US09670806B2
A PCV valve that also monitors the flow of gases produced by use of a turbocharger. A spring biased plunger member is used to restrict and meter the flow of gases through the PCV valve. A nozzle member with a Venturi throat is used to allow back flow caused by use of a turbocharger. The nozzle member can be part of a module including a passageway member that can be closed by the plunger member.
US09670801B2
The present disclosure provides a cylinder deactivation engine which is configured to prevent abrasion on a pad portion of a valve opening/closing unit and improves reliability of the cylinder deactivation. The cylinder deactivation engine selectively performing deactivation of a cylinder may include: a cylinder deactivation apparatus including an inner body which contacts with a cam formed at a camshaft and makes a lever motion by rotation of the camshaft; and an outer body which moves together with the inner body by selectively latching to the inner body so as to open/close a valve; and a stopper integrally formed with a cam carrier disposed to surround a part of a lower portion of the camshaft and disposed between the camshaft and the outer body so as to function as a stopper for blocking the outer body which is pushed toward the camshaft by the valve.
US09670797B2
A vane structure includes a baffle movably mounted within an aperture, the baffle movable to control a cooling flow between a first cooling cavity and a second cooling cavity.
US09670787B2
The present invention relates to a Ti—Al-based heat-resistant member including a Ti—Al-based alloy which includes: 28.0 mass % to 35.0 mass % of Al; 1.0 mass % to 15.0 mass % of at least one selected from the group consisting of Nb, Mo, W and Ta; 0.1 mass % to 5.0 mass % of at least one selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn and V; and 0.1 mass % to 1.0 mass % of Si, with the balance being Ti and unavoidable impurities, in which a whole or a part of a surface of the Ti—Al-based heat-resistant member includes a hardened layer as a surface layer, the hardened layer having a higher hardness than an inside of the Ti—Al-based heat-resistant member, and the Ti—Al-based heat-resistant member has a hardness ratio (a hardness of the surface layer/a hardness of the inside) of 1.4 to 2.5.
US09670785B2
A cooling assembly for a gas turbine system includes a turbine nozzle having at least one channel comprising a channel inlet configured to receive a cooling flow from a cooling source, wherein the at least one channel directs the cooling flow through the turbine nozzle in a radial direction at a first pressure to a channel outlet. Also included is an exit cavity for fluidly connecting the channel outlet to a region of a turbine component, wherein the region of the turbine component is at a second pressure, wherein the first pressure is greater than the second pressure.
US09670784B2
Various embodiments of the invention include turbine buckets and systems employing such buckets. Various particular embodiments include a turbine bucket having: a base including: a casing having at least one exhaust aperture on an outer surface of the casing; and a core within the casing, the core having: a serpentine cooling passage; and at least one outlet passage fluidly connected with the serpentine cooling passage and the exhaust aperture, wherein the at least one outlet passage permits flow of a coolant from the serpentine cooling passage to the at least one exhaust aperture on the outer surface of the casing; and an airfoil connected with the base at a first end of the airfoil, the airfoil including: a suction side; a pressure side opposing the suction side; a leading edge spanning between the pressure side and the suction side; and a trailing edge opposing the leading edge and spanning between the pressure side and the suction side.
US09670774B2
A fluid pressure pulse generator comprises a stator having a body with a cylindrical bore and a fluid flow chamber comprising a lateral opening and an uphole axial inlet, and a rotor having a cylindrical body rotatably seated within the bore, a rotor head connected to the rotor body, and a fluid diverter comprising a fluid passage through the rotor body and a nozzle in the rotor head. A fluid passage has an opening on an outside surface of the rotor body and an outlet at an end of the rotor body. The nozzle has an inlet end communicable with a drilling fluid and an outlet end in fluid communication with the fluid opening. The flow area of the nozzle increases from the inlet to outlet end such that the velocity of the drilling fluid slows while from inlet to outlet end.
US09670772B2
The present invention concerns a method and a well string element for transmitting data in a well. The well string element (20c) includes an elongated body (80) that defines a through channel (110) and also includes a side pocket (92) that is open to ambient (91); and an acoustic modem (60) provided in the pocket (92) and configured to emit acoustic waves. The acoustic modem (60) is configured to receive electrical signals from one or more sensors (50, 52), transform the electrical signals into the acoustic waves and emit the acoustic waves into a wall (112) of the elongated body (80) when receiving an acoustic wake-up call from a device (70) outside the drill string element (20c).
US09670769B2
In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of computational modeling for tracking ball sealers in a wellbore is disclosed. The method may include, for a time step, calculating a number of ball sealers to inject into a wellbore, injecting the ball sealers, determining a length of the wellbore occupied by a fluid, and computing a spacing between each ball sealer in the length of the wellbore occupied by the fluid. The method may include calculating a first position of a ball sealer, determining a velocity the ball sealer, and computing a second position of the ball sealer. The method may include recording a number of active ball sealers and open perforations in the wellbore, calculating a ball sealer skin per division, and determining a fluid flow rate. The method may include selecting parameters for a stimulation operation in the wellbore based on the fluid flow rate.
US09670763B2
Methods are described to make strong, tough, and lightweight whisker-reinforced glass-ceramic composites through a self-toughening structure generated by viscous reaction sintering of a complex mixture of oxides. The present invention further relates to strong, tough, and lightweight glass-ceramic composites that can be used as proppants and for other uses.
US09670751B2
A sliding sleeve opens with a deployed ball and applied pressure and is subjected to reverse flow pressure. The sleeve has a housing and an insert. The housing defines a first bore and defines a flow port communicating the first bore outside the housing. The insert is disposed in the first bore of the housing and has a seat held in a first direction therein. The seat engages the deployed plug in the first direction, and the insert moves, by the applied pressure against the plug engaged in the seat, axially in the first direction inside the first bore from a closed position toward an opened position relative to the flow port. The seat is disengageable from the insert in a second direction opposite to the first direction by the reverse flow and is passable at least out of the insert.
US09670740B2
A drilling riser configured to convey drilling materials between a drilling vessel and a subsea wellhead. The drilling riser has an upper section, and a lower section coupled via a connector to the upper section. The lower section has a buoyant material for distributed passive buoyancy of the lower section. The overall drilling riser is neutrally or negatively buoyant, whereas the lower section is positively buoyant when decoupled from the upper section and coupled to the subsea wellhead.
US09670739B2
A gas lift valve system for a wellbore within a subterranean formation can include a power source that generates power, and a delivery system disposed within the wellbore and electrically coupled to the power source, where the delivery system delivers the power generated by the power source. The system can also include at least one gas lift valve assembly disposed within the wellbore and electrically coupled to the delivery system, where the at least one gas lift valve assembly receives the power from the delivery system, where at least one valve, when in a position other than a fully closed position, allows a control medium to flow from an inlet channel to an outlet channel, where the outlet channel empties into the cavity of the delivery system.
US09670733B1
Systems and methods for drilling multiple wells include a landing template, the landing template having at least two through bores. Each through bore extends from a first face of the landing template to an opposite second face of the landing template. A skirt conductor is secured to the landing template, the skirt conductor operable to be driven into a sea floor so that the landing template is proximate to a mudline. A bore separator guide has a drill bit guide sized to register with one of the through bores. The bore separator guide is moveable to align with each of the at least two through bores one at a time.
US09670729B2
A hydraulic impact hammer having a hammer housing and a hydraulic piston. The hammer housing has means for attaching a hydraulic rotator converter which has a hydraulic rotator for rotating a drill bit for drilling holes on a surface while the drill bit receives pounding action from the piston. The drill bit has surface portions dimensioned to mate with bushing assembles and a cutout region to loosely engage with the locking mechanism in the hammer housing. After the holes are drilled, the converter is released from the hammer housing so as to allow a hammer tool with a larger diameter to be used for pounding over the holes. The hammer tool also has surface portions dimensioned to mate with the bushing assembles and a cutout region to engage with the locking mechanism so that the hammer tool can receive pounding action from the piston for pounding over the holes.
US09670716B2
A sealing element for sealing joints and the intermediate space between an inner wall, an outer wall shell and a window frame includes (1) a first block-shaped sealing element section of a first flexible foam having a first indentation hardness and (2) a second web-shaped sealing element section which projects from an edge area of the first sealing element section, the second sealing element section including at least one sealing strip which is a second flexible foam having a second indentation hardness, the first indentation hardness being at least 1.5 times greater than the second indentation hardness.
US09670714B2
A method for manufacturing a laminated glass panel, which includes at least two glass substrates and at least one intermediate layer made of a polymeric material arranged between the substrates, the method including in the following order: the bending of the substrates; the controlled cooling of the substrates; and the formation of a laminated assembly that includes the substrates and the intermediate layer; the cutting of the laminated assembly straight through the entire thickness thereof along a line on one of the main surfaces thereof, the controlled cooling including general controlled cooling and local controlled cooling of an area that includes the cutting line, the local controlled cooling being faster than the general controlled cooling.
US09670709B2
The main door for the control of the access opening to a compartment, particularly a garage compartment, comprises: a fixed portion associable with the access opening of a compartment; a mobile portion including a leaf associated in a mobile way with the fixed portion; at least a pulley on which winds up a cable connected to the leaf and to a counterweight; an operating shaft of the pulley mounted on the fixed portion; a winding-unwinding device having a flexible element which can be wound and unwound which is associated with the top of the leaf; an electric motor mounted on the fixed portion and suitable for placing a driving shaft in rotation; and a transmission and distribution having a first electromagnetic clutch to transmit motion from the driving shaft to the operating shaft and a second electromagnetic clutch to transmit motion from the driving shaft to the winding-unwinding device.
US09670707B2
A door hinge having two hinge leaves joined together at a knuckle defining a hinge axis about which the leaves are relatively pivotal and top and bottom sheet-metal parts forming a housing surrounding one of the hinge leaves. Two rotatable adjustment spindles are each journaled in the housing, rotatable about respective axes extending in a first direction perpendicular to the hinge axis, and operatively threadedly connected to the one leaf so that rotation of the spindles moves the one leaf in a first direction perpendicular to the hinge axis. A base plate between the parts is formed with respective threaded hole receiving the spindles, the base plate being secured to the one leaf for movement of the one leaf in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction relative to the base plate.
US09670680B2
The present invention relates to the sector of building materials, and more specifically, to a floor connector and a floor with the floor connector. The floor connector includes a first connecting part and a second connecting part used to connect floors, and a supporting part arranged between the bottom surface of the first connecting part and the upper surface of the second connecting part for the purpose of supporting the first connecting part and the second connecting part. The floor includes a main body, a floor pedestal arranged under the main body, and a floor connector used to connect the main body and the floor pedestal. In this solution, the floor can be arranged without a keel, thereby significantly reducing the labor intensity during floor installation. Consisting of three parts, the floor features lightweight and simplification of installation procedure.
US09670677B2
A roofing granule can include a base particle having a base material and a layer covering the base particle of the roofing granule. The layer can has a first material and a second material that includes a metal carbonate, wherein the first and second materials include a same metal element, and the base material is different from the first material. In a process of forming the roofing granule, the layer can have pores. The process can include infiltrating a fluid into the pores of the layer while the base particle is present and adjacent to the layer, wherein the fluid includes a carbonate. The process can further include reacting the carbonate with a metal compound within the layer to form a metal carbonate within the layer. The roofing granules can be used in roofing products.
US09670676B2
A truss for incorporation into a building structure includes a fundamental component with at least one necked-down portion which changes the width or depth of the component. The fundamental component can be employed in joists, heels, and/or other joints for a roof truss.
US09670674B2
A clip assembly for a suspended ceiling having a ceiling panel and a runner comprises a top member and a bottom member. The top member has an upper wall for being secured to an overhead structure and a pair of lower spaced apart lateral walls downwardly extending from the upper wall. The lateral walls comprise respective outer surfaces and inner surfaces defining a channel therebetween. At least one inward fin extends from each of the inner surfaces into the channel in an upwardly sloped direction. The bottom member comprises a bottom end for being secured to the runner and opposite lateral surfaces therebetween. At least one outward fin extends from each of the lateral surfaces in a downwardly sloped direction that is complementary to the upward sloped direction of the at least one inward fin. The bottom member is inserted into the channel.
US09670673B2
A ceiling system including: a ceiling structure suspended in an interior space. The ceiling structure includes: a perimeter frame defining a central opening, the perimeter frame comprising a fabric gripping member; a support grid comprising a plurality of intersecting struts defining a plurality of grid openings, the support grid disposed within the central opening and coupled to the perimeter frame; a plurality of acoustic ceiling panels, each of the acoustic ceiling panels mounted to the support grid and disposed in one of the grid openings; and a tensioned fabric sheet having a perimeter portion that is engaged by the fabric gripping member of the perimeter frame, the tensioned fabric sheet located below the acoustic ceiling panels and covering the central opening.
US09670670B2
An HVAC duct or utilicore for substantially containing air flowing longitudinally therethrough has at least one wall comprised of a poured high thermal mass material with at least one pipe embedded therein during a pouring process, the at least one pipe for circulating a fluid throughout the at least one wall at a temperature that is different from an ambient temperature of the air flowing through the utilicore, for effecting heat transfer through the at least one wall between the fluid in the at least one conduit and the air flowing through the utilicore. A side wall of an elongate monolithic poured concrete building construction module, having a substantially planar main wall and at least one side wall extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis, having a pipe embedded therewithin, may form at least a portion of an element that defines the utilicore. A story-defining structure for a building may comprise a plurality of at least one of such construction modules, each module supported at least two points by a support structure, each module being oriented such that distal ends of the side walls thereof engage the support structure, the at least one side wall and the main wall defining an elongate arch, the modules being juxtaposed in parallel relation to define at least one elongate utilicore between the arches. The support structure may comprise one or more modules employed as substantially horizontal beams or substantially vertical columns or both.
US09670663B2
A seismic expansion joint cover assembly installed at an expansion gap between a first structural member on one side of a gap and a second structural member on the opposite side of the gap including a cover panel bridging the gap having at least one connector joining one edge of the cover panel to the first structural component to allow movement of the cover panel. The expansion joint cover assembly includes at least one slide support, which attaches to the second structural member, and which includes a track having a lift component located on the track to lift the cover panel. The expansion joint cover assembly also includes a rider assembly for engaging with the track of the slide support. One or more spring assemblies are attached to the second structural member and the cover panel. The expansion joint cover assembly is mechanically latched when the system is in the normal service position, but has the capability of becoming unlatched in response to large displacements.
US09670662B2
A marker has an anchor portion and a twisted portion, and the twisted portion has one or more reflective sides and is twisted about a length axis of the strip so that part of at least one of the reflective sides faces any view toward the marker. Or, a marker includes an anchor portion and a reflective portion, and the reflective portion contains a material that permits manual, plastic deformation to create a twist in the reflective portion. The marker when twisted may be attached to mark a location of a feature of a building in which insulation hides the feature but leaves the twisted portion of the marker exposed within an access space of the building.
US09670657B2
Disclosed is a water-saving sit-down toilet wherein the pressure of flushing water discharged from a cistern into the toilet is raised and a straight discharge pipe is used such that the toilet is flushed clean using a small amount of water, and, at the same time, excreta is smoothly discharged as the direct discharge tube is opened and closed by means of the water pressure and a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, and an appropriate amount of residual water is supplied to the toilet bowl such that odors are blocked from rising from a foul-water port into the toilet, and an odor removing unit sucks in odors emanating from the excreta and discharges same through the foul-water port such that the user can use the sit-down toilet without feeling any embarrassment.
US09670656B2
Quick release mechanisms for auger type cleanout tools are described. The mechanisms enable engagement and disengagement of a handle to an auger without the use of separate retainers or fasteners. Also described are auger type tools and related methods of use utilizing the quick release mechanisms.
US09670655B2
The present invention provides a valve assembly for a faucet that provides a rigid mounting for valve bodies.
US09670653B2
A cartridge type valve core structure of a water tap includes a cartridge casing and a valve core. The cartridge casing has an accommodation room therein. An outer wall of the cartridge casing is provided with a first engaging portion for connecting with the water tap. The valve core is disposed in the accommodation room. The valve core includes a control end, a water inlet end, a water outlet end, and at least one water room. The control end extends out of the cartridge casing from a top end of the accommodation room. The water inlet end extends out of the cartridge casing from a bottom end of the accommodation room. The water outlet end extends out of the cartridge casing from one side of the accommodation room. Through the aforesaid modular structure, the valve core can be mounted to the water tap quickly through the cartridge casing.
US09670643B2
An excavator bucket for an earth moving machine includes an interior bucket space formed by a curved rear wall and a pair of opposed sidewalls, with the bucket including a bucket box arranged onto the rear wall, in particular arranged on the outer surface of its top portion, which extends along a lateral axis of the bucket. The angle between at least one of the outer lateral sides of the bucket box and the rear wall of the bucket, in particular its top portion, is less than 90 degrees.
US09670642B2
A quick coupler for coupling an attachment, such as a digging bucket, to an evacuator machine. The quick coupler includes a first fixed jaw for a first coupling pin of the attachment. The quick coupler includes a latch cooperating with the first fixed jaw, which is moveable to a latched position for retaining the first coupling pin. A moveable jaw is provided that is able to slide, under power of a hydraulic ram, to a closed position retaining the second coupling pin. A locking arm assumes a locked position, while the latch assumes the latched position, preventing withdrawal of the moveable jaw from the closed position. Consequently, in the event of a hydraulic failure the locking arm simultaneously locks both the first attachment coupling pin, by means of the latch, and the second attachment coupling pin by means of preventing movement of the movable jaw from the closed position.
US09670638B2
A reinforced helical pile system suitable for use in seismically active areas incorporates steel fibers in the grout and a fiber reinforced polymer sleeve (casing). A low-friction driving assembly and low-friction sleeve couplings enable the sleeve to be drawn into the soil substantially without rotation, reducing power consumption and preserving the integrity of the casing.
US09670636B2
An aqua-robotic pollutant removing device includes a buoyant body, an electromechanical housing coupled to the buoyant body, and a pollutant absorbing belt coupled to the electromechanical housing and extending outward from the buoyant body. The electromechanical housing is constructed and arranged to rotate the pollutant absorbing belt.
US09670627B1
An apparatus and method for finishing or texturing a paved surface including one or more transition curves includes a finishing machine with a transverse frame including a series of flexibly connected frame members and one or more power transition adjusters. As the finishing machine proceeds through the transition curve, the control system and sensors of the finishing machine determine its position and the transverse curvature of the paved surface corresponding to its position. The control system may then adjust the position of accessories mounted to the transverse frame via a combination of raising or lowering the accessories relative to the paved surface and articulating the one or more power transition adjusters to adjust the shape of the transverse frame to conform to the transverse curvature of the paved surface.
US09670619B2
A cellulosic material contains a cellulose derivative, in which the cellulose derivative has a functional group capable of reversibly performing a redox reaction introduced thereinto. The cellulose derivative preferably has at least one of a ferrocene structure and a viologen structure as the functional group.
US09670616B2
Described herein are methods and systems for reducing, preventing, or eliminating wrinkles in a paper sheet during papermaking. The systems may include a dryer configured to dry a continuous paper sheet having a travel direction. The system may also include at least one roll configured to receive the dried continuous paper sheet. The systems may also include an air spreader located downstream of the dryer and upstream of the at least one roll. The at least one roll may include one or more calendering rolls. The air spreader may include a plurality of nozzles configured to expel a gas toward the dried sheet. The nozzles may be oriented in a direction at least partially opposed to the travel direction of the dried sheet.
US09670610B2
Apparatus and method of detecting drop and/or detachment of a wall mounted drum type washing machine
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method of detecting when a wall mounted drum type washing machine drops, slips, tilts or detaches from the wall, in which the apparatus includes a horizontality detecting sensor configured to output a sensor value corresponding to a horizontal inclination of a main body of a washing machine; a verticality detecting sensor configured to output a sensor value corresponding to a vertical inclination of the main body of the washing machine; and a controller configured to determine whether the main body of the washing machine has dropped, slips, tilts or detaches from the wall by receiving sensor values from the horizontality detecting sensor and the verticality detecting sensor, and blocking power to the washing machine when the main body of the washing machine dropped, slipped, tilted or detached from the wall.
US09670607B2
A slide needle, comprising a needle body, which has a needle hook with two spaced-apart lateral hook surfaces. A slide is movably arranged on the needle body between an initial position (I) and a stitch knock-over position (II). The slide has two slide blades. A hook hole on a free blade end of the slide blades is formed by inner hole surfaces. In the stitch knock-over position (II), each inner hole surface lies against an associated lateral hook surface of the needle hook at a contact location and the contact area between the slide and the needle hook is reduced in a height direction (H).
US09670599B2
A spinning position on an air-jet spinning machine has a yarn-forming element extending at least partially into the turbulence chamber; and air jets directed into the turbulence chamber to impart to the fiber strand a twist in the area of an intake mouth of the yarn-forming element. A guide arrangement for guiding the fiber strand is situated in the area of the inlet port of the turbulence chamber and comprises at least two guide sections spaced a distance apart from one another, their mutual spacing decreasing in at least some sections in the direction of conveyance of the fiber strand. The guide arrangement also comprises at least one central guide element, which extends at least partially between the guide sections in a section running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the draw-off channel and produces a deflection of the fibers of the fiber strand perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the draw-off channel.
US09670596B2
The present invention provides a production method for purified polysaccharide fibers in which carbon disulfide emission is suppressed while efficiently producing purified polysaccharide fibers having excellent strength, purified polysaccharide fibers produced by using the production method, a fiber-rubber complex using the purified polysaccharide fibers, and a tire having excellent tire characteristics using the fiber-rubber complex. The production method for purified polysaccharide fibers of the present invention is a production method for purified polysaccharide fibers of wet-spinning or dry-wet-spinning polysaccharide by bringing a polysaccharide solution obtained by dissolving a polysaccharide raw material in a liquid including an ionic liquid into contact with a solidification liquid including an ionic liquid, in which a concentration of the ionic liquid in the solidification liquid is 0.4% by weight to 50% by weight and the anionic moieties of the ionic liquid in the polysaccharide solution and the ionic liquid in the solidification liquid have one or more types selected from the group consisting of a phosphinate ion, a phosphate ion, and a phosphonate ion.
US09670595B2
A method for laying down a nanoweb of nanofibers from a centrifugal spinning process by a combination of an air flow field and a charging arrangement. Fibrous streams in the form of fibrils of molten polymer or polymer solution are discharged from a rotating member into an air flow field that is essentially parallel to the direction of discharge of fibrils at the point of discharge of the fibrils. The fibrous streams are attenuated and directed by means of the air flow field onto the surface of a collector to form a nanoweb. The fibrous streams are charged along all or at least a portion of their route from the point of discharge to the surface of the collector.
US09670594B2
In one instance, the invention provides a group III nitride crystal having a first side exposing nitrogen polar c-plane of single crystalline or highly oriented polycrystalline group III nitride and a second side exposing group III polar surface, polycrystalline phase, or amorphous phase of group III nitride. Such structure is useful as a seed crystal for ammonothermal growth of bulk group III nitride crystals. The invention also discloses the method of fabricating such crystal. The invention also discloses the method of fabricating a bulk crystal of group III nitride by ammonothermal method using such crystal.
US09670588B2
An electroplating apparatus that promotes uniform electroplating on the substrates having thin seed layers includes a convex anisotropic high resistance ionic current source (AHRICS), such as an electrolyte-permeable resistive domed plate. The AHRICS is positioned in close proximity of the substrate, so that a distance from the central portion of the AHRICS to the substrate is smaller than the distance from the edge portion of the AHRICS to the substrate. The apparatus further includes a plating chamber configured to hold the electrolyte and an anode. The apparatus further includes a substrate holder configured to hold the substrate. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a secondary (thief) cathode configured to divert ionic current from the near-edge region of the substrate.
US09670582B2
Atomic layer deposition (ALD) type processes for producing metal containing thin films comprise feeding into a reaction space vapor phase pulses of metal containing cyclopentadienyl precursors as a metal source material. In preferred embodiments the metal containing cyclopentadienyl reactant comprises a metal atom that is not directly bonded to an oxygen or halide atom. In other embodiments the metal atom is bonded to a cyclopentadienyl compound and separately bonded to at least one ligand via a nitrogen atom. In still other embodiments the metal containing cyclopentadienyl compound comprises a nitrogen-bridged ligand.
US09670580B2
In a method for depositing layers on one or more substrates arranged in a process chamber, at least one carbon-containing gaseous source material is used in at least one deposition step. During layer growth on the one or more substrates, parasitic coatings are also deposited on the wall surfaces of the process chamber. After removing the one or more substrates from the process chamber, a gas flow containing one or more cleaning gases is introduced into the process chamber and the process chamber is heated to a cleaning temperature. The parasitic coatings are transformed into volatile substances, which are removed from the process chamber with the gas flow. To remove a carbon-containing residue on the wall surfaces, an ammonia cleaning step is performed in which the carbon-containing residue reacts with ammonia to form a volatile compound which is removed from the process chamber with the gas flow.
US09670579B2
Described are methods of making silicon nitride (SiN) materials on substrates. Improved SiN films made by the methods are also included. One aspect relates to depositing chlorine (Cl)-free conformal SiN films. In some embodiments, the SiN films are Cl-free and carbon (C)-free. Another aspect relates to methods of tuning the stress and/or wet etch rate of conformal SiN films. Another aspect relates to low-temperature methods of depositing high quality conformal SiN films. In some embodiments, the methods involve using trisilylamine (TSA) as a silicon-containing precursor.
US09670578B2
An oxide sintered body which, when made into an oxide semiconductor thin film by sputtering, can achieve low carrier density and high carrier mobility, and a sputtering target using said oxide sintered body are provided. This oxide sintered body contains indium, gallium and zinc as oxides. The gallium content is 0.08 or more and less than 0.20 in terms of Ga/(In+Ga) atomic ratio, and the zinc content is 0.0001 or more and less than 0.08 in terms of Zn/(In+Ga+Zn) atomic ratio. This crystalline oxide semiconductor thin film is formed with the oxide sintered body as a sputtering target, and can achieve a carrier density of 8.0×1017 cm−3 or less and a carrier mobility of 10 cm2/V·s or greater.
US09670570B2
This invention relates to a high carbon steel rail with enhanced ductility comprising 0.65-1.4 mass % of carbon, 0.1-1.5 mass % of silicon, 0.01-0.4 mass % of manganese, 0.1-1.5 mass % of chromium, and 0.005-0.05 mass % of titanium, with additional allowances for Mo, Nb, V, Cu, M, Co, B, N, Ca, Mg, Zr, Al, and W, with the remainder comprising iron and the inevitable impurities, that displays a head surface hardness of at least 325 HB and a microstructure comprising at least 90% pearlite at a depth of between 2-20 mm below the rail head surface. The invention also relates to the process for manufacturing the high carbon steel rail with enhanced ductility.
US09670569B2
This is a cold-rolled steel sheet includes, by mass %, C: 0.02% to 0.4%, Si: 0.001% to 2.5%, Mn: 0.001% to 4.0%, and Al: 0.001% to 2.0%. The sum of the Si content and the Al content is 1.0% to 4.5%. An average pole density of an orientation group from {100}<011> to {223}<110> is 1.0 to 6.5, and a pole density of a crystal orientation {332}<113> is 1.0 to 5.0. A microstructure includes, by an area ratio %, 5% to 80% of ferrite, 5% to 80% of bainite, and 2% to 30% of retained austenite. In the microstructure, by an area ratio %, martensite is limited to 20% or less, pearlite is limited to 10% or less, and tempered martensite is limited to 60% or less.
US09670556B2
An apparatus for processing the skin side of a tubular fur where one or more scraping means are configured for being arranged in a first position away from a mandrel of the apparatus with a first distance in relation to the center axis of the mandrel, and in a third position where the scraping means are configured for being in contact with the skin side so as to process the skin side of the fur, where the one or more scraping means are furthermore configured for being arranged in a second predefined position being arranged between the first position and the third second position with a second predefined distance in relation to the centre axis of the mandrel, and the apparatus is configured for automatically releasing the scraping means from the second position towards the third position when predetermined criteria is complied with.
US09670554B2
Oligomers useful for determining the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis in a test sample.
US09670553B2
The disclosure provides methods for the use of gene expression measurements to classify or identify among 54 cancer types in samples obtained from a subject in a clinical setting, such as in cases of formalin fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) samples.
US09670552B2
The present invention relates to a kit and nucleic acid chip for diagnosing bladder cancer using a bladder cancer-specific marker gene. More particularly, the invention relates to a kit and nucleic acid chip for diagnosing bladder cancer, which can detect the promoter methylation of a bladder cancer-specific gene, the promoter or exon region of which is methylated specifically in transformed cells of bladder cancer. The use of the diagnostic kit or nucleic acid chip of the invention enables diagnosis of bladder cancer at an early stage of transformation, thus enabling early diagnosis of bladder cancer, and can diagnose bladder cancer in a more accurate and rapid manner compared to a conventional method.
US09670551B2
The present invention relates to a kit and nucleic acid chip for diagnosing bladder cancer using a bladder cancer-specific marker gene. More particularly, the invention relates to a kit and nucleic acid chip for diagnosing bladder cancer, which can detect the promoter methylation of a bladder cancer-specific gene, the promoter or exon region of which is methylated specifically in transformed cells of bladder cancer. The use of the diagnostic kit or nucleic acid chip of the invention enables diagnosis of bladder cancer at an early stage of transformation, thus enabling early diagnosis of bladder cancer, and can diagnose bladder cancer in a more accurate and rapid manner compared to a conventional method.
US09670542B2
Efficient methods are disclosed for the high throughput identification of mutations in genes in members of mutagenized populations. The methods comprise DNA isolation, pooling, amplification, creation of libraries, high throughput sequencing of libraries, preferably by sequencing-by-synthesis technologies, identification of mutations and identification of the member of the population carrying the mutation and identification of the mutation.
US09670534B2
Disclosed herein are methods for array assembly and detection. The methods can use an incubation chamber containing a suspension of nucleic acid targets, polymerase and a set of oligonucleotide probes bound to magnetic beads in a randomly dispersed state. Each probe can have a target binding domain that is complementary to a target nucleic acid, a closing domain with a sequence that is complementary to the sequence of the target binding domain, and a joining region between the binding domain and the closing domain, which is not complementary to the target nucleic acid. Method steps can include providing the incubation chamber, placing the incubation chamber in a magnetic trap, generating a magnetic field that induces the magnetic beads to migrate towards a substrate and, once in proximity to the substrate, to interact with each other repulsively and reorganize into arrays, and imaging the array.
US09670531B2
Provided herein are dynamic flux nucleic acid sequence amplification methods. The dynamic flux nucleic acid sequence amplification methods described herein are capable of amplifying nucleic acid sequences within a narrow temperature range. In some aspects, the disclosure provides for real-time dynamic flux nucleic acid sequence amplification methods.
US09670529B2
Described herein is a method for adding a counter sequence to the individual polynucleotide molecules of an initial nucleic acid sample. After addition of the counter sequence, the sample may be amplified and the number of initial target molecules in the sample can be estimated by counting the number of counter sequences associated with the amplified target molecules.
US09670528B2
A microfluidic device includes an input port for inputting a particle-containing liquidic samples into the device, a retention member, and a pressure actuator. The retention member is in communication with the input port and is configured to spatially separate particles of the particle-containing liquidic sample from a first portion of the liquid of the particle containing fluidic sample. The pressure actuator recombines at least some of the separated particles with a subset of the first portion of the liquid separated from the particles. The device can also include a lysing chamber that receives the particles and liquid from the retention member. The lysing chamber thermally lyses the particles to release contents thereof.
US09670527B2
Assays can be used to detect mutations found in neoplasms of the pancreas, as well as for other neoplasms and other uses. Nucleic acids can be captured from body fluids such as cyst fluids. Thousands of oligonucleotides can be synthesized in parallel, amplified and ligated together. The ligated products can be further amplified. The amplified, ligated products are used to capture complementary DNA sequences, which can be analyzed, for example by massively parallel sequencing.
US09670526B2
Methods and related products are disclosed that improve the probability of interaction between a target molecule and a nanopore by capturing the target molecule on a surface comprising the nanopore. The captured target molecule, the nanopore, or both, are able to move relative to each other along the surface. When the leader of the target molecule is in proximity with the nanopore, interaction of the target portion of the target molecule with the nanopore occurs, thereby permitting sensing of the target portion. Confining the target molecule and nanopore in this manner leads to significantly enhanced interaction with the nanopore.
US09670519B2
The present disclosure relates to methods of decreasing lactate production in cell culture using divalent transitional metallic salts. The present disclosure also relates to a method of producing polypeptide by adding divalent transitional metallic salt to the cell culture medium for reducing lactate accumulation followed by fermenting and recovering the polypeptide.
US09670517B1
The invention provides methods for the synthesis of long oligonucleotides, genes and gene fragments. The methods include the manufacture of genes or gene fragments that can be then inserted into a variety of vectors.
US09670508B2
The invention is a method of two-phase anaerobic digestion where monitoring and adjusting the nitrogen status (carbon to nitrogen molar ratio, i.e. C/N molar ratio or total or ammoniacal nitrogen content) enables maintaining optimum conditions during the process. The method improves the use of a variety of feedstock materials or facilitates monodigestion of one feedstock. Especially the introduction of nitrogen rich feedstock materials in the process is amended. A community of hydrolyzing and acidogenic microorganisms in the first phase digester performs ammonification i.e. release of organic nitrogen as ammonia. Nitrogen and phosphorus are removed and recovered from the digestate which then undergoes biogasification in the second phase of the process. Reject water from biogasification can be recycled within the process.
US09670503B2
The present invention provides hyperactive piggyBac transposons, in particular hyperactive piggyBac transposons from Trichoplusia ni (cabbage looper moth) that transpose at a higher frequency than wildtype. The invention also features integration defective piggyBac transposons. The piggyBac transposons and transposases can be used in gene transfer systems for stably introducing nucleic acids into the DNA of a cell. The gene transfer system can be used in methods, for example, but not limited to, gene therapy, insertional mutagenesis, or gene discovery.
US09670498B2
The present invention provides a transgenic alfalfa event KK 179-2. The invention also provides cells, plant parts, seeds, plants, commodity products related to the event, and DNA molecules that are unique to the event and were created by the insertion of transgenic DNA into the genome of a alfalfa plant. The invention further provides methods for detecting the presence of said alfalfa event nucleotide sequences in a sample, probes and primers for use in detecting nucleotide sequences that are diagnostic for the presence of said alfalfa event.
US09670492B2
Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing PKK mRNA and protein expression. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful to treat, prevent, or ameliorate PKK-associated diseases, disorders, and conditions.
US09670491B2
The present invention is related to a nucleic acid, preferably binding to MCP-1, selected from the group consisting of Type 1A nucleic acids, type 1B nucleic acids, Type 2 nucleic acids, Type 3 nucleic acids, Type 4 nucleic acids and nucleic acids comprising SEQ ID NOs:87-115
US09670490B2
Some embodiments comprise methods, systems, and compositions to promote, improve and/or increase neuronal differentiation, oligodendrocyte differentiation, or neurological outcome or function in a patient in need thereof. Some embodiments also comprise the administration a composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of one or more of a group comprising microRNA-146a, a promoter of microRNA-146a expression, a microRNA-146a mimic, thymosin beta 4, and a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor to treat neurological conditions, disease, or injury in mammals, including in human beings.
US09670488B2
This invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for reducing MET target RNA and protein levels via use of dsRNAs, e.g., Dicer substrate siRNA (DsiRNA) agents.
US09670482B2
The invention relates to a method for providing a multispecific peptide ligand comprising a polypeptide covalently linked to a molecular scaffold at three or more amino acid residues and capable of binding to two or more separate targets, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first repertoire of polypeptides, each polypeptide comprising two or more reactive groups capable of covalent linkage to a molecular scaffold, and at least one loop which comprises a sequence of two or more amino acids subtended between two of said reactive groups; (b) providing a second repertoire of polypeptides as described in (a); (c) joining at least one loop of one or more members of the first repertoire to at least one loop of one or more members of the second repertoire to form at least one polypeptide comprising two loops, and (d) conjugating the composite polypeptide(s) to a molecular scaffold at at least three amino acid positions.
US09670473B2
The present invention relates to a crystal. In particular the present invention relates to a crystal of the N-domain of ACE protein. The present invention also relates to methods, processes, domain specific modulators, pharmaceutical compositions and uses of the N-domain crystal and the structure co-ordinates thereof.
US09670470B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having phospholipase A 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.
US09670469B2
The present invention relates to a novel uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferase, and particularly to a novel UDP-glycosyltransferase derived from ginseng and use thereof, a method for preparing glycosylated ginsenoside by converting protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type ginsenoside using the UDP-glycosyltransferase, a composition for converting the PPD-type ginsenoside into glycosylated ginsenoside, comprising the UDP-glycosyltransferase, a transformant or a culture thereof as active ingredients, a method for enhancing the expression of the UDP-glycosyltransferase using MeJA (methyl jasmonate), and a composition for enhancing the expression of the UDP-glycosyltransferase, which comprises MeJA as an active ingredient.
US09670466B2
Replicons of pestiviruses, in particular replicons of swine fever virus, are engineered to have a defective replication thereby having lost infectivity, and further containing a foreign gene. A replicon contains all the genetic information required for its replication, but lacks essential codons or all codons of at least one of the genes encoding the viral structural proteins E1, E2, Ems or C protein, and consequently cannot generate infectious virus particles. Particular replicons are generated with a mutated gene encoding a modified Npro protein that no longer controls the cell interferon-induction pathway. Another particular replicon lacks the genes encoding all the structural proteins, the p7 protein and the NS2 protein, and has cytopathogenic properties in transduced cells. The replicons provide a new vector system that can be used for vaccination, gene delivery and gene therapy applications in mammals, including humans, as naked RNA or packaged into any form of delivery vehicle.
US09670452B2
A stand for the collection of stem cells from a placenta is disclosed. The stand includes a base with an upper surface adapted to hold a placenta during stem cell collection, a back support, and an upper platform with a surface suspended above the base and adapted to hold the placenta during collection of stem cells. The stand is preferably composed of cardboard or a similar material and is foldable between a folded configuration and an assembled configuration. The back support is hinged to the base and can move between a position parallel to the base in the folded configuration and a position perpendicular to the base in the assembled configuration.
US09670451B2
Embodiments described herein generally relate to methods and systems for using an air removal chamber as a control for a process in a cell expansion system. The air removal chamber may be mounted on a fluid conveyance assembly for use with the system. Fluid is pumped into a fluid containment chamber of the air removal chamber, in which the level of fluid in the fluid containment chamber may be monitored through the use of one or more sensors. The sensors are capable of detecting air, a lack of fluid, fluid, and/or a gas/fluid interface, e.g., an air/fluid interface, at measuring positions within the air removal chamber. Protocols for use with the system may include one or more stop conditions. In an embodiment, the stopping of a process is automated based on the detection of air, a lack of fluid, and/or a gas/fluid interface in the air removal chamber.
US09670450B2
A cultivation apparatus and a cultivation method of a culture such as a cell or tissue. Provided are an incubator unit for accommodating a culture and a lever that penetrates through the incubator unit and can move in circular arc around a fulcrum as a center, the fulcrum being set at a wall of the incubator unit or in the vicinity thereof, then displacement is imparted to the culture by operating the lever. Bending force can be acted on the culture (cell construct) such as a cell or tissue, so that without any increase or decrease of a culture fluid in the incubator unit, namely, without any increase or decrease of pressure to the culture fluid, displacement required for cultivation can be imparted to the culture in the incubator unit. By curving, continuous compression and extension are generated in a direction of thickness from a concave portion to a convex portion of the curving.
US09670449B2
A system and method are described for electroporating a sample that utilizes one or more sets of electrodes that are spaced apart in order to hold a surface tension constrained sample between the electrodes. The first electrode is connected to the lower body of the system while the second electrode is connected to the upper body. Both electrodes are connected to a pulse generator. Each electrode has a sample contact surface such that the first electrode and the second electrode may be positioned to hold a surface tension constrained sample between the two sample contact surfaces and the sample may receive a selected electric pulse.
US09670446B2
The present invention relates to large-scale bioreactors having at least two impellers, large-scale bioreactor systems and methods for the large scale cultivation and propagation of mammalian cells using these bioreactors.
US09670445B1
A microfluidics sensor package includes a microfluidics sensor die having an active surface, bond pads on the active surface, and an active area on the active surface. A standoff pattern is formed on the active surface to extend to a precise height above the active surface. A lid is mounted to the standoff pattern by a lid adhesive. By using the standoff pattern to precisely space the lid above the active surface, a microfluidics cavity between the lid and the active surface is precisely created allowing for precise control of fluid flowing through the microfluidics cavity. By precisely controlling the flow of fluid through the microfluidics cavity, accurate results, e.g., of the laboratory functions performed on the fluid, are provided.
US09670443B2
A method of forming an implantable tissue engineered construct, a bioreactor for forming a tissue engineered construct, and a tissue engineered construct itself are disclosed The method includes seeding a scaffold with cells to form a tissue construct; locating the tissue construct in a space defined by a tissue construct support element; locating the tissue construct support element within a bioreactor; and operating a load applicator of the bioreactor to apply a cyclical compressive mechanical load to the tissue construct, to stimulate the deposition of tissue matrix in the tissue construct, in which the tissue construct, the tissue construct support element and the load applicator are arranged so that the load applicator can at least initially contact both the tissue construct and the tissue construct support element, so that at least part of a total load generated by the load applicator is borne by the tissue construct support element.
US09670440B2
Disclosed herein are capsules for delayed release of an active ingredient contained therein, in particular water-soluble capsules for delayed release of water-sensitive, gas-generating compositions into an aqueous liquid medium. The delayed release capsules incorporate one or more gas-relief pinholes for gas-generating water-sensitive compositions contained in the capsules, such as inorganic bleach or other alkaline compositions intended for delayed release into a wash medium during a laundry cycle. The pinholes permit gas generated within the capsule due to exposure to environmental water vapor to escape from the capsule interior, preventing pressure build-up and capsule deformation during storage. The pinholes are sized to prevent or otherwise substantially limit the passage of liquids when submerged in a liquid medium (e.g., liquid water in an aqueous liquid medium). Related articles and methods for delivering the capsules in combination with a detergent or other laundry composition are also disclosed.
US09670422B2
The invention relates to a process for removing and recovering mercury, an impurity, from a hydrocarbon feedstream containing oxygen, such as introduced during hydraulic fracturing. Mercury is selectively removed to very low levels of concentration from fluid streams such as natural gas, cracked gas, hydrogen or naphtha by passage of the stream through an adsorbent bed containing particles of a zeolitic molecular sieve preferably having pore diameters of at least 3.0 angstroms and in which the zeolite crystallites are formed into an aggregate (cylindrical or beads) which contain ionic or elemental silver. These adsorbent particles maintain their capacity for removal of mercury despite the presence of oxygen.
US09670420B2
A method for producing a monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon of the present invention includes a cracking and reforming reaction step of obtaining a product containing a monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon having 6 to 8 carbon atoms by bringing a feedstock oil having a 10 volume % distillate temperature of 140° C. or higher and a 90 volume % distillate temperature of 390° C. or lower and a saturated hydrocarbon having 1 to 3 carbon atoms into contact with a catalyst for producing a monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon containing crystalline aluminosilicate, which is loaded into a fixed-bed reactor, and reacting the feedstock oil and the saturated hydrocarbon.
US09670419B2
A process for reducing coke formation during hydrocarbon upgrading reactions using a double-wall reactor comprising the steps of feeding a heated feed water to a shell-side volume of the double-wall reactor to produce a heat transfer stream, the double-wall reactor comprising an exterior wall and an interior wall, a reaction section volume, a heating element configured to heat the heat transfer stream, wherein heat is transferred from the heat transfer stream to the reaction section volume, feeding the hot water return exiting the shell-side volume through a filter; mixing the filtered water stream with a heated hydrocarbon feedstock; feeding the mixed stream to the reaction section volume in a configuration counter-current to the heat transfer stream; reacting the reaction flow stream at a reaction temperature, wherein the heat transferred to the reaction section volume is operable to maintain the reaction temperature above the critical temperature of water.
US09670413B2
Methods and apparatuses for thermally converting or pyrolyzing biomass are provided. In one embodiment, a method of thermally converting biomass includes introducing the biomass to a reactor feed chamber. The method provides for flowing a low oxygen gas into the reactor feed chamber to purge the reactor feed chamber and biomass of oxygen. The method also includes delivering the purged biomass to a thermal conversion reactor and thermally converting the biomass in the thermal conversion reactor.
US09670411B2
There is provided a liquid crystal device including an element substrate, a counter substrate which is arranged to face the element substrate, a liquid crystal layer which is arranged between the element substrate and the counter substrate, and inorganic alignment films which are arranged between the element substrate and the liquid crystal layer and between the counter substrate and the liquid crystal layer. A silane compound film with which a fullerene is modified is arranged to cover the inorganic alignment film.
US09670410B2
Provided is a liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal composition includes 1 to 50 wt % of an achiral smectic liquid crystal, and a remaining amount of a nematic liquid crystal. The nematic liquid crystal includes a negative nematic liquid crystal.
US09670406B2
The present invention relates to a zinc sulphide phosphor and to a process for producing same. The invention further relates to a security document or document of value, to a security feature and to a method for detecting same. The phosphor according to the invention can act as electroluminescent phosphor and thus be excited by an electrical field, and this can result in emission of electroluminescent light in the blue and/or green color region of the visible spectrum. The phosphor can moreover be excited by UV radiation in the wavelength range than 345 nm to 370 nm, and can thus emit photoluminescent light in the blue color region of the visible spectrum. The phosphor can moreover be excited by UV radiation in the wavelength range from 310 nm in 335 nm, and can thus emit photoluminescent light in the green color region of the visible spectrum.
US09670405B2
A production method of a phosphor includes firing a starting material mixture in a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature range between 1,500° C. inclusive and 2,200° C. inclusive. The starting material mixture is a mixture of metallic compounds, and is capable of constituting a composition including M, A, Al, O, and N (M is Eu; and A is one kind or two or more kinds of element(s) selected from C, Si, Ge, Sn, B, Ga, In, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, La, Gd, Lu, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ta, and W) by firing.
US09670403B2
A fluoride fluorescent material, comprising: a fluoride particles having a chemical composition represented by the formula (I): A2[M1−aMn4+aF6] (I) wherein A is at least one cation selected from the group consisting of K+, Li+, Na+, Rb+, Cs+ and NH4+; M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements from Group 4 of the periodic table and elements from Group 14 of the periodic table; and variable a satisfies 0
US09670402B2
Gellable treatment fluids may have their gel times modified by using a polymer mixture therein that contains two or more polymers having disparate average molecular weights. Methods for treating a subterranean formation using such gellable treatment fluids can comprise providing a gellable treatment fluid comprising a polymer mixture and a crosslinking agent, introducing the gellable treatment fluid into a subterranean formation, and allowing the gellable treatment fluid to form a gel in the subterranean formation. The polymer mixture comprises a base polymer and an addend polymer, where the base polymer and the addend polymer each comprise an acrylamide monomer unit or a derivative thereof and have different average molecular weights, such that a molecular weight distribution of the polymer mixture contains at least two local maxima.
US09670399B2
Acidizing fluids may be formulated to minimize the detrimental effects of precipitation during an acidizing operation by promoting production of precipitates from a subterranean formation. Methods for acidizing a subterranean formation can comprise: providing an acidizing fluid comprising a stabilized microemulsion carrier fluid, a chelating agent, and an acid source; introducing the acidizing fluid into a subterranean formation; at least partially dissolving a surface in the subterranean formation with the acidizing fluid, thereby forming a spent fluid; and producing the spent fluid from the subterranean formation.
US09670396B2
A method, system, and composition for producing oil from a formation utilizing an oil recovery formulation comprising a surfactant, an ammonia liquid, an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate, a polymer, and water are provided.
US09670394B2
A method for drilling a wellbore into a formation uses a mixed metal-viscosified drilling fluid including at least 1% potassium salt and/or at least 0.05% calcium sulfate; circulating the drilling fluid through the well; and drilling into a formation. An anionic thinner may be added if the clay concentration of the drilling fluid reaches a problematic level to adversely affect pumpability of the fluid.
US09670383B2
The present invention relates to a laminate comprising at least three layers, paper/polyethylene/polyethylene terephthalate, wherein the polyethylene terephthalate is directly coated on the polyethylene surface, with no adhesive layer or the like being interposed, and the polyethylene terephthalate layer has heat sealability; and a method for producing a laminate having polyethylene coated on at least one surface of a paper substrate, the method involving extrusion laminating polyethylene terephthalate onto a surface of the polyethylene, wherein an air gap expressed as the distance from a lip opening of a die to the polyethylene surface is 25 cm or less.
US09670382B2
The base film of the invention is a base film of a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for laminating onto a semiconductor wafer composed of: (A) a layer of a cured product in which a composition including a polyether polyol urethan(meth)acrylate oligomer and an energy ray curable monomer is cured by energy ray irradiation, and (B) a thermoplastic resin layer. The present invention, by using a surface protection sheet, protects a circuit side of a wafer with bumps, prevents collapse of bumps on the circuit side when grinding the back surface, and prevents generation of dimples or cracks on the grinding surface.
US09670381B2
The present disclosure provides an ink jet print head face plate. The ink jet print head face plate includes a face plate; and a siloxyfluorocarbon networked polymer disposed on the face plate. The siloxyfluorocarbon networked polymer is a polymerization product of a mixture including from about 2 to about 12 alkoxysilane precursor materials, wherein at least one of the alkoxysilane precursor materials is a hydrophobic alkoxysilane precursor material; and at least one of the alkoxysilane precursor materials is an aromatic alkoxysilane precursor material. The siloxyfluorocarbon networked polymer is insoluble in solvents selected from the group consisting of ketones, chlorinated solvents and ethers.
US09670372B2
An inkjet ink composition including one or more volatile organic solvents and one or more colorants, said ink being characterized in that it includes one or more humectants and a terpene phenolic resin.
US09670368B2
A single coating composition providing both anti-bacterial and anti-fouling functions when applied to a product and a method of preparing same. The composition includes a fluorine-based substituent according to the following Formula 1 and at least one ammonium-based substituent according to the following Formula 2: CF2OCF2CF2OpCF2Oq [Formula 1] wherein p and q each independently is an integer of 1 to 100, CH2—C(CH3)(COOCH2CH2+N(CH3)2(CH2CH2)xCH3) [Formula 2] wherein x is an integer of 1 to 20.
US09670356B2
A matrix material for a carbon fiber-reinforced composite comprises a matrix resin as a resin component. The matrix resin contains both a first epoxy resin and a second epoxy resin or only the first epoxy resin, further contains a third epoxy resin, and has an average epoxy equivalent weight of 109 to 162. The first epoxy resin contains a polyfunctional glycidylamine-type epoxy resin. The second epoxy resin contains at least one of a p-aminophenol-type epoxy resin and a tetramethylbiphenol-type solid epoxy resin. The third epoxy resin contains a bisphenol A-type epoxy resin having a weight-average molecular weight of 8000.
US09670353B2
The present disclosure provides a composition comprising or obtained from a reaction mixture comprising a first propylene-based polymer, an olefin block copolymer, and a cure component. The cure component comprises (i) a second propylene/α-olefin copolymer, (ii) a scorch retardant, and (iii) a crosslinking agent.
US09670341B2
The present disclosure provides reinforcing filler-containing rubber compositions suitable for use in tires, and particularly in tire treads. These rubber compositions comprise a metal carboxylate. The metal carboxylate provides improved processability to the rubber compositions in the form of a reduced Mooney viscosity. In certain exemplary embodiments, these rubber compositions containing the metal carboxylate also have an enhanced elastic modulus (also referred to as the G′). Further, in certain of the enhanced elastic modulus embodiments, the rubber compositions containing the metal carboxylate also have decreased hysteresis loss.
US09670339B1
The invention relates to the use of at least one mixed mineral organoclay rheology additive in a liquid composition comprising at least one epoxy resin, the additive comprises or consists of a quaternary alkyl-ammonium salt treated mineral clay mixture prepared by forming an aqueous hormite clay slurry (a), forming an aqueous smectite clay slurry (b), combining the aqueous hormite clay slurry (a) with the aqueous smectite clay slurry (b) to form a combined clay slurry (c), treating the combined clay slurry (c) with one or more quaternary alkyl-ammonium salts, and separating the produced quaternary alkyl-ammonium salt treated mineral clay mixture from the aqueous medium. The invention also relates to a process for producing a mixed mineral organoclay rheology additive and the use of the thus produced additive as a thickening agent in liquid compositions.
US09670336B2
We provide a method for producing a rubber composition that includes a rubber component (A) including natural rubber, at least one filler (B) selected from an inorganic filler and carbon black, and a hydrazide compound (C), the method comprising compounding in an optional preliminary compounding stage and a plurality of compounding stages, and adding the hydrazide compound (C) and kneading in the preliminary compounding stage and/or a first compounding stage, the hydrazide compound (C) being represented by general formula (I): R—CONHNH2, where R represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 30 carbon atoms, or an aryl group. We also provide a rubber composition produced with this method.
US09670334B2
A shear thickening formulation and composite material employing the same are provided. The shear thickening formulation includes inorganic particles and polyethylene glycol. The inorganic particles and the polyethylene glycol have a weight ratio of 3 to 4. The inorganic particles can be silica, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, nano diamond, or a combination thereof.
US09670331B2
The density of rigid foamed articles made by the thermal decomposition of a blowing agent in a vinyl chloride polymer is reduced by the use of a tin based blowing agent activator(s). The tin based activator also reduces the activation temperature of a chemical blowing agent, allowing for more optimal evolution of gas during plastic processing. Dibutyl tin oxide or tin maleates are superior activators of vinyl chloride polymer blowing agents.
US09670326B2
The present invention is: a curable composition comprising a component (A) and a component (B) in a mass ratio (component (A):component (B)) of 100:0.1 to 100:50; a cured product obtained by curing the curable composition; and a method for using the curable composition as an optical device-securing adhesive or an optical device sealing material. The component (A) is a silane compound polymer that is represented by a formula (a-1) (where in the formula: R1 is a group selected from an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, Z is a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a halogen atom, m is a positive integer, and n and o are independently 0 or a positive integer, provided that a plurality of R1 are either identical or different, and a plurality of Z are either identical or different), and the component (B) is a silane coupling agent that comprises a sulfur atom-containing functional group in its molecule. (R1SiO3/2)m(R1SiZO2/2)n(R1SiZ2O1/2)o (a-1)
US09670325B2
Polyimides containing a backbone with at least one nanoparticle component and made from oligomers having endcaps that are difunctional or a mix of di- and monofunctionality are provided. The endcaps may be nadic or phenylethynyl. The backbone may be wholly inorganic or made from a mixture of inorganic and organic groups. The oligomers may be created in-situ using standard polymerization of monomeric reactants chemistry using a solvent or may be provided as a pre-imidized compound that may be either a solid or liquid. It is believed that the nanoparticle component of the polymer backbone provides superior thermo-oxidative stability verses unmodified organic backbones. It is further believed that providing difunctional or a mixture of di- and monofunctional endcaps allows for increased crosslinking to provide improved strength and stiffness verses wholly monofunctional endcapped oligomers for polyimides. The nanoparticle is part of the backbone of the polymer and not solely a pendant group.
US09670316B2
Provided is an aromatic polycarbonate resin molded body, which is obtained by molding a resin molding material containing an aromatic polycarbonate resin (A), in which: the molded body has a thin-walled portion having a thickness of 0.5 mm or less; the molded body has an o-hydroxyacetophenone content of 1 ppm by mass or less and a nitrogen atom content of 15 ppm or less; and the molded body is free of an absorption maximum in a wavelength range of from 500 nm to 600 nm.
US09670306B2
The present invention relates to curable liquid coverlay compositions comprising polyamideimide resins for use in curable compositions for use as protective coverlay coatings for metal clad laminate materials in electronic components, such as flexible circuit boards. In particular, the invention relates to liquid coverlay compositions comprising polyamideimides having a terminal isocyanate group blocked by a thermally-dissociatable isocyanate-blocking group and the use of such compositions in preparation of flexible electronic components.
US09670304B2
The present invention relates to a novel composite for preventing ice adhesion. A superhydrophobic or superhydrophilic surface with a hydrophobic, low freezing point liquid adsorbed onto surface asperities results in a durable, renewable anti-icing surface. The preparation method for novel icing and rain protecting surface is disclosed.
US09670301B2
Problem: To provide a novel copolymer capable of use as a surface treatment agent which is safe and does not generate hydrogen, which has good compatibility with other cosmetic raw materials so as to be able to improve compounding stability of a cosmetic, which contributes to good water resistance, sebum resistance, gloss, feel, hair attachment ability, skin attachment ability and the like of a cosmetic, which further may be used for treatment of powders of a wide range of cosmetics, and which nearly entirely suppresses the occurrence of dispersion failure on the skin.Resolution Means: A copolymer comprising: (A) an unsaturated monomer having a carbosiloxane dendrimer structure; and (B) an unsaturated monomer having at least one hydrophilic group in the molecule. A content of the unsaturated monomer having the carbosiloxane dendrimer structure is in the range of 35 to 50% by mass of the total monomer units of the copolymer. The present invention is also a liquid composition, surface treatment agent, and powder composition including such a copolymer, as well as a cosmetic raw material containing such components.
US09670299B2
A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer with a coordination catalyst to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitroso compound.
US09670296B2
Silica-coated alumina activator-supports, and catalyst compositions containing these activator-supports, are disclosed. Methods also are provided for preparing silica-coated alumina activator-supports, for preparing catalyst compositions, and for using the catalyst compositions to polymerize olefins.
US09670288B2
Methods for treating neurodegeneration, e.g., sensorineural hearing loss, or a demyelinating disease, using bisphosphonates, ERK kinase inhibitors, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) proteins or nucleic acids.
US09670281B2
The present disclosure provides binding-triggered transcriptional switch polypeptides, nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the binding-triggered transcriptional switch polypeptides, and host cells genetically modified with the nucleic acids. The present disclosure also provides chimeric Notch receptor polypeptides, nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the chimeric Notch receptor polypeptides, and host cells transduced and/or genetically modified with the nucleic acids. The present disclosure provides transgenic organisms comprising a nucleic acid encoding a binding triggered transcriptional switch polypeptide and/or a chimeric Notch receptor polypeptide of the present disclosure. Binding triggered transcriptional switch polypeptides and chimeric Notch receptor polypeptides of the present disclosure are useful in a variety of applications, which are also provided.
US09670279B2
Novel anti-cancer agents, including, but not limited to, antibodies and immunoconjugates, that bind to human folate receptor 1 are provided. Methods of using the agents, antibodies, or immunoconjugates, such as methods of inhibiting tumor growth are further provided.
US09670277B2
This application discloses ophthalmic formulations and methods for treating inflammatory disease and conditions of the ocular surface with one or more C—C chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7) antagonists. The compositions may be formulated for subconjunctival or topical administration to the eye and are effective in the treatment of inflammatory disease and conditions of the ocular surface.
US09670275B2
The present invention relates to biological materials against HGF and more in particular to polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides; to methods for preparing such polypeptides; to host cells expressing or capable of expressing such polypeptides; to compositions and in particular to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise such polypeptides, for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. In particular, the biological materials of the present invention inhibit binding of HGF to its receptor c-Met.
US09670270B2
Minicells are used to deliver biologically active compounds including radioisotopes, polypeptides, nucleic acids, small molecules, drug molecules, and chemotherapeutic agents. In some cases, the minicell displays ligands or binding moieties that target the minicell to a desired host cell.
US09670259B2
The present invention is directed to methods and compositions comprising G-protein-coupled receptor kinase interacting protein-1 (GIT1) inhibitors that are suitable for inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject and treating related conditions.
US09670257B2
The present invention provides a method for producing peptides by recombinant means. The peptides are expressed as part of a fusion protein comprising the target peptide and an engineered intein. The invention also provides the engineered inteins, fusion proteins comprising these, and DNA constructs coding for these fusion proteins. Upon thiol-induced cleavage of the fusion protein the carboxy-terminal a-thioester of the target peptide is obtained. The carboxy-terminal α-thioester can in principle react with any nucleophile and the strategy therefore allows a wider range of carboxy-terminal modifications such as chemical ligation, bioconjugation, or amidation. The engineered inteins of the present invention are minimized in size and has a cysteine mutation in the position corresponding by alignment to position 3 of Mxe GyrA intein (SEQ ID NO:1) leading to increased expression levels of the fusion protein and higher yields of the isolated target peptide, thus making the method of the invention suitable for production scale.
US09670256B2
The present invention relates to peptide fragments which have one or more shared and/or similar amino acid sequences to amino acid sequences of specific portions of the 14 kDa protein of S. mansoni (SM14) or related FABPs (Fatty Acid Binding Proteins), the peptide fragments functioning as continuous or discontinuous epitopic regions of the molecule or mimicking its biological activity. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for constructing active peptide fragments, peptide fragments, immunogenic compositions and diagnostic kits using peptide fragments.
US09670255B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mutant streptavidin with a reduced affinity for natural biotin, and also to provide a modified biotin having a high affinity for the mutant streptavidin with a reduced affinity for natural biotin. According to the present invention, there is provided a reagent kit for use in treatments or diagnoses, which comprises: (a) a mutant streptavidin with a reduced affinity for natural biotin or biocytin; and a modified biotin having a high affinity for the above-described mutant streptavidin.
US09670253B2
The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for the treatment or prevention of viral infections. The polyvalent (e.g., 2-valent) vaccines described herein incorporate computationally-optimized viral polypeptides that can increase the diversity or breadth and depth of cellular immune response in vaccinated subjects.
US09670252B2
The present invention relates to fusion proteins for the expression of G-protein coupled receptor proteins (GPCR) with the fusion partners, as inserted fragments, from mammalian cells. The fusion partners are from a fragment of APJ protein (“the APJ protein fragment”) or a fragment with homology of more than 90% similarity to the APJ protein fragment; or a fragment of RGS16 protein (the “RGS16 protein fragment”) or a fragment with homology of more than 90% similarity to the RGS16 protein fragment; or the fragment of DNJ protein (the “DNJ protein fragment”) or a fragment with homology of more than 90% similarity to DNJ protein fragment. The fusion expression of GPCR with the above mentioned fusion partners can improve the protein yield and stability when purified from cells. Therefore, these fusion protein partners can be widely used for the study of GPCR proteins.
US09670250B2
The present invention includes a novel class of highly specific protease inhibitors. In one embodiment, the inhibitors of the invention are α-helical in structure. In another embodiment, the present invention represents the first demonstration of a highly specific cysteine protease inhibitor.
US09670244B2
This invention relates, for example, to synthetic oxysterols. Also described are methods for using the compounds, including treating subjects in need thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions and kits for implementing methods of the invention.
US09670235B2
The invention relates to (among other things) oligomer-foscarnet conjugates and related compounds. A conjugate of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits advantages over previously administered un-conjugated foscarnet compounds.
US09670226B2
The invention provides novel compounds and compositions for inhibiting IKKα/β, including treating disorders associated with IKKα/β activity, including cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, with a compound of structure:
US09670221B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and to their use in therapy.
US09670216B2
The present specification discloses cannabinoid-2 agonists, compositions comprising such cannabinoid-2 agonists, and methods of treating an individual suffering from a disease by administering compositions comprising such cannabinoid-2 agonists.
US09670208B2
Compounds of Formula I or a stereoisomer, tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are provided, which are useful for the treatment of diseases. Methods of using compounds of Formula I or a stereoisomer, tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such diseases, or associated pathological conditions are disclosed.
US09670204B2
The present invention discloses compounds according to Formula I: Wherein R1a, R1b, R2, R4, R5, R6a, R6b, R7, R8, W, X, Cy, and the subscript a are as defined herein. The present invention relates to compounds inhibiting autotaxin (NPP2 or ENPP2), methods for their production, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and methods of treatment using the same, for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases involving fibrotic diseases, proliferative diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, dermatological disorders, and/or abnormal angiogenesis associated diseases by administering the compound of the invention.
US09670196B2
The invention provides certain thiazole-substituted aminoheteroaryl compounds of the Formula (I) (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein ring R1, R2, R3, R4, ring A, and the subscripts n1, n2, and r are as defined herein. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of using the compounds for treating diseases or conditions mediated by Spleen Tyrosine Kinase (Syk).
US09670194B2
The invention relates to the preparation and use of new aminopyrimidine derivatives as drug candidates in free form or in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form and formulations thereof for the modulation of a disorder or disease which is mediated by the activity of the PI3K enzymes. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of disorders or diseases, such as disorders of immunity and inflammation in which PI3K enzymes play a role in leukocyte function, and hyperproliferative disorders associated with PI3K activity, including but not limited to leukemias and solid tumors, in mammals, especially humans.
US09670190B2
The present invention relates to novel pyridine or pyrimidine derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of chemokine receptors. The invention relates specifically to the use of these compounds and their pharmaceutical compositions to treat disorders associated with chemokine receptor modulation.
US09670184B2
The present invention relates to an amorphous allisartan isoproxil which is an angiotensin II receptor blocker with good flowability and a large bulk density and with no obvious electrostatic phenomenon; the find of the amorphous allisartan isoproxil can effectively reduce the generation of dust pollution during the production, thereby providing convenience the production of allisartan isoproxil. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing the amorphous allisartan isoproxil. The pharmaceutical composition is highly stable, and allisartan isoproxil formulation prepared from the pharmaceutical composition can effectively ensure the quality of the drug.
US09670176B2
The invention discloses a process for the preparation of Zileuton of formula I by employing acetic acid-1-benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-ethyl-ester of formula-III as an intermediate.
US09670175B2
Disclosed herein are mono or di-succinate compounds where one or both of the acid groups in the succinate core are protected in the form of biologically labile moieties, and the use of said compounds to enhance mitochondrial function. The compounds may be of formula (I) wherein R1 is H or an optionally substituted alkyl group or a group of formula (II) and R2 is independently a group according to formula (II) where formula (II) is as defined 10 herein.
US09670171B2
A process for preparing (E)-(5,6-dihydro-1,4,2-dioxazin-3-yl)(2-hydroxyphenyl)methanone O-methyl oxime (13) or (Z)-(5,6-dihydro-1,4,2-dioxazin-3-yl)(2-hydroxyphenyl)methanone O-methyl oxime (15) which includes: (a) reacting compound (10) with an alkyl nitrite in the presence of an acid to form compound (11A) or reacting compound (10) with an alkyl nitrite in the presence of a base to form compound (11B); (b) reacting compound (11A) with 2-haloethanol to form compound (12A) or reacting compound (11B) with 2-haloethanol to form compound (12B); and (c) reacting compound (12A) with a base to form compound (13) or reacting compound (12B) with a base to form compound (15).
US09670169B2
An improved process for the preparation of Efavirenz which avoids the distillations of the solvents is provided.
US09670155B2
The present invention relates to a compound of formula (3Z,5S)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1-[(2′-methyl-1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl)carbonyl]pyrrolidin-3-one O-methy19243-yloxime, and/or an active metabolite thereof having antagonist action at the oxytocin receptor and/or vasopressin V1a receptor, to processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use.
US09670150B2
The present invention relates to (2-ureidoacetamido)alkyl derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of the N-formyl peptide receptor 2.
US09670142B2
Compounds of the formula I in which R1, R4, R6, R, X1, X2, X3, X4, q and W have the meanings indicated in claim 1, are inhibitors of fatty acid synthase, and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system injury and different forms of inflammation.
US09670114B2
Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent to form a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is compressed, partially condensed and cooled to form a partially condensed, compressed net gas phase stream. The partially condensed, compressed net gas phase stream is separated to form an intermediate gas phase stream. The intermediate gas phase stream is cooled to form a cooled intermediate gas phase stream. The liquid phase hydrocarbon stream is cooled to form a cooled liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The cooled intermediate gas phase stream is contacted with the cooled liquid phase hydrocarbon stream to form an H2-rich stream and a cooled second intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream that is enriched with C3/C4 hydrocarbons.
US09670113B2
Natural gas and petrochemical processing systems including oxidative coupling of methane reactor systems that integrate process inputs and outputs to cooperatively utilize different inputs and outputs of the various systems in the production of higher hydrocarbons from natural gas and other hydrocarbon feedstocks.
US09670109B2
The invention provides a method of alkene metathesis comprising contacting at least a first alkene, which is cardanol and/or anacardic acid, with an alkylidene ruthenium alkene metathesis catalyst comprising two ligands P1 and P2, which may be the same or different and of formula P(R1)3, in which P is a phosphorus atom coordinated to the ruthenium ion and each R1 is independently an optionally substituted alkyl or alkoxy group; or two R1 groups within one P1 or P2 ligand constitute an optionally substituted bicycloalkyl.
US09670108B2
Bisphosphites having a central 2,3′-biphenol unit are useful for catalyzing hydroformylation.
US09670079B2
Glycine is an organic compound that can be used in the making of a synthetic acid that obviates all the drawbacks of strong acids such as hydrochloric acid. The new compound is made by dissolving glycine in water, in a weight ratio of approximately 1:1 to 1:1.5. The solution is mixed until the glycine is essentially fully dissolved in the water. Once dissolution is complete, hydrogen chloride gas is dissolved in the solution to produce the new compound, which can be referred to as hydrogen glycine. Also disclosed is a method for adjusting the pH of a fluid, the method comprising adding an effective amount of a solution to the fluid for adjusting the pH thereof to a desired level, wherein the solution is prepared by mixing glycine in water to form a glycine solution; and adding hydrogen chloride to the glycine solution.
US09670070B2
A collapsible water filter has a telescopic container and a filter cartridge. The telescopic container has a telescopic segment and a connection segment, and the telescopic segment having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The telescopic segment defines a holding space, and the holding space has a first opening adjacent to the first end of the telescopic segment. When the first end and the second end of the telescopic segment are under a force such that the first end and the second end approach each other, the volume of the holding space is reduced. When the first end and the second end of the telescopic segment are under a force such that the first end and the second end move away from each other, the volume of the holding space is increased.
US09670051B1
A draining device for the primary purpose of completely draining unused contents that frequently remain trapped inside various containers due to an inadequate way to sufficiently remove them. This draining device comprises an upper enclosure, a base abutment and a support bracket with a first end and a second end that is attached to the upper enclosure and the base abutment. When the upper enclosure and base abutment are in an opened, perpendicular position to their adjoining support bracket, an inverted container is placed through the upper enclosure and lowered until the lid extends through, or it rests upon the base abutment. Thus, the remaining contents are collected at the inverted container's cap or lowermost section for additional usage until the remaining contents are completely utilized and the container is thoroughly depleted.
US09670050B1
A thermoelectric wine pouch cooler/dispenser apparatus powered by household current has a thermally insulated cabinet that sits on a countertop or other flat surface and has a thermoelectric cooling system. The cabinet has at least one thermally insulated compartment that receives a removable bag support housing containing a collapsible flexible wine-filled bag from a “bag-in-box” wine container and its dispensing valve. The bag support housing includes a spring biased plate to facilitate emptying of the contents of the bag. The temperature of each compartment is individually controlled by a digital temperature controller and a thermoelectric cooling assembly which includes a fan and a cold plate engaged on a thermally conductive heat transfer block at the top of each compartment which engages the bag support housing.
US09670043B2
A corkscrew includes a main body, a grip moveably connected with the main body, a lever moveably connected with the main body, a worm operably connected with the lever, and a wrapper cutter detachably connected with the main body. The grip and the main body define a space configured to receive a neck of an associated bottle, such as a wine bottle. The worm connects with the lever such that movement of the lever results in movement of the worm. The wrapper cutter includes a cutting element for cutting a wrapper surrounding the neck of the associated bottle.
US09670035B2
A belt and a method for manufacturing a belt is provided. The belt includes a plurality of lengthwise-extending tension members and a jacket. The jacket substantially retains the plurality of tension members. The jacket has a first side region, a second side region, and a center region between the first and second side regions. The first and second side regions of the jacket are more fire retardant than the center region of the jacket.
US09670026B2
A reading apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read a document, a feeding tray on which the document to be read by the reading unit is stacked, a feeding roller that feeds the document from the feeding tray to a position where the document is read by the reading unit, a feeding pressure plate that presses the document against the feeding roller so that the document is pinched between the feeding roller and the feeding pressure plate, and a discharge roller that discharges the document read by the reading unit to underneath the feeding pressure plate, wherein a position of the discharge roller moves depending on a number of documents pinched between the feeding roller and the feeding pressure plate.
US09670023B2
A sheet-like medium temporary storage device includes a storage coiling block, configured to reel up and store sheet-like medium and being a circular roller with a cavity at the center; a thin coiling tape, having one end fixedly connected to an outer surface of the storage coiling block and configured to reel up the sheet-like medium and wind the sheet-like medium around the storage coiling block; a recycling coiling block, configured to reel up and recycle the thin coiling tape, wherein another end of the thin coiling tape is fixed to an outer surface of the recycling coiling block; and a power motor arranged in the cavity and configured to drive the storage coiling block to rotate and control the recycling coiling block to rotate. One end of the cavity is opened, and at least two air disturbance vanes are uniformly arranged at another end of the cavity.
US09670008B2
The present disclosure suggests a conveyor system. A conveyor system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of transportation modules; a front conveyer including a multiplicity of conveyors, which are driven at a first speed, arranged side by side to be in parallel to each other and configured to transfer the transportation modules; and a central conveyor driven at a second speed, provided adjacent to an end portion of the front conveyor and configured to transfer the transportation modules transferred from the front conveyor.
US09670005B2
A self cleaning apparatus for a belt conveyor. The self cleaning apparatus comprises a rotor positioned adjacent to an outer side edge of the return conveyor portion of the belt, and a rotor housing received about the rotor. The rotor housing has an intake and a discharge, with the intake receiving and directing material on the upper surface of the return conveyor portion to the rotor as the belt rotates. Rotation of the rotor causes the directed material to be propelled by the rotor through the discharge and to be deposited onto the upper surface of the loaded conveyor portion.
US09670002B2
A conveyor device includes: a first conveyor unit including a first supporting-and-conveying unit configured to convey the object; a turning unit configured to turn the first conveyor unit to change a traveling direction of the object; and a second conveyor unit including a pair of second supporting-and-conveying units provided adjacently to the first conveyor unit and configured to convey the object. The pair of the second supporting-and-conveying units and a driving-force transmitting unit configured to transmit driving force to the pair of the second supporting-and-conveying units are provided outside turning areas of the first conveyor unit in plan view. The first conveyor unit and the second conveyor unit are disposed so that a conveying area of the object in the second conveyor unit and the turning areas of the first conveyor unit overlap each other in plan view.
US09669999B2
A transmission and positioning mechanism includes a guiding assembly, a driving assembly and a positioning assembly. The guiding assembly includes two sliding rails, a transmission belt, a plurality of sliding members. The sliding members are slidably disposed on the sliding rails. The positioning assembly includes a transmission rod, a positioning rod connected to the transmission rod, a positioning block sleeved on the positioning rod, a driving rod sleeved on the transmission rod. The driving rod defines a spiral slots and at least one limiting slot. The driving assembly is connected to the positioning assembly and rotates the transmission rod, the positioning rod and the driving rod, the spiral slot engages one of the plurality of the sliding members to move other sliding members to the at least one limiting slot and the positioning blocks, and the at least one limiting slot and the positioning blocks latch the sliding members.
US09669998B2
A conveyor system, is provided having a continuous looped conveyor belt having first and second conveyor belt portions, first and second opposite ends, and having first and second direction reversing members disposed at the first and second opposite ends. Each of the first and second conveyor belt portions also has an upper surface, and a lower surface. A series of regularly spaced followers are provided on the belt, and these followers are moved by a conveyor belt drive mechanism comprising at least one rotational drive member which is positioned in, and which rotates in, a plane which is parallel to the upper or lower surfaces of the first or second conveyor belt portions. The rotational drive member includes a series of teeth on the drive member. When rotated, the teeth releaseably engage with the followers on the belt to provide a low profile conveyor drive system.
US09669996B2
A control portion is configured to execute a preliminary movement process of causing a movement mechanism to execute a preliminary movement operation of moving the movement support body with an imaging device attached thereto to a preliminary target stop position that is preset as a target stop position and stopping the movement support body at the preliminary target stop position; an imaging process of causing the imaging device to image an imaging target location in a state in which the movement support body is stopped at the preliminary target stop position; an offset amount calculation process of calculating, based on a captured image obtained by the imaging process, a positional offset amount of the movement support body in a front-rear direction and a lateral direction from a proper position of the movement support body; and a correction process of correcting the preliminary target stop position based on the positional offset amount calculated by the offset amount calculation process and setting the target stop position.
US09669992B2
A mold includes a forming insert that includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a sidewall segment and a heel segment extending from a bottom of the sidewall segment. The sidewall segment has a sidewall radius, and the heel segment has a heel radius that is less than the sidewall radius. The lower portion extends axially downward from the upper portion to define a base cavity. A forming base is positionable within the base cavity. The rim has a rim radius that is less than the heel radius and the step has a step radius that is less than the rim radius.
US09669990B2
A sleeve for a cable spool having a cylindrical drum 8 and a pair of opposing end flanges. The sleeve includes a plurality of sleeve portions 7. Each sleeve portion 7 includes a body portion 10 for supporting cable thereon. The sleeve portions 7 are positionable on the cable spool such that the body portions 10 collectively define a cable support surface around the cylindrical drum 8, the cable support surface having a diameter greater than the cylindrical drum 8.
US09669989B2
Combination medicine containers and dispensers are shaped similar to or generally the same as standard prescription medicament containers but are configured to dispense one medicament at a time through easy manipulation of integral dispensing means. Each combination medicine container and dispenser has a bottle, a cap, and an integral dispensing mechanism that cooperate with one or more structures of the bottle and/or cap to dispense one medicament at a time from the container. In one form, the combination medicine container and dispenser is designed to allow a user to dispense a single medicament through properly applied pressure. In another form, rotation of one or more components provides dispensing of a single medicament.
US09669984B2
An apparatus and a method to hold a patterning device configured to impart a beam of radiation with a pattern in its cross-section. The apparatus includes a base configured to support the patterning device and an inner cover couplable to the base. The inner cover includes a restraining mechanism that, upon an application of a force external to the inner cover, is configured to provide an in-plane force to the patterning device to restrain movement of the patterning device, the in-plane force being substantially parallel to a patterning surface of the patterning device.
US09669978B2
A combination gift card holder and message delivery package facilitates the identification of a gift card contained within the package while presenting the recipient with an accompanying message prior to fully revealing the gift card. In two embodiments of the package includes first, second and third panels. The first and second panels are connected with one another along a common edge and are pivotable with respect to each other. Similarly, the third panel and the second panel are connected with one another along a common edge. On both embodiments the second and third panels have cutouts therein. The gift card is positioned in the package between the second and third panels thereby exposing a portion of a front surface of the gift card through the cutout in the third panel and exposing a portion of a rear surface of the gift card through the cutout in the second panel. In this way, the package at least partially conceals the gift card while exposing an identification marking thereon.
US09669973B2
Double container includes: inner layer body provided with upper opening; outer layer body accommodating inner layer body and including mouth portion provided with aperture; and dispensing cap provided with content dispensing spout and fitted to mouth portion. Double container further includes: inside plug provided with dispensing passage and fitted to upper opening; and check valve configured to open and close dispensing passage. Dispensing cap has a cylindrical wall, and cylindrical wall has a lower end portion fitted to an outer circumferential surface of outer layer body to provide vent region inside dispensing cap. Throttle passage is provided in a passage extending from ambient air introducing hole through vent region to aperture.
US09669958B2
A sustainable packing system is provided comprising a first fiberboard having a substantially flat surface for accepting a first item and at least one scored line for facilitating folding of the first fiberboard, the first fiberboard adapted to form a closed wall; and a second fiberboard adapted to be frictionally secured within the closed wall of the first fiberboard, having a substantially flat surface for accepting a second item and at least one scored line for facilitating folding of the second fiberboard to form a closed wall. A packaging method is also provided comprising the steps of providing a fiberboard having a substantially flat surface; scoring lines in the fiberboard to facilitate folding; wrapping a first item around the fiberboard; and folding the fiberboard forming a closed wall.
US09669940B1
A present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for reducing image generating latency of an image presented on a display unit are disclosed. An image processing unit (“IPU”) may receive the image data set; receive (1) first navigation data of a first time from which second navigation data of the second time is determined or (2) second navigation data of a second time; receive third navigation data of the second time; compare the second navigation data with the third navigation data; and select a subset of the image data set in response to the comparison. Differences arising from the comparison, if any, may be used in determining the location and/or rotation of a cropping frame that selects the subset and forms a cropped image which is then provided to a display system, whereby the image represented in the subset is presented to the viewer.
US09669934B2
The invention proceeds from a seat fastening for fastening a seat, in particular an aircraft seat, to a fastening rail, with at least one base body, which is provided at least for a vertical fastening in the fastening rail, and with at least one horizontal-fastening element, which is slidable with respect to the base body at least between a locking position and an unlocking position.It is proposed that the seat fastening comprises at least one locking device, which is provided to fixate the at least one horizontal-fastening element in the unlocking position.
US09669931B2
A method for operating a control panel of an aircraft includes: sending display data from a control panel to a central controller of the aircraft, the display data including values to be displayed on a display screen of the control panel; loading, in the central controller, a display template from a central data storage, the display template including information for layouting the display data; generating a display page for the control panel in the central controller by merging the display data and the display template; sending the display page to the control panel; and displaying the display page on a display screen of the control panel.
US09669925B2
A flapping wing driving apparatus includes at least one crank gear capstan rotatably coupled to a crank gear, the at least one crank gear capstan disposed radially offset from a center of rotation of the crank gear; a first wing capstan coupled to a first wing, the first wing capstan having a first variable-radius drive pulley portion; and a first drive linking member configured to drive the first wing capstan, the first drive linking member windably coupled between the first variable-radius drive pulley portion and one of the at least one crank gear capstan; wherein the first wing capstan is configured to non-constantly, angularly rotate responsive to a constant angular rotation of the crank gear.
US09669918B1
Aspects of the disclosure relate to techniques for manufacturing a balloon envelope including a duct for high altitude balloons. In one example, a first sheet of material may be provided. A premade duct may be arranged at least partially on the first sheet of material. The duct may include a first substance on an internal surface. A second sheet of material may be arranged over at least a portion of the duct. A heat sealing device may be applied to the second sheet of material to heat seal the first sheet of material to the second sheet of material. The heat sealing device may be applied over at least a portion of the duct in order to seal external surfaces of the duct to each of the first and second sheets of material and form a balloon gore. The first substance may keep the duct from being sealed to itself.
US09669913B1
A water propulsion assembly operatively connected to a watercraft moving on or through a body of water, may produce a propulsive force by sweeping fins in an oscillating motion in a generally transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the watercraft. The fins may be rotatable about a first axis coplanar to the center longitudinal axis of the watercraft. Drive members rotatable about a second axis that is canted relative to the first axis may be operatively connected to the fins. The oscillatory motion of the fins may be controlled by torque applied at the canted second axis by reciprocating the drive members in a plane generally parallel to the center longitudinal axis of the watercraft. The oscillating fins may provide a propulsive force during both oscillating directions of the fins as they sweep back and forth.
US09669911B2
A first stage pressure regulator is provided. A valve body has an inlet and an outlet that define a pressure chamber therebetween. The valve body defines a pressure compensation chamber having an opening fluidly communicating the pressure compensation chamber with the surrounding water. The first stage pressure regulator comprises an inlet tubular union removably received into the inlet. A removable high pressure orifice body defines an orifice therethrough. The orifice body is carried by the valve body proximate the inlet. A valve seat is within the valve body.
US09669900B2
A chain tensioning device includes a main body, a chain guide and a rotary fluid damper unit. The chain guide is pivotally coupled to the main body to rotate around a rotational axis with respect to the main body. The rotary fluid damper unit is operatively connected between the main body and the chain guide to provide rotational resistance to the chain guide around the rotational axis. The rotary fluid damper unit includes at least one primary flow limiting valve and at least one support member. The primary flexible valve portion of the at least one primary flow limiting valve is configured to flex and contact the at least one support member to form a primary flow path between a free end of the primary flexible valve portion of the at least one primary flow limiting valve and the other of the first and second members.
US09669897B2
The wheel (1) for pedal-assisted bikes comprises: a fixed structure (2) having attachment means for the attachment to the frame (T) of a bike (B) with a driving pedal crank (P); a circle element (10, 11, 12) mounted on the fixed structure (2) in a revolving way around a main rotation axis (A); a propulsion disk (13) mounted on the fixed structure (2) in a revolving way and drivable in rotation by the driving pedal crank (P); motion transmission means (15, 16) for the transmission of the rotational motion from the propulsion disk (13) to the circle element (10, 11, 12), which comprise at least a first detection device (16) suitable for detecting the driving torque transmitted to the circle element (10, 11, 12) from the propulsion disk (13); an electric motor (54, 55) associated with the fixed structure (2) and suitable for cooperating with the propulsion disk (13) to motorize the circle element (10, 11, 12); and a processing and control unit (57, 58) operatively connected to the first detection device (16) and to the electric motor (54, 55) and suitable for controlling the activation of the electric motor (54, 55) according to the driving torque detected by the first detection device (16); wherein the first detection device (16) comprises: a measuring element (61, 62) which is subject to a stress condition due to the effect of the driving torque transmitted to the circle element (10, 11, 12) by the propulsion disk (13); and at least a measuring sensor (63) which is arranged in correspondence to the measuring element (61, 62) and which is suitable for detecting the stress condition of the measuring element (61, 62) and for producing a corresponding electronic signal which can be processed by the processing and control unit (57, 58).
US09669891B2
A bicycle (1,51,61,81,91) for children that can “grow” with the child. The bicycle comprises a frame (3,53,63,83,93) having a seat-tube (5). The frame has a front wheel (11), a rear wheel (13), a pair of handlebars (19), and a saddle (15) having a seat-post (17) for insertion into the seat-tube. The bicycle comprises a detachably mounted drivetrain (27) for releasable engagement of the frame to allow conversion of the bicycle to a balance bicycle or a pedal bicycle. Furthermore, the bicycle frame itself is height-adjustable to allow adjustment of the seat tube's (5) height above ground and reach-adjustable to allow adjustment of the distance between the saddle (15) and the handlebars (19). By providing such a bicycle, the bicycle will be convertible from a balance bicycle to a pedal bicycle and will also have a frame that is adjustable in height and reach. This bicycle will be suitable for a wide range of child heights and cycling abilities.
US09669881B2
An axle support for a motor vehicle is provided. The axle support includes an at least approximately planar fiber composite reinforcing element which is secured to individual supports of the axle support. The reinforcing element is multi-layered, with a lower and an upper cover layer and at least one intermediate layer extending analogously to the cover layers over the entire surface. Continuous fiber strips having directionally oriented fibers which are narrow relative to the cover layers are introduced above and below the intermediate layer.
US09669880B2
A structural component for a body of a passenger car includes a first component having a first material property, a second component having a second material property different from the first material property, and a third component arranged between the first component and the second component and having a first connection area with the first material property and a second connection area with the second material property. The third component is connected to the first component via the first connection area and to the second component via the second connection area, thereby attaching the first component to the second component by way of the third component.
US09669870B2
An active front steering (AFS) system for a vehicle is disclosed. The AFS system generates a first pinion angle using a steering angle from a steering angle sensor and using an AFS gear ratio corresponding to a vehicle speed. The AFS system generates a second pinion angle corresponding to a steering angle speed. The AFS system generates a pinion angle for steering the vehicle based on the first pinion angle and the second pinion angle.
US09669868B2
An operation unintended by a helper due to an incorrect operation or the like by an operator is prevented. An electric mobility includes a manual operation unit, a wireless operation unit, and a control unit that controls a driving wheel on the basis of either a first command signal output by the manual operation unit or a second command signal output by the wireless operation unit. The control unit sets a first control mode enabling an operation of the electric driving wheel by the manual operation unit and a second control mode disabling an operation of the electric driving wheel by the manual operation unit on the basis of a wireless signal transmitted from a wireless terminal.
US09669846B2
A railcar truck and adapter pad system for placement between a roller bearing and side frame pedestal roof of a three-piece railcar truck. Many different features of the pad and/or the adapter-pad interface are configured to improve stiffness characteristics to satisfy both curving and high speed performance of the railcar truck.
US09669839B2
In a method for detecting the road condition for a vehicle, the following steps are performed: a vehicle dynamics variable describing the dynamics of the motor vehicle is detected while the vehicle is driving; the vehicle dynamics variable is subjected to a frequency analysis; and a road condition variable describing the instantaneous roughness of the roadway surface is ascertained as a function of the frequency analysis of the vehicle dynamics variable.
US09669838B2
Using sensors of a first and second sensor type first and second sensor data are detected and items of information describing identical objects and/or object attributes are allocated to one another in the first and second sensor data. The first and second sensor data are encumbered by first and second ambiguities. Values of the second encumbering ambiguities are at least as great as values of the first encumbering ambiguities. A comparison of the first and second encumbering ambiguities of items of information describing identical objects and/or object attributes takes place. In the case of values of substantially the same size, the items of information describing identical objects and/or object attributes are allocated to one another in the first and second sensor data. In the case of values which are not of substantially the same size the items of information describing identical objects and/or object attributes are confirmed or discarded.
US09669836B2
An autonomous driving device includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a value corresponding to a steering operation during an autonomous driving, and a control unit configured to perform the autonomous driving and to control switching of a driving state between the autonomous driving and a manual driving. In a case where a first value corresponding to the steering operation is equal to or greater than a first threshold value and a second value corresponding to the steering operation before the driving state is switched from the autonomous driving in progress to the manual driving is equal to or greater than a second threshold value, the control unit decelerates the vehicle and switches the driving state from the autonomous driving in progress to the manual driving.
US09669834B2
A regenerative control device for a hybrid vehicle includes a regenerative braking power control unit prohibiting or limiting execution of first regenerative braking to charge the battery with power generated by the regenerative power generation of the traveling motor generator during deceleration when it is determined that it is necessary to restrict charging of the battery. Under condition where the execution of the first regenerative braking is prohibited or limited, the regenerative braking power control unit causes second regenerative braking to transmit rotary driving power to the engine by rotating the power generation motor generator by the power generated by the regenerative power generation, to be executed when the operation unit is set to a regeneration level in an increasing direction, and causes the second regenerative braking to be stopped when the operation unit is set to a regeneration level in a decreasing direction.
US09669812B2
A microcomputer o n EPS performs failure diagnosis of a motor or a motor driving circuit after an ignition switch is turned on and before an ECU starts control of power supply to the motor. When an angular velocity of the motor rotatable with a steering wheel is greater than a predetermined value, the failure diagnosis is not made. Thus, a period from the turn-on of the ignition switch to the start of current supply control is shortened.
US09669811B2
A planning system and method determine handling parameters of one or more of a route or a vehicle system at different locations along a length of the vehicle system having plural vehicles traveling together along the route. The system and method also determine asynchronous brake settings for two or more of the vehicles in the vehicle system based on the handling parameters that are determined. Brakes of the two or more vehicles are controlled according to the asynchronous brake settings.
US09669806B2
A window wiper includes an elongated profile of waterproof flexible material having a base extending under weather stripping for a side vehicle window, a support connected along the base to extend above the weather stripping, a cover connected along the support and extending over the base for covering at least some of the weather stripping and a wiper portion connected along the support and having a resilient wiper area for pressing against the window. A length of adhesive tape is connected along the profile and extends over the base for adhering to the weather stripping to fix the window wiper to the weather stripping.
US09669778B2
Clamping members (12) are assembled to each side portion of a vehicle floor panel (11). Each clamping member (12) has a base portion (13). The base portion (13) has a wire harness holding portion (15), a sandwiched supporting piece (16), and a clip (24). The wire harness holding portion (15) receives a wire harness (14). The base portion (13) is assembled to the floor panel (11) by the clip (24). The sandwiched supporting piece (16) is formed such that its thickness decreases toward the distal end. The distal end of the sandwiched supporting piece (16) is held between an opening trim (29) and the floor panel (11).
US09669776B2
There is provided an adapter plate assembly for mounting a license plate to a connector portion of a vehicle. The assembly includes a rectangular adapter plate having a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions adjacent to respective corners thereof. The protrusions are configured to abut and support the recessed rear of the license plate. The assembly includes a plurality of outer apertures that at least partially extend through the protrusions and align with the outer apertures of the license plate. The assembly includes a plurality of inner apertures extending therethrough. The inner apertures are positioned inwards from the protrusions and align with inner apertures of the connector portion. The assembly includes a plurality of fasteners configured to extend through respective ones of the outer and inner apertures. The license plate couples to the adapter plate and the adapter plate coupling to the connector portion of the vehicle thereby.
US09669769B2
A bicycle carrier system for vehicles may include guide rails provided on a bumper back beam, a carrier device connected to the guide rails and configured to slide along the guide rails to be withdrawn from and received in the bumper back beam, a first driving device disposed on the carrier device and connected to the guide rails to move the carrier device along the guide rails, tilting devices configured to selectively connect the guide rails and the carrier device to each other and to release connection between the guide rails and the carrier device so as to tilt the carrier device from the guide rails when the carrier device is moved to a designated level or higher during withdrawal of the carrier device according to operation of the first driving device, and a communication control module.
US09669768B1
The vehicular hanging storage container is a cabinet adapted for use with a pickup truck. Specifically, the vehicular hanging storage container is adapted for use with the scaffold commonly used by pickup trucks to store and carry large items, such as ladders, above the bed of the pickup truck. The vehicular hanging storage container is attached to the pickup truck through the combination of hanging the vehicular hanging storage container from the scaffolding using hooks and clamping the cabinet to top rail of the pickup truck bed using an attachment bracket. The vehicular hanging storage container comprises a cabinet, one or more doors, a first hanging hook, a second hanging hook, an extension cord, an electrical outlet and an attachment bracket.
US09669767B2
Provided is a vehicle step apparatus comprising a first extending and retracting device comprising a first mounting bracket, a first step bracket, and a first arm assembly coupled between the first mounting bracket and the first step bracket and configured to drive the first step bracket to move between an extending position and a retracting position; a second extending and retracting device comprising a second mounting bracket, a second step bracket, and a second arm assembly configured to drive the second step bracket to move; a step mounted on the first step bracket and the second step bracket; a single motor mounted on the first mounting bracket and having a motor shaft coupled with the first arm assembly; and a transmission shaft defining a first end coupled with the motor shaft, and a second end coupled with the second arm assembly via a braking device.
US09669765B2
The present invention relates to a work machine, in particular in the form of a dump truck or of a truck, having an upper deck which can be walked on arranged at the front above a bumper and having an operator's cabin arranged laterally on the upper deck with at least one step-like access system arranged in front of the operators cabin. In accordance with the invention, an intermediate stand lowered with respect to the upper deck is arranged in front of the operator's cabin and steps lead in each case laterally to the upper deck from this while steps lead at least to the bumper from the intermediate stand to the front in the direction of travel.
US09669763B2
A rear-view mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing having an opening and a fixed reflector mounted to edges of the opening. A tilting reflector is disposed in the housing in parallel to the fixed reflector or inclined so that an upper end of the tilting reflector tilts rearward at an angle around a lower end of the tilting reflector to decrease light reflectance. A tilting plate has a front surface thereof attached to the tilting reflector and a lower end thereof mounted to a bottom surface of the housing. A tilting link is mounted between the tilting plate and the housing. A cam is mounted to the bottom surface of the housing to rotate the tilting link and comprises a link protrusion formed at a lower end of the tilting link and a tilting operating lever attached to a lower end of the cam.
US09669755B2
An active vision system includes an image capture device for capturing images in a region exterior of a vehicle and a headlamp control unit for controlling a vehicle headlamp beam for illuminating an environment exterior of a vehicle. The headlamp control unit is configured to selectively illuminate between making a path of travel of a road visible to a driver of the vehicle and making the region exterior of the vehicle visible for capturing images by the image capture device. The headlamp control unit utilizes a duty cycle for controlling a first cycle time that the headlamp beam illuminates the path of travel for making the road visible to the driver and for controlling a second cycle time that the headlamp beam makes the captured region visible for capturing images by the image capture device.
US09669754B2
Provided is a turn signal lamp including a light source, a light guide, and a camera having an image capture device, which are installed within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and an outer cover. At least a portion of the light guide is formed in an area that extends from the camera in a direction following a vehicle surface.
US09669753B1
A tiedown tensioner having a rotatably adjustable hook which can be operated in confined areas using a single hand. The tiedown tensioner facilitates the preferred positioning of the tensioning chain within the blind pocket, minimizes the potential energy for any given load, and dissipates the kinetic energy in a manner which minimizes the kickback movement of the tensioner.
US09669748B2
An apparatus for remotely locking a container includes a vehicle having a main frame and a tipper frame hingedly connected to the main frame, at least one of the main frame and tipper frame being configured to receive and support a container thereon; an actuator assembly for pivoting the tipper frame relative the main frame between a reclined, container loading and transport position and an inclined, dumping position; a container configured for receipt, transport and dumping of material, including a box defining a rear opening, and having a door hingedly connected with the container box to swing between an open, material dumping position and a closed position covering and sealing shut the rear opening; at least one lock mechanism connected to at least one of the box and the door; a locking assembly connected to the container; and, an actuator assembly connected to the tipper frame and physically separate from the locking assembly, and when the container is juxtaposed atop the tipper frame said tipper frame is in the transport position, the actuator assembly is operable upon actuation to engage with and cause the locking assembly to engage with the at least one lock mechanism to pull the door tightly against the box and seal closed the opening.
US09669745B2
In a mat fastener for preventing a mat disposed on a carpet provided on a vehicle body panel from moving, a first fixing member is fixed to the carpet. A second fixing member is fixed to the mat. An operational mounting member is arranged to mount the second fixing member to the first fixing member. The first fixing member includes a supporting portion arranged to support the operational mounting member, and an engaging portion arranged to hold the second fixing member. The second fixing member includes a locked portion arranged to be locked on the operational mounting member, and an engaged portion arranged to be engaged with the engaging portion in a state where the second fixing member is mounted to the first fixing member by the operational mounting member.
US09669744B2
A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom (16) and a seat back (18) extending upwardly from the seat bottom. The seat back (18) includes a backrest and a backrest cover (28) coupled to the backrest, said backrest including a backrest frame (26) made from composite materials.
US09669733B2
Self-insulated power supply line for vehicles in which a magnetically attractable flexible belt element housed in an insulating casing provides in sequence the power supply to a plurality of conducting elements spaced from one another and external to the casing. A detector circuit is provided adapted to measure the dispersion current which flows between the live conducting element and conducting elements adjacent to it in the case of poor insulation conditions of the road surface.
US09669730B2
A magnetic track system for a transport device for moving a rotor along the magnetic track system includes a plurality of linear sections having an even number of magnets of alternating polarity, which are disposed on a support in each case, the magnetic orientation of the magnets reversing itself at regular intervals across abutting sections n the linear regions of the magnetic track system. In the curved regions of the magnetic track system, on the other hand, the polarity of two adjacent magnets of different sections is the same.
US09669722B2
The present technique relates to a power supply device and method as well as a program which can surely perform a billing process when a device is charged. When a vehicle ID registered in advance in an external storage matches a vehicle ID acquired by a reader/writer, a control unit makes a request to input, by operating a display unit formed of a touch panel, information which determines the amount of electric power to be charged. Once the information determining the amount of electric power to be charged has been input, the control unit controls a billing part to calculate the amount of electric power, so that a billing server performs a billing process on the amount of money corresponding to the amount of electric power. The control unit then controls a communication unit and turns on a selector switch.
US09669719B1
A method of charging an electric vehicle at a charging station includes electrically connecting the charging station to the vehicle. The charging station may be configured to charge the vehicle using a charging station charge protocol and the vehicle may be configured to receive the charge using a vehicle charge protocol. The vehicle receives a signal indicative of the charging station charge protocol and selects the vehicle charge protocol based on this signal. The vehicle is then charged using the selected vehicle charge protocol. While selecting, the vehicle may select one charge protocol from multiple charge protocols supported by the vehicle to match the charging station charge protocol.
US09669718B2
A power supply system includes: a first voltage converter configured to bidirectionally convert voltage between a first battery and an output line in accordance with first pulse width modulation control; a second voltage converter connected to the output line in parallel with the first voltage converter, the second voltage converter being configured to bidirectionally convert voltage between a second battery and the output line in accordance with second pulse width modulation control; and a controller configured to control the first and second voltage converters by generating first and second pulse width modulation control signals, the controller being configured to, when one or both of temperatures of the first and second batteries are lower than a predetermined temperature, change phases of the pulse width modulation control signals such that the first second pulse width modulation control signals change from a synchronous state to an asynchronous state.
US09669714B2
A system and method described herein detects the presence of an unconnected condition in high voltage component cables in an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle having a high voltage battery or energy storage system. The system includes a mechanical motive device, such as a combustion engine, which is used to rotate an electrical machine (E-machine). The rotation of the E-machine induces a sufficient, yet safe, test voltage on the main high voltage cabling of the vehicle. Measurements are taken at various points near the individual high voltage components to determine if a high voltage cable has become disconnected.
US09669710B2
A drive train of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a first wheel axle and a second wheel axle is disclosed, the second wheel axle consisting at least of a first sub-axle and a second sub-axle, and the first and the second sub-axle being connected to a differential for torque distribution. The differential is an individual differential which is operatively connected to the drive unit via a drive shaft and which can optionally be operatively connected to the first wheel axle for torque distribution.
US09669699B2
A system, method, and device for operations of an electrically motorized vehicle. The vehicle can utilize an electrically motorized wheel to convert a non-motorized wheeled vehicle to an electrically motorized wheeled vehicle. A system includes a communications module operable to communicate data to a server remote from the electrically motorized wheel and a data integration module in data communication with the server to integrate the data from the sensor system with data from a data source external to the electrically motorized wheel.
US09669696B2
A gasifier energy production device including: a gasifier device including a fuel inlet, an air inlet, and a fuel gas outlet; a heat engine including an air inlet, a fuel gas inlet, and an exhaust gases outlet; a battery; an electrical current generator, the heat engine is coupled to at least the electrical current generator and the electrical generator is coupled to the battery; and a controller such that all fuel gas produced by the gasifier device once the gasifier device produces sufficient gas to make the heat engine operate and until the heat engine has stopped is injected into the engine such that energy required at an output from the energy production device is independent of the production of fuel gas.
US09669685B1
An auxiliary vehicle sun visor system is provided for use in a vehicle having a window and a front windshield. The system is a simple design and does not involve sophisticated or elaborate mechanism or device. The auxiliary sun visor is formed in J-shape view from a side in one piece. It is mounted to a main sun visor adjacent to the distal end of a main sun visor. It is rotatable at the pivotal axis in the same plane as the main sun visor and position it as needed by one hand. This allows the auxiliary sun visor to be placed between a user and an unwanted light source while operating a vehicle in a normal and safe manner.
US09669678B2
An unsprung state detection part (140) calculates a variation amount X (=|φ−φ′|), which is a magnitude of a difference between a detected angle φ output from a resolver rotational angle sensor (40) for detecting a rotational angle of an in-wheel motor (30) and an estimated angle φ′ of a motor rotational angle (S11 to S13). The estimated angle φ′ can be calculated by adding an estimated angle of the rotation of the motor (30) in one calculation cycle to a detected angle φn−1 of the previous calculation cycle. When the variation amount X is more than a road surface determination threshold Xref, the unsprung state detection part (140) determines that the travel road on which a vehicle (1) is traveling is a rough road (S14, S15). As a result, the road surface determination can be made by using the rotational angle sensor (40).
US09669676B2
A method for operating an actuator of a torsion bar system of a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The actuator is mounted on a carrier structure of the vehicle and actuation of the actuator changes a pre-tension acting on a wheel guide element of the wheel suspension. The method includes controlling an active aggregate support so as to reduce a vibration of a drive aggregate supported on the carrier structure via the active aggregate support adjacent to the actuator; and controlling the active aggregate support for reducing an operational vibration of the actuator.
US09669674B2
The present invention relates to a suspension strut for a motor vehicle with a vibration damper, with a supporting spring and with a height-adjustment device, with which the height of the vehicle body of the motor vehicle can be changed, and wherein the suspension strut has an auxiliary spring having a lower spring characteristic than the supporting spring, by means of which auxiliary spring a residual prestress can be produced in the supporting spring when the vibration damper is extended, and wherein the auxiliary spring is integrated in the height-adjustment device.
US09669673B2
A wheel axle suspension of a vehicle, comprises an axle body having a rectangular cross section, a flexible trailing arm extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and crossing the axle body substantially perpendicular, and at least one clamping strap assembly for clamping the axle body and the trailing arm together. The trailing arm has a front spring portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is provided with an axle seating portion adjoining the front spring portion at a rear end thereof. The axle seating portion comprises a longitudinal portion extending substantially in line with the front spring portion, and a downwardly extending portion extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal portion. The axle body is received in the axle seating portion with the upper side and rear side facing the longitudinal portion and the downwardly extending portion respectively. The axle seating portion of the trailing arm has an axle body facing surface having three engagement areas engaging the axle body respectively at the front upper corner, the rear upper corner and at a region at or adjacent the lower rear corner of the axle body. Between said engagement areas there is a clearance between the axle body facing surface of the axle seating portion and the upper side and rear side of the axle body.
US09669665B2
A pneumatic tire has carcass layers mounted between a pair of bead parts, the carcass layers being wound from the inner side of the tire to the outer side thereof about a bead core of each bead part. Protective layers including organic fiber cords are positioned in sidewall parts on the outer side of the carcass layers. The upper end parts of the protective layers are positioned along the carcass layers from outer end locations of the belt layers, between a location 20 mm toward the inner side in the tire width direction and a location 15 mm toward the outer side in the tire width direction. The lower end parts of the protective layers are positioned between main body portions of the carcass layers and the bead filler.
US09669664B2
A method for determining a tire tread depth during operation of a vehicle includes determining an instantaneous rotational speed of a vehicle wheel having the tire based on data determined by at least one first sensor, then determining a vehicle speed based on data determined by at least one different second sensor, then determining an instantaneous dynamic wheel radius based on the determined instantaneous rotational speed and the determined instantaneous speed. At least one first tire parameter selected from an instantaneous tire temperature, tire pressure and tire load is determined. An instantaneous dynamic inner wheel radius is determined based on the at least one determined first parameter, wherein the inner wheel radius is the distance between the center of the wheel and the tire-side start or seam of the tread. A tire tread depth is determined based on the determined instantaneous dynamic radius and the determined instantaneous dynamic inner radius.
US09669661B2
Tire assembly for a bicycle rim, including a wheel tire with a tread surface and two tire beads, an inner tire disposed within the wheel tire, a tube disposed within the inner tire, and a valve arrangement for filling the tube and an intermediate space between the rim and the wheel tire with different air pressures. The inner tire in the filled and mounted condition bears on the tire beads of the wheel tire and presses the beads against the rim. The inner tire has a first through opening which in the mounted condition communicates with the intermediate space, and an insert part disposed between the rim and the tube and between the tube and the inner tire. The insert part forms an air duct between the rim and the tube and between the tube and the inner tire up to the through opening in the inner tire.
US09669653B2
An indication that an electrostatic chuck has a gas leakage rate that exceeds a leakage threshold is received. A determination is made as to whether a first polishing procedure that polishes surface features on a surface of the electrostatic chuck without removing the surface features would reduce a thickness of the surface features to below a thickness threshold. The electrostatic chuck is polished using the first polishing procedure responsive to determining that the first polishing procedure would not reduce the thickness of the surface features to below the thickness threshold. Responsive to determining that the first polishing procedure would reduce the thickness of the surface features to below the thickness threshold, a second polishing procedure that removes the surface features from the surface of the electrostatic chuck is performed. After the second polishing procedure, new surface features are formed on the surface of the electrostatic chuck.
US09669647B2
A security element includes an optically variable structure having a multiplicity of first embossed structures each including at least two flanks which converge at at least one certain angle. In at least one first partial region of the optically variable structure, at least one flank of the first embossed structures respectively has at least one additional embossed structure which is mounted on the flank of the first embossed structures or inserted into the flank of the first embossed structures. The geometry of the at least one additional embossed structure is executed to be at least near-inverse to the geometry of that flank of the first embossed structure on which the at least one additional embossed structure is mounted or inserted.
US09669643B1
A decoloring apparatus comprises a decoloring unit configured to carry out a decoloring processing which decolors the color of an image formed on a paper with a decolorable color material; a scanner configured to scan the papers to which the decoloring processing is carried out; a memory configured to store data of a predetermined image indicating a predetermined form formed on the paper; a conveyance section configured to convey the paper scanned by the scanner to a plurality of paper discharging positions; and a control section configured to determine whether or not the scan image generated by the scanner is consistent with the predetermined image, and to drive the conveyance section to respectively convey the papers on each of which the scan image is consistent with the predetermined image and the papers on each of which the scan image is not consistent with the predetermined image to different positions.
US09669639B2
A post-processing liquid application device includes an ejecting head that ejects a post-processing liquid in a specific ejection pattern on a recording medium after ink has been attached thereto to form a character and/or an image based on image information, and a control unit that selects the specific ejection pattern based on a coverage rate calculated from the image information. When the coverage rate is low, the control unit selects a first ejection pattern for ejecting the post-processing liquid on a printed portion of a print region of the recording medium or ejecting the post-processing liquid on the printed portion and a surrounding portion thereof. When the coverage rate is high, the control unit selects a second ejection pattern for ejecting the post-processing liquid over the entire surface of the print region of the recording medium.
US09669634B2
A print head priming system comprises a vent closure section to close a vent, where the vent is to compensate backpressure in a print head. An inlet to receive pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas is to provide the pressurized gas to the print head. A pressure relief valve is to open in response to pressure in the print head reaching or exceeding a predetermined value by the provision of gas to the print head by the source of pressurized gas.
US09669620B2
A liquid droplet ejecting device is provided that includes a liquid droplet ejecting head having a nozzle, a pressure chamber that accommodates liquid and is in communication with the nozzle, and a piezoelectric element that is arranged to face the pressure chamber; a drive waveform generation unit configured to generate a drive waveform that drives the piezoelectric element and has a potential that varies with respect to a reference potential; a detection unit configured to detect a relationship between a detected potential of a residual oscillation waveform that is generated within the pressure chamber after driving the piezoelectric element and a first threshold corresponding to a potential higher than the reference potential; and a state determination unit configured to determine whether the nozzle and/or the pressure chamber is in an abnormal state based on the detected relationship between the detected potential and the first threshold.
US09669617B2
An anilox roll with low surface energy zone includes a cylinder having a curved contact surface, an ink transfer zone formed on a first portion of the curved contact surface, and a low surface energy zone formed on a second portion of the curved contact surface. The ink transfer zone includes a plurality of cells configured to transfer ink. The low surface energy zone includes a hydrophobic surface with a contact angle of at least 75 degrees and a surface roughness of less than 100 micrometers.
US09669615B2
A multi-spectrum screen exposure system for curing printing emulsions, including an enclosure with a platen that is transmissive to at least some ultraviolet wavelengths of light, a cover shiftable between an open orientation wherein the platen is accessible to an operator and a closed orientation wherein the platen is covered and inaccessible to the operator, a light emitting diode illumination (LED) light source assembly supported within the enclosure and oriented to direct illumination toward the platen, the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly emitting at least some light in the ultraviolet wavelengths, and a control unit operably coupled to the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly by which the light emitting diode illumination light source assembly can be operated in a controlled fashion.
US09669608B2
A porous polytetrafluoroethylene composite includes a porous polytetrafluoroethylene film, a porous support layer that supports the porous polytetrafluoroethylene film, an adhesive layer bonded to the porous polytetrafluoroethylene film, and a porous reinforcement layer bonded to the adhesive layer, in which the adhesive layer is a layer composed of a fluororesin having a melting point, or a glass transition point when a melting point is not clearly defined, of lower than 260° C.
US09669606B2
Some embodiments of the present invention include elastomeric films with a basis weight of about 40 gsm or less or about 25 gsm or less. Other embodiments include elastomeric laminates comprising the elastomeric film bonded to one or more substrates (such as nonwoven fabrics). Methods of making the elastomeric films and elastomeric laminates are also provided.
US09669598B2
A production method for a top cloth with a number of layers for a top of a vehicle, in which the number of layers is sewn to a border of the top cloth with a first layer of a binding band by means of a seam, wherein the binding band is folded and is guided with a second layer over the seam and around the border of the top cloth and is connected to an inner side of the top cloth such that the seam is concealed by the second layer, and wherein the second layer is arranged seamlessly on the first layer.
US09669595B2
Methods for creating multi-layered incrementally-stretched and incrementally-laminated bags with increased or maintained strength are described herein. An increased level of strength is achieved by bonding adjacent layers of a multi-layer film together in a manner that the bond strength of the laminated layers is less than a strength of a weakest tear resistance of the individual first and second film layers. The inventors have surprisingly found that such a configuration of light bonding provides increased and unexpected strength properties to the multi-layer film as compared to a monolayer film of equal thickness or a multi-layer film in which the plurality of layers are tightly bonded together.
US09669592B2
A method of manufacturing a fiber optic cable includes manufacturing a subunit and manufacturing an outer portion. Manufacturing the subunit includes extruding a subunit jacket over a first reinforcement material constraining an optical fiber. Manufacturing the outer portion of the fiber optic cable includes extruding an outer jacket over a second reinforcement material between the outer jacket and the subunit jacket. Hoop stress is applied to the second reinforcement material by the outer jacket, which constrains the second reinforcement material such that it is positioned and oriented to provide anti-buckling support to the fiber optic cable and mitigate effects on the optical fiber of jacket shrinkage due to low temperatures.
US09669588B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for starting a strip material in a substrate processing machine wherein the machine is not stopped and operators do not have to reach into the running machine to start the strip material. Exemplary systems include a strip material guide apparatus including at least one guide arm and at least one gas stream generator configured to direct strip material from the guide arm into a nip point of a substrate processing machine to join the strip material with the running substrates. The gas stream generator is operable to cause a leading end of a strip material dispensed from the guide arm to be conveyed via a gas stream toward the nip point or toward the running substrates, such that the leading end of the strip material becomes engaged by the substrate processing machine at the nip point and the strip material joins with the running substrates.
US09669582B2
One aspect of the disclosure relates to an apparatus including an extrusion nozzle. The nozzle includes an inlet end, an outlet end opposite the inlet end and an axis extending between the inlet end and the outlet end. The extrusion nozzle is configured to rotate about the axis. The extrusion nozzle also includes a rotary drive engagement portion between the inlet end and the outlet end. The extrusion nozzle further includes a cavity including an inlet opening at the inlet end and an outlet opening at the outlet end. The inlet opening has a different configuration than the outlet opening.
US09669577B2
A stretch blow molding system (200) is provided. The stretch blow molding system comprises a cylinder (201) including a movable stretch rod (202) and a blow-mold valve (204). The blow-mold valve (204) comprises a first fluid port (204a) in fluid communication with a first pressurized fluid source (364a). The blow-mold valve (204) also includes a second fluid port (204b) in fluid communication with a second pressurized fluid source (364b). A third fluid port (204c) of the blow-mold valve is in fluid communication with the cylinder (201) and selectively in fluid communication with the first fluid port (204a) and the second fluid port (204b).
US09669568B2
Process for producing a three-dimensionally shaped article, comprising the steps a) providing a structure containing a plurality of consolidated films or tapes of uni-directionally oriented polymer, b) forming the structure into a three-dimensionally shaped article by applying a force at a temperature below the melting point of the oriented polymer.
US09669567B2
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a molded article, including: a molded article forming step of forming a molded article by curing a resin composition on a main surface, on the side of a bendable first supporting medium, of a laminated supporting medium obtained by laminating the first supporting medium and a second supporting medium that is harder than the first supporting medium; a second-supporting medium peeling step of peeling the second supporting medium from the first supporting medium after the molded article forming step; and a first-supporting medium peeling step of peeling the first supporting medium from the molded article while bending the first supporting medium after the second-supporting medium peeling step. The shape of the first supporting medium can be maintained at a curing temperature at which the resin composition is cured in the molded article forming step.
US09669566B2
A light irradiation molding apparatus 1 includes a pair of rubber die units 2A and 2B, which are formed of a rubber material having a property of transmitting light X therethrough and form a cavity between facing sides which face each other, and a light irradiation means 4, which applies light X to a particulate or solid thermoplastic resin 6 arranged in the cavity 20 through surfaces of a pair of the rubber die units 2A and 2B. The light irradiation molding apparatus 1 is constituted so that a pair of the rubber die units 2A and 2B are made to come close to each other while the thermoplastic resin 6 arranged in the cavity 20 is molten by the light X applied from the light irradiation means 4, and a molded article 7 of the thermoplastic resin 6 is formed in the cavity 20 having a reduced volume.
US09669560B2
A cutting machine waste extraction apparatus is provided for a cutting machine that cuts a plate where the cutting machine waste extraction apparatus is supported adjacent a cutting area at a cutting table. The cutting machine produces waste at the cutting area during the cutting of the plate where the apparatus includes a ducting system having a first duct that receives the waste from the plate, and a second duct that receives the waste from the first duct. The first duct is movable along the length of the second duct and the second duct includes a lengthwise opening which is sealed by a flexible belt. The flexible belt is deformable from sealed contact with the second duct, adjacent a junction apparatus, where the junction apparatus provides a fluid connection between the first duct and the second duct.
US09669558B2
A method for cutting out pieces of glass from a glass sheet, includes, a step of automatic generation by a computer with a storage unit, containing programs to calculate a first optimum plan for guillotine cutting at a number of hierarchical levels of different pieces from each of the glass sheet, as a function of information; a step of reading information relating to defects in the glass sheet, a step of automatic generation by a computer with a storage unit, containing programs to calculate a second optimum plan for guillotine cutting at a number of hierarchical levels from the glass sheet, based on the first optimum cutting plan and at least some of the information relating to the defects, including permutations of cross cut sections at the same hierarchical level within the glass sheet; a step of cutting pieces of glass in accordance with the second optimum cutting plan generated.
US09669554B2
Valve with a valve housing which has a vacuum supply side and a suction side, with a flexible dividing wall which delimits a control space in the valve housing. A valve body which is arranged on the flexible dividing wall and can be moved between an open position and a closed position, wherein the valve body has a sealing portion which, in the closed position, bears against a sealing seat in order to seal the vacuum supply side with respect to the suction side. The volume of the control space is reduced with deformation of the flexible dividing wall and the valve body is moved from the open position into the closed position. The valve body has a suction side passage, and the sealing portion and the sealing seat are arranged in such a way that, in the closed position, the flow connection through the suction side passage is sealingly closed.
US09669550B2
A pick and place device, a method and a computer program product for automatic pick-up-height adjustment. A first pneumatic system has a first and second controllable valves. The second controllable valve is connected with its input port to a vacuum source. An output port of the first controllable valve and an output port of the second controllable valve are connected to a common tube in fluid communication with at least one vacuum nozzle of the pick and place device. A second pneumatic system, with an inlet valve and an outlet valve are in fluid communication via a connecting tube. An open air exhaust and a flow controller are arranged in the connecting tube between the inlet valve and the outlet valve. A flow sensor detects the changes of the small air flow. The flow sensor is via a tube in fluid communication with the at least one vacuum nozzle.
US09669549B2
A motion setting method that can set motions to a standing and sitting motion-supporting robot so that a care receiver can make standing and sitting motions comfortably is provided. The motion setting method is a motion setting method of a standing and sitting motion-supporting robot that supports standing and sitting motions being at least one of a standing motion and a sitting motion of a care receive. The motion setting method includes a custom tracking path acquisition step. In the custom tracking path acquisition step, a custom tracking path is obtained by correcting a base tracking path of the standing and sitting motions in accordance with the position of a predetermined body portion of each care receiver.
US09669548B2
A mobile collaborative robot includes a force sensor which is provided on a robot support on a carriage, a robot information acquisition unit which acquires robot information including posture information of the robot main body and load information of a load acting on the robot main body, a force calculation unit which calculates the external force acting on the robot support based on the robot information, and a judgment unit which judges that the mobile collaborative robot has come into contact with a human when a difference between the external force detected by the force sensor and the external force calculated by the force calculation unit is above a predetermined value α or when a difference between the amount of change in the detected external force and the amount of change in the calculated external force is above a predetermined value α1.
US09669547B2
A producing method of a fuel cell stack includes a transfer robot configured to clamp and to transfer a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) component. A feeding testing unit is configured to check a stacked status of the MEA and the GDL component while the MEA and the GDL component are transferred and stacked by the transfer robot. A control unit is configured to receive a signal of the feeding test unit and to transmit an error signal when it is determined that the MEA and the GDL component are erroneously stacked.
US09669544B2
Via intuitive interactions with a user, robots may be trained to perform tasks such as visually detecting and identifying physical objects and/or manipulating objects. In some embodiments, training is facilitated by the robot's simulation of task-execution using augmented-reality techniques.
US09669543B1
A grasp management system and corresponding method are described. In some examples, it is determined whether an end of arm tool of a robotic manipulator is capable of grasping an item in a first orientation and a second orientation. Information regarding success of the attempts may be retained in a database. A richness measure for each of the first orientation and the second orientation may be determined based upon a spatial variation of successful attempted grasps in the respective orientation.
US09669540B2
A collapsible stand includes a carrying member, a first support frame unit and a second support frame unit respectively pivotally connected to the carrying member, a linking unit pivotally connected between the first and second support frame units for allowing the collapsible stand to be alternatively set between an extended position and a collapsed position, and a locking unit for locking the first and second support frame units to the carrying member selectively in the extended or collapsed position. The overall structure of the collapsible stand is simple and easy to operate. When set in the extended position, the first and second support frame units give a large area support to the carrying member, assuring high stability.
US09669531B2
A hammer drill having a motor mounted within a body and an output spindle; a tool holder mounted on the body capable of holding a cutting tool; a hammer mechanism having a piston; a reciprocating drive for converting rotary movement of the motor into reciprocating movement of the piston; a ram reciprocatingly driven by the piston via an air spring to strike a cutting tool held in the tool holder, the hammer mechanism performing one hammer cycle each time the ram strikes a cutting tool during normal use; an air replenishment mechanism capable of refreshing the air spring during certain time periods during normal use; the air replenishment mechanism capable of being adjusted to refresh the air spring during time periods within the hammer cycle and/or the system allows different volumes of air into or out of the air spring during the refreshment time periods.
US09669515B2
A polishing apparatus having a polishing pad surface property measuring device that is capable of measuring surface properties of a polishing pad in a state where a liquid film exists on the polishing pad is disclosed. The polishing apparatus includes a dam configured to dam a liquid on the polishing pad to form a liquid film having a thickness equal to or greater than a prescribed value in at least part of an area on the polishing pad, a light emitter having a light emission end disposed in the liquid film formed by the dam and configured to emit a laser beam onto the polishing pad, a light receiver disposed in the liquid film formed by the dam and configured to receive light scattered by and bounced off the polishing pad at a plurality of angles due to surface properties of the polishing pad after the laser beam is emitted from the light emitter, and a processor configured to perform Fourier transform on the light received by the light receiver into a predetermined wavelength corresponding to a reflection intensity distribution and to determine a feature quantity of the surface properties of the pad.
US09669513B2
The invention is directed to a double-disc grinding apparatus including: a rotatable ring holder configured to support a sheet workpiece along a circumferential direction from an outer circumference side of the workpiece; a pair of grinding wheels for grinding surfaces of the workpiece supported by the ring holder; and a hydrostatic bearing for supporting the ring holder without contact from both of a direction of a rotational axis of the ring holder and a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis by hydrostatic pressure of fluid supplied from both directions, wherein supply pressures at which the fluid is supplied from the direction of the rotational axis and from the direction perpendicular to the rotational axis can be independently controlled. The invention provides a double-disc grinding apparatus and a workpiece double-disc grinding method that can improve variation in nanotopography depending on the lot of workpieces or grinding wheels to obtain nanotopography stably.
US09669505B2
A machining center having at least one door to control access to an enclosure thereof, where access through the door is provided by an unlocked latch, and the latch is unlocked based on wirelessly communicated signals relaying information about at least one operating condition of a fluid driven cutting tool spindle in use within the machining center.
US09669504B2
A workpiece machining jig includes: a base member of an H cross-sectional shape integrally having two vertical flanges and a web having an interior hollow portion and extending horizontally to connect between the vertical flanges; first and second pallets fixed to the opposite surfaces of the web for placing thereon four workpieces, two workpieces on each of the pallets, in a horizontal posture. Each of the pallets has a pallet-side communication hole communicating to the hollow portion, and each of the flanges has a flange-side communication hole communicating to the hollow portion. The pallet-side communication hole of each of the pallets and the flange-side communication hole of a corresponding one of the flanges are interconnected by a tube extending in the hollow portion. Thus, four workpieces are machined concurrently using the single workpiece machining jig.
US09669478B2
A milling tool has a tool shank and a cutting head fastened to the forward end of the tool shank by way of a clamping connection. The clamping connection has a protrusion with clamping faces, and a recess with centering faces that interact with the clamping faces. Each of the centering faces has a first region where the centering faces are spaced from a longitudinal axis of the tool shank by a first distance and a second region at a smaller distance. The first region merges into the second region. The clamping faces of the protrusion are introducible into the recess between the first regions of the centering faces and are movable, by rotation of the cutting head about the longitudinal axis, into a clamping position in which the clamping faces interact in a force-fit with the second regions of the centering faces.
US09669475B2
Disclosed is a chamfering machine which enables a smooth cutting operation by allowing a workpiece to be fixed to a position corresponding to an optimal cutting condition. The chamfering machine comprises a cutting position groove, which is formed in the bottom surface of an upper guide, and into which a part of the outer circumferential surface of a workpiece is inserted, wherein the central part of the cutting position groove is formed to correspond to the cutting end of a chamfering cutter. The machining method is configured such that the chamfering cutter enters perpendicular to a centerline direction of a circular material and, after entering while cutting, to a point where the cutting end of a cutting tip is in line with the centerline, rotates a tubular material or revolves the chamfering cutter around the tubular material and thus can cut the surface of the circular material.
US09669470B2
A clamping device for releasably holding a tool holder shank formed with a bore includes a housing having a forwardly facing surface and a bore. A drawbar is mounted reciprocally movable inside the bore and in a forward end has engagement device, which is arranged to engage with an engagement formation inside the bore of the tool holder shank. The drawbar is, in a rear portion, formed with a drawbar aperture, and a cam shaft extending through the drawbar aperture and being rotatably journalled in the housing and arranged to impart an axial displacement to the drawbar in relation to the housing. The cam shaft includes first and second spaced apart cam formations and an intermediate circular cylindrical portion located between the cam formations, wherein the first and second cam formations are journalled in a first and second seating apertures, respectively, in the housing on opposite sides of the drawbar.
US09669466B1
An improved spindle assembly for a Davenport® multi-axis screw machine is adapted to adequately hold one-inch round bar-stock in a collet against movement relative thereto attributable to machining operations performed on a cantilevered length of bar-stock held in and extending beyond the collet. The spindle assembly may permit the use of the screw machine on materials thought heretofore to be too difficult to machine on a screw machine. Cam surfaces on the inner spindle and collet may be coated with a low-friction material. A stress-relieving connection between the inner spindle and collet is provided.
US09669462B2
This porous aluminum sintered compact is a porous aluminum sintered compact in which a plurality of aluminum base materials are sintered together, and a Ti—Al-based compound is present in bonding portions at which the aluminum base materials are bonded together. It is preferable that a plurality of columnar protrusions protruding outwards are formed on an outer surface of the aluminum base material and the bonding portions are present at the columnar protrusions.
US09669456B1
A swage die includes a plurality of teeth aligned in a generally arcuate array. Each tooth of the plurality of teeth includes a first sidewall, an opposing second sidewall, a first endwall, and an opposing second endwall. The swage die further includes a plurality of first supports, each of the plurality of first supports extending between and connected to first endwalls of neighboring teeth, and a plurality of second supports, each of the plurality of second supports extending between and connected to second endwalls of neighboring teeth. The swage die further includes a plurality of stops, each of the plurality of stops extending from the first sidewall of a tooth towards the second sidewall of a neighboring tooth or from the second sidewall of a tooth towards the first sidewall of a neighboring tooth.
US09669448B2
An upper die part includes an embossing bell, a stripper ring, and an inner shape embossing element. The stripper ring has an embossing surface with a corrugated profile on the embossing surface. A lower die part includes an embossing anvil having a corrugated profile on its embossing surface. The embossing bell and the inner shape embossing element each are provided with an embossing shoulder, which are disposed, with respect to the corrugated profile of the stripper ring, in the stroke direction in such a way that the shoulders can seize the burrs only alter the corrugating step. The corrugating step takes place prior to burr compression. The outer and inner contours of the disk are not able to change positions, but are able to change shapes on the burr side after the corrugating step.
US09669438B2
[Object] To provide a rolling apparatus that enables an operator to recognize the rolling status such as the behavior of the steel sheet entering the rolling stand and enables a stable rolling process.[Solution] A rolling apparatus 10 includes a plurality of rolling stands 11 each including a pair of rolling mills 12, and an imaging unit 15 provided between adjacent rolling stands 11A and 11B, the imaging unit 15 being configured to image a steel sheet 1 entering a pair of rolling mills 12B of the rolling stand 11B from an upstream side of the rolling stand 11A located on a downstream side in a rolling direction. The imaging unit 15 is disposed so as to satisfy the following equation (1), on the upstream side in the rolling direction Z of the rolling stand 11B, in a central portion in the width direction of the steel sheet in an area P in which the steel sheet 1 is able to be conveyed: 2×L×tan(α/2)>Wmax (1) wherein L represents a distance in the rolling direction between the rolling stand 11B located on the downstream side in the rolling direction and the imaging unit 15, α represents a horizontal viewing angle of the imaging unit, and Wmax represents a maximum width of the steel sheet 1.
US09669435B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a metal container washing apparatus which can obtain hydrogen peroxide for generating hydroxyl radicals and electrolytes using a simple configuration and a simple method and which is small and has excellent portability and storability, and the present invention provides a washing apparatus that washes a metal container of the present invention includes a negative electrode that applies a negative voltage to a metal container to which a washing solution, in which a hydrogen peroxide generating agent generating hydrogen peroxide when dissolved in water is dissolved, is added; a positive electrode that applies a positive voltage to the washing solution; and a power supply that applies a voltage between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, and the inner surface in the container is washed with hydroxyl radicals generated at the time of application of the voltage. It is possible to obtain both of hydrogen peroxide that generates hydroxyl radicals having a strong decomposition ability with respect to stains and electrolytes that allow the washing solution to be electrolyzed with a low voltage such as a voltage that supplied by a battery.
US09669427B2
In at least some embodiments, an ultrasound system includes an ultrasound transducer and a bi-directional transistor coupled to the ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound system also includes an ultrasound receiver coupled to the bi-directional transistor. The bi-directional transistor operates to selectively connect the ultrasound transducer to ground and to selectively connect the ultrasound transducer to the ultrasound receiver.
US09669424B2
A method of decorating an element. This method includes the following steps: taking the element (1, 11, 21, 31), the element including anchoring for improving the securing of the decoration (5) to the element; making a mask (4) of the desired thickness of the decorations (5), and having at least one opening (4′); placing the at least one opening in the mask (4) against the place to be decorated so as to form at least one mould (4′, 6, 6′, 6″,100); filling the at least one mould with an at least partially amorphous material via hot forming; and removing the mask (4).
US09669408B2
A slight volume collector adapted to collect a sample liquid with slight volume and be assembled to a detecting device is provided. The slight volume collector includes a body and an extension part. The extension part extends outward from the body and protrudes from the body. The extension part has a through hole, and the through hole passes through the extension part and corresponds to the body. The sample liquid is adapted to be adhered to and arranged in the through hole due to capillarity, and a volume of the sample liquid is substantially equal to a capacity of the through hole.
US09669405B2
Sterilizable separator tubes and methods of utilization of same are presented. Methods include providing a separator tube containing a separator substance that can be polymerized to a desired hardness following sterilization using radical generating radiation. The separator substance is formulated to have a density between that of the average densities of separable fractions derived from a sample fluid such as blood, and to be flowable. Upon centrifugation of a separator tube containing a fluid sample, the separator substance forms a barrier between the fractions. The barrier subsequently hardens to form a solid barrier when triggered by a suitable energy source.
US09669402B2
Solid supports and ligands are provided for purification of biomolecules by mixed-mode anion exchange-hydrophobic chromatography. Compositions can have the formula Support-(X)—N(R1, R2)—R3-L-Ar, or a salt thereof, wherein: Support is a chromatographic solid support; X is a spacer or absent; R1 and R2 are each selected from hydrogen and an alkyl comprising 1-6 carbons; R3 is an alkyl comprising 1-6 carbons or a cyclo alkyl comprising 1-6 carbons; L is NR4, O, or S; wherein R4 is hydrogen or an alkyl comprising 1-6 carbons; and Ar is an aryl. Methods are also provided for using solid supports and ligands to purify biomolecules such as monomeric antibodies.
US09669396B2
This invention is directed to hydrocracking catalysts and hydrocracking processes employing a magnesium aluminosilicate clay and a zeolite. The magnesium aluminosilicate clay has a characteristic 29Si NMR spectrum. The magnesium aluminosilicate clay is the product of a series of specific reaction steps. The resulting magnesium aluminosilicate clay combines high surface area and activity for use in hydrocracking catalysts and processes.
US09669386B2
A particulate water-absorbing agent containing a surface-crosslinked polyacrylic acid (salt)-type water-absorbing resin as a main component and at least one spacer selected from a polycation and water-insoluble fine particles. The particulate water-absorbing agent has a free swell capacity (FSC) of 55 to 65 g/g, an absorption against pressure (AAP—4.83 kPa) of 20 to 30 g/g, and a vertical diffusion absorption amount under pressure (VDAUP—4.83 kPa) of 30 to 80 g. Also disclosed is a method for producing a particulate water-absorbing agent, an absorbent core containing the particulate water-absorbing agent, and an absorbing article containing the absorbent core.
US09669385B2
Disclosed herein are a superabsorbent polymer resin incorporated with a particles meeting the following properties i) to ii): i) a BET specific surface area of 300 to 1500 m2/g, ii) a porosity of 50% or more, and a method for preparing the same.
US09669384B2
Disclosed are a water-absorbing resin and a method of preparing the same, wherein absorbency under unload of the water-absorbing resin is 25 g/g or more, the absorbency under load is 20 g/g or more, and an increase in extractables at a high temperature represented by Equation 1 ranges from 1 or more but less than 3, thereby it is possible to solve a problem that gel-blocking of the water-absorbing resin is accelerated at a high temperature, and improve absorption rate and dry efficiency of the water-absorbing resin.
US09669383B2
The present disclosure relates to a carbon nanotube sponge comprising: a plurality of carbon nanotubes combined by van der Waals force to form a free-standing structure, wherein a plurality of micropores are defined by adjacent carbon nanotubes; and a plurality of carboxyl groups and hydroxyl groups located on surfaces of the plurality of carbon nanotubes; wherein a weight percentage of the carboxyl groups in the carbon nanotube sponge ranges from about 10% to about 20%, and a weight percentage of the hydroxyl groups in the carbon nanotube sponge ranges from about 5% to about 15%.
US09669381B2
A method for hydrocracking a feedstream comprising liquid hydrocarbon by forming a dispersion comprising hydrogen-containing gas bubbles dispersed in the liquid hydrocarbon, wherein the bubbles have a mean diameter of less than about 5 μm, and introducing the dispersion into a hydrocracker comprising hydrocracking catalyst. A method for hydrocracking by subjecting a fluid mixture comprising hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbons to a shear rate greater than 20,000 s−1 to produce a dispersion of hydrogen in a continuous phase of the liquid hydrocarbons, and introducing the dispersion into a fixed bed hydrocracking reactor from which a hydrocracked product is removed. A system for hydrocracking a hydrocarbonaceous feedstream including at least one high shear device capable of producing a tip speed of the at least one rotor of greater than 5.0 m/s, and a hydrocracker containing hydrocracking catalyst and comprising an inlet fluidly connected to an outlet of the high shear device.
US09669380B2
An instrument and method for accelerating the solid phase synthesis of peptides are disclosed. The method includes the steps of deprotecting a protected first amino acid linked to a solid phase resin by admixing the protected linked acid with a deprotecting solution in a microwave transparent vessel while irradiating the admixed acid and solution with microwaves, activating a second amino acid, coupling the second amino acid to the first acid while irradiating the composition in the same vessel with microwaves, and cleaving the linked peptide from the solid phase resin by admixing the linked peptide with a cleaving composition in the same vessel while irradiating the composition with microwaves.
US09669376B2
A substrate for use in mass spectrometric analyzes having an array of target locations.
US09669371B2
Systems, devices, and methods combine reactant materials and aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen. The reactant materials can sodium silicide or sodium silica gel. The hydrogen generation devices are used in fuels cells and other industrial applications. One system combines cooling, pumping, water storage, and other devices to sense and control reactions between reactant materials and aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen. Multiple inlets of varied placement geometries deliver aqueous solution to the reaction. The reactant materials and aqueous solution are churned to control the state of the reaction. The aqueous solution can be recycled and returned to the reaction. One system operates over a range of temperatures and pressures and includes a hydrogen separator, a heat removal mechanism, and state of reaction control devices. The systems, devices, and methods of generating hydrogen provide thermally stable solids, near-instant reaction with the aqueous solutions, and a non-toxic liquid by-product.
US09669367B1
An auger protection system used in a stirring system is disclosed. According to a first preferred embodiment, an auger protection system is provided which protects augers on a stirring machine from breaking or bending. Accordingly to this first preferred embodiment, the auger protection system includes a switch which is enclosed in a housing and connected to a timer which supplies power to a gear motor that propels the unit around a silo. Preferably, the housing for the holding switch is attached pivotally to the structure on which the down auger is connected. Additionally, the auger protection system preferably further includes a spring which is connected to a pivot assembly and which extends horizontally and comes in contact with the down auger at one end.
US09669362B2
The subject of the invention is a membrane for the cross-flow filtration of a fluid to be treated that contains abrasive particles, comprising a porous support covered over part of its surface with a separation layer having a pore diameter smaller than that of the support, over which the fluid to be treated flows, characterized in that the separation layer includes an agent for protection from the abrasive particles.
US09669360B2
The present invention relates to a method for contemporaneously recovering ammonia and carbon dioxide from an aqueous solution thereof, possibly comprising their condensates, in a synthesis process of urea, characterized in that it comprises a hydrophobic microporous membrane distillation phase of an aqueous solution comprising ammonia, carbon dioxide and their saline compounds or condensates, said distillation being carried out at a temperature ranging from 50 to 250° C. and a pressure ranging from 50 KPa to 20 MPa absolute, with the formation of a residual aqueous solution, possibly comprising urea, and a gaseous permeate stream, comprising ammonia, carbon dioxide and water. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for effecting the above method and a production process of urea which comprises the above method.
US09669358B2
Methods and apparatus for cross flow process reactors are disclosed. A disclosed example includes a process chamber having an inlet and an outlet to allow a flow of fluid to flow therethrough and a plurality of trays disposed within the process chamber, and containing bulk material to treat the fluid. The example apparatus also includes a flow director to divide the flow into a plurality of partial flow streams, where each partial flow stream is to be directed towards at least one tray of the plurality of trays.
US09669354B2
A method for collecting carbon dioxide from flue gas of a power plant. The method includes: 1) mixing an organic amine, an ionic liquid, and water to obtain an aqueous solution of a composite absorbent; 2) spraying the aqueous solution of the composite absorbent into the flue gas to allow the flue gas flowing upwardly to fully contact with the downwardly sprayed aqueous solution of the composite absorbent and to allow CO2 in the flue gas to react with the composite absorbent to yield a solution rich in A.CO2 and B.CO2, where A represents the organic amine and B represents the ionic liquid; allowing the solution rich in A.CO2 and B.CO2 to stand and clarify to form different liquid layers; 3) thermally decomposing the mixed solution rich in A.CO2 and B.CO2 after heat exchange to release the chemically bound CO2.
US09669352B2
An air compressor system is disclosed that includes a housing sized to enclose an air compressor pump as well as a dryer structured to remove moisture from air that is compressed by the compressor pump. The air compressor pump may be intermittently placed into operation, but the dryer itself is structured in one form to continuously maintain a heat exchanger in a desired temperature range in anticipation of operation of the air compressor pump. The heat exchanger of the dryer can include sufficient thermal mass such that a refrigerant pump of the dryer need not be operated continuously in anticipation of operation of the air compressor pump. While a cooling air flow can be created by operation of the air compressor pump, when the air compressor pump is not operated a cooling fan can be used provide cooling to the heat generating components of the dryer.
US09669350B2
A process for adsorbing hydrogen chloride (HCl) from a regeneration vent gas. The regeneration vent gas is cooled from a catalyst regeneration zone. The cooled regeneration vent gas is passed to an adsorption zone that is spaced apart from the catalyst regeneration zone. HCl from the regeneration vent gas is adsorbed onto a sorbent in the adsorption zone to enrich the sorbent with HCl to provide HCl-rich sorbent and deplete HCl from the regeneration vent gas to provide HCl-lean regeneration vent gas. HCl-lean regeneration vent gas is purged as an effluent gas. HCl-rich sorbent is passed from the adsorption zone to a sorbent regeneration zone. HCl from the HCl-rich sorbent in the sorbent regeneration zone is desorbed to provide a regenerated sorbent. The regenerated sorbent is transferred to the adsorption zone.
US09669335B2
A filter apparatus including: a casing including, in a sealed space provided therein, a fluid inflow chamber, a filtration chamber and a drain chamber; a filter element provided inside the filtration chamber to let a fluid pass therethrough from inside to outside to perform filtration; a backwash slide member movably provided inside the filter element and removing trapped matter adhering to an inner circumferential surface of the filter element by an inward flow generated by a difference in pressure inside and outside the filter element at the time of backwashing; a backwash pipe that lets the inward flow flow toward the drain chamber; an actuation cylinder that lets the fluid from the backwash pipe flow toward the drain chamber; and a fluid flowing unit allowing a fluid to flow, enabling a piston member to move inside the actuation cylinder.
US09669332B2
Disclosed herein are methods of defoaming industrial process streams, the methods comprising adding to the industrial process stream an emulsion comprising silicone emulsion droplets in a continuous aqueous phase. Also disclosed herein are defoamer compositions comprising these silicone emulsions and methods of making such compositions.
US09669311B2
Aspects of this disclosure relate to rewarding users of an electronic game for real-world physical activity. Further aspects relate to altering virtual items based upon physical activity. An electronic game may comprise or otherwise relate to an online world (such as a “Virtual World”). Users may be represented through customized graphical representations, such as avatars. An account of a user (or entity) may be associated a “virtual region.” A threshold level of real-world physical activity may result in obtaining a reward that may be associated with a virtual item. A reward may be configured to result in: (1) altering visual appearance of a virtual item within a virtual region; (2) altering a virtual characteristic of a virtual item, such that the first user may engage in at least one additional virtual activity using that virtual item; and/or (3) acquiring a new virtual item for a virtual region.
US09669307B2
A system and method are described for managing the state of an online video game. A method includes initiating a new online video game in response to user input from a client device, the online video game being in a first state on a first server when initiated; executing the online video game on the server, thereby causing the online video game to enter a second state; pausing or terminating the online video game; determining differences between the first state and the second state and generating difference data containing the differences; transmitting the difference data over a network to a second server; and recreating the second state from the difference data and the first state in response to user input indicating that the user wishes to resume the online video game and in response to the second server being selected as the server on which to execute the video game.
US09669302B2
A digital image processing apparatus and a controlling method thereof are disclosed. The digital image processing apparatus includes an input unit configured to receive information on a real travel path, a sensor unit configured to detect position change information of the digital image processing apparatus, a display unit configured to play a scene image of a virtual travel path, and a controller configured to control the input unit, the sensor unit, and the display unit, wherein the controller may detect similarity levels of virtual travel paths in accordance with a predetermined reference based upon the real travel path, select one virtual travel path respective to a highest similarity level among the detected similarity levels or respective to a user selection, and control the play of a scene image of the selected virtual travel path based upon the information on the real travel path and the detected position change information.
US09669301B2
The present application provides a game peripheral device including an auxiliary light device available for long-time use. An emission brightness determination device for determining emission brightness of illumination light determines the emission brightness at first emission brightness under the condition where a brightness determination signal has been detected and determines the emission brightness at second emission brightness under the condition where an imaging device has taken an image of a player's face.
US09669297B1
An online gaming system for adjusting game content presented to users in an online game. The system may adjust content based on mood profiles determined for the individual users. The system may comprise one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The system may include a game module configured to execute an instance of an online game and to implement the instance of the online game to facilitate participation of users in the online game. The system may include a biometrics module configured to obtain biometric characteristic information from user client computing platforms. The system may include a mood module configured to determine mood profiles for the users based on the biometric characteristic information. The system may include a content adjustment module configured to identify and effectuation presentation of content in the online game based on the mood profiles.
US09669296B1
Systems and methods for linking real world activity, such as real world commercial activity or real world data collection activity, with a location-based parallel reality game are provided. In particular, a game server hosting a parallel reality game can modify, update, or add to game data stored in a game database associated with the parallel reality game to include certain game features in the parallel reality game linked with real world activity in the real world. The game features can be linked with activities in the real world such that player actions associated with the game features in the virtual world can lead to or encourage activity in the real world, such as commercial activity and/or data collection activity in the real world.
US09669280B2
A fencing mask having a front metal mesh portion, a bib portion extending from a lower portion of the front metal mesh portion, and a securing portion extending from the front metal mesh portion for securing the mask on a user. The securing portion is made up of at least two spaced apart elements that define a gap therebetween for accommodating a user's ponytail.
US09669262B2
A method includes determining a location of a first monitoring device used while performing an activity. The first monitoring device is worn by a first user. The method includes determining a location of a second monitoring device used while performing an activity. The second monitoring device is worn by a second user. The method further includes determining whether the locations of the first and second monitoring devices are within a range and whether the activities are similar. The method includes sending a prompt to the first monitoring device upon determining that the activities are similar and the locations are within the range. The prompt includes a request for permission from a first user account to allow a second user account to access information from the first user account regarding the activity performed using the first monitoring device.
US09669261B2
Systems and methods for fitness tracking are provided. An exercise apparatus is in networked communication with a fitness tracking computing system. The configuration and location of movable components of the exercise apparatus is determined based on sensors. This information is provided to the fitness tracking computing system via networked communication.
US09669252B2
A dumbbell with a selectable number of weight disks includes a handle with pins projectable in opposing directions, a base assembly for accommodating two sets of weight disks standing upright, and having through-going openings. Neighboring weight disks have mutually cooperating connecting arrangements which axially interconnect the weight disks but which permit radial separation. The projection lengths of the pins are stepwise selectable in order thereby to permit selection of the number of weight disks carried on the handle. The handle has, in opposing ends, connecting arrangements for interconnecting with the connecting arrangements of the innermost weight disks in the base assembly. Further, the space between the connecting arrangements of the handle is free through 360° about the handle throughout its entire length, the openings of the weight disks being centrally located.
US09669248B2
A method for treatment of ash from incineration plants includes: collecting ash from an incinerator; feeding the collected ash and additional feed material to a gasification/vitrification reactor; vitrifying the ash and additional feed material in the gasification/vitrification reactor, to form a slag of molten material; allowing the slag to flow from the gasification/vitrification reactor and solidify outside the gasification/vitrification reactor; gasifying volatile components in the ash and the additional feed material; combusting syngas generated in the gasification/vitrification reactor in a secondary combustion zone in the gasification/vitrification reactor; and supplying products of the syngas combustion to the incinerator to augment the thermal environments of the incinerator. An apparatus used to practice the method is also provided.
US09669245B2
Systems and methods for reducing an overpressure caused by an explosion of a vapor cloud are provided. In one or more embodiments, the system can include one or more sensors operable to detect the explosion of the vapor cloud. The system can also include one or more igniters operable to ignite the vapor cloud at locations throughout, after the explosion of the vapor cloud is detected, to provide a discrete combustion zone at each location. Each combustion zone can form a discrete pressure wave, thereby reducing the overpressure caused by the explosion of the vapor cloud.
US09669243B2
This invention relates to a delivery system for hydrophobic benefit agents to keratinous substrates. The delivery system comprises amphiphilic block copolymers, and a hydrophobic benefit agent, which amphiphilic block copolymers comprise a siloxane segment and a cationic segment. The invention also relates to methods of delivering the hydrophobic benefit agents to the keratinous substrate. Furthermore, the delivery systems and methods of delivery are effective in retaining an hydrophobic benefit agents on the keratinous substrate after rinsing.More particularly, the delivery systems are especially suitable in personal cleansing, body wash or rinse off lotion compositions and comprise certain amphiphilic polymers which effectively deposit the hydrophobic benefit agents onto a keratinous substrate, such as skin or hair.
US09669231B1
A medical apparatus operable to induce localized hyperthermia in a patient via an electromagnetic field emitted by an antenna connected to an output of the medical apparatus includes a signal generator, a bidirectional coupler, and a controller. The signal generator generate radios frequency signal as a function of an operating parameter. The bidirectional coupler provides the radio frequency signal generated by the signal generator to the output and receives a reflected signal from the output. The controller receives the generated radio frequency signal from the signal generator, determines a power of the radiofrequency signal generated by the signal generator, receives the reflected signal from the bidirectional coupler, determines a power of the reflected signal, and determines delivery efficiency of the medical apparatus as a function of the power of the radiofrequency signal generated by the signal generator and the power of the reflected signal received from the bidirectional coupler.
US09669211B2
A method and apparatus for applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation to an agonist/antagonist muscle pair to move a limb about a joint includes generating a first pattern of neuromuscular electrical stimulation pulses for output through a first channel to a first pair of electrodes and generating a second pattern of neuromuscular stimulation pulses for output through a second channel to a second pair of electrodes. The first pair of electrodes are attached to the agonist muscle of the agonist/antagonist muscle pair, and the second pair of electrodes are attached to the antagonist muscle. A first pattern of electrical stimulation pulses is transmitted through the first pair of electrodes to the agonist muscle at a first intensity level to initiate contraction of the agonist muscle, and then at a second intensity level which is less than the first intensity level to continue contraction of the agonist muscle. A second pattern of electrical stimulation pulses is transmitted through the second pair of electrodes to the antagonist muscle at a first intensity level to reduce the acceleration of the limb, and then at a second intensity level which is less than the first intensity level to regulate the movement of the limb.
US09669205B2
A bag connector system includes a first coupling element, with a self-closing seal and a housing having a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port, and a second coupling element, with a housing having a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end. The fluid inlet end is configured to displace the self-closing seal when inserted into the fluid outlet port of the first coupling element. A bag connector system optionally includes a locking mechanism to maintain the first coupling element and second coupling element in a coupled state. Uncoupling of the first and second coupling elements results in minimal fluid contamination on the outer surfaces of the coupling elements. The bag connector systems provided herein are included in medical appliances for waste management.
US09669203B2
Methods and systems for inducing and passively detecting stable cavitation and/or inertial cavitation for targeted drug delivery across a biological membrane are disclosed. Such methods include administering vesicles having a nucleating agent and a therapeutic drug to a vascular system of a patient, and providing an active interval of ultrasonic exposure substantially throughout a targeted treatment zone. The ultrasonic exposure is produced by a source transducer at a specified fundamental frequency, amplitude, duty cycle, and duration. The methods also include detecting a scattered ultrasonic wave, where the scattered ultrasonic wave is received by a detection transducer. Detection of the scattered ultrasonic wave is indicative of stable and/or inertial cavitation. The ultrasonic exposure is provided intermittently in the active intervals separated by rest periods, and substantially less ultrasonic exposure is provided during the rest period than during the active interval.
US09669185B2
Method, systems and devices for treating insomnia by non-invasive hypothermic treatment are described. In general, these devices, systems and method enable cooling of the frontal cortex prior to and/or during sleep to enhance sleep, which may be particularly beneficial to treat insomnia.
US09669169B2
A syringe assembly includes a syringe, a locking element and a protective sleeve. The syringe includes a needle connected to a cylinder. The protective sleeve is located on and around the cylinder and movable from a first position into a second position. The protective sleeve only covers the cylinder in the first position. The protective sleeve covers the needle in the second position. The locking element is adapted to keep the protective sleeve in the first position in a resilient manner. The locking element is further adapted to keep the protective sleeve in the second position. That is, after the protective sleeve is moved to the second position, return of the protective sleeve to the first position is prevented by the locking element.
US09669168B2
A dose setting mechanism for an injection device having a rotatably operated dose setting member, a presetting member being operable to limit the maximum dose settable by the dose setting member, and a first stopping member is operatively connected to the presetting member where the position of the first stopping member indicates the preset maximum dose. The first stopping member is adapted to rotatably engage with a second stopping member when the preset maximum dose has been set, thereby preventing setting of a further dose. The first and/or the second stopping member is/are movable along with the dose setting member, the first and second stopping members thereby being moved into engagement when a dose is set. Thereby a dose can be preset and the preset dose can easily be repeatedly set while ensuring an accurate dosage. The contemplated device can aid persons being visually impaired or having poor dexterity in setting a correct and accurate dose.
US09669160B2
A portable infusion pump can communicate with continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to receive continuous feedback relating to a user's blood glucose level during insulin or other medicament therapy and can automatically deliver insulin to a user when the CGM data indicates a need for additional insulin. Because patient behavior can interfere with the accuracy and efficacy of such closed loop or semi-closed loop therapy, a system can employ various mechanisms for manual temporary suspension of closed-loop therapy when a patient is aware that current or future behavior may inhibit therapy.
US09669158B2
Provided is an auto-injector for a syringe suitable for the injected delivery of drug to a patient. The auto-injector comprises a cassette unit arranged for receipt of a syringe. The cassette unit and/or syringe is movable from a rest position, in which the syringe needle tip is within the drive unit housing to a use position, in which the needle tip protrudes from a needle delivery aperture thereof. The auto-injector comprises a drive unit arranged for docking receipt of the cassette unit at a docking position and a drive arrangement. The drive unit is arranged for initial receipt of the cassette unit at an intermediate pre-docking position and for subsequent transport of the cassette unit to the docking position. In embodiments, the drive unit is arranged such that transport of the cassette unit to the docking position is permitted only following verification of an identifier at the intermediate pre-docking position.
US09669156B2
Devices and methods for delivering a therapeutic substance to a patient are provided. Embodiments include infusion sets that include an active agent. Also provided are systems and kits.
US09669147B2
A biomedical apparatus for pumping blood of a human or an animal patient through a secondary blood circuit is provided, including a blood pump (10), an inlet duct (11) and an outlet duct (12) for guiding blood of the patient to the blood pump (10) and back to the patient. The device further includes a measuring device (14) for measuring a physical parameter of the heart (2) or of a blood vessel, and a controller (13) for regulating the power of the blood pump (10). The measuring device (14) is adapted to be arranged inside the heart (2) or the blood vessel, and the controller is configured to determine an estimate for an inner volume of the heart (2) or of the blood vessel based on the physical parameter and is configured to regulate the power of the blood pump (10) depending on this estimate.
US09669126B2
A volatile material dispenser includes a housing having at least one wall and a cavity disposed within the housing and a refill having a volatile material therein and a wick in contact with the volatile material and extending out of the refill. The dispenser further includes a heater arrangement disposed within the cavity and surrounding the wick when the refill is inserted into the dispenser. The heater arrangement provides a reduced power consumption of at least about 30% as compared to other similar volatile material dispensers that have an average rate of weight loss that is similar to or less than the volatile material dispenser.
US09669118B2
The invention provides a conjugate of a biologically active molecule and a 5-fluoro-5-deoxypentose or a 3-fluoro-3-deoxypentose, wherein the biologically active molecule is selected from the group consisting of proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides.
US09669116B2
A composition for use in radiology includes glass micro bubbles, Araldite, Jeffamine, magnesium oxide, and polyethylene. Another composition or use in radiology may include glass micro bubbles, an epoxy, acrylic, or polyurethane, and polyethylene. This composition may result in an elemental composition including carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium. A composition for use in radiology may include glass micro bubbles, araldite, jeffamine, calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, polyethylene, and a pigment and the composition includes an elemental composition including carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, silicon, and magnesium.
US09669111B2
The document proposes a diagnostic chewing gum for identifying the presence of inflammatory tissues in the mouth, in particular in or adjacent to the mandible, the maxilla, an implant or the teeth of a user, comprising a base material or particles (3) embedded and/or attached to the base material; an element (1, 5-7), like e.g. a releasable flavor molecule, attached to the base material and/or the particles, for the generation of a change in the chewing gum directly detectable by the user; wherein the element (1, 5-7) generates the change upon direct or indirect contact with a marker (4), e.g. a proteolytic enzyme, which is released by inflammatory tissue in response to bacterial mediators.
US09669110B2
Based on the present disclosure, a minimal time interval can be achieved between the last ingestion of a picosulfate composition and the performance of the colonoscopy. For example, the present disclosure is directed to a method of timing a colonoscopy procedure performed on a patient in need thereof, comprising: administering, to the patient, a picosulfate bowel composition kit according to the kit's instructions; performing the procedure less than about 4 hours after the administration of the kit.
US09669106B2
The present invention relates to an antibody-drug-conjugate or pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. From one aspect, the invention relates to an antibody-drug-conjugate (ADC) comprising an antibody consisting of the Trastuzumab or a biosimilar thereof, said antibody being conjugated to at least one drug consisting of a monomethyl auristatin F derivative. The invention also comprises method of treatment of cancer comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of said antibody-drug-conjugate or composition comprising the same.
US09669105B2
Disclosed is a liquid formulation in which a long-acting INFα conjugate that has improved in vivo duration and stability can be stored stably for a long period of time. It comprises a stabilizer comprising a buffer, a sugar alcohol, a non-ionic surfactant and an isotonic agent. Being free of human serum albumin and other potential factors harmful to the body, the liquid formulation is free of concerns about viral infections and guarantees excellent storage stability to long-acting INFα conjugates.
US09669104B2
A nanocomplex useful for efficient transfection and delivery of biomolecules comprising amphipathic peptide sequence is provided. For example, amphipathic peptides for the delivery of biomolecules to eukaryotic cells are provided. These peptide based vectors can form stable nanocomplex with biomolecules mainly with nucleic acids and can deliver it efficiently to cells. The complexation can be done non-covalently with small as well as large biomolecules.
US09669094B2
This document provides methods and materials involved in modulating a cell's ability to be resistant to apoptosis. For example, methods and materials for exposing cells to KLK6 polypeptides, or increased KLK6 polypeptide activity, to promote resistance to apoptosis are provided. In addition, methods and materials for reducing the ability of KLK6 polypeptides to promote resistance to apoptosis are provided.
US09669093B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) where a TNFα inhibitor, such as a human TNFα antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof, is used to treat JIA. In particular, the invention is directed to methods and compositions relating to a fixed dosing regimen for treating JIA with a TNFα inhibitor.
US09669091B2
Disclosed herein is a vaccine comprising an antigen and IL-23. Also disclosed herein are methods for increasing an immune response in a subject. The methods may comprise administering the vaccine to the subject in need thereof.
US09669090B2
The present invention provides methods of regulating an immunological disorder comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of (i) an autoimmune antigen in conjunction with (ii) an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Compositions including the same are also provided.
US09669077B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising, by way of active ingredient, at least one polypeptide comprising, or constituted by a sequence constituted by at least 8 contiguous amino acids and from at the most 30 contiguous amino acids chosen from within the interleukin-6 sequence and from at the most 30 contiguous amino acids chosen from within the complete IL-6 sequence.
US09669070B2
Methods and compositions are disclosed for treating and preventing radiation injury using milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-factor VIII (MFG-E8).
US09669067B2
The present disclosure generally relates to the use of des-aspartate-angiotensin I and/or its derivatives in medicine. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of des-aspartate-angiotensin I and/or its derivatives for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of inflammatory diseases or pathologies, for inducing anti-inflammatory actions and/or reducing inflammation, and/or for treatment of inflammation-related conditions.
US09669065B2
The invention provides a composition for the prevention and inhibition of oxidative stress and hemolysis in human red blood cell wherein said composition compounds obtained from the aqueous stream of palm oil milling (palm oil vegetation liquor), in particular from vegetative liquor from the milling of palm oil fruit.
US09669060B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing and treating uterine disease, and in particular to vaccines and bacteriophage compositions for treating or preventing puerperal metritis, clinical endometritis and/or subclinical endometritis.
US09669038B1
Disclosed herein are novel heterocyclic compounds, their salts, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and salts, and their uses in modulating protein-protein interactions and for treating diseases resulting from aberrant protein-protein interactions.
US09669033B2
The present invention relates to selective inhibitors of PI3K delta protein kinases, methods of preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and methods of treatment and/or prevention of kinase mediated diseases or disorders with them.
US09669022B2
A solid oral controlled-release oral dosage form of hydrocodone is disclosed. The dosage form comprising an analgesically effective amount of hydrocodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a sufficient amount of a controlled release material to render the dosage form suitable for twice-a-day administration to a human patient, the dosage form providing a C12/Cmax ratio of 0.55 to 0.85, said dosage form providing a therapeutic effect for at least about 12 hours.
US09669016B2
Embodiments are directed to compositions and methods for treating parasitic infections. Compounds have been identified from a library of anti-cancer drugs that serve as suitable agents for targeting trypanosomatids.
US09669015B2
This invention is directed to derivatives of piperidine-2,6-dione, or their organic or inorganic salts thereof, a methods of synthesis of these derivatives, and their application as active pharmaceutical ingredient as inhibitors of TNFα releasing in cells, the derivative of piperidine-2,6-dione being of the general formula (I): wherein n represents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; R1 represents from one to four of the same or different substituents selected from F, Cl, Br, C1-4 alkyl, OH, OC1-4 alkyl, NO2, NHC(O)C1-4 alkyl, NH2, NH(C1-4 alkyl), N(C1-4 alkyl)2; R2 represents OR3, NR3R4, N(R3)COR4, O2CR5; R3 and R4 represent independently and at each occurrence H or C1-4 alkyl; R5 represents CHR6NR7R8, CHR6NR9C(O)CHR10NR7R8, a heterocycle W or CHR6NR9C(O)W; R6, R9, R10 represent independently and at each occurrence H, or C1-4 alkyl; R7 and R8 represent independently and at each occurrence H, C1-4 alkyl, or R7 and R8 taken together represent 1,3-propylene, 1,4-butylene, 1,5-pentylene, or 1,6-hexylene; W represents four-membered, five-membered, six-membered, seven-membered, or eight-membered saturated or unsaturated heterocycle.
US09668998B2
The present invention relates to a solid molecular dispersion of from 3:97 to 12:88 weight % ratio of fesoterodine hydrogen fumarate and a polymeric binder selected from the group consisting of an alkyl hydroxyalkylcellulose ether, a hydroxyalkylcellulose ether, an ester of either thereof, and a mixture of any two or more thereof.
US09668983B2
The present invention concerns a method of enhancing milk production by a ruminant that includes providing a feed that contains sorbitol and at least one additional feed component, and orally feeding the feed to the ruminant, the ruminant ingesting about 100 grams, or less, of sorbitol per day.
US09668981B2
A transdermal delivery system is provided where the drug delivery rates, onset and profiles of at least one active agent are controlled by selectively manipulating the monomeric make up of an acrylic-based polymer in the transdermal drug delivery system. The drug carrier composition may be comprised of (a) one or more acrylic-based polymers having one or more different monomers selected from the group consisting of hard and soft monomers; (b) one or more silicone-based polymers; and (c) one or more active agents where the device provides a desired solubility for the active agent and controls drug delivery rates, onset and profiles of at least one active agent.
US09668970B2
An orally administered dosage form that facilitates delivery of an agent locally in the buccal cavity for a sustained period of time includes mucoadhesive particles that are made of at least a mucoadhesive material combined with the agent, and which are dispersed in a disintegrating film. The dosage form is capable of delivering an agent to a patient at the desired oral mucosa site over an extended period of time while reducing patient discomfort or annoyance associated with conventional sustained release mucoadhesive films that must reside on the oral mucosa during the period of sustained release.
US09668963B2
Disclosed is a method of treating skin, the method comprising topically applying to skin a composition comprising at least one aqueous and/or alcoholic plant extract.
US09668959B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for modulating melanin production, secretion and/or accumulation in human skin cells. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of A3 adenosine receptor antagonists in compositions and methods for the treatment and amelioration of hyper-pigmentation conditions and for the lightening of skin, and to the use of A3 adenosine receptor agonists in compositions and methods for the treatment and amelioration of hypo-pigmentation conditions and for the tanning of skin.
US09668950B2
A powder hair dye composition includes component (A) to component (C). The content of the component (A) at the time of use is 1 to 5 mass %. The component (A) is sodium percarbonate. The component (B) is sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. The component (C) is a thickener other than the component (B).
US09668947B2
Dry wipe for application of at least one active principle on the skin, including: an inert laminar support; a plurality of microcapsules applied to the inert laminar support, the microcapsules containing at least one active principle; at least one surfactant applied to the inert laminar support.
US09668946B2
The invention relates to a dental restorative material which comprises a thermolabile or photolabile polymerizable compound of Formula I: [(Z1)m-Q1-X)]k-T-[Y-Q2-(Z2)n]l Formula I, in which T represents a thermolabile or photolabile group, Z1 and Z2 in each case independently represent a polymerizable group selected from vinyl groups, CH2═CR1—CO—O— and CH2═CR1—CO—NR2— or an adhesive group selected from —Si(OR)3, —COOH, —O—PO(OH)2, —PO(OH)2, —SO2OH and —SH, wherein at least one Z1 or Z2 is a polymerizable group, Q1 in each case independently is missing or represents an (m+1)-valent linear or branched aliphatic C1-C20 radical which can be interrupted by —O—, —S—, —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —CO—NR3—, —NR3—CO—, —O—CO—NR3—, —NR3—CO—O— or —NR3—CO—NR3—, Q2 in each case independently is missing or represents an (n+1)-valent linear or branched aliphatic C1-C20 radical which can be interrupted by —O—, —S—, —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —CO—NR3—, —NR3—CO—, —O—CO—NR3—, —NR3—CO—O— or —NR3—CO—NR3—, X and Y in each case independently are missing or represent —O—, —S—, CO—O—, —O—CO—, —CO—NR3—, —NR3—CO—, —O—CO—NR3—, —NR3—CO—O— or —NR3—CO—NR3—, R, R1, R2 and R3 in each case independently represent H or a C1-C7 alkyl radical and k, l, m and n in each case independently are 1, 2 or 3.
US09668943B2
A dental conditioning composition that enhances the adhesiveness of any dental material for a tooth surface by suppressing any excessive demineralization for the tooth surface and improving the polymerization activity of a dental adhesive composition by causing a polymerization catalyst included in the dental conditioning composition of the present invention to remain on the tooth surface. A dental conditioning composition having a gel character, that includes a polymerization catalyst, an acidic compound, water, and a thickening agent, and whose pH (the hydrogen ion exponent) is in a range from 0.1 to 0.9.
US09668938B2
The medical container includes a container body having a proximal end opening, a proximal-end edge portion surrounding the proximal end opening, a plug body sealing a mouth section; a bag body including an edge portion fixed in a fluid-tight manner to the proximal-end edge portion, and a flexible reversing part surrounded by the edge portion. In a first state, the reversing part expands toward a distal end side and in a second state the reversing part expands toward a proximal end side. The medical container further includes a protection cover which can take a proximal end side mounting state in which the protection cover is mounted on the container body so as to cover the proximal end opening, and a distal end side mounting state in which the protection cover is mounted on the container body so as to cover the mouth section.
US09668935B2
A packaging assembly is configured to contain an object and may include an outer packaging member. The outer packing member includes an outer packaging body and an outer packaging opening that extends through the outer packaging body. The outer packaging member further includes a substantially transparent film that is attached to the outer packaging body and substantially covers the outer packaging opening.
US09668929B2
A patient transfer device includes a table assembly having upper and lower tables with counter-rotating upper and lower belts. Means are provided to move the table assembly toward an extended position with the upper belt moving at a rotational speed which is greater than a translational speed of the table assembly. Faster movement of the upper belt may be in response to a determination that the patient has a characteristic whose value is within a predetermined range. The patient characteristic may be patient weight, e.g., with the predetermined range being less than 250 pounds. In the illustrative implementation a patient transfer device of the present invention includes a control system having a keyboard for receiving user input indicating that the upper belt should be moved faster, and control logic responsive to the user input which controls speeds of motors that independently drive the upper belt and the table assembly.
US09668921B2
The present invention relates to an eye-protector assembly. The assembly includes arcuate-shaped protective cover. The assembly includes an eye-covering member pivotably connected to the protective cover. The protective cover is shaped to receive the eye-covering member when the eye-covering member is pivoted towards the cover. The assembly includes a pair of connector mechanisms for selectively coupling the protective cover to a hearing protector.
US09668905B2
A neck collar with a first shaped condition adequate for application to the patient's neck, mold and conform to the patient's neck configuration, retain and recall that configuration following removal and reapplication to the patient. A second shaped condition for storage. The collar is achieved by a unique piece of conformable material that is sufficiently resilient to maintain the given shape. The main body is designed to provide support and recall the anatomic shape of a particular patient's cervical spine.
US09668903B2
A polycentric hinge for an orthopedic device includes first and second hinge arms, and two cover plates, rather than numerous individual parts and fasteners. The first and second cover plates define a plurality of bearings and a plurality of recesses for receiving the bearings, whereby the hinge arms are mounted about the bearings and are pivotable relative to one another while encased by the first and second cover plates.
US09668900B2
A medical system for the treatment of morbid obesity comprising an inflatable balloon implanted in a gastric cavity, a percutaneous fillant delivery tube and a control module connected to the tube for regulating the inflation and deflation of the balloon. The balloon may be individually contoured and inflated to occupy a large volume of the gastric cavity to provide a feeling of satiety. The balloon may also be deflated to give the gastric cavity lining a rest during less critical time.
US09668898B2
A stent delivery system for dynamic deployment of a stent loaded thereon and a method of manufacturing the system. The stent delivery system includes a balloon catheter with a balloon in a spirally twisted delivery configuration on which a stent is crimped or otherwise loaded. The stent is made from a single, continuous strand of wire formed into a sinusoidal waveform that is wrapped into a helical pattern and joined at selected crowns. Upon inflation of the spirally twisted balloon of the stent delivery system, the stent undergoes dynamic deployment such that the stent in a deployed or expanded configuration has crowns with obtuse deployment angles and crowns with acute deployment angles.
US09668897B2
Present invention is a stent apparatus wherein a stent covering member holds a stent, which scaffolds a blood vessel from the inside when implanted in the blood vessel, in contracted state. The stent is formed of a biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) as a tubular shape, shape memorized to a size capable of, when implanted in a vessel, scaffolding the blood vessel from the inside. This stent is held by the stent covering member in contracted state and mounted on a balloon of a balloon. The covering member is formed of a biodegradable polymer having elasticity as a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter to keep the stent in contracted state and, when the stent is expanded to the shape memorized shape, plastically deformed to release the holding of the stent. The stent and the stent covering member disappear in a vessel after they are implanted in the vessel.
US09668890B2
Methods for applying layers to medical devices and related devices are provided. Such devices can include stents. For example, the device can include a sidewall and a plurality of pores in the sidewall that are sized to inhibit flow of blood through the sidewall into an aneurysm to a degree sufficient to lead to thrombosis and healing of the aneurysm when the tubular member is positioned in a blood vessel and adjacent to the aneurysm. The device can have an anti-thrombogenic outer layer distributed over at least a portion of the device.
US09668889B2
An implant system for securing a prosthesis to a selected bone of a subject including a stem and an abutment. The stem includes a porous region that promotes osseointegration of the selected bone following implantation of the stem. The abutment is secured to the stem and is configured for secure attachment to the prosthesis. The stem and the abutment include ultra-low friction and/or highly polished surfaces at select locations that inhibit bio-adhesion.
US09668887B2
The present foot prosthesis includes various structural features that provide the foot with advantageous rollover properties. In certain embodiments, the foot guides rollover toward the medial side. For example, an asymmetrical upper element and a correspondingly shaped resilient ankle member support more of the wearer's weight on the lateral side as the foot rolls over. In another embodiment, stiffeners added to the resilient ankle member increase the stiffness on the lateral side relative to the medial side. In certain other embodiments, the foot provides progressively increasing support from mid stance through toe off. For example, a gap between the resilient ankle member and the lower element closes during the later portion of the wearer's gait. The closing gap increases a contact area between the resilient ankle member and the lower element, providing progressively increasing support. In another embodiment, the foot includes a gap between a lower front edge of an attachment adapter and the upper element. The gap may be filled with a resilient material.
US09668884B2
An external covering and method of making an external covering for hiding the internal endoskeleton of a mechanical (e.g., prosthetic) device that exhibits skin-like qualities is provided. The external covering generally comprises an internal bulk layer in contact with the endoskeleton of the prosthetic device and an external skin layer disposed about the internal bulk layer. The external skin layer is comprised of a polymer composite with carbon nanotubes embedded therein. The outer surface of the skin layer has multiple cone-shaped projections that provide the external skin layer with superhydrophobicity. The carbon nanotubes are preferably vertically aligned between the inner surface and outer surface of the external skin layer in order to provide the skin layer with the ability to transmit heat. Superhydrophobic powders may optionally be used as part of the polymer composite or applied as a coating to the surface of the skin layer to enhance superhydrophobicity.
US09668878B2
An intervertebral disc is provided having an upper plate, a lower plate, and a core. The upper and lower plates include outer vertebral body contacting surfaces which are provided with attachment enhancing features to ensure bone integration. The attachment enhancing features shown include one or more fins, serrations and teeth. An opposite surface of the plates from the vertebral body contacting surfaces is formed with a recess which serves as a bearing surface for the core. In order to form an intervertebral disc with a lower disc height, at least one of the recesses is provided opposite a corresponding dome shaped portion on the vertebral body contacting surfaces. This allows the plates to be formed with a thinner profile for a smaller overall disc height. In addition to providing a lower overall height to the artificial disc, the dome shaped portion of the plates also provides a more anatomically shaped outer vertebral body contacting surface.
US09668876B2
An expandable interbody device for placement between adjacent vertebrae having an upper structure, a lower structure and a screw mechanism, wherein actuation of the screw mechanism moves the upper and lower structures between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A deployment tool couples to the expandable interbody device for positioning the device between adjacent vertebrae, actuating the screw mechanism and delivering a material to a chamber of the expandable interbody device.
US09668872B2
Orthopedic assemblies including a tibial component and one of a fixed tibial insert or a rotatable tibial insert. The assemblies may include structure to prevent undesired movement between the tibial component and insert. For example, a retaining tab may be provided on the tibial component that couples to a tab opening on a surface of the tibial insert (either the fixed or rotatable insert). When assembled, the retaining tab may be covered to avoid possible irritation to the patient's surrounding anatomy. The fixed tibial insert may be provided with a tab opening that provides a minimal amount clearance with the retaining tab to help prevent rotation of the fixed tibial insert. The rotatable tibial insert may be provided with a tab opening with more clearance with the retaining tab to allow at least some rotation with the tibial component.
US09668860B2
The invention provides a device (50) and system for treating a heart valve having an anchor (54, 56) and one or more sutures attached to the anchor. The anchor has an expanded deployed configuration and a low caliber undeployed configuration. A delivery in a heart includes catheter and a needle slidable in the lumen of the catheter. The distal end of the catheter is inserted through the myocardium of the heart until the catheter tip is juxtaposed to the underside of the valve leaflet to be treated. The leaflet is then pierced with tip of the needle. The needle is pushed until the anchor in its undeployed configuration passes through the needle tip and is released from the catheter. The anchor is then brought to its deployed configuration on one or both surfaces of the valve leaflet.
US09668859B2
Embodiments described herein address the need for improved catheter devices for delivery, repositioning and/or percutaneous retrieval of the percutaneously implanted heart valves. One embodiment employs a plurality of spring-loaded arms releasably engaged with a stent frame for controlling expansion for valve deployment. Another embodiment employs a plurality of filaments passing through a distal end of a pusher sleeve and apertures in a self-expandable stent frame to control its state of deployment. With additional features, lateral positioning of the stent frame may also be controlled. Yet another embodiment includes plurality of outwardly biased arms held to complimentary stent frame features by overlying sheath segments. Still another embodiment integrates a visualization system in the subject delivery system. Variations on hardware and methods associated with the use of these embodiments are contemplated in addition to those shown and described.
US09668855B2
An expansible ear canal insert for treating TMJ disorders and headaches which acts directly on the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures to reduce stress and loads placed on the articulator disc located between the temporal bone and the mandible, as well as supportive muscles and ligaments near the TMJ. The insert is adapted to expand by application of body heat. In the expanded condition, the insert provides support to the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures.
US09668853B2
Disclosed herein is a stent for connecting adjacent tissues of the organs of a patient. The stent includes a hollow cylindrical body which is formed by weaving a superelastic shape-memory alloy wire in an overlapping manner such that rhombic openings are formed, and wing parts which are provided by expanding respective opposite ends of the hollow cylindrical body outwards and turning the opposite ends inside out on bent portions. The wing parts face each other so that the wing parts are tensed in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body. Thereby, the wing parts can elastically move inwards or outwards with respect to the longitudinal direction to automatically adjust a distance between the wing parts in response to the distance between the adjacent tissues of the organs or thicknesses of walls of the organs, so that the wing parts are put into close contact with the adjacent tissues.
US09668847B2
The present invention relates to a resorbable polymeric mesh implant, that is intended to be used in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects. The mesh implant comprises at least a first and a second material, wherein the second material is substantially degraded at a later point in time than the first material following the time of implantation. The mesh implant is adapted to have a predetermined modulus of elasticity that gradually is decreased until the mesh implant is completely degraded and subsequently resorbed. Due to the gradual decrease in the modulus of elasticity of the inventive mesh implant, the regenerating tissue may gradually take over the load applied to the tissue defect area.
US09668845B2
An apparatus includes an implant and a sleeve. The implant has a support portion and a strap extending from the support portion. The support portion is configured to support a portion of a body of a patient. The strap is configured to be inserted into a tissue of the patient. The sleeve has a distal end portion, a proximal end portion and a tapered portion. The tapered portion of the sleeve is configured to dilate the tissue of the patient when the implant is inserted into the body of the patient. The proximal end portion of the sleeve is releasably coupled to the strap.
US09668841B2
The invention relates to a toothbrush (1), in particular an electric toothbrush, comprising: —a support member (2), —a first tooth brushing member (3) mounted on said support member so as to be able to rotate about a rotation axis (XX′), said first brushing member having a lateral surface (3L) which extends along its rotation axis (XX′) between a proximal end (3P) and an opposite distal end (3D), said lateral surface being intended to be brought into contact with the teeth (4) in order to clean them, said toothbrush being characterized in that it has a flexible trim (20), separate from the first brushing member (3), which is arranged facing the distal end (3D) approximately transversely to the rotation axis (XXI) so as to at least partially overlap the transverse section (3S) of said first brushing member (3).
US09668828B2
Methods of inducing tooth movement and treating malocclusion, craniofacial anomalies, bony defects, and dentofacial deformities through accelerated bone remodeling as caused by the delivery non-static forces; reducing pain and discomfort in patients; and improving tissue integrity long-term results as to prevent post-orthodontic treatment relapse. The methods and apparatus include a mechanism for data capture and analysis related to patient compliance and usage behavior, as well as for establishing the invention as a component of the clinical office workflow to increase efficiency and productivity.
US09668826B2
An apparatus for dispensing a viscous dental paste that includes a barrel member, a dispensing tip, and a platform. The barrel defines a chamber for containing a viscous material. The dispensing tip extends from the barrel member to a dispensing end and defines a passageway open to the chamber. The dispensing end forms an outlet opening open to the passageway and circumscribed by a continuous wall defining an interior surface and an exterior surface. The platform projects from the dispensing end and defines opposing first and second major faces. The first major face is aligned with the outlet opening. The second major face is contiguous with a section of the exterior surface. Viscous material is dispensed from the chamber and onto the platform as a ribbon or sheet.
US09668822B2
A medical drape is disclosed. The drape comprises a base drape portion and an insert drape portion removably attached to the base drape portion. A plurality of independently configured insert drape portions may be used, each insert being configured differently for a different procedure. The base drape portion may be made of environmentally friendly biodegradable material.
US09668807B2
A connection mechanism and manufacturing method for a surgical instrument includes an inner shaft member that extends at least partially through an elongated shaft member of the instrument and defines proximal and distal ends and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the elongated shaft member and includes at least one aperture that extends partially along the longitudinal direction and disposed distally from the proximal end. The inner shaft member enables a drive collar member to slide on the inner shaft member and reciprocate along the longitudinal direction. A drive collar stop member slides on the inner shaft member and moves along the longitudinal direction. The drive collar stop member then moves in a direction relative to the longitudinal axis to engage the aperture and limit further longitudinal motion of the drive collar member. An inner shaft stop member limits movement of the inner shaft.
US09668796B2
A surgical system and method for correction of a bone injury or disorder are provided. The device includes an elongated shaft that extends between a proximal end and a distal end and defining an interior lumen. A valve disposed with the proximal end of the elongated shaft and including a membrane. An inflatable structure is coupled to the distal end of the elongated shaft. A stylet is configured for insertion through the membrane and is removably disposed in the interior lumen of the elongated shaft such that the stylet provides strength to the elongated shaft.
US09668787B2
A system for applying a manipulative force to a target region of a spinal column during a surgical procedure is provided with at least four pedicle screws, at least four elongated levers configured to temporarily engage with the pedicle screws, a linking member configured to link at least two of the elongated levers in a axial direction such that they move in unison, and a cross-linking member configured to link at least two of the elongated levers in a transverse direction such that they move in unison. When the system is assembled, it permits an operator to move the at least four elongated levers in unison to simultaneously rotate the at least four pedicle screws about a spinal column roll axis. Related methods are also provided.
US09668775B2
A pedicle screw comprises a head. A shaft is joined to the head. The shaft comprises a first threaded portion, a middle portion and a second threaded portion. The middle portion comprises a modified threaded portion being configured to mitigate damage to a patient's nerve root. A first marker is joinable to the shaft proximate the modified threaded portion. The first marker comprises a material being radiographically distinguishable from the shaft in which a placement of the modified threaded portion is observable.
US09668772B1
Disclosed is an atlantoaxial joint replacement device and method that allows up to full normal axial rotation while stabilizing C1-C2 vertebrae. The device includes a rail member curved in a circular path with a path of curvature oriented in an axial plane. The rail member includes a track body having a non-circular cross-sectional shape. A rider member is slidingly coupled to the rail member and includes a body defining a through slot that receives there through the rail member. The through slot has a non-circular cross-sectional shape compatible to the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the track body of the rail member.
US09668766B2
Device and method for puncturing blood vessels while using fluoroscopy. The disclosed device enables improved needle orientation control and avoids direct exposure of the clinician's hand to X-ray during the puncturing procedure.
US09668759B2
Surgical drill guide having keyway for axial alignment of a fastener for use for an orthopedic plate
A surgical drill guide for positioning, aligning, and of holes to be drilled in bone tissue has retaining means that holds the position and alignment of the drill guide body in a releasable manner with respect to a fastener hole in an orthopedic implant. The retaining means is a key guide that mates with a key way or key ways in or around a threaded locking hole of an orthopedic plate for alignment of a pilot hole and method of using the guide. The key guide has 2 to 8 projections that extend in the direction of the axis of the hole, such as hemi cylindrical projections, and the plate has a corresponding female key way that receives the retaining means. The invention also relates to a method of aligning a locking fastener in a plate at a desired angle relative to a bone by using a surgical guide having a key interface with the plate to position and align a pilot hole.
US09668756B2
A prosthesis replaces all or a portion of a natural facet joint on a vertebral body. The prosthesis has a prosthesis body accommodating fixation to the vertebral body at or near a pedicle and without support by a lamina. The prosthesis body has a fastening element installed within the vertebral body at or near a pedicle. The prosthesis further has an artificial facet joint structure carried by the prosthesis body at a location spaced from the fastening element. The artificial facet joint structure is adapted and configured to replace all or a portion of a natural facet joint.
US09668739B2
A device and method for deploying self-cinching surgical clips. The device accesses at least two layers of tissue or material from only one side of the tissue or material and punctures through the two layers of tissue or material. The various configurations of clips disclosed herein are made of a superelastic material such as Nitinol, and have a constrained and a relaxed state, and no sharp edges or tips so as to reduce tissue irritation following deployment. The clip is disposed within the housing of the delivery device and held in a constrained state by a tube assembly until deployment wherein the clip assumes its relaxed state, where the ends of the clip are brought into close approximation, thereby securing the layers of tissue or material together.
US09668725B2
A laparoscopic wound closure device includes an elongated body portion including a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of vertical suture channels. Each vertical suture channel has an entrance at the proximal end and an exit near the distal end for passing a suture needle through, and travels parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body portion of the device. The vertical suture channels are designed to cause a suture needle to deflect laterally as it exits the wound closure device. The wound closure device can be an obturator or a sheath of a trocar assembly, and can be used to inject local anesthetic at the conclusion of surgery.
US09668721B2
A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity adapts to tissue tracts of different widths. The surgical instrument includes a proximal member, a distal member, and a sleeve extending between the proximal member and the distal member and defining a longitudinal passage therein. The proximal member includes an inflatable member that selectively adjusts the radial dimension of the proximal member. A ring member may be separately insertable by a user during a surgical procedure into the space directly adjacent to the radially-inner surface of the inflatable member, so as to selectively provide rigidity to the proximal member.
US09668712B2
A system and method for digital x-ray imaging. The method includes emitting a first and second collimated x-ray beam from an x-ray source disposed in a first and second position, respectively. The first and second collimated x-ray beam is directed onto an identified region of interest (ROI) wherein a first and second ROI image is captured, respectively, when the x-ray source is disposed in the first and second position, respectively. The first and second ROI images are processed to extract features from each of the first and second ROI images. The extracted features are analyzed, and an indicator of a disease is generated responsive to the extracted features. The indicator can be stored, displayed, or transmitted. The first and second x-ray sources can be the same or different x-ray sources.
US09668710B2
An imaging system for tracking brain deformation, a method for tracking brain deformation, a method of operating a device for tracking brain deformation are disclosed. A first 3D representation (112) of a cerebrovascular vessel structure of a region of interest of an object is provided (110), and (114) a second 3D representation (116) of the cerebrovascular vessel structure are used to determine brain deformation. At least a part of the first 3D representation is elastically three-dimensionally registered (118) with at least a part of the second 3D representation. A deformation field (122) of the cerebrovascular vessel structure is determined (120) based on the elastic registration. The determined vessel deformation is applied (124) to a brain structure representation to determine a deformation (126) of the cerebral structure.
US09668705B2
An X-ray tomographic imaging apparatus includes an X-ray and a direct conversion type of detector. The X-ray tube and the detector are supported by the support means so as to be rotatable along curved orbits mutually independently. Under instructions from a computer, scans and image reconstruction are performed. The X-ray tube and the detector are moved along the orbits mutually independently so that X-ray beams are always transmitted through a desired tomographic plane of an object at desired angles. Acquired frame data are used to produce a panoramic image of the plane, while the frame data and the panoramic image are used to produce a tomographic image in which structural components of the object are optically focused and distortions caused due to differences in X-ray paths are suppressed. The apparatus can be used as devices for dental, medical diagnosis and nondestructive inspection, and can have a CT imaging function.
US09668704B2
The invention relates to a device and to a method for visual assistance during the electrophysiological use of a catheter in the heart, enabling electroanatomic 3D mapping data relating to an area of the heart to be treated to be visualized during the use of the catheter. Before the catheter is used, 3D image data of a body region containing the area to be treated is detected by means of a method for tomographic 3D imaging. The area to be treated or significant parts thereof are extracted from said 3D image data, in order to obtain selected 3D image data. The electroanatomic 3D mapping data and the selected 3D image data obtained are then classed in terms of position and dimension, and are adjacently visualized, for example, during the catheter ablation. The inventive method and associated device enable the orientation of the operator to be improved during the use of a catheter in the heart.
US09668701B2
A method and system for detecting insulin resistance, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and/or autonomic neuropathy in a patient is provided. The method includes measuring a photoplethysmogram (PTG) and galvanic skin response from the patient, executing a spectral analysis on the PTG, comparing values derived from the PTG and the galvanic skin response of the patient to stored clinical data, calculating a PTG cardiovascular risk score based on the comparison, comparing further derived values to predefined values that correspond to certain diseases, including insulin resistance, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and autonomic neuropathy, and displaying the PTG cardiovascular risk score and said certain diseases that correspond to said predefined values.
US09668699B2
A method and system for anatomical object detection using marginal space deep neural networks is disclosed. The pose parameter space for an anatomical object is divided into a series of marginal search spaces with increasing dimensionality. A respective deep neural network is trained for each of the marginal search spaces, resulting in a series of trained deep neural networks. Each of the trained deep neural networks can evaluate hypotheses in a current parameter space using discriminative classification or a regression function. An anatomical object is detected in a medical image by sequentially applying the series of trained deep neural networks to the medical image.
US09668695B2
Provided according to embodiments of the invention are photoplethysmography probes designed for use on a user's nasal alar. Methods of using such photoplethysmography probes are also provided herein.
US09668694B2
Example apparatus and methods for gathering electroencephalographic signals are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a band to be worn on a head of a person and a first strip adjustably coupled to the band. The example apparatus also includes a first set of electrodes coupled to the first strip to gather a first set of signals from the head and a magnetic fastener to couple the first strip to the band.
US09668688B2
A data processing device controls the image-recording device to capture a video, turn the video into a time series of luminance values, and analyzes the frequency spectrum of this time series. The device determines whether said series of images depicts a test subject. The device extrapolates the emotional response of a detected test subject to choices displayed on the display device during a time period encompassed by said series of images. The extrapolation of the emotional response measures the subject's time between heart rate events, the associated frequency spectrum, and where said captured video comprises a close-up depiction of a region of the subject's exposed skin.
US09668680B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include an emitter driver configured to be capable of addressing substantially 2N nodes with N cable conductors configured to carry activation instructions from a processor. In an embodiment, an address controller outputs an activation instruction to a latch decoder configured to supply switch controls to activate particular LEDs of a light source.
US09668669B2
Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods, systems and probe devices for detecting EMG activity. In some embodiments, such methods, systems and devices are used in aiding the diagnosis of Obstruction Sleep Apnea (OSA). In some embodiments, a probe is provided and comprises an elongated member configured with a size and shape for placement adjacent at least one of the soft palate and pharyngeal wall of the patient after insertion of the probe into the patient. The probe may also include at least one sensor configured to sense at least EMG activity of muscle layers of at least one of the soft palate and pharyngeal wall and output sensor signals corresponding thereto.
US09668662B2
A method for measuring reactive hyperemia in a subject is disclosed. The method includes performing a first segmental cuff plethysmography to generate a baseline arterial compliance curve and/or a baseline pressure-area (P-A) curve, performing a second segmental cuff plethysmography to generate a hyperemic arterial compliance curve and/or a hyperemic P-A curve, and calculating an area between the baseline and the hyperemic curves. The size of the area can be used as an indication of endothelial dysfunction (ED) and ED-related diseases.
US09668661B2
The present invention relates to novel lip/cheek probes for detection of pulse-based differences in light absorbence across the vascularized tissue of a lip or cheek of a patient. These probes are fabricated to provide signals to estimate arterial oxygen saturation, and/or to obtain other photoplethysmographic data. The present invention also relates to a combined probe/cannula. The present invention also relates to other devices that combine a pulse oximeter probe with a device supplying oxygen or other oxygen-containing gas to a person in need thereof, and to sampling means for exhaled carbon dioxide in combination with the novel lip/cheek probes. In certain embodiments, an additional limitation of a control means to adjust the flow rate of such gas is provided, where such control is directed by the blood oxygen saturation data obtained from the pulse oximeter probe.
US09668650B2
An ophthalmologic apparatus includes a two-dimensional scanning optical system, a refractive optical system, and a concave mirror. The two-dimensional scanning optical system deflects light from a light source in a first angle range. The refractive optical system deflects the light deflected by the two-dimensional scanning optical system in a second angle range that is wider than the first angle range. The concave mirror includes a reflective surface in at least part of the rotational symmetry surface, and reflects the light emitted from the refractive optical system. The exit-side optical axis of the refractive optical system substantially coincides with the rotational symmetry axis of the rotational symmetry surface. The pupil location in the refractive optical system and the exit focus of the concave mirror are located at optically conjugate positions or in the vicinity of the positions. The exit focus is located at a subject's eye position.
US09668647B2
Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including the lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or the aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The TFLT can be used to diagnose dry eye syndrome (DES). Certain embodiments also include ocular topography devices, systems and methods for deducing corneal shape by capturing an image of a target reflecting from the surface of the cornea. The image of the target contains topography information that is reviewable by a clinician to diagnose the health of the patient's eye by detecting corneal aberrations and/or abnormalities in corneal shape. Certain embodiments also include a combination of the OSI and ocular topography devices, systems and methods to provide imaging that can be used to yield a combined diagnosis of the patient's tear film and corneal shape.
US09668643B2
Methods and apparatuses for space-optimized visualization catheters are provided. Some embodiments utilize complimentary metal-oxide-semi-conductor (“CMOS”) technology integrated into a CMOS camera train holder system that may be a stand-alone component for use with a visualization catheter, such as a baby endoscope, or may be fabricated/extruded as a part of the catheter itself. Some embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and equivalents thereto provide better direct visual feedback to the medical personnel performing the procedure while providing a similarly-sized outer diameter visualization catheter device having an increased space therein for additional lumens and equipment or by reducing the overall outer diameter of the visualization catheter.
US09668641B2
An articulating mechanism for use in a medical device, such as an endoscope or a catheter, includes a series of stacked links disposed adjacent to one another and movable with respect to each other. Each link includes a front face tapered to a pair of pivot points and a rear face defining a wedge shaped recess for receiving the pivot points of the adjacent link. Pull-wires provide tension and hold the staked links together while also allowing for controlled bending of the distal portion by movement of one or more of the pull-wires.
US09668633B1
Mop cleaning apparatus including a mobile cart, a mop cleaning assembly including two rollers attached to a tank on the cart, and a handle used to move the cart and also operable to change the distance between two rollers of the mop cleaning assembly to receive a mop head and form a nip for wringing the mop head.
US09668630B2
An all in the head surface cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet and first and second laterally opposed sidewalls. The surface cleaning head may include a brush motor drivingly connected to a moveable brushing member, the brush motor having a brush motor axis. The surface cleaning head may include a cyclone assembly having a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber and positioned forward or rearward of the cyclone chamber. The cyclone may have a longitudinal cyclone axis. The surface cleaning head may include a suction motor having a first end, a second end and a suction motor axis extending between the first and second ends. An upper portion may be mounted to the surface cleaning head between a storage position and a floor cleaning position, and may include drive handle.
US09668628B2
A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a suction nozzle, a source of suction in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating a working air stream through the housing, an agitator provided within the housing, and a roller provided in front of the agitator which rolls over larger debris while creating a seal for picking up smaller debris.
US09668622B2
The present disclosure provides high bulk tissue products, as well as an apparatus and methods for manufacturing the same. The tissue products provided herein not only have high bulk, but they also have improved surface smoothness, particularly compared to tissue products of similar basis weights.
US09668607B2
A milk frothing appliance including a water reservoir; a steam generator; a milk frothing device that is fluidly connected to the steam generator; and a hand pump that is fluidly connected to both the water reservoir and the steam generator. The hand pump including a manually operable actuator that is moveable between a first actuator position and a second actuator position, and that upon movement from the first actuator position into the second actuator position causes displacement of fluid from the water reservoir to the steam generator. The actuator is further moveable between a third actuator position and a fourth actuator position.
US09668606B2
A beverage preparation machine for dispensing beverages comprising: a housing; a first reservoir station; a first reservoir for containing an aqueous medium, the first reservoir being connectable to said first reservoir station; an auxiliary module station for receiving an auxiliary module.
US09668603B2
Embodiments described herein relate to systems, methods, and devices for remote fuel level detection. A weighing instrument may couple to a propane tank for determining measurement values for a weight of the propane tank, wherein the propane tank is for coupling to a cooking apparatus to provide the fuel to the cooking apparatus. A computing device may receive, via a wireless communication link, measurement values for the weight of the propane tank; correlate the measurement values to data values stored in a database to determine an amount of fuel in the propane tank; and provide the amount of fuel in the propane tank to a user interface. A temperature instrument may determine a temperature of a region proximate to the propane tank to generate a safety factor for the propane tank. A temperature instrument may determine temperatures for regions proximate to the cooking apparatus. A temperature control may control the cooking apparatus. A temperature instrument may determine temperatures for food items cooking on the cooking apparatus, wherein the temperature instrument comprises a plurality of probes, each probe coupled to a food item cooking on the cooking apparatus. Other variations are described.
US09668598B2
A self-righting handheld utensil comprises a weighted base having a generally rounded bottom end, an elongated region extending outwardly from the base, and a use portion. The base, by virtue of its generally rounded bottom and mass, provide for a self-righting function for the disclosed utensil such that, when placed on a flat or substantially flat surface, it counterbalances the utensil to an upright vertical orientation without the need for user intervention or the application of any external force. The base need not become uncoupled from the elongated region and use portion before the user makes operative use of the disclosed utensil. The bottom end of the base may comprise one of several structural embodiments that retain the self-righting function of the utensil.
US09668571B1
An adjustable-foldable desk to be mounted on top of stationary desks, tables and counters with no attachments. Desk comprises leg(s) assemblies on left and right sides whereby connect desktop to the base of the desk. Spring-loaded buttons at upper portion of the leg(s) assemblies allow to release the engagement of the desktop in order to adjust the tilt of the desktop. Also, spring-loaded buttons at lower portions of the leg(s) assemblies allow to release the engagement of the leg with the base in order to swing the leg and substantially desktop in order to adjust the height of the desk.
US09668566B2
A strap may include a sheath and a fluid-filled bladder at least partially located within the sheath. The bladder has an elongate configuration that defines a first end, an opposite second end, and a central portion located between the first end and the second end. At least the central portion and the second end are unsecured to the sheath. In addition, the strap may include a pair of securing elements configured to join the strap to an article, and at least one of the securing elements may be joined to the second end of the bladder.
US09668563B2
A device and method for drying a substance applied to a surface as it is being applied to the surface. The device is designed to apply a form of energy including air movement, heat, or light and can be designed to apply combinations of energy forms. The energy form is applied to the surface during or after the substance has been applied to the surface. A design for the shape of the enclosure and features included in the enclosure for the device are disclosed which enhances the drying efficiency.
US09668560B2
Magnetic interlocking closure device made of two main components different one another and frontally-interpenetrating, one “male” and the other “female”, in which shapes with complex outlines, such as those of a logo or of the customizable initials of a name, give shape to the “male” and, by subtraction, to the “female”, which allows to reversibly hold together two overlapping openable surfaces of materials such as fabric, leather, leather-imitation, cardboard, wood, other materials such as metallic, organic, minerals, ceramics, glass, composites, or a combination of them, which, by way of example, but not as a limitation, may be those of bags, handbags or of other containers such as purses, boxes, sheaths, cases, protective cases, or of pieces of apparel such as jackets, coats, raincoats, trousers, skirts, belts, necklaces, bracelets.
US09668552B2
One embodiment of an inclinometer is disclosed comprising lines on a sticker applied to a ski pole shaft. Each line represents a unique slope angle, and may be identified by a number to indicate the slope angle, such that the lines can be used to visually identify slope angle when the ski pole shaft is held vertically. Slope angle measurements can be taken by sighting a side profile of the slope, or by sighting up or down the slope, or by direct contact measurement with the slope. Other embodiments are described and shown, including one with lines printed directly onto a ski pole shaft, and one that's applied to the cylindrical surface of a water bottle rather than to that of a ski pole shaft.
US09668551B2
A clasp system for attaching two elements, comprising first and second parts (A, B) each having a body (10, 11) for attachment to a respective one of the elements. The first and second parts having a fastening means comprising first and second fastening portions (1, 6), the first part including the first fastening portion and the second part including the second fastening portion. The first fastening portion and the second fastening portion are respectively configured for clipping engagement to fasten the first and second parts together. The unfastening comprises a relative twist movement of the first and second parts to unclip the first and second fastening portions. The first and second parts further comprise magnetic material (2, 3, 4, 5) arranged to pull the first and second parts together into the clipping engagement when the first and second parts are relatively oriented in a predetermined manner and spaced less than a predetermined maximum distance apart.
US09668545B2
A conditionally visible bite line may be demarcated on a shoe upper using at least one of a fluorescent or an Infrared (IR)-responsive material. Such a conditionally visible bite line may be observable only under particular conditions, such as when illuminated by an ultraviolet light source or an IR light source, as appropriate. A light may be projected to intersect the conditionally visible bite line under conditions rendering the conditionally visible bite line detectable. The intersection(s) of the projected light and the conditionally visible bite line may be used to create a virtual bite line for use in generating a tool path to process the surface of a shoe upper bounded by the conditionally visible bite line.
US09668540B2
Footwear and soles for footwear are disclosed. The sole may include an energy transfer base. The energy transfer base may include top and bottom surfaces, and opposed first and second side surfaces. The energy transfer base may include at least one cavity. The at least one cavity may define upper and lower portions of the energy transfer base. The upper portion may be configured to move away from a nominal position and toward the lower portion when a force applied to the upper portion toward the lower portion has a magnitude that is above a predetermined value, and to move back to the nominal position when at least one of (1) the force is no longer applied or (2) the magnitude of the applied force is at or below the predetermined value.
US09668539B2
The present disclosure relates to an item of footwear with sole protection. The footwear has an upper adapted to receive a foot of the wearer; a sole secured to the upper and adapted to be the interface between the wearer and the ground; and a puncture resistant layer embedded into the sole so as to provide the sole protection for the foot of the wearer, the puncture resistant layer having an outer edge exceeding an inner perimeter of the item of footwear defined by a junction between the upper and the sole.
US09668536B2
Described are shoes with a rigid heel portion, and a collar arranged above the rigid heel portion. The collar includes a first collar portion and a second collar portion, the first collar portion and the second collar portion are configured to partially engage an ankle of a wearer of the shoe on a lateral side, a medial side, and a rear side of the ankle when worn. The first collar portion is more flexible than the rigid heel portion, and the second collar portion is more flexible than the first collar portion.
US09668532B2
A helmet chin curtain add-on for effectively preventing wind, cold temperature and noise from entering into a helmet, thereby removing inconveniences when wearing a helmet, is disclosed. The chin curtain is preferably made from a resilient flexible solid material providing for an adequate elastic adjustment, allowing a fit to a wide variety of different helmets. The single piece nature of the chin curtain preferably allows for the prevention of leaks for adequate wind and noise reduction. The elastomeric nature of the material allows the chin curtain to retain its shape even when distorted from putting on and the removing the helmet.
US09668529B2
Provided is a covering adapted for the head that includes a generally rectangular shaped fabric sheet having an inner surface and an outer surface, the fabric sheet having at least one evaporative cooling fabric secured to the inner surface of the fabric sheet, and a first and second elastic fabric panel located on or within the fabric sheet. A method of aiding thermoregulation of the human body and a kit including a covering and instructions for use is also provided.
US09668524B2
Exercise garments with integrated legwarmers are provided herein. In one embodiment a pair of pants includes an upper segment formed from an elastomeric material and a pair of legwarmers that are each joined to the upper segment, the pair of legwarmers forming a lower segment of the pair of pants, each of the pair of legwarmers having a length, the length of each of the pair of legwarmers being sufficiently long enough to overlap the portion of a foot of a wearer.
US09668516B2
A wrapper of a smoking article comprising a base web and banded regions comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge and a plurality of material-free openings between said leading edge and said trailing edge. The openings establish a predetermined, nominal opened-area within said banded regions to control diffusivity. The add-on material can be applied by a gravure roller comprising a surface region with cells, cell-free areas and a chevron shape.
US09668515B2
A tobacco product is formed by rolling moistened tobacco leaves about a cylindrical form casing and allowing the leaves to dry to form a shell. After the form casing is removed a consumer can fill the shell with crushed tobacco leaves of a favorite blend, thereby eliminating some steps in the making of a “roll-your-own” tobacco product.
US09668509B2
A retort agitation system (100) for thermal processing of products includes product carriers 102a and 102b mounted on a low friction support system 104 for reciprocal movement of the carriers along the interior of a retort. The product carriers are driven in reciprocating motion by a drive actuator system 106 that can be positioned between the carriers 102a and 102b or endwise of the two carriers 102a and 102b. A drive actuator system 106 is linked to the carriers to cause the carriers to move along opposite reciprocating paths lengthwise of the retort. Reaction actuators 108 act on the carriers in opposition to the drive actuator system 106 to apply forces on the carriers for accelerating the carriers along the reciprocating paths of travel when such carriers reach the distal and proximal ends of the reciprocating travel paths.
US09668504B2
The invention provides a sweetener composition comprising a core nano particle in association with a sweetener carbohydrate
US09668500B2
Methods of feeding young animals involves mixing sensory compounds containing botanicals, essential oils or both with at least one of a milk replacer and/or starter feed and providing the feed to the young animals to reduce feed refusal or intake variation. A method of reducing feed intake variation in a group of young animals includes feeding an effective amount of sensory compounds containing licorice root in at least one of a milk replacer or a starter feed to reduce feed intake variation compared to a group of young animals fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds. Reducing feed refusal in a young livestock animal may also include feeding an effective amount of sensory compounds in one or more of a milk replacer and a starter feed such that the young animal reduces feed refusal compared to a young animal fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds.
US09668499B2
The present invention is directed to isolated microorganisms as well as strains and mutants thereof, biomasses, microbial oils, compositions, and cultures; methods of producing the microbial oils, biomasses, and mutants; and methods of using the isolated microorganisms, biomasses, and microbial oils.
US09668494B2
The flavor loss that occurs after a cut piece of fresh fruit or vegetable is preserved with calcium ascorbate and then stored is remedied by adding flavor augmenting chemicals to the cut piece of fruit or vegetable along with the calcium ascorbate. The types and amounts of flavor augmenting chemicals are selected to just compensate for this flavor loss and not introduce any new, foreign flavor notes into the fruit or vegetable.
US09668493B2
In order to produce shish kebab skewers (100) in a substantially automated manner, the individual ingredients (98) are individually provided in cups (6) of a cup arrangement (7) including sequential cup rows (8a, b) and cup lines (12a, b) so that a skewer holder (3) in which plural skewers (99) are received in a row adjacent to one another respectively prongs the same ingredient (98) onto all its skewers (99) simultaneously in that it lowers relative to the cups in whose bases (17) pass through openings (32) are arranged so that the ingredients (98) in the cups (6) are pronged onto the skewers (99).
US09668491B2
A poultry stunning apparatus and method, the apparatus including an electrical control module configured to apply a DC current to the poultry at a voltage sufficient to stun the poultry and to apply AC current to the stunned poultry at a voltage and for a period of time sufficient to immobilize and relax the muscles of the stunned poultry, while at the same time avoiding or minimizing damage to the poultry tissue. In the method, DC voltage/current is applied for initial stunning, followed by an AC voltage/current to immobilize poultry and to further relax the muscles of the stunned poultry, such that the poultry does not exhibit involuntary motions, while at the same time avoiding or minimizing damage to the poultry tissue.
US09668486B2
The invention relates to a kneader machine for alimentary doughs including a container provided with a tight lid and a rotor rotatably arranged in the container about a vertical rotation axis (A), wherein the rotor has a flat base consisting of a plurality of arms and a plurality of mixing paddles which extend from the arms in a vertical direction (V), and wherein the arms of the rotor have beveled surfaces formed along their peripheries on the sides intended to face a rotation direction of rotation (R) of the rotor. The mixing paddles have first and second mixing paddles configured so as to generate between them a whirling motion of the particles of the solid ingredients on a plane (P) passing through the rotation axis (A) of the rotor and perpendicular to its base. The invention also relates to a method of making an alimentary dough by using the kneader machine.
US09668476B2
This invention relates to a method for controlling microorganisms comprising coating a surface with a removable, antimicrobial film-forming composition.
US09668475B2
The present invention relates to a photocatalytic film including at least one polymer layer (1) including at least one photocatalyst, said layer being pervious to both the vapors of at least one fumigating compound and ultraviolet radiation capable of activating the photocatalyst. The present invention also relates to a method for treatment by fumigation using said photocatalytic film and at least one fumigant.
US09668468B1
An apparatus is adapted to be installed on a top portion of a utility pole to allow perching upon by birds while preventing the nesting of birds thereby avoiding damage to the utility equipment, or the accidental death of the birds.
US09668462B1
A fish stringer. The device comprises a rope with a spear on one end and a tie-off loop on the other end. A tubular casing is included for sheathing the spear in a safety position when not in use. The locking assembly includes a J-shaped slot in the side of the casing that receives a knob on the side of the spear. A biasing member, such as a spring inside the casing urges the spear into the locked position to prevent accidental removal of the spear from the casing. After the first caught fish is speared, the spear is threaded through the tie-off loop. There is no need to tie off the rest of the fish in the string, making the stringing of the rest of the caught fish faster and easier.
US09668455B1
The pet food and water bowls is a set of bowls that are positioned on a supporting frame at an elevation that is adapted for use with a pet. The set of bowls each include a handle that is vertically oriented, and affixed to the respective bowl. The handle is concentrically affixed to the respective bowl via a centered aperture. The centered aperture extends upwardly from a bottom bowl surface via a bowl armature. The handle is affixed to the centered aperture, and is adapted to be grabbed via an end user such that the end user does not have to lean over and grasp the respective bowl.
US09668447B2
The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 14R941B2XF. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 14R941B2XF. Also provided by the invention are methods of using cotton variety 14R941B2XF and products derived therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 14R941B2XF with itself or another cotton variety and plants and seeds produced by such methods.
US09668445B1
A novel sorghum variety designated PHLQVBM and seed, plants, plant parts and plant cells thereof are produced from a cross of inbred sorghum varieties. Methods for producing a sorghum plant by crossing hybrid sorghum variety PHLQVBM with another sorghum plant and methods for producing a sorghum plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHLQVBM through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the sorghum seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are described. Sorghum variety PHLQVBM, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of sorghum variety PHLQVBM are provided.
US09668435B2
New basil variety designated ‘Eleonora’ is described. ‘Eleonora’ is a basil variety exhibiting stability and uniformity.
US09668425B2
A combine harvester including a frame, threshing apparatus, a grain cleaning system, and, a feederhouse pivotally mounted to the frame on a transverse lift axis. The feederhouse includes a conveyor for conveying cut crop material from a fore opening to an aft opening. The feederhouse is configured to support a cutting header at its forward end. The grain cleaning system includes a transverse cross-flow fan having a debris screen protecting an air inlet channel. The debris screen includes a plurality of elongate transverse screen elements each being mounted to the frame so as to provide a degree of vertical movement freedom with respect to the frame. At least one elastic member is connected between the underside of the feederhouse and the frame and connects the plurality of screen elements. At least one elastic member is stretched as the feederhouse is raised and the vertical spacing between the plurality of screen elements increases.
US09668424B2
A rotor top cover assembly for an axial-flow crop processor in a combine harvester is provided. The cover assembly comprises first and second curved cover plate sections at least one of which sections forming an upper part of a generally cylindrical shaped rotor housing for a crop processing rotor. A curved transition plate nests radially inside, and is fastened to, adjoining respective end regions of the cover plate sections. Helical guide vanes are mounted in an axially spaced relationship along an inner surface of at least one of the cover plate sections. At least one guide vane is mounted directly to the transition plate.
US09668422B2
A device for harvesting long agricultural products, such as grass, straw, pulses, biomass products and the like, includes a frame having a main axis of extension, a plurality of agricultural product harvesting elements, each in turn equipped with at least one long harvesting prong, a movement system for moving each of the harvesting elements along a closed trajectory surrounding the main axis of extension, and a plurality of bands fixed to the frame, positioned one after another and spaced out along the main axis of extension. The device also includes a conveyor unit including an elongate body extending along its own axis of rotation and provided with at least one peripheral step forming an agricultural product feed shoulder extending, along an axis which is substantially radial relative to said axis of rotation, between an edge proximal to the axis of rotation and an edge distal from the axis of rotation.
US09668416B2
A scale for a collecting pass-through table used in a small fruit harvesting machine has a plate and a stop rim affixed to the plate and extending upwardly above an upper face of the plate. The stop rim has a flexible lip that is elastically deformable. The stop rim extends in a direction outwardly of a free distal end of the plate. The stop rim has height that prevents the small fruit from moving beyond the free distal end of the plate. The stop rim has a forward end portion that is stiff. The stop rim is removably fastened to the plate at the free distal end thereof.
US09668412B2
A harvesting head height control circuit (162) for controlling the height of an articulated harvesting head (104) that is supported on a combine harvester (102) during harvesting in an agricultural field includes an ECU (164) configured to raise and lower the portions of the articulated harvesting head. The ECU (164) receives signals indicating the magnitude of a rearward force acting upon the articulated harvesting head and automatically changes the commanded operating height of the articulated harvesting head (104).
US09668410B2
A method for mowing around an obstacle. A mower arm is pivotally connected to a supporting member supportively connect to a supporting vehicle. A pivotal arm is pivotally connected to the mower arm. A cutter head is connected to the pivotal arm, the cutter head comprising a first cutter and a second cutter. A release mechanism comprising a holding plate is located on the pivotal arm and an actuator is located on the mower arm, the holding plate comprising at least one hole, the actuator engaging the at least one hole in the holding plate to hold the pivotal arm in a first position such that the first cutter is in a relatively leading position to the second cutter.
US09668406B2
A system for sectional yield measurement includes a draper frame (106); a reciprocating knife (112) fixed to a forward edge of the draper frame (106); rollers (122, 126) spaced apart from one another across the width of the draper frame (106); a first endless belt (120, 124) supported on the plurality of rollers (122, 126); load sensors (300) disposed to sense a cut crop load applied to the plurality of rollers (122, 126); and an ECU (204) coupled to the load sensors to calculate a sectional yield of the row independent harvesting head (102) based at least upon signals indicative of the cut crop load.
US09668402B2
A seed bounce flap for an agricultural seeder is provided for preventing bouncing of seeds in a furrow created by a furrow opener assembly with a seed channel defined by a rearwardly angled seed tube and seed boot. The seed bounce flap has a first mounting portion attached to an upper wall of the seed boot and a second flexible portion extending generally downwardly from the first portion. The second portion of the seed bounce flap is angled relative to the first portion so that the second portion is more vertical than the first portion. The seed bounce flap is flexible in a fore-and-aft direction and has tapering right and left sides that converge toward each other at a lower end of the seed bounce flap to conform to the shape of the furrow. The seed bounce flap can be made of an injection molded plastic material.
US09674994B2
A wiring harness (10) for connecting a first device and a second device includes a first shield connector (20) to be connected to the first device, a second shield connector (30) to be connected to the second device, wires (40) arranged between the first shield connector (20) and the second shield connector (30), and a shield (50) made of an electrically conductive metal cloth. After the wires (40) are arranged between the first shield connector (20) and the second shield connector (30), the sheet-like shield (50) is mounted to cover the wires (40), thereby shielding between the first and second devices.
US09674990B2
An apparatus for cooling power components includes a first clamping portion, the first clamping portion having a first arcuate engagement surface, and a first interface. A second clamping portion, the second clamping portion having a second arcuate engagement surface, and a second interface. A flexible heat transfer pad and a power component. The power component is coupled to the flexible heat transfer pad, such that the flexible heat transfer pad substantially surrounds the power component, the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion configured to be coupled, such that the first arcuate engagement surface and the second arcuate engagement surface form an opening contoured to receive the power component, and the first interface and the second interface are adjacent to each other.
US09674988B2
A center includes a main room having a number of rows of bays, which hold functional energy-intensive pieces of equipment having air intake passages located functionally beside their front surface and air discharge passages located beside their rear surface, and cooling elements associated with passages, with the arrangement of the bays and functional equipment being such that a pair of two rows, whose back-to-back surfaces are the rear surfaces, defines a hot passage where the air discharge passages, in which the air is hot, are accessible at a temperature T3 that is higher than the temperature T2 of the tempered air found in the portion of the main room that is outside the hot passage and from which the front surfaces and the air intake passages are accessible, and air-conditioning elements for providing filtered air, whose flow rate, temperature T2, and hygrometric degree are suitable for optimal operation of functional.
US09674976B2
A wireless process communication adapter for field devices is provided. The adapter includes a metal housing having a first end and a second end. A chamber is defined between the first and second ends. A radio-frequency transparent radome is coupled to the first end. The second end has a field device coupling configured to attach to a field device. At least one circuit board is disposed within the chamber. The circuit board supports at least wireless process communication circuitry. A plurality of wires is coupled to the at least one circuit board and extends through the field device coupling. A silicone potting fills substantially all volume within the chamber not occupied by the at least one circuit board and wireless process communication circuitry.
US09674975B2
A protective enclosure adapted to hold a touch screen device and allow operation of both the touch screen and actuators on a side of the device, the enclosure formed of a tray having a rim surrounding an interior device seating surface; a lid having a rim corresponding to the rim of the tray and surrounding a window aperture; a protective membrane having a transparent membrane forming an interior window portion positioned in the viewing aperture of the lid, and a resiliently pliable skirt about the interior window portion, the skirt projecting the interior window portion outwardly of the rim around the aperture of the lid; a continuous pliable seal adapted to be compressible between the corresponding rims of the lid and the tray; and a mechanism for clamping the rim of the lid and the rim of the tray with the pliable seal forming a continuous seal therebetween.
US09674972B2
A modular electronic system for receiving, processing or forwarding information. Devices comprise a housing including flat electromagnetically effective transfer elements in or on an insulating housing wall and at least one circuit board including flat electromagnetically effective transfer elements and electronic components.
US09674966B2
Process of depositing a metallic pattern on a medium, said process comprising: generating pulsed laser beams from a pulsed laser source, wherein the laser beams have a wavelength for which the medium is substantially transparent, focussing the laser beams onto a target layer comprising inorganic particles, dispersed in a laser light degradable/combustible organic matrix, said target layer producing ejecta in response to an interaction of said laser beams and said target layer, accumulating at least a portion of said ejecta on said medium within the desired pattern, providing the pattern by electroless metal plating. The invention further relates to a transparent medium comprising a metallic pattern wherein the adhesion between the metallic pattern and the medium is at least 5N/cm.
US09674960B2
A printed circuit board having two completed printed circuit board elements which consists of a plurality of interconnected plies or layers, wherein at least one printed circuit board element has a cutout or depression containing the component to be integrated on one of the printed circuit board elements or in the cutout of the at least one printed circuit board element, and the printed circuit board elements are connected with the component being accommodated in the cutout, as a result of which it is possible to obtain secure and reliable accommodation of the component in the printed circuit board. Furthermore, a printed circuit board of this type also contains an electronic component integrated therein.
US09674949B1
A stretchable wire assembly includes a metal wire coupled between two elastic substrates. The two elastic substrates are selectively coupled together, and the metal wire is attached to one or both elastic substrates at select locations. The form of the metal wire is such that when the elastic substrates are in a relaxed, or non-stretched, state the metal wire forms a tortuous path, such as a waveform, along the coupled elastic substrates. The tortuous path of the metal wire provides slack such that as the elastic substrates are stretched the slack is taken up. Once released, the elastic substrates move from the stretched position to the relaxed, non-stretched position, and slack is reintroduced into the metal wire in the form of the original tortuous path.
US09674945B2
Methods of forming a microelectronic packaging structure and associated structures formed thereby are described. Those methods may include attaching a microfluidic die to a package structure, wherein the microfluidic die comprises a plurality of asymmetric electrodes that may be coupled with signal pads disposed within the package structure.
US09674944B2
A printed circuit board and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. A printed circuit board having conductive patterns formed in multilayers on an insulating material laminated on both surfaces of a glass core is provided. The printed circuit board includes a first insulating material disposed on a first surface and a second surface of the glass core. and a second insulating material disposed on the first insulating material. The first insulating material surrounds a first portion of a side surface of the glass core and the second insulating material surrounds a second portion of the side surface of the glass core, the second portion being a portion of the glass core not surrounded by the first insulating material.
US09674938B2
Provided is a flexible light emitting semiconductor device (26), such as an LED device, that includes a flexible dielectric layer (12) having first and second major surfaces and at least one via (10) extending through the dielectric layer from the first to the second major surface, with a conductive layer (19, 20, 18) on each of the first and second major surfaces and in the via. The conductive layer (18) in the via supports a light emitting semiconductor device (26) and is electrically isolated from the conductive layer (19) on the first major surface of the dielectric layer.
US09674936B2
Provided is a superconducting accelerating cavity 30 including: a cavity main body 10 formed of a superconducting material into a cylindrical shape; and a refrigerant tank 20 installed around the cavity main body 10 and storing a refrigerant which is supplied from the outside through a supply port 20a into a space formed between the refrigerant tank and the outer circumferential surface of the cavity main body 10, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the cavity main body 10 is coated with a metal coating layer 10a having a higher conductivity than the superconducting material.
US09674915B2
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for lighting control based on a combination of inputs. One or more properties of light output of a lighting fixture (120A, 120B, 120C) are controlled based on local input (based on local sensor readings) and group input (provided to the lighting fixture and additional lighting fixtures) and/or one or more sensors (125A, 125B) are auto-calibrated. For example, in some embodiments a lighting controller (130A) of a lighting fixture may receive both the local input and the group input and control a dimming level of a light source (150A) of the lighting fixture based on the local input and the group input. For example, the local input may be based on input from a local sensor that is indicative of a light level near the lighting fixture and the group input may be indicative of a desired group level of dimming.
US09674909B2
A detection resistor is arranged on a path of an LED string. A controller generates a gate pulse signal having a duty ratio adjusted such that the voltage drop at the detection resistor matches a predetermined reference voltage. Furthermore, the controller receives a dimming control signal which indicates the duty ratio of the burst dimming operation, and generates a corresponding burst dimming pulse. According to the gate pulse signal, the first driver drives an output circuit configured to generate a driving voltage. A second driver switches a path of a driving current between connection and disconnection according to the burst dimming pulse. A duty ratio detection unit controls the frequency of the gate pulse signal according to the duty ratio indicated by the dimming control signal.
US09674907B1
An LED driver is provided with input surge absorbing capacity. A surge protection circuit branch is coupled across output lines from a DC power source, in parallel with and between a filtering capacitor and a non-isolated buck-boost PFC circuit. A variable impedance device such as a spark gap is coupled to a first power line and having a breakdown voltage to operate as an open circuit during normal operating conditions with respect to a peak input voltage across the capacitor. Responsive to a surge condition with respect to excess energy across the capacitor, the spark gap operates as a closed circuit, and a second capacitor coupled between the spark gap and the second line absorbs the excess energy. Responsive to a return to normal operating conditions, the spark gap reverts to an open state and the accumulated surge energy is discharged from the second capacitor to circuit ground.
US09674898B2
A semiconductor substrate thermal treatment apparatus enables excellent heating control in suppressing influence of mutual induction between induction heating coils even when the induction heating coils are arranged in the vertical direction while providing horizontal magnetic flux to susceptors. The apparatus indirectly heats wafers mounted on horizontally-arranged susceptors including induction heating coils to form alternate-current magnetic flux in a direction parallel to a mount face of the susceptor. The wafer are arranged at an outer circumferential side of the susceptor. The induction heating coils are structured with at least one main heating coil and subordinate heating coils electromagnetically coupled with the main heating coil. Inverse coupling coils inversely-coupled to the subordinate heating coils are provided to the main heating coil, and zone control means separately controls a power ratio while synchronizing frequencies and current waveforms of current to the main heating coil and adjacent subordinate heating coils.
US09674889B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, an apparatus and a system for data connection management. The method for data connection management includes: obtaining, by a user equipment UE, first instruction information, wherein the first instruction information is used for instructing to close or open a data connection; and transmitting, by the UE, the first instruction information to a packet data network gateway P-GW, for enabling the P-GW to stop or start data transmission of at least one bearer of the UE according to the first instruction information. By adopting the embodiments, a traffic of a terminal is effectively controlled, thus an additional cost of a user is reduced.
US09674886B2
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for transmitting uplink signals to a plurality of transmission points in a wireless communication system, comprising: receiving information on at least one parameter set group through upper layer signaling, wherein each of the at least one parameter set group includes a plurality of parameter sets; detecting a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) comprising indication information for indicating specific parameter sets which belong to one of the parameter set groups from among the at least one parameter set group; and transmitting a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) by using the specific parameter set, wherein each of the plurality of parameter sets includes information on a power control parameter and information on timing advance (TA) for transmitting the PUSCH signal.
US09674884B2
A method for activating a mobile hotspot operation includes detecting, at a mobile device, an event associated with activating a mobile hotspot operation on the mobile device. In response to the detection of the event, a mobile hotspot operation is activated on the mobile device. A connection request to access the mobile device as a mobile hotspot is received from an additional device. In response to the connection request, the access to the additional device is granted.
US09674881B2
Device discovery may be important in a variety of communication systems including, for example, wireless communication systems. Thus, certain embodiments may provide a device to device beacon design that may provide for efficient interference management and resource allocation. For example, a method may include preparing a proximity communication request including information about a device to device communication state of a discovered user equipment or resource usage of the discovered user equipment. The method may also include transmitting the proximity communication request to a base station.
US09674878B2
A packet data network gateway, P-GW, is located in a second network for supporting user plane data to terminal devices in a wireless communications system that additionally comprises a first network having a first packet data network gateway, P-GW operably couplable to the P-GW. The P-GW comprises a processor arranged to: check a destination address of received packets from the first P-GW to determine whether the received packets are destined for any of the terminal devices, and in response thereto: extract one or more properties of said received packets if they are destined for any of the terminal devices served with user plane data; or discard said received packets if they are not destined for the terminal device(s).
US09674863B2
At least one example embodiment discloses a method of scheduling communications in a network having a plurality of base stations covering cells, respectively. The method includes obtaining a first coordination matrix, by a first base station, based on channel state information from at least one user equipment (UE), the first coordination matrix indicating scheduling information and first weights associated with subband transmissions for the first base station, transmitting the first coordination matrix to at least another base station of the plurality of base stations, receiving, by the first base station, a second coordination matrix from the at least another base station, the second coordination matrix indicating second weights associated with subband transmissions for the second base station, and transmitting, by the first base station, in subbands where the associated first weights are greater than the associated second weights.
US09674855B2
Techniques are provided for carrier aggregation and H-ARQ timing in LTE or the like. For example, there is provided a method, operable by a mobile device, that may involve identifying a first component carrier and a second component carrier among a plurality of component carriers to be aggregated, wherein a first number of subframes of a subframe type in the first component carrier is less than a second number of subframes of the same subframe type in the second component carrier. The method may further involve receiving a configuration to monitor a control channel for the second component carrier on the first component carrier. The method further may further involve determining a reference uplink-downlink subframe configuration for the second component carrier based at least in part on the subframe type and the received configuration for the control channel.
US09674844B2
A Wireless Local Access Network (WLAN) user policy distribution device and method are described. One embodiment of such a device comprises: a first receiving module, configured to receive a WLAN user policy actively sent by an upstream policy decision distribution device; and a first forwarding module, configured to forward the WLAN user policy to a WLAN user policy execution device. Through the technical solution provided in one embodiment of such a device, the absence of a necessary policy control management mechanism in the existing WLAN is solved, thereby implementing the WLAN user policy control effectively.
US09674843B2
Method and apparatus for determining transmission power of preamble in wireless communication system
Provided are a method and an apparatus for determining transmission power of a preamble in a wireless communication system. A terminal estimates secondary cell (SCell) path loss with respect to a downlink (DL) component carrier (CC), which is in a linkage relationship with an uplink (UL) component carrier inside the SCell; decides the transmission power of a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble based on the SCell path loss that is estimated; and transmits the PRACH preamble to a base station through the UL CC inside the SCell, based on the transmission power that is decided, wherein the SCell and a primary cell (PCell) comprises a carrier aggregation (CA) system, the PCell is a cell from which the terminal performs radio resource control (RRC) connection with the base station, and wherein the Scell is at least one cell from residual cells in the carrier aggregation excluding the PCell.
US09674834B2
A user equipment (UE) may receive a first downlink signal, including a resource assignment having a first indication of a first resource of a plurality of resources and a number of resources of the plurality of resources in a sequence. The downlink signal may include a second indication as to applying the resource assignment to a single time interval or plurality of time intervals, which the UE may determine. The UE may receive a second downlink signal in the first time interval in the first resource and in the number of consecutive resources in the sequence on a condition that the resource assignment is for a single time interval, and a second downlink signal in each of the plurality of time intervals in the first resource and in the number of consecutive resources in the sequence on a condition that the resource assignment is for the plurality of time intervals.
US09674828B2
A terminal apparatus, which performs communication with a first base station apparatus and a second base station apparatus which has a smaller maximum transmit power than that of the first base station apparatus, includes a control unit that extracts control information from signals received from the first base station apparatus and the second base station apparatus and sets communication parameters of an uplink data signal, in which a bit number of information which is extracted by the control unit as the control information from the signal from the second base station apparatus is smaller than a bit number of information which is extracted as the control information from the signal from the first base station apparatus.
US09674824B2
According to one embodiment, a method for transmitting, by a user equipment (UE), information in a wireless communication system includes: determining a first information sequence based on a first cyclically shifted base sequence and a first orthogonal sequence by using a first physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource for a first antenna, wherein the first PUCCH resource is obtained based on a channel control element (CCE) index related to a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and a parameter configured by a higher layer; determining a second information sequence based on a second cyclically shifted base sequence and a second orthogonal sequence by using a second PUCCH resource for a second antenna, wherein the second PUCCH resource is obtained by adding an offset to the first PUCCH resource; transmitting the first information sequence via the first antenna; and transmitting the second information sequence via the second antenna.
US09674819B2
Systems and methods share context information on a neighbor aware network. In one aspect, a context providing device receives a plurality of responses to a discovery query from a context consuming device, and tailors services it offers to the context consuming device based on the responses. In another aspect, a context providing device indicates in its response to a discovery query which services or local context information it can provide to the context consuming device, and also a cost associated with providing the service or the local context information. In some aspects, the cost is in units of monetary currency. In other aspects, the cost is in units of user interface display made available to an entity associated with the context providing device in exchange for the services or local context information offered to the context consuming device.
US09674816B2
Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a device, mobility management node and/or a serving gateway, and corresponding methods there, for providing application, service or priority based paging. According to some of the example embodiments, the decision whether or not to issue or accept a paging request may be made based on a priority, application or service (or type of service) associated with the paging request.
US09674814B2
Techniques for positioning with Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) messages are disclosed. An example of a wireless transceiver system for providing a FTM response message is configure to receive a FTM request from an initiating station, the FTM request may include a minimum delta FTM value, a number of bursts exponents value, and a As Soon As Possible (ASAP) value. The transceiver may send a first FTM response message indicating the FTM session is terminated if the wireless transceiver is incapable of meeting the minimum delta FTM value and the number of bursts exponents value, and send a second FTM response message including a status value based on the ASAP value in the FTM request if the wireless transceiver is capable of meeting the minimum delta FTM value and the number of bursts exponents value.
US09674810B2
Disclosed is an apparatus, method and computer program which frequency shifts a received signal by a first frequency value and low-pass filters the frequency shifted received signal at a first cutoff frequency to filter out a plurality of adjacent carrier frequencies. Parallel baseband processing is then performed on two or more adjacent carrier frequencies among the plurality of adjacent carrier frequencies based upon an adjacent carrier power criterion. In certain examples, the parallel baseband processing is adapted for detecting a frequency correction burst in two or more adjacent Global System for Mobile Communications carrier frequencies or an Enhanced Data Rates for Global System for Mobile Communications Evolution carrier frequencies.
US09674805B2
The present invention involves defining the operation of a terminal for determining which time alignment timer is to be applied to a certain condition when specific time alignment timers operate for each carrier-wave group in the event a wireless communication system uses a carrier aggregation technique. According to the present invention, a terminal may perform communication without malfunctions using a time alignment timer suitable for a certain condition A method for a terminal to operate a time alignment timer according to the present invention comprises the steps of: operating a first time alignment timer for a first timing advance group (TAG) including a first cell; operating a second time alignment timer upon receipt of a timing advance command for a second TAG that does not include the first cell; and, if the first time alignment timer has expired, deeming the second time alignment timer to also be expired.
US09674796B2
A physical random access channel enhanced transmission method, a network device, and a terminal are disclosed, where implementation of the terminal is used as an example, and the terminal includes: a processor, configured to determine level information of physical random access channel (PRACH) enhanced transmission; and to determine a first characteristic parameter that is of PRACH enhanced transmission and that is related to the determined level information of PRACH enhanced transmission, where the first characteristic parameter includes transmit power and a preamble format; and a transmitter, configured to perform PRACH enhanced sending according to the first characteristic parameter determined by the processor.
US09674791B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless communication method, an apparatus, and a system. The method includes: receiving, by UE in a fixed downlink subframe whose subframe number is i−KUL, at least one TPC command sent by a base station, where the at least one TPC command is carried on a PDCCH whose format is a DCI format 3/3A, and the at least one TPC command includes a TPC command of an uplink signal that is sent in an uplink subframe whose subframe number is i; determining, by the UE according to the TPC command of the uplink signal that is sent in the uplink subframe whose subframe number is i, a problem that in a scenario in which a dynamic TDD uplink-downlink subframe configuration is applied, a base station fails to receive an uplink signal.
US09674789B1
Uplink power control is an essential part of wireless communication systems. The transmit power control operation in the uplink of a wireless communication system is a combination of the algorithms used at the base station and the reception and processing of the power control commands at the client terminal. An important aspect for the effectiveness of transmit power control is the timeliness of the changes made to the uplink transmit power at the client terminal. Sometimes the transmit power control loop may take longer time to respond to real time dynamics and may lead to inferior performance. A method and apparatus are disclosed that enable the power control adjustments at the client terminal such that the uplink transmit power is within the specified limits of the wireless communication network and yet enhance the performance of the client terminal and the wireless communications network.
US09674785B2
To provide a terminal management apparatus capable of improving convenience in a state that power consumption is suppressed. A communication section 501 receives reporting information notifying the presence of a notification utilizing a first communication function directed to a terminal 510. When the communication section 501 has received the reporting information, a control section 502 transmits a message indicating the presence of the notification, to the terminal 510 by using a second communication function different from the first communication function.
US09674784B2
Disclosed is a method for a station (STA) for accessing a channel in a wireless communication system. The method for a STA for accessing a channel in a wireless communication system comprises the steps of: receiving a beacon frame comprising a traffic indicator map (TIM); and transmitting a power save (PS)-Poll frame if buffered traffic is indicated by TIM to the STA, wherein the PS-Poll frame is transmitted during a PS-Poll dedicated restricted access window (RAW) by and/or during an additional RAW, the PS-Poll dedicated RAW being allocated to transmit the PS-Poll frame, and the additional RAW being additionally allocated subsequent to the PS-Poll-dedicated RAW.
US09674776B2
A communications system includes a plurality of different types of small coverage area base stations, e.g., femto cell base stations, WiFi access points and Bluetooth access points within a macro cell. Different user equipment (UE) devices, e.g., different smartphones, include different capabilities. In order for UE devices and small coverage area base stations with compatible capabilities to efficiently discover one another, the various small coverage area base stations and various UE devices utilize the macro cell communications band and macro cell communication protocol to coordinate device discovery and exchange discovery information and control information which allows a UE device to access a compatible small coverage area base station and subsequently communicate user data, e.g., traffic data, with the UE device.
US09674775B2
A method for performing a cell search in a multi-subscription device is provided. The method includes estimating, by a first subscriber identity module (SIM) of multiple SIMs of the multi-subscription device, search time information required for identifying one cell and margin time information for cell search, where the first SIM is associated with a first radio access technology (RAT); obtaining a discontinuous reception (DRX) period of a second SIM associated with a second RAT in the multi-subscription device; determining a number of cells to be searched during the DRX period based on the estimated information; performing a measurement for one or more cells to be searched based on the number of the cells; ranking the one or more cells based on the measurement; and initiating a cell search on one or more cells having a highest signal strength during the DRX period.
US09674767B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product for forming a tiered Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) server topology is presented. A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) having a plurality of Mobile Virtual Local Area Network (MVLAN) servers is broken into a plurality of zones, each zone including at least one MVLAN server. An Identifier (ID) is assigned to each zone. A MVLAN server in each zone is designated as a MVLAN gateway server, wherein MVLAN servers within a zone communicate with each other within the zone, wherein the MVLAN servers within a zone communicate directly with the MVLAN gateway sever within the zone, wherein MVLAN gateway servers communicate directly with each other, and wherein a MVLAN server within a first zone communicates with a MVLAN server in a second zone by way of the MVLAN gateway sever of the first zone and the MVLAN gateway server of the second zone.
US09674766B2
A combination of repeaters and relays is used to improve the data throughput for user equipment (“UE”) near the cell edge in a LTE network. Amplify-and-forward repeaters and decode-and-forward relays enhance the down-link and up-link, respectively. Relay assistance on the up-link occurs when the evolved Node B (“eNB”) requests a retransmission (HARQ) from the UE at which point the UE and relay transmit simultaneously in a cooperative fashion. The quality of the up-link signal received by the eNB is improved due to a favorable channel through the relay. An analysis shows that relay assistance improves the throughput for a cell-edge user when the average delay per data transport block is allowed to increase.
US09674764B2
An example method is provided in one example embodiment and may include receiving an indication of a radio access technology (RAT) change for a user equipment (UE); determining availability of a preferred RAT type for a policy related rule associated with the UE, wherein the policy related rule includes, at least in part, the preferred RAT type for one or more service data flows for the UE; and configuring the one or more service data flows for the UE based, at least in part, on a change in availability of the preferred RAT type following the RAT change. In at least one case, the method can include routing downlink packets to the UE using the one or more service data flows for the preferred RAT type if the preferred RAT type is available.
US09674763B2
A system and method to allow call traffic localization within a mobile switching center server pool (MSS pool) or between MSS pools, provides a trunk group identifier mapped to an originating media gateway. An originating mobile switching center server (MSC server) initiates a call session with a terminating MSC server by sending a session initiation protocol (SIP) message that includes a trunk group identifier mapped to an originating media gateway identity. The terminating MSC server examines the mapping received in the SIP message, and uses the trunk group identifier to select a terminating media gateway for call routing to realize call traffic localization.
US09674751B2
In one embodiment, a portable, networked, computing device comprises a processor, a plurality of radios, and a memory. The device may be operable to pair, by at least one of the radios, with a device associated with a user. The device may then monitor, by one of the radios, a signal for a connection established with a first network. When the device determines that the signal for the first network has dropped below a threshold level of quality, it may enable access point mode for at least one of the paired devices by turning on a radio to establish a connection with a second network and thereby providing connectivity to the second network for the at least one of the paired devices. If multiple networks are available, the device may select an optimal network based on an assessment of one or more factors.
US09674745B2
A target communications device receiving from a source communications device a notification that a user communications device is to be handed over from that source communications device, provides the source communications device with multiple component carrier information for use by the user communications device. The multiple component carrier information includes information indicating to the user communications device which of the multiple component carriers is to be used for initial access. The multiple component carrier information may be component carrier indexes. Communication devices may exchange component carrier indexes during a setup or updating procedure such as an X2 setup or updating procedure.
US09674741B2
A network-side device and a macro base station to micro base station switching method relate to a universal mobile telecommunications system. The method includes: multiplexing part of scrambling codes in reserved scrambling codes to micro base station cells, and configuring them to a user equipment; a network side creating a SNF−SFN relation list between various base station cells according to existing determined neighbor cell relations and cell synchronization information in a measurement report by the user equipment; when the user equipment reports a switching measurement report of a target cell, the network side determining a target cell in actual switching and performing the switching according to the scrambling code information in the switching measurement report, TM and OFF information in the cell synchronization information and the SFN−SFN relation list. The embodiment of the present invention further discloses a network-side device.
US09674739B2
In a wireless communications network, the presence of a wireless local area network in a cell segment is determined. An identifier of the wireless local area network in the cell segment is sent to at least one mobile station in the cell segment to enable the at least one mobile station to hand off to the wireless local area network. Optionally, information identifying geographic boundaries of cell segments and the wireless local area network can be sent to the at least one mobile station.
US09674724B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting a measurement report in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The method for transmitting a measurement report at a UE in the wireless communication system includes measuring received strengths and reception frequencies of first and second signals, and transmitting a measurement report including a frequency offset between the first and second signals, if the received strength of the second signal is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold. The frequency offset is used to support cooperative transmission of transmission points transmitting the first and second signals.
