US09671702B2
A positioning system for controlling a relative position between a first component and a second component of a lithographic apparatus, wherein a position of each component is defined by a set of orthogonal coordinates, the positioning system including: a measuring device configured to determine an error in the momentary position of one of the components with respect to a setpoint position in a measurement coordinate; and a controller configured to control movement of the other component in a control coordinate based on the determined error; wherein the measurement coordinate is different from the control coordinate.
US09671701B2
An XY-table includes a separate drive for reversing the direction of movement of the table. A ferromagnetic rib projects at one edge of the table and extends perpendicular to the direction of movement of the table to be reversed. The drive has a magnetic yoke for receiving the rib when the table is near a reversal point, the free ends of the magnetic yoke having pole shoes which concentrate a magnetic flux in the yoke, switchable with the aid of a reversal coil, in an air gap through which the rib extends into the interior of the yoke.
US09671699B2
An illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises an optical integrator, which includes a first optical raster plate and a second optical raster plate. The first second optical raster plate comprising an array of first lenses having, along a reference direction, a first focal length f1, and the second optical raster plate comprises an array of second lenses having, along the reference direction, a second focal length f2. The vertices of the first lenses and vertices of the second lenses are spaced apart by a distance d that is greater than the second focal length f2 so that d>1.01·f2. This ensures that laser pointing or another transient variation of the illumination of the optical integrator does not adversely affect the spatial irradiance distribution in a plane which is illuminated by the optical integrator.
US09671695B2
Process of manufacturing flexagraphic printing firms using digital flexographic printing elements as starting material by imaging, main exposure in the presence of oxygen, development and finishing. The process comprises an additional embossing step in which the surface of the developed printing form is texturized thereby improving the print quality of the printing form.
US09671674B2
A stop mechanism, including: diaphragms; a reception receiving the diaphragms; a cam rotating the diaphragms to change an aperture diameter; and an interlocking arm interlocking with rotation of the cam and arranged on a radially outer side of the cam to rotate the cam from an outside of the stop mechanism. The diaphragms each include: an arc portion defining the aperture diameter and being received in the reception at maximum aperture; and a light-blocking projection formed on the arc portion to block light outside the aperture diameter. The reception includes cutouts for allowing the light-blocking projection to project outside at the maximum aperture. The interlocking arm is located at a position where the light-blocking projection does not overlap in a circumferential direction, and the light-blocking projection moves into the reception while the interlocking arm moves in the circumferential direction in which the aperture diameter is reduced.
US09671672B1
A solid-state device for generating a single photon for quantum information processing, the device including: a quantum dot molecule including: a first singly-charged quantum dot; and a second singly-charged quantum dot; wherein the first singly-charged quantum dot is adjacent to the second singly-charged quantum dot; and a tunnel barrier that separates the first singly-charged quantum dot from the second singly-charged quantum dot.
US09671667B2
An electrophoretic particle includes a polymer having at least a reactive compound represented by the following Formula (I) as a polymerizable component, at least on a surface: wherein in Formula (I), Ra represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, X represents a substituted or unsubstituted divalent hydrocarbon group, Y represents a substituted or unsubstituted divalent hydrocarbon group, and Z represents a hydrogen atom, or a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group.
US09671659B2
A display panel has a first viewing-angle characteristic for a first yellow-shift direction that is an oblique visual-field direction in which an image shifts to yellow in white display and for a first blue-shift direction that is a visual field direction in which an image shifts to blue in white display. A parallax barrier panel has a second viewing-angle characteristic for a second yellow-shift direction that is an oblique visual-field direction in which an image shifts to yellow in white display and for a second blue-shift direction that is a visual field direction in which an image shifts to blue in white display. The display panel and the parallax barrier panel are laminated such that the first yellow-shift direction and the second blue-shift direction agree with each other and that the first blue-shift direction and the second yellow-shift direction agree with each other.
US09671653B2
A display device includes: a first substrate; a second substrate disposed to oppose the first substrate; a light shielding portion disposed on the first or second substrate and defining a plurality of pixel areas; and a spacer disposed on the light shielding portion between vertically adjacent pixel areas; wherein the spacer has a first interval apart from an upper pixel area and a second interval apart from a lower pixel area from among the vertically adjacent pixel areas, and the first interval differs from the second interval in upper and lower portions of the first or second substrate.
US09671650B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device capable of suppressing display unevenness around a seal in the case of performing PS treatment on a horizontal alignment film formed from a photoactive material. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes the steps of: forming a horizontal alignment film containing a photoactive material on at least one substrate of a pair of substrates; dropping a liquid crystal composition containing a liquid crystal material and a monomer on one of the pair of substrates, the monomer being contained in an amount of 1.0% by weight or less in the whole liquid crystal composition; curing a sealing material applied to one substrate of the pair of substrates along an outer edge thereof by irradiating the sealing material with light whose wavelength is 40 nm or more longer than an absorption wavelength edge of the monomer; and forming a polymer layer that controls the alignment of liquid crystal molecules adjacent thereto on the horizontal alignment film by irradiating the liquid crystal composition sealed between the pair of substrates with light to polymerize the monomer.
US09671646B1
A method for manufacturing an eye-protecting liquid crystal display device is disclosed, in which an ultraviolet light emitting material and a ultraviolet absorbent are added in a first planarization layer of an array substrate and a second planarization layer of a color filter substrate. The ultraviolet absorbent absorbs short-wavelength blue light having a wavelength less than 400 nm and ultraviolet light emitting from a backlight module. The short-wavelength blue light and the ultraviolet light so absorbed excite the ultraviolet light emitting material to give off long-wavelength visible blue light having a wavelength greater than 400 nm. The first and second planarization layers are thus useful in converting ultraviolet light and short-wavelength blue light having a wavelength less than 400 nm, which could damage human eyes, into long-wavelength visible blue light having a wavelength greater than 400 nm that does not damage human eyes.
US09671635B2
This invention relates to an electro-optic display having a backplane with a front surface and a reverse surface on opposed sides of the backplane, a front surface having a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix of columns and rows with column and row lines, a reverse surface having at least one driver chip, and conductive vias electrically connecting the column and row lines on the front surface to the driver chip on the reverse surface, such that the entire front surface area may be optically active.
US09671625B2
The invention relates to systems and methods for providing custom-fitted and styled wearable items such as eyewear based on measurements made from a user-provided image that is resized using a predefined reference that includes an image of an actual wearable item. The eyewear may be provided to a user, who wears the eyewear and provides an image of the user wearing the eyewear. The user-provided images may be compared to a predefined reference (e.g., an image of the eyewear) having a known scale and/or dimension. For example, a user-provided image may be overlaid with the predefined reference and resized so that the wearable item worn by the user in the user-provided image matches (the size of) the wearable item in the predefined reference. Because the scale and/or dimensions of the predefined reference are known, one or more measurements associated with the user may be made based on the user-provided image.
US09671624B2
An electronic lens processing system that tracks a lens design product used in the manufacture of a lens at a manufacturing facility is described. The system creates a work order for manufacturing the lens, where the manufacturing process can include machining a surface curvature on a lens blank by a lens grinding machine, and where the surface curvature is specified by a lens design. The system displays the work order on an electronic screen, and the work order includes the manufacturing facility's brand for the manufactured lens. A user can select the brand on the work ticket to obtain source information for the lens design used to manufacture the lens.
US09671622B1
The presently presented inventive lens will provide an eyeglasses/sunglasses wearer with improved perceptions of color saturation and optical contrast without requiring any apparent coloration (except gray) in the transmitted tint (although other colors may be used), promoting a sense of heightened accuracy and differentiation in viewed colors while providing full protection from UV. Further, the lenses of the invention provide increased visual acuity, and maximize the visibility of objects partially obscured by fog or atmospheric haze. Lens embodiments having certain spectral-transmission properties as defined herein achieve one or more of these objects, while filtering out (i.e., providing local/relative minima) of certain human-visible light wavelengths in a manner enhancing crisp color perception. In particular, the present disclosure provides a very thin lens with a tetrachromatic transmittance profile that offers wearers crisp, clear, and vibrant color perception, while reducing overall light transmission in a manner that enhances wearer comfort.
US09671610B2
A light blocking member includes a first surface, a second surface, an outside surface and an inside surface. The first surface includes a first asymmetric opening. The second surface includes a second asymmetric opening corresponding to the first asymmetric opening. The outside surface disposed between the first surface and the second surface includes a cutting portion and an arch portion. The cutting portion connects the first asymmetric opening and the second asymmetric opening. The inside surface is disposed between the first surface and the second surface. A virtual curved surface is formed between two ends of the cutting portion, and a virtual line is formed between a central point of the virtual curved surface and a central axis of the light blocking member. Two shapes of both of the first asymmetric opening and the second asymmetric opening with respect to two sides of the virtual line are asymmetric.
US09671608B2
The disclosure relates to an illumination system for EUV lithography, as well as related elements, systems and methods. In some embodiments, an illumination system includes a first optical element and a second optical element. The first optical element can include a plurality of first facet elements configured so that, when impinged by respective partial beams of radiation, the plurality of first facet elements produce secondary light sources. The second optical element can include a second optical element including a plurality of second facet elements. Each of the plurality of second facet elements can be assigned to at least one of the plurality of first facet elements. The plurality of second facet elements can be configured to be impinged by the radiation via the first optical element.
US09671607B2
A flexible fluidic mirror system and a hybrid fluidic optical system is disclosed herein. The flexible fluidic mirror system generally includes a flexible fluidic mirror having an outer housing and a flexible membrane supported within the outer housing, and a fluid control system operatively coupled to the flexible fluidic mirror. A portion of the flexible membrane comprises a reflective coating or film or nanoparticles disposed thereon or sprayed on. The hybrid fluidic optical system generally includes a hybrid fluidic optical device (i.e., a lens or mirror) having an outer housing and a flexible membrane supported within the outer housing, and a fluid control system operatively coupled to the hybrid fluidic optical device. The hybrid fluidic optical device further includes a magnetically actuated subsystem configured to selectively deform the flexible membrane so as to increase or decrease the convexity of the flexible membrane of the hybrid fluidic optical device.
US09671585B2
An imaging lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element with positive refractive power, a second lens element with negative refractive power, a third lens element with positive refractive power. The first lens element has a convex image-side surface in a paraxial region. The second lens element has a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface in a paraxial region, and at least one of its surfaces is aspheric. The object-side surface of the third lens element is convex in a paraxial region and concave in a peripheral region. The image-side surface of the third lens element is concave in a paraxial region. The object-side surface and image-side surface of the third lens element are both aspheric. The imaging lens assembly satisfies 0.062 mm
US09671581B2
The apparatus includes a case having a base member, two partial side members, and a lid member to provide a spatial volume with an opening at a back end of the base member. Additionally, the apparatus includes a PCB installed inside the spatial volume over the base member with a pluggable connector at the back end. The apparatus includes one or more optical transmitting devices in transmit-optical-sub-assembly package, each being mounted upside-down on the PCB and including a built-in TEC module in contact with the lid member and a laser output port aiming toward the back end. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a silicon photonics chip including a fiber-to-silicon attachment module, mounted on the PCB and coupled to a modulation driver module and a trans-impedance-amplifier module. Moreover, the apparatus includes an optical input port and output port being back connected to the fiber-to-silicon attachment module.
US09671575B2
An optical waveguide device includes a wiring board; an optical waveguide having a first cladding layer, a core layer and a second cladding layer formed in this order on the wiring board; an optical path conversion mirror formed in the core layer; and an optical element mounted on the second cladding layer, the optical element comprising a light emitting portion or a light receiving portion protruding from a lower side thereof. The second cladding layer has an opening formed above the optical path conversion mirror. The optical element is mounted on the second cladding layer so that at least one end thereof is positioned above the opening of the second cladding layer. The light emitting portion or light receiving portion of the optical element is arranged the opening of the second cladding layer.
US09671550B2
A surface light source device includes a light source, a plurality of light guide rods that are disposed in parallel and allow light emitted from the light source to enter through an end surface and emits the incident light through an outer peripheral surface, and a diffusion plate that transmits light emitted from the light guide rod while diffusing the light. The light guide rod includes a light control part disposed on a surface along an axis of the light guide rod, and scattering, reflecting, or emitting light guided inside the light guide rod. Further, when an angle of a direction of a perpendicular relative to an extending direction of the diffusion plate from the center of the light guide rod is set as 0°, an angle of light having peak intensity to be emitted from the light guide rod is 30° to 90°.
US09671541B2
Provided is an optical sheet module that includes: a first optical sheet that includes a first base substrate, and a first structurization pattern configured to refract light incident from the first base substrate in a normal direction; a second optical sheet that is formed above the first optical sheet, and includes a second base substrate and a second structurization pattern for refracting the light incident from the second base substrate in the normal direction and intersecting an extension direction of the pattern with an extension direction of the first structurization pattern; and a reflective polarizing sheet that is formed on the second optical sheet, reflects light polarized in the first direction to the lower portion, and transmits light polarized in the second direction to a display, wherein the first optical sheet and the second optical sheet are bonded to each other.
US09671538B2
A linear photopolymerizable polymer (LPP) layer is situated to align liquid crystal molecules in a cholesteric liquid crystal polymer (Ch-LCP) layer situated at or on the LPP layers. The Ch-LCP layer includes a patterned area and an unpatterned area. The patterned area and the un-patterned area have different optical properties. The Ch-LCP layer can be tuned to transmit light of a desired frequency and handedness. Single and multiple-layered LPP/Ch-LCP and/or LPP/LCP structures can be provided as patterned polarizers, patterned retarders and other devices.
US09671537B2
Embodiments are described of a color filter array including a plurality of tiled minimal repeating units. Each minimal repeating unit includes an invisible-wavelength filter layer including a plurality of filters and a visible-wavelength filter layer positioned on the invisible-wavelength filter layer and having a plurality of filters such that each filter from the visible-wavelength layer is optically coupled to a corresponding filter in the invisible-wavelength layer.
US09671536B2
A multicolor electronic display is based on an array of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals which emit tight of different colors are grouped into pixels. The nanocrystals are optically pumped to produce a multicolor display. Different sized nanocrystals are used to produce the different colors. A variety of pixel addressing systems can be used.
US09671532B1
The safety light reflector kit comprises a plurality of reflectors that can be configured in a number of shapes and reflective options depending on the needs of the assembler. The plurality of reflectors further comprises reflectors of one or more shapes and reflectors of a plurality of colors.
US09671525B2
Continuous capillary pressure (Pc) curves of subsurface rock formations adjacent wells are determined based on translation relaxation time (T2) data from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and from wireline well logs, such as resistivity logs, to obtain water saturation (Sw) of the rock in the formations. The T2 data and the hydrocarbon density, water density, free water level, and paleo-water level of the formation are processed to obtain parameters of Thomeer hyperbolas that closely conform to water saturation values obtained from the other well logs. The Thomeer hyperbolas so determined are converted to capillary pressure curves.
US09671523B2
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a modular plug-in accessory including a connector for making pluggable electrical connection to a cascading electrical output port for providing cascading connection from an elongate light curtain, the accessory comprising an omni-directional light indicator to illuminate a light signal indicative of a status of the light curtain, wherein the accessory is configured to releasably make or break operative connection to the end cap containing the output port while the end cap is sealably connected to an end of the light curtain. In an illustrative example, the accessory may plug in directly to the terminal end of a light curtain. The receiving light curtain may be connected at the distal end of a string of light curtains. In some examples, the accessory may provide high visibility status indication information about any of the light curtain segments in the string of light curtains.
US09671496B2
A system for indoor localization using satellite navigation signals in a Distributed Antenna System includes a plurality of Off-Air Access Units (OAAUs). Each of the plurality of OAAUs is operable to receive an individual satellite navigation signal from at least one of a plurality of satellites and operable to route signals optically to one or more DAUs. The system also includes a plurality of remote DRUs located at a Remote location. The plurality of remote DRUs are operable to receive signals from a plurality of the one or more DAUs. The system further includes an algorithm to delay each individual satellite navigation signal for providing indoor localization at each of the plurality of DRUs.
US09671495B2
An optical proximity detector includes a plurality photodetectors (PDs) and a winner-take-all (WTA) circuit. Each of the PDs has a respective field of view (FOV) and produces a respective analog current detection signal indicative of light incident on and detected by the PD. In an embodiment, the WTA circuit includes a comparator and a multiplexor (MUX). The comparator compares the analog current detection signals produced by the PDs and produces a selection signal in dependence thereon. The MUX receives the analog current detection signals produced by the PDs and outputs one of the analog current detection signals in dependence on the selection signal produced by the comparator. Circuitry, which is shared by the PDs, produces a digital detection signal corresponding to the one of the analog current detection signals output by the MUX. Such design can be used to reduce power consumption, size and cost of an optical proximity detector.
US09671494B2
A radar array comprising a panel, the panel comprising a top side and a bottom side; a plurality of high-frequency antennas coupled into a high-frequency array coupled to the panel; at least one low-frequency resistive vee dipole transmitting antenna; and at least one low-frequency resistive vee dipole receiving antenna, wherein the at least one low-frequency resistive vee dipole transmitting antenna and the at least one low-frequency resistive vee dipole receiving antenna are coupled into a low-frequency array.
US09671492B2
A method for sensing occupancy status within an automotive vehicle uses a radar sensor system, the radar sensor system includes an antenna system, at least one sensor and processing circuitry. The method comprises illuminating, using the antenna system, at least one occupiable position within the vehicle with continuous wave (CW signals), the CW signals being frequency modulated in time. At least one sensor signal (y(t,f1 . . . y(t,fn)) reflected as a result of the CW signals, is received using at least one sensor the at least one sensor defining a plurality of receive channels (1 . . . i), each channel having a different frequency (f1 . . . fi). Processing circuitry is operable for applying, for each receive channel (1 . . . i), DC offset removal to the corresponding sensor signal (y(t,f1 . . . y(t,fn)) to generate a modified signal (y′(t, f1) . . . y′(t,fn)); and generating, based on the modified signals (y′(t, f1) . . . y′(t,fn)) one or more occupancy status signals, the occupancy status signal indicating a property related to said at least one occupiable position.
US09671491B2
Disclosed are systems and methods which efficiently control storage of and/or access to data which includes repetitive data or data which is used by different modes, processes, etcetera. Embodiments provide control for storage of and/or access to large amounts of data used in ultrasound system beam forming for image generation using a hierarchy of sequencers for controlling storage of and/or access to data. A frame sequencer may provide control at a frame level while an address sequencer is implemented to provide control at a data access level.
US09671488B2
A method for providing narrow-band interference unaffected measurement of a distance to a surface of a product kept in a tank, comprising mixing a return signal with a transmit signal to provide an intermediate frequency signal, and determining the distance, based on the intermediate frequency signal. The step of determining the distance further comprises dividing the intermediate frequency signal into a plurality of frequency portions, wherein each frequency portion corresponds to a frequency interval of the transmit signal, identifying disturbed frequency portions as frequency portions affected by narrow-band interference, and determining the distance based on frequency portions being unaffected by narrow-band interference. By dividing the IF-signal into frequency portions corresponding to frequency intervals of the transmit signal, frequency intervals where narrow-band interferences are present may be detected.
US09671486B2
Embodiments relate to sensor systems and methods that can compensate for thermal EMF effects that can cause residual offset and other errors in sensor systems. In one embodiment, a sensor system comprises at least one temperature sensor arranged proximate a primary sensor element, e.g., a Hall plate in an embodiment in which the sensor system comprises a Hall-effect magnetic field sensing system, though other types of magnetic field and sensors more generally can be used in other embodiments. In another embodiment, a plurality of temperature sensors can be used, with each one arranged proximate a different sensor contact or element. In an example in which the Hall plate is operated according to a spinning operation scheme, the at least one temperature sensor can be configured to sense a temperature in each operating phase, and the individual sensed temperatures can be combined and used to provide a temperature-dependent compensation signal.
US09671479B2
In a method and apparatus for shimming a superconducting magnet that has a number of magnet coils electrically connected in series between a first current connection and a second current connection and a superconducting switch connected in parallel with the magnet coils, between the first current connection and the second current connection, with the first current connection being electrically connected to an external current lead, a first solid-state switching device is electrically interposed between the external current lead and the magnet coils; a number of superconducting shim coils electrically connected between the first current connection and the second current connection through a further solid-state switching device. Superconducting switches are each connected in parallel with a respective superconducting shim coil.
US09671474B2
A vertical Hall effect sensor having three Hall effect regions interconnected in a ring can be operated in a spinning scheme. Each Hall effect region has three contacts: the first Hall effect region includes first, second, and third contacts; the second Hall effect region has fourth, fifth, and sixth contacts, and the third Hall effect region has seventh, eighth, and ninth contacts. Interconnections between the Hall effect regions are provided such that a first terminal is connected to a third contact, a second interconnection is arranged between the second and fourth contacts, a third terminal is connected to the sixth contact, a fourth interconnection is arranged between the fifth and seventh contacts, a fifth terminal is connected to the ninth contact, and a sixth interconnection is arranged between the first and eighth contacts.
US09671465B2
Circuitry for detecting faults in a system for supplying power from an input node to an output node and having at least one switch coupled between the input node and the output node. The fault detecting circuitry is configured for indicating a fault condition of the switch when the switch is commanded to turn on and at least one of the following conditions is detected: a voltage across the switch exceeds a predetermined value or a value of the switch control signal is insufficient to turn the switch on. The fault condition is indicated only if the detected condition is present for a predetermined period of time.
US09671459B2
A maintenance carriage of a wafer inspection apparatus can easily unload a test head. A wafer inspection apparatus 10 includes a cell tower 12 in which cells 11 are arranged at four levels, and each of the cells 11 accommodates a test head 15. At an outside of the cell tower 12, a maintenance carriage 27 is arranged. The maintenance carriage 27 includes a carriage base 29 configured to be moved through rollers 28; a test head case 31 configured to accommodate the test head 15; a lift device 30 provided uprightly from the carriage base 29 and configured to move up and down the test head case 31; and a horizontal position adjusting stage 35 provided between a lifter 34 of the lift device 30 and the test head case 31 and configured to move the test head case 31 horizontally with respect to the lifter 34.
US09671444B2
A current signal sensing method for a supplying-end module of an induction type power supply system, wherein the supplying-end module includes a supplying-end coil and a resonant capacitor, includes serially connecting a current sensing element between the supplying-end coil and the resonant capacitor to obtain a current signal corresponding to a current of the supplying-end coil; and interpreting the current signal to retrieve data of a receiving-end module of the induction type power supply system.
US09671439B2
A circuit apparatus measures, records, transmits, and displays actual and estimated power consumption in a branch circuit of an electrical distribution system. The apparatus includes a display driver coupled to one or more current sensors which derives or estimates power consumption from measured current. The accuracy of power consumption is improved by additional measurement of actual supplied voltage. A plurality of current sensors determine differential current to provide ground fault interruption to a desired range of precision. A store enables display of surge and average current measurements and power measurements in addition to immediate results.
US09671436B2
An electric current sensor includes a core having a coupling portion formed by bending a part of a plate member, and one end portion and the other end portion of the plate member are disposed to oppose to each other through a constant magnetic gap on a side opposite from the coupling portion. The core has: a first tapered portion in which a width of the plate member continuously decreases from one end of the coupling portion adjacent to the one end portion to a distal end of the one end portion; and a second tapered portion in which the width of the plate member continuously decreases from an other end of the coupling portion adjacent to the other end portion to a distal end of the other end portion.
US09671433B2
Devices and methods associated with current measurements are provided. A current in a conductor portion may be measured by a current sensing element. An output signal indicative of the current may be generated based on the measured current and information regarding a current path.
US09671427B2
A high-voltage active measurement probe is for a measurement instrument such as an oscilloscope. The high voltage active measurement probe includes an input terminal configured to receive an input signal from a device under test (DUT), a first output terminal configured to transmit a first output signal to the measurement instrument for measurement and display of peak voltages, and a second output terminal configured to transmit a second output signal to the measurement instrument for high sensitivity measurement and display of low level voltages. A first probe signal path is between the input terminal and the first output terminal, and a second probe signal path between the input terminal and the second output terminal. A first amplifier is in the first probe signal path between the input terminal and the first output terminal, and a second amplifier is in the second probe signal path between the input terminal and the second output terminal. A first attenuator is in the first probe signal path between the input terminal and the first amplifier, and a second attenuator in the second probe signal path between the input terminal and the second amplifier. A clamping circuit is in the second signal path between the second amplifier and the second output terminal and configured to clamp an internal probe signal, e.g. between an upper clamping threshold and a lower clamping threshold, to produce the second output signal.
US09671426B2
The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for improving silicon interposers to include test circuitry for testing stacked die mounted on the interposer. The improvement allows for the stacked die to be selectively tested by an external tester or by the test circuitry included in the interposer.
US09671416B2
The invention relates to a sample processing system and method for processing biological samples, comprising a sample processing device having: a receiving plate, which is arranged substantially horizontally in a plane; a first and second working arm, which can move relative to the receiving plate and extend substantially parallel to each other in a second direction (Y) over the receiving plate; at least one pipetting device mounted on the first working arm, which is movable in a second direction (Y) and in a third direction (Z) orthogonal in relation to the first and second direction (X, Y); at least one gripping device, mounted on the second working arm, with grippers that can be rotated around a gripper axis of rotation (GA) parallel to the third direction (Z); and a control device for controlling the pipetting device and the gripping device.
US09671411B2
An improved monocyte activation test is described that is better able to detect non-endotoxin pyrogens in medical products, in which a sample is incubated with a monocyte-containing reagent in an assay system comprising at least one surface comprising polypropylene. The invention also concerns assay systems for use in these tests that include at least one microtiter well having at least one interior surface comprising polypropylene and having a shape such that monocyte-containing reagent is concentrated in the well to provide greater cell to cell contact. The invention also relates to a diagnostic kit that can be used to test for the presence of non-endotoxin pyrogens in a sample.
US09671410B2
In various embodiments, provided are methods for selecting and formulating compositions for treating and maintaining the quality of skin, wherein a composition is selected for use in a personal care product based on its demonstrated biological effect to improve skin quality as evidenced by one or more biomarker changes that correlate with improvement as evidenced by one or more objective measurements of skin health.
US09671408B2
Embodiments of a computer system, a method, and a computer-program product (e.g., software) for analyzing tandem-mass-spectrometry data are described. Using this analysis technique, unanticipated chemical modifications to peptides associated with proteins can be identified. In particular, a modification called a wild-card modification is used to identify the most likely chemical modifications in the peptides. A wild-card modification allows the addition of any mass, typically any integer atomic mass within a range, to any one amino acid residue within a candidate peptide.
US09671401B2
A method of adjusting a final signal value measured on a lateral flow assay test strip, by: identifying a pre-determined calibration method for the test strip, wherein the pre-determined calibration method corresponds to the manufacturing lot from which the test strip has been made; measuring signal values while performing a lateral flow assay reaction on a test strip; determining a final signal value; and adjusting the final signal value based upon the identified pre-selected calibration method for the test strip.
US09671400B2
The present invention relates to compounds which are conjugates of two or more moieties capable of serving as substrates of an enzyme with peroxidase activity and one or more labels. The conjugate molecules of the invention are useful for detection of molecular targets, e.g. biological or chemical molecules, molecular structures, etc, in samples using a host of experimental schemes for detecting and visualizing such targets, e.g. immunohistochemistry (IHC), in situ hybridization (ISH), ELISA, Southern, Northern, and Western blotting, etc. The invention also relates to compositions comprising the conjugate molecules.
US09671394B2
Herein is reported a method for the detection of free antigen of a multispecific antibody in a sample, whereby the antigen to be detected can be specifically bound by a first binding site of the multispecific antibody, comprising the step of incubating a sample comprising free antigen and multispecific antibody with an anti-idiotypic antibody that specifically binds to a second binding site of the multispecific antibody, which is different from the first binding site, and thereby depleting the multispecific antibody from the sample.
US09671393B2
The present invention provides isolated, non-viable bacterial cells comprising a plurality of nucleic acid crosslinks, methods for making said cells, and methods for using said cells to isolate DNA-protein complexes. In particular, the nucleic acids of the cells are crosslinked by contacting the cells with a furocoumarin compound and ultraviolet light.
US09671389B2
There is provided an apparatus for measuring levels of a specified gas in exhaled breath, the apparatus comprising a photoacoustic sensor for providing a measurement representative of the level of the specified gas in the exhaled air, wherein the photoacoustic sensor comprises a light source that is modulated at a first frequency; a sound speed measurement module for measuring the sound speed of the exhaled breath, wherein the sound speed measurement module operates either at a second frequency that is substantially different to the first frequency or in a pulsed mode; wherein the first frequency of the modulated light source is adjusted during exhalation in accordance with the measured speed of sound of the exhaled breath.
US09671388B2
Provided is an apparatus for blood analysis. The apparatus for blood analysis includes a spin coater to which blood is supplied, a light source part emitting light onto the spin coater, a measurement part detecting light reflected from the blood on the spin coater, and outputting a detected signal, and an analysis part analyzing information on the blood from the detected signal from the measurement part.
US09671374B2
An ultrasound probe assembly includes a transducer configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals in relation to a structure, and a delay line coupled to the transducer. The delay line is configured to change shapes between an uncompressed state and a compressed state. In at least one embodiment, the changing shape of the delay line changes a shape of the ultrasound signals.
US09671373B2
A magnetostrictive transducer assembly for generating a longitudinal elastic guided wave of a selected frequency and mode and for guiding the wave into an open end of a heat exchanger tube for testing the tube. The transducer assembly comprises a current-carrying coil of wire, a magnetostrictive material wrapped around the coil of wire, a mechanism for pressing the magnetostrictive material against an inner surface of the tube, and one or more biasing magnets placed in the vicinity of the current-carrying coil of wire and the magnetostrictive material.
US09671365B2
A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.
US09671363B2
A chemical sensor is described. The chemical sensor includes a chemically-sensitive field effect transistor including a floating gate conductor having an upper surface. A material defines an opening extending to the upper surface of the floating gate conductor, the material comprising a first dielectric underlying a second dielectric. A conductive element contacts the upper surface of the floating gate conductor and extending a distance along a sidewall of the opening.
US09671359B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing a humidity sensor based on resistive type porous Magnesium Ferrite (MgFe2O4) pellets and a humidity sensor thereof. More particularly, the present invention includes a synthesis process of preparing 30 to 40% porous MgFe2O4 pellets. The process further includes making Ohmic contacts on the porous MgFe2O4 pellets. The process is very cost effective and optimized to keep the resistance of the porous MgFe2O4 pellets in the range 200-300 MΩ. Further, the response and recovery time of the porous MgFe2O4 pellets to humidity is in the range of few seconds only. Further, the porous MgFe2O4 pellets can be used for humidity sensing for more than 12 months. Due to resistance stability even after long-term exposure in humidity, the porous MgFe2O4 pellets do not require flash heating. Further, the humidity sensor prepared according to the process is highly sensitive towards relative humidity changes as the same is based on the measurement of resistance changes as compared to known humidity sensors which are based on the measurement of capacitance changes.
US09671355B2
A device for providing for electron excited x-ray fluorescence may include means for driving two contacting surfaces against each other in a low fluid pressure environment, such that high energy electrons strike a sample under test and provide for x-ray fluorescence of the sample. The sample under test may be in or on a sample holder, whose position with respect to the contacting surfaces is adjustable. For example, the sample holder may be positionable to be a different distances from the contacting surfaces.
US09671353B2
Provided are apparatus and system for pest detection and a method for detecting pest damage to prevent pest damage in wooden building structures. The apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a post-shaped main body extending in a set direction and formed therealong, and comprising a plurality of holes distanced from each other with a wall therebetween, the wall comprising timber which can be despoiled by pest; and a sensor unit allowing attachment and detachment to and from the upper end of the main body. Here, the sensor unit may comprise: a light-emitting unit comprising at least one light-emitting body for irradiating the interior of at least one hole among the plurality of holes; a sensing unit for sensing the light, emitted from the light-emitting unit, in the interior of at least one hole from among the plurality of holes; and a detection unit for outputting a light signal received from the sensing unit as an electrical signal.
US09671351B2
An optical device for detecting a first chemical species and a second chemical species contained in a specimen, which includes: a first optical sensor, which may be optically coupled to an optical source through the specimen and is sensitive to radiation having a wavelength comprised in a first range of wavelengths; and a second optical sensor, which may be optically coupled to the optical source through the specimen and is sensitive to radiation having a wavelength comprised in a second range of wavelengths, different from the first range of wavelengths.
US09671332B2
An open-path laser spectrometer (OPLS) for measuring a concentration of a trace gas, the OPLS including an open-path multi-pass analysis region including a first mirror, a second mirror at a distance and orientation from the first mirror, and a support structure for locating the mirrors, a laser coupled to the analysis region and configured to emit light of a wavelength range and to enable a plurality of reflections of the emitted light between the mirrors, a detector coupled to the analysis region and configured to detect a portion of the emitted light impinging on the detector and to generate a corresponding signal, and an electronic system coupled to the laser and the detector, and configured to adjust the wavelength range of the emitted light from the laser based on the generated signal, and to measure the concentration of the trace gas based on the generated signal.
US09671329B2
The present invention relates to a method for measuring the uniform diffuse reflectance ROBJ(λ) at least at one point on an object (30) using a device (10) comprising a means (11) capable of emitting color illuminants expressed in the form of luminous flux and an electronic color image sensor (12). The present invention also relates to a device (10) comprising a means (11) for emitting color illuminants expressed as luminous flux of colors and an electronic color image sensor (12), for measuring the uniform diffuse reflectance ROBJ(λ) at least at one point on an object (30) placed in a zone located opposite and substantially perpendicular to the said means (11) capable of emitting colors and located in the field of vision of the said electronic color image sensor (12) and being subjected to an external illuminant expressed as a constant and unknown external environmental luminous flux (40) denoted Iext(λ).
US09671320B2
A semi-dry type electrostatic cyclone sampler includes a cyclone body, an insulate element, a discharge electrode, an air tube, an air introducing means, a discharging means and a flushing means. The insulate element is disposed at a top of the cyclone body and co-defines a cyclone chamber with the cyclone body. The discharging electrode is disposed on the insulate element. The air tube is disposed at a bottom of the cyclone body. The air introducing means is for introducing a particulate-containing air stream into the cyclone chamber. The discharging means is for charging the particulates so that the particulates can attach to an inside of the cyclone body. The flushing means is for flushing the inside of the cyclone body and collecting part of the particulates. When the discharging means activates, the air introducing means activates simultaneously. When the flushing means activates, the discharging means is deactivated.
US09671316B2
A testing system of exercise machine includes a control signal source and an exercise machine. The control signal source includes a remote control device saved with a plurality of testing commands. The exercise machine includes a control unit and a plurality of driving units. The control unit includes a first controller received in a control panel of the exercise machine, and the first controller generates an error code corresponding to one of the driving unit when the exercise machine malfunctions. The testing commands respectively correspond to different error codes. The remote control device sends an acquiring command to the first controller to obtain the generated error code, and sends the testing command which corresponds to the error code to the first controller to test the corresponding driving unit, and a testing result is sent back to the control signal source. Whereby, the efficiency of testing could be improved.
US09671312B2
A method is provided for determining the diameter of a rotor of a turbomachine, rotor being equipped with rotor blades. The method involves setting the rotor with the rotor blade ring in rotation, arranging a clearance measuring device assigned to the rotor blade ring outside the region of the latter, measuring the distance to the rotor blades of the rotor blade ring which are rotating past the clearance measuring device, and using the measured distance for determining the diameter of the rotor. During measuring, the rotational speed is identical to, almost identical to or higher than the setpoint rotational speed of the rotor.
US09671297B2
A pliable pressure sensitive sensor device and method of making the same is provided. The sensor includes first and second pliable protective layers, which cover sets of conductive fibers that spatially separated by an electrically conductive pliable layer, which deforms in response to a pressure event. The fiber sets form a grid pattern and are in electrical communication with sets of electrical contacts located in predetermined locations along the fibers. In response to a pressure event in proximity to the contact, the pliable layer deforms and increases the amount of surface area in contact with an electrical contact whereby an electrical resistance at an individual electrical contact decreases in response to the pressure event.
US09671295B2
A terminal head, which is provided in a sheath type temperature sensor and is for connecting the sheath type temperature sensor and a cable, is structured such that, in order for replacement of the sheath type temperature sensor to be easily performed and in order to minimize the number of replacement parts, a terminal plate (2) of the terminal head (1) and the sheath type temperature sensor 3 are coupled using a pair of plug-in connectors (4, 5) and the coupling is held by a coupling nut (6). When replacing the sheath type temperature sensor (3), the leads (31) of the sheath type temperature sensor do not need to be detached from and attached to the terminal plate (2) at the replacement worksite, and the only replaced part other than the sheath type temperature sensor (3) is the one connector (5).
US09671291B2
A device to measure a temperature of molten metal may include an infrared sensor effective to measure the temperature of the molten metal, a sheath having an open end, a sealed end, and a channel extending from the open end to the sealed end, and an infrared-transparent window disposed between the infrared sensor and the channel of the sheath. The open end of the sheath is disposed near the infrared sensor and the sealed end of the sheath extends into the molten metal. The infrared-transparent window or rod is disposed between the infrared sensor and the channel of the sheath such that the infrared sensor can measure the temperature through the infrared-transparent window or rod, the channel, and the sealed end. The infrared-transparent window or rod seals the infrared sensor from the channel in the sheath.
US09671280B2
Method of generating a correction function for a light-emitting diode (LED) testing process, including: detecting light emitted by a reference LED and reflected from inactive LEDs on a panel within a field of view of a detector; varying a number of the inactive LEDs to derive uncorrected values of an optical parameter as a function of the number of inactive LEDs; detecting light emitted by the reference LED, or by an active LED having identical optical properties, in the absence of any other LEDs, to determine at least one reference value for each optical parameter; and calculating differences between the uncorrected values and each reference value to generate the correction function, the correction function being based on the number of inactive LEDs which are arranged within the field of view of the detector in the light detecting step.
US09671279B2
Described are optical sensing systems. The systems may perform reliably in explosive environments and provide eye protection should breakage of an optical fiber be detected. Sensors of the systems additionally may be self-managing, acquiring and transmitting sensed data as available electrical power permits. The systems beneficially may be used on-board aircraft.
US09671276B1
A wireless, sterilizable scale comprising a moving module, on which an animal sits or explores, and a fixed module that measures the weight of the animal on the moving module. The fixed module comprises a compliant membrane or gasket, through which the weight of the moving modules and animal is mechanically coupled. The fixed module comprises three load cells arranged in a triangle so as to support the moving module, through the membrane, such that its tilt is limited. The fixed module is sealed by the membrane and comprises the load cells, batteries and electronics. The fixed module, including an internal moving platform, may be chemically sterilized. The moving module may be sterilized using heat sterilization. IR communication transmits a series of weight values at two different data rates. The scale may be in a sterile cage free of electrical penetrations. A system comprises a vivarium comprising such cages.
US09671271B1
The disclosure relates to a measuring device for a granulated product, including a top component comprising a leveling component and a clump-breaking component and a bottom component comprising a scoop and a handle. The measuring device allows a user to remove excess product from the scoop by moving the leveling component along the opening of the scoop. Further, the clump-breaking component serves to break the clump of product that forms in the scoop upon dispensing the product from the measuring device into a receptacle, which may contain a liquid. Breaking the clump of product improves the dissolution of the product into a liquid.
US09671269B2
Particle traps and meters fitted with particle traps are described for removing particles from a gas flowing through a gas meter, for example, removing particles from a gas flowing through an ultrasonic gas meter serving a domestic property. In one example, the particle trap has a body which defines a space defined by first and second portions of the body and housing a filter, an inlet through which gas can enter the space, and an outlet through which the gas can exit the space. The inlet and outlet are defined in the first portion and second portion is spaced away from the outlet.
US09671262B2
An example system includes a separator that accepts and separates a multiphase flowback effluent stream into a plurality of secondary streams. A first sensor assembly monitors the multiphase flowback effluent stream and generates a first signal corresponding to at least one characteristic of the multiphase flowback effluent stream. A second sensor assembly monitors one of the plurality of secondary streams and generates a second signal corresponding to at least one characteristic of the one of the plurality of secondary streams. A signal processor receives the first and second signals and determines a mass flow rate of a substance present in both the multiphase flowback effluent stream and the one of the plurality of secondary streams.
US09671258B2
A wearable device with removal-detection function includes a component, a copper foil, a wireless communication circuit, and a monitoring unit. The copper foil is arranged in the component. An induction capacitor is formed between the copper foil and user's body when the component is in contact with user's body. The monitoring unit measures electrical characteristics of the induction capacitor, and can determine a removal from user's body based on the measured electrical characteristics. The monitoring unit further controls the wireless communication circuit to send a warning message plus location information to a monitoring terminal if the wearable device is removed.
US09671252B2
An apparatus of detecting capacitance detects a capacitance change of a capacitive sensor. The apparatus includes a pulse modulator configured to output a charging signal including at least one pulse. A switch is configured to charge the capacitive sensor according to the charging signal and output a discharging signal from the capacitive sensor. A discharging compensator is configured to output a discharging delay signal by compensating a voltage level of the discharging signal during a falling period of the discharging signal. A detector is configured to output a detection signal by detecting a region where the discharging delay signal has a voltage threshold. A controller is configured to detect the capacitance change by measuring a discharging time of the capacitive sensor according to the detection signal.
US09671249B2
A system may include broken wire detector circuitry that may include an optocoupler, encoder isolator circuitry that may include input voltage protection circuitry, an optocoupler, and output filtering circuitry, and compensator circuitry that may include signal conditioning circuitry. The broken wire detector circuitry and the encoder isolator circuitry may be configured to accept inputs signals (A, B) and an index signal (Z) for a single-ended and differential type incremental encoder. The broken wire detector circuitry may be configured to convert an input AC pulse train signal to an analog DC signal. The encoder isolator may be configured to protect from high input voltages. And, the compensator may be configured to accept outputs of the broken wire detector circuitry and the encoder isolator circuitry and to integrate and dampen the analog DC signal that has a value representative of an operating state of the incremental encoder.
US09671244B2
An electronic device and a method are described, The electronic device is adapted to be installed on a handlebar of a vehicle, the electronic device comprising: a processor; a communication module; a display comprising a halo-shaped display; a memory for storing therein executable instructions, the instructions upon being processed by the processor, causing the electronic device to: receive, via the communication module, navigational data from a mobile device, the navigational data being associated with a circular visual signal indication, the circular visual signal indication being indicative of at least one of (i) an upcoming directional instruction and (ii) a distance between a current location and an upcoming location associated with the upcoming directional instruction; and, cause the display, on the halo-shaped display, of the circular visual signal indication on a portion of the halo-shaped display.
US09671232B2
Described herein is a framework for predicting arrival time of moving objects based on grid modeling of location data. In accordance with one aspect of the framework, location data of a moving object is received and positions of the moving object may be identified based on a grid model by mapping the location data to the grid model. The grid model may be segmented into cells where a cell transition time of the moving object from a current cell to another cell may be determined. The arrival time of the moving object may then be predicted based on the cell transition time of the moving object. The arrival time of the moving object may further be presented to one or more user devices.
US09671229B2
An embodiment is directed towards a network controller for controlling a telecommunications network (70) comprising a plurality of vehicles (250, 280, 330) each including a telecommunications device. The network controller comprises a network configuration database (20), containing data representing the configuration of the network (70); an assets database (30), containing for each vehicle (250, 280, 330) (i) data representing planned movements of the vehicle (250, 280, 330) and (ii) data representing parameters for acceptable variation in said route (260, 290, 350); and an information exchange requirement (IER) database (40), containing data representing expected future network loading. An optimization engine (50) is configured to calculate a set of routes (260, 310, 350) for the vehicles (250, 280, 330) that optimizes the availability of the telecommunications network (70) in the geographic area.
US09671228B2
A ring laser gyroscope (RLG) assembly comprises an RLG block comprising: a first anode; a second anode; a cathode; and a cavity. The RLG assembly further comprises a current supply circuit coupled to the RLG block. The current supply circuit comprises a high voltage power supply to provide a high voltage signal; a first current path coupled between the high voltage power supply and the first anode to provide a first current to the first anode; and a second current path coupled between the high voltage power supply and the second anode to provide a second current to the second anode. The second current path is configured to mirror the first current such that the second current approximately matches the first current. Each component in the second current path is configured to operate based on power derived only from the high voltage signal.
US09671227B2
A method for evaluating output signals of a rotational rate sensor unit, including providing an n-tuple of angular speed values measured by at least one rotational rate sensor of the rotational rate sensor unit, in a first step; determining an intermediate value as a function of the n-tuple of angular speed values, in a second step; calculating a new change of orientation value as a function of the intermediate value and an earlier change of orientation value stored in a register of the rotational rate sensor unit, in a third step; and storing the new change of orientation value in the register, in a fourth step, repeating the first, second, third, and fourth step until, the new change of orientation value is read out by an external data processing unit connected to the rotational rate sensor unit, and/or, an exceeding of a threshold value is detected.
US09671211B2
For some embodiments, a system includes a moveable structure, moveable in at least a linear direction relative to a supporting structure, a magnetic field sensor assembly including a magnetic field sensor, and a magnet, wherein one of the magnet and the magnetic field sensor is coupled to the moveable structure, and wherein the other of the magnet and the magnetic field sensor assembly is coupled to the supporting structure, and wherein the magnetic field sensor assembly is configured to determine the relative position of the magnet to the magnetic field sensor.
US09671210B2
A method for ascertaining a correction value for monitoring a fluid bearing of a coordinate measuring machine or other machine tool. Also disclosed is a coordinate measuring machine having at least one fluid bearing. The machine further includes a first element and a second element which are supported against each other by means of at least one fluid bearing. In addition, a control device is provided for controlling the machine. A quantity representing a pressure in the at least one fluid bearing is ascertained as a function of a position and/or orientation of the first element relative to the second element. A correction value for a pressure in the at least one fluid bearing is determined for the position and/or orientation of the first element relative to the second element. The correction value is then stored in the control device, and subsequently used for machining or measuring a workpiece.
US09671208B2
An improvement in the process of pillow selection is described, allowing customers to select a pillow that is appropriate for them in a less random manner. First, a method of selecting a pillow for a user is disclosed, comprising the steps of locating the user with a shoulder thereof adjacent a flat rigid surface, orienting the user substantially transverse to the surface, measuring a spacing between the surface and a proximate side of the user's head, and selecting at least one pillow from a group of pillows, based on the measured spacing. The rigid surface is ideally upright, such as a wall. The group of pillows can be divided into a plurality of sub-groups, each sub-group containing a plurality of pillows with substantially like thickness. Thus, based on the reading, the user can be invited to choose any pillow from a specific group or range of pillows. Second, an apparatus for assisting in the selection of a pillow is disclosed, comprising an extending center section located between a pair of opposing end plates, the center section having a visible indicia indicative of a distance between the end plates. The center section is ideally telescopic, and can comprise an inner and an outer telescopic sleeve, the visible indicia then being provided on the inner telescopic sleeve. A series of colored bands as the visible indicia allows the relevant group of pillows to be identified easily, quickly and unambiguously.
US09671207B2
A device for use in a blasting system which Includes a plurality of detonators, wherein the device Includes a connector for making a connection between the detonator and a harness in the blasting system, wherein the connector includes a housing and at least one Identifying source on the housing operable to emit an identifying signal thereby to Identify the physical location of the housing.
US09671202B2
An arrow with self-aligning features allows a user to properly nock the arrow without resorting to manual alignment of the nock and fletchings. Engagement of a removable nock and shaft, each with a rounded polygonal cross-section, such as a reuleaux triangle, allow for a fixed relative angular position between the nock and the shaft without the use of an adhesive. This allows for proper position between the nock and index vane to ensure a more accurate path of the arrow during flight. Similarly, the reuleaux triangle cross-section of the shaft may engage an arrow head with a similar reuleaux triangle for accurate alignment between the shaft and the arrow head.
US09671198B2
A plurality of firearm accessory mounting technologies are disclosed. Such technologies enable selective mounting of firearm accessories to firearm rails. Such technologies also enable integration of firearm rail mounting structures into firearms accessories.
US09671197B2
A remotely operated target-processing system includes a shooting robot having a stand supporting a firing part having an optoelectronic aiming device providing an image of the target, sensors detecting the relative position of the firing part, and actuators positioning the firing-pt. A central unit receives the instructions and the signals from the sensors and generates control signals for the actuators and the firing-pert. A control screen displays the image and embeds aiming data, and a control member directs the trajectory line.
US09671194B1
A device for cyclically operating a trigger of a firearm includes a glove having a finger stall, a pull mounted at the finger stall, and a drive mechanism coupled to the pull to move the finger stall from a bent configuration toward a straight configuration. The drive mechanism actuates in response to an activation signal.
US09671193B2
A firearm stock connection system that includes a grip with a first hole, a stock system with a second hole, and a button positioned within the first hole and extending through the second hole in an extended position. The stock system may include a frame member, a plate, an extender tube, and a lock. The extender tube may be threaded onto a threaded projection of the plate. The lock may prevent rotation of the extender tube with respect to the threaded projection. The extender tube may include structures that engage a portion of the lock. The structures may be a plurality of slots. The stock system may include a recoil device. The recoil device may be filled with gas. The grip may include a first end, a second end, a gap positioned between the first and second ends, and a bolt aperture extending from the first end to the gap.
US09671180B2
A process analytic device includes an input to receive a sample of interest and an analytic detector operably coupled to receive the sample of interest. An analytic output is provided relative to the sample of interest. A plurality of heat pipes is thermally coupled to the analytic detector.
US09671173B2
Vapor flow-diverting devices that re-direct upwardly flowing vapor, for example, in a downward direction across condenser tubes disposed in the upper or top section of a vapor-liquid contacting apparatus, are described. These devices are particularly beneficial in tubular condensers within distillation columns and may be used in combination with other associated equipment (e.g., a deflector plate and divider plate) as well as in combination with the tube surface enhancements to improve the heat transfer coefficient.
US09671163B2
An expansion device having a passageway formed orderly by a tubular inlet portion, a tubular throat portion and a tubular outlet portion, with a closing element arranged in the throat portion, the closing element adapted to cause a Joule-Thomson expansion and cooling of an at least partially gaseous fluid that is supplied at a predetermined pressure (P1), where in the inlet portion a direction means is provided for directing the fluid according to a flow direction that is generally at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inlet portion, in order to reduce the friction of the at least partially gaseous fluid when flowing through the throat portion at the closing element, in order to approximate the transformation to a reversible isentropic transformation more closely than what is possible with the known lamination valves.
US09671161B2
A gas liquefaction process, especially for producing LNG, maintains product flow rate and temperature by controlling the refrigeration so that variation to reduce any difference between actual and required product temperatures is initiated before variation of the product flow rate to reduce any difference between actual and required flow rates.
US09671158B1
A cooler with a modular light bar having multiple LEDs to illuminate an entire interior of the cooler is disclosed herein. The LEDs are preferably automatically activated by a switch positioned in the cooler. When the lid is in an open state, the switch completes a circuit from a battery to the LEDs of the modular light bar thereby allowing the LEDs to illuminate the entire interior chamber of the cooler.
US09671156B2
A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage chamber, a door opening or closing the storage chamber, and a dispenser provided at the door. The dispenser includes a dispenser housing that is recessed backward into the door to define a container accommodation space. A control panel unit includes a display part and a dispensing mode selection part. An image corresponding to the dispensing mode selected through the dispensing mode selection part is displayed on the display part as a moving picture by a control from a controller.
US09671155B2
A glycol pan chiller is configured in a unique cylinder form factor that achieves new efficiencies in power savings and cooling. A new cylindrical cooling assembly comprises three concentrically disposed cylinders attached together at their respective top ends to create an upper lip area 219 or shelf area that provides top end insulation and a useful shelf area. The concentrically disposed cylinders define an outward void for insulation, a middle void for refrigerant tubing and retained refrigerant or cooling fluid such as glycol and an inner void 224 for food storage and food cooling. Food cooled within the inner void is not dried out as heat transfer occurs without blowing air within the inner void.
US09671153B2
A low-temperature storage includes: a thermally-insulating casing including an accommodating portion accommodating an item to be refrigerated; a door to be closed in a manner capable of opening/closing the portion; a cooling mechanism cooling an interior thereof; a temperature-detecting unit measuring a temperature in the portion; an opening/closing-detecting unit detecting a door open/close state; and a control unit including a temperature-adjusting unit controlling the cooling mechanism so that the temperature reaches a target temperature, first- and second-temperature-storing units storing first and second temperatures, respectively, a target-temperature-setting unit setting the target temperature at the first temperature when the opening/closing-detecting unit detects that the door has changed from an open to closed state, and thereafter, setting the target temperature at the second temperature, and a control-information-setting unit setting the first or second temperatures, and when a difference therebetween is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, outputting information indicating as such.
US09671152B2
Disclosed herein is a refrigerator having a door rotatably hinged to a body of the refrigerator that prevents droop of the door at the side opposite to the axis of rotation of the door. A dyke formed on the rear surface of the door is provided with a roller, which is supported by the bottom surface of the storage compartment. A roller cap having a roller accommodation space to accommodate a part of the roller is connected to the dyke, and the roller is rotatably mounted to the roller cap.
US09671150B2
Disclosed herein are a cooling apparatus and a control method thereof. The cooling apparatus using latent heat of a refrigerant includes evaporators evaporating the refrigerant, a compressor compressing the evaporated refrigerant to a high pressure, defrosting heaters removing frost accumulated on the evaporators, a driving unit providing driving current selectively to the compressor or the defrosting heaters, and a control unit controlling the driving unit to provide driving current to the compressor in a cooling operation mode and controlling the driving unit to provide driving current to the defrosting heaters in a defrosting operation mode. The cooling apparatus controls the defrosting heaters using a driving circuit controlling the compressor, and thus lowers the manufacturing costs of a refrigerator operated at DC power.
US09671148B2
An apparatus for cooling a containerized fluid apparatus has a refrigerant-delivery assembly axially depending from a handle assembly. The handle assembly forms a receptacle for receiving a canister of refrigerant such as pressurized liquid carbon dioxide (CO2). The refrigerant-delivery assembly comprises a supply tube through which refrigerant is fed from the canister in the handle assembly to a refrigerant-containment compartment enclosing an exit port of the supply tube and entry ports of one or more expansion tubes. The refrigerant-containment compartment places the supply tube in fluid-flow communication with the expansion tubes. The expansion tubes are rotatable about the axis of the supply tube. The expansion tubes are made to rotate by either a nozzle-turbine feature or a motor-and-gear subassembly. As refrigerant expands in the expansion tubes it takes on heat in accordance with thermodynamic properties thereby cooling the containerized fluid.
US09671141B2
A device includes a first board having a first area and a second area not overlapping the first area; and a thermoelectric semiconductor disposed between the first board and the second board at the first area of the first board configured to supply a voltage to the thermoelectric semiconductor; a package disposed at the second area of the first board.
US09671124B2
A remaining memory capacity of a memory is acquired in a predetermined cycle, and remaining memory capacity MR is stored in a remaining capacity database in association with an acquisition date. After that, it is determined whether or not a memory leak is present based on the remaining memory capacity and the acquisition date stored in the remaining capacity database. When it is determined that the memory leak possibly occurs, a usage limit period being a length of time to a point when a forced restart according to a usage limit threshold is performed is computed based on the remaining memory capacity and a memory decreasing rate. A restart schedule (and an all-stop period) is set within the usage limit period. On a date of the restart schedule, a management apparatus for managing an air-conditioning apparatus is restarted.
US09671121B2
Apparatuses, methods, apparatuses and systems for tracking motion are disclosed. One method includes identifying a group of sensors that includes a plurality of neighboring sensors sensing motion greater than a threshold during a time interval, and tracking motion, comprising linking the group to at least one past group of at least one past time interval.
US09671118B2
An air-conditioning system includes: a first duct through which air discharged from an electronic instrument passes; a water vapor retention chamber; an evaporator configured to be heated by the air passing through the first duct and thereby to generate water vapor inside the water vapor retention chamber; a desiccant rotor including an adsorbent to adsorb moisture and configured to be driven and rotated by a driving unit; a humidification chamber; a second duct configured to feed outdoor air introduced from an outdoor space into the humidification chamber; and a third duct configured to feed the air passing through the humidification chamber into a room where the electronic instrument is installed, wherein a portion of the desiccant rotor is located inside the water vapor retention chamber, and another portion of the desiccant rotor is located inside the humidification chamber.
US09671117B2
A hybrid dehumidification system for controlling the humidity and/or both humidity and temperature in a space includes a cooling coil for first cooling, or cooling and reducing the humidity of, an airstream to be supplied to the space with an aqueous cooling medium, passing the thus cooled airstream through a desiccant adsorption means to further reduce the humidity of the airstream before supplying the airstream to the space, and regenerating the desiccant adsorption means by heating the desiccant with waste heat from a heat pump used to further cool the first aqueous cooling medium.
US09671113B2
A gas range including a main valve and an auxiliary valve, providing a weak fire power by blocking some of gas flow paths, when a cooking container reaches a setting temperature, by the auxiliary valve so as to let the rice stand after cooking or simmer the ingredients to prepare stock for a long time, and blocking gas supply by closing the main valve when the cooking container becomes in an overheated state so as to prevent an accident by overheat.
US09671112B2
A system includes a multi-tube fuel nozzle of a turbine combustor. The multi-tube fuel nozzle includes a support structure defining an interior volume configured to receive an air flow; a plurality of mixing tubes disposed within the interior volume, wherein each of the plurality of mixing tubes comprises a respective fuel injector; and an outer annular wall configured to direct an air flow from an annulus between a liner and a flow sleeve of the turbine combustor at least partially radially inward into the interior volume through an air inlet and toward the plurality of mixing tubes, wherein the outer annular wall at least partially defines an air flow passage extending from the annulus to the interior volume.
US09671109B2
A chimney cleaner that is conveniently installed within a chimney liner is described. In some embodiment, the chimney cleaner is integrated with the chimney cap that may be used to replace existing chimney caps. The chimney cleaner utilizes a cleaner tool affixed to a cable such that the cleaner tool may be raised and lowered within the chimney liner by shortening or lengthening the cable.
US09671106B2
A steam generator apparatus for generating steam from a feedwater inlet stream including impurities is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tubing circuit in communication with an inlet for receiving the feedwater stream, the tubing circuit having a substantially unrifled bore defined by a metal wall, and a heat source operable to deliver a heat flux to the feedwater stream through the metal wall of the tubing circuit, the heat flux being operable to cause evaporation of feedwater within the tubing circuit and to produce an outlet stream at an outlet of the tubing circuit, the outlet stream includes a steam portion and liquid phase portion, the steam portion being greater than about 80% of the outlet stream by mass, the steam portion providing sufficient cooling of the metal wall to maintain a wall temperature at less than a threshold temperature associated with safe operation of the steam generator apparatus.
US09671101B2
Disclosed is a lighting device (1) comprising a housing (80), an air inlet (22) and an air outlet (24); a support structure (30) in said housing extending in between said air inlet and said air outlet, said support structure including a section (32) carrying at least one solid state lighting element (10); a conduit (20) from said air inlet to said air outlet such that the conduit extends over the support structure; and a fan (40) mounted in said conduit, wherein the fan is located closer to the air inlet than to the air outlet. A luminaire including such a lighting device is also disclosed.
US09671094B2
A laser system includes a housing and a laser. The laser can be positioned in the housing such that its laser beam is transmitted at an angle and its path forms a cone as the housing rotates. The laser device may also contain two or more lasers, the angle of each laser may be the same or different, and the angular position of each laser may be fixed or variable. The laser system may be stationary or mobile and used in a variety of methods to detect an object or topography and produce a three dimensional image. That information can be further used to provide maps, terrain data, volumetric measurements, landing guidance, obstacle avoidance warnings, mining profiles and other useful material.
US09671092B2
A backlight module and an engagement fitting thereof, and a display device using the backlight module are provided. The backlight module includes: a rear shell including a back plate and a side plate formed with an assembly hole; a middle frame engaged with the side plate and formed with an engagement portion extending toward the assembly hole; and an engagement fitting disposed in a receiving space and adjacent to the side plate. The engagement fitting includes a buckling member and an engagement member penetrating through the assembly hole, the buckling member is for buckling with an optical component set, the engagement member is for engaging with the engagement portion, and thereby achieving tight engagement of the rear shell, the middle frame and the optical component set. The present invention can effectively simplify the structure of the backlight module, improve the structural strength and reduce the production cost.
US09671090B2
The invention relates to a lighting device (100) comprising a light source (110) and an optical component (120) adapted for obtaining a predetermined light distribution (300) at a target area (400). The optical component has a substrate (122) comprising a material that is capable of controllably changing shape when an activating force is applied thereto, and one or more optical elements (121). The substrate further comprises a material capable of being switched from a first state comprising a first static modulus to a second state comprising a second static modulus by means of an external stimulus (140), the first static modulus being smaller than the second static modulus, the static modulus being calculated as the ratio of strain to stress of the substrate under static conditions. This material is capable of controllably changing shape in the first state and being dimensionally stable in the second state, when no activating force is applied thereto.
US09671087B2
In an illumination device, light emitted from an emission element is directed toward a second luminous flux control member by a first luminous flux control member of a luminous flux control member, and then toward the side and rear of the illumination device from the second luminous flux control member. The light is then caused to pass through a cover having a shape in which the ratio (R/O) of the distance (R) between P3-P4 in the Y direction to the distance (O) between P1-P2 in the X direction is greater than 0.33 and less than 1.2, and then the light is evenly distributed to the front, sides and rear of the illumination device.
US09671085B2
A reflector for reflecting light emitted by an LED light source and a method of forming the same are provided. The reflector has a unitary silicone body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The unitary silicone body has an inner surface extending between the first and second ends. The inner surface defines a first aperture at the first end for receiving the LED light source. The inner surface defines a second aperture at the second end for permitting light emitted from the LED light source to escape the unitary silicone body. The inner surface has a maximum inner diameter between the first and second ends. The inner surface has an inner diameter at the second end that is less than the maximum inner diameter.
US09671080B2
The invention relates to a lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle headlight, wherein the lighting device (1) has at least one reflector (10, 11, 12, 13), and assigned to the at least one reflector (10, 11, 12, 13) is at least one light source (20, 21, 22, 23), and light from the at least one light source (20, 21, 22, 23) is radiated into a region in front of the lighting device (1) by means of the reflector (10, 11, 12, 13) in order to form a light distribution or a part of a light distribution. The lighting device (1) has at least one, preferably exactly one reflector support (30), and the at least one reflector (10, 11, 12, 13) is fixedly attached to the at least one reflector support (30), and the at least one light source (20, 21, 22, 23) is arranged on at least one light source support (40, 41, 42, 43), and the at least one light source support (40, 41, 42, 43) is movably mounted on the reflector support (30) and can be fixed in a defined position relative to the reflector support (30).
US09671075B2
A light strip has a flexible enclosure extruded around a pair of conductors. The enclosure contains a lighting assembly with one or more flexible substrates that are each populated with a plurality of light circuits. The substrates are spaced from the pair of conductors. The lighting assembly has a plurality of connecting devices for electrically coupling the lighting assembly to the pair of conductors.
US09671070B2
An LED spherical lamp includes a base, a power supply unit, a substrate and a cover. The power supply unit is installed inside the base, and the substrate has plural LED light emitting elements and is coupled to a side of the base, and the cover is fixed to the base for covering the substrate. The LED spherical lamp includes an electrical connector installed to the substrate and having a plurality of electrical terminals for electrically connecting the substrate to the power supply unit, and an engaging slot is concavely formed on a side of the electrical connector, such that the power supply unit drives the LED light emitting elements to achieve the lighting effect. The LED spherical lamp has the effects of simplifying the assembling and manufacturing procedure, assuring the electrical conduction of components, and facilitating the maintenance, repair, and replacement of the components.
US09671064B2
A case for a portable electronic device includes a base plate, a device securing mechanism operable to hold the electronic device adjacent to the base plate, and a stretchable strap connected to the base plate. The strap is biased toward a rest position, wherein the strap lies substantially flush with the base plate. The strap is configured to be stretchable between the rest position and a stretched position away from the back of the base plate to allow a user's hand or other item to be placed between the strap and the case.
US09671058B2
A rotating mechanism used for rotating a screen includes a supporting stand and a base. An end of the supporting stand is connected to the screen. The supporting stand is for supporting the screen. The base is placed on a supporting surface, so as to support the supporting stand and the screen on the supporting surface. The other end of the supporting stand is fixed on the base. The base includes a first cover and a second cover. The other end of the supporting stand is connected with the first cover. The second cover is detachably installed on the first cover and contacts with the supporting surface. At least one of the first cover and the second cover is rotatable relative to the supporting surface.
US09671053B2
A fluid line includes a pipe, a connector having a pipe connection arranged at one end of the pipe, and a through-channel through the connector, wherein the pipe connection surrounds a portion of the through-channel, and a heater structured and arranged within the pipe and the connector to heat at least a portion of the pipe and at least a portion of the connector. A flow cross section of the through-channel section at least on a part of its length is no more than 60% of a flow cross section of the pipe.
US09671051B2
The present invention provides a quick connect coupling with a sleeve.
US09671047B2
The present disclosure relates to a polyethylene composition of Raised Temperature Resistance, having the following features: 1) a density from 0.935 to 0.945 g/cm3; 2) a melt flow index MIF from 10 to 18 g/10 min; 3) a melt flow index MIP from 1 to 2.5 g/10 min; and 4) a MIF/MIP ratio from 5 to 10.
US09671042B2
A method of abandoning a pipeline being laid by a pipelaying vessel, wherein said pipeline is being held by a lay tower comprising a pipelaying and tensioning arrangement, comprising at least the steps of: (a) linking the end of the pipeline (103) to a flexible tubular handling conduit (102); (b) separately linking the pipeline to a lifting wire (104); and (c] lowering the pipeline towards the sea floor. In this way, the present invention, using the load capacity of both a flexible tubular handling conduit and a lifting wire for at least some of the pipeline lowering, is able to operate either more safely at existing depths, or at even greater depths to an ocean floor than before, or both.
US09671028B2
A solenoid valve has a housing defining a first axis and second axis, a solenoid which produces a magnetic field along the first axis, a valve shaft movable between open and closed positions along the second axis, and a manifold mounted to the housing. The shaft is biased toward the closed position by a spring and mechanical forces sufficient to overcome the force of the spring are transferred from the solenoid to the shaft by a lever to displace the shaft and then hold a first poppet valve open. The first poppet valve, which interacts with a portion of the housing to close the first valve, and a second poppet valve, which interacts with portions of the manifold to route fluid to the desired port, are mounted to the shaft. An electronic circuit controls delivery of current to the solenoid to shift and hold the shaft in the open position.
US09671024B2
A sealing system and a method of manufacturing such a sealing system. The sealing system comprises a seal lip of two different materials that are bonded together using a polymeric material that forms strong chemical bonds with the two different materials at the same time. Further since the bonding only takes place after activation, this enables a precise physical alignment to be done before the activation.
US09671007B2
Low-noise pulleys and methods of constructing low-noise pulleys are disclosed. In a first aspect, first and second pluralities of arms extending radially outward from the outer hub to the outer rim are angularly offset from each other about the axis of rotation to eliminate symmetry across the lateral midline of the pulley. In a second aspect, the radially outermost ends of a plurality of arms are arcuately spaced apart according to a pitch sequence describing a pseudo-random pattern of relative spacings so as to reduce or eliminate rotational symmetry of the pulley. In a third aspect, features of the first and second aspects are combined, and in one embodiment, first and second pluralities of arms are, respectively, approximately oppositely canted so as to vary the arcuate spacings of the laterally outermost ends of the arms.
US09671004B2
A differential device (1) for a self-propelled wheeled vehicle, includes an input ring gear (2), two shafts separate from each other, two clutch mechanisms each including a first clutch member (3) mounted integral in rotation to one of the shafts, and a second clutch member (4) mounted freely rotatable relative to the shaft and capable of being rotated by the ring gear (2), the second clutch member being capable of being moved axially. Each second clutch member is provided with elements (44) for bearing contact with the other second clutch member, the elements for bearing contact being capable, in a first given angular configuration of the second clutch members relative to each other, of keeping the second clutch members in the engaged position, and the elements for bearing contact also being capable, in a second given angular configuration, of allowing the second clutch members to shift to the disengaged position.
US09670999B2
A stop module halts rotation of a shaft of a rotational drive system when an axial stroke limit is reached without the use of frictional brake plates. The module has a fixed nut and a pawl carrier coaxially mounted on the shaft for axial travel along the shaft and rotation with the shaft. The pawl carrier includes a screw portion mated with the nut such that rotation of the pawl carrier with the shaft causes the pawl carrier to travel axially along the shaft. A pawl member is pivotally coupled to the pawl carrier, and a stop element is fixed at an axial limit location. The pawl carrier is axially displaceable from a non-limit position wherein the pawl member is clear of the stop element during rotation to a limit position wherein the pawl member is interfered with by the stop element during rotation to stop rotation of the shaft.
US09670986B2
A gripping arrangement (110) is disclosed for gripping an elongate article (111). The gripping arrangement comprises a body (112) defining a pathway (128) along which the article can extend and a gripping member (116) in the body for gripping the article. The gripping member is moveable from a non-gripping position to a gripping position. The gripping arrangement further includes urging means (122) to urge the gripping member towards the gripping position, and locking means (130) moveable from a non-locking position to a locking position. The locking means is configured to lock the article to the gripping member, when the locking means is in the locking position.
US09670985B2
A toothed belt includes: a back portion; and a plurality of helical teeth provided on an inner periphery of the back portion and disposed at a fixed pitch in a belt longitudinal direction. An angle θ between a tooth trace direction of the helical teeth and a belt lateral direction is in a range of 7 degrees to 10 degrees, both inclusive. A ratio A of a thickness tb of the back portion to a tooth height hb of the helical teeth, which is given by A=100×tb/hb, is in a range of 120% to 240%, both inclusive.
US09670970B2
A transport lock for a clutch release system, in particular for a slave cylinder of a motor vehicle, is provided having an axially movable piston and a clutch release bearing that is connected to the piston being arranged concentrically on a housing. In order to lock the piston or the clutch release bearing during transport, a retaining ring which has a collar that extends outwards in a radial direction and which is secured on the housing in an inner cavity of the clutch release bearing is provided. A contact surface of the piston lies against the collar of the retaining ring in such a way that the retaining ring restricts the axial movement of the piston.
US09670952B2
The invention relates to a length-adjustable con rod (1) for a reciprocating piston engine, particularly an internal combustion engine, having at least a first and a second rod part (2, 4), wherein the two rod parts (2, 4) can be pushed together and/or inside one another in a telescoping manner, wherein the second rod part (4) forms a guide cylinder (4a) and the first rod part (2) a piston element (3) which can be pushed longitudinally in the guide cylinder (4a), wherein a high-pressure chamber (4b), into which at least one oil channel (10) opens, is clamped between the first and the second rod parts (2, 4). To enable the compression ratio to be adjusted in the simplest and most reliable manner possible, according to the invention the two rod parts (2, 4) can be fixed, by a locking device (32), relative to one another in at least one position, preferably corresponding to a minimum length of the con rod (1).
US09670951B2
A drive axle shaft and method for making the same are provided. A tubular blank is inserted in a first die including an orifice. The tubular blank is extruded through the orifice to form an elongate tubular body with a longitudinal axis. A first longitudinal end of the tubular body is heated. The tubular body is inserted into a bore in a support apparatus. The support apparatus defines a second die at one end surrounding the bore, and the first longitudinal end of the tubular body projects outwardly from the bore. A third die comprises a mandrel configured to be received within the tubular body. A wheel flange is formed by moving at least one of the support apparatus and the third die toward the other of the support apparatus and the third die to deform the first longitudinal end of the tubular body between the second and third dies.
US09670949B1
A weld-down base conforms to a surface to support other objects, such as cables, motors, water tanks, etc. The base has at least one keyhole shaped hole, with a first portion and a second portion. On the top side of the base, the first portion of each hole is large enough to pass the head of a bolt; the second portion is only large enough to pass the shaft of the bolt but not the head. However, the second portion is stepped near the exit side to be wider so that the bolt head can be inserted into the wider first portion and then slid laterally to the second portion where the step will hold the bolt in place with its threaded shaft extending from the base. The exposed bolt allows objects such as clamps, brackets, signs, lighting, fire extinguishers, hoses, instruments, and so on, to the supporting surface.
US09670945B2
A retention system includes a base supporting a wing spar and a post extending through the base from a first side of the base to a second side of the base. The post inserts through an aperture in the spar. A stop is selectively securable to the post over the second side of the base. A locking member engages the post on the first side of the base. The locking member is configured to selectively move the post from an unlocked position to a locked position in which the post is withdrawn toward the first side relative to the unlocked position. A biasing member encircles the post and is positioned between the stop and the second side. When the locking member is in a closed position the biasing member expands to engage the aperture and resist movement of the wing spar. A plurality of cradles may support the wing.
US09670943B2
In conventional load-sense systems, there is a delay between a hydraulic function being impeded by an external force and further motion of the function. This is typically due to cavitation on the low pressure side of the pump. Electro-hydraulic systems, however, typically respond very quickly because the low pressure side of the pump may be pressurized because the low-pressure side of the actuator may feed directly to the pump rather than going to tank. Thus, an operator cannot as easily rely on feedback for when a function has encountered an external load. This may result in loss of vehicle traction or other drawbacks. Therefore, provided is a system and method for mimicking a load-sense system's responsiveness using an electro-hydrostatic system via an induced passive or active time-delay.
US09670940B2
A pressure-balance valve for balancing the pressures of fluids admitted into the pressure-balance valve via respective second ducts. The pressure-balance valve has both a chamber for guiding movement in translation of a piston, and also fluid flow paths, each comprising a said second duct and a first duct for admitting a fluid coming from the same fluid source as the fluid flowing in its second duct. Each of the first ducts is provided with a shutter co-operating with a ramp arranged on the piston. Movement of the piston in translation as a result of a pressure difference between the fluids respectively admitted into the second ducts causes one of the shutters to slide along the corresponding ramp and consequently allows additional fluid to be delivered from a first duct to the second duct of the same fluid flow path.
US09670936B2
The present application relates to a compression stage of a low-pressure compressor of an axial turbomachine, such as a turboprop. The stage includes a rotor with, on its outer surface, two lip seals, each forming a radial annular rib; and a stator which includes an annular row of stator blades extending substantially radially; and an inner shell whose radial cross section includes a central part connected to the inner tips of the blades, a lateral part extending from each side of the central part to one of the two lip seals, respectively, thus forming a rotor with the annular cavity. The shell and the rotor are configured so that the radial section of the annular cavity has a length L1 and a height H, the length L1 being greater than the height H, which initiates rotational movement of the air contained therein. The speed of the air reduces its pressure, which limits downstream to upstream leaks.
US09670923B2
A wiper seal assembly for a reciprocating pump, the pump including a power section configured to be powered by a motor, a fluid section having an inlet and an outlet, and a plunger having a longitudinal plunger axis, a first end coupled to the power section, and a second end opposite the first end and disposed within the fluid section. The wiper seal assembly includes a cover mounted to the power section. In addition, the wiper seal assembly includes a first wiper seal radially disposed between the cover and the plunger. Further, the wiper seal assembly includes a splash guard disposed about the plunger and axially spaced from the cover. Still further, the wiper seal assembly includes a biasing member axially biasing the splash guard away from the first wiper seal.
US09670917B2
A controller that performs pulse width modulation control of a three-phase inverter circuit includes a three-phase modulation voltage command value generation unit, a two-phase modulation voltage command value generation unit, a voltage command switching unit, and a PWM signal output unit. The voltage command switching unit switches a voltage command value to a two-phase modulation voltage command value when a determination value becomes larger than or equal to a first threshold value, and switches the voltage command value to a three-phase modulation voltage command value when the determination value becomes smaller than a second threshold value, which is smaller than the first threshold value.
US09670914B2
In a check valve for a compressor, a valve element includes an abutting surface and an outer circumferential surface. A valve hole includes a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion. A communicating window has such a shape that an opening area thereof gradually becomes larger with increasing distance from a valve seat. The check valve has an open state, a fully closed state, and a buffering state. When the abutting surface separates from the large-diameter portion and the outer circumferential surface opens the communicating window, the open state is defined. When the abutting surface closes the large-diameter portion and the outer circumferential surface interrupts communication through the communicating window, the fully closed state is defined. When the abutting surface separates from the large-diameter portion and the outer circumferential surface interrupts communication through the communicating window, the buffering state is defined. The hunting phenomenon is suppressed.
US09670911B2
A heat-exchanger module that conveys a fluid through one or more heat exchangers with little or no pressure drop is presented. The heat-exchanger module comprises a first manifold that smoothly channels the fluid from a fluid source to each of the heat exchangers. The heat-exchanger module further comprises a second manifold that smoothly channels the fluid from the heat exchangers to a fluid sink. The manifolds are dimensioned and arranged to mitigate development of pressure drops in the fluid flow.
US09670910B1
An apparatus for gravity-based power generation is described in this disclosure. The apparatus may include: a main shaft; a plurality of radially extending arm assemblies that may be attached to the main shaft from their proximal ends and may be rotatable with the main shaft in a vertical trajectory. Each arm assembly may include an arm and a weight assembly mounted on the arm. Each arm may be configured with an adjustable length and each weight assembly may be configured with an adjustable mass and an adjustable position on its respective arm. The arm assemblies may be kept in a continuous rotational movement along the vertical trajectory by changing at least one of the adjustable length, the adjustable mass, and the adjustable position in predefined regions along the vertical trajectory.
US09670906B2
A bearing arrangement to avoid a static charge in a bearing is provided.A bearing arrangement for a wind turbine comprises a first bearing shell that is prepared to be coupled to a first part of the wind turbine. The bearing arrangement comprises a second bearing shell that is prepared to be coupled to a second part of the wind turbine. The first and the second bearing shell are arranged in a way that the first and the second bearing shell are rotatable with respect to each other and have a first isolation ring for electrical isolation, so that the first part of the wind turbine can be rotated with respect to the second part of the wind turbine and avoid static discharge.
US09670896B2
Fluid-operated dynamoelectric converters for medical or dental devices are described. The dynamoelectric converters have: a fluid line which is designed in one piece with an outer sleeve of the dynamoelectric converter and protrudes at its end which faces away from the dynamoelectric converter beyond a connecting end of the medical or dental device; a fluid-operated impeller which is designed in one piece with a rotor sleeve receiving the magnetic element; a one-piece, sleeve-shaped magnetic return element which surrounds the rotor and the electric winding of the stator and has a magnetically conductive material.
US09670894B2
A method for determining a level of spark plug fouling and providing an indication to change the spark plugs of an ignition system is provided. The method includes providing a dwell command on a control wire of an ignition system and generating an indication of a recommendation to change a spark plug of the ignition system based upon a current on the control wire.
US09670889B2
A sealing system comprising a cylinder head, a coupler, a fuel injection line, and a cap. The coupler is positioned in the cylinder head, and the fuel injection line extends into the coupler so as to at least partially define a fuel leak passageway therebetween. The fuel injection line extends through the cap, and the cap yieldably urges itself into a seated position in which the cap establishes a first sealed connection with the fuel injection line and establishes a second sealed connection with the coupler, so as to block ingress of moisture into the fuel leak passageway. Additionally, the cap allows movement of itself away from the seated position to an unseated position in response to a pressurized leaked fuel, in the fuel leak passageway, so as to allow the pressurized leaked fuel to flow out of the fuel leak passageway.
US09670881B2
A supercharger-equipped internal combustion engine in the present invention includes a turbo-supercharger (20) which includes, at some point in an intake passage (26), a centrifugal compressor (20b) having an impeller section (20b4) for housing a compressor impeller (20b3). In the supercharger-equipped internal combustion engine, EGR gas and blow-by gas are introduced into an intake system in such a way as to flow into the centrifugal compressor (20b) via an EGR gas introduction section (40a) and a blow-by gas introduction section (48a). The supercharger-equipped internal combustion engine further includes a partition wall (52) which guides the EGR gas and the blow-by gas toward the centrifugal compressor (20b) so that the EGR gas and the blow-by gas are not mixed with each other until the EGR gas and the blow-by gas enter into the impeller section (20b4).
US09670880B2
A gaseous fuel feed apparatus includes a first injector and a second injector which are provided in each cylinder of a gas engine. The first injector injects a gaseous fuel into an intake passage. The second injector injects the gaseous fuel in an injecting direction intersecting with an injecting direction of the gaseous fuel injected by the first injector, such that the gaseous fuel injected by the second injector collides with the gaseous fuel injected by the first injector. Thus, the gaseous fuel injected by the first injector can be forcibly pressed toward a flow of an air by utilizing an injection energy of the gaseous fuel injected by the second injector. Further, the first injector and the second injector may be placed at the same position of the intake passage, and can be placed at a position of the intake passage that is adjacent to a combustion chamber.
US09670877B2
A flowpath channel has a blade pivotally connected along a longitudinal axis thereof, at opposing top and bottom ends thereof, to respective top and bottom portions of the flowpath channel. The chord axis of the blade, between leading and trailing edges thereof, is capable of pivoting parallel to and skewed from the flowpath. The top end of the blade and an attachment structure secured to the flowpath channel each include a race. A bearing is disposed therebetween, and the blade is rotatable about the longitudinal axis.
US09670876B2
A pivot thrust reverser includes a first tandem pivot door subassembly comprising an inner panel and an outer panel. The inner panel and outer panel are connected by a first sliding rail. A second tandem pivot door subassembly is included comprising an inner panel and an outer panel. The inner panel and outer panel are connected by a second sliding rail.
US09670868B2
When a first automatic stopping condition is established while a vehicle (1A, 1B) is stationary or a second automatic stopping condition is established during travel, an internal combustion engine (2) of the vehicle is automatically stopped. The first automatic stopping condition is established when a battery voltage or a battery state of charge of a battery (21) equals or exceeds a first threshold, and the second automatic stopping condition is established when the battery voltage or the battery state of charge of the battery (21) equals or exceeds a second threshold. By setting the second threshold to be greater than the first threshold, opportunities for automatically stopping the internal combustion engine (2) are secured while satisfying a power requirement of an electrical load (26, 27) during restarting of the internal combustion engine (2).
US09670866B2
A control device for an internal combustion engine includes: an EGR control unit executing open/close control over an EGR valve on the basis of an operating state of the engine; and a fuel injection control unit carrying out at least one of port injection and in-cylinder direct injection by operating at least one of a port injection injector and an in-cylinder direct injection injector on the basis of the engine operating state. The fuel injection control unit sets an EGR non-operation in-cylinder direct injection region, in which the port injection is stopped and the in-cylinder direct injection is carried out while the EGR valve is closed, within an operation range of the engine, and sets part of an EGR operation port injection permissible region, in which at least the port injection is carried out while the EGR valve is open, within the EGR non-operation in-cylinder direct injection region.
US09670865B2
In a hybrid electric vehicle in which an internal combustion engine and an electric motor/generator are connected via a clutch, the controller performs the following processing before the operation of the internal combustion engine stops in a stationary state of the vehicle while the clutch is engaged. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the clutch can be disengaged within a predetermined time period. If the clutch can be disengaged within a predetermined time period, the clutch is disengaged. If the clutch cannot be disengaged within the predetermined time period, a driving torque of the internal combustion engine is lowered to an engine stoppable torque set in advance while the clutch is engaged. Then, the operation of the internal combustion engine stops. Through this control, it is possible to prevent a vibration sound or an abnormal sound that may be generated when a driver turns off the ignition button.
US09670864B2
A device and a method for actuating an injector in a fuel-injection system of an internal combustion engine are described. Using a first calibration method and based on a control parameter, an injector parameter which characterizes the injection process is determined. Starting from this injector parameter, a first feature is determined for calibrating the injector. A second calibration method determines a second feature for calibrating the injector, based on an engine parameter. The first calibration method is monitored on the basis of the second feature.
US09670859B2
An electronic control unit includes a control portion and a soak timer. The control portion acquires first time information of a clock device when a power switch is turned off and stores the first time information in a nonvolatile storage portion. The control portion acquires second time information of the clock device when the soak timer activates the control portion or when the control portion receives an activation request. The control portion calculates a first time difference between the second time information and the first time information stored in the nonvolatile storage portion and determines an abnormality of the soak timer based a difference between the first time difference and the soak timer value of the soak timer.
US09670858B2
The disclosure relates to a system and method for identifying whether a difference between measured lambda and computed lambda, based on mass air flow and mass fuel flow, is due to a drift in fuel metering or a drift in air metering. The determination is based on also measuring exhaust gas NOx using a NOx sensor. By comparing the measured NOx to modeled NOx, drift can be attributed appropriately to the air flow measurement and/or the fuel flow measurement. Appropriate correction in the calibration can be undertaken to overcome sensor drift and/or drift in the fuel injector/fuel system flow characteristics.
US09670847B2
A 2-shaft gas turbine can suppress an increase in NOx emission from a combustor even when degradation of compressor efficiency occurs due to a decrease in performance with long-term use. The 2-shaft gas turbine has a gas generator and a power turbine, and includes a controller configured to set, in accordance with a degree of degradation of compressor efficiency computed from measured control parameters, a target speed of the gas generator at a level lower than a target speed in a state where degradation of the compressor efficiency has not occurred. The controller is configured to control the rotating speed of the gas generator on the basis of a difference between the target speed thus set and an actual rotating speed.
US09670844B1
The principles and embodiments of the present invention relate to a device designed for integration with the exhaust pipe of a jet engine, wherein the device may be a separate component designed to attach to an existing jet engine exhaust pipe, or it may be an integral component of the exhaust pipe installed during the manufacture of the engine assembly. In an embodiment of the invention, the device supplies both a cooling liquid and an oxygen supply to the jet engine to increase its thrust and fuel efficiency, and reduce the temperature and the volume of sound produced by the engine.
US09670843B2
A system includes a catalyst system having at least one catalyst to treat an exhaust gas from a gas turbine system, and a thermal storage system having at least one storage tank to store thermal energy in a medium, wherein the system is configured to transfer heat from the medium to the at least one catalyst.
US09670842B2
A bleed valve control system for mounting to a support structure adjacent to a fan air plenum within an aircraft includes a bleed valve module, a pneumatic valve controller, and a fan air duct. The bleed valve module includes a pipe, a plurality of bleed valves connected to the pipe, and a plurality of pneumatic actuators connected to the bleed valves. The pneumatic valve controller includes a plurality of electrical control elements and a cooling shroud. The cooling shroud is attached to the pipe and at least partially surrounds the plurality of electrical control elements. The fan air duct connects the cooling shroud to the fan air plenum such that fan air flows through the cooling shroud to cool the plurality of electrical control elements.
US09670837B2
An engine-powered work tool includes an engine having a crank shaft, an ignition system, an output controller having a throttle valve shaft for controlling output of the engine, a wind governor connected to the throttle valve shaft, a rotation speed detector and an ignition control unit. The wind governor includes a governor plate movable upon receipt of cooling air generated by a cooling fan to control an angular rotation of the throttle valve shaft. The rotation speed detector detects a rotation speed of the crank shaft. The ignition control unit controls the ignition system based on the rotation speed of the crank shaft detected by the rotation speed detector to reduce the output of the engine when the rotation speed detector determines that the governor plate exceeds a predetermined position.
US09670830B2
A method for monitoring an internal combustion engine includes monitoring thermal efficiency in a heat exchanger of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system with a flow control valve commanded to a first, open state and monitoring thermal efficiency in the heat exchanger with the flow control valve commanded to a second, closed state. The flow control valve is evaluated based upon the monitored efficiencies.
US09670824B2
Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a dual grille shutter system based on engine operating conditions. A position of a first group of grille shutters may be adjusted by a motor in response to engine temperature, CAC temperature, and driving conditions. A position of a second group of grille shutters may be adjusted based on the position of the first group of grille shutters.
US09670811B2
A dosing and mixing arrangement is disclosed herein. The arrangement includes a mixing tube having a constant diameter along its length. At least a first portion of the mixing tube includes a plurality of apertures. The arrangement also includes a swirl structure for causing exhaust flow to swirl outside of the first portion of the mixing tube in one direction along a flow path that extends at least 270 degrees around a central axis of the mixing tube. The arrangement is configured such that the exhaust enters an interior of the mixing tube through the apertures as the exhaust swirls along the flow path. The exhaust entering the interior of the mixing tube through the apertures has a tangential component that causes the exhaust to swirl around the central axis within the interior of the mixing tube. The arrangement also includes a doser for dispensing a reactant into the interior of the mixing tube.
US09670805B2
A filtering system (9) includes a filter head (12) and a replaceable filter (10). The filter head (12) has a feed line (66) and discharge line (62). The replaceable filter (10) is removable and replaceably mounted onto the filter head (12) by a rotational and/or plug connection (15) and includes a housing (17) with at least one inlet (26) for oil to be filtered and at least one outlet (28). The inlet (26) communicates with the feed line (66). The outlet (28) communicates with the discharge line (62). The housing (17) has a filtering element (34) that sealingly separates the inlet (26) from the outlet (28). The filter head (12) includes an auxiliary oil line (60). The replaceable filter (10) has a flow control element (53) that automatically closes or releases the auxiliary oil line (60) dependent on an operation and/or assembly condition.
US09670802B2
Various embodiments of systems and methods related to controlling oil injection for piston cooling in an engine are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes during an engine cold start event, enabling oil injection onto a piston of an engine, disabling oil injection after the engine cold start event, and re-enabling oil injection after the engine cold start event based on a first operating parameter.
US09670798B2
A turbojet engine nacelle includes a rear section having an internal structure. The internal structure surrounds a rear part of an engine compartment and delimits, with an ejection jet pipe, an outlet cross section for the ventilation of the engine compartment. The engine nacelle includes a moving element associated with a corresponding controller. The moving element is able to move between a withdrawn position in which the outlet cross section for ventilation is at a maximum and an engaged position in which the moving element partially reduces the outlet cross section for ventilation by comparison with the retracted position. The controller is capable of moving the moving element between the retracted and engaged positions.
US09670790B2
A turbine vane for a gas turbine engine has an inner platform, an outer platform, at least one airfoil extending between the inner and outer platforms, and a tab radially extending inward from a front side of the inner platform. The tab contains a mounting aperture and an identification aperture that identifies an engine in which the turbine vane may be installed.
US09670780B2
A compressor section includes, among other things, a tie shaft assembly including a shaft and one or more projections extending radially outward from the shaft. The projections are configured to redirect air communicated from between the one or more rotor stages and the shaft.
US09670773B2
An acoustic communications network includes acoustic modems that exchange messages on an acoustic communications medium, such as tubing deployed in a wellbore. The acoustic communications medium is characterized by an acoustic transfer function having a plurality of passbands and a plurality of stopbands. The messages are communicated by encoding the message into a plurality of symbols representing the message and distributing the plurality of symbols across a bandwidth of a wideband acoustic signal that spans at least one passband and at least one stopband of the acoustic transfer function.
US09670767B2
A method of monitoring drilling conditions includes acquiring raw data from drilling equipment and conditioning the raw data to generate conditioned data. Conditioning the raw data includes removing outlier data values and/or filtering out noise. The method further includes processing the conditioned data to generate output values. Processing the conditioned data includes determining a slope of a first set of data values of the conditioned data. The first set of data values correspond to a regression length of time. Processing the conditioned data further includes determining whether a difference between the slope of the first set of data values and a median slope determined over a median window of time exceeds a threshold. The method also includes generating an alarm based on the output values to indicate an abnormal drilling condition.
US09670760B2
A process for in-situ upgrading of a heavy hydrocarbon includes positioning a well in a reservoir containing a heavy hydrocarbon having an initial API gravity no greater than about 20, an n-heptane asphaltene content at least about 1 wt. %, and a viscosity at 35° C. greater than about 350 centistokes; injecting hydrocarbon solvent(s) and asphaltene precipitant additive(s) into the well at a ratio by volume of the solvent to the heavy hydrocarbon of about 0.1:1 to about 20:1 under reservoir conditions so as to provide an upgraded hydrocarbon in the reservoir having an improved API gravity, a reduced asphaltene content, and a lower viscosity; and producing the upgraded hydrocarbon from the well. The process of the present invention can be also carried out at higher temperatures such as by injecting steam with the one or more hydrocarbon solvents and the one or more asphaltene precipitant additives into the well.
US09670757B2
A downhole pump flushing system has a pump body defining an interior cavity, an inlet end, an outlet end and at least one flushing inlet. A lifting member is positioned within the interior cavity of the pump body for facilitating lifting of wellbore fluid. An injection mandrel in circumferentially engaging relation to an exterior surface of the pump body is provided such that it encompasses the at least one flushing inlet. The injection mandrel has an injection port fluidly connected to a fluid outlet port. The fluid outlet port is in fluid communication with the at least one flushing inlet of the pump body. An injection line is connected to the injection port of the injection mandrel and to a fluid supply. An annular channel is provided between the pump body and the injection mandrel adjacent to the at least one flushing inlet such that fluid is guided into the at least one flushing inlet from the fluid outlet port of the injection mandrel. A first sealing member and a second sealing member are provided in sealing engagement between the pump body and the injection mandrel such that a fluid tight seal is created above and below the at least one flushing inlet.
US09670748B2
A pipe in pipe piston thrust system comprises a plurality of piston assemblies configured to sealingly engage a wellbore, a pump configured to transfer a fluid into the wellbore, and a by-pass disposed between a plurality of annuli formed by the plurality of piston assemblies. The by-pass allows for selective communication of the fluid between the plurality of annuli.
US09670747B2
An annulus sealing arrangement includes, at least one member positionable within an annulus, a first radial dimension of the at least one member is initially less than a second radial dimension defined by the annulus, and a plurality of plates in operable communication with the at least one member initially positioned with surfaces of the plurality of plates forming acute angles relative to an axis defined by the annulus, at least a first portion of each of the plurality of plates perimetrically overlapping a second portion of at least one other of the plurality of plates positioned perimetrically adjacent thereto, the annulus sealing arrangement is configured such that increases in the first radial dimension cause the acute angles to increase.
US09670746B2
A device (1) adjusts a media pressure relative to an ambient pressure defined by a depth-dependent sea water pressure during use of the device (1). The sea water pressure acts on a compensator device (35) that permits a reversible change in length or elongation. At least two compensator elements (41) of the compensator device (35) are provided in series in the direction of the change in length or elongation.
US09670738B2
A hardfacing composition for downhole well tools, such as earth-boring bits, contains sintered ultrahard particles. The ultrahard particles consist of tungsten carbide grains, cobalt and vanadium. The ultrahard particles are dispersed within a matrix metal of iron, nickel or alloys thereof. The composition may also have sintered tungsten carbide particles of a larger size than the ultrahard particles. The ultrahard particles have a greater hardness than the sintered tungsten carbide particles. The ultrahard particles and the sintered tungsten carbide particles may be in a spherical pellet form. Other hard metal particles may be in the composition.
US09670735B2
A drilling assembly for simultaneous hole enlargement operations comprises a drill bit, an adjustable diameter reamer, and a hole opener. The reamer is coupled with, and positioned uphole from the drill bit. The reamer is adjustable between a first diameter and a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The hole opener is coupled with, and positioned uphole from the reamer.
US09670728B2
A rotary drill and a double-layer drilling rod mechanism are disclosed. A connecting rod (2) is provided in the rotary connecting sleeve (9), and the rotary connecting sleeve (9) is connected with the double-layer drilling rod mechanism (11). An impact drilling string (25) located by a guide bearing bush (26) is arranged in the outer rotary drilling pipe (28) of the double-layer drilling rod mechanism (11); a latch (24) for connecting the connecting rod (2) is arranged at the top of the inner impact drilling string (25); and an impact head (12) connected with the impact drilling string (25) is arranged in the drilling bit connecting sleeve (29). The drilling bit (13) below the impact head (12) is connected with the drilling bit connecting sleeve (29) by a front connector (30).
US09670726B2
A multi-purpose ladder with improved rungs has two ladder sections, and each of the ladder sections comprises two inner rails attached with inner rungs and two outer rails attached with outer rungs. Each of the inner rungs is composed of an upper rung member, a square pipe shaped intermediate rung member, and a lower rung member. The upper rung member and the lower rung member each have a slant pedal section and two support sections. The two support sections join the upper and lower side of the intermediate rung member and the slant pedal section. The slant pedal section inclines an angle corresponding to the outer rungs such that the inner rungs provide strong strength for being stepped on.
US09670724B2
An architectural covering is presented that can be manually moved as well as moved through motorized manipulation. The system includes a header, a bottom bar and shade material and suspension cords extending therebetween. The header has an open interior compartment which includes a spring housing, a drive shaft assembly, spool assemblies and a motor assembly. The architectural covering can be manually moved by pulling on the shade material. The shade can also me moved via motorization by actuating the motor assembly through tugging, a remote control device, a voice actuation device or through the internet. In this way a novel architectural covering is presented that is easier to use than the prior art and has a plurality of methods of operation.
US09670722B1
An apparatus for installing a window covering is disclosed. In one embodiment, such an apparatus includes a stationary portion for attachment to an end of a headrail of a window covering, and a moveable portion to contact an inside of a window casing. A crankshaft is provided that, when rotated, translates the moveable portion relative to the stationary portion. A lever arm is provided to rotate the crankshaft member. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.
US09670720B2
A method of making a plurality of foldable, collapsible window shades from a continuously moving strip of material. The method described herein is directed to a variety of methods of handling and processing preforms generated from the strip of material in order to ensure continuous movement of the strip of material during the process.
US09670719B2
A blind for a building opening, and having an upper blind roller, located in an upper region of the head rail, a lower blind attachment located in a lower region of the head rail, an upper blind stored on the upper blind roller, a lower blind stored on the lower blind attachment, a lower blind support wall, and a blind carriage mechanism thereon, for carrying vertical blind slats, so as to provide a head rail having a slim, aesthetically pleasing profile.
US09670711B2
A movable partition system includes a movable partition including coupled panels and a lead post engaged with and movable along a track. A motor control system includes a motor coupled to the movable partition and a switching circuit coupled to the motor and for selectively coupling the motor to a positive power source and a negative power source responsive to one or more PWM signals. An encoder is configured for generating one or more rotation signals indicative of operational direction and operational speed of the motor. A motor controller is coupled to the switching circuit and is configured for improving airflow around the panels of the movable partition when the lead post of the movable partition is between a predefined position and a fully retracted position indicative of a billowing effect for the panels by adjusting pulse widths of the PWM signals to control rotational speed of the motor.
US09670704B2
A full width tailgate release handle is pivotably connected to tailgate and extends substantially along the entire width of the tailgate for a cargo bed or the like. The full width tailgate release handle provides access for an operator to open the tailgate at any location along the width of the tailgate.
US09670701B2
In a motor-vehicle door latch device, a latch engages with a striker of a vehicle body when a door is closed. The latch comprises a half-latch engaging portion for incompletely engaging the latch with the striker and a full-latch engaging portion for fully engaging the latch with the striker. A half-latch avoiding member has a half-latch avoiding guide path which engages with a connecting member, thereby preventing the engagement member from engaging the half-latch portion of the latch.
US09670698B2
A hoop lock including a shackle and a crossbar, with the shackle having a pair of legs extending from a body portion, and each of the legs having a foot including a tip with a non-circular cross-section. The cross-bar includes a housing having a pair of foot-receiving openings and a pair of tip-receiving openings substantially aligned with foot-receiving openings. The tip-receiving openings are configured to matingly engage the tips such that the tips are rotationally coupled to the housing.
US09670697B2
A door is formed into a folding door by dividing the door into two parts to left and right, that is, a hanging door and a door-end door pivotally supported by the hanging door, and the door-end door is used as the pressure difference mitigating mechanism, and the two doors are integrally operated in a normal time, while if a pressure difference is generated, the door-end door can be first opened in order to reduce an opening force, and the door device with a pressure difference mitigating mechanism with excellent operability is provided.A handle position, a latch position, and a torque are adjusted for a handle for door opening/closing, a door closer, a hinge closer for rotating the door-end door with respect to the hanging door, a latch A of the door-end door to a door frame, and a latch B of the door-end door to the hanging door.
US09670695B2
A resettable combination lock mechanism includes a plurality of outer lock dials and a plurality of inner lock dials. The rotation of a reset feature changes the relative axial position between the outer lock dials and the inner lock dials, allowing the combination of the lock mechanism to be reset. In one aspect, the outer lock dials are axially displaced upon rotation of the reset feature, exposing a visual indicator that is configured to indicate whether the lock is in a combination reset mode or is in a normal mode. The reset mode allows the combination to be changed. The normal mode allows the lock mechanism to be locked or unlocked to secure or release a desired item. In another aspect, the rotation of the reset feature rotates a visual indicator into alignment with a window to indicate that the lock is the reset mode or the normal mode.
US09670694B2
A lockbox includes a housing, a key storage area and a lockbox circuit. The key storage area is shaped to receive a stored key and is attached to or positioned within the housing. The key storage area is secured with a lock mechanism to prevent unauthorized access to the stored key. The lockbox circuit comprises a transceiver operable by a magnetically induced current generated by a closely positioned radio access device that can send and receive signals. The circuit is configured to unlock the key storage area upon determining that an access request is authorized to providing access to the stored key. Methods of operation are also disclosed.
US09670687B2
Automatic pool cleaners (APCs) and components thereof are detailed. The APCs may turn feet, rather than entire bodies, to change direction and may provide water-flow paths through the bodies that are oriented vertically. Thus, unlike existing disc-based cleaners, the APCs may reduce influence of connected hoses on their movements within pools.
US09670685B2
A removable anchoring device for a pitched roof comprises a clamping device that is removably mountable onto the edge of a first slope of the roof and a flexible attachment secured to the clamping device for attaching the worker to the clamping device for work on or below a second slope that is opposite to the first slope. According to an illustrative embodiment, the removable anchoring device comprises a frame, first and second clamping members mounted to the frame for contacting respectively first and second surfaces of the roof near an edge of a first slope thereof. The first and second clamping members are so mounted to the frame for selective variation and locking of the position and angle of the first clamping member relative to the second clamping member.
US09670675B2
The invention pertains to the field of construction of buildings and structures. The invention relates to alignment guides for constructing building components, namely walls, ceilings and floors to be used in buildings and structures. This invention also relates to kits of specific alignment guides and methods of using alignment guides.
US09670666B1
A fire resistant and water resistant expansion joint system comprises a core; and a fire retardant infused into the core. The core infused with the fire retardant is configured to define a profile to facilitate compression of the fire and water resistant expansion joint when installed between substantially coplanar substrates.
US09670665B2
A building material configured to enhance sound attenuation and reduction in dB across a walled partition, the building material comprising a facing membrane, a core matrix disposed about the facing membrane, the core matrix comprising a plurality of microparticles and a binder solution configured to support the microparticles, the building material comprising at least a substantially exposed face, wherein a side of the core matrix is at least partially exposed to increase sound attenuation by reducing reflections from sound waves impinging on the building material as compared to a control building material lacking an exposed face. Two building materials may be used in conjunction with one another about a building structure, such as a stud wall, to create and define a sound trap that functions to reduce sound transmission across the partition formed by the stud wall and building materials.
US09670661B1
A method of assembling panels, an elongated rail, and a rail and cap assembly for assembling panels are disclosed. A one-piece elongated rail comprises a bottom, a pair of sides extending from the bottom, a pair of walls located between the sides and perpendicular to the bottom, and a central channel floor extending between the parallel walls and parallel to the bottom. A central channel is formed between the walls and delimited by the central channel floor. Two lateral channels are each formed between one of the sides and one of the walls. The assembly includes the rail and a cap, the cap having a top and an opposite projection configured for insertion in the central channel of the rail. The rail and the cap may be made by extrusion. The method involves adjoining panels to the rail and mounting the cap thereon.
US09670660B1
A plastic leaching unit for receiving water when buried in trenches in soil comprises a plurality of pillars interconnected by struts. A canopy made of sheet material is attached to the tops of the pillars. Preferably, the canopy is perforated and is overlaid with geotextile. The pillars are arranged as spaced apart integral assemblies to enable lateral and vertical bending of the leaching unit, for conforming to a not-straight trench. Leaching units may be stacked one upon the other within a trench.
US09670658B2
A switching mechanism is configured to switch an advancing direction of water injected from a nozzle by moving between a first position and a second position. The switching mechanism is held at the second position by a force received from the water injected by the nozzle during the tank water feeding process. A refill mechanism has a refill pipe for causing the water injected from the nozzle during the tank water feeding process and whose advancing direction is switched by the switching mechanism to flow in through an inflow port on one end side. The refill pipe is configured to lead the water having flowed in through the inflow port to a toilet stool body without flowing through a suction port of a throat pipe.
US09670648B2
A breaker tine comprises a front elongated portion, a rear elongated portion, a nose portion extending from the front elongated portion at an opposite end from the rear elongated portion, and a replaceable ground engaging tool coupled to the nose portion of the breaker tine. The breaker tine may include pins for attaching the ground engaging tool to the breaker tine. The breaker tine may further include a first receiving cavity formed in a first side of the nose portion, and a second receiving cavity formed in a second side of the nose portion, wherein the first receiving cavity is opposite the second receiving cavity but do not communicate or connect with each other.
US09670644B2
A tensioning assembly including a primary rod and a hydraulic jack. The primary rod being positioned adjacent to a center section of the hydraulic jack. The tensioning assembly further including a frame housing anchored to the hydraulic jack. The tensioning assembly also includes a link rod connected to the primary rod and a primary adjusting and a secondary adjusting nut associated with the link rod to adjust the tension of a cable or line.
US09670635B1
A modular precipitation or rain water retention system having one or more interconnected reservoir retention modules that cooperate to manage effluent from a precipitation event. At least some of the modules are configured to retain an initial amount of rainfall and then meter out the rain water. Each module has one or more frustoconical support structures joined by hollow interconnecting ribs that create a reservoir so that within each reservoir, wells are defined for rainwater retention. At least some of the frustoconical support structures have tops that may underlie a secondary system such as a green layer.
US09670630B2
A road cutting machine has a machine frame and at least one left-hand running gear and at least one right-hand running gear. A device is provided for raising or lowering the running gears resting on the ground, in relation to the machine frame, and also a control unit is provided for activating the device for raising and lowering the running gears, so that the height of the running gears can be adjusted to the machine frame. The control unit comprises sensors for detecting changes in the height of the ground to be covered by the running gears in relation to the machine frame, whereby the control unit contains a control mode for initiating actions in the control system for adjusting the height of the running gears. The control unit is configured in such a way in the control mode that if a change is detected in the height of the ground, the respective running gear or the respective running gears are raised or lowered so as to compensate any lateral tilting due to a change in the height of the ground.
US09670622B2
Provided is a multilayered structure comprising at least one fine cellulose fiber nonwoven fabric layer made of a fine cellulose fiber, wherein the multilayered structure is characterized in that the mean fiber diameter of the fine cellulose fiber forming the fine cellulose fiber non-woven fabric layer is 0.005 to 0.5 μm, and the mean thickness of the multilayered structure is 10 to 200 μm, the density thereof is 0.10 to 0.90 g/cm3, and the permeability resistance thereof is 2000 s/100 ml or more. Also provided are an energy recovery ventilation sheet made of this multilayered structure, an energy recovery ventilation element using this energy recovery ventilation sheet as a partitioning material for partitioning two types of air flow of different temperature and/or humidity, and a energy recovery ventilator using this energy recovery ventilation element.
US09670620B2
Sanitary tissue products employing fibrous structures that exhibit novel compressibility properties alone and in combination with plate stiffness properties and methods for making same.
US09670618B2
A method and apparatus of manufacturing a web which is striped with add-on material, comprising: a first slurry supply which forms a sheet of base web and moves the sheet along a first path; a second slurry supply; and a moving orifice applicator operative so as to repetitively discharge the second slurry upon the moving sheet of base web. The moving orifice applicator includes a chamber box arranged to establish a reservoir of the second slurry across the first path, an endless belt having orifice groups, the endless belt received through the chamber box, and a drive arrangement operative upon the endless belt to continuously move the orifices along an endless-path and repetitively through the chamber box.
US09670609B2
Provided is a washing machine which may include a cabinet that defines an accommodation space, a washing device configured to be withdrawn from the accommodation space of the cabinet, and a front panel provided in front of the washing device that defines a front external appearance of the auxiliary washing machine. The washing device may include a drawer configured to be slidably inserted or withdrawn from the accommodation space of the cabinet, the drawer including a tub for wash water, a rotating drum assembly provided in the drawer, the rotating drum assembly having a drum and a rotating shaft connected to the drum and extending through the tub, and a motor provided below the drawer and connected to the rotating shaft to rotate the drum.
US09670603B2
A device for shaping at least one thread-like material (1), which is formed in a forming unit and is deposited on a transporting device (6) for the subsequent thermosetting process, wherein a retaining means (4, 14, 15, 22) and a drivable, curved depositing tube (5) are arranged one after the other in the thread transporting direction.
US09670593B2
A method for recharging raw material polycrystalline silicon which enables large chunks of polycrystalline silicon to be recharged to a CZ ingot growth process while preventing the CZ crucible from being damaged and restricting a decline of the dislocation free rate and the quality of the grown ingot. Polycrystalline silicon chunks are recharged by first forming cushioning layer silicon of smaller chunks. The cushioning layer of polycrystalline silicon chunks are deposited on a surface of the residual silicon melt in a crucible. Subsequently, large-sized polycrystalline silicon chunks are introduced onto the cushioning layer, the cushioning layer cushioning the impact due to dropping of the large-sized polycrystalline silicon chunks.
US09670585B2
The invention relates to an electrochemical method for the selective coupling of a phenol to a naphthol which differ in their oxidation potential. The invention also relates to compounds which can be produced by electrochemical coupling.
US09670583B2
A method of adjusting vapor-phase growth apparatuses in which the individual difference of a heater-set temperature and a surface temperature of substrate-mounted plate among the vapor-phase growth apparatuses is eliminated. The method of adjusting vapor-phase growth apparatuses includes a thermocouple-location-adjusting step, in which the relative location of a thermocouple and a heater is adjusted so that the change amount of the surface temperature of a substrate-mounted plate with respect to the change amount in the heater-set temperature reaches a predetermined value, and a temperature-control-value-correcting step, in which the thermocouple is disposed at the location adjusted in the thermocouple-location-adjusting step, the surface temperature of the substrate-mounted plate is obtained when the substrate-mounted plate is heated by the heater in accordance with a prescribed temperature-set value, and a temperature-control value with respect to a temperature-set value is corrected on the basis of the difference between the temperature-set value at this time and the surface temperature of the substrate-mounted plate.
US09670574B2
A method of depositing an aluminum film on a substrate includes placing the substrate on a support, depositing a first layer of aluminum onto the substrate with the substrate in an unclamped condition, clamping the substrate to the support and depositing a second layer of aluminum continuous with the first layer. The second layer is thicker than the first layer and the second layer is deposited at a substrate temperature of less than about 22° C.
US09670566B2
Copper based alloys exhibiting a white/silver hue. The alloys contain copper, nickel, zinc, manganese, tin, sulfur, and antimony.
US09670560B2
A method for laser heat treatment of high tensile steel is provided to improve for improving formability. The method includes performing a heat treatment by irradiating a surface of a high tensile steel blank that includes a martensite structure and a ferrite structure with a laser to decrease a fraction of the martensite structure and increase a fraction of the ferrite structure. In addition, the method includes slowly cooling the blank to temper or anneal the heat-treated blank and subjecting the cooled blank to cold press forming.
US09670559B2
An apparatus of adding high vapor pressure magnesium to a steel liquid, includes a magnesium additive device and a tube furnace. The magnesium additive device includes a storage barrel, a conveying pipe, a control valve, and an insertion tube. A method of adding high vapor pressure magnesium to a steel liquid, includes placing the magnesium additive device in the tube furnace, and delivering pure magnesium particles into the storage barrel. When the temperature at the mediate lower position of the conveying pipe is increased to reach a preset value, the control valve is opened to pour the pure magnesium particles into the conveying pipe to form a magnesium vapor, and an argon regulating valve is opened to introduce the argon into the conveying pipe so as to add the magnesium vapor to a steel liquid by carrying of the argon.
US09670541B2
An array of transportable particle sets is used in a microfluidic device for performing chemical reactions in the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a main channel and intersecting side channels, the main channel and side channels forming a plurality of intersections. The array of particle sets is disposed in the main channel, and the side channels are coupled to reagents. As the particle sets are transported through the intersections of the main channel and the side channels, reagents are flowed through the side channels into contact with each array member (or selected array members), thereby providing a plurality of chemical reactions in the microfluidic system.
US09670540B2
The present invention is directed to methods for capturing, amplifying and identifying one or more of a plurality of target nucleotide sequences in a sample. The present invention is further directed to a device comprising a solid support having a plurality of wells or pillars and a plurality of oligonucleotides attached to the wells or pillars. Other aspects of the invention are directed to methods of making such devices.
US09670539B2
This invention provides novel azido linkers for deoxynucleotide analogs having a detectable marker attached thereto.
US09670536B2
Aspects of the present invention include methods and compositions for determining the number of individual polynucleotide molecules originating from the same genomic region of the same original sample that have been sequenced in a particular sequence analysis configuration or process. In these aspects of the invention, a degenerate base region (DBR) is attached to the starting polynucleotide molecules that are subsequently sequenced (e.g., after certain process steps are performed, e.g., amplification and/or enrichment). The number of different DBR sequences present in a sequencing run can be used to determine/estimate the number of different starting polynucleotides that have been sequenced. DBRs can be used to enhance numerous different nucleic acid sequence analysis applications, including allowing higher confidence allele call determinations in genotyping applications.
US09670525B2
Provided is a method for measuring cholesterol in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) simply and accurately. A method for measuring cholesterol in high-density lipoprotein in a specimen, comprising reacting the specimen with i) a cholesterol ester hydrolase and a cholesterol oxidase, or ii) a cholesterol ester hydrolase, an oxidized coenzyme, and a cholesterol dehydrogenase, in an aqueous medium comprising at least one substance selected from the group consisting of pyridinium salts and quaternary ammonium salts each having a specific structure, and a polyanion to form hydrogen peroxide or reduced coenzyme and measuring the formed hydrogen peroxide or reduced coenzyme.
US09670524B2
Test elements are disclosed for detecting at least one analyte concentration in a sample. The test elements are used for detecting one or more analytes such as metabolites in body fluids, especially glucose. The test elements correct for an interfering variable such as temperature and or hematocrit in a test element system via a correction factor based upon diffusion of at least one diffusable label.
US09670521B2
There are provided amino acid derivatives of formula V and VI as defined herein which are pyrrolysine analogs for use in bioconjugation processes.
US09670518B2
The present disclosure relates to the use of pantothenate compounds as a non-genetic switch for the production of heterologous acetyl-CoA derived (HACD) compounds in microbial host cells. The invention provides genetically modified microorganisms that are more stable when stored and initially cultured under reduced pantothenate concentrations, cell culture media having reduced concentrations of pantothenate compounds, and methods of producing HACD compounds using the cell culture media and the genetically engineered microorganisms of the invention.
US09670512B2
Compositions and methods for producing hydrocarbons such as aldehydes, alkanes, and alkenes are described herein. Certain hydrocarbons can be used in biofuels.
US09670505B2
The invention relates to a mitochondrial expression vector which may comprise a gene to be expressed and/or a selection marker and a mitochondrial region, and a method for inserting a DNA to be expressed into mitochondria of mammalian cells, wherein the method may comprise the steps: (i) construction of a mitochondrial expression vector or a mitochondrial genome, (ii) reversible induction of megamitochondria and (iii) transfection of the megamitochondria by means of a physical transfection method.
US09670504B2
A transgene for endowing human quiescent cells from primary cultures with exogenously inducible telomere length homeostasis and cell cycle traverse is described. The transgene includes at least three promoter sequences; a G1-specific RNA interference sequence which is operably linked downstream of a first promoter sequence; a telomere length maintenance gene sequence which is operably linked downstream to a second promoter sequence; a Scaffold/Matrix attachment region (S/MAR) element positioned downstream in frame with said telomere length maintenance gene sequence and an exogenously-inducible transcriptional regulation system. The transgene is useful to immortalize human quiescent cells from primary cultures.
US09670493B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods comprising a low-phosphate repressible promoter. In particular, the present invention provides a low-phosphate repressible promoter from E. coli.
US09670479B2
A device for isolating DNA from a sample containing cells, including a cartridge having an entrance port and an exit port, a membrane disposed between the entrance port and the exit port, and a plurality of channels between the membrane and the exit port. Additionally, systems and methods for isolating DNA from a sample containing cells and also systems and methods for amplifying and isolating single-stranded DNA from a sample containing DNA.
US09670476B2
Enzyme substrates and associated technology of the present invention are provided. An enzyme substrate of the invention may comprise a biologically functional fluorescent dye and an enzyme-specific substrate moiety attached in such a way that the functionality of the functional dye is diminished. An enzymatic reaction may cleave at least a portion of the substrate moiety from the enzyme substrate to provide a more functional product dye. This product dye may be nonfluorescent or weakly fluorescent, in general, and relatively fluorescent, in a particular condition, such as when bound to a partner biological molecule or an assembly of partner biological molecules. An enzyme substrate of the present invention may thus be useful in fluorescence detection, and/or in any of a variety of useful applications, such as the detection of enzymatic activity in a cell-free system or in a living cell, the screening of drugs, or the diagnosis of disease.
US09670471B2
The present invention relates to variants (mutants) of parent Termamyl-like alpha-amylases, which variant has alpha-amylase activity and exhibits altered properties relative to the parent alpha-amylase.
US09670468B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having peroxygenase activity, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US09670465B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of controlling TYLCV whereby the infection cycle of TYLCV can be broken. The present invention provides a novel virus that is not transmitted by an insect vector as a tomato yellow leaf curl virus. The present invention also provides a method of controlling a tomato yellow leaf curl disease and a method of preventing transmission of a yellow leaf curl virus by using a tomato yellow leaf curl virus not transmitted by an insect vector.
US09670464B2
The invention provides methods for reprogramming somatic cells to generate multipotent or pluripotent cells. Such methods are useful for a variety of purposes, including treating or preventing a medical condition in an individual. The invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that reprograms somatic cells to a less differentiated state.
US09670462B2
The invention provides a surface, wherein said surface comprises (i) a polymer substrate and (ii) sugar groups and peptide groups coupled to said substrate suitable for culturing hepatocytes.
US09670461B2
A method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of: concentrating cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells; and causing the mesenchymal stem cells thus concentrated to grow with use of a particular factor while maintaining undifferentiated state of the mesenchymal stem cells.
US09670459B2
The present invention addresses the problem of providing cell populations having a high proportion of CD4-positive naive T cells and/or CD4-positive central memory T cells, and a production method thereof. The present invention provides a production method for CD4-positive T cell populations which is characterized by using anti-CD3 antibodies, fibronectin fragments, and Interleukin-4. The method is characterized not only by the attainment of a cell group with a high proportion of CD4-positive naive T cells and/or CD4-positive central memory T cells, but also by a high bulk yield.
US09670457B2
Methods for isolating and culturing stem cells, making tissue matrix, making matrix infused with stem cells, and methods of stem cell therapy are provided.
US09670456B2
The invention relates to a method for removing a viral contaminant from a preparation, being a cell culture medium or at least a component of a cell culture medium. The method comprises subjecting said preparation to filtration for at least about 24 hours through a virus filter having an effective pore size of maximum about 75 nm. Further, the invention relates to the use of a virus filter in filtration of at least about 24 hours, wherein the virus filter has an effective pore size of maximum about 75 nm for the removal of viral contaminant from a preparation, being a cell culture medium or at least a component of a cell culture medium. In some embodiments the filtration according to the invention operates at a volumetric capacity of at least about 2000 L/m2. Further, the invention relates to the use of a preparation, being a cell culture medium or at least a component of a cell culture medium obtainable according to method of the invention for cell culture; pharmaceutical, diagnostic and/or cosmetic preparations as well as in food preparations.
US09670448B2
A bioreactor has a reactor bag (12) with a predominantly flexible bag wall (121) that has a rigid bearing area. A stirrer arrangement (14) is in the bearing area and includes rigid profile ring (16) made of a non-magnetic material and fixed in the bearing area. The stirrer arrangement (14) also includes a shaftless stirrer (18) rotatably engaged with the profile ring (16) and having parts that are permanently magnetic. An electric coil arrangement (20) is outside the reactor bag (12) and can produce a rotating magnetic field that interacts with the permanent-magnetic areas of the stirrer (18) to produce a torque that rotates the stirrer (18) and circulates the contents of the bag (12).
US09670441B2
A method for treating a fluid is provided using a particulate material in the form of a deposited layer having an upstream side and a downstream side wherein a flow of the fluid is directed through the deposited layer from the upstream to the downstream side at a first temperature. The method includes reconditioning the deposited layer and then resuming treatment of the fluid, wherein reconditioning comprises heating the deposited layer to a second temperature; and cooling the deposited layer to a third temperature at an average cooling rate in the range of up to about 20° C./min.
US09670438B2
A composition having a pH of less than 7 and including one or more surfactants, one or more chelating agents, and one or more acid in an aqueous solvents is used to treat stains on a textile caused by sunscreen lotion. Sunscreen stains in textiles can be reduced to a Δb* of 5 or less as compared to the textile before staining. The method includes preparing a use solution having a pH of less than 7 by applying to the wash solution a solid composition comprising about 15 to about 60 wt-% of surfactants; about 4 to about 18 wt-% chelating agents; and about 10 to about 40 wt-% of an acid or a salt thereof, and washing the textile in the wash solution, where the method is capable or reducing the stain in the textile to a Δb* of 7 or less as compared to the textile before staining.
US09670436B2
The present invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising variants of an alpha-amylase and methods of treating surfaces such as textiles with aqueous liquor comprising such compositions, especially at low temperatures.
US09670428B2
The invention relates to a method for starting up a gasifying reactor comprising a plurality of burners. Each burner is thereby charged with combustible dust from a metering vessel (1) via a dense flow conveyor line (51, 52, 53, 54), which is assigned thereto, and with fuel gas via a gas conveyor line (62, 63), wherein a fuel mixture of combustible dust and combustible gas is provided prior to a moment of ignition of a burner, wherein a first composition of combustible dust and combustible gas, with which a first burner is charged for ignition, is regulated as a function of the fuel quantity, which was supplied to the second burner for ignition, after the ignition of a second burner, which is charged with a second composition of combustible dust and combustible gas for ignition, following the ignition of the first burner, so that the starting up of each of the plurality of burners of the gasifying reactor takes place under a regulated supply of the fuel load. The invention further relates to a gasifying reactor (7) for carrying out the method according to the invention.
US09670421B2
An apparatus and process is disclosed for mitigating coking in an FCC reactor plenum. The apparatus and process utilize a baffle to create a inner volume for the product vapors to prevent contact with a relatively cool plenum. The baffle also limits the amount of the time the product vapors spend in the plenum minimizing time for coke formation and limit product vapors from entering low fluidization zones.
US09670408B2
The provision of an oxygen absorbent composition comprising a compound (A) having two or more tetralin rings, at least one of the tetralin rings having a hydrogen bond bonded to a benzylic position thereof, and having two or more imide bonds, and a transition metal catalyst.
US09670398B2
Disclosed herein is a fracturing fluid comprising a carrier fluid; a polymer that is soluble in the carrier fluid; the polymer being a synthetic polymer, wherein the synthetic polymer comprises a labile group that is operative to facilitate decomposition of the synthetic polymer upon activation of the labile group; the polymer being crosslinked, the fracturing fluid having a viscosity of about 200 to about 3000 centipoise at 100 s−1; and an oxidizing agent. A method for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation is also disclosed herein.
US09670391B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a moisture-curable polyurethane hot-melt resin composition having excellent waterproof properties, drop impact resistance, and flexibility. The present invention provides a moisture-curable polyurethane hot-melt resin composition containing a urethane prepolymer having an isocyanate group, the urethane prepolymer being produced through a reaction of a polyol (A) with a polyisocyanate (B), wherein the polyol (A) contains a polyether polyol (A-1), a crystalline polyester polyol (A-2), an amorphous polyester polyol (A-3), and an acrylic polyol (A-4). The present invention also provides an adhesive containing such a composition and an article in which such a composition is used.
US09670390B2
The present invention relates to new formulations for adhesive compositions and also to adhesive compositions particularly for a hybrid adhesive comprising at least one mixture of an amino resin and at least one polyether, and the combination of this mixture with isocyanate, and also to the use of polyethers in adhesives based on amino resins. These adhesive compositions are especially suitable for use as adhesives for woodbase materials, more particularly OSB boards, fiberboards, or chipboards. In a further aspect the present invention relates to processes for producing such woodbase materials from lignocellulosic products of comminution, more particularly to processes for producing OSB boards, wood fiberboards, or chipboards, where the lignocellulosic products of comminution are contacted with the adhesive composition of the invention and subsequently the woodbase materials are obtained by pressing with heat treatment. Lastly, the present invention is directed to woodbase materials obtainable accordingly.
US09670389B2
An aqueous adhesive composition including a certain emulsion polymer and an epoxysilane wherein the adhesive composition is substantially free from crosslinking agent is provided. A method for providing a substrate bearing a paper label, the adhered label having ice water resistance, and a method for removing the paper label from the substrate are also provided.
US09670377B2
An underfill composition for encapsulating a bond line and a method of using the underfill composition are described. Advantageously, the disclosed underfill composition in an uncured state has a fluidity value of less than about ten minutes over about a two centimeter distance at a temperature of about 90 degrees C. and at a bond line thickness of about 50 microns or less and still have a bulk thermal conductivity that is greater than about 0.8 W/mK in the cured state.
US09670373B2
The invention relates to a polymer (P) comprising at least one photoinitiator moiety (PI) and at least one dye moiety (DYE), wherein said at least one photoinitiator moiety (PI) and at least one dye moiety (DYE) are covalently linked to said polymer (P). Additionally, the invention relates to said polymer (P) being end-functionalized with optionally substituted acryloyi groups. The fact that both of these moieties are tightly bonded within the polymer, and the cross-linked polymer, means that the opportunities for leaching/migration of these components is reduced or even eliminated. Inks comprising at least one of said polymers are also provided. Methods for the manufacture of the polymers, and for printing are provided.
US09670367B2
The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic dispersion comprising charged pigment particles dispersed in a solvent or solvent mixture, wherein at least one type of the charged pigment particles has an aggregation size about 2 to about 10 times their primary size and/or has a PDI in the range of 0.1 to 0.3. The electrophoretic dispersion of the present invention is capable of improving both image bistability and contrast ratio through adjusting the size distribution of the charged pigment particles.
US09670365B2
Disclosed are fluorescent compounds with large Stokes-shift and a process for their preparation. More particularly, disclosed are fluorescent compounds that are colorless. The compounds can be used in compositions for inks, paints and plastics, especially in a wide variety of printing systems and are particularly well-suited for security applications.
US09670362B2
The present invention relates to a thermoset resin composition, and a prepreg and a laminate for a printed circuit board manufactured therefrom. The thermoset resin composition comprises the following components: a phosphorus-containing polyphenyl ether resin having low molecular weight, an epoxy resin, a cyanate resin and an accelerator. The prepreg manufactured using the resin composition comprises a base material and the thermoset resin composition adhered to the base material by impregnation and drying. The laminate for a printed circuit board manufactured using the resin composition comprises a plurality of laminated prepregs, a metal foil covering one or two faces of the laminated prepregs by pressing, with each prepreg comprising a base material and the thermoset resin composition adhered to the base material by impregnation and drying. The thermoset resin composition of the present invention has properties such as a low dielectric constant and a dielectric dissipation factor, high heat resistance, a high glass transition temperature, and flame retardancy, etc. The laminates for a printed circuit board manufactured using same have excellent metal foil peel strength, heat resistance and dielectric properties, and are suitable for high frequency and high speed electronic circuit boards.
US09670361B2
Disclosed are a halogen-based flame retardant glass fiber reinforced polyamide resin composition and a method of preparing the same. A halogen-based flame retardant glass fiber reinforced polyamide resin composition comprising styrene-maleimide based copolymer having a high thermal decomposition temperature to secure flame retardancy and appearance required in electric and electronic components and a method of preparing the same are provided.
US09670358B2
Disclosed herein is an aliphatic polyester resin composition that simultaneously improves slow crystallization, low impact strength, and low tensile elongation that are the drawbacks of a polyhydroxyalkanoate.The aliphatic polyester resin composition comprises: a polyhydroxyalkanoate (A); a graft copolymer (B); and pentaerythritol (C), wherein the graft copolymer (B) is obtained by graft polymerization of a vinyl-based monomer onto at least one rubber selected from the group consisting of a composite rubber (b1) comprising a polyorganosiloxane component and a polyalkyl(meth)acrylate component, an acrylic rubber (b2), and a diene-based rubber (b3) comprising a diene-based monomer.
US09670347B2
Polypropylene composition comprising comonomer units derived from ethylene in an amount of from 9.0 to 52.0 mol-% and comonomer units derived from a higher a-olefin in an amount of from 0.4 to 3.0 mol-%, wherein said polypropylene composition has an amount of xylene cold solubles of at least 30 wt.-%, wherein further the xylene cold soluble fraction has an ethylene content of from 20.0 to 80.0 mol-% and a higher a-olefin content from 0.1 to 1.5 mol-%.
US09670338B2
Embodiments of the disclosure generally provide flame retardant compositions and methods comprising organic polymers, mineral fillers, high surface area mineral fillers and process aids. Compositions of the disclosure additionally are comprised of high surface area hydrated metal carbonate fillers, including the mesoporous amorphous magnesium carbonate filler Upsalite. The filler's porous structure and high surface area provides high water capacity, enhanced physical and chemical interaction with a polymer in composite, lower by weight loadings of filler in a composite, as well as effective flame retardancy.
US09670330B2
A method for marking an item including a shape memory polymer (SMP) having a visual readable and/or machine readable graphic element on the surface of the item. The method includes pretreating the surface of the item; coloring the surface of the item with a dye solution containing an organic dye and an organic solvent; cleaning and drying the surface of the item; and engraving by at least partially ablating the surface of the item. The dyeing process is suitable for coloring the surface of a shape memory polymer (SMP), wherein the information is engraved in a form of a code or other label on the colored surface. The coloring causes an increased contrast and thus facilitates machine readability of marking and coding without affecting the other properties of the SMP.
US09670328B2
In the present disclosure!, there is disclosed an epoxy resin formulation for the manufacturing of large and thick composite structures, said formulation comprising i) at least one epoxy resin in a weight proportion varying between 50 parts to 70 parts; (ii) at least one hardening agent in a weight proportion varying between 21 phr to 29 phr; (iii) at least one diluent in a weight proportion varying between 10 phr to 40 phr; and (iv) N,N′dimethylaminopropylamine as an accelerator in a weight proportion varying between 0.5 phr to 3.0 phr. The formulation is used in the manufacturing of large and thick composite structures by employing Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding Process.
US09670324B2
A composition of the formulae MZAORSnR1F1mOAZ1M1, wherein O and S have their normal meaning of oxygen and sulfur, n is at least 2 and not more than 8, F1 is of the formula —OAORSnR1—, m is at least 1, Z and Z1 are the same or different and are oxy or amino, M and M1 are the same or different and are hydrogen or an organic substituent, R and R1 are the same or different and are organic divalent radicals, each having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and A is the residue of a dicarboxylic acid of from 2 to 40 carbon atoms.
US09670315B2
An aromatic polycarbonate resin composition for a fluorescence detection and analysis substrate by which autofluorescence of an aromatic polycarbonate resin, which has been avoided as a resin for a fluorescence detection and analysis substrate due to a critical defect thereof of having fluorescence in a visible light wavelength region, is significantly decreased, and is highly heat-resistant and highly transparent; and a fluorescence detection and analysis substrate produced by melt molding performed on the aromatic polycarbonate resin composition. A polycarbonate resin composition, including a polycarbonate resin synthesized by an interfacial polymerization method, wherein the polycarbonate resin composition fulfills formula (1) below with respect to fluorescence emission of the composition when being excited by light having a wavelength of 290 nm, |{F(310)−F(450)}/{F(400)−F(450)}|≧40 formula (1) where F(310), F(400) and F(410) are respectively fluorescence emission intensities at wavelengths of 310 nm, 400 nm and 450 nm.
US09670314B2
A method for manufacturing poly(2-hydroxyalkanoic acid) included the steps of a) mixing a cyclic diester of a 2-hydroxyalkanoic acid and a polymerization catalyst, b) polymerizing the cyclic diester to form poly(2-hydroxyalkanoic acid) in liquid phase, c) adding a phosphoric acid ester as a catalyst deactivating agent to the liquid phase, d) applying a devolatilization step to the liquid phase, and e) allowing the poly(2-hydroxyalkanoic acid) to solidify. The catalyst deactivating agent is added after the devolatilization step is applied. The method results in an improved melt stability of the manufactured polymer.
US09670313B2
Disclosed is a process for the manufacture of a polyalkylene terephthalate such as polybutylene terephthalate. In particular, the process comprises employing a titanium-containing catalyst formed by the reaction product of tetraalkyl titanate and a complexing agent comprising a phosphorous, nitrogen or boron atom. The process is used to prepare polyalkylene terephthalates characterized by improved hydrostability, as well as compositions derived therefrom.
US09670311B2
A polylactic polyester resin having a chemical structure represented by Formula (1), an acid value of 300 to 2,500 eq/106 g, a number average molecular weight of 2,000 to 50,000, and a lactic acid content percentage of not less than 40 weight %, Z—(O—(CH2CH2O)p—(CO—Y—O)q—X)r (1) wherein Z is an r-valent organic group, Y is —CH(CH3)—, or a mixture of —CH(CH3)— and C2-10 linear or branched alkylene group, and X is a residue of a polybasic acid having 2 or more carboxyl groups, or hydrogen; each of X, Y, and Z may be one kind or a mixture of a plurality of different kinds; and p, q, and r are 0 or a positive integer, p has an average value of not less than 0.5, q has an average value of not less than 5, and r has an average value of not less than 3 and not more than 15. An aqueous dispersion, an aqueous resin composition, an aqueous adhesive, an aqueous paint, aqueous ink, a laminate made of an aqueous adhesive or aqueous ink, a packaging material, a sustained-release biodegradable coating agent, and a sustained-release biodegradable coated body comprising the sustained-release biodegradable coating agent, which contain the polyester resin.
US09670310B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to heterogeneous advanced epoxy resins formed by reacting a mononuclear aromatic diglycidyl ether and a diphenol, more specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to heterogeneous advanced epoxy resins formed by reacting the mononuclear aromatic diglycidyl ether and the diphenol in a molar ratio of the mononuclear aromatic diglycidyl ether to the diphenol in a range from 1.5 to 1.0 to 5.0 to 1.0.
US09670307B2
A unique combination of a hydrophilic polyol (A) and a hydrophobic polyol (B) having a terminal ethylene oxide cap are used in a resin composition and a polyurethane system, and are used to form a polyurethane article, such as a polyurethane foam. The hydrophilic polyol (A) is ethylene oxide (EO) rich and the hydrophobic polyol (B) is propylene oxide (PO) rich. The hydrophilic polyol (A) and the hydrophobic polyol (B) are present in the resin composition and the polyurethane system in a weight ratio (A:B) of from 1.5:1 to 20:1. The polyurethane article exhibits excellent comfort for use in vehicle applications, such as automotive and motorcycle seating, due to reduced resonance frequency and reduced peak vibration transmissivity relative to previous polyurethane articles.
US09670305B2
The present invention is related to a polyurethane dispersant and a preparation method thereof. The polyurethane dispersant is terminated by a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound during synthesis. The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound is prepared by subjecting anhydride and a compound containing a primary amine and a secondary amine or a hydroxyl or mercapto group to dehydration condensation. The condensed product is the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound, containing a reactive hydrogen. The structural formula of the compound containing the primary amine and the secondary amine or hydroxyl or mercapto group is shown as follows: wherein n=1 to 5, and preferably 2 to 4, R1 and R2 are respectively alkyls containing 1 to 8 carbons, R1 and R2 are independent of each other or connected by a chemical bond to form one or more saturated or unsaturated 4-member to 8-member rings, and X represents N, O, or S.
US09670303B2
Described herein are alkyl phenolic resins and methods of producing them. The content of residual phenol in the alkyl phenolic resin may be less than about 2% w/w, the softening point of the alkyl phenolic resin may be about 85° C. to about 105° C., the tackiness of the alkyl phenolic resin may be about 8 N to about 25 N, the alkyl group of the alkyl phenol may have 6-12 carbon atoms, and the content of 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl) phenol in the alkyl phenol may be from about 0% to about 85% w/w. The invention also relates to a use of the alkyl phenolic resin as rubber tackifier.
US09670298B2
Catalyst component for the polymerization of olefins comprising Mg, Ti and an electron donor of formula (I) Where R1 and R2, independently, are selected from hydrogen and C1-C15 hydrocarbon groups, optionally contain an heteroatom selected from halogen, P, S, N, O and Si, which can be fused together to form one or more closed cycles and A is a bivalent bridging group.
US09670293B2
Process for the preparation of a solid catalyst system comprising the steps of preparing a liquid clathrate comprising a mixing of an aluminoxane, an aromatic compound and an organo-silicon compound, wherein the mol-ratio between the organo-silicon compound and aluminum of the aluminoxane is below 0.1, mixing said liquid clathrate with an organometallic compound obtaining a liquid mixture, and precipitating the solid catalyst system out of said liquid mixture by adding a saturated aliphatic compound to said mixture liquid.
US09670289B2
The present disclosure describes an implant for tissue replacement or augmentation including a resorbable non-pyrogenic porous body of irradiated oxidized cellulose, formed from a precursor reactive mixture of irradiated cellulose and an oxidizing agent, where the body forms a heterogeneous three-dimensional fibrillar network. Also disclosed is a method for producing a body of oxidized cellulose including irradiating a body of cellulose to form an irradiated body of cellulose, and reacting the irradiated body of cellulose with an oxidizing agent to form a non-pyrogenic porous and resorbable body of oxidized cellulose.
US09670284B2
The present invention relates to methods of using VEGFR1 antibodies for the treatment of chronic kidney disease.
US09670273B2
The present application discloses humanized 1H7 antibodies. The antibodies bind to human alpha synuclein and can be used for treatment and diagnosis of Lewy body disease.
US09670272B2
Provided are novel specific binding molecules, particularly human antibodies as well as fragments, derivatives and variants thereof that recognize neoepitopes of disease-associated proteins which derive from native endogenous proteins but are prevalent in the body of a patient in a variant form and/or out of their normal physiological context. In addition, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such binding molecules, antibodies and mimics thereof and methods of screening for novel binding molecules, which may or may not be antibodies as well as targets in the treatment of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease are described.
US09670266B2
Certain embodiments provide a method for crystallizing a GPCR. The method may employ a fusion protein comprising: a) a first portion of a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), where the first portion comprises the TM1, TM2, TM3, TM4 and TM5 regions of the GPCR; b) a stable, folded protein insertion; and c) a second portion of the GPCR, where the second portion comprises the TM6 and TM7 regions of the GPCR.
US09670246B2
A process for preparing compounds of formula [II] by esterification of the C-17 hydroxyl group of 6α,9α-difluoro-11β,17α-dihydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxoandrosta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioic acid, the compound of formula [I] comprises treating compound [I] with a slight excess of an acyl chloride of general formula R—COCl, where R represents —CH2CH3, —CH2CH2CH3 or —CH(CH3)2, in an inert solvent, in the presence of a tertiary amine. Preferably the process is carried out using pyridine in the presence of acetone at a temperature of from 5° C. to −20° C.
US09670224B2
The present invention provides a forsythiaside sulfate derivatives as represented by the following formula, the preparation method and antiviral application thereof:
US09670223B2
A compound having the structural formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or hydrates thereof, (I) wherein Y is an arylester or an C1-C8 alkylaryl ester, selected from the group consisting of: benzene, toluene, xylene, benzoic acid, benzoate, nicotinate, isonicotinate and halobenzene, which can be unsubstituted or substituted with at least one nitric oxide releasing group; and/or at least one of hydroxide, —Cl, —Br, a C1-C8 alkyl, benzyl, a C1-C8 alkoxy, benzyloxy, —NHC(O)R, —NH2, —NO2, —ONO2, —(CH2)nONO2, —OC(O)[(CH2)m], cyclic ONO2, —OCOArONO2, —OCOAr(CH2)nONO2 or a C1-C5 haloalkyl ester, wherein R is a C1-C8 alkyl or a C1-C8 alkoxy group, n=1-8 and m=3-10, to produce a super-aspirin effect.
US09670222B2
The present invention relates to novel antagonists for CCR2 (CC chemokine receptor 2) and their use for providing medicaments for treating conditions and diseases, especially pulmonary diseases like asthma and COPD.
US09670217B2
The disclosed subject matter includes methods of preparation, properties, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of therapy of sulfonated chlorins and bacteriochlorins designed for the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of hyperproliferative tissues such as tumors, hyperproliferative blood vessels and other disorders or abnormalies that are responsive to PDT. In particular, the economical large-scale synthesis of stable chlorins and bacteriochlorins is described. Their properties were tailored to meet those of ideal photosensitizers for PDT. In another embodiment, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of therapy for systemic administration are provided. In a further embodiment, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of therapy for topical administration are also provided. Further provided is a method of labeling a target tissue and providing an image of that tissue by fluorescence of magnetic resonance imaging.
US09670215B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of ATR protein kinase. The invention relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of this invention; methods of treating of various diseases, disorders, and conditions using the compounds of this invention; processes for preparing the compounds of this invention; intermediates for the preparation of the compounds of this invention; and solid forms of the compounds of this invention.The compounds of this invention have formula I-1 or I-A: wherein the variables are as defined herein.
US09670212B2
The invention is directed to Compounds of Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof, as well as methods of making and using the compounds.
US09670207B2
The present application relates to a series of substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine compounds, their use as tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) family protein kinase inhibitors, method of making and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds.
US09670203B2
Provided are certain fused tricyclic urea compounds and salts thereof, compositions thereof, and methods of use therefor.
US09670202B2
The present invention relates to substituted triazolopyridine compounds of general formula (I); in which R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as given in the description and in the claims, to methods of preparing said compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions and combinations comprising said compounds, to the use of said compounds for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease, as well as to intermediate compounds useful in the preparation of said compounds.
US09670201B2
The present invention provides methyl- and trifluoromethyl-substituted pyrrolopyridines, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, methods of modulating RORγ activity and/or reducing the amount of IL-17 in a subject, and methods of treating various medical disorders using such pyrrolopyridines and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
US09670198B2
Provided herein are novel and selective high affinity α3β4 nicotinic acetycholine receptor ligands and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. In other embodiments, provided herein are methods of treatment, prevention, or amelioration of a variety of medical disorders such as, for example, drug addiction or pain using the compounds and compositions disclosed herein. In still other embodiments, provided herein are methods of selectively antagonizing receptors such as, for example, the α3β4 nicotinic acetycholine receptor using the compounds and compositions disclosed herein.
US09670180B2
Chemical entities that are quinoxaline kinase inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment of cancer are described.
US09670152B2
What is described is a compound of formula I wherein R is a linear alkyl of 1 to 12 carbons, or a linear alkenyl or alkynyl of 2 to 12 carbons; L is a linear alkylene or alkenylene of 5 to 18 carbons; X is —CO—O— or —O—CO—; Y is S or O; R1 is a linear or branched alkylene consisting of 1 to 6 carbons; and R2 and R3 are the same or different, consisting of a hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl consisting of 1 to 6 carbons; and n is 1-6; or a salt, a solvate, or a pharmaceutical formulation thereof.
US09670149B2
A process for preparing guanidino-functional, free radically polymerizable compounds comprises (a) combining (1) an amine compound comprising (i) at least one primary aliphatic amino group and (ii) at least one secondary aliphatic amino group, primary aromatic amino group, or secondary aromatic amino group, and (2) a guanylating agent; (b) allowing or inducing reaction of the amine compound and the guanylating agent to form a guanylated amine compound; (c) combining (1) the guanylated amine compound, and (2) a reactive monomer comprising (i) at least one ethylenically unsaturated group and (ii) at least one group that is reactive with an amino group; and (d) allowing or inducing reaction of the guanylated amine compound and the reactive monomer to form a guanidino-functional, free radically polymerizable compound.
US09670143B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to a compound of the structure: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a crystalline form of this compound, having neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising this compound; methods of using this compound; and processes for preparing this compound.
US09670140B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula XII: where Ra, Rb, R2, R7, and X are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds described herein are prodrugs of compounds having neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds; methods of using these compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing these compounds.
US09670137B2
New stabilizers for solutions of choline hydroxide and related quaternary trialkylalkanolamines are disclosed. The stabilizers are alkyl hydroxylamines, hydrazines, hydrazides, or derivates thereof, including compounds containing more than one such functionality. The new stabilizers are effective at concentrations less than about 1000 ppm, and choline hydroxide solutions stabilized with the compounds described herein typically have Gardner Color change less than about 2.0 after six months at reasonable temperatures.
US09670123B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing unsaturated ketone by using an ion exchange polymer as a catalyst. The process comprises the steps of mixing an aldehyde with a ketone and passing the mixture of aldehyde and ketone through a fixed bed catalytic reactor comprising the ion exchange polymer at a temperature of at least 60 degree C. at atmospheric pressure for a retention period of 30-50 min. The unsaturated ketone obtained from the reaction is purified by distillation and 99.5% pure unsaturated ketone with a yield of not less than 80% is obtained.
US09670122B2
A process of controlling hydroformylation reaction fluid temperature involves controlling the flow rate of reaction fluid through an external heat exchanger.
US09670106B2
An apparatus (10) for the pressurized recirculation of organic material comprising a reactor vessel (12) capable of being pressurized and in which both anaerobic digestion and aerobic composting of organic material may occur, the reactor vessel (12) having both an inlet (14) and an outlet (16) for organic material, together with a conveyor means (18, 20, 22, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34 and 36) to convey organic material to the inlet (14) and from the outlet (16), whereby organic material may be transferred between the outlet (16) and the inlet (14) to achieve recirculation and rearrangement thereof while maintaining a pressurized state. A method for the pressurized recirculation of organic material is also described.
US09670104B2
Contemplated compositions and methods for protection of concrete and various other cementitious materials comprise a step of formation of a mesoporous polymeric network within the concrete or other cementitious material, wherein the network further includes a cationic component that forms a substantially insoluble precipitate upon reaction with sulfuric acid to so form a composite barrier against further attack by sulfuric acid.
US09670103B1
A vertical chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor and a method for synthesizing metal oxide impregnated carbon nanotubes. The CVD reactor includes a preheating zone portion and a reaction zone portion, and preferably an additional cooling zone portion and a product collector. The method includes (a) subjecting a liquid reactant solution comprising an organic solvent, a metallocene, and a metal alkoxide to atomization in the presence of a gas flow comprising a carrier gas and a support gas to form an atomized mixture, and (b) heating the atomized mixture to a temperature of 200° C.-1400° C., wherein the heating forms a metal oxide and at least one carbon source compound, wherein the metallocene catalyzes the formation of carbon nanotubes from the at least one carbon source compound and the metal oxide is incorporated into or on a surface of the carbon nanotubes to form the metal oxide impregnated carbon nanotubes.
US09670098B2
A calcium silicate insulation product includes a calcium silicate hydrate matrix that is predominantly but not substantially all xonotlite, for example 51-90 weight percent xonotlite and 10-49 weight percent tobermorite. The insulation product also contains wollastonite, fines of lime and silica, and reinforcing carbon fibers. A method of producing the insulation product includes providing the components of the insulation as dry solids, blending the dry solids with water to form a slurry, filter pressing the slurry to form a pressed shape, and curing the pressed shape under steam pressure only until the desired proportions of xonotlite and tobermorite are achieved in the calcium silicate hydrate matrix.
US09670096B1
A density controlled cold fusion concrete cementitious spray applied fireproofing material including a mixture of water, one or more of silicon dioxide, expanded glass, vermiculite, bottom ash, perlite, expanded shale, or other lightweight aggregates of various diameter sizes ranging from about 0.025 mm to about 12.5 mm in diameter; anhydrous or hydrous sodium or potassium metasilicate; waste from steel production consisting of Granulated Ground Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS); high calcium or low calcium waste from coal combustion (fly ash or bottom ash); sodium tetraborate, sodium citrate dihydrate, citric acid, or boric acid; and an alkali-resistant micro-.
US09670093B2
The present invention is a hydraulic composition, which includes an α-hydroxy sulfonic acid or a salt thereof, a hydraulic powder and water, wherein the ratio of slag in the hydraulic powder is 60% by mass or more.
US09670090B2
An Ag2O—V2O5—TeO2 lead-free low-melting glass composition that is prevented or restrained from crystallization by heating so as to soften and flow more satisfactorily at a low temperature contains a principal component which includes a vanadium oxide, a tellurium oxide and a silver oxide; a secondary component which includes at least one selected from the group consisting of BaO, WO3 and P2O5; and an additional component which includes at least one selected from the group consisting of oxides of elements in Group 13 of periodic table. A total component of the principal component is 85 mole percent or more in terms of V2O5, TeO2 and Ag2O. Contents of TeO2 and Ag2O each is 1 to 2 times as much as a content of V2O5. A content of the secondary component is 0 to 13 mole percent. A content of the additional component is 0.1 to 3.0 mole percent.
US09670088B2
A scratch resistant alkali aluminoborosilicate glass. The glass is chemically strengthened and has a surface layer that is rich in silica with respect to the remainder of the glass article. The chemically strengthened glass is then treated with an aqueous solution of a mineral acid other than hydrofluoric acid, such as, for example, HCl, HNO3, H2SO4, or the like, to selective leach elements from the glass and leave behind a silica-rich surface layer. The silica-rich surface layer improves the Knoop scratch threshold of the ion exchanged glass compared to ion exchanged glass that are not treated with the acid solution as well as the post-scratch retained strength of the glass.
US09670087B2
The present invention relates to an alkali-free glass having a strain point of 725° C. or higher, an average thermal expansion coefficient at from 50 to 300° C. of from 30×10−7 to 40×107/° C., a temperature T2 at which a glass viscosity is 102 dPa·s of 1,710° C. or lower, and a temperature T4 at which a glass viscosity is 104 dPa·s of 1,320° C. or lower, the alkali-free glass including, in terms of mol % on the basis of oxides, SiO2: 66 to 70, Al2O3: 12 to 15, B2O3: 0 to 1.5, MgO: more than 9.5 and 13 or less, CaO: 4 to 9, SrO: 0.5 to 4.5, BaO: 0 to 1, and ZrO2: 0 to 2, in which MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO is from 17 to 21, MgO/(MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO) is 0.4 or more, MgO/(MgO+CaO) is 0.4 or more, MgO/(MgO+SrO) is 0.6 or more, and the alkali-free glass does not substantially contain an alkali metal oxide.
US09670082B2
The described implementations relate to water denitrification. One method obtains nitrate levels in influent and effluent of a moving bed media filter and determines carbon levels in the effluent. The method also doses carbon feedstock into the influent based on both the nitrate levels and the carbon levels.
US09670080B2
A method for reducing sulfide in oilfield waste water includes contacting oilfield waste water with an oxidizer in the presence of an iron catalyst. The oilfield waste water includes sulfide that is oxidized to sulfate while avoiding formation of a colloidal or bulk sulfur precipitate. A method for recycling oilfield waste water includes contacting oilfield waste water with an oxidizer in the presence of an iron catalyst, the oilfield waste water comprising sulfide; oxidizing the sulfide to sulfate; avoiding formation of a colloidal sulfur precipitate, a bulk sulfur precipitate, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; clarifying the oilfield waste water by contacting the oilfield waste water with a flocculant to form an aggregate precipitate; separating the aggregate precipitate from the oilfield waste water to form a recycled water; combining an additive with the recycled water; and disposing the recycled water in a downhole environment.
US09670078B2
Dual-field electric and magnetic probes create and apply electromagnetic fields to liquids, such as water, to treat unwanted material in the liquid.
US09670077B2
An energy storage system employing a reversible salination-desalination process includes an electrochemical desalination battery (EDB) unit including an anode and a cathode. The EDB unit runs a salination process while storing energy from a direct current power supply unit, and runs a desalination process while releasing energy to an electrical load. The energy storage system can store power from a variable output electrical power supply unit such as solar cells and wind turbines while running a salination process, and release energy, e.g., during peak energy demand hours while running a desalination process. Combined with a capacitive deionization (CD) unit, the energy storage system can generate fresh water by running desalination processes in the EDB unit and the CD unit while releasing stored energy from the EDB unit. The energy storage unit can function as a dual purpose device for energy storage and fresh water generation.
US09670069B2
The disclosure provides relates to compositions and methods for water treatment. It also addresses a method for synthesizing TiO2 (and other metal oxides) with or without dopants. This method enables control over size, phase, morphology and porosity and specific surface area of these materials. The disclosure also provides metal oxide composites that can be used in photocatalysts, photovoltaics, and solar hydrogen applications.
US09670067B2
The present invention relates to a particle of modified silica which comprises a particle of silica which is covalently linked to at least one halohydrin moiety. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of preparing the particle of modified silica, a particle of modified silica obtained by such method, use of the particle of modified silica as a stationary phase for chromatography, as well as a separation column for chromatography comprising the particle of modified silica.
US09670064B1
Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for producing heavy water. In one embodiment, a catalyst is treated with high purity air or a mixture of gaseous nitrogen and oxygen with gaseous deuterium all together flowing over the catalyst to produce the heavy water. In an alternate embodiment, the deuterium is combusted to form the heavy water. In an alternate embodiment, gaseous deuterium and gaseous oxygen is flowed into a fuel cell to produce the heavy water. In various embodiments, the deuterium may be produced by a thermal decomposition and distillation process that involves heating solid lithium deuteride to form liquid lithium deuteride and then extracting the gaseous deuterium from the liquid lithium deuteride.
US09670063B2
The present invention relates to a method of producing hydrogen from ammonia, and in particular a method of producing hydrogen from ammonia by reacting it with a Group I metal, particularly with sodium, for use in a fuel cell and/or in a prime mover. The method may be carried out in-situ in a vehicle. The invention also relates to an apparatus for producing hydrogen from ammonia.
US09670053B2
An apparatus for transferring springs to a spring conveyor comprises a transfer device and an output device. The transfer device is mounted such that it can be moved between a plurality of positions in which the transfer device is respectively configured to receive a spring, and is configured to transport a received spring during movement of the transfer device between the plurality of positions. The output device is configured to selectively output the spring received by the transfer device from the transfer device at one of plural output positions, wherein the plural output positions are pairwise different.
US09670044B2
A rotatable gripper grips and turns a container cap. When locked, a collet clamp engages the cap, and when unlocked, the clamp releases the cap. The collet clamp is elongate with a first and second ends. The first end has a substantially rigid section. The second end has a gripper section with a substantially cylindrical recess that expands in width to hold the cap when the clamp is moved from locked to unlocked. Between the rigid and gripper sections is a clamping section. An outside surface of the clamping section is conical with a width increasing towards the gripper section. Sliding a ring on the conical clamping section deforms it into the locked position, constricting the recess tightly onto a container cap. When unlocked, the recess widens, permitting the cap to be removed from the recess.
US09670038B2
A drilling rig transfer system includes a mobile transfer beam, a trolley assembly operatively attached to and moveable along the mobile transfer beam, and a connection mechanism suspended from the trolley assembly for connecting to and lifting a device. The mobile transfer beam is suspended from first and second traveling blocks through connections at first and second suspension positions along the mobile transfer beam. A method of transferring a device may include suspending a connection mechanism from the trolley assembly over a first location, lowering and attaching the connection mechanism to a device disposed at the first location, lifting the device with the connection mechanism, moving the trolley assembly along the mobile transfer beam to position the connection mechanism and the device over a second location, and lowering the connection mechanism and the device into the second location.
US09670037B2
A crew boat for transporting personnel to and from an offshore platform is equipped with a passenger capsule and a basket-like cradle, which retains the passenger capsule adjacent a passenger deck during the voyage. The passenger capsule forms a watertight enclosure, which can serve as a life raft in emergency. The passenger capsule is equipped with its own automated heave compensation system, power supply, and stabilization means. The passenger capsule is equipped to be lifted and lowered onto the cradle using platform-mounted cranes.
US09670036B2
In a clamp system for a slender object (16), such as a pile or pipe and the like, a clamp (1) and the object are to be applied around one another. The clamp has a frame (4) defining an axial direction. Furthermore, gripping devices (3) are provided which are spaced in circumferential direction of the frame (4). A stop (25) defines an end position of the gripping device (3), the gripping device (3) in gripping state and positioned in the end position prevents the object (16) from displacing with respect to the frame (4) in a first axial direction of the passage (9), in which first axial direction the gripping device (3) is held pressed against the stop (25), and the gripping device (3) allowing the object (16) to displace with respect to the frame in the second axial direction opposite the first axial direction.
US09670034B2
A self-retracting air compressor assembly includes a motorized pump device that drives in opposing directions. A reservoir tank is in fluid communication with the pump device and stores air pumped by the pump device. The air compressor includes a cord assembly that supplies air and electrical power from the pump device. The air compressor assembly pumps air when the motor is driving in a pumping direction, and self-retracts the cord assembly when the motor is driving in a winding direction.
US09670031B2
An easy-to-maneuver reel for carrying wound product is provided. The reel comprises at least one flange that can rotate independently of the drum.
US09670027B2
A sheet discharging apparatus includes an apparatus body, a discharge unit discharging a sheet out of the apparatus body, and a sheet stacking portion including a stacking surface on which the sheet discharged by the discharge unit is stacked. A sheet processing device processing the sheet discharged by the discharge unit can be mounted on the sheet stacking portion. The sheet discharging apparatus further includes a stiffness imparting unit removably attached to the apparatus body and imparting stiffness to the sheet discharged by the discharge unit. The stiffness imparting unit includes a pressing portion pressing and deflecting the sheet in a width direction intersecting with a sheet discharging direction and a projecting portion projecting from the apparatus body above the stacking surface such that at least a part of the projecting portion overlaps with the stacking surface in a plan view.
US09670020B2
A reel unwinder including a first unwinding position, in which a first reel is positioned; a second unwinding position, to which the first reel is transferred when it is replaced with a second reel; a stand-by position, in which the second reel is kept in stand-by; a first unwinding member adapted to start rotation of the second reel when the first reel is replaced with the second reel. Moreover, the unwinder includes a second unwinding member, with at least one endless flexible element. The endless flexible element extends from the first unwinding position to the second unwinding position, and is adapted to maintain the first reel in contact with the second unwinding member and in rotation by the second unwinding member in the first unwinding position, in the second unwinding position and while it is being transferred from the first unwinding position to the second unwinding position.
US09670018B2
A sheet transporting device in which a curved transport path is provided downstream in a sheet transport direction from a merging section where a plurality of transport paths, which are formed by transport guides for transporting sheets, merge, is provided. The sheet transporting device includes a sheet guide member that extends towards the curved transport path from the merging section, with an extending end portion of the sheet guide member being disposed so as not to contact the transport guides. The sheet guide member reduces jumping up of a trailing end portion of a sheet caused by flexing of the sheet passing through the merging section towards the curved transport path.
US09670010B2
A substrate processing apparatus having a station for loading and unloading substrates from the apparatus is provided. The station has a loading and unloading aperture, a magazine door drive for opening a substrate magazine by removing a door of a substrate magazine through the loading and unloading aperture, and a substrate magazine transport having a magazine support, the substrate magazine transport being configured to move the substrate magazine horizontally between a first position and a second position. When in the first position the substrate magazine is seated on the magazine support and communicates with the aperture and when moved to the second position the substrate magazine is offset from the first position, where the substrate magazine remains seated on the magazine support during horizontal transfer between the first and second positions and another substrate magazine is capable of being located at the first position in communication with the aperture.
US09670007B2
A device for accumulating articles within a system may include a frame, a mass-flow infeed conveyor supported by the frame for receiving articles from the system, and a mass-flow outfeed conveyor supported by the frame for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and returning the articles to the system. A single-filing device is supported by the frame and includes a plurality of parallel endless loop conveyors. The endless loop conveyors each have an upstream end located laterally from and between upstream and downstream ends of the infeed conveyor.
US09670004B1
An article transport facility is provided with a first control device that controls an article transport vehicle in a first area in which articles are transported, and a second control device that controls the article transport vehicle in a second area in which adjustment of the article transport vehicle is performed. Based on a withdrawal instruction from the first control device, an operation control portion of an article transport vehicle that needs adjustment causes the article transport vehicle to enter the second area, and a communication control portion that can perform exclusive wireless communication with the first control device and the second control device changes the communication destination to the second control device. In response to an adjustment instruction from the second control device, the operation control portion performs adjustment operations with use of the adjustment device and updates transport profile information in a profile storage portion, and then the communication control portion changes the communication destination to the first control device after updating is complete.
US09670001B2
An automated handling line guide rail assembly is provided for use on an automated handling line that is adjustable to define a path of varying width. The assembly comprises a segmented guide rail, with segments that define a generally arcuate perimeter of the path, the perimeter being positioned at a radius from a central axis. An actuator member is rotatable about the central axis and is arranged to extend at a substantially constant radius from the central axis. Rotation of the actuator member causes substantially radial movement of the segments thereby allowing the segments to define the perimeter at a plurality of different radii. The segments are positioned and have a width such that adjacent segments overlap each other. Their overlapping portions move circumferentially relative to each other when the segments move radially such that the extent of overlap of adjacent segments varies with the radial position of the segments.
US09669993B2
A proppant discharge system has a container with an outlet positioned in a bottom thereof and a gate affixed adjacent the outlet so as to be movable between a first position covering the outlet to a second position opening the outlet, and a support structure having an actuator thereon. The container is removably positioned on the top surface of the support structure. The actuator is engageable with gate so as to move the gate from the first position to the second position. A conveyor underlies the container so as to receive proppant as discharged from the container through the outlet. The container can be a ten foot ISO container.
US09669986B1
A cooler and heater bag includes a dry storage compartment, a cold storage compartment inside the dry storage compartment, a bottle warming compartment inside the dry storage compartment, a flexible shoulder strap having a first end anchored to the dry storage compartment, and a fastener attached to the dry storage compartment as well as anchored to a second end of the shoulder strap respectively. The fastener and the second end of the shoulder strap contemporaneously move along a bidirectional linear path defined along a top surface of the dry storage compartment. The dry storage compartment is in fluid communication with one of the cold storage compartment and the bottle warming compartment. The first side wall is oppositely spaced from the second side wall wherein each of the first side wall and the second side wall are located inside the dry storage compartment.
US09669985B1
The disclosure describes various stackable corner protector configurations. The corner protectors can have curved lateral surfaces that allow the corner protectors to be decoupled from a photovoltaic module to which they are coupled to by rotating one end of the corner protectors away from the object. This removal process works even more efficiently with multiple stacked corner protectors as the stacked corner protectors can be concurrently removed from the object by rotating the stacked corner protectors away from the object together. The corner protector can also include one or more attachment features for securing the corner protector to the object. For example, when the corner protector is installed on a photovoltaic module, the attachment feature can engage a lip defined by a recess or channel of the photovoltaic module.
US09669981B2
A woven laminated plastic bag having an easy open feature is provided. The easy open feature is generally defined by a weakened portion in the bag. In various aspects the bag can be fabricated from a woven polypropylene and/or polyethylene layer which can be laminated with a film layer, can form a pinch bottom bag, and can have one or both sides include graphics and/or printing. The bag can also provide a top end and/or a bottom end either or both of which provide a discrete area which may contain discrete graphics and/or printing.
US09669974B2
The invention relates to a protective cap for a dispenser, and to a dispenser for discharging pharmaceutical and/or cosmetical liquids, wherein the dispenser has a liquid reservoir and an outlet opening through which the liquid can be discharged into a surrounding atmosphere. The protective cap comprises an outer cap and an inner element inserted therein, wherein either at least one ventilation channel, which can be closed by means of a shut-off element and provides communication between an interior of the protective cap and an external environment, is formed between the outer cap and the inner element, or the inner element closes a ventilation opening of the outer cap.
US09669972B2
A container assembly for holding liquids has an interior space and a pour spout including a spout portion carried by and extending from part of the container assembly. The pour spout has an outlet and defines a liquid flow path in fluid communication between the interior space and the outlet. An anti-glug device is carried by part of the container assembly. The anti-glug device has a channel only partly circumferentially surrounding the liquid flow path and has one or more air vents through a wall of the channel.
US09669966B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a wine bottle packaging divider and display. The method and apparatus comprise of a divider with opposing side edges and opposing top and bottom edges. The divider has a partitioning line dividing the divider into a first section and a second section, wherein at least one of the first section and the second section is capable of displaying an advertisement. The divider also has at least one pair of elongated openings, wherein each of the at least one pair of elongated openings has an end in proximity to one of the opposing top and bottom edges, wherein said at least one pair of elongated openings is capable of being opened to the one edge and slidably coupled onto a vertical wall for displaying the advertisement. The divider is folded along the partitioning line to fit within a container for packaging the glass bottles.
US09669965B2
An additive package for storing automotive treatment chemicals. Additive components can be combined and added to a vehicle cooling or other system to enhance or repair system performance in a motor vehicle, and stop and prevent leaks.
US09669962B2
A size adjustable assemblable pallet includes a central base member and multiple side base members, connecting bars, and loading plates. The central base member has a main body, which defines multiple positioning grooves that cross at a junction. Each side base member has a base body, which defines multiple fixing grooves. Each connecting bar has a main portion and multiple inserting portions. The inserting portions are bent extendingly in a same direction from respective ends of the main portion. The inserting portions are inserted into the fixing grooves of two side base members or one of the fixing grooves of one side base member and one of the positioning grooves of the central base member, in order to secure the central base member and/or side base members. The loading plates are secured to the side base members or the connecting bars.
US09669960B1
A foldable basket, attachment mechanism and/or method of manufacturing the same.
US09669956B2
A device (1) for feeding self-adhesive or “pressure sensitive” labels to a labelling machine comprises a frame (2), supporting means (3) for a reel of a web with the labels attached to it, a station (5) for detaching the labels from the web, recovery means (6), return means (8), and means (10) for moving the web comprising: a motor-driven roller (11) and at least one unit (15) for pressing the web against the motor-driven roller (11) comprising at least one contact roller (16), mounted on a support (17), for clamping the web against the motor-driven roller (11). The support (17) being movable relative to the frame (2) between an operating position, with the contact roller (16) pressed against the motor-driven roller (11), and an insertion position, with the contact roller (16) distanced from the motor-driven roller (11). There being a switching element (18) associated with the support (17) which in their first configuration is in the operating position, in a second configuration is in an insertion position and in a third configuration is able to move between the insertion position and a maintenance position in which the contact roller (16) is further from the motor-driven roller (11) than in the insertion position.
US09669953B2
A packaging machine comprises a vertical mounting plate and a horizontal mounting plate fixed at an upper part of the vertical mounting plate. The horizontal mounting plate comprises a fixed frame that encloses an article binding workstation from left, right and above. The vertical mounting plate and the fixed frame are mounted on a packaging machine frame. The packaging machine also comprises a tape spool. A packaging machine core and a belt pre-feeding device are mounted on the horizontal mounting plate. The packaging machine core comprises a belt feeding and retreating and belt tensioning device. The belt feeding and retreating and belt tensioning device comprises a belt feeding and retreating mechanism and a belt tensioning mechanism. The packaging machine provides improvement in packaging quality, overall packaging efficiency and operation reliability.
US09669952B2
Methods, computer program products and apparatus for producing encased products use a rotary encoder with a measuring wheel, the measuring wheel residing against a depression of a wheel saddle that has a shape that curves inward with a radius of curvature that corresponds to an outer perimeter radius of a cooperating measuring wheel.
US09669945B2
A method with a tethered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) associated with a cell site includes causing the UAV to fly at or near the cell site while the UAV is tethered at or near the cell site via a connection, wherein flight of the UAV at or near the cell site is constrained based on the connection; and performing one or more functions via the UAV at the cell site while the UAV is flying tethered at or near the cell site. The one or more functions can include functions related to a cell site audit. Alternatively, the one or more functions include functions related to providing wireless service via the UAV at the cell site, wherein data and/or power is transferred between the UAV and the cell site to perform the wireless service.
US09669938B2
An upper bifi frame for preventing air leakage in a gas turbine engine including an engine casing and a fan case is provided. The upper bifi frame includes a forward fairing having a forward fairing midsection extending between the engine casing and the fan case. The forward fairing has a forward fairing first end including a flange configured to couple to the engine casing. The forward fairing has a forward fairing second end extending from the forward fairing midsection and configured to couple to the fan case. At least one aft seal is secured to the forward fairing and forms a seal therewith. A wedge seal is coupled to the forward fairing and the at least one aft seal and is operative to prevent air leakage to a pylon that is secured to the engine casing.
US09669935B2
A console for aircraft that is located between two seats which face each other. The console includes an open ledge with a cup holder arrangement. The cup holder arrangement includes two removable holder dividers which can be flipped up or down and held into position by a spring-loaded cam arrangement. The console also includes two inwardly facing surfaces which provide connectors for electronic devices resting on the ledge. A light-emitting face is provided on a back wall of the ledge so that any articles resting on the ledge can be seen in dark environments.
US09669933B2
Detailed are head rest mechanisms and assemblies containing a flexible collar. Portions of the collar may be moved independently from other portions and may pivot or otherwise move both forward of the seat back and vertically under passenger control. Also described are slide assemblies containing deformable projections for use with vertically-adjustable head rests.
US09669929B2
A storage assembly, which is in particular suitable for use in a cooling system designed for an operation with a two-phase coolant medium, comprising a storage container with a receiving area for receiving a coolant medium and a conveying device for conveying coolant medium from the receiving area of the storage container. The conveying device is formed integral with the storage container of the storage assembly.
US09669928B2
This relates to a multi-part attachment device for attaching a device to a stiffening element and to an outer skin of a vehicle. The multi-part attachment device comprises a base body having an angular profile for attaching the attachment device to the stiffening element and to the outer skin of the vehicle. Furthermore, the multi-part attachment device comprises an upper part with a lug, wherein the upper part is attached to the base body. This also relates to a method for attaching a device to a stiffening element and to an outer skin of a vehicle as well as to an aircraft with a multi-part attachment device.
US09669927B2
Reconfigurable payload systems (RPS) and methods of configuring and using the same with operational load envelopes are disclosed that may be employed to enable external aircraft payloads to be rapidly interchanged or swapped out together with associated internal equipment within a given aircraft so as to modify or change payload capability of the aircraft, e.g., to meet a particular mission and/or to enable use of future payload types as they are developed. The RPS and associated methods may be implemented to allow multiple different payload systems to be swapped in and out on a given aircraft as required based on needs for a given mission.
US09669924B2
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of vertical and horizontal flight modes, a method for assembling a UAV, and a kit of parts for assembling a UAV. The UAV comprises a wing structure comprising elongated equal first and second wings; a support structure comprising first and second sections coupled to a middle position of the wing structure and extending in opposite directions perpendicular to the wing structure; and four propellers, each mounted to a respective one of the first and second wings, and first and second sections, for powering the UAV during both vertical and horizontal flight modes.
US09669912B2
The invention relates to an underwater work system 1 with at least one autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle 2 and one unmanned relay vehicle 4 floating at the surface of the water 3, which comprises a radio antenna 5 for external communication 26 and a drive 16. The underwater vehicle 2 is connected to the relay vehicle 4 via an internal communication device.The invention furthermore relates to a method for operating an underwater work system. In order to create an underwater work system with an autonomous underwater vehicle and an unmanned relay vehicle floating at the surface of the water as well as a method for operating such an underwater work system, which provides an increased efficiency of the autonomous underwater vehicle 2 with short mission times, it is provided according to the invention that the relay vehicle 4 is controllable by means of a control unit 16 via the at least one autonomous underwater vehicle 2 in due consideration of navigation information 17.
US09669901B2
A bicycle electrical shifting apparatus is basically provided with a shift operating device that includes an operating member and a first controller. The first controller is programmed to output a first signal that starts a shifting operation in response to a single manual operation of the operating member and a second signal that ends the shifting operation in response to an end of the single manual operation of the operating member.
US09669892B2
A lower fork alignment system for a vehicle is described. The lower fork alignment system includes: a brace detachably coupling a first lower tube and a second lower tube of a lower fork, wherein the first and second lower tubes include: first and second receiving adjustment mechanism configured for receiving corresponding interfacing mechanisms of the brace, wherein upon receipt of alignment features of the interfacing mechanisms, one of the first lower tube and the second lower tube is enabled to be adjusted in a horizontal direction along a horizontal axis, and the other of the first lower tube and the second lower tube is enabled to be adjusted in a vertical direction along a vertical axis.
US09669889B2
A cover for a bicycle saddle comprises a basic layer and a first auxiliary layer. The basic layer is made of a first plastic material and has a top surface with a first friction factor. The first auxiliary layer is made of a second plastic material with a second friction factor and is directly disposed on a predetermined area of the top surface of the basic layer. The second friction factor is smaller than the first friction factor. A method is provided for making a cover as above.
US09669884B2
This invention relates to packaging of a modular aerodynamic trailer skirts that is adapted to minimize the size of a shipment thereof. The packaging further protects the skirt portions by stacking skirt portions and using interconnecting edges thereof to secure a skirt portion therebetween.
US09669879B2
A method for manufacturing a motor vehicle, and to a correspondingly manufactured motor vehicle having a modular construction in which a substructure and further body modules of the motor vehicle are manufactured independently of one another and are subsequently permanently connected to one another.
US09669878B2
A vehicle canopy includes a vehicle body defining a roof opening. A roof is connected to the vehicle body across the roof opening. A headliner is supported by at least one of the vehicle body and the roof. A frame is supported by the vehicle body. A fabric partition is engaged with the frame and extends across the roof opening between the headliner and the roof. The fabric partition may assist in preventing occupant test dummies and/or other objects from moving through the roof opening.
US09669867B2
A method for characterizing a stick-slip or stiction condition in an electrically-assisted steering system includes transmitting a first steering control signal from a controller to a rotary actuator as a periodic steering conditioning signal, receiving a second steering control signal via a steering assist motor throughout the test to electrically assist steering, transmitting a third steering control signal to the rotary actuator to cause alternate rotation of the steering shaft to a target angle rate at constant acceleration/deceleration, and measuring a steering torque output from the rotary actuator. A control action is executed when a difference in local maximum and minimum peak amplitudes of the steering torque output exceeds a calibrated threshold difference indicative of stiction. A system includes a rotary actuator, the steering system, a torque transducer operable for measuring a steering torque imparted to the steering shaft by the rotary actuator, and the controller noted above.
US09669865B2
A steering gear mechanism for motor vehicles may include a steering system housing in which a toothed rack is mounted and displaceable along a longitudinal axis. The toothed rack may be connected to steerable wheels of a motor vehicle and configured to pivot the steerable wheels. The toothed rack can include a first toothed segment that meshes with a first pinion of a pinion shaft, with the pinion shaft being connectable to a steering wheel via an input shaft. The toothed rack may further include a second toothed segment that is situated opposite the first toothed segment with respect to the longitudinal axis and engages with a second pinion. Further, an electric motor can drive the first pinion in a first direction, which by way of direct or indirect coupling causes the second pinion to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. The electric motor may drive a gear mechanism shaft that surrounds the pinion shaft and is connected to the pinion shaft by way of a gear mechanism.
US09669864B2
In order to provide a fail-safe operating mode during a transition between an autonomous steering mode and a driver-controlled steering mode in an emergency situation, a steering system comprises a steering shaft, a brake mechanism movable between an released position and a engaged position for angularly locking the steering shaft, and an override such that a non-destructive external torque applied to the steering shaft above a given threshold when the brake mechanism is in the engaged position results in a rotation of the steering shaft.
US09669863B2
The present invention relates to a steering column for a vehicle. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a steering column for a vehicle, including: an upper tube coupled to the exterior of a steering shaft and having a first long hole axially formed in one side surface thereof; a lower housing coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the upper tube and having a second long hole axially formed in one side surface thereof that corresponds to the first hole; a first support member supported on the inner circumferential surface of the upper tube; and a second support member, one side of which is coupled to a telescope drive unit and the opposite side of which is located on the outside of the lower housing and is coupled to the first support member through a fastening member passing through the first and second holes.
US09669861B2
The steering column adjusting device for vehicles, preferably commercial vehicles, has a basic unit, with respect to which an adjusting unit is adjustable. With the adjusting unit, a steering spindle can be adjusted. In its respective position, the adjusting unit can be clamped with respect to the basic unit with at least one clamping device. The clamping device is pivotably mounted on the adjusting unit.
US09669860B2
A stroller track system is used to facilitate the transporting of a stroller up and down stairs. The stroller track system includes a left tread assembly and a right tread assembly. The left tread assembly and the right tread assembly are used to engage multiple stairs while traversing a set of stairs. This allows the stroller to glide smoothly up or down the stairs. The left tread assembly and the right tread assembly each include a first track and a first stroller-attaching mount. The first track has a greater surface area than a normal wheel, allowing the first track to span a larger section of a staircase. The first stroller-attaching mount is used to attach the first track to a stroller. In alternative versions of the stroller track system, the left tread assembly and the right tread assembly may include additional tracks to further stabilize the stroller.
US09669856B2
An accessory tray is connected to, or extends integrally from, a shopping cart handle and extends a limited distance forward from the handle. The tray extends forward above, but not significantly interfering with, the child-seat area of the cart. Preferably, the forward extremity is not directly connected or attached to the cart, but rather the tray is cantilevered from its rear end/edge fixed to/at the handle and extends otherwise unconnected forward from the handle. A forward tray portion may rest on, or be close to, an upper portion/end of the cart rear wall. The preferred tray is substantially planar, featuring a single, flat platform with an upending rim, wherein no part extends above said top level of the handle. The tray remains in place for nesting of multiple carts, and is received in a space between nested portions of the cart to which it is connected.
US09669854B2
The invention relates to a cart for the transport of materials, said cart comprising a base stretching out in a longitudinal direction (L) and in a transverse direction (T) that are mutually perpendicular and a peripheral wall extending from said base in a vertical direction (V) perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (L) and said transverse direction (T). The base comprises a plurality of cross members extending between opposite sides of a rounded profile mounted on a lower edge of said peripheral wall, said cross members being restrained thereto at their ends by way of mounting means. Each cross member comprises a profiled bar that has a longitudinal through cavity and a pair of connecting elements that are telescopically fitted in said longitudinal through cavity and protrude from its ends, said connecting elements being provided with respective attachment means arranged at their respective free ends facing said rounded profile, said attachment means being configured to match the rounded profile.
US09669850B2
In a method and system for monitoring rail operations and transport of commodities via rail, a monitoring device including a radio receiver is positioned to monitor a rail line and/or trains of interest. The monitoring device including a radio receiver configured to receive radio signals from trains, tracks, or trackside locations in range of the monitoring device. The monitoring device receives radio signals, which are demodulated into a data stream. That data stream is then decoded to find an identification number, which identifies a particular train carrying a commodity. From an analysis of the radio signals and/or identification of the position of the train, information about the train and/or the commodity it is carrying is derived and then reported to an interested party.
US09669848B2
An energy absorption/coupling system for a railcar including a draft assembly provided toward opposed ends of a centersill on the railcar. Each draft assembly includes a coupler and a draft gear assembly disposed in longitudinally disposed and operable relation relative to each other. The coupler is configured to allow at least 4.5 inches of travel in a single longitudinal direction during operation of the coupler. The draft gear assembly of each draft assembly is configured to consistently and repeatedly withstand up to about 110,000 ft-lbs. of energy imparted to the energy absorption/coupling system at a force level not to exceed 900,000 lbs. over a range of travel of a wedge member in an inward axial direction relative to the housing of at least 4.5 inches. With the present invention disclosure, high level impact forces between rail cars can be absorbed and dissipated while maintaining an overall length of the railcar constant and unchanged. A method for releasably coupling two railcars to each other is also disclosed.
US09669845B2
A open top railcar comprises a railcar body supported on the spaced trucks, the body comprising side and end structures on the railcar, and a top chord extending the length of the side structures and the width of the end structures, wherein the top chord includes an inwardly sloped top surface for discharging lading toward the railcar interior. The railcar may further include corner cap, or end cap members, including inwardly sloped lading discharging top surfaces. The railcar may be a hopper railcar having discharge chutes forming body pockets opening into the interior with pneumatic doors having manual override for each door. The railcar may include a nonmetallic touch pad housing secured to the side structures and including a plurality of touch plates mounted in the housing configured for operating selective individual doors and combination of doors.
US09669843B2
An overhead railway and trolley for transporting miners out of a mine. The railway is formed by connected rails that are mounted to a roof of a mine. The trolley is mounted to a bottom flange of the rails and includes wheel assemblies having at least two wheels mounted side-by-side, and each is configured to engage and roll along a top surface of the bottom flange. The trolley has a clicker that is configured to engage protrusions extending away from the bottom flange. The clicker permits the trolley to travel out of the mine but prevents it from traveling into the mine. The trolley also includes a pair of handles that are configured to be gripped by a miner standing on a floor of the mine as he travels from the beginning of the railway to the ending (i.e., the egress direction).
US09669841B2
Disclosed are a control system and a control method for fail safety of a motor driven power steering (MDPS). The system may include a straight motion/turning determination module for determining whether a vehicle is in a straight motion or turning based on a steering angle of a steering wheel, a steering torque of the steering wheel and a vehicle speed of the vehicle, a fail determination module for determining whether an MDPS fail occurs based on a steering torque of a driver and a motor torque of the MDPS if the vehicle is in the straight motion, a fail type determination module for determining a type of the MDPS fail using a yaw rate change rate if the MDPS fail occurs, and a yaw rate change rate detection module for inputting the yaw rate change rate to the fail type determination module.
US09669833B2
A system and method are provided for operating an adaptive cruise control system of a host vehicle. The method includes receiving data measured from a plurality of sensors, wherein the measured data relates to one or more target vehicles in the host vehicle's field of view. The method further includes generating a following score for each target vehicle based on the measured data and controlling the host vehicle response based on the following score.
US09669802B2
A wiper assembly includes a housing and a blade coupled to the housing. A windshield wiper apparatus includes a glass panel and the wiper assembly selectively movable relative to the glass panel. A method of reusing the wiper assembly includes the housing and the blade. The blade includes a first edge portion disposed along a first side of the blade and a second edge portion disposed along a second side of the blade. The first edge portion and the second edge portion are reversible relative to the housing such that one of the first and second edge portions is disposed in a use position and the other one of the first and second edge portions is disposed in a storage position.
US09669801B2
A vehicle includes two or more wheel assemblies, each having a wheel assembly sensor. Each of the wheel assembly sensors is configured to produce acceleration data and pressure data associated with its associated wheel assembly. A wheel assembly tampering module communicatively coupled to the plurality of wheel assembly sensors is configured to produce an output indicative of wheel assembly tampering based on at the acceleration data and the pressure data. Inclination data and signal strength data (associated with each of the wheel assembly sensors) may also be used to determine wheel assembly tampering.
US09669798B1
An expandable protective covering for a seatbelt including a substantially rectangular seatbelt cover having an expandable middle portion disposed between a pair of end portions. A slot is continuously disposed within the seatbelt cover from a left side of a left end of the pair of end portions to a right side of a right end of the pair of end portions. Each of a pair of locking mechanisms has a locking button disposed on a front surface of each of the right end and the left end, respectively, and a release opening disposed on the back surface of each of the right end and the left end, respectively. A seatbelt is configured to be slidably disposed within the slot. The locking button is both depressable into the release opening and releasable out of the release opening in order to selectively secure and release the seatbelt from within the slot.
US09669797B2
A retainer apparatus including a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, a transceiver, and a sensor comprising a motion detector. The retainer apparatus includes the first retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a first harness strap and a second retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The motion detector is configured to detect movement of the retainer apparatus and transmit a warning signal, via the transceiver, to a controller within a vehicle comprising the retainer apparatus to alert a user in the vehicle if the movement is detected.
US09669796B2
In a four-point seatbelt device including a three-point seatbelt and an automatic belt, the automatic belt is actuated to dispose an anchor at a standby position after the three-point seatbelt has been placed over an occupant. During this operation, the anchor is disposed further to a rear side than a field of vision of the occupant facing toward a front side, for example, and a second webbing is placed in standby in an unrestrained state with respect to the occupant. Moreover, in a case in which a vehicle collision has been predicted by a PCS control section, the automatic belt is actuated to place the second webbing over the occupant automatically.
US09669795B2
A dual-stage hybrid inflator and triggering a method thereof are provided. The dual-stage hybrid inflator includes a main casing, a central pipe, and a disc set, a first propellant chamber assembly, a second propellant chamber assembly, a pressurized gas, a first igniter assembly, a second igniter assembly and an exhaust hood. The main casing includes a bottom housing and an upper housing. The central pipe is fixed with the bottom housing and passed through the upper housing. A convective hole is disposed on the central pipe. The disc set, which is used to prevent the gas escaping from the main casing, is disposed on the top of the central pipe. The doublet propellant chamber, which is filled with different dosage of propellant, is initiated by the igniters disposed thereon in order to generate various degrees of gas depended on various degrees of collision.
US09669793B2
An airbag for a knee airbag apparatus which is rapidly deployed upward along a shape of an instrument panel includes a front panel; and a rear panel coupled to the front panel to form an inflation chamber. The front panel neighbors to the instrument panel and the rear panel neighbors to knees of a passenger when the airbag is inflated. The rear panel includes a wrinkle portion which is deployed at a position corresponding to a housing connecting portion to which the instrument panel and a rear end of the housing neighbor when the airbag is inflated, so that an additional inflation chamber is formed.
US09669790B2
A roof headliner structure in which a curtain airbag for a vehicle is housed, includes the curtain airbag attached in a folded state along a roof side rail, a roof headliner, a pillar garnish including a clip seat, and a tether clip attached to the clip seat. The curtain airbag is covered from a vehicle cabin side with the roof headliner and the pillar garnish. The pillar garnish is attached to a pillar of the vehicle by the tether clip. The roof headliner has an extension portion extended so as to be positioned in the pillar garnish. The roof headliner is fitted at the extension portion to the clip seat.
US09669787B2
A shock-absorbing mechanism of the present invention may include a cylindrical member that is configured to axially receive a collision load applied thereto via a load-receiving member and to be axially deformed due to the collision load, and a load absorbing member that is received in the cylindrical member so as to be compressed with the cylindrical member when the collision load is applied thereto and that is capable of expanding from its compressed condition by a certain amount in a restoring direction when the collision load is released, wherein a pressing portion of a frame member has a pressing portion for axially pressing the load absorbing member when the collision load is applied thereto has a space which a portion of the compressed load absorbing member enters.
US09669786B2
A reinforcement beam is roll formed from a metal sheet for use in a vehicle bumper system. The reinforcement beam includes adjacent tubes having a common center wall and lateral portions extending from opposing sides of the common center wall that are roll formed simultaneously in the same rotational direction to enclose interior volumes of the adjacent tubes and to define top and bottom walls and front and rear wall of the reinforcement beam. The front walls of the adjacent tubes each include a channel rib depressed into the interior volume of the respective adjacent tube longitudinally along the reinforcement beam for stiffening the respective front wall. A weld is formed separately in each of the seams between the front walls and between the rear walls, thereby defining a crevice rib between the channel ribs to improve the bending strength and torsional strength of the reinforcement beam.
US09669784B2
An energy management system for a vehicle includes a load-bearing component operatively positioned in a wheel cavity rearward of a tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity. The load-bearing component is configured to limit movement of the tire and wheel assembly in the wheel cavity under a load applied to the vehicle forward of the tire and wheel assembly and offset from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.
US09669782B2
Discharge of electricity from a drive battery is started, and after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of supply of electric power to a V2X device or power source apparatus, quick charging contactors are opened (S10-S16) and then failure diagnosis is executed (S18). If a failure is detected, a warning is initiated and restart of the electric power supply is inhibited (S20, S20, S32, S34). On the other hand, if no failure is detected, an open circuit voltage is detected, and the remaining capacity of the drive battery is calculated based on the open circuit voltage (S24-S26). The calculated remaining battery capacity is memorized (S28). Subsequently, the electric power supply from the drive battery to the V2X device or power source apparatus is restarted (S30).
US09669780B2
An electrical system assembly for a motor vehicle may include a first electrical system and a second electrical system galvanically isolated from the first electrical system. The second electrical system may be switchable between an idle state and an active state. A capacitive coupling element may couple the first electrical system to the second electrical system. A signal transmission unit may be arranged in the first electrical system and may be configured to transmit an activation signal to the capacitive coupling element for activating the second electrical system. A signal receiving unit may be arranged in the second electrical system and be configured to receive the activation signal via the capacitive coupling element and switch the second electrical system from the idle state to the active state.
US09669779B2
A multi-voltage electrical system of a motor vehicle includes first and second subsystems operable at operating voltages, where a current is selectively and alternatively feedable from the first subsystem into the second subsystem and from the second subsystem into the first subsystem, and an electrical consumer is coupleable to and decoupleable from the first subsystem. A method for operating the system includes, responsive to a failure or lack of an attenuator, implementing a special operating mode in which negative and positive sudden load variations caused by coupling or decoupling of the electrical consumer is counteracted by, respectively, feeding current from the second subsystem into the first subsystem or vice versa, in each case over a respective feed time period.
US09669775B2
A clip has a base and a rattle inhibiting elastic piece. The base has a base portion that is separated from a clip central axis. The rattle inhibiting elastic piece has a slanted portion. The slanted portion extends at an angle with respect to the base, from the rattle inhibiting elastic piece portion that is provided adjacent to the base portion in a clip axial direction, toward a clip central axis side.
US09669774B2
In one embodiment, a reconfigurable vehicle interior assembly is provided. The assembly includes a trim member including a plurality of first elastically deformable mating members and a vehicle interior carrier component including a plurality of second elastically deformable mating members. Each of the first elastically deformable mating members matingly engages with at least one of the second elastically deformable mating members in order to couple the trim member to the vehicle interior carrier component. The first and second elastically deformable mating members collectively form a plurality of elastic averaging couplings.
US09669750B2
A loading bed for a load carrying vehicle or trailer, the loading bed having a base and including first and second body sections and an ejector type unloading mechanism, wherein the first body section has a base and a pair of opposing side walls, wherein the second body section has a base and a pair of opposing side walls, wherein the bases of the first and second body sections form at least a portion of the base of the loading bed, wherein the second body section is pivotably movable relative to the first body section between a first position and a second position, wherein the second body section is adapted to pivot relative to the first body section while the first body section remains fixed relative to a vehicle or trailer to which the loading bed is attached.
US09669747B2
A fast set-up and very portable turntable, able to rotate objects up to 7500 pounds at varying revolutions per minute. The modified “H” beam framework creates a low profile turntable with built-in loading and exiting ramp. Heavy duty casters riding on a large plate steel base, provide a smooth, stabile surface for the revolving casters. Proximity switches are used to create a synchronized system, which operate the hydraulic cylinders used for stability. They can also trigger a digital camera every few degrees of rotation, creating a 360 degree virtual reality image. The custom designed trailer carries the turntable on its underside with the use of an inverted four inch drop axle to gain ground clearance. Winches are used to lift the turntable from the ground. Inverted towers with casters at the four corners of the trailer offer protection to the turntable from irregular surfaces or curbs.
US09669741B2
A vehicle seat is provided with a seat-mounted cover that includes a side panel. Provision is made that at least one predetermined breaking point is formed, at least in a critical region of the side panel in which a high crash force acts in the event of a possible crash.
US09669737B2
A vehicle seat includes a back portion, a seat portion, and two driving assemblies. The back portion includes a resisting portion and a movable portion. The seat portion is coupled to the back portion and includes a bottom wall and a movable wall. One driving assembly is positioned in the back portion and the other driving assembly is positioned in the seat portion. The driving assembly positioned in the back portion is coupled to the movable portion and is configured to drive the movable portion to move relative to the resisting portion. The driving assembly positioned in the seat portion is coupled to the movable wall and is configured to drive the movable wall to move relative to the bottom wall.
US09669732B2
The present application relates to the electronic field of railways, and in particular to the traction control system for electric multiple units. A host processor of the traction control system for electric multiple units is connected to a subordinate computer board via a CPCI bus. The traction control system for electric multiple units comprises a fast computing board, a network module and a debugging module. An instruction is passed to the subordinate computer board via the CPCI bus, and meanwhile, the subordinate computer board passes status information to the host processor via the CPCI bus to realize overall control on the interior of the traction control system for electric multiple units. Bidirectional communication between the signal sampling board and the fast computing board is realized by a high-speed differential LinkPort bus to realize quick control on the inverter power module and the four-quadrant power module. Bidirectional communication between the network card and boards of the I/O module is realized by a CAN bus, and digital signals and analog signals sent by boards of the I/O module are transferred to the host processor via the CPCI bus to ensure stability and reliability in information transmission of the traction control system for electric multiple units.
US09669726B2
A battery control device (100) includes: a measurement unit (110) that measures a voltage of a secondary battery; a control unit (120) that initiates a charging process of performing charging until the voltage of the secondary battery reaches a second reference value greater than a first reference value in a case where a voltage measured by the measurement unit (110) is less than the first reference value; and an adjustment unit (130) that receives a degree of deterioration of the secondary battery as first adjustment information that becomes a reference for adjustment of a hysteresis width that is determined on the basis of the first reference value and the second reference value, and adjusts the hysteresis width on the basis of the first adjustment information that is received.
US09669715B2
A current collector system for a vehicle movable along a busbar arrangement, with at least one current collector trolley and current collector contacts arranged thereon that can be connected to a busbar of the busbar arrangement and with a vertical delivery unit for moving the current collector trolley in a vertical delivery direction, or with a horizontal delivery unit with at least one delivery element movable in a horizontal delivery direction for moving the current collector trolley in the horizontal delivery direction, as well as a corresponding crane system. The current collector trolley can be moved by a belt drive with an elastic and/or flexible belt in the vertical delivery direction, or in that the delivery element can be moved via a belt drive with an elastic and/or flexible belt in the horizontal direction, and with a crane system equipped with the above.
US09669698B2
The subject invention is directed to a class of electric hybrid drives that can be retrofit easily to cars and trucks to reduce transportation costs. Certain embodiments include mechanisms for attachment to an existing powertrain, regenerative braking, on-the-road optimization of transportation costs depending on road and route conditions, or an operational mode in which motive power for a vehicle is solely derived from electric energy stored in a battery.
US09669694B2
A vehicle includes a body frame, an engine, a transmission, a transmission case, and a shift actuator. The engine includes an engine case attached to the body frame, and a crankshaft supported by the engine case. The transmission case is spaced apart from the engine case, and houses the transmission. The shift actuator is connected to a shift drum of the transmission. At least a portion of the transmission case overlaps with the engine case as viewed along the axis of the crankshaft. The shift actuator is fixed to the transmission case.
US09669693B1
A truck body protector apparatus including at least one elongated rectangular mounting plate affixed to a top surface of one of a pair of sidewalls of a pickup truck. An interior surface of a rectangular flexible fabric sheet proximal a top end of the sheet is disposed on an entirety of an upper surface of the at least one mounting plate. A height of the sheet is configured to cover an external surface of one of the pair of sidewalls. A weighted rod is continuously attached to a bottom end of the sheet. A pair of hook and loop cinch straps is secured between the upper surface of the at least one mounting plate and the interior surface of the sheet. The sheet has a rolled position and an alternate unrolled position.
US09669681B2
A vehicle heat exchanger includes a low-temperature side radiator, a condenser, and a high-temperature side radiator, which are aligned in an airflow direction and are integrated together. The low-temperature side radiator includes an inflow portion and an upper path, which are located in an upper portion thereof. In addition, the low-temperature side radiator includes a lower path and an outlet portion, which are located in a lower portion thereof and communicate with the upper path. A subcooler of the condenser overlaps, in the airflow direction, with at least a part of the lower path of the low-temperature side radiator. As a result, thermal influence by the low-temperature side radiator on the subcooler of the condenser can be reduced.
US09669672B2
A trailer coupler may be provided with an opening and socket for a hitch ball, and a clamping bar in an internal channel for locking the coupler and hitch together. The internal channel may extend horizontally and be positioned above the opening and below the socket. The channel may include a laterally-facing aperture adjacent the second end, out of which one end of the clamping bar may extend. That end of the clamping bar may include a bracket with an open channel to fit over a flange on the coupler body. The coupler may be assembled by inserting a first end of the clamping bar through the laterally-facing aperture, and moving the first end of the clamping bar into the coupler body channel while fitting the bracket over the flange at the open channel of the clamping bar.
US09669671B2
An air maintenance tire and air pump assembly is provided including a tire and an elongate tubular air passageway enclosed within a flexing region of a tire sidewall. A plurality of check valve devices are spaced apart and positioned along the air passageway into multiple air passageway segments. A check valve membrane opens to allow pressurized air to directionally pass through the check valve device from an upstream passageway segment to a downstream passageway segment and closes to prevent air from passing in an opposite direction through the check valve from the downstream segment to the upstream segment.
US09669666B2
A runflat tire includes a tire body, a carcass extending from a tread portion through sidewall portions of the tire body to bead cores in bead portions of the tire body, and sidewall-reinforcing rubber layers having cross-sectional crescent shapes and positioned on inner sides of the carcass along the sidewall portions, respectively. The tire body has height Ha in range of 8˜17 mm where the height Ha is measured from a rim line of the tire body to inner edge of an innermost dimple/fin row of the tire body in radial direction of the tire body, the innermost row is formed in dimple/fin forming region including one or more dimple/fin rows having dimple/fin portions arrayed in circumferential direction of the tire body, and the dimple/fin forming region is formed on external surface of a sidewall portion on outer side of the rim line in the radial direction.
US09669652B2
This applicator product, in a section thereof for guiding an adhesive B from a container body 1 towards a top portion 64 and including at least the top portion 64, is furnished with a see-through passage 6a of translucent constitution such that the adhesive B is visible from the outside, whereby it is possible to apply a desired quantity of the adhesive B to an object, and to do so over a desired location and surface area. A cap 7 covers a nozzle 6, maintaining the adhesive B constituting the application material within the see-through passage 6a in a state of being shielded from visible light, so that the adhesive B retains stable coloration.
US09669649B2
Cam faces 24a and 24b are continuously formed in a circle on upper and lower faces which are perpendicular to an axial direction of a rotatable cam 24 which constitutes a rotational drive mechanism 21. Elastic members 23b are formed integrally with a holder member 23 for rotatably supporting the rotatable cam 24 to extend in the axial direction, and the first fixed cam and second fixed cam 23c and 23d having a small number of cam faces at butts and tips of the elastic members are arranged to face each other via the upper and lower cam faces 24a and 24b of the rotatable cam 24. The rotatable cam 24 is retreated and moved forward in the axial direction by writing pressure applied to a writing lead to be rotationally driven in one direction and rotational motion of the rotatable cam 24 is transmitted to the writing lead.
US09669645B1
A greeting card which includes a greeting card body and a flying disc removably attached thereto. A sound module and motion sensor are contained within the flying disc. The sound module contains one or more audio clips contained thereon and is operative to replay the one or more audio clips through a speaker. The motion sensor triggers the audio playback upon the flying disc being tossed or thrown through the air by a user.
US09669630B2
A method for manufacturing liquid ejection heads includes the steps of forming ejection port members on a substrate, the ejection port members each having a liquid channel and an ejection port for ejecting liquid through the channel, the liquid channel communicating with the substrate; forming supply ports passing through the substrate to supply liquid to the channels; and forming a separation groove in the substrate to separate the substrate for each liquid ejection head. The step of forming the ejection port members includes the step of hardening a material constituting the ejection port member by heat treatment. The step of forming the separation groove is performed before the step of hardening.
US09669627B2
Methods and systems are described herein for driving droplet ejection devices with multi-level waveforms. In one embodiment, a method for driving droplet ejection devices includes applying a multi-level waveform to the droplet ejection devices. The multi-level waveform includes a first section having at least one compensating edge and a second section having at least one drive pulse. The compensating edge has a compensating effect on systematic variation in droplet velocity or droplet mass across the droplet ejection devices. In another embodiment, the compensating edge has a compensating effect on cross-talk between the droplet ejection devices.
US09669625B2
A liquid ejection control apparatus, which controls a drive voltage waveform applied to a piezoelectric element so as to control ejection of a pulsed liquid jet, includes a first operation unit that receives input of an index value for setting a flow velocity peak timing of a main jet of the pulsed liquid jet, and a control unit that sets a rising portion of the drive voltage waveform according to the index value so as to control changing of the drive voltage waveform.
US09669614B2
The invention concerns a printing unit comprising a cylindrical bed (1), an anilox roller (3) for transferring ink to the rotating bed (1), and a counterpressure roller (2) which presses printed material (4) against the bed (1), the axes (11, 13) of the anilox roller (3) and of the bed (1) being tilted relative to one another.
US09669605B2
Resin compositions, layers, and interlayers comprising a poly(vinyl acetal) resin that includes residues of an aldehyde other than n-butyraldehyde are provided. Such compositions, layers, and interlayers can exhibit enhanced or optimized properties as compared to those formulated with comparable poly(vinyl n-butyral) resins.
US09669604B2
An aluminum-alloy plate (10) equipped with an aluminum-alloy substrate (1) and an aluminum-oxide film (2) formed on the surface of the aluminum-alloy substrate (1), wherein: the aluminum-oxide film (2) contains at least one type of additional element having a P-B ratio of 1.00 or more, zirconium in the amount of 0.01-10 atomic percent, and magnesium in the amount of 0.1 or more and less than 10 atomic percent; and the total amount of additional elements contained in the aluminum-oxide film (2) is 0.010-5.0 atomic percent. As a result, it is possible to provide: an aluminum-alloy plate which exhibits excellent post-degreasing-water-wettability stability even when in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment; and a joined body and a vehicle member which use the same.
US09669602B2
A two-part adhesive includes an A side, a B side, at least one of a polyurethane prepolymer and a diisocyanate, a polyol, a catalyst, and an adhesion promoter. The polyurethane prepolymer or diisocyanate is present in the A side from about 50% to 100% by weight of the A side composition. The polyol is present in the B side from about 52% to about 98% by weight of the B side composition. The catalyst is present in the B side from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of the B side composition. The adhesion promoter is present in at least one of the A side composition and the B side composition from about 10% to about 50% by weight of the two-part adhesive. A ratio of isocyanate groups in the A side to hydroxyl groups in the B side is greater than 1.5:1.
US09669594B2
A tire buffing apparatus for a tire casing having a plurality of steel belts arranged therein is provided. The tire buffing apparatus including a hub assembly for supporting and rotating a tire casing and a rasp assembly including a rotatable rasp for buffing a tire casing. A tire belt detection system is provided that includes an induction coil element and a sensor. The induction coil element is configured and arranged in relation to the hub assembly such that when the induction coil element is connected to an AC power source, the induction coil element induces a current in the steel belts of a tire casing supported on the hub assembly. The sensor is configured to produce a signal when the rotating rasp is subject to a voltage. A control unit is configured to direct the rasp assembly to stop buffing a tire casing when the sensor produces the signal.
US09669586B2
Additive manufacturing systems and apparatus include, in one aspect, a material deposition system including an extruder for deposition materials, the extruder including two or more material entry ports, a mixing chamber, and an exit orifice; and a controller coupled with the extruder to dynamically change delivery rates of the deposition materials to be mixed in the mixing chamber before flowing from the exit orifice; wherein the controller combines a desired volume flow rate of material to flow from the exit orifice with a mix ratio to specify the delivery rates of the deposition materials. The system can include filament drive systems to feed the thermoplastic materials in filament form into the entry ports, and the controller can dynamically change the mix ratio when operating the filament drive systems to control one or more properties of the material to flow from the exit orifice.
US09669579B2
A method for forming a structural member and a structural member produced thereby includes positioning a first composite section and a second composite section within a tool. The tool has an inner surface and a wall intersection and is supported by a tool platform. The tool platform and a pressure platform are relatively movable between an open position and a closed position. The tool has a non-planar outer surface against which the member may be pressed. A composite splice member is positioned at least partially overlapping both the first composite section and the second composite section to form a joint in the composite structural member. The composite structural member is pressed against the non-planar outer surface of the tool by applying pressure to the joint from a pressure bladder. Heat is applied to the composite structural member at the joint to cure the composite splice member to the first composite section and the second composite section.
US09669556B2
A small hand-held tool has a concavely open, center-symmetric, cutting edge at a forward end. To cut an elongate object such as a woody weed stem in a garden, the cutting edge is forcibly applied, preferably horizontally, at about or just below ground level in a forward direction simultaneously with an alternating side-to-side horizontal force to turn the tool and the cutting edge in a to-and-fro motion around the elongate object being cut. Forwardly inclined, center-symmetrically disposed saw teeth on the cutting edge will quickly cut the woody stem below ground so that no stubs are left sticking out of the ground to later trip the unwary. If the tool is fitted instead with a cutting blade provided with, for example, tungsten carbide-tipped teeth, or even a toothless edge coated with a layer of tungsten carbide grit, a patient user could apply the thus adapted tool to cleanly cut through much harder objects like steel bars or pipes, e.g., right where they are projecting from a wall or a concrete floor.
US09669546B2
The robotic work object cell calibration method includes a work object or emitter. Initially, placing the work object is placed in a selected position on a fixture or work piece on the shop floor. The work object emits a pair of beam-projecting lasers which intersect at a tool contact point and act as a crosshair. The robot tool is manipulated into the tool contact point. The work object emits four plane-projecting lasers which are used to adjust the roll, yaw, and pitch of the robot tool relative to the tool contact point. The robotic work object cell calibration method of the present invention increases the accuracy of the off-line programming and decreases robot teaching time.
US09669542B2
The invention relates to a transmission mechanism for a drive system, having at least one tensioning device and acting in two directions. For force transmission, the tractive device runs between a drive roll and an output roll, which are carried by a frame. A spring coupling is connected in the force transmission section between the drive roll and the output roll and has a nonlinear force-distance characteristic curve.
US09669541B2
Disclosed herein is a robot arm including a first joint portion connected to an end portion of a wire and operable to rotate when the wire is pulled, a second joint portion connected to the first joint portion through a link, and a wire guide composed of a rotational plate rotatably installed at the second joint portion and a pair of idle rollers provided to continuously contact the rotational plate, in which the wire passes between the idle rollers.
US09669536B2
A powered working machine facilitating work of fixing a tip tool to a tool supporting member is provided. A powered working machine in which a tip tool is driven by power of an electric-powered motor includes: an output shaft to which the tip tool is attached; a tool fixing member which fixes the tip tool to the output shaft; a second shaft to/from which the tool fixing member is attached/detached; a clamp having a locked state in which a state of attachment of the tool fixing member to the second shaft is maintained and an unlocked state in which the tool fixing member can be detached from the second shaft; and a guide member having a first rotation position at which the clamp is in the locked state and a second rotation position at which the clamp is in the unlocked state.
US09669523B2
A screwdriver includes a screw rod including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The screwdriver defines a screw slot on an external portion adjacent to the second end. The screwdriver further includes a screwdriver bit fixed to the first end of the screw rod, a resisting portion fixed to the second end of the screw rod, a handle placed over a portion of the screw rod adjacent to the second end. A movable element fixed to an inside wall of the handle and tightly closed to an inside surface of the screw slot, and an elastic element placed over the screw rod between the first end and the handle.
US09669520B2
Apparatus and methods for positioning one or more components relative to a work surface are provided. The apparatus can include a frame having a first support member extending therefrom. At least one extendable member can be disposed on the first support member. The extendable member can be adapted to move in a linear direction. At least one magnet can be disposed on the frame. The magnet can include at least one contact side that can be switchable between a magnetized state and a non-magnetized state.
US09669508B2
A grinding wheel assembly for use in a sharpening system includes a grinding wheel configured to be mounted in the sharpening system to carry out sharpening operations in which the grinding wheel removes material from a blade to be sharpened, such as the blade of an ice skate. The grinding wheel assembly further includes an identification tag attached to the grinding wheel, the identification tag having (1) secure memory including a usage location for persistently and securely storing a usage tracking value, and (2) interface circuitry for engaging in communication with a transceiver of the sharpening system to enable electronic circuitry of the sharpening system to both read from and write to the usage location to track usage of the grinding wheel for sharpening operations. The memory may also store other data including user-specific system parameters usable to customize operation, and fault information usable to diagnose fault conditions.
US09669507B2
The present invention relates to the field of image processing. In one form, the invention relates to image processing as applied to digital processing and/or digitization of an image and/or photo. In one particular aspect the present invention is suitable for use in computer controlled knife cutting systems. The present invention uses an ‘auto center’ feature in association with the tracing of an image to provide a number of advantage.
US09669502B2
A manufacturing apparatus (2) for components (3), which has at least one movable loading station (20) designed as a tool magazine (13) and having reception points (39) with different tools (4, 5, 6, 7) for different component types A-I. The loading station (20) is connected to one or more machining stations (20, 22′) at which at least one machining device (23) and at least one handling device (24) for handling and releasing the components (3) from the tool (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) are arranged. The selected Figure is FIG. 5.
US09669497B2
The wind turbine has a tower; a nacelle; and a hub comprising a hub connection flange for being detachably connected to a blade connection flange of a rotor blade. The method comprises the next steps: fixing a first positioning element in the nacelle or in the top of the tower; fixing a second positioning element to the blade in a root blade area; lifting the blade to the vicinity of the hub connection flange by means of lifting means; putting into contact the first and the second positioning elements; providing an accurate position of the blade connection flange, prior to the connection to the hub connection flange, by cooperation of the first and second positioning elements; and providing, when the first and the second positioning elements cooperate, a trajectory of the blade which is parallel to the axis of a hub connection hole, disposed in the hub connection flange, the provision of the trajectory being carried out by means of a guided element joined to either the first positioning element, the second positioning element, or both.
US09669496B2
An explosion-proof valve installed to a hole portion of a pressure vessel and valve opening when the pressure within the pressure vessel goes beyond a predetermined value so as to release the pressure integrally has a tubular portion inserted to the hole portion, an outside flange portion provided in one end portion of the tubular portion and engaging with an opening peripheral edge portion outside the vessel in the hole portion, a locking projection provided in the other end portion of the tubular portion and engaging with an opening peripheral edge portion in side the vessel in the hole portion, and a membrane portion provided in an inner peripheral side of the tubular portion and rupturing due to the pressure at the valve opening time, and has such a shape that an outer diameter of the outside flange portion is made smaller than an outer diameter of the locking projection.
US09669489B2
A method of repairing an integrally bladed rotor includes removing a portion of the integrally bladed rotor to create a void in an airfoil, completely filling the void with a single replacement material, and laser shock peening the replacement material. Laser shock peening the replacement material imparts mechanical properties in the replacement material substantially the same as those in the forged material.
US09669488B2
A current diffusion bonding apparatus (1) includes upper and lower electrodes (11, 12), which sandwich members to be bonded (M, M) and which are electrically conductible with the members to be bonded (M, M); a power supply unit (20), which supplies a current to the electrodes (11, 12); and a pressurizing unit (30), which applies a pressure to bonding surfaces S. If a temperature T detected by a temperature sensor (45) is a first set temperature T1 or lower, the pressurizing unit (30) applies a pressure to the bonding surfaces S while restricting the displacement of the members to be bonded (M, M), and if the temperature T exceeds the first set temperature T1, the pressurizing unit (30) applies a pressure based on the elastic force of a spring (35d), which elastically deforms according to the displacement of the members to be bonded (M, M), to the bonding surfaces S.
US09669487B2
A contactor providing for electrical contact in a welding torch includes a body member having first and second opposite sides, and adjacent pivot and head portions. The pivot portion has an outwardly curved contact surface on the second side providing a pivot point. The head portion also has a contact surface on the second side. The pivot portion has a shorter length between the first and second sides than the head portion. The contactor may be pivotally mounted in a torch connector body. At least one resilient member urges the contact surface of the pivot portion into engagement with an inner flange surface of the connector body, and biases the head portion into an opening in the torch connector body. The contact surface of the head portion is engageable with a torch neck inserted into the torch connector body, and provides an electrical connection between the torch body and neck.
US09669482B2
Assembled submarine hull steel components, each steel component having a chemical composition consisting of, in weight percent: 0.030%≦C<0.080% 0.040%≦Si≦0.13% 0.1%≦Mn≦1.4% 2%≦Ni≦4% Cr≦0.3% 0.30%≦Mo+W/2+3(V+Nb/2+Ta/4)≦0.89% 0.15%≦Mo≦0.89% V+Nb/2+Ta/4≦0.004% Nb≦0.004% Cu≦0.45% Al≦0.1% Ti≦0.04% N≦0.0300% impurities resulting from the production operation, said impurities including B≦0.0005%, P+S≦0.015%, the balance being iron, the chemical composition complying with the condition: 410≦540×C0.25+245[Mo+W/2+3(V+Nb/2+Ta/4)]0.30≦460.
US09669480B2
The invention relates to a semiconductor component with a chip, especially with a high-frequency switching circuit. The semiconductor component further comprises a metal body on the chip and a supplementary circuit board. The supplementary circuit board is provided on an underside facing away from the metal body for connection with a printed-circuit board by means of reflow soldering.
US09669477B2
A device for the chip removing machining of a work piece includes a body connectable to a holder or rotatable spindle. The body has at least one first seat to receive a cutting insert having a main cutting edge. The first seat has an active part including at least one first seat surface. The body receives the cutting insert in the first seat, the first seat including at least one location surface. The at least one location surface forms an angle with the first seat surface and positions the cutting insert axially and radially in the active part. The body has a second seat to receive a shim member such that the cutting insert adjoins the at least one first seat surface and the shim member. The cutting insert covers an area defined by the shim member and the at least one first seat surface.
US09669476B2
An electronic key duplicating machine includes a base, on which a first support is mounted for a clamp for, at separate moments, an original key and a blank key, an optical reader sensing the bitting of the original key, and a milling cutter reproducing the bitting on the blank key, which are mounted on a second support rigid with the machine base, the clamp being movable along the X axis and the Y axis relative to the second support, a unit memorizing the bitting of the original key sensed by the optical reader and controlling and commanding movement of the clamp and operability of optical reader and milling cutter, wherein the second support is of C-shape with its opening facing the clamp, and the optical reader is mounted on horizontal branches of the second C-shaped support, while the milling cutter is mounted in the cavity defined by the horizontal branches.
US09669474B2
A single-lip drill including at least one cutting edge on a drill head has a face which is concave along at least 75 percent of the width thereof and substantially along the entire length thereof, all the way to, and inclusive of, the cutting edge.
US09669472B2
A drilling apparatus includes: a drill rotatable about a center axis and capable of advancing and retracting along the axis; and a pressing unit for pressing a work in an advancing direction of the drill. The drilling apparatus advances the drill while rotating the drill about the center axis to form a hole in the work, in a state in which the work is pressed by the pressing unit. A pressing force applied on the work by the pressing unit is set to a predetermined pressing force based on machining reaction applied to the drill from the work during drilling and the pressing force causing deformation of the work in the advancing direction of the drill. The predetermined pressing force can suppress deformation of the work and displacement of the drill due to the machining reaction. The machining reaction and the pressing force are calculated beforehand in a drilling test.
US09669463B2
The invention addresses the problem of providing a method for producing microparticles. Provided is a method for producing microparticles. For the first process, seed microparticles are separated in a thin film fluid that forms between at least two processing surfaces, which are disposed facing each other, which can approach or separate from each other and at least one of which rotates relative to the other, and the fluid comprising the separated seed microparticles is discharged as a discharge fluid. Subsequently, for the second process, the separated seed microparticles are grown in the discharged discharge fluid to obtain the intended microparticles. Uniform and homogeneous microparticles are obtained as a result of the microparticle producing method comprising the two process.
US09669459B2
A system and method of making a part. The part may cast in a die. A gripper assembly may be provided that has a gripper and a spray nozzle that provides a fluid. The part may be quenched with a fluid when the part is in the die.
US09669449B2
The invention relates to a method for producing g a through-hole (10) in a metallic body (12), which has at least one curved surface, by means of a reciprocating movement, said through-hole (10) being produced by means of high speed shearing cutting (HGSS).
US09669446B2
The die cushion force setting apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention allows die cushion forces (component forces) acting on plural driving shafts to be set easily, makes it easy to apply strong or weak die cushion forces to a complex-shaped drawn part in a plane of a cushion pad, and provides a smooth die cushion force distribution. An operator manually enters a total die cushion force, axial component force of a left front hydraulic cylinder, and center-of-force position by operating an input device. Based on the information entered via the input device, the numerical computing device B1 calculates axial component forces of three hydraulic cylinders through numerical computations. The one axial component force thus entered and three axial component forces thus computed numerically are set as the axial component forces of four hydraulic cylinders.
US09669444B2
Method of manufacturing curvilineal closed structure parts without flange and apparatus for the same
A method and apparatus manufactures a closed structure part without flange having a curvature and welded edges along a longitudinal direction of the part and further having a varying cross-sectional shape, from two metal plates. Each of two metal plates provided with a curvature along the longitudinal direction of the plate and provided with both ends in a width direction of the plate, are press-formed such that a folding line is formed at positions corresponding to a non-welded bent edge in a cross section of the part, and stacked on each other vertically such that their bulging sides face outward. Their left ends and right ends in the width direction are mutually welded along the longitudinal direction to form welded edges.
US09669443B2
An apparatus for the electrohydraulic control of the parallelism of a roller in a bending machine for working metal pieces, has a first and second pumps for supplying with an operating fluid a first and second actuators, position transducers and a first and second proportional valves to adjust the flow of the operating fluid into the first and second actuators according to signals of the position transducers.
US09669437B1
A method for scavenging aromatic hydrocarbons present in a contaminated substrate includes treating the contaminated substrate with Pseudomonas taoyuanensis S03 deposited in DSMZ under an accession number DSM 32185, the aromatic hydrocarbons are benzene, naphthalene, toluene, ethylbezene or xylene. A method for scavenging crude petroleum or a refined product thereof present in a contaminated substrate includes treating the contaminated substrate with Pseudomonas taoyuanensis S03 deposited in DSMZ under an accession number DSM 32185, such that the crude petroleum or the refined product thereof is emulsified by Pseudomonas taoyuanensis S03.
US09669433B2
In accordance with the present invention, a pneumatic particle separator includes a base member formed with an elongated lumen. Also formed on the base member for fluid communication with the lumen are, in order, an air flow injection channel, the lumen, a diverter, and an n-number of type channels. Further, a particle injection channel is connected in fluid communication with the air flow injection channel. In this combination, when an air flow is established through the air flow injection channel and the lumen, particles are drawn by venturi action from the particle injection channel for single file transit through the lumen for analysis. A subsequent pneumatic diversion through the diverter then provides an exit for each particle from the base member through a preselected type channel for collection. The analysis performed in the lumen is used for an assay report.
US09669432B2
A component feeding system includes a platform and a tray supported by the platform having a component support surface for supporting a plurality of components. An agitation unit is supported by the platform and is operatively coupled to the tray to agitate the tray to cause the components to move on the tray. A guidance system is supported by the platform and has a camera viewing the tray. A positioning system is supported by the platform and a component gripper is supported by the positioning system and moved by the positioning system relative to the tray. The component gripper is configured to pick and place components on the tray. A controller communicates with the agitation unit, the positioning system, the component gripper and the guidance system. The controller operates the agitation unit, the positioning system and the component gripper based on an image obtained by the camera.
US09669430B2
A method of sorting mailpieces by using a dynamic assignment process and an overbooking mechanism whereby an overbooked sorting destination (D) is substituted for a sorting destination that is already assigned to a certain sorting outlet (S) comprises the following steps: a) identifying from among said sorting outlets (S) a sorting outlet that has a filling level (N) greater than a first threshold (s1) and the longest idle time, and assigning the overbooked sorting destination to that sorting outlet; b) if all of the sorting outlets (S) have filling levels (N) less than said first threshold (s1), identifying from among the sorting outlets the sorting outlet that has the longest idle time, assigning that sorting outlet to said overbooked sorting destination, and indicating that said other sorting destination is a sorting destination to be amalgamated.
US09669425B2
A thermally and electrically conductive structure comprises a carbon nanotube (110) having an outer surface (111) and a carbon coating (120) covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the carbon nanotube. The carbon coating may be applied to the carbon nanotube by providing a nitrile-containing polymer, coating the carbon nanotube with the nitrile-containing polymer, and pyrolyzing the nitrile-containing polymer in order to form the carbon coating on the carbon nanotube. The carbon nanotube may further be coated with a low contact resistance layer (130) exterior to the carbon coating and a metal layer (140) exterior to the low contact resistance layer.
US09669421B2
A gravure kiss coater 1 includes a paint feeder 30 placed along a small-diameter gravure roll 10 having an outside diameter D in a range of 45-150 mm. The paint feeder 30 includes a doctor blade 32, a case 31, and a coating feed path 34, 35. A distal end 32a of the doctor blade 32 is directed in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the small-diameter gravure roll 10, and the small-diameter gravure roll 10 is capable of contacting the substrate S within a range of rotation angles equal to or less than 90° from the distal end 32a of the doctor blade 32.
US09669419B2
A spray coating system is provided with features to improve resistance to wear and corrosion, while also improving ergonomics. The spray coating system may include a spray coating device having a body with a liquid inlet coupled to a liquid chamber, and a protective liner extending inside the liquid chamber, wherein the protective liner is fixedly coupled to the body without threads. The spray coating device also may include a liquid nozzle extending inside the protective liner, and a cap extending over the liquid nozzle.
US09669418B2
The present invention relates to a pump for discharging contents, which is coupled to a vessel (V) for accommodating the contents and discharges the contents, is configured such that: a suction valve plate (40) closes a content inlet (32) as the volume of the temporary repository (TR) inside the pump main body (10) decreases and pressure is generated in the temporary repository (TR) when the pump upper body (20) is moved downward by pressing the upper surface of the discharge valve (50) or the pump upper body (20); as the valve protruding ring (52), which is in contact with a content outlet (22), is widened due to the pressure, the contents in the temporary repository (TR) pass thorough the widened gap between the content outlet (22) and the valve protruding ring (52) and also pass through a flow path (24), which is the gap between the pump upper body (20) and the discharge valve (50).
US09669416B2
Electrospraying systems and associated methods are generally described.
US09669415B2
A laboratory centrifuge includes elements (10) for the locking of a lid in a closed position, which locking elements (10) include at least one strike (11) and at least one bolt (12) mobile between a locking position and an unlocking position. These locking elements (10) also include operating elements (15) including a motor shaft (16) that is coupled to the bolt (12) through transmission elements (17). The transmission elements (17) include a crank (18), extending the motor shaft (16), which carries an actuating member (19) bearing on a contact surface (12c1, 12c2) formed on the bolt (12), so that the driving into eccentric rotation of the actuating member (19) about the motor axis of rotation (16′) causes its circulation and bearing along the contact surface (12c1, 12c2) and the rotational control of the bolt (12) between its locking and unlocking positions.
US09669411B2
A shredder has cutter elements for destroying articles (paper) and a feed mechanism for advancing paper from a stack in a tray into cutters for shredding. The feed mechanism has a feed member provided adjacent to the tray with an elastic arm for engaging and disengaging the stack. The feed member rotates in a feeding direction about an axle, with the elastic arm elastically deforming to apply pressure to feed paper atop the stack to the cutters. The elastic arm can include a protruding tip that is inserted into the stack. The tray includes a curved feed bed to assist in feeding paper into the cutters and deforming the elastic arm. A pivot arm can also move the feed member relative to the tray (e.g., vertically). A disengagement mechanism can hold the feed mechanism in an inoperable feeding position when a drawer or tray is moved into an open position.
US09669400B2
The present invention provides a technique which allows stable use of an ion-exchange resin for removing boron impurities over a long period of time in the purification step of a silane compound or a chlorosilane compound. In the present invention, a weakly basic ion-exchange resin used for the purification of a silane compound and a chlorosilane compound is cleaned with a gas containing hydrogen chloride. When this cleaning treatment is used for the initial activation of the weakly basic ion-exchange resin, a higher impurity-adsorbing capacity can be obtained. Further, use of the cleaning treatment for the regeneration of the weakly basic ion-exchange resin allows stable use of the ion-exchange resin for a long time. This allows reduction in the amount of the resin used in a long-term operation and reduction in the cost of used resin disposal.
US09669395B2
A catalyst composition for preparing o-phenylphenol is provided. The catalyst composition includes a carrier; and a first active metal, a second active metal, and a catalytic promoter carried by the carrier. The first active metal is platinum, and the second active metal is selected from the first, second and third rows of transition metals of groups VIB and VIIIB. The present disclosure utilizes the carrier to carry the first active metal, the second active metal and the catalytic promoter so as to increase the selectivity of o-phenylphenol and the service life of a catalyst.
US09669388B2
Disclosed are hierarchically porous carbon materials with a plurality of discreet nanoparticles dispersed on their carbon phase. The materials possess a continuous network of pores that spans the porous material, permitting the flow of fluids into and through the material. The porous materials can be used as heterogeneous catalysts.
US09669372B2
The present invention provides a process for loading ceramic spheres into a vertical reactor. The process comprises introducing into the reactor along a substantial height thereof a feeding pipe that is opened at its bottom part. According to the invention, no physical device or air-supplying conduit is present inside the inner section of the feeding pipe. The process allows for rapid, safe and efficient loading, without breakage of the particles.
US09669369B1
A mixing bucket stabilizing assembly includes a base that has a top side, a bottom side and a perimeter edge extending between the top and bottom sides. A bracket is attached to the top side of the base. The bracket releasably engages a mixing bucket. A plurality of legs is attached to and extends downwardly from the bottom side. A frame is attached to and extends upwardly from the base. The frame has a central aperture extending therethrough. The central aperture is aligned with the bracket and extends around the mixing bucket. The mixing bucket is frictionally engaged by the bracket to retain the mixing bucket on the base while material within the mixing bucket is mixed.
US09669359B2
The present teachings provide for a catalytic converter for modifying the composition of exhaust gas of an engine. The catalytic converter includes a housing, a substrate body, and a first layer of catalyst material. The housing can define an inlet for receiving the exhaust gas from the engine, a main chamber in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the main chamber for exhausting the modified exhaust gas. The substrate body can be disposed within the central chamber and can define a plurality of flow channels. The flow channels can provide fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. The first layer of catalyst material can provide a first section of the flow channels with a first overall wall thickness that is greater than a second overall wall thickness of a second section of the flow channels.
US09669355B2
The present invention relates to activated carbon sorbents including nitrogen. In various embodiments, the present invention provides an activated carbon sorbent including a halogen- or halide-promoted activated carbon, the activated carbon sorbent particles including nitrogen in a surface layer of the sorbent particles. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of reducing the pollutant content in a pollutant-containing gas using the activated carbon sorbent. In various embodiments, the activated carbon sorbent can remove mercury from a mercury-containing gas that includes sulfur(VI) such as SO3 more efficiently than other sorbents.
US09669345B2
A containment system for reducing the release of harmful respirable particles through surface openings in equipment that carries sand includes a filter-receiving member configured to be coupled over an opening in a surface of the equipment and a filter member configured to be coupled to the filter-receiving member. The filter-receiving member can have a first side, a second side, and a passageway extending from the first side to the second side. The filter can have a porosity that permits air to flow through the filter member and restricts the flow of solid particulates.
US09669337B2
A method of constructing a rotary drum filtering apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: placing a cover element end on a support portion, placing an overlying portion over the cover element end and inserting a respective tab into a respective opening in the support portion, moving the overlying portion along the support portion, so that the tab second portion is then under the support portion, thus holding the cap on the clip, with the cover element end trapped in between.
US09669333B2
One aspect of the invention relates to a filter module comprising: —a filter element having at least one filter medium which separates a filtrate side and a retentate side of the filter element from one another, and having a filter medium holder to which the filter medium is attached and which has at least one holder intake channel and at least one holder discharge channel, —a first filter cartridge part having at least one first cartridge intake channel and at least one first cartridge discharge channel, —a second filter cartridge channel having at least one second cartridge intake channel and at least one second cartridge discharge channel, wherein the filter medium holder is arranged in an arrangement position between the first filter cartridge part and the second filter cartridge part in a fluid-tight manner, wherein the at least one holder intake channel has a fluid connection with the at least one first cartridge intake channel and the at least one second cartridge intake channel, in order to form a module intake channel, wherein the at least one holder discharge channel has a fluid connection with the at least one first cartridge discharge channel and the at least one second cartridge discharge channel, in order to form a module discharge channel, wherein the module intake channel has a fluid connection with the retentate side of the filter medium and wherein the module discharge channel has a fluid connection with the filtrate side of the filter medium, and a modular filter system.
US09669330B1
Embodiments describe apparatuses, systems and methods for utilizing a configurable WWTP container having a removable sensor/controller cartridge. Said removable cartridge is configured for collecting and analyzing data for any given configuration of a WWTP container, and is positioned securely separate from the treatment compartment(s) of the WWTP container. The removable cartridge is able to monitor operation conditions of the wastewater treatment compartment(s) via control logic and at least one sensor included in the removable cartridge, and change operating parameters of the container.
US09669321B2
Provided is a system for providing a virtual reality experience, the system including a vehicle controlled to follow a pre-determined path; a virtual reality controller; one or more headsets each including a virtual reality generator and at least one screen, wherein the virtual reality generator is controlled by the virtual reality controller; and a synchronization sensor, wherein the controller includes a memory adapted to store data relating to the path, the synchronization sensor is connected to the controller and includes at least one accelerometer adapted to sense movement of the vehicle, the controller includes a processor adapted to compare data from the synchronization sensor to the data stored in the memory of the controller to calculate the location of the vehicle on the path, and the controller is adapted to synchronize the virtual reality generator with the location of the vehicle on the path.
US09669314B2
A mode setting unit sets either a first mode or a second mode. When the first mode is set, the item information acquiring unit acquires item acquisition information stored in an external server via a communication unit. On the other hand, when the second mode is set, the item information acquiring unit acquires the item acquisition information from a storage. A display processing unit displays on a display unit an item acquisition status using the item acquisition information acquired by the item information acquiring unit.
US09669312B2
Systems and methods for extracting an image of a physical object constructed of for example bricks are presented. The method and system may detect boundaries and edges of a background using an edge detection operator, perform a perspective transformation calculation to compute a corrected virtual grid that is substantially aligned with the physical object's image, locate a color calibration palette in the digital image and extract color value information for pixels of the color calibration palette, and discern bricks as part of the physical object's image, the discernment being based in part on a determination of the brick's color compared to the color palette and the background color, the discerned bricks forming the extracted image. A computer readable medium may include instructions causing a system to extract an image of a physical object constructed of bricks according to the method.
US09669309B2
A method for managing league points of a point lapsing league mode includes: by a point lapsing league mode providing server, providing a point lapsing league mode that is a mode in which predetermined league points are allocated for a predetermined period and progress of a game is restricted when all the league points are consumed to the user terminal; outputting a game character information selecting interface that is an interface for accessing the user terminal to select a game character for progressing a game of the point lapsing league mode from among at least one game character to the user terminal; consuming predetermined league points of the user when the user terminal finishes playing the game of the point lapsing league mode through the game character selected by the user; determining whether all league points of the user having participated in the point lapsing league mode are consumed; and outputting information for notifying that the game cannot be progressed in the point lapsing league mode to the user terminal when all the league points of the user having participated in the point lapsing league mode are consumed.
US09669300B2
Methods and computer programs that allows users to move game objects in a virtual space with movements performed on current and future portable devices. By using existing technologies in such devices, the methods computer movement relative to the devices themselves in order to detect swinging motions, panning motions, moving motions and gesture and then to apply them to game objects and game cameras inside the virtual space. Moving the physical device causes the devices sensors to respond. The methods interpret this data and provide real time updates within a virtual space on the device as well as transmit the updates to another device that is also moving. This enables 2 players to connect to each other and each player is able to move their device and see it reflected within the others virtual space. This eliminates the need of real world references.
US09669289B2
A faster version of a playing card wagering game similar to baccarat includes, after a wager has been placed on at least one of a player hand winning outcome, a banker hand winning outcome or a tie, dealing exactly one or two cards to a player hand position and an initial single card to a dealer hand position. With two cards to the player position, the banker must receive a mandatory second playing card if the first banker card is a zero value card. With one card to the player position, a higher natural 8 or 9 hand wins. In all other circumstances, a third card is dealt to the lower count hand, and then a resulting higher count hand wins and a tie loses.
US09669285B2
A piece of snow sports equipment comprises a sliding board with a sheetlike central part (110) which extends in a longitudinal direction, and two sheetlike side parts (120, 130) which are fastened to the central part (110) on both sides. The central part (110) has a sliding coating (115) on a lower side. The side parts (120, 130) can be folded over from a first position, in which a first main surface of the side parts (120, 130) is substantially co-planar with the lower side of the central part (110), into a second position, in which the side parts (120, 130) are folded under the central part (110) such that the first main surfaces of the side parts (120, 130) are supported on the lower side of the central part (110). Second main surfaces of the side parts (120, 130), which second main surfaces lie opposite the first main surfaces, have a climbing skin (125, 135).
US09669284B2
Described herein is a sports board for gliding over a surface. The board includes an upper structural layer having an outer surface, a lower structural layer, a core having an upper surface substantially covered by the upper structural layer and a lower surface substantially covered by the lower structural layer. The board also includes a deformable element covered by the core on an upper surface. A first portion of the deformable element protrudes a distance beneath the lower structural layer towards a horizontal plane of the surface underlying the sports board. The board also includes a base element substantially covering the lower structural layer and the deformable element and an edge component positioned at least in part around a perimeter of the base element. At least a portion of the deformable element can deform upon application of an amount of pressure against the base element.
US09669283B2
According to the various features characteristics and embodiments of the present invention which will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds, the present invention provides partially fingered gloves intended to increase the overall performance in sports activities including but limited to football and golf. Primarily because of its unique finger configurations, and/or grip enhancers, and/or hand protective properties, the present invention makes a glove more operable in various sports activities.
US09669282B2
A glove liner includes a pad running diagonally across the palm of the hand. When the glove liner is inserted into a baseball fielder's glove, the pad underlies a heel of the glove and/or a palm of the glove and promotes catching a baseball in the webbing or pocket of the fielder's glove.
US09669279B2
A bicycle trainer includes a base frame, a damper unit pivotally connected to the base frame and including a rotating wheel set, a swivel frame pivoted to the base frame and biasable between an inclined position where the swivel frame and the damper unit are capable of supporting a bicycle wheel and a collapsed position where the swivel frame is received in the base frame and the rotating wheel set of the damper unit is disposed adjacent to the swivel frame, and a locking device for locking the damper unit to the base frame or allowing the damper unit to be biased relative to the base frame. Thus, the composition of the invention allows the bicycle trainer to be folded up and received in a compact condition to minimize the dimension convenient for carrying with less effort.
US09669278B1
An adjustable declined exercise bench and adjustable punching or striking attachments for the exercise bench that attach to the upper end of the bench. The bench is segmented into an upper stationary end segment and a lower pivotable end segment. The lower end segment of the bench where the user's back or will rest can swivel with the movement of the user's torso. Movement of the lower segment of the bench is in opposition to a resistance band that keeps the lower segment under tension and tends to hold the lower segment in an aligned position relative to the upper segment of the bench.
US09669277B1
A bat for striking a ball comprises an axis, a handle, and a barrel. The handle includes a knob end, an attachment end, and a length separating the knob end from the attachment end. The barrel includes an end cap end, a barrel portion, a barrel length, and a transition section. The transition section is operatively attached to the attachment end of the handle. The bat can include a joint connecting the transition section to the attachment end while separating the barrel from the handle. Further, the bat can include an internal tubular member operatively attached to the end cap end and positioned within the barrel. A knob can be attached to the knob end of the handle while an end cap can be attached to the end cap end of the barrel. A grip can be attached to the handle adjacent the knob.
US09669275B2
A divot repair apparatus transports and dispenses fill material to fill and repair divots. The repair apparatus includes a hopper for holding the fill material, the hopper being adapted to be worn on the user's back; a conduit for dispensing the fill material from the hopper; and a valve assembly disposed in the conduit for controlling the flow of the fill material from the hopper. An outlet end of the conduit may include a smoothing tool for manipulating the fill material after it has been dispensed.
US09669270B2
Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. A golf club head may include a body portion having a face portion with regions of varying thickness. In one example, the golf club head may include a center portion with a first thickness, an outer wall portion with a second thickness less than the first thickness, and a plurality of inner wall portion with a third thickness less than the second thickness. The golf club head may include a body portion and a plurality of weight portions. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09669267B2
A golf ball includes an inner core layer having a first surface hardness and a geometric center hardness. The center hardness is less than the first surface hardness to define a first positive hardness gradient of about 1 to 12 Shore C. An outer core layer has a second surface hardness. A cover layer is formed over the outer core layer. The second outer surface hardness is greater than the geometric center hardness to define a second positive hardness gradient of about 12 to 22 Shore C.
US09669264B2
Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.
US09669240B2
A therapy system includes a therapy module to perform successive deposits of energy in a target zone. The therapy system further includes a control module configured to, prior to deposits of energy, produce an a priori estimate of the induced heating. A thermometry module is configured to measure temperature in a measurement field. The induced heating may be derived based on a tissue model from the settings of a therapy module. The therapy module includes a high-intensity focused ultrasound transmitter. A magnetic resonance examination system configured for thermometry is employed as the thermometry module.
US09669235B2
Systems and methods for providing phototherapy to an infant use the determined position and/or posture of an infant to provide effective phototherapy through a set of light sources, to avoid electromagnetic radiation from the light sources directly impinging on the eyes of the infant, and to reduce or limit the level of electromagnetic radiation leaked into the environment.
US09669228B2
Medical devices provide metallic connector enclosures. The metallic connector enclosures may be constructed with relatively thin walls in comparison to polymer connector enclosures to aid in miniaturizing the medical device. The metallic connector enclosures may be constructed with interior surfaces that deviate less from an ideal inner surface shape in comparison to polymer connector enclosures to allow for better concentricity of electrical connectors. The metallic connector enclosures may include a panel that allows access to the cavity of the connector enclosure where set screw blocks, lead connectors, spacers, seals, and the like may be located. Furthermore, the lead connectors within the metallic connector enclosures may be separated from the metallic connector enclosure by being positioned within non-conductive seals that reside within features included in cavity walls of the connector enclosure. Similarly, set screw blocks may be separated from the metallic connector enclosure by non-conductive spacers present within the cavity.
US09669222B2
A therapeutic neurostimulation system configured for providing therapy to a patient. The neurostimulation system comprises a neurostimulation lead having an array of electrodes arranged along a longitudinal axis configured for being implanted along a spinal cord of a patient, a neurostimulation device configured for delivering electrical stimulation energy to active ones of the electrode array, and control/processing circuitry for instructing the neurostimulation device to configure an active electrode as a cathode, and two active electrodes longitudinally flanking and laterally offset from the cathode as anodes, selecting a ratio of stimulation amplitude values for the two anodes based on a known longitudinal location of the implanted neurostimulation lead relative to the spinal cord, and instructing the neurostimulation device to distribute the electrical stimulation energy between the two anodes in accordance with the selected stimulation amplitude value ratio.
US09669209B2
A flexible circuit electrode array with more than one layer of metal traces comprising: a polymer base layer; more than one layer of metal traces, separated by polymer layers, deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; and a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces. Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow.
US09669202B2
A drug delivery device is configured to receive a cartridge containing a drug. The drug delivery device comprises a content display for displaying information related to one of the cartridge and the drug contained in the cartridge. The content display is configured to selectively display at least two different pieces of information and is configured to be adjusted mechanically to display one of the pieces of information. Furthermore, a set of the drug delivery device and a plurality of mountable elements is provided, wherein the mountable elements differ in their shapes and wherein the displayed piece of information is specific for the shape of the mountable element.
US09669198B2
A system and related method for delivering the anti-tumoral agent carmustine or other types of diagnostic or therapeutic agents into the brain of a patient with a brain tumor includes an insertion device, a skull mount, and a reformulated geometry of the carmustine compound (or other material) optimized for use in the insertion device and for maximized biodegradation time. The insertion device may be front loaded with the carmustine material (or other material) and inserted through the mount on a skull, to the location of the brain tumor, where the carmustine (or other material) is then released. It should be appreciated that the diagnostic and/or therapeutic system and related method thereof are not necessarily limited to the brain of a subject. It may also be used in the organ structures or tubular structures, as well as portions and locations thereof.
US09669195B2
Methods for treating hydrocephalus using a shunt, the shunt having one or more CSF intake openings in a distal portion, a valve disposed in a proximal portion of the shunt, and a lumen extending between the one or more CSF intake openings and the valve, the method comprises deploying the shunt in a body of a patient so that the distal portion of the shunt is at least partially disposed within a CP angle cistern, a body of the shunt is at least partially disposed within an IPS of the patient, and the proximal portion of the shunt is at least partially disposed within or proximate to a JV of the patient, wherein, after deployment of the shunt, CSF flows from the CP angle cistern to the JV via the shunt lumen at a flow rate in a range of 5 ml per hour to 15 ml per hour.
US09669194B2
The present disclosure is directed toward a semi-compliant to non-compliant, conformable balloon useful in medical applications. Conformable balloons of the present disclosure exhibit a low or insignificant straightening force when in a curved configuration and at inflation pressures greater than 4 atm. Balloons of the present disclosure are constructed of material that can compress along an inner length when the balloon is in a curved configuration. In further embodiments, balloons of the present disclosure can be constructed of material that sufficiently elongates along an outer arc when the balloon is in a curved configuration. As a result, medical balloons, in accordance with the present disclosure, when inflated in a curved configuration, exhibit kink-free configurations and do not cause a significant degree of vessel straightening.
US09669193B2
A safety balloon catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen balloon catheter and a hollow barbell-shaped stretch valve. The balloon catheter has a proximal catheter end, a balloon defining a balloon interior to be inflated with an inflation fluid, a hollow inflation lumen extending through the catheter to the balloon interior and shaped to convey the inflation fluid to and from the balloon interior, and a hollow second lumen parallel to the inflation lumen; and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon interior to the second lumen. The stretch valve is shaped to permit a fluid to pass therethrough and positioned in the second lumen to at least partially slide therein such that, in a steady state, a distal barbell end of the stretch valve prevents the inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port and, in an actuated state, the distal barbell end slides within the second lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the second lumen.
US09669186B2
A method of manufacturing a splittable/peelable tubular body of a catheter or sheath wherein the tubular body has a splittable/peelable atraumatic tip is disclosed. The atraumatic tip is generally softer than the tubular body. The tubular body and atraumatic tip each comprise a peel mechanism longitudinally extending along their respective lengths. The peel mechanisms are formed by longitudinally extending regions of interfacial bonding between first and second longitudinally extending strips of polymer material. Each strip forms at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the tubular body and atraumatic tip. A region of stress concentration extends along the region of interfacial bonding. The stress concentration facilitates the splitting of the tubular body and atraumatic tip along their respective peel mechanisms.
US09669175B2
Tracheal assembly devices include: (a) a mouthpiece sized and configured to allow an endotracheal tube to extend outwardly therefrom; and (b) a cutting blade in communication with an outwardly facing portion of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece can include at least one outwardly projecting substantially rigid short tube defining an open channel. The short tube can be configured to allow the endotracheal tube to slidably move therethrough. The cutting blade may be held in a handle releasably attached to the short tube.
US09669166B2
The present invention provides a disposable syringe and a push rod for use in a disposable syringe. The push rod comprises a proximal end, a distal end and an axis extending through the proximal end and the distal end. The distal end of the push rod is provided with a snap-fitting mechanism and a stop flange located at a proximal side of the snap-fitting mechanism. The stop flange comprises a main body portion formed about an axis of the push rod and a plurality of finger-like portions extending from the main body portion in a direction away from the axis of the push rod. According to the present invention, a smaller push force continues to be applied to the push rod upon completion of the injection, thereby achieving an additional stroke needed when the distal end of the push rod snap-fits with the needle seat and meanwhile lessening the patient's pains.
US09669165B2
A syringe includes a barrel, a plunger, and a sealing member creating a seal between the plunger and the barrel. The barrel includes a first portion with a first inner diameter and a second portion with a second inner diameter that is larger than the first inner diameter. The sealing member engages the first portion of the barrel to give rise to a first contact pressure when the barrel is filled with product. The first contact pressure is sufficient to maintain a gas-tight seal over the expected temperature ranges −25° C. to 40° C. A first force is applied to the plunger to overcome the first contact pressure and move the plunger out of the first portion and into the second portion to dispense product. The sealing member engages the second portion of the barrel to give rise to a second contact pressure that is lower than the first contact pressure. A second force lower than the first force is sufficient to overcome the second contact pressure and move the plunger in the second portion to continue dispensing product. The syringe may include a restraining element for accommodating expansion of the product during freezing.
