arranged relative to the shaft, and a blocking device with a locking lever for blocking a rotational movement of the locking wheel in the retracting direction, and a compensating spring arranged such that when the locking wheel is blocked, said compensating spring transmits to the shaft a prestressing force counteracting the prestressing force of the main drive spring. The blocking device has a switching lever for activating the locking lever, the switching lever being arranged pivotably about an axis which is parallel to the axis of the shaft, and has a first engagement element and a second engagement element which is guided on a positive cam of a control disk which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the shaft.
US09409545B2

A belt retractor (10) for a vehicle seat belt includes a frame (12) provided with plural blocking teeth (22), a belt reel (14) which is rotatably supported in the frame (12) and includes a blocking tooth system (24), and a control mechanism by which the belt reel (14) can be moved from a home position in which it can freely rotate in the frame (12) into a blocking position in which its blocking tooth system (24) engages in the blocking teeth (22) of the frame. The control mechanism includes a locking lever (80) adjustable between a release position and a locked position in which it locks rotation of the belt reel (14) relative to the control mechanism so that the belt reel (14) can be moved into the blocking position by a tensile force acting in the webbing.
US09409538B2

An integrated airbag and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) assembly includes an airbag module and an HVAC unit. The airbag module includes an airbag housing and an inflatable bladder at least partially disposed in the airbag housing. The inflatable bladder is movable relative to the airbag housing between a stowed position and a deployed position. The HVAC unit includes an HVAC housing. The HVAC housing supports the airbag housing.
US09409532B2

A resilient seal for mobile living quarters around a slide out room that includes a pair of mounting portions extending along the inside and outside surfaces of the main living area wall at an aperture through which the slide out room moves and further includes a connecting member extending between the attaching members and along the edge of the wall defining the aperture. The seal includes a flexible protrusion that can conform to an irregular surface or for accommodating walls of different thicknesses. A wiper seal extends from the connecting member to flex against the walls of the slide out room.
US09409531B1

A vehicle interior panel includes an adjustable locator. The adjustable locator is operable to move a panel body after the panel body is mounted to a vehicle body and enables alignment of an aesthetic feature line with a complimentary feature line of an adjacent vehicle interior panel. A post of the adjustable locator can engage a receiver of the vehicle body at a fixed location while a working surface of the adjustable locator exerts a force on a reaction surface of the panel body to move the panel body. The adjustable locator can include gear teeth, a cam surface, ratcheting features, an adjustment rotor, or any combination thereof.
US09409520B1

An automotive running board includes a base, a cover sheet, and a non-slip bar. The base is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle's lateral side and includes a top provided with at least one groove. The cover sheet is mounted on the top of the base and provided with a plurality of through-holes and a plurality of mounting holes. A plurality of support pillars is designed on a lower surface of the non-slip bar and correspondingly penetrates the through-holes of the cover sheet and resists the top of the base. A plurality of joint pillars is designed on the lower surface of the non-slip bar and correspondingly penetrates the mounting holes of the cover sheet, so that the non-slip bar securely joins the cover sheet. The running board featuring simple structure and reduced costs is easily assembled for better supportability and lowered yield loss rate.
US09409517B2

A vehicle that performs a lane departure warning or lane keeping assistance by reflecting a driver's stress index to more effectively guarantee safe driving, and a method of controlling the same are provided. The vehicle includes a biological signal detecting unit configured to detect a biological signal of a driver and a lane detecting unit configured to detect a lane within which a vehicle is running. A controller is configured to calculate a stress index of the driver based on the detected biological signal of the driver, determine a lane access degree of the vehicle based on the detected lane, and execute a warning output to the driver based on the calculated stress index and the determined lane access degree of the vehicle.
US09409514B2

A lighting device is provided that includes: a light emitting section that has a light emitting element and a switch for controlling a lighting state of the light emitting element; a housing that stores the light emitting section and has one end section which is open; a translucent cover that covers the opening of the housing; and a frame that is provided between the housing and the cover. The frame includes an edge section that presents a frame shape and a holding section having one end provided in the edge section and the other end protruding from the edge section. The holding section holds an operation section operating the switch and is exposed from the cover.
US09409511B2

A method for controlling at least one headlight of a vehicle, in which the at least one headlight has first and second emission characteristics for illuminating the surroundings of the vehicle. The reading in of a first brightness signal initially occurs. In this case, the first brightness signal represents a first brightness, which is assigned to the first emission characteristic, of the surroundings of the vehicle. Subsequently, the receiving of a second brightness signal occurs. The second brightness signal represents a second brightness, which is assigned to the second emission characteristic, of the surroundings of the vehicle. In a further task, a brightness deviation is ascertained between the first and the second brightnesses by using the first and the second brightness signals. Finally, the setting of a debouncing time occurs for changing from the first emission characteristic to the second emission characteristic as a function of the brightness deviation.
US09409510B1

An automatic tractor/trailer tracking system (ATTS) that functions in combination with a power connector and an electronic circuit. The power connector has a hinged cover which can be positioned in either a closed vertical position or in an open horizontal position. The electronic circuit interfaces with the hinged cover such that when the cover is placed in an open position the attached electronic circuit is enabled. The enabled electronic circuit produces asset a set of trailer status signals that are sent by a wireless means to a remote receiver where the signals are reviewed.
US09409505B2

The present disclosure described a vehicle seat that includes a seat part with an elastic seat padding, a backrest part with an elastic backrest padding, and a seat cover for the seat part and a seat cover for the backrest part. The elastic seat padding has a primary seat padding part and at least one secondary seat padding part. The elastic backrest padding has a primary backrest padding part and at least one secondary backrest padding part. The secondary seat padding and the secondary backrest padding part are softer than the primary seat padding and the primary backrest padding part, respectively.
US09409504B2

A vehicle seat suspension system includes first and second side supports defining a seatback structure. An upper component and a lower component are provided, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members. A passenger support includes a periphery operably coupled to distal ends of the flex members. An external peripheral gap is defined between the passenger support and the seatback structure.
US09409495B2

An inverter attachment unit including an inverter is attached to a vehicle body. In addition, an auxiliary battery attachment unit including an auxiliary battery is attached to the vehicle body so that the auxiliary battery attachment unit may be adjacent to the inverter attachment unit. When the auxiliary battery attachment unit is attached to the vehicle body, attachment portions by which the inverter attachment unit is attached to the vehicle body are covered with the auxiliary battery attachment unit.
US09409490B2

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for wireless power transfer and particularly wireless power transfer to remote systems such as electric vehicles. In one aspect, a wireless power receiver includes a first inductive element configured to receive wireless charging power from a transmitter. The wireless power receiver further includes a second inductive element, laterally separated from the first, configured to receive wireless charging power from the transmitter. The wireless power receiver further includes a position detector configured to determine a lateral position of the receiver relative to the transmitter based on characteristics of the first and second inductive elements.
US09409489B2

A magnetic connector apparatus that charges an electric vehicle through contactless magnetic coupling. The magnetic connector apparatus includes an external charger, an inlet, and a magnetic connector. The inlet is connected to a rechargeable battery of the vehicle. The magnetic connector is connected to a power source of the external charger and is transferred to the vehicle to be inserted into the inlet.
US09409486B2

A control method of electric vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a battery supplying electricity, a motor receiving electricity from the battery and generating power, and a controller controlling the battery and the motor, wherein the controller executes instructions for: detecting a torque command, a motor speed, and a motor current; calculating a motor voltage from the motor current; determining whether voltage utilization according to a speed range of the motor is higher than a predetermined value; generating an operating point correcting function according to the motor speed when the voltage utilization is not higher than the predetermined value; calculating a current command according to the motor speed from the operating point correcting function; and outputting the calculated current command.
US09409485B2

An apparatus for alleviating a voltage drop of a battery cell includes a battery having a plurality of battery cells, a sensor configured to sense the battery to generate sensing information, a calculator configured to calculate an allowable torque of a motor using the sensing information and calculate an expected voltage of the battery using the allowable torque and the sensing information, and a determinator configured to control a torque quantity of the motor using the expected voltage and a reference voltage.
US09409481B2

An apparatus and a method for displaying a cluster are provided. The apparatus includes a driving sensor that senses a driving state of a mobile object and a display unit that converts a method of displaying a cluster indisposed within the mobile object. A controller is configured illuminate a scale and a pointer that indicates the scale based on the sensed driving state of the mobile object. In addition, the controller detects a current driving state of the mobile object in real time to generate a control signal with respect to the display method including a brightness degree, a brightness region, and a color of the scale.
US09409477B2

A transmission system for an electric vehicle includes a gearbox which produces different rotation ratio between a drive motor and drive wheels during running of the electric vehicle, a differential which serves to absorb a power of the gearbox to overcome rotation speed difference between the drive wheels, and two wheel axles which are used to deliver the power to the drive wheels from the differential, the gearbox has a housing which is connected to a vehicle frame of the electric vehicle via a universal coupling. When the electric vehicle runs on a bumpy road and makes a turn, the vehicle frame is able to swing up and down and pivot left and right with respect to the gearbox housing, so as to reduce the bounce of the vehicle and dampen the centrifugal force caused tilt or roll of the vehicle, thus improving driving comfort and stability.
US09409471B2

A vehicle, in particular, a military vehicle, includes a self-supporting vehicle body (2) and a drive assembly (3) for driving the vehicle. The drive assembly (3) is connected to the vehicle body (2) via an assembly support (6, 7), the assembly support (6, 7) forming a part of the support structure of the vehicle body (2). In a method for mounting a drive assembly (3) in a vehicle (2) that has a self-supporting vehicle body (2), the drive assembly (3) is connected to the vehicle body (2) via an assembly support (6, 7) and the assembly support (6, 7) forms a part of the support structure of the vehicle body (2) in the mounted state.
US09409468B2

A vehicle liftgate includes a die-cast inner panel. The inner panel includes an upper section and a lower section. The lower section defines a rim, pair of taillight cans, and pair of first bridge members. The rim is disposed about a periphery of the lower section. The rim has a generally “U” shaped cross-section that protrudes in a fore direction from a fore face of the lower section to define a trough in an aft face of the lower section. Each taillight can has an inner portion and an outer portion separated by the trough. Each inner and outer portion has a side wall and a back wall. The side walls offset the back walls in the fore direction from the aft face. Each first bridge member spans the trough between a respective set of the inner and outer portions of each taillight can.
US09409457B2

An independent suspension of a wheel of a two-track vehicle includes a trailing arm, one of the end portions of which is hinged to a vehicle body of the vehicle and the other end portion of which supports a wheel carrier. A scissor-type arm is hinged to the trailing arm and guides the trailing arm relative to the vehicle body. A spring element supports the trailing arm relative to the vehicle body. The spring element is arranged on the trailing arm in the region of the hinge point of the scissor-type arm to the trailing arm when seen in the direction of the vehicle longitudinal axis.
US09409456B1

Tire chain apparatus includes chains having a first set of links disposed parallel to the tread and a second set of links projecting outwardly away from the tread, with at least some of the second set of links in tread grooves. Rigid cross member road engaging structures extend across the tread through the chains and have outwardly projecting road engaging protrusions.
US09409450B2

A tire inflation system and a method of control. An inflation pressure of a tire may be checked when a tire pressure sampling interval has elapsed. The tire pressure sampling interval may be adjusted based on a type of pressure drop when the inflation pressure is less than a target tire pressure.
US09409449B2

A spindle assembly for a tire inflation system having a spindle defining an axial direction and a fluid conduit. A rotatable part is rotatably mounted on the spindle and has a fluid passage. The fluid passage is configured to be in fluid communication with a pneumatic tire. A dynamic annular seal chamber is also provided. The annular seal chamber is disposed radially between the spindle and the rotatable part. The fluid conduit and the fluid passage are in fluid communication with each other through the annular seal chamber. The annular seal chamber is disposed axially between a first volume and a second volume. The first volume and the second volume are in fluid communication with each other through at least one fluid channel for leading fluid leaked out of the annular seal chamber and leaked into the first volume and/or into the second volume through the fluid channel.
US09409445B2

A heavy duty pneumatic tire includes main grooves that extend in the tire circumferential direction. A siped block is provided with at least one sipe to circumferentially subdivide the block into at least two block pieces that include at least one holed block piece provided with at least one small hole. Each small hole extends radially inwardly from the ground contacting surface of the holed block piece to its bottom at a depth in a range of from 30 to 100% of a depth of the main grooves. Each small hole has a round cross-sectional shape to have a maximum radius in a range of from 0.6 to 2.0 mm at the opening of the small hole in the ground contacting top surface. The total opening area of the at least one small hole is 2 to 12% of the overall area of the ground contacting top surface.
US09409440B2

A wheel for straddle vehicle includes a hub, a rim, a plurality of first spokes, a plurality of second spokes, spoke side hollow portions, and first opening portions. Each of the plurality of second spokes is provided between adjacent two first spokes among the plurality of first spokes to be a pair with a closest first spoke between the adjacent two first spokes. The pair has opposite surfaces facing to each other. The spoke side hollow portions are provided inside the plurality of first spokes and second spokes, respectively. The first opening portions are provided on the opposite surfaces, respectively. Each of the first opening portions communicates with each of the spoke side hollow portions.
US09409439B2

A three dimensional visual element includes a decal or other device to simulate a crack or break within the wall on which the visual elements is mounted. The visual element also includes a functional feature, such as a light, shelf support, or electronic device. A three dimensional representation of a soccer ball is provided wherein the soccer ball is surrounded by a clear plastic decal having a cracking so as to represent cracks within the wall on which the device is mounted. Within the shell of the soccer ball, are lighting elements which allow the device to be used as a nightlight.
US09409438B2

A writing instrument (1) is provided with an erasing member (2) mounted to the rear end section of the writing instrument body (3) or to the front end section of a cap (4). The end section has a fitting section (14) which is disposed on the center axis and a connection section (15) which connects the end section and the fitting section (14). The erasing member (2) has a fitting hole (2c) which receives both the fitting section (14) and the connection section (15). When the erasing member (2) is mounted in position, a gap space (17) is formed around the connection section (15).
US09409434B2

The invention relates to a security feature with a luminescent pigment which has a host lattice doped with a luminophore and which is optically excitable to emit luminescent light. The luminescent light of the luminescent pigment has a luminescence spectrum with a first luminescence peak and a second luminescence peak whose peak intensities respectively depend on an amount fraction x of the luminophore in the luminescent pigment. In the luminescent pigment according to the invention, the host lattice and the luminophore and the amount fraction x of the luminophore are chosen such that even a slight increase or reduction of the amount fraction x of the luminophore causes a strong relative change of the peak intensities IA and IB. This increases the forgery-proofness of the luminescent pigment according to the invention.
US09409422B2

There is provided an ink-jet recording apparatus including: a transporting roller; a driven roller provided opposite the transporting roller to sandwich the recording medium between the driven roller and the transporting roller, while moving in an approaching-departing direction based on a thickness of the recording medium; a first biasing member biasing the driven roller to the transporting roller; a platen; a recording portion configured to jet ink droplets from nozzles; and a cooperative portion moving along with the movement of the driven roller in the approaching-departing direction to move the platen.
US09409412B2

A process for the manufacturing of surface elements is provided herein. The surface elements can include a decorative upper layer and a supporting core. A supporting core with a desired format can be manufactured by press molding and provided with an upper side and a lower side. The upper side of the supporting core can be provided with a structure by a momentary pressing operation using a surface structured matrix. A ground coating can be provided on the structured upper side of the supporting core. A digitally printed decor comprising inks of at least four colors can be applied directly on top of the ground coating by an ink-jet type printer. The structure of the supporting core can enhance the realism of the decor, wherein the decor can be selected from the group consisting of woods and minerals.
US09409410B2

An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a head tank, a main tank, and a controller. The recording head includes nozzles to discharge liquid droplets. The head tank includes a liquid containing part to contain liquid supplied to the recording head. The main tank contains the liquid supplied to the head tank. The controller controls, after detection of an end state of the main tank, post-end printing using the liquid remaining in the head tank corresponding to the main tank in the end state. The controller permits the post-end printing when an amount of the liquid remaining in the head tank to which the liquid is supplied from the main tank in the end state is a predetermined threshold remaining amount or greater.
US09409407B2

A liquid ejection apparatus includes a tank; a liquid ejection head; and a casing configured to integrally cover the tank and the liquid ejection head. The tank includes a container portion configured to contain a liquid, an air introducing path arranged to introduce the air into the container portion, an inlet port configured to pour the liquid into the container portion, and an outlet port formed to supply the liquid into the liquid ejection head. In an attitude that the liquid is ejectable from the liquid ejection head, the liquid is contained in the container portion such that a liquid level of the liquid in the container portion is located at a higher position than a nozzle of the liquid ejection head in a vertical direction. In the attitude that the liquid is ejectable from the liquid election head, the inlet port is covered by the casing.
US09409403B2

A case includes a main receptacle body that accommodates an ink accommodating body which accommodates ink. A first tube support portion and second to fourth tube support portions that guide connection tubes that are connected to the ink accommodating bodies, respectively, are provided on an internal surface of the main receptacle body.
US09409400B2

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a recording head, a maintenance unit, a cover, and a controller. The recording head has a nozzle face and nozzles in the nozzle face to eject droplets of liquid. The maintenance unit has a cap to protect the nozzle face of the recording head. The cover opens an interior of the apparatus body to an outside of the apparatus body. The controller performs a normal control to cap the nozzle face of the recording head with the cap on opening of the cover and a special control to expose the nozzle face of the recording head to an area opened by the cover on receipt of an external instruction.
US09409399B2

A muzzle cap for a printhead assembly including a main body comprising a side wall, a top wall and a bottom wall, a vent seal disposed within an opening in the top wall, a nozzle plate seal disposed within an opening in the bottom wall, and a nozzle plate seal retainer that holds the nozzle plate seal within the opening in the bottom wall.
US09409398B2

Provided is a maintenance unit that is detachably attached to a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting section for ejecting liquid, the maintenance unit including: a maintenance section that is used for maintenance of the liquid ejecting section; and a recording target section in which information related to the maintenance section is recorded by the liquid that is ejected by the liquid ejecting section in a visibly recognizable manner.
US09409392B2

A wall-shaped enclosure that forms a space which can accommodate a head chip is formed in a projecting manner at a lower end of a lower case member. Since a cylindrical thick part is formed at the lower end of the lower case member, the lower case member is unlikely to be bent, particularly around the wall-shaped enclosure and a part where the wall-shaped enclosure is disposed. The head chip that is disposed in the space of the lower case member which is unlikely to be bent is unlikely to be subjected to an external force, and the cover member absorbs torsion generated between the head chip and the lower case member so that the head chip is even more unlikely to be subjected to the external force.
US09409383B2

Delamination of a laminated multilayer stack is provided by generating a layer-specific energy distribution in the stack during delamination. A localized energy transferrer can generate localized heating, cooling heating, cooling, or other form of energy absorption or transmission, in a bonding layer of a multilayer stack. Localized energy transfer can include thermal energy transfer, such as heating and/or cooling, acoustic energy transfer, such as applying ultrasonic energy, electromagnetic energy transfer, such as applying laser light, directed microwaves, etc. Localized energy transfer can generate a layer-specific energy distribution that can weaken the bonding layer while reducing damage to other layers of the stack.
US09409376B2

The invention relates to a component for use as a rotating component, to a corresponding rotational body and to a method for producing said component. The component comprises a fiber-composite region consisting of fiber-composite materials and embedded fibers, said region having one or more normal regions comprising one or more first fibers with a first mechanical load-bearing capacity and one or more reinforcement regions, said reinforcement regions being provided for connection to a respective force-transmission component, in order to vary the rotational energy of the component, and comprising as a reinforcement one or more second fibers with a higher load-bearing capacity in relation to the first fibers. The invention thus provides a component comprising space-saving reinforced regions, said component being capable of compensating the stresses on the component during operation and having a long service life.
US09409375B2

Anti-slip coverings for underlying surfaces are shown and described. The anti-slip coverings include a first layer made of a semi-flexible material that is configured to receive contact from an object and has slits at least partially extended through the first layer. The slits are configured to at least partially open when one or more of a downward force and a horizontal force is applied by the object onto the anti-slip covering In some examples, the anti-slip covering includes a second layer disposed between the first layer and the underlying surface to allow compression of the first layer when a downward force is applied on the anti-slip covering.
US09409365B2

A screw conveyor, in particular as screw conveyor in a pressing screw device for material to be dried, for example moist or wet waste, consists of a shaft that can be supported on bearings rotatably in the pressing screw device, and at least one spiral screw provided on the shaft to convey the material to be dried in the pressing screw. The spiral screw is formed of at least two elements, such as, for example, a basic element and at least one cover element, and at least one of the elements of the spiral screw is designed exchangeably and removably, respectively.
US09409355B2

A die and method for impregnating at least one fiber roving with a polymer resin are disclosed. The die includes an impregnation section. The impregnation section includes an impregnation zone configured to impregnate the roving with the resin. The impregnation zone includes a plurality of contact surfaces. At least one of the plurality of contact surfaces is configured such that a normal force of the roving is less than or equal to a lift force of the resin at an impregnation location on the contact surface during impregnation of the roving with the resin by the contact surface.
US09409351B2

A device for deposition of fibers on a support (30) for producing a panel with an axis of revolution, includes a deposition head (32) and elements for positioning the deposition head relative to the support (30), with the positioning elements of the deposition head having kinematics including a first translation in a first direction (X) that is parallel to the axis of revolution, a second translation in a second direction (W) making it possible to come more or less close to the head of the support, a first rotation (C) around a first rotary axis combined with the second direction (W), and a second rotation (B) around a second rotary axis that is perpendicular to the first and second directions, wherein the kinematics of the positioning elements of the head include a third rotation (A) around a third axis of rotation that is parallel to the first direction (X).
US09409350B2

A fiber application machine comprising a fiber application head, a displacing system to displace said fiber application head, a fiber storage, and a fiber conveyor to convey the fibers from the fiber storage to the application head. The machine further comprises a safety system comprising at least one perimeter barrier defining a safety zone wherein the displacing system carrying the application head is placed, the fiber storage being arranged outside of said safety zone.
US09409348B2

A stiffened composite panel is fabricated using modular tooling. Composite pre-preg is laid up and formed over forming block modules each of which is assembled by co-linearly arranging a plurality of forming block segments. The formed stiffeners are respectively transferred to individual cure tool modules that are assembled by co-linearly arranging a plurality of cure tool module segments. The stiffeners are assembled by arranging the cure tool modules side-by-side, and a composite skin is placed on the assembled stiffeners. The panel is vacuum bagged using a segmented vacuum bag.
US09409331B2

An electrical connector includes a terminal base and plurality conductive contacts, and the conductive contacts defining a first group of contacts, and the first group of contacts including several signal contacts and several grounding contacts arranged with the signal contacts at intervals. The terminal base includes an insulative housing, and a conductive plastic block integrally molded with the insulative housing and combining with the insulative housing seamlessly, the conductive plastic block electrically contacts with the grounding contacts to electrically connect the grounding contacts together. Therefore, the seamless state prevents any loose from the conductive plastic block and the insulative one, which could make the terminal base to be steadier.
US09409310B2

A log/tree chipper having an infeed with a roller member, such as a sprocket or pulley, guides a chain has at least one lug in the roller member, such lug extending above the outer surface of the chain and above a feed table. One or more auxiliary feed members with lugs can rotate with and along the same axis of rotation of the roller member and be spaced to one side of a roller member. The auxiliary feed member can be positioned at the material exit end of a feed table, or at both ends of a feed table. Lugs on the auxiliary feed members and/or the roller members/sprockets are, in some embodiments, positioned at the material exit end of the feed table work so as to work in a symbiotic relationship with the main feed roller.
US09409304B2

A cutting unit for a packaging machine comprises a cutting knife which is movably guided in a linear guide, and a drive for driving the movement of the cutting knife. The cutting unit further includes a curved push rod that is provided between the drive and the cutting knife.
US09409303B2

A monofilament line cutting tool is formed by sandwiching a cutting blade between first and second plastic sheets which are thermally bonded to one another. A monofilament line receiving slot in the plastic sheets extends to the blade whereby monofilament line bent into a U-shape may be placed in contact with the blade cutting edge. The plastic sheets are part of spool forming plastic sheet portions which are thermally bonded to one another and shaped into a spool. The plastic sheets forming the tool are selectively pivotable about a live hinge relative to the spool. The plastic sheets can be separated from one another for forming: a sphere generally around the cutting edge; a pair of elongate barrels extending parallel along each side of the monofilament line receiving slot and adjacent the cutting edge; or, a monofilament line receiving cavity extending to the blade cutting edge.
US09409302B2

Razor handles are provided for razors having a battery-powered functionality. Methods of manufacturing such handles are also provided. In one implementation, the handle includes a unitary grip portion constructed to receive a razor head at one end thereof, and a battery cover, mounted on the grip portion. The razor handle allowing for varying vibration settings.
US09409294B1

A robot includes at least one actuator or motor and a processor configured to represent the task as a meta-node having a meta start space representing starting configurations and a meta end space representing ending configurations. The meta-node may be parallel including a first sub-node and a second sub-node each having a start space within the meta start space and an end space within the meta end space. The meta-node may also be a repetition meta-node including a third sub-node having a start space within the meta start space and an end space outside of the meta end space such that the meta end space is reached by multiple executions of the third sub-node. The processor may also simulate the task by executing the meta-node and instruct the actuator to actuate the portion of the robot based on the simulation.
US09409292B2

A serpentine robotic crawler having multiple dexterous manipulators supported about multiple frame units. The frame units are connected via an articulating linkage at proximal ends wherein the articulating linkage is capable of positioning the frames into various configurations. Dexterous manipulators are coupled to distal ends of the frame units and are positionable via the articulating linkage and articulating joints therein into various positions about the frame ends. The configurations and positioning of the dexterous manipulators allows the robotic crawler to perform coordinated dexterous operations.
US09409290B1

This apparatus supports gripping, manipulation and/or insertion or removal of a planar workpiece from a receptacle into which it fits tightly. The apparatus has two substantially identical rigid arms attached to one another at a single pivot point near their longitudinal center. One end of each arm forms a handle; pressing or releasing these two handles actuates the gripper. The other end of each arm has attached on its inside surface a rigid plate. Together these two substantially parallel plates form jaws to grip the planar workpiece. A spring attached to the two handles biases the jaws toward the closed position. An adjustable stop mechanism supports setting the gap between jaws when the apparatus is in the closed position. An alternative embodiment utilizes step-shaped jaws for applications where flat jaws are difficult to utilize.
US09409280B2

Superabrasive tools and methods for the making thereof are disclosed and described. In one aspect, superabrasive particles are chemically bonded to a matrix support material according to a predetermined pattern by a braze alloy. The brazing alloy may be provided as a powder, thin sheet, or sheet of amorphous alloy. A template having a plurality of apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern may be used to place the superabrasive particles on a given substrate or matrix support material.
US09409270B2

A machine tool having an onboard measuring device automatically carries out various works which include ultra precision machining, washing and onboard measuring, by a numerical controller, without any interposition of a worker. For achieving this, an operation region of drive axes of the machine tool is previously divided into a machining region, a washing region and a measuring region. Positions of the drive axes are always monitored by the numerical controller, and when the drive axes enter each of the regions, a work allocated to each of the regions is automatically started and the work is continuously carried out until drives axes exit the region.
US09409269B2

A positioning apparatus and a working system which can position a workpiece with better accuracy at a lower cost and in a reduced space even when the workpiece is heavy are provided. The positioning apparatus has 3 robot arms (1)-(3) each having an arm and an actuator which drives the arm, a mounting platform (5) which is supported by the ends of the three robot arms (1)-(3), a securing jig (6) which secures a workpiece W which is mounted on the mounting platform (5) to the mounting platform (5), and a controller (9) which controls the operation of each of the actuators.
US09409266B2

Method for removing a front seal plate from an aircraft engine, the method comprising at least the following steps: a) separating a part engine unit from the aircraft engine, the part engine unit comprising the core engine and the low-pressure turbine of the aircraft engine, b) removing a front seal plate nut from the part engine unit, c) removing the front seal plate from the part engine unit.
US09409263B2

A method is described for detecting an incorrectly installed seal in a master-cylinder having a seal. The master cylinder is subjected to a pressure comprised between approximately 0.3 and 0.6 MPa at the conclusion of master-cylinder assembly and, if there is a drop in the pressure, the seal is considered to have been installed in reverse in the groove of the master cylinder.
US09409261B2

A retaining device (1) for the form-fitting and/or force-fitting arrangement of two components (2, 3) to be connected in a bonded manner for a subsequent welding process. The retaining device (1) includes a cover (4), which can be pivoted about a pivot axis (5) and on the lower face of which a silicone layer (8) is arranged so as to face in the direction of the components (2, 3) to be connected, and a pressure plate (6) that can be moved in the direction of the cover (4) via at least one cylinder (7) and thus presses the components (2, 3) which are to be connected and which are arranged one above the other between the cover (4) and the pressure plate (6) against the silicone layer (8). A method for operating a retaining device (1) is also provided.
US09409246B2

The present invention includes a post-cooling temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the machining fluid immediately after being cooled by a cooling device as a post-cooling fluid temperature, and an intra-tank temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the machining fluid in a work tank as an intra-tank fluid temperature, for a cooling control device that controls a fluid temperature of the machining fluid in a wire electric discharge machining apparatus, and the cooling control device has a first temperature-feedback control unit that feeds back the post-cooling fluid temperature into a cooling instruction value as an instruction value for the cooling device, and a second temperature-feedback control unit adjusts the cooling instruction value by feeding back the intra-tank fluid temperature to cause the intra-tank fluid temperature to follow a target temperature.
US09409245B2

A control device of the wire electric-discharge machining apparatus includes a speed-ratio computing unit that calculates machining speed information related to a corner machining speed in a corner machining portion corresponding to an amount of machining in the corner machining portion, on the basis of NC data, a feedback machining-speed computing unit that calculates, as a feedback machining speed to be used for feedback control of wire electric-discharge machining, a machining speed corresponding to an inter-electrode state between a wire electrode and a workpiece measured during wire electric-discharge machining, and a multiplier that calculates a machining speed to be used for control of a machining device at a time of machining the corner machining portion, on the basis of the machining speed information and the feedback machining speed.
US09409240B2

A positioning section that positions a cutting edge, used in cutting, at an indexed point is provided at a portion of a round insert towards a bottom surface at a periphery of the round insert. A support seat, provided at a tool body, includes a first seat side surface, a second seat side surface, and a restraining section. The first seat side surface and the second seat side surface contact and support side surfaces of the round insert that are disposed 90 degrees apart from each other. The positioning section is fitted to the restraining section by bumpy portion fitting. Only one restraining section is provided. A second relief portion that is larger than a first relief portion is provided at a corner at a side of the second seat side surface.
US09409239B2

Provided is a step-shaped drill bit including at least two stepped cutting edges that are axially provided. A cutting edge of a first step from a tip is formed so as to satisfy at least one of the following conditions. That is, a number of blades is smaller, a point angle of the cutting edge is larger, or a clearance angle of the cutting edge is larger than that of cutting edges of a second and subsequent step(s). As a result, a thrust resistance during a perforation can be reduced compared with a case in which the first step cutting edge is formed such that the number of blades, the point angle of the cutting edge and the clearance angle of the cutting edge are the same as those of the second and subsequent step(s).
US09409233B2

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a molding element for a tire mold. The molding element comprises a sintered part and a non-sintered part attached to the sintered part. The sintered part comprises a shell and a core internal to the shell and formed as one piece with the said shell. The core comprises a meshed structure comprising a plurality of cavities. The method of manufacture comprises a step of manufacturing the sintered part of the molding element from a metallic powder deposited on a flat surface of a support plate and fused layer by layer, the sintered part being attached to the support plate by fused metallic powder. The method also comprises a step of machining the support plate to form the non-sintered part of the molding element.
US09409232B2

The invention relates to systems for transferring molten metal from one structure to another. Aspects of the invention include a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel can enter the transfer chamber. A powered device, which may be inside of the transfer chamber, moves molten metal upward and out of the transfer chamber and preferably into a structure outside of the vessel, such as another vessel or a launder.
US09409230B2

System, method and computer program product for combined scheduling of two different slab sequences by a rational technique. A two-dimensional grid graph having a direct slab sequence as a first dimension and an inventory slab sequence as a second dimension is prepared by processing of a computer as a data structure represented on a memory or a hard disk drive of the computer. A processing program of the computer generates two child nodes corresponding to a direct slab and an inventory slab, in each node of the two-dimensional graph according to a predetermined algorithm. By defining an appropriate weighting function, the processing program of the computer weights edges between nodes in the two-dimensional grid graph. After forming the weighted graph on a storage device of the computer such as the memory or the hard disk drive, the processing program of the computer calculates a path from a start point to an end point as a shortest path search problem.
US09409228B2

An attachment arrangement at a middle of a cover having an elastically deformable portion. The cover includes a concave shell including an inner surface spaced apart from the compressor including an impeller including blades by an attachment. The attachment includes one connection end at the middle of the shell, another end attached to a casing of the turbine engine, and an axisymmetric diaphragm having a generally frusto-conical configuration having an arm profile coupled to the end for attachment to the casing by a double-elbow joint having right and obtuse angles when in a rest position. The distance between the inner surface of the shell and upper edges of the blades can be held constant during operation with minimum clearance adjustment. The cover can be moved such that clearance between the cover and blades of the compressor impeller remains substantially constant and as low as possible.
US09409222B2

Disclosed herein is a sheet metal stamping device and methods for reducing the size of a blank required for producing a stamped part therefrom than is conventionally possible. The device utilizes an intermediate clamp section with projections having clamping formations located thereon which complement clamping formations located on a first die section. The intermediate clamp section projections allow for the use of a smaller blank size as less addendum material is required to secure the blank during the stamping process. The blank is secured using the intermediate clamp section and the first die section prior to the second die section engaging the blank to stamp the part. In some embodiments, retention beads resultant from the clamping process may remain in the stamped part, that being inside a trim line. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a blank shifter may be provided to locate the blank between the die sections prior to clamping. In other embodiments, more than one complementary pair of clamping formations may be provided. Furthermore, in some embodiments a trim line cutter may be provided.
US09409218B2

A method includes: determining a design for a longitudinal piece of a particular length, wherein first and second ends of the longitudinal piece have dissimilar shapes; extruding a piece that is at least twice the particular length, wherein a profile throughout the extruded piece has the first end shape; hydroforming the extruded piece to generate an expanded portion between ends of the extruded piece, wherein the ends retain essentially the first end shape; and cutting through the expanded portion to obtain a piece wherein one end has the first end shape and another end has the second end shape.
US09409207B2

Provided is an ultrasonic device including: an ultrasonic element array substrate having a plurality of ultrasonic elements that each include a piezoelectric body; an acoustic lens secured via an acoustic matching layer to a surface, formed with the ultrasonic elements, of the ultrasonic element array substrate; and a support member secured to a surface, opposite to the surface formed with the ultrasonic elements, of the ultrasonic element array substrate, wherein the support member is formed to have a larger area, in plan view in the thickness direction of the ultrasonic element array substrate, and a higher bending stiffness than the ultrasonic element array substrate, and the acoustic lens is formed to have a lower bending stiffness than the ultrasonic element array substrate. The above-described ultrasonic device further includes an acoustic matching layer filled between the ultrasonic element array substrate and the acoustic lens.
US09409206B2

A method for applying an aerodynamically functional coating to an exterior surface is provided. The method includes preparing an uncoated substrate surface to obtain a prepared substrate surface; applying a primer on the prepared substrate surface to obtain a primed substrate surface with a primer layer; applying and curing a basecoat field color to obtain a basecoat field color layer; masking for a basecoat design color on the basecoat field color layer; applying and curing the basecoat design color to obtain a first basecoat design color layer; masking for, applying, and curing any subsequent basecoat design color layers on the basecoat field color layer; applying and curing a clearcoat to obtain a first clearcoat layer; mechanically aero-contouring a plurality of coating edges to obtain an aero-contoured surface; and, applying additional clearcoat to obtain one or more additional clearcoat layers.
US09409203B2

A device for manufacture including a deposition mask includes a clamper for fixing an end of a divided mask sheet and having a pin hole, a clamping pin in the clamper for being inserted into the pin hole, and an elevator for elevating the clamping pin.
US09409192B2

Devices for preserving components with a preservative agent, e.g., for cavity preservation of motor vehicle body components, are disclosed. An exemplary device, in addition to a preservative agent, may apply a hardener configured to react with the preservative agent, which causes the preservative agent to harden.
US09409180B2

The compostable waste processing apparatus includes a pulverizing device and a shredding device in separate compartments within a housing. The pulverizing device and the shredding device may be driven by at least one electronic motor. The electronic motor may be powered by one or more batteries that are charged by a photovoltaic panel of the housing. The compostable waste processing apparatus has a simple and efficient structure to facilitate use by a wide range of end-users, including households.
US09409177B2

An apparatus for chip-based sorting, amplification, detection, and identification of a sample having a planar substrate. The planar substrate is divided into cells. The cells are arranged on the planar substrate in rows and columns. Electrodes are located in the cells. A micro-reactor maker produces micro-reactors containing the sample. The micro-reactor maker is positioned to deliver the micro-reactors to the planar substrate. A microprocessor is connected to the electrodes for manipulating the micro-reactors on the planar substrate. A detector is positioned to interrogate the sample contained in the micro-reactors.
US09409171B2

The invention relates to a microfluidic structure (1), comprising at least one cavity (10) having at least one inlet opening (11) and at least one outlet opening (12), wherein the cavity (10) can be filled with a liquid or a liquid can flow through the cavity and at least one element (13) is provided inside the cavity (10), which element stops the flow of the liquid at least temporarily and/or diverts the flow of the liquid at least in some regions within the cavity (10).According to the invention, the at least one element (13) is formed by a recess (13) introduced into a wall of the cavity (10), which recess (13) has at least one first region (14) at which the liquid stops at least temporarily and/or is diverted at least in some regions and at least one second region (15) at which the liquid preferably flows into the recess (13).Such a microfluidic structure makes it possible to fill the cavity (10) without air inclusions. Thereby, the useful volume of the cavity (10) is not limited, and the production costs of a microfluidic component (2) having such a microfluidic structure (1) can be kept low.
US09409170B2

A microfluidic mixing device comprises a main channel and a number of secondary channels extending from a portion of the main channel and entering another portion of the main channel. A number of actuators are located in the secondary channels to pump fluids through the secondary channels. A microfluidic mixing system comprises a microfluidic mixing device. The microfluidic mixing device comprises a main fluid mixing channel, a number of main channel actuators to pump fluid through the main fluid mixing channel, a number of secondary channels fluidly coupled to the main fluid mixing channel, and a number of secondary channel actuators to pump fluids through the secondary channels. The microfluidic mixing device also comprises a fluid source, and a control device to provide fluids from the fluid source to the microfluidic mixing device and activate the main channel actuators and secondary channel actuators.
US09409168B2

The present invention provides a microfluidic device which is molded with a die and has a specimen inlet part. The microfluidic device has the specimen inlet part. The specimen inlet part has an inlet channel for introducing a specimen into the flow channel, wherein the inlet channel has a diameter which continuously and gradually increases as the inlet channel approaches the flow channel, or has a diameter which is constant in the vicinity of an inlet port and then continuously and gradually increases as the inlet channel approaches the flow channel.
US09409167B2

Fabrication method of microfluidic devices consisting of a sheet (1) which is 200 micrometer thick or less and a rigid part (3), both made of thermoplastic polymeric material includes degasification of a polymeric sheet of thermoplastic material (1), an auxiliary rigid part (2), and a polymeric rigid part of thermoplastic material (3). A temporary bonding procedure, of the degassed thermoplastic polymeric sheet (1) to a degassed auxiliary rigid part (2), is conducted producing a sheet-auxiliary part set (4). A permanent bonding procedure bonds the thermoplastic polymeric sheet (1) of the sheet-auxiliary part set (4) obtained in the previous temporary bonding stage, to the thermoplastic polymeric rigid part (3) which was initially degassed. The auxiliary rigid part (2) of the thermoplastic polymeric sheet (1) permanently bonded to the thermoplastic rigid part (3), is detached to produce a final part which is completely polymeric (5).
US09409158B2

Using conventional synthesis methods, when an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof is synthesized from a hydroxycarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof by a dehydration reaction using a catalyst, the yield has been low. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a catalyst capable of synthesizing unsaturated carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof by a dehydration reaction that produces a high yield. The synthetic catalyst comprises an apatite compound containing an alkali metal in a crystal structure thereof, and the invention further includes methods for synthesizing an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a derivative thereof. The methods comprise contacting the aforementioned synthetic catalyst with the hydroxycarboxylic acid and/or a derivative thereof, so as to synthesize the unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a derivative thereof by a dehydration reaction.
US09409156B2

Oxidative dehydrogenation of light paraffins, such as ethane at moderate temperatures (<500° C.) to produce ethylene without the formation of side products such as acetic acid and/or other oxygenated hydrocarbons is achieved using tellurium-free, multimetallic catalysts possessing orthorhombic M1 phase and other crystalline structures that have an important role for obtaining high performance catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene. Such catalysts are prepared using thermal and hydrothermal methods.
US09409154B2

The present invention relates to a process for producing a supported tin-comprising catalyst, wherein a solution (S) comprising tin nitrate and at least one complexing agent is applied to the support, where the solution (S) does not comprise any solid or has a solids content of not more than 0.5% by weight based on the total amount of dissolved components.
US09409153B2

This invention is related to a preparation method of a supported catalyst Mo—O—K-MexOy for the synthesis of methanethiol from H2S-containing syngas. The catalyst comprises of an active component of Mo—O—K-based species, an active promoter and a support denoted as metal (or metals)-carrier. The support is prepared by electroless plating method in such a way that the metal or metals chosen are plated onto the surface of the carrier. Transition metal, especially Fe, Co or Ni are selected to be the plating metal, while SiO2, Al2O3 or TiO2 are selected to be carrier. The catalyst thus prepared is found to be efficient for the synthesis of methanethiol from H2S-containing syngasor carbon oxides/hydrogen mixtures, especially regarding a minor formation of the by-product CO2.
US09409151B1

A method for calibrating an ESA radar to mitigate degradation of its radiation system. The radiation system includes the distribution manifold, the ESA radiating elements and the radome the ESA may be operating through. Sensing of degradation takes place both locally with a switchable matched load to identify individual ESA element characteristics and globally with target based radar return data. The data generated by this sensing of both local and global characteristics is then used to modify available ESA element complex weighting to produce a desired far-field radiation pattern.
US09409149B2

The present invention is directed to a method of forming titania clad high surface area alumina suitable as a support for forming noble metal catalysts. The resultant catalysts exhibit resistance to poisoning by sulfurous materials and, therefore, are useful in applications directed to internal combustion engine emission conversion and the like. The present invention provides a commercially feasible and cost effective method of forming a highly desired support for noble metal catalyst application. The process comprises forming a slurry of porous alumina particulate suitable as a catalyst support for the intended application, mixing said slurry with a solution of titanyl sulfate having a pH of about 1, increasing the pH of the mixed slurry/solution at a slow rate of from 0.05 to 0.5 pH unit per minute to a pH of ≦4 by the addition of a basic solution, allowing the resultant slurry to age for a period of from 10 to 120 minutes, separating the treated porous alumina particulates and washing same free of sulfate with a weak base, drying and calcining said particulates to produce titania clad alumina particulate product. The resultant material exhibits a normalized sulfur uptake of less than about 45 μg/m2-sample. Such material can subsequently be coated with a noble metal to form the catalyst material.
US09409136B2

A coal feed system to feed pulverized low rank coals containing up to 25 wt % moisture to gasifiers operating up to 1000 psig pressure is described. The system includes gas distributor and collector gas permeable pipes imbedded in the lock vessel. Different methods of operation of the feed system are disclosed to minimize feed problems associated with bridging and packing of the pulverized coal. The method of maintaining the feed system and feeder device exit pressures using gas addition or extraction with the pressure control device is also described.
US09409135B2

A portable, self-retaining apparatus, system and method for mixing fluids in a container is disclosed. The self-retaining, portable fluid mixing apparatus is capable of being connected to a container and retained thereon without the aid of a user during use. The self-retaining fluid mixing device, system and method of the disclosure may be used in various capacities to mix a wide variety of fluids having a wide variety of viscosities. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to any particular type of fluid or viscosity, but an example of the fluids that may be mixed include flavoring syrups and thickeners used for shaved ice confectioneries. The mixer or apparatus can be quickly attached to and detached from a container without the use of extraneous, cumbersome fasteners. The torque caused by operation of the motor causes the apparatus and system to lock in place during use, such that when the torque is released, the apparatus may be quickly and easily removed from the container.
US09409134B1

Air gap eductor with backflow deflector deflects backflowing liquid, preventing backflowing liquid from contaminating water supply by contacting water jet nozzle above air gap. Backflow deflector plate blocks 40-80% of rim area at opening at upper end of eductor discharge tube, leaving 60-20% of rim area unblocked. With bifurcated asymmetry of from 40% to 100%, blocked and unblocked rim areas deflect backflowing liquid laterally, away from water jet nozzle.
US09409132B2

A method for improving the dimensional stability of PTFE membranes by the application of elevated temperature and elevated pressure to a PTFE membrane. The process reduces and/or eliminates the relaxation stress normally associated with PTFE membranes made using previously existing methods.
US09409129B2

A heat exchanger including a hot process stream fluidly connected to an industrial process, a cold process stream fluidly connected to an industrial process, and a membrane distillation system. The membrane distillation system includes a vaporizing stream comprising a mixture of components, a condensing stream, and a membrane located between the vaporizing stream and the condensing stream. The vaporizing stream and condensing stream are in fluid communication through the membrane. The membrane distillation system also includes a first heat transfer area between the hot process stream and the vaporizing stream. Additionally, the membrane distillation system includes a second heat transfer area between the condensing stream and the cold process stream.
US09409128B2

Methods and systems for processing and conditioning red blood cells are disclosed. The methods and systems may be used to make a readily transfusible red blood cell product with reduced plasma. In general, the plasma content of the supernatant of the red blood cell product is no greater than about 15%. The red blood cell products are prepared using the disclosed methods and systems remain transfusible for up to 42 days.
US09409127B2

A honeycomb structure includes a tubular honeycomb structure body including porous partition walls defining a plurality of cells, and an outer peripheral wall and a pair of electrode parts disposed on a side face of the honeycomb structure body, wherein the honeycomb structure body has electric resistivity of 1 to 200 Ωcm, each electrode part has a belt-like shape extending in an extending direction of the cells, each electrode part is placed on an opposite side each other across a center of the honeycomb structure body, the honeycomb structure body includes an inflow-side area that is an area on the inflow-side and covering the inflow end face, and an outflow-side area that is an area other than the inflow-side area, and the inflow-side area is made of a material having electric resistivity lower than electric resistivity of a material of the outflow-side area.
US09409123B2

The present disclose is directed to a method for controlling iodine levels in wet scrubbers, and, in particular, recirculating wet scrubbers by removing the iodine from the scrubbing solution, such as by using ion exchange, absorption, adsorption, precipitation, filtration, solvent extraction, ion pair extraction, and an aqueous two-phase extraction.
US09409121B2

A solvent for selective absorption of CO2 from the flue gas from a combustion plant is provided. The solvent includes an aqueous solution of a secondary amino acid salt as an active scrubbing substance and an additive, the additive including a primary amino acid salt. A process for providing an absorption liquid is also provided as well as a process for activating a solvent.
US09409114B2

A replacement filter deployed within a flow channel with a housing having a first of two or more frame members and a second of two or more frame members that are detachable with an exposure slot formed within the housing. A filter media storage area is within the housing, having unexposed, folded, pleated filter media stored therein. The unexposed folded, pleated filter media is compactly held within the filter media storage area. A motor is coupled to a power supply and in communication with a controller. The motor moving a movement member that advances an unexposed portion of the stacked pleated filter media into the exposure slot, expanding and exposing the unexposed portion of the media to the flow channel while retaining pleats and creating an exposed portion of the filter media. A containment area is provided where the exposed portion of the pleated filter media is collected folded, restacked and compactly stored and retained.
US09409112B2

An air filter element has a filter means and a circumferential plastic frame with a sealing element, which encompasses a laterally outwardly projecting border of the plastic frame in a U-shaped manner. The sealing element is one piece with a circumferential sealing lip that is arranged on a side flank of the U-shaped sealing section.
US09409101B1

A multi-sensory module array system for enhancing the experience of members of the audience at entertainment events through the stimulation of a plurality of the senses of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell independent of their location or proximity to a live or recorded performance at one or more venues. In one aspect, the multi-sensory module array system includes a first zone having a first set of multi-sensory entertainment module spaced apart from each other and defining a first diamond configuration, wherein the modules are configured to emit one or more sensory outputs within the first zone. The system can further include a second zone having a second set of multi-sensory entertainment modules spaced apart from each other and defining a second diamond configuration and further configured to emit the sensory outputs within the second zone. Here, at least one of the modules can be shared between the first set and second set. In addition, the amplitude or magnitude of the sensory outputs within the first zone can be substantially the same with respect to the second zone.
US09409097B2

An accessory, such as a trampoline, for a toy or game may include a base, a rebounding portion configured to rebound an impacting object, and an adjustment portion coupled to the base and the rebounding portion, supporting the rebounding portion relative to the base, and configured for at least two degrees of rotational freedom relative to the base.
US09409082B2

A rhythm game control apparatus for controlling progress of a rhythm game is provided. Basic music score information indicating a basic music score on which a trigger arrangement permissible mark is arranged and music score information indicating a music score are stored. A display device is caused to display a music score editing screen on which the basic music score can be edited. The trigger is arranged on the basic music score in accordance with a trigger arranging request received from a player when an arranging request position of the trigger by the trigger arranging request is an arrangement permissible position at which a trigger arrangement permissible mark is arranged. The music score information is registered in the music score information memory indicating the music score for which the trigger is arranged on the basic music score and the basic music score is thereby edited.
US09409073B2

Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
US09409072B2

A blocking sled includes a sled frame, an arm mounted to said sled frame and a blocking pad having at least one handhold mounted to the arm.
US09409067B2

A golf club head including a crown, a sole, a hosel, a face and a flexure. The flexure provides compliance during an impact between the golf club head and a golf ball, and is tuned to vibrate, immediately after impact, at a predetermined frequency.
US09409066B2

A face insert for golf club head in one embodiment can comprise a substrate comprising a score line groove-free front surface. A cover layer is provided at least on the front surface of the substrate. The cover layer can alternatively overlay at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the substrate. The cover layer comprises a ball-striking surface spaced by the cover layer from the substrate. Plural elongated score line grooves can extend into the polymer layer from the ball-striking surface. In addition, visible markings are interposed between the cover layer and the front surface of the substrate, the visible markings being visible through the cover layer. In one form the visible markings comprise elongated score line markings and target markings in a central portion of the substrate. The visible markings can be screen-printed markings, which are then protected by the cover layer from wear. The cover layer can be molded and can be a polymer layer. The score line grooves can be formed, for example, by molding during molding of the polymer layer.
US09409063B2

Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and multi-layered cover are provided.
US09409042B2

An emergency escape device includes an escape hole cap fitted from above to an escape hole of a fire evacuation area of a high-rise building so as to cover an inner edge of the escape hole, a guide unit vertically installed to extend above and below the escape hole cap, a descending unit positioned below the escape hole cap and slidably attached to the guide unit in such a manner as to descend along the guide unit, a slowing unit configured to ensure that the descending unit descends along the guide unit at a reduced speed, and a returning unit for returning the descending unit descended along the guide unit to an original position. The emergency escape device may further include a locking unit for keeping the descending unit against downward movement in an upper portion of the guide unit.
US09409039B2

The present invention proposes a method for automatically creating a dose prediction model based on existing clinical knowledge that is accumulated from multiple sources without collaborators establishing communication links between each other. According to embodiments of the claimed subject matter, clinics can collaborate in creating a dose prediction model by submitting their treatment plans into a remote computer system (such as a cloud-based system) which aggregates information from various collaborators and produces a model that captures clinical information from all submitted treatment plans. According to further embodiments, the method may contain a step where all patient data submitted by a clinic is made anonymous or the relevant parameters are extracted and condensed prior to submitting them over the communications link in order to comply with local regulations.
US09409038B2

A device for loading and customizing brachytherapy carriers based on the principles of optimizing a more precise and predictable dosimetry, and adaptable to the geometric challenges of a tumor bed in a real-time setting. The present invention relates to a specialized loading device designed to enable a medical team to create a radionuclide carrier for each patient and tumor reliably, reproducibly and efficiently.
US09409034B2

A diagnostic medical device for identifying an arrhythmia treatable by a defibrillation shock includes a defibrillating a filter for filtering ECG data sets, a classifier and a electrotherapy circuit. The classifier is configured to classify filtered and unfiltered ECG data sets as a “shock” advice or a “no-shock” advice.
US09409031B2

Medical devices include stimulation and/or sensing circuitry that is interconnected to electrical components by a flexible circuit body having exposed portions of circuit traces that are attached to electrical contacts of the electrical components. Each circuit trace may span a separate window formed in an insulative body of the flexible circuit body, or a plurality of circuit traces may span a single window or may be freely extending from the insulative body. The exposed portion of the circuit trace may be plated with a conductive metal and then attached to the electrical contact of the electrical component. The flexible circuit body may be an extension from a flexible electrical circuit board containing the circuit. The circuit may be present on a circuit board that includes electrical contacts and where the flexible circuit body has exposed portions of circuit traces attached to the electrical contacts of the circuit board.
US09409019B2

Systems and methods for managing pain in a patient using an electrical waveform that link the modulation of a waveform parameter for different areas of a patient. One embodiment in a system for managing pain in a patient comprises an electric device configured to be implanted into the patient and including a plurality of electrodes having at least a first electrode associated with a first area of the patient and a second electrode associated with a second area of the patient. The system further includes an implantable device configured to be coupled to the electrode device and having a computer-operable medium programmed to change the waveform parameter applied to the first electrode and automatically set the waveform parameter applied to the second electrode based on a relationship between a first therapy range and a second therapy range of the waveform parameter.
US09409006B2

A method for treatment for obesity comprising a medical device attached or implanted in patient's target body organs, wherein in each one of the device attachments, or daily in the case of long continuous attachment, the device removes up to 100 grams of energy containing materials from the body. The medical device optionally contains needles or alternatively contains crawling worm like arm. The energy containing materials may be fat cells, fatty acid molecules driven out from the fat cells or lipids or carbohydrates molecules such as glucose from the blood stream.
US09409004B2

The invention teaches devices and methods for chemically tanning human skin.
US09409002B2

Ureteral stents include a tubular body defining a lumen and have (i) a distal kidney section to be placed in or near a patient's kidney, (ii) a proximal bladder section to be placed within or near the patient's bladder, and (iii) a ureter section between the distal and proximal sections to be placed within the patient's ureter. A first anti-migration feature may be provided at the proximal bladder section and may include one or more projections extending outward from the tubular body. The first anti-migration feature may extend less than a total length of the proximal bladder section, and may be configured to not enter the patient's bladder. Furthermore, a second anti-migration feature may be provided at the distal kidney section, the proximal bladder section, or both.
US09408991B2

A pump unit can achieve significant size reduction while maintaining the performance thereof. Micropumps are arranged in a lattice pattern with rows and columns, and a discharge port of at least a micropump arranged in the most downstream row is directly connected to an integrated discharge port. The pump unit further includes: a discharge direct-connection mechanism for connecting respective discharge ports of a plurality of micropumps in a middle row directly to the integrated discharge port; an intake direct-connection mechanism for connecting respective intake ports of the micropumps directly to a fluid to be supplied first; a series-connection mechanism for connecting a discharge port of a micropump in an upstream row directly to an intake port of a micropump in a downstream row; and a controller for controlling the discharge direct-connection mechanism, the intake direct-connection mechanism, and the series-connection mechanism.
US09408986B2

A method of purifying at least one of THC and CBD from a cannabis-containing composition includes heating the cannabis-containing composition to a temperature sufficient to volatilize at least one of THC and CBD into a vapor and condensing the vapor on a substrate. A drug delivery cartridge includes a substrate coated with at least one of THC and CBD and configured to allow for passage of air through the cartridge to volatilize at least one of THC and CBD for inhalation by a user to induce a medicinal or therapeutic effect to the user.
US09408980B2

A dual-chambered drug delivery device (201) includes a first chamber (205) in which a medicament is stored. A dose setting member (213) is rotated to set a medicament dose. The dose setting member (213) being rotatable to set the medicament dose. The dose setting member (213) is not axially moveable. A second chamber (221) is in fluid communication with the first chamber (205). The medicament dose is transferred to the second chamber (221) from the first chamber (205) prior to injecting the medicament dose. A needle (203) communicates with the second chamber (221) to inject the medicament dose into an injection site.
US09408974B2

The present invention relates to a bung (20) for drug containing cartridges (10) for use in drug delivery devices wherein the bung (20) has a distal end face (22), a proximal end face (24) and a lateral area (26), wherein the bung (20) comprises at least two different materials, a first material (30) covering the whole lateral area (26) of the bung (20) and a second material (32) which is at least partly arranged inside the bung (20), wherein the first material (30) has a larger compressibility than the second material (32) and wherein the whole lateral area (26) has a flat surface. Furthermore, it relates to a cartridge (10) and to a drug delivery device comprising a bung (20) as claimed.
US09408969B2

Provided is an anesthetic solution-filled cartridge-type electric dental syringe, wherein the plunger has been shortened but the plunger can nevertheless be extended to the distance necessary to evacuate the anesthetic solution from the cartridge. The syringe comprises: an extension tube into which a plunger is movably inserted, the extension tube being movably disposed in the through hole of a support block and having racks formed in the side surface thereof that are coordinated with the racks of the plunger; and a means for the plunger to draw the extension tube to engage the racks of the extension tube with a pinion when the plunger reaches the middle of the distance corresponding to the anesthetic solution accommodation length of the cartridge. By the engagement of the racks of the extension tube with the pinion, the plunger moves together with the extension tube for the remainder of the distance corresponding to the anesthetic solution accommodation length of the cartridge.
US09408965B2

A method and system for use in the transportation, sterilization and handling of syringe barrels includes a tray having an array of apertures. The tray comprises features for interfacing with other features such as bins whereby the tray is supported generally horizontally and one or more syringes may be lowered into the tray.
US09408960B2

Methods of making a combination heat exchanger and oxygenator. A heat transfer tubing is wound about a core and a potting compound is applied to a portion of the wound tubing. The potting compound solidifies to form a potting structure defining an internal face substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the core. The assembly is cut along a line passing through the potting structure to define a core assembly having a cut face substantially parallel with the axis. The cut tubing forms a plurality of capillary tubes, each terminating at opposing, first and second ends, and each extending about the core along an arc angle of less than 360 degrees. An oxygenator bundle is formed as part of the core assembly and includes a plurality of gas exchange fibers. The core assembly is disposed within a housing having a blood inlet and a blood outlet.
US09408954B2

Methods and apparatuses for detecting full waste canister and/or fluid flow path blockage conditions are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods and apparatuses for controlling a pump. In some embodiments, flow of fluid can be restricted in a portion of the fluid flow path. A controller can be configured to compare a difference in pressure values upstream and downstream of a fluid flow restrictor to a pressure difference threshold, and determine based on the comparison whether to activate an alarm indicating the full waste canister condition or the fluid flow path blockage condition. The controller can be additionally or alternatively configured to determine a fluid flow using a flow meter, open a selectable valve in response to a comparison of the fluid flow with a fluid flow threshold, determine fluid flow after opening the valve, and determine based on the fluid flow after opening the valve whether to activate the alarm.
US09408947B2

The present invention refers to medical devices comprising a non-metallic micro tube containing FRP (fiber reinforced polymer), especially to respective tubings, used for constructing catheters like balloon dilation catheters, stent delivery catheters, guiding catheters and diagnostic catheters.
US09408946B2

A medical device is disclosed, comprising a substrate, having on its surface, on at least a part thereof, a hydrophilic surface layer providing low-friction surface character of the medical device when wetted by a wetting fluid. The substrate is made of a polymer blend comprising a polyolefin and a composition having molecules with active hydrogen(s), such as polyamide or polyurethane. The hydrophilic surface layer is preferably adhered to the substrate by a polyurea network, whereby said polyurea network forms a covalent bond to said active hydrogen(s) in the substrate. The new substrate material is environmentally acceptable and cost effective, has adequate mechanical and chemical properties and enables the hydrophilic coating to be adequately adhered.
US09408938B1

An aspirating photochemical odor control system allows odoriferous gases to reside in a wet well or force main (odor source) until gas pressure in the odor source forces the gases out. A check valve admits air into the odor source when pressure in the odor source decreases appreciably below ambient pressure. When pressure in the odor source exceeds ambient pressure, a check valve permits flow of gases from the odor source to a photochemical reaction chamber and solar thermal collector to react with oxidizer generated by UV lamps, before being exhausted to the atmosphere.
US09408937B2

A photo-catalyzing fluid mobilizing system and method are disclosed. A chamber has a power source. A fluid mobilizer is mounted in the chamber and connected with the power source to mobilize a fluid through the chamber. The fluid mobilizer includes one or more fan blades that are coated with a photo catalyst. A UV light source is mounted in the chamber proximate the fluid mobilizer and connected with the power source to catalyze the photo catalyst coating the blades to purifier the fluid being mobilized thereover.
US09408934B2

The present invention relates to compositions, methods, kits and systems employing irradiation activated agents to improve or increase or prevent loss of toughness, work-to-fracture, post-yield toughness, fracture toughness and/or fatigue strength of a bone allograft on exposure to radiation. The irradiation activated agent can be an agent that increases crosslinking of collagen in bone during irradiation, for example ribose, 2-hydroxytetrahydropyran or ascorbate.
US09408931B1

Methods and apparatus for the sanitization, detoxification, disinfection, high level disinfection, or sterilization of both the interior and exterior surfaces of at least one object, including interior lumens, channels and cavities within the object. A coupler and interface may be secured to an object to disinfect the inner channels or cavities therein. An object support device may be used to support the object. The pair of support devices may include outlets for deploying aerosols for the application of applied agent. The applied agent may be in the form of any gas, vapor, plasma, aerosol, or other form. The temperature of the object may be lowered to condensate applied agent thereupon. The object may also be washed. Complete sanitization, disinfection, or sterilization of objects in a simple chamber, or in more complex configurations that include, glove box units, processors with built in interfaces for specialty applications, and other application specific designs.
US09408930B2

An apparatus and method of producing an atmospheric non-equilibrium plasma (ANEP) in a sealed container having a selected working gas and an object to be treated is described. A variety of working gas mixtures including air, O2, N2, CO2, He and Ar, in combination with a range of ionization gradients, voltages and ANEP column lengths was investigated so as to establish effective ranges of the variables using the sterilization of a sample as a measure of effectiveness. Certain combinations of working gas, voltage gradient, voltage or ANEP column length were found to have greater effectiveness. The approach may be used for food products, medical equipment, or other objects where treatment with reactive gas atmospheres is effective.
US09408925B2

A hyperpolarized MR imaging medium and a method of 13C-MR detection using a hyperpolarized MR imaging medium for the determination of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. The contrast media comprises hyperpolarized [13C, 2H] lactate.
US09408912B2

The present invention relates to a method for producing a suspension of agglomerates of magnetic alkoxysilane-coated metal nanoparticles, wherein an aqueous suspension of magnetic metal nanoparticles is incubated with alkoxysilane, wherein the incubation is carried out essentially in the absence of an organic solvent. The present invention further relates to suspension of agglomerates of magnetic alkoxysilane-coated metal containing nanoparticles obtainable by the method of the present invention and to a composition comprising agglomerates of magnetic alkoxysilane-coated metal nanoparticles, wherein the agglomerates have an average size of 30 to 450 nm, preferably of 50 to 350 nm and especially of 70 to 300 nm as determined by light scattering.
US09408910B2

The present invention relates to an anticancer prodrug consisting of peptide of acetyl-SEQ ID NO: 1-linker-anticancer drug. The anticancer prodrug effectively provides an anticancer drug unstable in acid or base, such as doxorubicin, in a form of prodrug. Thus, the anticancer prodrug exists as a non-toxic inactive form when administered into the body, but effectively releases the anticancer drug as an active ingredient in the target area in the presence of caspase activated by radiation or UV treatment after administered into the body. Accordingly, the anticancer drug exhibits selective anticancer effects on cancer cells, thereby maximizing the therapeutic effect and minimizing the side-effects of chemotherapy.
US09408908B2

Methods and compositions for enhancing an immune response to a selected antigen are described. The methods are useful for the treatment and prevention of microbial infections, such as infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. The methods and compositions include host defense peptides, polyphosphazenes and immunostimulatory sequences to enhance the immune response to a coadministered antigen.
US09408892B2

Thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1), TSP-2, interleukin 17B receptor (IL-17BR) and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) associated with stem cell activity and use thereof.
US09408890B2

This disclosure provides compositions, kits, and methods useful for treating or preventing viral and bacterial infection and reducing or preventing the effects of toxins. The methods comprise administering to a subject an effective amount of a liposomal composition.
US09408888B2

The present invention describes a novel bivalent helically constrained peptide targeted against S100B that is an effective anti-cancer drug against cancers that over-express S100B. This helix mimetic targeted against S100B induces rapid apoptosis in cancer cells that over-express a calcium binding protein S100B through simultaneous inhibition of key growth pathways including activation of p53.
US09408884B2

A new class of rapamycin 40-O-cyclic hydrocarbon esters is disclosed. The 40-O position of the rapamycin ester has the form 40-O—R, where R is C(O)—(CH2)n-X, n is 0, 1 or 2, and X is a cyclic hydrocarbon having 3-8 carbons, optionally containing one or more unsaturated bonds, and one or more linear (CH2)n) and/or cyclic (X) carbon atoms may have an OH or halide group. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions and methods that employ the novel analogs.
US09408879B2

The present invention provides a strain of Bifidobacterium bifidum or mutant or variant thereof showing at least an adhesion of about 10 bacterial cells per mm2 of epithelial cell monolayer or having at least an adhesion index of 1.5 and a strain of Bifidobacterium bifidum or mutant or variant thereof being Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75, deposited under deposit No. DSM 24514, or a mutant or variant thereof for use as probiotic, in foodstuff and/or as a medicament. Further provided is a probiotic for mulation, comprising any of the strains, mutants or variants mentioned above, uses of said probiotic formulation, strains, mutants and variants thereof and a method for producing said probiotic formulation.
US09408877B1

A skin restoration cream formulated to treat and soothe skin conditions such as dandruff, psoriasis, eczema, cold sores, and other conditions. The skin restoration cream has natural and essential oils, which are free of artificial fragrances, steroids and other chemicals that may cause unwanted side effects. The composition is a healthy option for treating a variety of skin conditions or disorders. An embodiment of the composition formulates a muscle therapy treatment to alleviate and soothe muscle pain.
US09408864B2

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition and a method for regenerating normal tissue from fibrotic tissue, the pharmaceutical composition and the method employing a collagen-reducing substance. In accordance with the present invention, normal tissue can be therapeutically regenerated from fibrotic tissue.
US09408860B2

Oral dosage forms of bisphosphonate compounds, such as zoledronic acid, can be used to treat or alleviate pain or related conditions. The oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid can be enhanced by administering the zoledronic acid in the disodium salt form.
US09408856B2

The present invention relates to formulations of poorly water soluble pharmaceutical agents of Formula I and II. The present invention also relates to compositions containing compounds of Formula I or II, and glucocorticoids, and methods for reducing side effects from glucocorticoid treatment by co-administration of compounds of Formula I and II. The compositions herein are useful for the treatment of diabetes and obesity related diseases including metabolic syndrome.
US09408853B2

The present invention relates to novel iridium and/or rhodium containing complexes for use as a cytotoxic, such as an anti-cancer agent. There is also provided a method of preparing said compounds.
US09408851B2

Compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 is 2-indanyl, R2 is 1-methylpropyl, R3 is a group selected from 2,6-dimethyl-3-pyridyl or 4,6-dimethyl-3-pyridyl, R4 represents methyl and R5 represents hydrogen or methyl or, R4 and R5 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent morpholino and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof are described, as are processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in medicine, particularly their use as oxytocin antagonists.
US09408850B2

The present invention relates to substituted indazole compounds which modulate the activity of protein kinases and are therefore useful in treating diseases caused by degulated protein kinase activity, like cancer. The present invention also provides methods for preparing these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of treating diseases utilizing such these compounds or the pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US09408846B2

A dosing regimen for formulations that contain a therapeutic dosage of a site 1 sodium channel blocker, where the dosing regimen provides a prolonged nerve block and is in an effective amount to delay the onset of neuropathic pain, such as hyperalgesia and/or allodynia, for at least one week, and preferably longer at the site, and preferably the region (e.g. entire limb), where the nerve block was applied. The site 1 sodium channel blocker is preferably saxitoxin (STX), preferably in combination with a corticosteroid, preferably dexamethasone. In a preferred embodiment, liposomes are included in the formulation as a controlled release system, producing prolonged duration of block without systemic toxicity. As demonstrated by the examples, encapsulating STX in a controlled release system, such as liposomes, preferably also including a corticosteroid, and administering in suitable dosing regimen to achieve a prolonged nerve block without systemic toxicity, delays the onset of hyperalgesia.
US09408843B2

There is provided pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of e.g. opioid dependency comprising microparticles of a pharmacologically-effective amount of buprenorphine, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, in associative admixture with particles comprising a weak acid, or particles comprising weakly-acidic buffer forming materials. The composition may further comprise a disintegrant and/or particles of a pharmacologically-effective amount of naloxone, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof. The compositions are useful in the treatment of opioid dependency/addiction and/or pain.
US09408834B2

Compositions, methods, and kits useful for treating hyperlipidemic conditions are provided herein. Such compositions can contain synergizing amounts of nicotinic acid, nicotinamide riboside and/or nicotinic acid metabolites in combination with leucine and/or a leucine metabolite, with or without resveratrol.
US09408828B2

The present invention provides a compound, namely (+)-3′-Angeloyloxy-4′-keto-3′,4′-dihydroseselin (Pd-Ib) derived from Bupleurum malconense as the potential anti-inflammation drug. The present invention also relates to methods of preparing the compounds and using the same for treating inflammation.
US09408826B2

Disclosed herein are compounds and related compositions for the treatment of viral infection, including RNA viral infection, and compounds that can modulate the RIG-I pathway in vertebrate cells, including compounds that can activate the RIG-I pathway.
US09408825B2

Equol (7-hydroxy-3(4′hydroxyphenyl)-chroman), the major metabolite of the phytoestrogen daidzein, specifically binds and blocks the hormonal action of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in vitro and in vivo. Equol can bind circulating free DHT and sequester it from the androgen receptor, thus altering growth and physiological hormone responses that are regulated by androgens. These data suggest a novel model to explain equol's biological properties. The significance of equol's ability to specifically bind and sequester DHT from the androgen receptor have important ramifications in health and disease and may indicate a broad and important usage for equol in the treatment and prevention of androgen-mediated pathologies. Thus, equol can specifically bind DHT and prevent DHT's biological actions in physiological and pathophysiological processes.
US09408822B2

The present invention, in one or more embodiments, comprises water-soluble derivatives of 3-n-pentadecylcatechol (poison ivy urushiol saturated congener) and/or 3-n-heptadecylcatechol (poison oak urushiol saturated congener) as compositions for the prevention and/or prophylactic treatment of contact dermatitis caused by poison ivy and poison oak. The present invention is also directed towards processes for making such compounds. Disclosed are compounds which are effective for tolerizing and desensitizing a subject against allergens contained in plants of the Anacardiaceae and Ginkgoaceae families comprising water soluble urushiol esters of general formula (I) tolerizing and desensitizing mammals, including humans, to allergens contained in plants of the Anacardiaceae and Ginkgoaceae families is attained by administering a composition containing at least one water soluble urushiol ester compound.
US09408820B2

The invention relates to the field of medicine, and specifically to pulmonology, and concerns a method for treating inflammatory and obstructive diseases of the airways, in particular bronchial asthma and obstructive bronchitis, with the aid of a drug on the basis of 1′,3′-dinitroglycerol ester 11(S),15(S)-dihydroxy-9-keto-5Z,13E-prostadienoic acid (nitroproston) having a marked bronchodilatory effect. The present invention provides for an expansion of the range of broncholytic drugs by the use of a derivative of natural prostaglandin E2, which is characterized by greater biological activity and the absence of noticeable side effects.
US09408814B2

The present invention refers to a modified release pharmaceutical composition comprising desvenlafaxine or salts thereof, a release rate modifying system that controls the release of active agent(s) in both acidic and basic environments. A process of making and method of using the above-described composition is also disclosed.
US09408811B2

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males and one of the leading causes of cancer death. Although treatment options have increased for some patients, overall progress has been modest. Thus, there is a great need to develop new treatments. This invention relates to a method for treating cancer comprising using an anti-cancer compound of formula (I): More particularly, it relates to said anti-prostate cancer compound that can be isolated from Garcinia esculenta or chemically synthesized and its specific anticancer/antitumor activity. The invention has a specific application in treating human prostate cancer.
US09408806B2

The present invention relates to novel tablet dosage forms and methods of preparing these forms, which can be used for different classes of pharmaceutical active ingredients posing stability issues in a single unit system. The dosage form includes a first layer, which includes a tablet of one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients, which is inlayed in the first layer along with other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, and a second layer that includes one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients optionally with other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
US09408805B2

The invention provides allergen containing pharmaceutical products and in particular fast-dispersing solid allergen dosage forms. In particular, fast-dispersing, non-compressed solid dosage forms suitable for oromucosal administration comprising a matrix and at least one allergen are provided. Suitable matrices are gelatine, starch and mannitol. Methods for the dosage forms are also provided.
US09408803B2

An object of the invention is to provide compositions containing lignan-class compounds as dissolved at high concentrations. The compositions having lignan-class compounds such as sesamin and episesamin dissolved in solvent oils or fats that contain triglycerides of middle-chain fatty acids having 8-12 carbon atoms, preferably triglycerides of caprylic acid and/or capric acid and/or lauric acid can contain the lignan-class compounds stably at higher concentrations than when other solvents are used and, hence, have high enough value as foods and pharmaceuticals.
US09408801B2

Disclosed is a topical skin composition and corresponding methods for its use that includes an extract from Bauhinia glauca, an extract from Rhodendron siderophyllum, and an extract from Circidiphyllum japonicum.
US09408783B2

Provided is a dental gypsum powder having flowability, setting time, and strength of a set material that are suitable for producing a dental model. The dental gypsum powder contains 100 parts by weight of gypsum hemihydrate, 2 to 4 parts by weight of gypsum dihydrate, from 0.5 to 3 parts by weight of potassium sulfate, from 0.05 to 0.8 parts by weight of a polycarboxylate water reducing agent, and not contain more than 0.3 parts by weight of other additives. It is preferred that the amount of the polycarboxylate water reducing agent is from 0.15 to 0.3 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of gypsum hemihydrate, and the amount of the potassium sulfate is from 25% by weight to the same amount of the amount of the gypsum dihydrate.
US09408771B2

An apparatus for manipulating the joint of a patient is provided. The apparatus comprises an actuator and a linkage. The actuator itself comprises: 1) a cylinder portion defining an interior cavity; and 2) an inflatable bladder member at least partially inside the cavity of the cylinder portion. The linkage is operatively positioned intermediate the actuator and the joint of the patient, the linkage configured to be activated and to flex the joint upon inflation of the bladder. A piston portion may also be provided and configured to move relative to cylinder portion within the cavity in response to inflation of the bladder. A patient connection and manipulation device may also be provided within the apparatus and configured to be attached relative to the patient, attached intermediate the linkage and the patient, and configured to at least partially assist with treatment upon activation of the linkage.
US09408769B2

An extension device includes a patient support surface and an extension beam (16) that can be connected via an interface (14) to the patient support surface and that has a holder for a feed rod arrangement. The patient support surface has at least two longitudinal beams (10) parallel to each other that carry a pelvic support plate. The interface (14) includes a coupling part (36) on the support surface side and a coupling part (38) on the beam side rigidly connected to the extension beam (16). The coupling part (36) on the support surface side on one of the longitudinal beams (10) is supported such that it can pivot about an axis perpendicular to the pelvic support plate, and whereby the coupling part (36) on the support surface side can be locked by a locking device, which may be actuated by remote actuation, against a rotation about its pivot axis relative to the longitudinal beam (10).
US09408766B2

A patient transport vehicle including lower chassis mounted on wheels in the bed supported by a column mounted on the lower chassis. A lift cart is supported by towers mounted on the lower chassis with a section configured to rise out from the top of each tower. A lift cart actuator is utilized to raise and lower the inner section of each tower thereby raising and lowering the lift cart. A swing mechanism is mounted on the lift cart with a swing actuator to control its movement. Two or more hangers are attached swing mechanism and utilized to support a patient wrapped in a patient support pad.
US09408763B2

A manual wheelchair having a tilt mechanism that allows a user positioned on the wheelchair to control the tilt angle of the wheelchair seat. The manual wheelchair has a base frame with arm rests that are fixed in position with respect to the base frame. The tilt mechanism includes a controller that is affixed to the manual wheelchair at a location proximate to one of the arm rests within the ready reach of the user and which can be manipulated by the user without assistance from a caregiver to allow the seat of the manual wheelchair to freely pivot about a pivot point such that the user can locate the seat at a desired tilt angle by pushing or pulling on the arm rest. A further manipulation of the controller allows the user to lock the seat in the desired tilt angle and remain in that angle.
US09408761B2

An article having as a component a section of nonwoven web formed predominately of polymeric fibers is disclosed. The section of nonwoven web may have a pattern of consolidating bonds impressed on the surface. The bonds may have at least one bond shape; and the bond shape may have a perimeter with a greatest measurable length and greatest measurable width. The perimeter may have a convex portion and an aspect ratio of length/width of at least 2.5. Other features may be imparted relating to the density and orientations of the bonds relative machine and cross directions of the web. The bond shape reflects the shape of a corresponding bonding protrusion on a bonding roller. It is believed that the shape, density and/or orientation of the bonding protrusions affect air flow through the bonding nip in a way that may be utilized to enhance loft of the resulting bonded nonwoven web.
US09408732B2

An expandable slide and lock stent comprises a tubular member that can be expanded from a collapsed state to an expanded state. The tubular member can comprise a reversing helical backbone and at least one rail member extending from the helical backbone in a circumferential direction. The backbone can have at least one engagement element that can be configured to receive a rail member to form the tubular member. In some embodiments, the reversing helical backbone can comprise a plurality of discrete segments having a variable profile and/or wave form. A plurality of regions of each backbone may have a recessed or “nesting” profile providing for a smaller overall stent profile in a compacted configuration, and improved stent retention as mounted on a balloon catheter.
US09408720B2

An orthopedic implant inserter is provided with removable jaws. The jaws are connected to handles of the inserter by retainers. Each retainer includes a shaft and a latch. The shaft is configured to be received within mounting bores of a jaw and the associated handle. The latch is connected to the shaft and movable between a release configuration and a retaining configuration. In the release configuration, the shaft is removable from the mounting bores and the jaw is thereby removable from the associated handle. In the retaining configuration, the shaft is secured within the mounting bores and the jaw is thereby secured to the associated handle.
US09408715B2

Arcuate fixation members with varying configurations and/or features are provided, along with additional components for use therewith in provided fixation systems and intervertebral implant systems. The arcuate fixation members may be of varying lengths, cross sectional geometries, and/or cross sectional areas, and may be configured with various features such as heads configured to accept other fixation system components, tabs to allow arcuate fixation member-in-arcuate fixation member or fixation anchor-in-arcuate fixation member configurations. Applications of fixation systems and intervertebral implants systems utilizing arcuate fixation members are particularly suitable when a linear line-of-approach for delivering fixation members is undesirable.
US09408714B1

An improved artificial disc has a superior and inferior member. The superior member has an upper body portion and a flange portion for positioning and attachment to an upper vertebral body. The inferior member has a lower body portion and a flange portion for positioning and attachment to a lower vertebral body. The upper body portion and the lower body portions, when positioned in a disc space between the upper and lower vertebral bodies and affixed to a respective vertebral body at the flange portion, are independently movable relative to the other along complimentary bearing surfaces on each of the superior and inferior members. The complimentary bearing surfaces are self-aligned by a magnetic attraction force generated by at least one first permanent magnet in either the inferior or superior member.
US09408711B2

A unitary intervertebral device, having no moving components is provided for non-fusion articulation applications. The interbody articulating device allows for limited flexion and rotation between adjacent vertebrae, helping to preserve or restore near-normal motion between adjacent vertebrae. Rotational motion is achieved through one or more protrusions incorporated into the spinal interbody device. In one articulating form, a first protrusion extends perpendicularly from the superior aspect of the disc-shaped interbody device to form a spike or rotational protrusion, while a second protrusion extends axially from the inferior aspect of the interbody device to form a second spike or rotational protrusion. Protrusions preferably extend perpendicular from the apex of both the first and second arcuate articulating surfaces. In another form, a single protrusion extends axially from the superior aspect of a circular-shape of the interbody device to form a spike or anchoring protrusion, while the inferior surface may be slightly rounded and/or comprising a bone-ingrowth promoting surface. In another form, one or both of the first and/or second arcuate surfaces may be highly polished. Numerous planar geometries are described to define various profiles of the disc replacement implant which may be utilized, including irregular Reuleaux polygons. Numerous variations of the disc replacement and methods of use are described. Similarly configured fusion salvage devices are also described.
US09408709B2

Inflatable multi-chambered devices are provided for repairing or replacing spinal discs and distracting neighboring vertebral elements. Also included are cushioning devices that may be used in a joint replacement device cushioning system. Further included are kits and systems that include such devices, methods for making such devices, and methods of treating patients in need of such devices. Examples further include cosmetic augmentation and restoration devices.
US09408700B2

A system of surgical instruments for use with at least a first implant and a second implant of the same type but different sizes is provided. The system includes at least three containers. The first container contains at least a first surgical instrument of a first type that is size specific and a second surgical instrument of a second type that is size specific; both the first and second instruments are of a first size The second container contains at least a third surgical instrument of the first type and a fourth surgical instrument of the second type; both the third and fourth instruments are of a second size which is different from the first size. The third container contains at least a fifth surgical instrument of a third type which is size independent.
US09408691B2

Devices and methods are described for performing a procedure on multiple adjacent segments of a body surface. The methods generally involve positioning a locator device on a body surface to delineate a first body surface segment. A first portion of the locator device may be moved while leaving a second portion of the locator device in place as a reference. The second portion of the locator may then be moved to reform the locator device and delineate a second segment of the body surface. Locator devices comprising two detachable portions are also described.
US09408683B2

A method and devices for stimulating visceral pelvic or somatic nerves or their pathways of a female person suffering from a pelvic condition of nerve dysfunction in which non-electrical, external physical stimulation is applied to the clitoral region of the person.
US09408677B2

A dental abutment system permitting to limit the steps and time required for a dental implant procedure. The dental abutment system (10) comprises a cap (12) coupled to a retentive member (14) that is coupled to a sheath (16). The cap (12) has a shaft (18) for coupling with a bore (24) of a dental implant (20) and the sheath (16) is coupled to the bore (24) of a dental prosthesis (26) such that the dental prosthesis (26) is frictionally retained to and removable from the cap (12). The retentive member (14) may include an area-of-weakness permitting it to break-away from the cap (12) to avoid the transmission of excessive forces to the implant (20).
US09408676B2

This invention is a dynamic orthodontic bracket system which allows brackets to be adjusted for particular angulations required for each individual tooth of a patient, while the frames are continuously attached to tooth surface. The orthodontist manually adjusts the relationship of a bracket and a frame during treatment eliminating the necessity of a full repositioning of all components. The bracket can be locked or unlocked within the frame with the use of a plate having a tapered thickness. The bracket is positioned such that it can move in various directions to achieve a proper angulation for tooth repositioning. The exterior of the frame can also be textured to provide more secure attachment to the surface of the tooth. This system leads to lower treatment cost, a more stable bracket system, and quicker adjustments of the orthodontic bracket system.
US09408675B2

A system and method for repositioning teeth in a patient jaw includes an attachment bonded to a tooth. The attachment has at least one force receiving component for receiving a force. A polymeric shell repositioning appliance is positioned over at least some of the teeth in the patient jaw. The polymeric shell has at least one force transmitting component for engaging the force receiving component to form a locus of engagement. The locus of engagement transmits the force and moves but is maintained as the tooth is repositioned. In specific embodiments the locus of engagement is maintained over a substantial range of motion. The force transmitted at the locus of engagement increases in response to the tooth lagging an intended position. A space between the positioned appliance and the tooth permits the tooth to move into an intended position.
US09408672B2

A system for facilitating access through a substantially planar and laterally oriented patient skin surface includes a guiding substrate extending substantially parallel to the skin surface and selectively directly fastened thereto. The guiding substrate supports a guiding structure in a substantially fixed relationship to an access site of the skin surface. A tool carriage is configured to accept surgical tools for sequential interaction with the access site. The tool carriage engages the guiding structure such that the tool carriage is guided along a predetermined action path when motive force is provided to the tool carriage. The tool carriage is guided along the action path with an incising tool in penetrating contact with the access site of the skin surface to create a laterally elongate incision at the access site. The tool carriage is guided along the action path to substantially close the incision at the access site.
US09408671B2

A biopsy grid is provided that is useful in medical imaging. The biopsy grid comprises a hydrogel layer containing a mixture of contrast agents that are visible in images from X-ray, CT scans, MRI, and/or positron emission tomographs. The hydrogel mixture is attached to a frame having a silicone coated release liner and an adhesive layer. The hydrogel layer is cut into strips that serve as markers in an image. The biopsy grid can be used to locate the position of the marker relative to a tissue of interest in a medical image.
US09408665B2

Various embodiments of an offset catheter are provided. In some embodiments, an offset catheter includes a guidewire tube and a catheter coupled with an elastic and/or compressible rib. The compressible rib provides an offset or separation between the catheter and the guidewire tube in its resting state. The rib has an initial resting state, but may be forced into a compressed state. When released from the compressed state, the rib returns to its resting state. An offset catheter may be compressed and slid through a sheath. When the offset catheter emerges from the sheath, the distal tip will return to its resting state providing an operation offset.
US09408662B2

A sphincterotome includes a plurality of tines that are longitudinally disposed at a distal end of the sphincterotome. One of the tines is configured as a cutting wire of the sphincterotome and is electrically coupled to an electrical source. The other tines are configured as stabilizing wires to stabilize the cutting wire in a cutting position. In addition, the other tines are electrically insulated from the cutting wire and the electrical source. The plurality of tines are movable between an expanded and a non-expanded configuration. Electrocautery is performed when the tines are in the expanded configuration.
US09408661B2

A catheter includes a flexible shaft having a distal end dimensioned for deployment within a patient's renal artery. A number of elongated resilient members are mounted along a longitudinal length of the distal end of the shaft, and are extensible radially from the shaft at regions defined between longitudinally spaced-apart engagement locations. One or more electrodes are mounted on each of the resilient members at the radially extensible regions. A number of conductors are electrically coupled to the electrodes and extend along the shaft of the catheter. The elongated resilient members are collapsible when encompassed within a lumen of an outer sheath and extensible radially outward from the shaft at the regions defined between the longitudinally spaced-apart engagement locations when the catheter and the resilient members are axially extended beyond the distal tip of the sheath. RF energy is delivered to the electrodes for ablating perivascular renal nerves.
US09408660B2

In various embodiments, a surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector are disclosed. In one embodiment, the handle assembly comprises a closure trigger and a yoke coupled to the closure trigger. Actuation of the closure trigger drives the yoke longitudinally in a first direction. A closure spring is coupled to the yoke. Longitudinal movement of the yoke in the first direction compresses the closure spring. A directional return stroke damper is coupled to the yoke. The directional return stroke damper is configured to provide a dampening force to longitudinal movement of the yoke in a second direction. A shaft assembly comprising a proximal end and a distal end is coupled to the handle. An end effector comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member is coupled to the distal end of the shaft assembly.
US09408652B2

Methods of implanting a prosthesis to repair a joint include displacing a first bone from the joint formed by an intersection between the first bone and a second bone. An end portion of the first bone is resected to define a resected end. A concavity is formed into the resected end using a shaping tool. The bone is compacted to form a support layer lining the concavity. The prosthesis is implanted in the concavity against the support layer without attaching the prosthesis to the support layer. The joint is reformed with the prosthesis such that the prosthesis remains unattached to the support layer and the first and second bones articulate about the prosthesis.
US09408634B2

A device for recovering one or more blastocysts from the uterus of a human includes an outer guide member for insertion into a cervical canal of the human. The outer guide member includes a distal portion with an activatable seal for isolating the uterus from the external environment and defines a lumen having a longitudinal axis. The device also includes an inner catheter located within the lumen and slidable along the longitudinal axis of the lumen relative to the outer guide member. The inner catheter has a distal tip positionable distally of the seal to extend into the uterus and includes a fluid delivery lumen terminating at a distal fluid delivery port for delivering fluid into the uterus. The device defines a distal suction port for aspirating fluid and entrained blastocysts from the uterus. The distal fluid delivery port and the distal suction port are arranged such that, in use, fluid delivered from the distal fluid delivery port travels through the distal suction port to the uterus.
US09408632B2

A needle-based medical device and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. A needle device includes a hub having a longitudinal axis; a needle having a sharp distal tip; and a needle shield assembly associated with the needle and moveable from a non-shielding position to a shielding position. In the shielding position, the sharp distal tip is covered by at least part of the needle shield assembly. A bushing disposed about the needle, and a latch for engaging with the hub when the needle shield assembly is in the non-shielding position are further provided.
US09408631B2

A cannula system provides a cannula formed of a soft conformable material such as silicone and having an exterior thread. The cannula lacks rigidity, especially axially, and an obturator therefor is provided with an external thread to interact with the cannula an maintain its shape as it is inserted into a patient's body.
US09408615B2

Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.
US09408612B2

A fracture alignment device to immobilize a patient's limb during a surgical procedure having an inner flexible layer and an outer flexible layer of fluid impervious material each including a central major portion or body having a plurality of lateral minor extensions or fingers extending outwardly therefrom to form a fluid tight chamber coupled to a pressure regulator to control the pressure within the fluid tight chamber and an alignment retainer to position and maintain the inner flexible layer in contact with the patient's limb when the pressure within the fluid tight chamber is sufficiently different from the ambient pressure outside the fluid tight chamber to immobilize the patient's limb.
US09408608B2

Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. The closure devices may comprise a snare loop assembly comprising a snare and a suture loop releasably attached thereto. The snare may be releasable from an elongate body of the closure device. In some instances, the closure device may comprise one or more markers to allow a user to determine whether the snare loop assembly is twisted.
US09408607B2

This disclosure is directed toward sealable and repositionable implant devices that are provided with one or more improvements that increase the ability of implants such as endovascular grafts to be precisely deployed or re-deployed, with better in situ accommodation to the local anatomy of the targeted recipient anatomic site, and/or with the ability for post-deployment adjustment to accommodate anatomic changes that might compromise the efficacy of the implant.
US09408597B2

An instrument access device comprises first, second and third instrument seals for sealing around instruments extended through the device. The seals have respective connector sleeves. Each sleeve connects a base to one of the instrument seals. The device also comprises two insufflation/desufflation ports. Each of the ports comprises a connector extending from the base, a tube extending from the connector, a luer connector and a removable cap. The luer connector is used for connection to any suitable supply line for insufflation gas or for discharge if insufflation gas. In use, the insufflation/desufflation ports facilitate independent control of insufflation and desufflation as may be required during a surgical procedure. Access sleeve at the proximal end is cut-off, folded over the inner proximal ring and is held in place between the base and the inner proximal ring when the base is fitted. The proximal end of the sleeve that is generated when the sleeve is pulled upwardly to retract an incision is removed from the field of use.
US09408596B2

A method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using a retractor comprising a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis, and further comprising a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In the method, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.)
US09408590B2

A 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound system and a method for operating a 3D ultrasound system are provided. A 3D ultrasound system includes an extractor, a processor, and a controller. The extractor scans an image of an object in a human body, and extracts a region of interest (ROI) image in an inputted ROI with respect to a selected image. The processor detects edges from a plurality of side images of the object with respect to the ROI image. The controller measures the thickness of the image using the detected edges.
US09408579B2

In the imaging space provided by a panoramic imaging apparatus, a phantom is arranged. The phantom is located to a predetermined tomographic plane and includes markers which image known positional information with an X-ray beam. The X-ray beam from an X-ray source is acquired as X-ray transmission data by a detector, and a panoramic image is produced using the data. Based on known positional information of the markers and information of marker positions in the panoramic image, distance information (Rs, Rd) between the X-ray tube and the detector and height information (B1) of the X-ray tube to the detector are calculated. From this calculated results and the acquired data, parameters (Δx/ΔFi, θ, Δθ/ΔFi, D, A, CX, CY) defining positional relationships among the X-ray tube, the detector, and the tomographic plane are calculated such that amounts of changes in the position connecting the X-ray tube and the detector are considered in the parameters. This allows the parameters to be calibrated for 3D image reconstruction.
US09408578B2

A computed tomography system is disclosed, along with a method and computer program product. An embodiment uses such a spiral acquisition to reconstruct a spatial three-dimensional image of the examination region. The method also includes establishing a topogram of the examination region by parallel projection of the image along a projection direction. An embodiment of the invention allows distortion-free acquisition of a topogram, as a reconstructed spatial three-dimensional image can simply be projected in a parallel manner along a projection direction. An embodiment also allows multiple topograms to be established easily with just one acquisition, in that the reconstructed image of the examination region is projected in a parallel manner along different directions. An embodiment of the invention also allows particularly fast acquisition of a topogram, in particular in the clinical environment, as the rotating part of the gantry does not have to be stopped for the spiral acquisition.
US09408577B2

A multiradiation generation apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of radiation sources arranged in a row. Each of the radiation sources includes an electron source configured to emit electrons and a target unit configured to generate radiation upon receiving electrons emitted from the electron source. At least one of the radiation sources is a dual-purpose radiation source used for both tomosynthesis imaging and non-tomosynthesis imaging, and the other radiation sources are single-purpose radiation sources used only for tomosynthesis imaging.
US09408562B2

A pet medical checkup device of the present disclosure includes a shooting section that shoots a moving image of a pet, a first storage section that stores the moving image of the pet shot by the shooting section, a first database that stores motion information representing a specific motion made by the pet when the pet has a disease for each disease of the pet, a first determination section that determines whether or not the pet is making the specific motion represented by the motion information stored in the first database using the moving image of the pet stored in the first storage section, and an estimation section that estimates the disease of the pet based on a determination result of the first determination section.
US09408560B2

A pedometer that records the number of steps over a defined period of time and a moment sensor that records the moments experienced by a prosthesis are used in a networked computer environment to assess the functional activity level and instability of a lower limb amputee. The networked environment may include a user computer and a server computer in communication through the Internet. Both the user computer and the server computer include a functional assessment tool and a stability assessment tool. The tools on the user computer and server computer cooperate in assessing the activity level and the instability of a lower limb amputee. The server computer may further host a Website and a secure online database that provides support to the user including the managing of clients and their medical records.
US09408556B2

The present embodiments disclose a device including a module for sampling, separating and enriching a detected object, an exhaled breath condensates (EBCs) detection module and a combined volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detection module. The sampling module is connected with the EBCs detection module via a syringe pump for sample injection and is connected with the combined VOCs detection module by a capillary separation column. EBCs and VOCs in human exhaled breath are simultaneously sampled, separated and condensed; the heavy metal ions, cell factors, etc. in the collected EBCs are detected with a light addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS); the condensed VOCs can be quantitatively detected by the combined VOCs detection module with a high sensitivity; and a heating rod and a platinum resistor can be conveniently replaced because a separated outlet heating piece is designed in the combined VOCs detection module.
US09408542B1

A system for non-invasively determining an indication of an individual's blood pressure is described. In certain embodiments, the system calculates pulse wave transit time using two acoustic sensors. The system can include a first acoustic sensor configured to monitor heart sounds of the patient corresponding to ventricular systole and diastole and a second acoustic sensor configured to monitor arterial pulse sounds at an arterial location remote from the heart. The system can advantageously calculate a arterial pulse wave transit time (PWTT) that does not include the pre-ejection period time delay. In certain embodiments, the system further includes a processor that calculates the arterial PWTT obtained from the acoustic sensors. The system can use this arterial PWTT to determine whether to trigger an occlusive cuff measurement.
US09408535B2

A photorefraction ocular screening device for assessing vision and corresponding disorders associated with the human ocular system is provided. More specifically, the present invention provides for a photorefraction ocular screening device employing advanced methods of pupil detection and refractive error analysis. The photorefraction ocular screening device is comprised of an LED arrangement configured with a plurality of irradiation sources serving as visual stimuli, wherein the visual stimuli may be presented in varying illumination patterns to the pupils of an examinee for expanding the range of ocular responses that can be used to determine refractive error.
US09408534B2

Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image. The second image can be subtracted from the first image to reduce and/or eliminate the background signal(s) in the first image to produce a resulting image. The resulting image can be processed and analyzed to measure a tear film layer thickness (TFLT), including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT).
US09408530B2

Methods of controlling the operation of a device traveling in a body tube tree, including sensing parameters from possible directions of travel and selecting the direction of travel based on the sensed parameters, implemented with a control system located partially or fully on the lumen traveling device. Various actions can be performed by the device for, e.g., medical or therapeutic purposes. Machine-readable media including instructions for performing the methods are also described.
US09408527B2

An endoscope and endoscopic surgical system for improving the image resolution/performance of a solid state variable direction of view endoscope. The endoscope and endoscopic surgical system has an optical rotator element that optically rotates the entire wide-angle field so as to make any portion of the wide-angle field visible to an image sensor.
US09408519B2

Support structures that reduce rotation of a door crown are disclosed. An example dishwasher for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation includes a tub defining a treating chamber with an opening, and a door movably mounted to the tub to selectively open and close the opening. The door may include a front panel, a pocket panel coupled to the front panel and defining an opening in the front panel to receive a hand, a crown attached to a top of the front panel, a pocket handle defined in the crown having a first support structure engaging a second support structure of the pocket panel to reduce a rotation of the crown.
US09408512B2

A separator for a vacuum cleaner has a cover part from which webs are projecting which are positioned along the circumference of the cover part at a spacing one behind the other with formation of through openings. At least some of the webs are without connection with each other at the end that is facing away from the cover part. The webs are elastically yielding transversely to the longitudinal direction. The webs are positioned in their mounting position with radial pretension on a spider which is fixedly seated on the motor shaft of the vacuum cleaner. Due to centrifugal forces occurring in operation of the vacuum cleaner as a result of the high rotary speed of the motor shaft, the webs of the separator are positioned with their free ends under high force on the spider. The separator is thus reliably entrained by the spider by friction.
US09408505B2

The machine includes a housing receiving an articulated cover closed by raising it and a module which accommodates a pre-cut wound strip of material. The module has a flap located opposite the inner face of the cover and articulated relative to the module, and a device enabling pulling on the end of the strip. The module enables positioning and articulation of the flap, and includes a support plate for the device. The device includes a vertically arranged pusher which slides in a controlled, limited manner relative to a face of the support plate. The pusher has a lower gripping and contact part and an upper end that forms a cam. A roller of the device cooperates with the upper end of the pusher. The pusher cooperates with the flap. The device acts on the flap to ensure its rearward swivelling to allow un-jamming and strip emergence from the machine.
US09408502B2

A fluid dispenser includes a dispense mechanism that provides for increased mechanical advantage. The dispense mechanism includes a lever member and an actuator. The lever member includes a first lever section that receives application of an input force and a second lever section that applies an output force to the actuator. The lever member and/or the actuator are configured to provide at least two contact points between the actuator and the second lever section during the course of a dispensing stroke such that the mechanical advantage provided at a first one of the at least two contact points is greater than the mechanical advantage provided at a second one of the at least two contact points.
US09408499B2

A utensil holding device for pots, pans, and other cooking vessels. The device includes a pot or pan having an elongated handle extending therefrom. A first support arm is slidably and pivotally secured to the handle, and a second support arm is pivotally affixed to the handle. The first and second support arms are each connected to the handle via hinges that allow the support arms to rotate between folded and extended configurations. In the extended configuration, the handle of a utensil can be secured between the first and second support arms so as to hold the utensil in place above the rim of the pot or pan. In this way, the present invention eliminates the need for a user to place the utensil on a counter or stovetop and suspends the utensil above the pot or pan for convenient access by the user.
US09408496B2

Heated air roller cookers and methods for cooking hot dogs are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a roller cooker configured in accordance with the present disclosure includes a plurality of rollers and a heating element positioned to heat air. A blower can be positioned to direct the heated air through the rollers.
US09408493B1

Techniques are provided for creating a consumable liquid food or beverage product from frozen contents. A container is configured for insertion into an apparatus. The container includes a frozen content, a receptacle defining an opening and a cavity for receiving and storing the frozen content, and a closure formed over the opening of the receptacle for sealing the frozen content within the cavity of the receptacle. The receptacle is perforable, and the container is configured for insertion into an apparatus that is configured to create a consumable liquid beverage from the frozen content within the container, such that the frozen content is extracted through a perforation created in the receptacle by the apparatus.
US09408483B2

The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for a non-powered energy layer, wherein the non-powered energy layer is adapted for being a warming layer of a bedquilt. When a user is covered with the bedquilt using the non-powered energy layer as the warming layer, the non-powered energy layer would emit a far-infrared ray, such that the far-infrared ray would excite the user's skin, so as to make the microvascular dilation and promote the blood circulation and metabolism of user body. Besides being used as the warming layer, the non-powered energy layer can also be applied as inner layers of a mattress or a U-shaped neck bolster. Moreover, through the proof of experiment results, this non-powered energy layer would not over excite human skin when it is in long-term use, and the non-powered energy layer would not bring about allergies, itchiness or swelling in human skin.
US09408466B2

An electromotive furniture drive includes a drive unit and a power take-off unit which can be moved relative to the drive unit. At least one connecting element is arranged on each of the drive unit and the power take-off unit to respectively connect the drive unit and the power take-off unit to a furniture fitting. Each of the connecting elements provides at least two force application points in spaced apart relation for the connection to the furniture fitting in a direction transverse to the relative movement between the drive unit and the power take-off unit. The force application points are spaced apart from one another at least by a distance which is greater than approximately 50% of a displacement movement of the furniture drive.
US09408464B2

An assembly kit includes a first bracket connectable to an appliance door, and a second bracket connectable to a decorative door panel. The assembly kit further includes a first spacer positionable between the first bracket and the second bracket, the first spacer movable to adjust a gap between the first bracket and the second bracket along a first axis. The assembly kit further includes a second spacer positionable between the first bracket and the second bracket, the second spacer movable to adjust a gap between the first bracket and the second bracket along a second axis different from the first axis. The assembly kit further includes a fastener operable to couple the first bracket and the second bracket together.
US09408458B2

A device for cleaning a surface (e.g., a barbeque grill, etc.) generally includes an enclosure having at least a lower side, an upper side, and a peripheral edge. The device includes a plurality of motors each having a rotational shaft selectively fixable with a rotatable brush. At least a portion of bristles of each brush projects below a plane of the lower side of the enclosure. The device also includes a circuit adapted for connecting power from a power source to each of the motors for a preset period of time upon actuation of an electrical switch connected thereto. The circuit is adapted to run each motor in a first direction and then an opposing direction, such that if the device becomes stuck at an obstruction, it will eventually turns around due to the alternating directions of the motors.
US09408450B2

A carry-strap assembly for supporting a bag is reinforced, as by elongate members such as wire cables for security. An elongate recess with a mouth is integrally formed within a textile strap adjacent a longitudinal edge of the strap. Adjacent strips of the strap are fastened to close the elongate recess within which the elongate reinforcing member is received.
US09408440B2

A belt buckle includes a buckle plate having a front side, a back side, a belt tongue, a belt pin extending outwardly from the back side, a pair of confronting dog ears extending outwardly from the front side, and a pair of spring tabs. The belt buckle further includes a wallet container having a pair of slots extending through a side end and a pair of apertures formed through a back of the wallet container. The wallet container is removably attached to the front side of the buckle plate with the spring tabs cooperatively engaged with the slots and the dog ears cooperatively engaged with the apertures.
US09408439B2

A decorative cover for interchangeable attachment to buttons to change the appearance of the button. The decorative cover includes a base member with a hollow bore extending through at least one end thereof, and a decorative part permanently attached to an opposite end. An inner surface of the bore frictionally engages an outer edge of the button to retain the base member in place but permit it to be removed when desired. In one embodiment the base member is an elastomeric material having a durometer to enable the button to press into an inner surface of the bore. A detent may be provided in the bore to engage the button to assist in holding the decorative cover in place. In another embodiment the base member is longitudinally split into two semi-cylindrical segments that spread apart to enable a button to be engaged between them.
US09408438B2

An adjusting device for tightening or loosening a lace is provided. The adjusting device includes a base, a knob and a releasing unit. The releasing unit is disposed in the base and the knob, and the knob is used for winding the lace. The releasing unit and the knob are pivotally disposed in an accommodating space. The releasing unit includes at least one elastic arm corresponding to an annular tooth in the knob. The releasing unit can be raised or lowered on the base. When the releasing unit is raised, the knob can be freely rotated; and when the releasing unit is lowered, the rotation of the knob is limited in a releasing direction.
US09408434B2

A footwear includes an outsole and an insole. The outsole includes multiple support portions connected to an annular peripheral portion, and cooperating with a hole-defining surface to define multiple block-receiving holes, and an annular inner ridge extending from the hole-defining surface into the holes. The insole includes multiple wearproof blocks and an insole body formed with an annular outer groove and multiple embedding grooves between adjacent pairs of the wearproof blocks. The insole body is supported by the support portions and the peripheral portion with the inner ridge received in the outer groove, the support portions received in the embedding grooves, and the wearproof blocks received fittingly in the holes.
US09408432B2

An article of footwear with a marking system is disclosed. The marking system is configured to help locate one or more portions of a foot during training of an athlete. The marking system includes markings disposed on an upper of an article of footwear.
US09408431B2

A laminated panel comprises a core layer and two fusible layer portions. The core layer has an upper surface. The fusible layers each have an upper surface with a surface finish and a lower surface. The lower surface of the first fusible layer portion is secured to the upper surface of the core layer, exposing the first surface finish. The lower surface of the second fusible layer portion is secured to at least one of the upper surface of the core layer and the upper surface of the first fusible layer portion, exposing the second surface finish. The two fusible layer portions are positioned side by side and are fused to be coplanar. A method for laminating panels is also provided.
US09408423B2

A sport equipment for absorbing and dispersing, at least in part, an impact force, thereby reducing the impact force. The sport equipment can be a helmet having an outer shell, an inner shell, and a tensile sheet located between the outer and inner shells. The outer shell includes an interior side featuring a plurality of outer shell detents extending out therefrom. The inner shell includes an exterior side featuring a plurality of inner shell detents extending toward the outer shell. The tensile sheet is configured to dissipate and redirect, randomly directed impact force applied to the outer shell, to a tensile loading directed along a respective longitudinal axis of the tensile sheet. The outer and inner shells are in a spaced apart relationship with and movable to each other. The outer shell detents extend toward the inner shell.
US09408417B2

A method and a system for preparing a tobacco extract for use in an electronic smoking device are provided. A tobacco extract and an electronic smoking device are also provided. The method includes grinding tobacco into granulated particles, and heating purified water. The method further includes injecting the heated purified water through the granulated particles of the tobacco for a predetermined period of time to produce an aqueous solution, and adding purified water to the aqueous solution. Further, the method includes heating the aqueous solution, and injecting the heated aqueous solution through ground tobacco for the predetermined period of time to produce a tobacco extract for use in the electronic smoking device.
US09408415B2

A unit for uneven transferring of a bead (2) stream in a filter manufacturing machine, from receiving pockets (18) to leading away pockets (21), through guiding grooves disposed on guiding plates, comprising two guiding plates (5, 6) situated on top of each other, whereas a guiding groove (5A) of the first guiding plate (5) and a guiding groove (6A) of the second guiding plate (6) intersect, forming at least one bead (2) guiding chamber, whereas at least one of the guiding plates (5, 6) is movable, wherein the receiving pockets (18) and the leading away pockets (21) are disposed along the circumference of the guiding plates (5, 6) so that the distances (S1, S2, T1, T2) between the successive pockets (18, 21) are alternately different.
US09408408B2

Provided is a process of forming a vanilla extract wherein green ripe vanilla beans are exposed to a high drying temperature, extracted with a solvent, and treated with beta-glucosidase enzyme to convert glucovanillin to vanillin enzymatically, thereby providing a vanilla extract with a good vanillin yield and complex well-balanced vanilla aroma lacking undesirable off-notes.
US09408405B2

The present invention relates to the use of one or more compounds that are capable of increasing the serum level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) for the preparation of a therapeutical composition, in particular in the form of a food supplement, for the treatment of subjects suffering from serious fatigue and exhausting symptoms, burn-out and chronic fatigue syndrome. The same composition can also be used by patients suffering from depression, Alzheimer disease, irritated bowel syndrome, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, or for anti-aging, immune therapy and recovery after exercise. The composition also has a use in veterinary applications for increasing the growth and immunity in animals.
US09408396B2

A herbicide composition for controlling weeds in non-agricultural areas. The composition comprises an aqueous infusion of the natural henna plant at a concentration of 14 to 18%, expressed in weight percent relative to the total weight of the composition, at least one non-ionic surfactant. The composition further comprises the following ingredients: 40 to 50% of at least one terpene oxide; 5 to 9% of at least one monoterpenol; and 4 to 8% of at least one monoterpene, such that the weight percentage of the solid natural henna used for the infusion is at least 2%.
US09408393B2

Compositions and methods, including novel homogeneous microparticulate suspensions, are described for treating natural and artificial surfaces that contain bacterial biofilm, including unexpected synergy or enhancing effects between bismuth-thiol (BT) compounds and certain antibiotics, to provide formulations including antiseptic formulations. Previously unpredicted antibacterial properties and anti-biofilm properties of disclosed BT compounds and BT compound-plus-antibiotic combinations are also described, including preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-positive bacterial infections, and distinct preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-negative bacterial infections.
US09408392B2

Compounds of the formula (I), in which the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are suitable for use as nematicides.
US09408389B2

A synergistic antimicrobial composition containing lenacil and flurochloridone is provided. Also provided is a method of inhibiting the growth of or controlling the growth of microorganisms in a building material by adding such a synergistic antimicrobial composition. Also provided is a coating composition containing such a synergistic antimicrobial composition, and a dry film made from such a coating composition.
US09408388B2

A synergistic antimicrobial composition containing lenacil and carbendazim is provided. Also provided is a method of inhibiting the growth of or controlling the growth of microorganisms in a building material by adding such a synergistic antimicrobial composition. Also provided is a coating composition containing such a synergistic antimicrobial composition, and a dry film made from such a coating composition.
US09408377B2

A fishing reel having a drag assembly. The drag assembly brakes the unwinding rotation of a spool to prevent a fishing line from being excessively rapidly unwound from the spool and thus from being snapped when the fishing line is drawn out by a hooked fish. The drag assembly includes a washer retainer coupled to a drive gear, and a washer group having a brake washer. Therefore, there is no need for the drive gear to have a shape corresponding to the washer group, whereby the manufacturing process can be facilitated, the time it takes to manufacture the fishing reel can be reduced, and the production cost can also be reduced.
US09408376B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a fishing reel wherein a bearing rotatably supporting a drive shaft securely shuts out water from its interior so as to maintain stable sealing and thus smooth rotation for a long period wherein such a bearing can be readily built in. In accordance with one aspect, the fishing reel of the present invention includes a drive shaft to be rotationally driven for winding a fishing line around a spool. The drive shaft is rotationally supported by a magnetic fluid sealed bearing having an inner ring magnetic fluid retained between an inner ring and a polar plate retaining a magnet and/or between the inner ring and the magnet, and an outer ring magnetic fluid retained between an outer ring and the polar plate retaining the magnet and/or between the outer ring and the magnet.
US09408360B2

An inbred rice line designated 144006 is disclosed. Seeds of inbred rice line 144006 were deposited under the Budapest Treaty (ATCC Accession PTA-121602), the plants of rice line 144006 and methods for producing a rice plant by crossing line 144006 with itself or another rice line are also disclosed. Hybrid rice seeds and plants produced by crossing inbred rice line 144006 with another rice line.
US09408347B2

An agricultural harvester is provided with a pivotable discharge elbow that conveys picked-up and processed crop into a transport container of a transport vehicle. An electro-optical device is correlated with the discharge elbow. An electronic evaluation and control processing unit is connected to the electro-optical device and processes signals received from the electro-optical device to effect an automatic targeted control of the crop stream into the transport container based on the processed signals. The electro-optical device is a 3D laser scanner provided with a 2D laser scanner and a pivot unit that pivots the 2D laser scanner about an approximately horizontal axis.
US09408342B2

In a method of ensuring crop treatment compatibility crop treatment information is received at a computer system. The crop treatment information comprises a real-time location of a crop treatment applicator and a description of a crop treatment resident in the crop treatment applicator. Planted crop treatment information is accessed for a planted field which encompasses the real-time location. The planted crop information comprises a description of a planted crop in the planted field. It is determined whether the crop treatment is compatible with application to the planted crop. In response to determining the crop treatment is not compatible with application to the planted crop, a crop treatment incompatibility action is initiated in real-time from the computer system.
US09414534B2

An electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding device and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The EMI shielding device includes at least one ferrite material outer layer, a first and a second electrodes within the ferrite material outer layer, and a positive temperature coefficient resistor (PTCR) core layer sandwiched between the first and the second electrodes in the ferrite material outer layer. The first and the second electrodes extend to two ends of the ferrite material outer layer respectively.
US09414529B2

This portable terminal has disposed therein: a circuit board (14), which is disposed in a cabinet (15), and which has an electronic component (14a) mounted thereon; a display panel (11) disposed on the open plane of the cabinet (15); and a rechargeable battery (12) disposed between the display panel (11) and the circuit board (14).
US09414526B2

A cooling apparatus is disclosed, which may include multiple heat producing units. The cooling apparatus may also have a thermal interface material (TIM) to facilitate heat transfer away from the heat producing units. The cooling apparatus may also have multiple heat sink columns located above, and designed to conduct heat away from, corresponding heat producing units, through thermally conductive contact with corresponding portions of the TIM layer. The cooling apparatus may also have a load plate located above the heat sink columns, designed to hold the heat sink columns in a relatively fixed position above the heat producing units. The TIM layer may have an initial compressed state between the heat sink columns and the corresponding heat producing units. Each of the heat sink columns may be designed so that, in operation, the corresponding portion of the TIM layer may have a further compressed state.
US09414522B2

A pressure-tight encapsulated housing (10) having a temperature control device (20) including a first heat exchanger unit (21) arranged in the interior of the housing (10) and a second heat exchanger unit (22) arranged outside of the housing (10) and which are connected to one another via a liquid cycle (23). The liquid cycle (23) includes a feed line (24) and a return line (25) each connected to the first heat exchanger unit (21) and which each fluidically connect to a passage channel (27) of a respective leadthrough unit (26) arranged in flameproof manner in a wall (13) of the housing (10) so that the passage channel (27) extends through the wall (13). The control device (20) further includes a liquid monitoring sensor (41) for generating a liquid monitoring signal (F) characteristic of the filling of the passage channels (27) with liquid, and a monitoring unit (40) for receiving signals generated by the liquid monitoring sensor (41).
US09414512B2

Provided is a power module substrate including a ceramic substrate, and a metal plate which contains aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and which is stacked and bonded on a surface of the ceramic substrate, wherein one or more additional elements selected from Ag, Zn, Ge, Mg, Ca, Ga, and Li are solid-solubilized in the metal plate, and the Ag concentration in the metal plate in the vicinity of the interface with the ceramic substrate is greater than or equal to 0.05% by mass and less than or equal to 10% by mass, or the total concentration of Zn, Ge, Mg, Ca, Ga, and Li in the metal plate in the vicinity of the interface with the ceramic substrate is greater than or equal to 0.01% by mass and less than or equal to 5% by mass.
US09414510B2

An electronic card connector includes a tray, at least one latching member, a push rod and an ejection assembly. The tray defines a defined space for accommodating an electronic card and at least one notch. Each latching member comprises at least one fixing portion fixed to a housing and a bulge. Each bulge receives in one of the at least one notch to detachably engage the tray with the housing. The push rod includes a first hook. The ejection assembly includes a connecting rod having a second hook and an expansion bracket rotatably coupled to the connecting rod and resisting the tray. When the second hook is engaged with the first hook, the tray is engaged with the housing. When the first hook is disengaged from the second hook, the tray is driven to disengage from the housing by an elastic restoring force of the expansion bracket.
US09414506B2

An apparatus for controlling an opening hole and an electronic equipment having the apparatus for controlling an opening hole. The apparatus is used for the electronic equipment, a case of the electronic equipment is provided with meshes penetrating the case, wherein the apparatus comprises: movable block sheets; a drive mechanism, configured to control the block sheets to switch between a first state blocking the meshes and a second state exposing the meshes. By the setting of the movable block sheets, the apparatus has the first state blocking the meshes of the electronic equipment and the second state exposing the meshes, when the electronic equipment is in use, the blocking sheets may be in the second state to ensure the electronic equipment to operate normally; when it is not in use, the blocking sheets may be in the first state to prevent the foreign matter from invading the electronic equipment.
US09414494B2

A current sensor includes a printed circuit and current lines. The printed circuit comprises a stack, along a vertical direction, of metallization layers mechanically separated by electrically insulating layers, and a measurement or excitation coil wound around a vertical winding axis. The coil is formed by conductive tracks made in at least one metallization layer. One or more current lines are positioned in a plane parallel to the layers and are configured to be supplied with currents to be measured. The coil comprises turns formed by conductive tracks, made in respective metallization layers, electrically connected to one another by pads passing through at least one of the electrically insulating layers, to form a coil that extends along the vertical winding axis.
US09414492B2

A printed wiring board including a connection part that is connected to a projecting portion of an external member by soldering, the connection part including a first hole in which the projecting portion is inserted, a main land to which the projecting portion is soldered, a metallic pattern that is drawn from the main land, and a sub-land that is connected to the main land through the metallic pattern, wherein the main land is constructed with a metallic film configured to cover a peripheral region of the first hole in at least a front face of the printed wiring board including the front face and a back face, the front face to which the soldering is performed and the back face on a side opposite to the front face, and the metallic film is not formed on a sidewall forming the first hole, and where the sub-land is constructed with a metallic film configured to cover a sidewall formed by a second hole piercing the printed wiring board and a peripheral region of the second hole in both the front face and the back face of the printed wiring board.
US09414490B2

A printed wiring board with a component connection pad, such as a solder pad, providing thermal stress compensation for a surface mount circuit component and method for making such a pad. The component connection pad includes opposed groups of multiple conductive fingers that are mutually connected at their far ends and separated at their near ends where they have surfaces for mounting a single surface mount circuit component.
US09414489B2

In order to prevent deformation or damage of a base of a lead terminal by alleviating stress which concentrates on the base of the lead terminal protruding from an electronic component main body, the lead terminal includes a connection pad connected to a connection terminal provided on a first substrate, and a lead portion extending from the connection pad, and the lead terminal also includes a first surface connected to the connection terminal, a second surface that is a rear surface thereof, and a third surface that is a side surface, and in which the lead portion includes a first bent section and a third bent section that are bent in a direction intersecting the first surface or the second surface, a second bent section that is bent in a direction intersecting the third surface between the first bent section and the third bent section.
US09414484B2

The present description relates to the field of fabricating microelectronic packages, wherein a microelectronic device may be attached to a microelectronic substrate with a compensator to control package warpage. The warpage compensator may be a low coefficient of thermal expansion material, including but not limited to silicon or a ceramic material, which is positioned on a land-side of the microelectronic device to counteract the thermal expansion effects of the microelectronic device.
US09414473B2

A lamp 10 is described comprising a burner 14 fixed to a lamp base 12. An operating circuit 50 is arranged within the lamp base 12 for supplying electrical power to the burner 14. The operating circuit 50 is electrically connected to at least one elongate contact path element 70 extending within the base. The contact path element 70 is supported within the base 12 and comprises a first portion 70a fixed within the base and a second portion 70b slidably received within the base 12. The contact path element 70 is fixed to the operating circuit 50 at a position arranged in longitudinal direction from the second portion 70b. This allows a manufacturing method, where the contact path element is fixed to the operating circuit 50 at a position arranged in longitudinal direction from the second portion, so that a longitudinal movement of the second portion is possible to compensate for manufacturing tolerances.
US09414472B2

An electronic dimming ballast that accommodates miswiring of fluorescent lamp filaments (e.g., miswiring the corresponding lamp sockets) is disclosed. The electronic dimming ballast may drive a plurality of gas discharge lamps. Each gas discharge lamp may have a respective filament. The electronic dimming ballast, via the filament miswire protection element, may establish the same voltage across a first of the filaments regardless of whether the filaments are wired in series or in parallel. The filament miswire protection element may have an impedance that is approximately equal to an impedance of at least one of the filaments. The filament miswire protection element may include one or more capacitors, inductors, and/or resistors. The filament miswire protection element may include only a capacitor.
US09414464B2

The lighting system in accordance with the present invention includes a lighting fixture including a first controller configured to control a light source; and a sensing device. The sensing device includes: an image sensor configured to take an image of a predetermined area; and a second controller having a function of adjusting sensitivity of the image sensor and a function of setting a dimming rate for the light source. The first controller is configured to light the light source at a dimming level according to the dimming rate set by the second controller. The second controller is configured to, when concluding that a condition where no person is present in the predetermined area continues for a predetermined time period, perform an operation of decreasing the dimming rate by a preset value and increasing the sensitivity of the image sensor for a preset time period.
US09414460B2

The present invention relates to an electronic device, the electronic device comprising at least one LED, a driving unit for applying a driving algorithm for driving the LED during normal operation, and a measurement unit for determining a forward voltage of the LED by imposing a test current to the LED, the measurement unit being programmed for determining test current characteristics taking into account said driving algorithm.
US09414457B2

A lighting device includes: a first input terminal for receiving an AC voltage phase-controlled by a first phase-control dimmer; a first light source unit which emits light of a first color; a second light source unit which emits light of a second color different from the first color; a control circuit which controls a total amount of light emitted from the first and second light source units and the color of combined light including the light emitted from the first and second light source units. The control signal includes first and second control information. The first control information is for controlling either one of the total amount of light and the color of combined light, and corresponds to the conduction angle of the first phase-control dimmer. The second control information is for controlling the other of the total amount of light and the color of combined light.
US09414455B2

System and method for dimming control. The system includes a system controller including a first controller terminal and a second controller terminal, a transistor including a first transistor terminal, a second transistor terminal and a third transistor terminal, and a resistor including a first resistor terminal and a second resistor terminal. The system controller is configured to generate a first signal at the first controller terminal based on an input signal and to generate a second signal at the second controller terminal based on the first signal. The first transistor terminal is coupled to the second controller terminal. The first resistor terminal is coupled to the second transistor terminal. The second resistor terminal is coupled to the third transistor terminal. The transistor is configured to receive the second signal at the first transistor terminal and to change between two conditions in response to the second signal.
US09414454B2

Solid state lighting apparatuses and related methods are described. In certain embodiments, a solid state lighting apparatus adapted to operate with alternating current (AC) received from an AC power source is provided. The lighting apparatus can include a substrate and an array of solid state light emitters arranged on or supported by the substrate. Multiple solid state light emitter sets of the array can be arranged to be activated and/or deactivated at different times relative to one another during a portion of an AC cycle. The lighting apparatus can also include at least one reflective structure arranged between one or more solid state light emitters and at least one driver circuit component, to reduce or eliminate absorption by the driver circuit component(s) of light generated by the solid state light emitter(s).
US09414407B2

In a heterogeneous network environment where both high and low power nodes are sharing the same channel/frequency, explicit signaling in a downlink control message is used to select whether scheduling information SI is to be transmitted by a user equipment UE with a data payload or without a data payload. For the case where the selection is that SI is to be transmitted with a data payload, the downlink control message is used for the UE to select a transport format combination TFC for transmission of the SI with the data payload. Else for the case where the selection is that SI is to be transmitted without a data payload, the downlink control message is used for the UE to select transmit power for the transmission of the SI without the data payload.
US09414405B2

A method of receiving a downlink signal from a plurality of cells at a user equipment in a cell cooperative wireless communication system is described. Downlink control information including downlink scheduling information for a serving cell and one or more coordinating cells at the user equipment from the serving cell is received. Whether the downlink control information includes one resource assignment field or at least two assignment fields is monitored. Depending upon monitoring, a downlink data signal from the serving cell and the one or more coordinating cells using the downlink scheduling information is received. The downlink control information for the downlink data signal is received through one Physical Downlink Control Channel. The downlink data signal received from each of the serving cell and the one or more coordinating cells is either received on an identical frequency band or a partially overlapped frequency band.
US09414397B2

Methods and devices to wirelessly connect to at least one base station at a multi-SIM device. The multi-SIM device comprises a plurality of SIM card interfaces and a plurality of RF units. The multi-SIM device first scans for base stations using as first RF unit, then observes the received signal quality using the first RF unit. The multi-SIM device may then transmit the data packets based in part on the received signal quality through at least one of the plurality of RF units.
US09414389B2

Methods, systems, and devices are described for predicting a current random access transmission power detectable by a base station based on historical transmission power information. In one aspect, a mobile device may access a historical transmission power associated with a current state of the mobile device, with the historical transmission power based on mobility patterns of the mobile device. Based at least in part on the accessed historical transmission power, the mobile device may predict a current random access transmission power of the mobile device, where the predicted current random access transmission power is configured to elicit a random access response from a base station. In one aspect, the techniques described herein may reduce a number of power ramp steps taken by the mobile device during a random access procedure, reduce interference from the mobile device during the random access procedure, or both based on the predicted current random access transmission power.
US09414388B2

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) determines (1) whether the WTRU is transmitting as much scheduled data as allowed by a current Serving_Grant, (2) whether the WTRU has enough power to transmit at higher data rate, and (3) based on a same power offset as a currently selected E-DCH transport format combination (E-TFC), whether total E-DCH buffer status (TEBS) would require more than predetermined period to be transmitted with the current Serving_Grant.times.a ratio of active processes to a total number of processes. If criteria (1)-(3) are met, the WTRU sets the happy bit to “unhappy.” If MAC-i/is is configured, the WTRU evaluates criteria (2) by identifying an E-TFC that has a transport block size at least x bits larger than a transport block size of the currently selected E-TFC, and determining whether the identified E-TFC is supported based on a same power offset as the currently selected E-TFC.
US09414386B2

An apparatus, such as user equipment, includes a first radio for wireless communication over a first carrier in an unlicensed frequency band according to a first radio access technology and a second radio for wireless communication over a second carrier in the unlicensed frequency band according to a second radio access technology. The apparatus also includes a device connection manager to deactivate the first carrier in response to detecting an access point that operates according to the second radio access technology in the unlicensed frequency band.
US09414385B2

Disclosed are a data processing method and device, the method includes: a P2P service data access is provided by using the P2P station network interface and an AP service data access is provided by using the soft AP network interface; service data are received, a network interface corresponding to a service type of the received service data is determined, a radio frequency channel corresponding to the determined network interface is determined, and the service data are transmitted by using the determined radio frequency channel.
US09414382B2

A new PHICH channel and a new PDCCH channel are allocated when the location of a subframe to be used in transmission changes by the change in the configuration of the subframe caused by a dynamic uplink/downlink configuration in a subframe bundling transmission mode. In the event that a subframe is successfully transmitted in a subframe bundling mode, the location of the subframe that has been successfully transmitted is determined as a reference in determining the point of time of the response to the bundling transmission. In addition, the bundling transmission following the subframe that has been successfully transmitted can be omitted.
US09414379B2

According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method of determining a precoder for wireless communications may include acquiring first channel information associated with a first channel between a first node of a wireless communication network and a second node of the wireless communication network. The first node may be configured to transmit a first wireless signal in a wireless communication resource to the second node via the first channel. The method may further include acquiring second channel information associated with a second channel between the first node and a third node of the wireless communication network. The third node being may be configured to receive a second wireless signal transmitted in the wireless communication resource. Additionally, the method may include determining a precoder for transmission of the first wireless signal based on the first channel information and the second channel information.
US09414377B2

A user equipment (UE) in a communication system, and a method thereof are discussed. The method according to one embodiment includes receiving a deactivate bearer context request message; if a bearer identity in the deactivate bearer context request message is that of a default bearer to a packet data network (PDN), deleting all bearer contexts associated with the PDN; if a cause code in the deactivate bearer context request message indicates that reactivation is requested, stopping a session management back-off timer associated with a previously-established data connection if the session management back-off timer is running. The session management back-off timer is a timer starting if a session management back-off time value is received. The previously-established data connection is associated with an access point name (APN). The method according to the embodiment further includes re-initiating a PDN connectivity procedure for the APN after stopping the session management back-off timer.
US09414375B2

A method for transmitting to a UE control information comprising: channelization-code-set information (xccs,1, xccs,2, . . . , xccs,7); modulation-scheme and number of transport blocks information (xms,1, xms,2, xms,3, xms,4, xms,5); and precoding weight information (xpwipb,1, xpwipb,2, xpwipb,3, xpwipb,4). The method includes: multiplexing the channelization-code-set information, the modulation-scheme and number of transport blocks information and the precoding weight information to give a sequence of sixteen bits x1,1, x1,2, . . . , x1,16, where x1,i=xccs,i for i=1, 2, . . . , 7; x1,i=xms,i-7 for i=8, 9, 10, 11, 12; and x1,i=xpwipb,i-12 for i=13, 14, 15, 16; applying rate ½ convolutional coding to the sequence of bits x1,1, x1,2, . . . , x1,16 to obtain bit sequence z1,1, z1,2, . . . , z1,48; and puncturing the bits z1,1, z1,2, z1,4, z1,8, z1,42, z1,45, z1,47, z1,48 from sequence z1,1, z1,2, . . . , z1,48 to obtain an output sequence r1,1, r1,2 . . . r1,40.
US09414371B2

Time, frequency and spatial processing parameters for communications between a base station and a mobile station are selected by transmitting synchronization signals in multiple slices of a wireless transmission sector for the base station, and receiving feedback from the mobile station of at least one preferred slice of the multiple slices. In response to selection of one of the slices as an active slice for communications between the base station and the mobile station, reference signals are transmitted in the selected active slice using a corresponding selected precoder and/or codebook. The mobile station estimates and feeds back channel state information (CSI) based on those reference signals, and the CSI is then employed to determine communication parameters for communications between the base station and mobile station that are specific to the mobile station.
US09414369B2

A method and a wireless station are described for receiving signals. The wireless station receives from a base station configured to use at least one of a plurality of time division duplex (TDD) uplink-downlink (UL-DL) subframe configurations, each of which indicates locations of at least one DL subframe and at least one UL subframe in a radio frame, a signal including information indicating that at least one uplink subframe indicated by the at least one of the plurality of TDD UL-DL subframe configurations is reconfigured as a DL subframe. The wireless station receives, from the base station, DL data on the UL subframe according to the signal.
US09414357B2

A method for a communications network includes receiving, by a network controller, broadcast content from at least one content source. The method includes synchronizing, by the network controller, with at least a first and second base station. The at least first and second base stations are associated with the network controller. The method includes transmitting, by the network controller, the broadcast content to the at least first and second base stations based on the synchronization such that the broadcast content is transmitted from the at least first and second base stations at desired times.
US09414352B2

A method and apparatus for correcting location information of mobile communication terminals is disclosed. The apparatus for correcting location information of mobile communication terminals, includes: a handler to collect location measurement information of the mobile communication terminals, and environment information containing locations of base stations and arrangements of roads or buildings from a network; a database to store the location measurement information and the environment information; an analysis unit to analyze the location measurement information and the environment information to generate correction maps; a correction map database to store the correction maps; and a service unit to refer to the correction maps and to provide a corrected location estimate service, a corrected location measurement service, or a correction-value broadcast service to mobile communication terminals which request location services.
US09414348B2

An approach is provided for a mechanism to determine dynamic information for generating dynamic access tokens to a location-based service. The approach includes a method for determining one or more dynamic information items associated with at least one location in which at least one service is available. The approach also includes a method for determining at least one procedure for generating one or more access tokens associated with the at least one service. The approach further includes a method for processing and/or facilitating a processing of the one or more dynamic information items using, at least in part, the at least one procedure to cause, at least in part, a generation of the one or more access tokens.
US09414346B2

Provided an information processing apparatus including a determination unit which determines whether a predetermined condition for performing communication processing between an information processing system relating to a service provider and a wireless communication apparatus is satisfied, and a control unit which sets a connection right to connect to a predetermined network using wireless communication for the wireless communication apparatus, and performs control in a manner that the wireless communication apparatus connects to the network based on the set connection right and performs the communication processing with the information processing system, when the predetermined condition is satisfied.
US09414339B2

Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for transmitting a reference signal. A method for receiving a reference signal may comprise the steps of: a subframe including a plurality of resource blocks (RB) and a plurality of OFDM symbols receiving a synchronization signal; and determining the number of RBs which are included in one precoding resource block group (PRB), on the basis of the size of a total system bandwidth, wherein the RBs included in the PRG may include information to which identical precoding has been applied. The synchronization signal is received by six core RBs from the plurality of RBs, and the reference signal can be received by at least one OFDM symbol from the plurality of OFDM symbols, excluding the first and second OFDM symbols, through a plurality of PRGs including the six core RBs. As a result, a channel can be accurately estimated on the basis of the reference signal.
US09414321B2

A method of power control for multi-user multi-input multi-output (MU-MIMO) transmissions between a pair of mobile terminals and a radio base station. The method comprises determining signal-to-interference-noise ratios (SINRs) for the radio channels between the mobile terminals and the radio base station, determining a channel orthogonality between the radio channels, and jointly determining, based on the SINRs and the channel orthogonality, power adjustment values for the mobile terminals. The present invention makes use of an understanding that the system gain resulting from MU-MIMO transmissions may be improved by optimizing the transmission power of the co-scheduled mobile terminals. For instance, the power adjustment values may be determined so as to attain certain SINR targets. Alternatively, the power adjustment values may be determined so as to maximize the throughput while maintaining a power budget constraint. Further, a radio base station for MU-MIMO transmissions is provided.
US09414320B2

To provide appropriate communication quality between a radio station (e.g., small-scale base station) and a mobile station in a state where the radio station is located within a large-scale cell and communicates with the mobile station while reducing interference exerted on the large-scale cell by communication between the radio station and the mobile station regardless of the place of the radio station within the large-scale cell. A femto base station 4 sets a target received power RTWP_target of uplink data used for controlling transmission power of uplink data transmission from a mobile station on an uplink based on a measurement result of received power Pmacro of a pilot signal transmitted from a macro base station 3. Specifically, the target received power RTWP_target is preferably set to a larger value as the received power Pmacro of the pilot signal becomes smaller.
US09414316B2

A mobile station UE in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is a mobile station for communicating with a radio base station using two or more carriers. The two or more carriers include a carrier in a non-discontinuous reception state and a carrier in a discontinuous reception state. The mobile station includes a first communicating unit configured to perform communications on the carrier in the non-discontinuous reception state and a second communicating unit configured to perform communications on the carrier in the discontinuous reception state. The first communicating unit treats intervals before and after an on-duration on the carrier in the discontinuous reception state as measurement gaps.
US09414314B2

A method for performing outer loop power control in wireless communications includes initializing a time interval clock to count down a predetermined time interval; receiving and decoding a channel quality indicator (CQI) message; computing a decision metric value for each symbol in the decoded CQI message; determining whether the CQI message is erroneous; counting a number of erroneous CQI messages; and signaling a wireless/transmit receive unit to adjust an uplink transmission power on a condition that the time interval clock has expired and the number of erroneous CQI messages exceeds a threshold.
US09414311B2

This disclosure describes systems and methods for implementing power save modes of operation while maintaining a WLAN communications link. The techniques of the invention involve coordinating power save mode periods between the participating devices by through the use of a Peer Power Save Information Element (PPS IE) included in the beacon frame transmitted by one of the devices. The PPS IE may include an Enabled/disabled bit, a PPS Count value and a PPS Duration. The PPS Count may be decremented from an initial value after each beacon transmission until the count reaches zero, at which point the device may be configured to enter power save mode for the period indicated by the PPS Duration. During power save mode, the device may track the duration and awaken after the corresponding period of time to begin transmitting and receiving beacons again.
US09414301B2

WI-FI/3GPP access selection techniques are used to control selection by a user terminal between cellular network cells and WI-FI cells. Cellular network cells providing overlapping coverage with WI-FI cells are correlated with the WI-FI cells. A received signal strength threshold is determined for each WI-FI cell based on an average throughput of the cellular network cells correlated with the WI-FI cell. The WI-FI user terminal admit threshold is used to control the effective coverage of the WI-FI cell. A user terminal operating within a cellular network cell is admitted to a WI-FI only if it is within the effective coverage area of the WI-FI cell as determined by the received signal strength threshold. Increasing the threshold shrinks the effective coverage area of the WI-FI cell to allow user terminal only of strong RSSI to make connection to the Cell, and steers user terminal of weak RSSI away from the WI-FI cell. In contrary, decreasing the threshold expands the effective coverage area of the WI-FI cell and effectively allows more user terminal making connection to the WI-FI cell.
US09414299B2

A communication control method applied to a mobile communication system, the mobile communication system including a home base station that forms a specific cell and a mobility management device that performs verification of a user terminal for access permission to the specific cell in a handover procedure of the user terminal to the specific cell, comprises a step A of transmitting, by the mobility management device, verification failure information indicating failure of the verification to the home base station when the verification is failed after the user terminal establishes a connection to the specific cell in the handover procedure and a step B of starting, by the home base station, a re-handover procedure of the user terminal to another cell from the specific cell while maintaining the connection in response to reception of the verification failure information from the mobility management device.
US09414286B1

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a method and system are provided for managing handover. In accordance with the disclosure, while a source base station serves a UE, the source base station receives from the UE a measurement report providing an indication of a plurality of candidate target base stations having coverage detected by the UE. Responsive to the report, a CSI reporting rate is determined for each of the candidate targets on a per base station basis. A channel coherence is also determined for the UE. The communication system then selects a target base station from the plurality of candidate targets based on (i) the determined channel coherence and (ii) the determined CSI reporting rates, and the source base station then triggers handover of the UE from the source base station to the selected target base station.
US09414274B2

A method for performing handover by wireless User Equipment (UE) is provided. The UE includes a Long Term Evolution-Mobile Extreme Convergence (LTE-MXC) application processor, a LTE processor and a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). The UE buffers a set of IP packets when a Radio Access Technology (RAT) indicator is less than a pre-defined threshold and sends the set of IP packets to the LTE processor and the DSP. The LTE processor transmits the set of IP packets to the LTE network and sends acknowledgement signals to the LTE-MXC application processor and the DSP. When the handover is complete, the LTE processor sends the transmission status of the set of IP packets to the DSP. The UE also includes multimode Radio Resource Control (RRC) and Non-Access Stratum (NAS) modules.
US09414270B2

In the field of communications technologies, a message handling method and a message handling device are provided. The method includes: a notification indicating whether an X2 interface to a neighbor node is available is received; using an S1 interface to send information when the X2 interface is unavailable; and/or receiving a notification indicating whether an S1 interface to a neighbor node is available, and using an X2 interface to send information when the S1 interface is unavailable. The technical solutions can ensure normal communication, and reduce possibility of communication failure.
US09414268B2

Embodiments relate to device-to-device (D2D) communications in a communications network (1), wherein the communications network (1) comprises a first user equipment (10), a first radio network node (14) serving the first user equipment (10), a second user equipment (12). and a D2D capable radio network node (18,18). The first user equipment (TO) is configured to recognize a second user equipment (12) to have a D2D communication with and to perform a cell change from the first radio network node (14) to the D2D capable radio network node (16,18), when the first radio network node (14) does not have D2D capability.
US09414264B2

A physical frame is constructed, the physical frame including a medium access control super-frame payload which in turn includes a plurality of medium access control frames. With respect to the constructed physical frame, virtual carrier sense information is set in the plurality of medium access control frame so that a result of carrier sense is identical to another by virtual carrier sense based on the plurality of medium access control frames in the medium access control super-frame payload. The physical frame in which the virtual carrier sense information has been set is transmitted to a destined communication apparatus.
US09414256B2

Methods and apparatus for improved packet data flow mobility and packet data distribution and collection across heterogeneous networks. In one embodiment, a source device with one or more wireless interfaces receives data to be transmitted to a target device. The device sequences the received data with corresponding packet sequence numbers according to characteristics of the service providing the data. The sequenced data is classified according to application/service requirements (e.g., minimum Quality of Service requirements, service type, etc.). The classified data is assigned to available network interfaces, which can support the classifications of the data. The data is transmitted over the assigned network interfaces to the corresponding receiving interface. The data is collected and reassembled according to the packet sequence number at the target destination.
US09414255B2

A wireless communications network comprises a wireless network controller coupled to a packet gateway. An indication of congestion of network resources is communicated between the wireless network controller and the packet gateway. In response to the indication of congestion of network resources, one of the wireless network controller and packet gateways adjusts packet data flow between the wireless network controller and the packet gateway.
US09414247B2

A method for determining location of a failure causing degradation of a service in a mobile communications network is disclosed. Service trajectories for the mobile terminals are determined (104) by correlating earlier obtained movement trajectories (102) of individual mobile terminals with service session records of the mobile terminals. In the next step distributions of the service trajectories of mobile terminals with degraded service are determined and then a network element around which the service trajectories converge is identified (108) as the location of the failure. An apparatus, a communications network and a computer program product are also disclosed.
US09414242B2

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for measuring interference by a terminal in a wireless communication system and includes: receiving neighboring cell specific reference signal (CRS) information; performing CRS interference cancellation on the basis of the CRS information; and measuring interference by applying a correction value to the result of the CRS interference cancellation, wherein the correction value is set for each sub-frame set for limited measurement.
US09414240B2

A mobile station connected to a wireless network can comprise a subscriber identity module. The subscriber identity module can maintain a list of networks. The list can comprise forbidden public land mobile network data. Software can manage the forbidden public land mobile network data. For example, an applet transmitted to the subscriber identity module can periodically delete entries from the list and/or reset the subscriber identity module on predefined time intervals or when specified events occur.
US09414239B2

A space time calibration method determines location and timing for nodes in a network using a model of the state of clocks in the network nodes and observations of clock count stamps over an observation interval. At least one of the nodes in the network is moving, and the nodes have free running clocks, with corresponding clock error parameters. The method obtains observations of clock stamps for transmissions between nodes occurring over a time interval. It applies the observations to a model of network state, and generates from the model an update of network state. This update is a function of the observations and an estimate of the network state. The network state provides estimates of location parameters and clock parameters of the nodes in the network.
US09414234B2

A personnel access system may include a mobile device(s) comprising a first near field communication (NFC) device, a wireless device, and a first controller configured to generate an access request. An access control device may be associated with a personnel access position and include a second NFC device configured to receive the access request, and a second controller configured to generate a verification request for the mobile device(s) based upon the received access request. A verification device may be configured to receive the verification request from the access control device, and send a verification message to the mobile device(s). The first controller may be configured to receive the verification message via the wireless device, and generate verification data based thereon. The second controller may be configured to selectively grant personnel access based upon the verification data.
US09414232B2

A portable computing device can enable an accessory to access a wireless network. In particular, the portable computing device can provide a wireless network access credential to the accessory. The accessory can thereafter use the wireless network access credential to access a wireless network. The portable computing device can additionally configure an access point that manages the wireless network to permit the accessory to join the wireless network.
US09414202B1

Improvements associated with determining a location of a station device are described. According to one improvement, a method is performed by a network device. The method includes receiving a response packet from a station device, multiple times, as received signals by switching between a plurality of antennas of the network device during reception of each occurrence of the response packet. The received signals are converted to corrupted orthogonal samples. The response packet is received from the station device a final time as a final response packet via a single antenna of the plurality of antennas. Ideal orthogonal samples are re-generated based at least in part on the final response packet. Signal phase information, embedded in the corrupted and ideal orthogonal samples, is converted into estimated locations of the station device.
US09414194B2

One embodiment of the present is a method of implementing privacy control of location information. Such a method comprises defining a geographic zone for which pseudo-location information is to be reported as the current location of the user, wherein the pseudo-location information is not the current location of the user; receiving the current location of the user; determining that the current location is in the geographic zone; and reporting the pseudo-location information as the current location of the user when the current location is determined to be in the geographic zone. Other methods and systems are also provided.
US09414189B2

A method of locating a mobile device and the mobile device utilizing the same are provided. The method, adopted by a mobile device, includes: scanning for a first signal of a first signal source in a vicinity of a first location to obtain first signal source information; receiving a logging request to log the first location; and upon receiving the logging request, recording a first location identifier and the first signal source information in a location log, wherein the first location identifier represents the first location.
US09414182B2

A mobile station is provided to which multimedia broadcast/multicast service can be applied also during carrier aggregation. A mobile station communicates with a base station by carrier aggregation using a plurality of component carriers having different frequency bands. The mobile station receives contents in MBMS from the base station using at least two component carriers of a plurality of component carriers. The mobile station causes a display to display the received contents.
US09414173B1

A method for fitting verification of a hearing device has been disclosed. The current invention can be used to evaluate and verify a fitting for a hearing device on individual ears. It uses the hearing device itself as testing apparatus. No additional equipment is required other than the fitting computer and interface which are already required and exist for the device fitting. The method for fitting verification with in situ hearing test consists of at least two steps. One is to obtain patient's unaided hearing thresholds, which can be either in situ hearing thresholds or conventional audiogram. The second step is to measure patient's aided in situ hearing thresholds. An in situ functional gain is then calculated based on the unaided and aided in situ thresholds. The in situ functional gain can be used to evaluate or verify if intended target gains have been achieved with the device.
US09414165B2

A MEMS acoustic sensor includes a transducer with a frequency response with a gain peak, and a peak reduction circuit with a frequency response and coupled to the transducer. The frequency response of the peak reduction circuit causes attenuation of the gain peak.
US09414162B2

Systems and methods are provided for echo reduction. For example, first audio data associated with a current time unit is obtained, the first audio data being generated by an audio-acquisition device of a receiver based on at least information associated with a first audio signal acquired by the audio-acquisition device and a second audio signal output from an audio-playback device of the receiver, the second audio signal being output from the audio-playback device of the receiver based on at least information associated with second audio data transmitted previously by a sender before the current time unit; third audio data transmitted by the sender during a second time unit preceding the current time unit is obtained; and fourth audio data is obtained by performing echo reduction on the first audio data based on at least information associated with the third audio data.
US09414145B2

Headphones include removable audio drivers electrically coupled with electrical conductors using solderless and detachable interconnections. Driver assemblies for headphones include an audio driver and a driver unit housing. An acoustical cavity is defined between the driver unit housing and the audio driver, and a port extends through the driver unit housing between the acoustical cavity and the exterior of the driver assembly. The driver unit housing is configured to be secured within an outer ear-cup housing of a headphone such that the port is open to the exterior of the headphone without communicating acoustically with a volume outside the driver unit housing and within the outer ear-cup housing. Headphones include such driver assemblies. Methods are used to form such headphones and driver assemblies.
US09414142B1

Apparatus, devices, housings, systems and methods for providing wireless speakers in bathroom ventilation exhaust fans mounted in ceilings and walls. A main housing can house both the ventilation fan and the speaker separately from one another. The wireless speaker can use the same power source as the fan, and can be separately controlled. Wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi Fi and Zigbee can be used.
US09414140B2

An electronic device includes a case, a speaker, a supporting stand, and a waterproof breathable membrane. The case includes a first inner space and a through hole connected to the first inner space. The speaker is disposed in the first inner space, and produces sound waves outwards from the through hole. The supporting stand connects the case to cover the through hole. The supporting stand includes a sound hole and a second inner space connected to the sound hole and the through hole. The waterproof breathable membrane covers one of the sound hole and the through hole.
US09414135B2

Methods and systems for flexible-client, flexible-link optical transponders include electrical-to-optical transponders, which accept client data from a flow distributor, and a first multiplexing switch that connects modulated optical carriers from the transponders to line interfaces. The electrical-to-optical transponders each include a flexible optical transport unit (OTU) framer module that compresses multiple optical data units (ODUs) into a single ODU having a higher order than any of the input ODUs to form an optical transport network (OTN) frame. An electrical-to-optical modulator modulates OTN frames onto a carrier. The transponder includes a second multiplexing switch that accepts optical carriers from line interfaces and optical-to-electrical transponders that accept modulated optical carriers from the second multiplexing switch. Each optical-to-electrical transponder includes a photodetector to convert the modulated optical carriers to the electrical domain and a flexible OTU framer module that decompresses received ODUs in OTN frames into multiple ODUs to form a bit stream.
US09414131B2

A system according to one embodiment includes a printed circuit board; and a connector coupled to the printed circuit board. The connector has a plurality of pins extending therefrom along a first direction. The connector has guides configured to guide a mating connector along a second direction oriented perpendicular to the first direction.
US09414115B1

A sponsor of ads included in media content broadcast to devices by a media broadcast system for viewing by users can receive realtime feedback from users indicative of user evaluation of the presently broadcast and viewed ad. User devices anonymously acquire, process, analyze and broadcast user responses to broadcast ads viewed on the device, the responses preferably made with natural user gestures. User responses broadcast from the device are received by the media broadcast system. Ad sponsors may the customized the ad and/or future ads for the user based upon feedback and, if present, a user history profile. Broadcast ads can allow user to preselect desired ads by interacting with sponsor logos or icons presented on the device. Gesture data can be acquired, processed and broadcast to the media broadcast system for latent, incomplete, user responses, and for responses made during non-ad portions of the broadcast media.
US09414114B2

A system may selectively deliver interactive portions of a piece of content, based for example on a recipient user's historical tendency to use interactive portions of prior content. Multiple levels of interactivity may be defined for a given piece of content, such as an advertisement, and different users may receive different levels of interactivity based on how much they use interactive features. Some users may receive no interactive features at all, while others may receive the interactive features, and despite the fact that all of the users' devices may be perfectly capable of processing the interactive features for the user. The omission from transmission may conserve bandwidth and transmission resources.
US09414113B2

Media gateways (MGs), grouped into a hierarchy, are operable to provide a multiparty conferencing among client devices. Gateway resources such as processors, Codecs and network interfaces are aggregated at each MG to establish distributed connection sessions based on resource management metrics such as minimizing total network. The distributed connection sessions are utilized to provide the multiparty conferencing. Each MG may aggregate the gateway resources, which may be determined utilizing a look-up table, from other MGs for sharing among the MGs. Each MG may be activated to provide the media gateway controller (MGC) processing utilizing the shared aggregated gateway resources. A MG may be de-activated from the MGC processing when needed and the associated connection sessions may be subsequently released. Gateway resources are managed at each MG based on the resource management metrics in order to establish distributed connection sessions to support the multiparty conferencing among the client devices.
US09414109B2

A multimedia program recording schedule manager for DVR systems is described. In a first embodiment, for example, a method implemented by one or more server computing devices, the method comprising: receiving input selecting a particular DVR system; receiving input selecting a particular multimedia program for the particular DVR system to record on a repeat basis; adding the particular multimedia program to a server-side instance of a repeat recording schedule for the particular DVR system; and synchronizing the server-side instance of the repeat recording schedule with another instance of a repeat recording schedule for the particular DVR system resulting in the addition of the particular multimedia program to the other instance of the repeat recording schedule. In one embodiment, the other instance of the repeat recording schedule for the particular DVR system is a data component of the particular DVR system.
US09414103B2

A media switch enables a terminal to access content by receiving a content request from a terminal for a first piece of content to be distributed over a cable system, identifying a personal channel within resources available in the cable system to distribute the first piece of content to the terminal, transmitting access information to the terminal to enable the terminal to access the first piece of content through the personal channel, and interfacing with a cable headend to provide the first piece of content on the personal channel.
US09414098B2

A method and computer readable medium for encoding data onto a channel broadcasting a program are disclosed. For example, the method selects a channel that is being used to broadcast a program, generates data having characteristics in accordance with an error burst signature and transmits the data on the channel that is being used to broadcast the program.
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