US09886098B2
A keyboard for converting keystrokes into electrical signals is disclosed. The keyboard includes a plurality of keys. At least one of the keys includes two electrodes and a member that generates triboelectric charges upon skin contact. The member is adjacent to one of the electrodes to affect a flow of electrons between the two electrodes when a distance between the member and the skin varies.
US09886090B2
An electronic device may include a haptic input device, such as a haptic trackpad, that provides tactile feedback when receiving input. The electronic device may determine that one or more system level events occurs and utilize the haptic input device to provide one or more haptic notifications via one or more surfaces other than the haptic input device, such as a portion of a housing of the electronic device. In some cases, the electronic device may be configurable between a first position where the haptic input device is exposed and a second configuration where the haptic input device is covered but the surface via which the haptic notification may be provided is still exposed.
US09886086B2
A virtual reality (VR) device presents a virtual environment and detects an input that relates to a contact by a user. The VR device identifies attributes of the input, and the attributes include, for example, a portion of the VR device associated with the contact, a duration of the contact, and a direction of motion of the contact. The VR device modifies the presented virtual environment based on the input attributes, such as presenting a default view of the virtual environment when a first type of input is detected; moving a virtual horizon when a second type of input is detected; enlarging a depicted virtual object when a third type of input is detected; presenting a menu of options when a fourth type of input is detected; and capturing and presenting an image or video of the user's actual surroundings when a fifth type of input is detected.
US09886085B2
Disclosed herein is an image processing apparatus including: a nearness computation block configured to compute a nearness between a representative position representative of a user and a position of an object; a movement determination block configured to determine a movement of the object in a virtual space with an accuracy corresponding to the computed nearness; and a drawing block configured to draw an image on the basis of the determined movement.
US09886078B2
Provided are an information processing apparatus and a power-off control method of an information processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus includes a nonvolatile memory; a cache memory for caching data to be written into the nonvolatile memory; a power switch; a spatial change detecting section configured to detect a change in state of a space around the power switch; a notification section configured to send a user a notification; and a control section. The control section is configured to determine an action of a user likely to turn the power switch off, based on a detection signal outputted by the spatial change detecting section; operate the notification section to send a user a notification that the action is being performed, in response to recognizing the action; and write data stored in the cache memory into the nonvolatile memory after operating the notification section to send the user the notification.
US09886077B2
Various systems, processes, and products may be used to manage a processor. In particular implementations, managing a processor may include the ability to determine whether a thread is pausing for a short period of time and place a wait event for the thread in a queue based on a short thread pause occurring. Managing a processor may also include the ability to activate a delay thread that determines whether a wait time associated with the pause has expired and remove the wait event from the queue based on the wait time having expired.
US09886070B2
A storage controller determines a presence of an indication from an Input/Output (I/O) enclosure that the I/O enclosure will be powered off after a predetermined amount of time. The storage controller quiesces all I/O adapters of the I/O enclosure, in response to receiving the indication. The storage controller quiesces the I/O enclosure, in response to completion of quiescing of all of the I/O adapters of the I/O enclosure.
US09886069B2
A system is provided herein. The system includes a support member and a latch mechanism. The support member includes a positioning member. The latch mechanism is connected to the support member. The latch mechanism includes a handle and a retention latch. The handle is formed to rotate about an axis. Rotation of the handle to shift engagement of the handle with the positioning member between an engaged position and an unengaged position. The retention latch to engage with a chassis and secure the support member therein. The retention latch connects to the handle. In the engaged position, the handle to connect to the positioning member and the retention latch to engage with the chassis. In the unengaged position, the handle and the positioning member to disconnect and the handle to displace the retention latch to release engagement of the retention latch with the chassis.
US09886068B2
Cable management systems, devices, and associated methods of installation and operation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an enclosure for holding computer components includes a front panel, a back panel, and a side panel between the front panel and the back panel. The side panel has a first side facing an interior space of the enclosure and a second side facing away from the first side. The enclosure also includes a guide panel proximate to the side panel, the guide panel being spaced apart from the second side of the side panel by a gap extending at least partially between the front panel and the back panel. The enclosure also includes a cable anchor located in the gap between the side panel and the guide panel.
US09886067B2
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a latch may include a pivoting member and a leaf-spring member. The pivoting member may be configured to rotatably couple the latch to a chassis such that the latch may rotate between a first position and a second position relative to the chassis. The leaf-spring feature may be shaped and arranged in order to, as the latch is rotated between the first position and the second position, apply a mechanical force to a first circuit board to mate a first connector of the first circuit board to a second connector of a second circuit board.
US09886064B2
A connecting assembly is disposed between two opposite assembling sides of a first body and a second body of an electronic device. The connecting assembly includes an engaging member, an engaging portion and an elastic fixing mechanism. The engaging member is pivoted to the first body and the engaging portion is fixed to the second body. The elastic fixing mechanism is connected to the first body. When the first body is assembled to the second body, the engaging member rotates relative to the engaging portion from a first position to a second position, such that the engaging member is infixed to the engaging portion and the second body. Then elastic force of the elastic fixing mechanism fixes the engaging member together with the engaging portion and the second body, such that the first body is assembled to the second body. An electronic device having the connecting assembly is also provided.
US09886060B2
The general field of the invention is that of electronic mission preparation systems, notably for aircraft pilots. The system comprises a removable touch tablet and an associated connection support or docking station intended to be mounted on an aircraft instrument panel. The connection support comprises a mechanical support comprising translational guiding means and a pivoting pallet comprising mechanical means for rapidly locking and unlocking the touch tablet This connection support also comprises a memory card and electrical connectors. These provisions together ensure both the electrical and mechanical connections of the tablet to the avionics system via the connection support.
US09886059B2
A wearable device may include: a strap including a substantially polygonal opening and a buckle formed at one end thereof; a buckle part configured to fasten opposite ends of the strap to each other by binding the opposite ends of the strap; and a body configured to be coupled to the opening by being fitted into the opening or decoupled from the opening. The body may include a front surface and a rear surface, and a display having a substantially polygonal shape when viewed from the top on the front surface, and a biometric sensor disposed on the rear surface.
US09886058B2
An apparatus can include links where each of the links includes a link-to-link mechanical interface and a link-to-link electrical interface, where the links include a circuitry link and a battery link, where the circuitry link is mechanically coupled to the battery link via at least one pair of link-to-link mechanical interfaces and where the circuitry link is electrically coupled to the battery link via at least one pair of link-to-link electrical interfaces.
US09886057B2
An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device may include a sealing element between a protective cover and a housing of the electronic device. The sealing element may provide a seal between the protective cover and the enclosure, as well as monitor or detect a force to the protective cover. Also, one or more support members may surround the sealing element to provide protection against a material (such as liquid) entering an opening between the protective cover and the enclosure. Alternatively, or in combination, the sealing element may include several openings, each of which may include a restraining element to limit movement of the sealing element. Also, a blocking element may be placed at or near an edge of the enclosure to provide additional reinforcement if the sealing element is laterally displaced. The blocking element may include an operational component of the electronic device, such as an antenna.
US09886055B2
An electronic device and method in which a tuning process is performed during memory initialization, so as to reduce the occurrence of data read errors. The device may include a clock generator that generates a clock signal transmitted to a memory device, and a host control module that transmits to the memory device a change signal changing at least a portion of the clock signal, and/or a tuning related command. The host control module may receive setting data from the memory device, corresponding to at least one of the change signal and the tuning related command.
US09886053B1
An electronic vehicle pedal activation system for eliminating the need to have more than one person when working on vehicle where using a pedal of the vehicle is required. The electronic vehicle pedal activation system includes a support assembly including a shaft having a length and adapted to be removable and in contactable relationship with a floor board; a pedal activation assembly in communication with the support assembly for moving a pedal of a vehicle; and a control assembly in operable communication with the pedal activation assembly.
US09886046B2
A voltage regulator includes an operational amplifier that compares a feedback voltage that is proportional to an output voltage and a predetermined reference voltage that corresponds to a desired output voltage. The operational amplifier controls the conduction state of an output transistor according to the comparison. A detecting circuit monitors the operating state of the operational amplifier, and in the case that the operational amplifier is not operating, outputs a signal which causes the output transistor to be placed in a non-conductive state.
US09886045B2
To provide a voltage regulator equipped with an overcurrent protection circuit which needs not to separately adjust a limited current and a short-circuited current and is capable of collectively adjusting them. There is provided an overcurrent protection circuit equipped with an output current limitation circuit which distributes a current supplied from a transistor sensing an output current of an output transistor and controls a gate voltage of the output transistor by the distributed current to limit the output current. The overcurrent protection circuit is configured in such a manner that the current distributed from the transistor sensing the output current is varied according to the voltage outputted from the output transistor, and its distribution ratio is determined by a size ratio between elements.
US09886034B2
A vehicle computer is programmed to: detect a portable computing device communicatively coupled to the vehicle computer. The vehicle computer is further programmed to control at least one vehicle operation based at least in part on the presence of the portable device, the at least one vehicle operation including at least one of control of steering, propulsion, and brakes.
US09886031B2
A method to control an automatic driving process of a vehicle is provided. An authentication information is received via a first radio interface in the vehicle and a control information is received for the automatic driving process via a second radio interface different from the first radio interface in the vehicle. The automatic driving process is controlled as a function of the authentication information and the control information.
US09886029B2
A workpiece processing apparatus includes: a first rotational distance information storage unit that stores multiple pieces of first rotational distance information, each of which is information having, in association with each other, a rotational angle, and first distance information regarding a distance from a rotation center to an edge of a circular workpiece corresponding to the rotational angle, in a case where the workpiece is rotated; an acquiring unit that acquires information for positioning the workpiece, information for specifying an orientation of the workpiece, and information regarding a defective portion at the edge of the workpiece, using the multiple pieces of first rotational distance information stored in the first rotational distance information storage unit; and an output unit that outputs the information for positioning the workpiece, the information for specifying the orientation of the workpiece, and the information regarding the defective portion, which are acquired by the acquiring unit.
US09886022B2
A numerical control device includes a phase-difference calculation unit that, when machining with vibrations is performed on a movement path, calculates a phase difference between a vibrational forward-moving position and a vibrational backward-moving position from a vibration amplitude-to-feed ratio between amplitude of the vibrations and a feed speed of a tool to a workpiece, a movement-path generation unit generating the vibrational forward-moving position and the vibrational backward-moving position as the movement path for each drive shaft by using the phase difference, a vibration-waveform generation unit generating a reference vibration waveform to be superimposed on the movement path for each drive shaft by using vibration conditions, a vibrational-movement-amount generation unit calculating a vibrational-movement amount on the movement path for each drive shaft by using the reference vibration waveform, and a movement-amount combining unit generating a combined movement amount for each drive shaft by adding the vibrational-movement amount to the movement path.
US09886021B2
A control device for a machine tool for machining a workpiece while orbital movement is performed for causing an auto-rotating rotary tool to move in a circular manner, the control device comprising: a reading and interpreting unit for reading a machining program containing input information; and a computing unit for combining a first tool pathway along which a rotary tool travels and which has been set on the basis of input information about the travel of the rotary tool, and a second tool pathway along which the rotary tool orbits and which has been set on the basis of input information about the orbital movement, and for setting a third tool pathway along which the rotary tool travels in a machining shape while moving in an orbital manner.
US09886016B2
An automated irrigation control comprising crop sensor physically attached to a crop and a light sensitive sensor having a photo-detector for monitoring light intensity of a crop, an irrigation conduit extending along the span of the irrigation zone and adapted to carry fluid, with one or more controllable valves and sensors, growth sensors placed in close proximity of the crop sensors, a computer control system, an irrigation controller, and a communications link between the computer control system, the one or more crop sensor, the three or more growth sensors, and the irrigation controller.
US09886009B2
Described herein are methods, apparatuses, and systems for determining adaptive predictive algorithms for virtual metrology. In some embodiments, a computer implemented method identifies a plurality of predictive algorithms. The method determines when to use one or more of the plurality of predictive algorithms to predict one or more virtual metrology variables in a manufacturing facility.
US09886007B2
An electronic device has a GPS receiver that receives satellite signals transmitted from positioning information satellites and computes positioning information; a first storage unit that stores the positioning information and local time information including local time computing information related to the time in the region identified by the positioning information; an update information receiving unit that receives update information for the local time information from an update information transmission device; a second storage unit that stores the update information; a local time computing information acquisition unit that acquires the local time computing information from the first storage unit when the local time computing information corresponding to the positioning information is stored only in the first storage unit, and acquires the local time computing information from the second storage unit when the local time computing information is stored in the second storage unit.
US09886006B2
One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device includes an enclosure having a sidewall with a button aperture defined therethrough, a display connected to the enclosure, a processing element in communication with the display. The device also includes a sensing element in communication with the processing element and an input button at least partially received within the button aperture and in communication with the sensing element, the input button configured to receive two types of user inputs. During operation, the sensing element tracks movement of the input button to determine the two types of user inputs.
US09886004B2
A device for attachment of a timepiece movement to a watch case, including a peripheral attachment element of the movement positioned in abutment on an axial bearing surface of the case. The device includes thermoformed studs integral with the case having a mushroom shape at an end thereof providing an axial retaining surface acting as a rivet to hold the peripheral attachment element of the movement against the axial bearing surface of the case.
US09886001B2
A cartridge includes a cartridge main body, a protection member, a rib of the cartridge main body, and a pair of guides of the protection member, wherein an upstream-side guide of the guides can guide the rib when the cartridge main body is inserted into a device main body, and terminates the guide after allowing the cartridge main body to be inserted up to a position where the cartridge main body becomes independent of the device main body.
US09886000B2
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device that includes a pressing unit and a heating unit provided facing the pressing unit, an image-forming-apparatus body in which the fixing device is housed and to and from which the fixing device is attachable and detachable, a fixing-device-attachment-detachment-detecting member that detects attachment or detachment of the fixing device to or from the image-forming-apparatus body, and a controller that controls, if the fixing-device-attachment-detachment-detecting member detects the detachment of the fixing device from the image-forming-apparatus body, the image-forming-apparatus body to take a position where the pressing unit and the heating unit are to be pressed against each other.
US09885998B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member unit having an image bearing member, a developing unit including a developer carrying member configured to form a toner image on the image bearing member, and a moving mechanism configured to move the developing unit in interrelation with opening and closing of an openable member. In addition, a moving portion moves the image bearing member unit between a mounting position and a predetermined position a predetermined distance away from the mounting position in an upstream direction with respect to the inserting direction, with the moving portion capable of moving the image bearing member unit to the predetermined position or to a position upstream of the predetermined position with respect to the inserting direction.
US09885996B2
An image forming apparatus has a main body, a belt unit configured to accommodate a belt, a belt cleaning member and an accommodating unit. The belt cleaning unit is configured to remove waste toner adhered on the belt. The accommodating unit is configured to accommodate the toner removed by the belt cleaning unit. The apparatus further includes a drum unit having a drum cleaning member, and a waste toner conveying mechanism configured to convey the waste toner to the collecting unit. The conveying mechanism has a drum-side conveying unit configured to be connected with the drum cleaning member. Communication between the drum-side conveying unit and the collecting unit is enabled in association with movement of the drum unit from the outside position to the inside position, and disabled in association with movement of the drum unit from the inside position to the outside position.
US09885994B2
A sheet conveyance apparatus which conveys sheets fed from a first sheet feeding unit and sheets fed from a second sheet feeding unit to a merging point, inserts the sheets fed from the first sheet feeding unit into the sheets fed from the second sheet feeding unit in a predetermined order at the merging point, and discharges the sheets fed from the first sheet feeding unit and the sheets fed from the second sheet feeding unit to a downstream side includes: a jam detecting unit configured to detect a jam of a sheet in the first sheet feeding unit; and a control unit configured to newly feed sheets which are before the predetermined order, in which a sheet causing the jam is supposed to be inserted, and have not been fed from the second sheet feeding unit, and convey the newly fed sheets to the downstream side.
US09885989B2
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit for forming successive images and a pattern image with developer on a transfer member, the successive images including a first image and at least one second image subsequent to the first image; a conveying unit for conveying a medium; a transfer unit for transferring the successive images on the transfer member onto the medium; a detector for detecting the pattern image on the transfer member; a controller for causing the image forming unit to form the pattern image between the first image and the at least one second image and form the at least one second image on the transfer member based on the detection of the pattern image by the detector; and a separation unit for separating the transfer member and the medium from each other to prevent the pattern image from being transferred onto the medium.
US09885975B2
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a cartridge for forming a visible toner image. The cartridge includes a development chamber having a toner inlet through which toner is supplied into the development chamber, a development roller provided in the development chamber, and a supply roller provided in the development chamber that supplies toner to the development roller. The cartridge further includes a first toner transporting member that transports toner supplied through the toner inlet in an axial direction of the supply roller, and a toner supply guide that is disposed between the first toner transporting member and the supply roller and includes a slit which has a length in the axial direction and through which toner is dropped onto the supply roller. The toner supply guide is downwardly inclined in the axial direction.
US09885974B2
A developing cartridge includes a developing roller 210d that develops, by way of a developer, an electrostatic latent image that is formed on an image bearing member 207; a developer regulating member that regulates the thickness of a developer carried on the developing roller 210d; and a frame 214a that rotatably supports the developing roller 210d and supports the developer regulating member. The frame 214a has a developing roller support section 214a1 that rotatably supports an outer peripheral face 210d6 of at least one end of the developing roller 210d. The developing roller support section 214a1 has a clearance at a position that, when viewed in the axial direction of the developing roller 210d, overlaps a contact region at which the developing roller 210d is in contact with the image bearing member 207.
US09885970B2
An inventive semiconductive roller includes a tubular semiconductive rubber layer (2) rotatable in a rotation direction, the semiconductive rubber layer having a multiplicity of minute projections (6) provided in circumferentially and axially discrete relation on an outer peripheral surface (5) thereof, the minute projections each having an apex (7) located forward (F) in the rotation direction and two edges (8,8) extending from the apex rearward (R) in the rotation direction obliquely with respect to the rotation direction so that the projections are each flared with a width (w) thereof progressively increasing in a rearward direction (R) from the apex (7) as measured axially of the semiconductive roller.
US09885948B2
A transmission-type screen includes: a first lens array surface on which a plurality of first microlenses are arrayed; and a second lens array surface that is provided at a distance in a direction perpendicular to the first lens array surface and on which a plurality of second microlenses whose shape is different from the shape of the first microlenses are arrayed. A level line near a vertex is circular or elliptical in the first microlenses, and a level line near a vertex is elliptical with ellipticity different from the ellipticity of the level line of the first microlenses in the second microlenses.
US09885947B2
Disclosed herein are materials and methods used to form a three dimensional (3D) article having a printed layer thereon. The 3D articles are capable of displaying rear projected images, effectively as a 3D “screen” for displaying an image or a movie. The 3D articles are used as standalone articles or as a portion of an animatronic figure. The articles are made by forming a substantially planar thermoformable laminate including a rear projection screen material, printing and curing a radiation curable ink onto one or both sides of the laminate, and thermoforming to impart a shape to the laminate.
US09885940B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a camera carrying and mounting system. The system may include a camera plate configured to mount onto a camera and a coupling mechanism. The camera plate may include a first end, a second end, and a mounting hole configured to receive a fastening element to mount the camera plate to the camera, and the mounting hole may be positioned between the first end and the second end of the camera plate. The coupling mechanism may be coupled to the first end of the camera plate and configured to releasably engage a carrying structure to the camera plate, and the coupling mechanism may include a loop through which the carrying structure extends.
US09885939B2
The present invention discloses a TEOS based on slab PhCs with a high DOP and large EXR, which comprises an upper slab PhC and a lower slab PhC; the upper slab PhC is a first square-lattice slab PhC with a TM bandgap and a complete bandgap, wherein the unit cell of the first square-lattice slab PhC includes a high-refractive-index rotating-square pillar, a single first flat dielectric pillar and a background dielectric, the first flat dielectric pillar includes a high-refractive-index dielectric pipe and a low-refractive-index dielectric, or a high-refractive-index flat film, or a low-refractive-index dielectric; the lower slab PhC is a second square lattice slab PhC with a TM bandgap and complete bandgap, wherein the unit cell of the second square-lattice slab PhC includes a high-refractive-index rotating-square pillar, a single second flat dielectric pillar and a background dielectric, and an normalized operating frequency of the TEOS is 0.453 to 0.458.
US09885938B2
Apparatuses and methods for producing and/or receiving an optical beam are disclosed, A phased array on a chip comprises phase shifters and off-chip couplers to provide phase controlled pixels. An optical system is arranged in front of the phased array. The optical system is configured to concentrate light from the phased array and/or expand a received beam of light for input into the phased array.
US09885935B2
Aspects of this disclosure concern controllers and control methods for applying a drive voltage to bus bars of optically switchable devices such as electrochromic devices. Such devices are often provided on windows such as architectural glass. In certain embodiments, the applied drive voltage is controlled in a manner that efficiently drives an optical transition over the entire surface of the electrochromic device. The drive voltage is controlled to account for differences in effective voltage experienced in regions between the bus bars and regions proximate the bus bars. Regions near the bus bars experience the highest effective voltage.
US09885930B2
The present disclosure provides an array substrate comprising a plurality of data lines and a plurality of groups of gate lines, a display panel comprising the array substrate, a display device comprising the display panel and an electronic device comprising the display device. The plurality of data lines and the plurality of groups of gate lines intersect each other for dividing the array substrate into a plurality of pixel units. Each group of gate lines defines a row of a plurality of pixel units and comprises a first gate line and a second gate line. Each pixel unit comprises a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode, the first pixel electrode corresponds to the second gate line and the second pixel electrode corresponds to the first gate line. Each pixel unit comprises a first repair unit electrically coupled to the first pixel electrode and forming a first repair capacitance with the first gate line, and a second repair unit electrically coupled to the second pixel electrode and forming a second repair capacitance with the second gate line. Each pixel unit further comprises a main compensating unit electrically coupled to the first pixel electrode and forming a compensation capacitance with the second gate line.
US09885927B2
In the technical field of liquid crystal display, a pixel electrode and a liquid crystal display are provided. The pixel electrode comprises a first trunk and a second trunk formed as an elongated linear member, said first trunk and said second trunk being orthogonal to each other, and a plurality of branches each formed as an elongated linear member and extending from the first trunk or the second trunk, wherein an acute angle θ formed between either branch and the first trunk satisfies the following relationship: 0°<θ<45° or 45°<θ<90°.
US09885921B2
The disclosure is related to a photo-alignment method, comprising the following steps. A top panel and a bottom panel each with an alignment film are provided; a mask plate for shielding the top panel and the bottom panel is provided, and a transparent section of the mask plate is disposed; an ultraviolet is emitted along a first incident direction by the mask plate for exposing the alignment film of the top panel and the bottom panel; the transparent section of the mask plate is adjusted, an ultraviolet is emitted along a second incident direction by the mask plate for exposing the alignment film of the top panel and the bottom panel. The manufacture of the alignment film in the whole liquid crystal display device can be accomplished by a mask plate undergoing exposure twice, so that the exposure times decrease and the process is simplified.
US09885915B2
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate including a thin-film transistor (“TFT”) disposed in a unit pixel, a first electrode connected to the TFT, and a second electrode disposed on the same layer as that on which the first electrode is disposed, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, where the first and second electrodes include a first wiring electrode and a second wiring electrode, respectively disposed on sides of the unit pixel, first main electrodes and second main electrodes, respectively branched off from at least one of the first wiring electrode and the second wiring electrode in a first direction and are arranged in a staggered manner, and first slit electrodes and second slit electrodes, respectively, which are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and are arranged in a staggered manner.
US09885910B2
Provided is a liquid crystal display device in which the contrast is improved. The liquid crystal display device includes a first polarizing film, a second polarizing film, a twisted alignment mode liquid crystal and a backlight unit with a light-collecting prism sheet which is disposed on the back side of the liquid crystal cell, the first retardation film and the second retardation film each satisfy Formulae (I) and (II): 1 nm≦Re(550)≦50 nm (I) 120 nm≦Rth(550)≦220 nm (II); the liquid crystal cell has a depolarizing index (DI value) of 0.000800 or less.
US09885909B2
A liquid crystal display is provided. The liquid crystal display includes a substrate including a reflective area and a transmissive area, a thin film transistor disposed on the substrate, a pixel electrode disposed on the thin film transistor, and a roof layer disposed facing the pixel electrode. The liquid crystal display further includes a plurality of microcavities formed between the pixel electrode and the roof layer, and a liquid crystal material disposed in the plurality of microcavities. The reflective area includes a first cell gap, and the transmissive area includes a second cell gap that is different from the first cell gap.
US09885902B2
The present application provides a touch display panel, a method for producing the same and a display apparatus. The touch display panel includes a liquid crystal screen and a protection cover plate covered at a light exiting side of the liquid crystal screen. The touch display panel further includes a sound elimination membrane, located at the light exiting side of the liquid crystal screen, and configured to eliminate sound waves generated when the touch display panel is touched. With the provision of the sound elimination membrane, the touch display panel can eliminate the vibration sound waves generated during the knocking touch process, and avoid the alignment difference of the liquid crystal molecules by the vibration sound waves, thereby avoiding a display mura caused by the vibration sound waves and further significantly suppressing the display mura generated during the knocking touch process.
US09885898B2
In a front panel in which a design sheet, a touch panel, and a metal sheet are integrated, the touch panel is bonded to a back face of the design sheet with an optical transparent double-sided tape. The metal sheet is formed in a frame shape to surround a periphery of the touch panel and to have an outer shape which is identical to an outer shape of the design sheet and is bonded to the back face of the design sheet with an adhesive or a double-sided tape.
US09885882B2
A progressive or progressive multifocal contact lens having a concave eye-contact surface and a convex forward-facing outer surface for receiving and bending light to the eye. The outer surface consists of an upper distance-viewing zone having a curvature surface, a lower near-viewing zone having a curvature surface, and at least one progressive viewing zone having a crescent shape in forward-facing view. The progressive viewing zone can include a progressive upper distance-viewing zone, a progressive intermediate progressive viewing zone, or a progressive lower near-viewing zone, or a combination of such zones. The progressive viewing zone has a crescent shape and consists of distinct progressive viewing segments having a curvature surface that progresses in curvature in series. The distinct progressive viewing segments of the progressive viewing zones can extend to and converge at any point out to or at the outer peripheral edge of the contact lens.
US09885881B2
A camera lens module according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to include an autofocus carrier driven by an autofocus driving unit to advance and retreat along an optical axis and having an upper portion open in an optical axis direction; an optical image stabilizer stopper located at the open portion of the autofocus carrier; and an optical image stabilizing carrier configured to accommodate a lens barrier and located between the autofocus carrier and the optical image stabilizer stopper, the optical image stabilizing carrier being driven by an optical image stabilizer driving unit to perform optical image stabilization in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, wherein a movement of the optical image stabilizing carrier in an optical axis direction is limited by the optical image stabilizer stopper located at the autofocus carrier.
US09885876B2
A system for selectively controlling visibility of information in a work environment is provided. The system includes one or more polarized emissive screens located within the work environment. The screens have a first direction of polarization. Information displayed on the screens are visible to a person inside the work environment. The work environment includes at least one window which permits viewing of the polarized emissive screens from outside of the work environment. A polarizing filter having a second direction of polarization arranged at an angle to the first direction of polarization is positioned proximate to the window. A person outside the work environment can see inside the environment through the window, but has an altered view of the information on the displays.
US09885869B2
Disclosed are various embodiments for implementing a zooming application that pairs an optical head mounted display (OHMD) device with an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor to facilitate the control and the level of magnification as well as the text-to-speech conversion of any text depicted on an optical head mounted display device. The zooming application may be configured to perform various operations such as, for example, zoom-in, zoom-out, text-to-speech, freeze, and/or other operations on an image as well as text depicted on an optical head mounted display device in response to a triggering signal obtained from the electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, motion detecting sensor, neural implant, or other sensor.
US09885855B2
A photographing optical lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, a sixth lens element, a seventh lens element and an eighth lens element. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The eighth lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface of the eighth lens element has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof, and both an object-side surface and the image-side surface thereof are aspheric. The photographing optical lens system has a total of eight lens elements. An air gap in a paraxial region is located between every two lens elements of the photographing optical lens system that are adjacent to each other.
US09885854B2
An imaging lens includes a first lens group and a second lens group, arranged in this order from an object side to an image plane side. The first lens group includes a first lens having positive refractive power, a second lens having positive refractive power and at least one aspheric surface, and a third lens having two aspheric surfaces, arranged with a space in between. The second lens group includes a fourth lens having two aspheric surfaces, a fifth lens having negative refractive power and two aspheric surfaces, and a sixth lens having two aspheric surfaces, arranged with a space in between. The third lens is arranged away from the fourth lens by a specific distance, and the fifth lens and the sixth lens have a specific composite focal length, so that specific conditional expressions are satisfied.
US09885849B2
A lens moving apparatus including a bobbin, a first coil mounted at an outer circumference of the bobbin, a first magnet moving the bobbin in a first direction parallel to an optical axis by interaction with the first coil, a housing supporting the first magnet, an upper elastic member disposed at a top surface of the bobbin and at a top surface of the housing, a lower elastic member disposed at a bottom surface of bobbin and at a bottom surface of the housing, and first and second winding protrusions disposed with being opposite to each other, the first coil being wound on the first and second winding protrusions.
US09885838B2
A fiber optic adapter including a housing, a deflectable member and a locking member. The housing has a longitudinal passage extending between a first opening at a first end of the housing and a second opening at a second end of the housing, and the housing is sized to fit within a fiber optic receptacle. The deflectable member is in the longitudinal passage of the housing and configured to retain a fiber optic terminus in the housing. The locking member is interfaced with the housing and is sized to fit within a retaining notch in the fiber optic receptacle to prevent separation of the housing from the receptacle. The adapter may be an in-line embedded adapter that does not introduce optical loss to optically and mechanically couple an LC receptacle and a terminus.
US09885831B2
An silicon photonics device of hybrid waveguides having a coupling interlayer with an accurately controlled thickness and a method of making the same. The device includes a first plurality of Si waveguides formed in a SOI substrate and a first layer of SiO2 overlying the first plurality of Si waveguides and a second plurality of Si3N4 waveguides formed on the first layer of SiO2. At least one Si3N4 waveguide is disposed partially overlapping with at least one of the first plurality Si waveguides in vertical direction separated by the first layer of SiO2 with a thickness controlled no greater than 90 nm. The device includes a second layer of SiO2 overlying the second plurality of Si3N4 waveguides. The method of accurately controlling the coupling interlayer SiO2 thickness includes a multilayer SiO2/Si3N4/SiO2 hard mask process for SiO2 etching and polishing as stopping and buffering layer as well as Si waveguide etching mask.
US09885828B2
Optical waveguiding part (300), which waveguiding part is arranged to convey light through an output facet (30) of the waveguiding part, which waveguiding part comprises a ridge waveguide comprising a semiconductor substrate (320) and a semiconductor light-conveying ridge, wherein the output facet is set at an angle (α) in relation to a main direction (z) of light along the said waveguide, so that light travelling in the waveguide along said main direction has an angle of incidence towards the facet of between 2° and 14° and is reflected towards a first side (301) of the said ridge, wherein the waveguide comprises an MMI (Multi Mode Interferometer) (310), arranged to create an output image substantially at the output facet.
US09885827B2
Apparatuses and methods for photonic communication and photonic addressing are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a plurality of photonic sources, a plurality of memory die, a logic die, Each of the plurality of photonic sources provides a photonic signal of a different wavelength and are provided to a first photonic path. Each memory die of the plurality of memory die includes a photonic modulation circuit coupled to the first photonic path, and further includes a photonic detector circuit coupled to a second photonic path. Each memory die of the plurality of memory die is associated with and addressed by a respective wavelength of a photonic signal. The logic die is coupled to the first and second photonic paths, and includes a plurality of photonic circuits. Each of the photonic circuits of the plurality of photonic circuits is associated with a respective wavelength of a photonic signal.
US09885826B2
Optical wave guide panel for visualization of an image, wherein the panel has an image interface surface for interfacing with an image to be visually presented and a viewing interface surface opposite the image interface surface for reviewing the image located at the image interface surface. The panel has at least one boundary, and is fabricated from a transparent solid material. The panel is provided with a pattern of grooves and to the image interface surface, extending at lease partially into the panel between image interface surface and the viewing interface surface of the panel. The pattern of grooves comprises at least one groove following a contour of the at least one boundary of the panel. The boundary of the panel exhibits an angle with respect to the at least one groove, such that a length of a panel segment, defined by the groove following the contour of the at least one boundary and the boundary at the viewing interface surface, along a cross section of the panel transverse to a direction of said at least one groove is greater than a length of the segment at the image interface surface along the cross section.
US09885818B2
A display device includes: a display panel which displays an image with light; a light source which generates and emits the light; a light guide plate which receives the light emitted from the light source on a first surface of the light guide plate and emits the received light through a second surface of the light guide plate different from the first surface; and a light converting unit between the light source and the light guide plate. The light converting unit includes: a phosphor which converts a first color of the light emitted from the light source to a second color different from the first color; a transparent base in which the phosphor is disposed; and a transparent film between the light source and the phosphor disposed in the transparent base, the transparent film being attached to a surface of the transparent base.
US09885816B2
An antireflection film includes a polarizer, a first retardation film disposed on a side of the polarizer and having a reverse wavelength dispersion phase delay, and a second retardation film disposed on at least one side of the first retardation film and including a polymer, wherein the polymer includes a structural unit derived from a monomer selected from styrene, a styrene derivative, or a combination thereof, and the polymer has a glass transition temperature of greater than about 100° C.
US09885815B2
A wavelength locker for use with tunable optical devices may include an etalon, a polarization beam splitter, and a first and second detector. The etalon may be positioned to receive a first beam and may include a first birefringent crystal having a first optical axis and a second birefringent crystal having a second optical axis. The first birefringent crystal may be coupled to the second birefringent crystal such that the first optical axis and the second optical axis are orthogonal to one another.
US09885809B2
One embodiment may take the form of a system for reducing the appearance of optical effects in a display. The system may include an enclosure with a first surface and a second surface. Furthermore, the system may include spacers that may be deposited on the bottom face of the first surface and/or the top face of the second surface, where the first surface may be a touch panel and/or cover lens and the second surface may be a display module. The spacers may be deposited in one layer with an anti-reflection coating. The thickness of the coating may be less than the diameter of the spacers.
US09885806B2
Waveguides and electromagnetic cavities fabricated in hyperuniform disordered materials with complete photonic bandgaps are provided. Devices comprising electromagnetic cavities fabricated in hyperuniform disordered materials with complete photonic bandgaps are provided. Devices comprising waveguides fabricated in hyperuniform disordered materials with complete photonic bandgaps are provided. The devices include electromagnetic splitters, filters, and sensors.
US09885804B2
Presented are methods and systems for analyzing geological material from a well. A device for analyzing geological samples from a well includes: at least one light source configured to emit consistent plane polarized broad spectrum light towards the geological samples; a storage media configured to hold the geological samples; at least one hyperspectral camera configured to collect spectra reflected from at least one surface of the geological samples, wherein molecular vibrations are measured; a computing device configured to receive and process the collected reflected spectra; and the computing device configured to generate an output which includes at least a bulk material composition of the geological samples, wherein the device is configured to be portable to a well site.
US09885802B2
Estimating cement voids in between a casing and a borehole wall of a borehole penetrating the earth formation includes forming with a computing device an actual ratio of radiation induced by a neutron source and measured by a first detector and a second detector when the tool is at two or more different locations in the borehole. A relationship between the actual ratio and the porosity at each of the two or more different locations is used and compared to two different cases of estimates of the ratio. Based on the comparison, an estimate of the cement voids at the two or more locations.
US09885800B2
A steerable, magnetic dipole antenna for Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD) or Logging-While-Drilling (LWD) applications. The antenna elements use a hole arrangement in addition to grooves in a steel tool body, which is typically a drill collar. This antenna embodiment is extremely robust, meaning that does not significantly reduce the structural integrity of the tool body in which it is disposed. The antenna embodiment is also relatively wear resistant. The resultant magnetic dipole generated by this antenna is also electrically steerable in inclination angle from a common origin. A variable dipole moment inclination angle combined with independently measured tool rotation orientation during normal drilling allows the antenna to generate a magnetic dipole moment that may be directed at any three dimensional angle and from a common origin point at the centroid of the antenna.
US09885795B2
An embodiment of a method of estimating characteristics of an earth formation includes: disposing an acoustic tool in a borehole in an earth formation, the acoustic tool including an acoustic multipole transmitter and at least one multipole acoustic receiver; transmitting acoustic signals into the borehole, the acoustic signals generating at least one acoustic body wave that radiates away from the borehole into a far-field formation region; measuring reflected signals including body waves reflected from reflective boundaries in the far-field formation region; identifying a reflective boundary in the formation and reflection attributes associated with the reflective boundary; and estimating at least one of a thickness, distance and a lateral extent of a hydrocarbon formation feature based on the reflected signals and the reflection attributes.
US09885792B1
An ionizing radiation detector or scintillator system includes a scintillating material comprising an organic crystalline compound selected to generate photons in response to the passage of ionizing radiation. The organic compound has a crystalline symmetry of higher order than monoclinic, for example an orthorhombic, trigonal, tetragonal, hexagonal, or cubic symmetry. A photodetector is optically coupled to the scintillating material, and configured to generate electronic signals having pulse shapes based on the photons generated in the scintillating material. A discriminator is coupled to the photon detector, and configured to discriminate between neutrons and gamma rays in the ionizing radiation based on the pulse shapes of the output signals.
US09885790B2
A radiation imaging apparatus that includes a plurality of sensors and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs a first control of monitoring, after a radiation irradiation is started, a signal of a first sensor and accumulating the monitored signal of the first sensor, a second control of outputting, in response to a calculated value obtained by the accumulation and reaching a target value, a control signal to end the radiation irradiation, and a third control of reading out, after the radiation irradiation is ended, the signals of the respective plurality of sensors, and the control unit changes a monitoring cycle of the first control based on the target value and an elapsed time since the radiation irradiation has been started.
US09885782B2
An apparatus and method for providing information to a vehicle operator or occupant, which includes a receiver, for receiving a request for information from a vehicle operator or occupant, a processing device, for processing the request for information, and a transmitter, for transmitting the requested information to the vehicle operator or occupant. The information includes video information regarding one of a traffic condition and a road condition.
US09885780B2
An object information acquiring apparatus includes a probe configured to irradiate ultrasonic waves to an object, receive ultrasonic echoes, and convert the ultrasonic echoes into electric signals, a scanning unit configured to cause the probe to perform back-and-forth scanning on the object, an ultrasonic control unit configured to control irradiation of ultrasonic waves, a signal processing unit configured to obtain an ultrasonic, and a combining unit configured to combine a plurality of ultrasonic images. The scanning unit causes the probe to perform back-and-forth scanning on the object such that regions subjected to ultrasonic irradiation performed by the probe in forward and backward paths in the back-and-forth scanning overlap with each other. The ultrasonic control unit employs different methods for irradiating ultrasonic waves in the forward and backward paths. The combining unit combines a plurality of ultrasonic images with one another.
US09885778B2
Various embodiments are disclosed for improved scanning ladar transmission, including but not limited to an example embodiment where a scanning ladar transmission system employs pulse modulation.
US09885774B2
An approach to localization in an indoor environment makes use of a multiple antenna receiver (e.g., in a smartphone, tablet, camera) and knowledge of locations of one or more radio transmitters, which may be part of a data communication infrastructure providing data communication services to devices in the environment. Successive measurements of transmissions from the transmitters are recorded at the receiver as the device is translated and rotated in the environment. Rotation related measurements are also made at the device. The radio frequency and rotation related measurements are used to infer the location and orientation, together referred to as the pose, of the device. Phase synchronization of the transmitters and the receiver are not required. In general, accuracy of the pose estimate far exceeds that achievable using radio frequency measurements without taking into consideration motion of the device, and far exceeds that achievable using the inertial measurements alone.
US09885769B2
A method of assessing a spatial frequency distribution within a sample comprising subjecting the sample to magnetic resonance excitation, receiving an echo signal from the sample while the sample is subjected to a magnetic field gradient, applying an invertible linear transform to the echo signal, identifying a region of interest in the transformed echo signal and deriving a corresponding window function, applying the window function (in the signal or transform domain) to the echo signal to remove echo signal coming from regions of the sample outside of the region of interest, and analyzing the one dimensional spatial frequency content in the windowed echo signal in order to access a one dimensional spatial frequency distribution within the region of interest within the sample without creating an image.
US09885767B2
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a magnetostatic field magnet that is formed in the shape of a cylinder and generates a magnetostatic field in a space inside the cylinder; a gradient coil that is formed in the shape of a cylinder, is disposed in the cylinder of the magnetostatic field magnet, and applies a gradient magnetic field to the magnetostatic field; a bore tube that is formed in the shape of a cylinder and is disposed in the cylinder of the gradient coil; and an elastic member that is loop-shaped and hollow, is disposed in at least one selected from: a space between an inner circumferential side of the magnetostatic field magnet and an outer circumferential side of the gradient coil; and a space between an inner circumferential side of the gradient coil and an outer circumferential side of the bore tube, and thereby seals the space hermetically.
US09885766B2
There is provided a novel method and circuit of compensating for cross-talk between pairs of adjacent array elements of a transceiver phased array and double-tuned transceiver arrays for a magnetic resonance system using a resonant inductive decoupling circuit. The geometry and size of the resonant inductive decoupling circuit allows for the decoupling circuit to compensate for the cross-talk between array elements, including the reactive and resistive components of the mutual impedance while being sufficiently small to not distort a RF magnetic field of the array elements produced within a sample.
US09885761B2
Systems and methods for electronics systems are provided herein. An electronics system may comprise a heating circuit and a fault detection system. The heating circuit may include a heating element. The fault detection system may include a first resistor comprising a first resistance, a second resistor comprising a second resistance, the first resistance being equal to the second resistance, a voltage level detector, and a controllable switch connected in series with the first resistor and the second resistor, the controllable switch in electronic communication with the voltage level detector. A fault may be detected in response to the first voltage being greater than the second voltage.
US09885760B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a battery apparatus including a battery management device configured to receive voltages and temperatures of cells, and detection data of a current sensor, and a measuring computer configured to calculate a characteristic value of each cell or cell module, based on the detection data acquired from the battery management device at first time intervals, and to send, the acquired detection data or the calculated characteristic value to a control device at second time intervals which are longer than the first time intervals.
US09885754B2
An integrated circuit includes a Built-In Self-Test (BIST) circuit, a predetermined signature pattern and a Read Only Memory (ROM), wherein the predetermined signature pattern is stored in the integrated circuit. The ROM stores at least effective information and a BIST signature adjustment code, the BIST signature adjustment code is irrelevant to any functional information stored in the ROM; wherein the BIST circuit is used to test content stored in the ROM to generate a signature pattern, and compare the signature pattern with the predetermined signature pattern to judge if the content stored in the ROM has error.
US09885750B1
Techniques for intelligent tuning of speed models for configurable integrated circuits. The techniques consider data related to yield, quality-of-results, and data for individual programmable-interconnect-point (PIP)-contexts. More specifically, the speed of yield-related structures, quality-of-results related structures, and structures for measuring individual PIP-contexts are measured. These measurements are compared with estimated values stored as part of a speed model and scaling factors for the stored estimated values are calculated. The scaling factors are applied to the estimated values within the speed model and measurements are repeated if desired.
US09885736B2
A control methodology for scanning tunneling microscopy is disclosed. Instead of utilizing Integral-based control systems, the methodology utilizes a dual-control algorithm to direct relative advancement of a STM tip towards a sample. A piezo actuator and stepper motor advances an STM tip towards a sample at a given distance until measuring a current greater than or equal to a desired setpoint current. Readings of the contemporaneous step are analyzed to direct the system to change continue or change direction and also determine the size of each step. In simulations where Proportion and/or Integral control methodology was added to the algorithm the stability of the feedback control is decreased. The present methodology accounts for temperature variances in the environment and also appears to clean and protect the tip electrode, prolonging its useful life.
US09885726B2
This disclosure provides, in one aspect, a method for analyzing a sample from a subject for a biomarker that is indicative of the subject's immune response to β-glucan. Generally, the method includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject, analyzing the sample for a biomarker anti-β-glucan antibody compared to a reference standard, computing a Relative Antibody Unit (RAU) value for anti-β-glucan antibody in the sample, and identifying the subject as biomarker positive if the RAU value is greater than a predetermined RAU value for the biomarker anti-β-glucan antibody.
US09885723B2
The invention provides a method of detecting the presence, absence or severity of a disease in a patient wherein said disease is accompanied by decreased level of S-adenosylmethionine, or increased level of S-adenosylhomocysterine, or reduced methylation index comprising: identifying any individual or a patient that is suspected of having said disease or is at risk of having said disease; obtaining a biological sample from said patient; determining the level of SAM in said biological sample using an antibody derived from a hapten analog of SAM, SAH; and correlating the levels of SAM, SAH and MI in said biological sample with the presence, absence, or severity of said disease. The invention also provides methods for determining methylation index in biological fluids which is indicative of the health status of an individual. Additionally, the invention includes colloidal gold test strips and homogenous enzyme immunoassays which are useful for determining S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine.
US09885720B2
The invention generally features compositions and methods for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of neoplasia in a subject, as well as methods of treatment selection.
US09885716B2
Provided is a nanoprobe based on a self-replicating biological material. The nanoprobe includes a binding agent existing in a first region of the biological material and capable of binding specifically to a target analyte, and nanoparticles existing in a second region of the biological material and providing an optical detection signal. The use of the nanoprobe enables quantitative analysis and multiplexed analysis of a target. In addition, the nanoprobe is easy to fabricate on a large scale.
US09885713B2
The invention provides isolated, purified, recombinant receptor binding proteins Gp-6, Gp-10 and Gp-31 from mycobacterium phage L5, and methods for producing these recombinant receptor binding proteins. The invention also provides the use of recombinant receptor binding proteins, including Gp-6, Gp-10 and Gp-31, as probes for the identification and diagnosis of mycobacterium infections and conditions caused by mycobacterium. Further provided by the invention are methods of targeting mycobacteria using recombinant receptor binding proteins, including Gp-6, Gp-10 and Gp-31. Other methods provided by the invention include the use of recombinant receptor binding proteins, such as Gp-10, in diagnostic assays for diseases, such as Johne's disease, in animals, including ruminants.
US09885706B2
The present invention covers the integration and utility of accelerometer features into a clinical analysis system. For example, measurement of dynamic acceleration and orientation of a blood-testing instrument with respect to Earth's gravitational field may be used to determine reliability of a test procedure and optionally to provide corrective elements thereof.
US09885703B2
It has been found that a main effect (immunosuppressive activity) of an S1P1 receptor agonist correlates with the selectivity for cells expressing a combination of an S1P1 receptor with Gαi2 or Gαi3, and that an adverse effect (cardiotoxicity) of an S1P1 receptor agonist correlates with the selectivity for cells expressing a combination of an S1P1 receptor with Gαi1.
US09885695B2
In order to be able to prevent analysis accuracy from being reduced by a backward flow of sample gas from dead volume in a cleaning mechanism into a cell at the time of analysis, a gas analysis device has an analysis part that analyzes the sample gas introduced into the cell, gas ports that are arranged toward predetermined regions of gas contact surfaces in the cell, and a piping mechanism that connects the gas ports to a predetermined purge gas source, and blows purge gas from the gas ports toward the predetermined regions at the time of purging. The gas analysis device also has a switching part that switches a connecting destination of the piping mechanism from the purge gas source to a predetermined suction part, and at the time of introducing or analyzing the sample gas, connects the gas ports to the suction source.
US09885694B2
The invention concerns a method for detection of the concentration of at least one gaseous target substance (10) in a gas or a gas mixture (20), especially air, wherein: a) a first measured value (11) of the concentration of the at least one gaseous target substance (10) is saved as the first measured value (11) in a predetermined way and then b) the at least one target substance (10) is kept away from the sensor (1) with a gas shielding device (2) for a predetermined period of time, so that the concentration of the at least one target substance (10) measured by the sensor changes, c) before the end of the shielding of the sensor (1), the magnitude of the measured concentration and/or the direction of the change in concentration of the gaseous target substance (10) as detected by the sensor (1) is saved as the second measured value (12), d) the sensor (1) is then exposed again to the gas (20) with the at least one gaseous target substance (10), while e) on the basis of the difference between the first measured value (11) and the second measured value (12), an actual concentration of the at least one gaseous target substance (10) in the gas (20) is determined by means of a calculator (30). The invention also concerns a gas monitoring device and a use of such a device.
US09885684B2
A sensor system includes a sensor and a sensor electronics device. The sensor includes a plurality of electrodes. The sensor electronics device includes a connection detection device, a power source, and a delay circuit. The connection detection device determines if the sensor electronics device is connected to the sensor and transmits a connection signal. The delay circuit receives the connection signal, waits a preset hydration time, and couples the regulated voltage from the power source to an electrode in the sensor after the preset hydration time has elapsed. Alternatively, the sensor electronics device may include an electrical detection circuit and a microcontroller. The electrical detection circuit determines if the plurality of electrodes are hydrated and generates an interrupt if the electrodes are hydrated. A microcontroller receives the interrupt and transmits a signal representative of a voltage to an electrode of the plurality of electrodes.
US09885683B2
To enhance the potential stability of a solid-electrode-type ion-selective electrode and reduce individual variations, the present invention is provided with an ion-sensitive membrane adapted to be in contact with a measurement solution, a mixture of graphite and liquid oil that is in contact with the ion-sensitive membrane, and a conductor that is in contact with the mixture of graphite and liquid oil.
US09885682B2
Disclosed herein are biosensor systems and related methods for detecting analytes in aqueous and biologic environments. A biosensor system for detecting binding of an analyte of interest may include a detector configured to detect a change in an electrical property on a surface thereof. The detector may be a FET. The system also may include a passive layer disposed on a top surface of the detector. Further, the system may include a hydrophobic layer disposed on the passive layer. The system also may include a receptor-attachment material configured for binding to an analyte. A receptor may bind to the analyte, and the receptor may be attached to the receptor-attachment material. The binding of the analyte to the receptor can cause the change of the electrical property at the surface. In response to the change for example, a current may change for indicating the binding of the analyte to the receptor.
US09885681B2
In an embodiment, an apparatus for determining a value of a parameter related to electrical permittivity of a fluid includes capacitor formed by at least one electrode on a first side of a dielectric barrier and at least a part of an electrically conducting housing surrounding the barrier. The housing is adapted for being sealingly attached to a container so as to allow the fluid to be characterized to occupy a space between the housing and a side of the barrier, and an electronic relaxation type oscillator circuit is arranged on a miniature circuit board being fit to the housing and connected with the capacitor. An electrical power supply is connected to supply electrical power to the oscillator at an ultra-stable supply voltage, and a frequency measuring device coupled to the oscillator circuit for providing a measured oscillator frequency representing the electrical permittivity dependent on capacitance and resistance.
US09885672B2
Systems and methods for detecting the presence or absence of screen covers on electronic device screens are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining an image of a front side of an electronic device and automatically identifying line segments in the image. For each identified line segment, the method includes calculating the angle of the identified line segment. The method further includes determining an amount of the line segments having vertical or horizontal orientations. If the amount of identified vertical or horizontal line segments exceeds a predetermined threshold amount, then the presence of a screen cover is indicated.
US09885665B2
The device serves for the qualitative and quantitative detection of particles in a fluid and includes a light source (1), an optical sensor (2) and a sample carrier (4) which is arranged therebetween and which is for receiving fluid to be examined. The sample carrier is (4) movable relative at least to the sensor (2) and is connectable via a fluid inlet (9) to a conduit (11) for feeding the fluid, and via a fluid outlet (10) to a conduit (12) for the discharge of fluid. The sample carrier (4) is exchangeably arranged in a receiver of the device, so that this sample carrier can be replaced by another one in a rapid and simple manner when the sample carrier (4) is contaminated.
US09885653B1
A device analyzes an anesthesia ventilation gas with an infrared radiation source and includes a gas cuvette, a Fabry-Perot interferometer with a band pass filter function, adjustable with respect to a central transmission wavelength as a function of a control signal, a detector providing a measured signal and a computing and control unit providing the control signal and detecting the measured signal. The computing and control unit is configured to actuate the Fabry-Perot interferometer in a first operating mode by the control signal such that the central transmission wavelength scans a predefined wavelength range, to detect a presence in the ventilation gas sample potential types of anesthetic gases based on the measured signal. In a second operating mode, the control unit controls the central transmission wavelength within a subrange of the predefined wavelength range and determines a plurality of concentration values at consecutive times for detected types of anesthetic gases.
US09885630B2
A method for analyzing a light emission of a headlight of a vehicle includes: a step of reading in a distance which represents a distance between the vehicle and an object situated in the surroundings of the vehicle; a step of reading in an illumination value which represents a height of an area of the object which is illuminated by the light emission; and a step of determining a light emission value which characterizes the light emission, using the distance value and the illumination value.
US09885628B2
Example systems and methods for testing materials and assemblies for voids, cracks, or other defects are provided. One example system for testing a part includes a chamber configured to accept the part, and a vacuum source connected to the chamber. The example system also includes a fluid source connected to the chamber and configured to provide a radioactive or isotope-labeled fluid to the chamber. In addition, the example system includes a detector configured to detect a presence or absence of radioactivity or the isotope-labeled fluid in the part.
US09885627B2
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for compensating for drift that may be present in a force sensing device. In some embodiments, the force sensing device may be calibrated to compensate for the drift. The calibration may include receiving an input waveform associated with a received amount of force on the force sensing device. A system model that approximates a transfer function that provides an output waveform associated with the input waveform is then determined. Using the system model, an inverse transfer function associated with the system model is also determined. The inverse transfer function may then be applied to the output waveform which compensates for the drift.
US09885626B2
A micromechanical sensor system includes a micromechanical sensor chip surrounded at least laterally by a molded housing which has a front side and a rear side. The micromechanical sensor chip includes a chip area on the rear side, which is omitted from the molded housing, and a rewiring device formed on the rear side, which, starting from the chip area, extends to the surrounding molded housing on the rear side, and from there, past at least one via from the rear side to the front side of the molded housing.
US09885622B2
A SAW sensor arrangement includes a transducer including a support for supporting a SAW device. The support includes a sensor location part located between two oppositely extending attachment parts. The SAW device is mountable to the sensor location part. The sensor arrangement 10 includes at least two spaced friction raisers. The sensor arrangement includes a clamp arrangement which applies a clamping force to clamp the sensor arrangement to an item. The sensor arrangement is arranged so that in use each of the friction raisers is located between a different one of the attachment parts and the item.
US09885620B2
In a pressure detecting apparatus, a pressure sensor includes a piezoelectric sheet that generates a piezoelectric signal according to a load that is applied. A touch detecting unit detects contact with the pressure sensor. An acquirer acquires a piezoelectric output based on the piezoelectric signal. A rate-of-change calculator calculates a rate of change with respect to time of the piezoelectric output acquired within an arbitrary time range before a touch detection time when the touch detecting unit detects contact with the pressure sensor. An applied pressure calculator calculates applied pressure by correcting the piezoelectric output acquired after an end time of the time range used in the calculation of the rate of change using the rate of change. The apparatus enables precise measurement of applied pressure in a pressure sensor.
US09885618B2
A system for monitoring temperature of an electrical conductor (31) enclosed in at least a (semi)conductive layer (13) comprising: a passive inductive unit (20), and a transceiver unit (40) and a control unit (50). The passive inductive unit (20) includes at least one temperature sensitive component and is configured to have a resonance frequency and/or Q value that vary with temperature of the electrical conductor (31). The transceiver unit (40) is configured to be electromagnetically coupled to the passive inductive unit (20) and to send out a signal representing the resonance frequency and/or Q value of the passive inductive unit (20). The transceiver unit (40) is further configured to communicate with the control unit (50) which ascertains the signal representing one or both of the resonance frequency and Q value, and which determines a value of the temperature of the electrical conductor (31) based on the ascertained signal representing one or both of the resonance frequency and Q value.
US09885608B2
An infrared detector (301) is provided which comprises a pyroelectric detector (303) having first and second sensing elements (345), an aperture stop (311), and a Fresnel lens array (305). The detector may be used as a passive infrared sensor unit for detecting intrusion into large openings.
US09885594B2
The present disclosure provides a method for measuring air mass flow using an air mass flow meter. The air mass flow meter comprises a sensor element for detecting an air mass flow (Q) and for generating a signal (S), and an electronic circuit for processing the signal (S) from the sensor element, wherein the sensor element generates a non-linear signal characteristic. The method may include converting the non-linear signal into a correcting, non-linear signal characteristic, then filtering the correcting, non-linear signal characteristic, then converting the filtered non-linear signal characteristic into a non-linear signal characteristic, and then generating an output signal relaying the signals (S) detected by the sensor element and processed by the linearization element, the filter element, and the conversion element.
US09885592B2
A fiber optic sensing system is provided. The fiber optic sensing system includes: at least one fiber optic transducer; an optical backscatter interrogator for interrogating backscatter optical signals from the at least one fiber optic transducer; and an optical fiber between the optical backscatter interrogator and the at least one fiber optic transducer.
US09885590B2
A method for ascertaining a position of a rotor relative to a stator of an electrical machine having a permanently excited rotor and a plurality of windings for the stator or vice versa; in response to an energization of at least one of the windings, a change in an inductance of the winding being ascertained; and, on the basis of the change in the inductance of the winding, the position of the rotor being ascertained relative to the stator.
US09885588B2
A device for detecting the state of a leaf of doors, gates or the like, including a magnetometer that can move with respect to a reference geometric plane that has a substantially fixed orientation with respect to an external magnetic field, the magnetometer being connected to a control unit that is configured to produce a movement of the magnetometer with respect to a preset position, on the basis of a measurement of the external magnetic field which is detected by the magnetometer; in addition or as an alternative to the magnetometer, the device can include an accelerometer.
US09885586B2
A physical quantity sensor includes a detection circuit that outputs a detection value indicating a physical quantity applied to a detecting element and a correction processor that corrects the detection value to output a corrected value. The correction processor causes the corrected value to be substantially 0 (zero) if all of conditions that an absolute value of a time-differentiated value of the detection value is not larger than a predetermined differential threshold and that an absolute value of the corrected value is not larger than a predetermined output threshold are satisfied. This physical quantity sensor prevents the output signal from changing due a temperature change in spite of a small number of components.
US09885584B2
Systems and methods to provide a navigated-shopping service are discussed. In an example, a method for navigated-shopping can include receiving a destination location, accessing a route to the destination, displaying the route with indications of a plurality of items for purchase, receiving selection of a selected item, and purchasing the selected item. The plurality of items for purchase can be within a predefined distance of at least one point along the route. The selection of the selected item can include selection of a retail location of a plurality of retail locations along the route.
US09885579B2
Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems, and machine readable mediums that provide location based services such as navigation in an indoor space by utilizing a network of specially configured locator nodes (LNs) and the identified line of sight (LOS) relationships between the LNs. The LOS relationships may be automatically learned by the LNs.
US09885569B2
A passive altimeter includes an imaging device, a groundspeed system, an image processing device operatively connected to receive an indication of groundspeed from the groundspeed system and to receive at least a first image from the imaging device taken at a first position and a second image from the imaging device taken at a second position spaced apart from the first position. The image processing device is configured to compare the first image and the second image to determine an altitude above ground using the indication of groundspeed from the groundspeed system.
US09885568B2
A camera at a fixed vertical height positioned above a reference plane, with an axis of a camera lens at an acute angle with respect to a perpendicular of the reference plane. One or more processors receive camera images of a multiplicity of people of unknown height and vertical axis of the images are transformed into pixel counts. The known heights of people from a known statistical distribution of heights of people are received by one or more processors and transformed to a normalized measurement of pixel counts, based in part on a focal length of the camera lens, the angle of the camera, and an objective function summing differences between pixel counts of the known heights of people and the unknown heights of people. The fixed vertical height of the camera is determined by adjusting the estimated camera height to minimize the objective function.
US09885561B2
An optical inspection system includes a first optical module and a second optical module. The first optical module includes a first light source having a first optical axis and a first image capturing unit having a first image capturing axis. The first optical axis and the first image capturing axis are symmetric relative a normal line of an inspection plane. A first angle is formed between the first optical axis and the first image capturing axis. The second optical module includes a second light source having a second optical axis and a second image capturing unit having a second image capturing axis. The second optical axis and the second image capturing axis are symmetric relative to the normal line. A second angle is formed between the second optical axis and the second image capturing axis and is different from the first angle.
US09885557B2
This disclosure relates to an OCT apparatus configured to generate to electromagnetic (e.g., optical) signals having two different polarization states. Two or more silicon optical amplifiers (SOAs) can be configured to maintain a respective polarization state in an optical input signal provided from a light source (e.g., a broadband light source). The different polarization states can be combined by an optical combiner (e.g., a polarization maintaining fiber coupler) and provided to drive a reference arm and a sample arm implemented in an OCT system.
US09885551B2
The present invention provides a subsonic ammunition including a polymeric casing body comprising a generally cylindrical hollow polymer body having a body base at a first end thereof and a mouth at a second end to define a propellant chamber; a propellant insert positioned in the propellant chamber to reduce the internal volume of the propellant chamber, wherein the propellant chamber has an internal volume that is at least 10% less than the open internal volume of a standard casing of equivalent caliber; a propellant disposed and confined within the propellant chamber; a primer insert positioned at the body base and in communication with the propellant chamber; a primer disposed in the primer insert in combustible communication with the propellant; and a projectile frictionally fitted in the mouth in combustible communication with the propellant.
US09885546B2
A multi-contact type position detection apparatus for a target board includes a first membrane board having a plurality of first signal lines formed in a first direction, a second membrane board having a plurality of second signal lines formed in a second direction, and a plurality of dots which are formed on the first membrane board or the second membrane board such that the first membrane plate and the second membrane plate are spaced at a predetermined distance from each other, wherein the plurality of dots can be arranged at a distance of “k/2±A (A is 1%˜2% of k)” when a magnetic body diameter of a pin attached on the target board is “kmm”.
US09885535B2
A compound bow comprising a handle portion having a first limb and a second limb extending outwardly therefrom, a wide body cam assembly pivotally coupled to the first limb near an outer end thereof, and a dual wheel assembly pivotally coupled to the second limb near an outer end thereof. The wide body cam assembly comprises a main sheave and a collector sheave located on opposite sides of a cable sheave. The main sheave is spaced apart from the cable sheave by a first distance sufficient to permit arrows to be fired from the bow free from interference by a cable without the use of a cable guard. The dual wheel assembly comprises a feed out sheave and a take in sheave separated by a second distance which is larger than the first distance. The feed out sheave is positioned substantially within a plane defined by the main sheave.
US09885531B2
Devices, systems, and methods of manufacturing are disclosed with regard to a rapid-fire accessory for a semi-automatic firearm. The rapid-fire accessory may include a trigger guard mount and a trigger actuator. The trigger guard mount may attach the rapid-fire accessory to the semi-automatic firearm. The trigger guard mount may include a mounting channel for receiving a trigger guard of the semi-automatic firearm. When mounted in the mounting channel, the trigger guard guides a sliding movement of the trigger guard mount forward and rearward relative to the trigger guard. The trigger actuator may engage a trigger of the semi-automatic firearm. The trigger actuator may be fixed relative to the mounting channel and configured to pull the trigger when the trigger guard slides forward in the mounting channel.
US09885528B2
A bolt for a bolt-action firearm in one embodiment is movably disposed in a receiver between forward closed breech and rearward open breech axial positions. The bolt includes an operating handle and plurality of bolt lugs arranged to selectively engage locking lugs in the firearm. The bolt is rotatable between locked and unlocked breech positions when in the closed breech position. The bolt body has a dimensionally reduced middle section with unique configuration adapted to allow the bolt to rotate when closed without interference from the magazine feed lips. Using this design, the bolt may include three bolt lugs in one embodiment for secure lockup and minimal angular rotation between the locked and unlocked breech positions. The bolt is usable with both single and double stack box type magazines with one of the bolt lugs operating to reliably strip cartridges from either type magazine.
US09885526B2
A cooling system for a vehicle sensor module includes an active internal gas circulation system and a cold plate. The sensor module includes a light detector sensor disposed in a sealed housing. The housing is at least partially transparent. A cold plate is disposed on an end of the housing, and seals the housing. The active internal gas circulation system is disposed within the housing, and defines a first fluid flow path across the cold plate.
US09885520B1
A system and methodology associated with a connected farming system which includes an intake air modification unit which includes at least one fan, a dehumidifier and a cooling component and which collectively function to condition intake air so as to dry and cool the air prior to introduction into a grain bin. One or more sensors are provided which serve to control the operation of the intake air modification unit such that the air modification unit operates efficiently and taking into account external factors such as the presence/level of grain in the bin, the ambient weather conditions including relative humidity levels and ambient air temperature as well as qualitative characteristics of the air exiting the grain bin to include relative humidity and air temperature.
US09885519B2
An installation for drying a web of non-woven material includes a fan (6), a heating oven (3), an outlet pipe (C2) which puts the outlet of the oven (3) in communication with the intake of the fan (6), a branch pipe (C3) branching from the inlet pipe (C1) upstream of the heat source (4) putting the pipe (C1) in communication with the inlet of a drying device (10, 11), a pipe (C4) for the extraction of air from the drying device (10, 11) and a humidity level probe (13) mounted in the extraction pipe (C4).
US09885512B2
An apparatus selectively distributes air flow through a cooler to maintain cool air over garnish in the cooler. A cooler cavity includes a lower region where the air is generated, and an upper region where a cooler lid performs the dual purpose job of regulating access to the garnish and controlling a vent for directional air flow throughout the cooler. A container of garnish rests between the upper and lower regions. A vent positions adjacently to the container. A fulcrum extends from the vent. A force, such as the cooler lid, presses down on one end of the vent to tilt the vent between the closed and the open positions. The container and the vent form a barrier between the upper and lower regions from the closed position. The vent guides air flow from the lower to the upper region, and over the garnish from the open position.
US09885511B2
A low profile ice maker/dispenser and water dispenser having a high ice making capacity, for ice nugget manufacture is provided, wherein ice nuggets are metered out of a storage bin via a nugget dispenser outlet, and whereby water is dispensed via a water dispenser outlet. A refrigeration cycle is used, wherein an auger compresses ice on a wall of an evaporator and delivers the ice to the ice bin, breaking it into nuggets along the way. An outer wall of the evaporator is comprised of part of the water reservoir. A baffle in the ice bin facilitates metering of the amount of ice discharged. The system comprises a closed system that enables efficient cleaning of the system.
US09885505B2
A method is disclosed for producing a heat exchanger having at least one heat transfer surface, wherein the heat is used in a thermodynamic process that uses a fluid that is condensed, expanded, evaporated, and compressed in a cycle process. The area of the heat transfer surface may be dimensioned with respect to a minimum surface area measurement of the heat transfer surface, the minimum surface area measurement being required at least for transmitting a minimum heat quantity to the fluid used with the heat exchanger in order to prevent a condensation of the fluid before, during, and after the compression process. The area of the heat transfer surface may be dimensioned based on a correlation between the molar mass of the fluid and the minimum surface area measurement of the heat transfer surface.
US09885501B2
A thermal appliance having an uneven number of closed primary circuits, each including at least two outlet points connected in series to at least one exchange zone. In each circuit, a primary fluid is circulating in an alternating cycle of period (T) having two displacement phases of a half-period (T/2) having identical flow rates and volumes but in opposite directions. The primary fluid circulation cycle is phase-shifted (by T/2N) between each of the primary circuits. The inlet of the exchange zone is connected unidirectionally to one of the outlet points of each of the primary circuits and the outlet of the exchange zone is connected unidirectionally to the other outlet points of the primary circuits so that the sum of the heat transfer fluid flow rates, entering the exchange zone, is always greater than zero. A method for optimizing the heat exchange of such a thermal appliance.
US09885487B2
A humidifier is provided that typically includes a water filtration unit and a pump that draws filtered water from the water filtration unit, typically a carbon nanotube filter. The humidifier further includes a nozzle having an outlet orifice, wherein the nozzle is connected to the pump, where the pump forces the filtered water through the nozzle, thereby expelling the filtered water into an atmosphere in the form of a purified vapor or mist.
US09885484B2
A water heater system that includes a first water storage tank plumbed in series with a second water storage tank, and methods for controlling such a water heater system. In some instances, and in response to a water draw, a controller may activate both a first heat source associated with a first water storage tank and a second heat source associated for a second water storage tank. This rapid turn-on control may help reduce a drop in water temperature in the first water storage tank that might otherwise occur. The controller may also increase the setpoint temperature of the first water storage tank and/or the second water storage tank in response to a water draw.
US09885482B1
A method of making an aero-derivative gas turbine engine (100) is provided. A combustor outer casing (68) is removed from an existing aero gas turbine engine (60). An annular combustor (84) is removed from the existing aero gas turbine engine. A first row of turbine vanes (38) is removed from the existing aero gas turbine engine. A can annular combustor assembly (122) is installed within the existing aero gas turbine engine. The can annular combustor assembly is configured to accelerate and orient combustion gasses directly onto a first row of turbine blades of the existing aero gas turbine engine. A can annular combustor assembly outer casing (108) is installed to produce the aero-derivative gas turbine engine (100). The can annular combustor assembly is installed within an axial span (85) of the existing aero gas turbine engine vacated by the annular combustor and the first row of turbine vanes.
US09885473B2
A germicidal heating apparatus comprising a water supply part for supplying water, an superheated vapor generation part for generating superheated vapor by using the water supplied from the water supply part, and a blower for blowing the superheated vapor generated by the superheated vapor generation part through a discharge opening, characterized in that the superheated vapor generation part includes an annular vessel for receiving the water from the water supply part, and a spiral sheath heater arranged on the whole inside peripheral surface of the annular vessel, the upper end of the inside wall of the annular vessel being bent closely contacting the outside wall so as both to prevent leakage of the water contained in the annular vessel and to discharge the vapor generated by the heat of the sheath heater.
US09885465B2
Illumination devices are described. In one embodiment, an illumination device includes a light configured to be coupled to eyewear or a mask, such as a surgical loupe or a dental loupe. The illumination device also includes a battery configured to be coupled to the light. The light and the battery may be connected by a light connector and a battery connector. The illumination device also includes a battery coupling device coupled to the battery. The battery coupling device may be configured to couple the battery to a body part of a user. For example, the battery coupling device may include arms that wrap around a back of a head of a user, and grip or hold the sides of a head of a user.
US09885453B2
A lighting film (1) includes a first base material (2), a plurality of lighting portions (3), and a void portion (9), and if a virtual straight line (F) that passes through a point (C), at which any one light ray of light entering the lighting portion (3) is incident on a reflective surface, and is orthogonal to a first surface (2a) of the first base material (2) marks a boundary between two spaces, a space with the light ray incident on the point (C) of the two spaces is labeled as a first space (S1), and a space without the light ray incident on the point (C) is labeled as a second space (S2), the lighting film (1) has a function of decreasing intensity of light traveling toward the second space (S2) of light emitted from the first base material (2) or the lighting portion (3).
US09885449B2
An LED tube lamp includes a tube, two end caps, a power supply, and an LED light strip. The tube includes two rear end regions, two transition regions, and a main body region. The end caps are respectively connected to the rear end regions. The power supply is in one or both of the end caps. The LED light strip including one or more LED light sources is in the tube. The LED light sources are electrically connected to the power supply via the LED light strip. The end cap includes a lateral wall, an end wall, and at least one opening for heat dissipation and/or pressure releasing. The at least one opening penetrates through the end cap with a light sensor inside the end cap collimating with the opening.
US09885448B2
A liner includes a rubber liner portion, and a polyurethane liner portion disposed on a surface of the rubber liner portion. The rubber polyurethane liner can be applied to cover surfaces of process support elements used to transport or handle process material such as tar sand slurry. The rubber polyurethane liner increases the effectiveness and operating lifetimes of such process support elements.
US09885447B2
A system for dispensing a cryogenic liquid includes a storage tank containing a supply of the cryogenic liquid and a metering chamber. A liquid inlet line is in communication with the storage tank and the metering chamber so that the metering chamber receives cryogenic liquid from the storage tank. A meter run is in communication with the metering chamber and includes a metering element, a dispensing line and a dispensing valve. A stabilizing column is positioned within the metering chamber and includes vertically spaced openings. Vertically spaced first and second pressure sensors are in communication with the interior of the stabilizing column. A controller is in communication with the metering element, the first and second pressure sensors and the dispensing valve.
US09885431B2
A reelable mechanically lined pipe (MLP) (30) having at least a liner (32) and an outer pipe (34), the outer pipe having an outer diameter, DH, with the MLP formed from a plurality of pipe joints having conjoining girth welds (36), wherein the ends of each pipe joint terminate with clad overlay welds (40) having a length in the range Lmin=100 mm and Lmax=4DH, and wherein the liner thickness, t, is equal to or less than a value calculated by formula I as defined.
US09885430B1
A suspended pipe assembly comprising a first suspended pipe, a second suspended pipe, a third suspended pipe, and a number of suspenders for suspending the pipes from an elevated pipe or pipes of a mobile irrigation system or other fluid distribution system. The first suspended pipe and second suspended pipe are connected together via a fixed joint. The second suspended pipe and third suspended pipe are connected together via a live joint such that the second suspended pipe and third suspended pipe can expand longitudinally relative to each other. Additional suspended pipes can be connected to each other via alternating fixed and live joints. The suspenders allow the suspended pipes to expand longitudinally relative to the elevated pipe and prevents the suspended pipes from warping side-to-side.
US09885424B2
An electromagnetic valve includes: a solenoid having a tubular guide part having the same center as a central axis extending in an axial direction; a movable element disposed inside the guide part and movable in the axial direction; a cover housing the solenoid and the movable element, defining a hole portion, and made of a magnetic material; a pin located at the hole portion and movable along with movement of the movable element; and a valve section provided outside the cover and opened/closed along with movement of the movable element and the pin. The solenoid has a core that surrounds an outer side of the movable element in the radial direction, and a coil that magnetizes the core. The core has an annular ring part surrounding the outer side of the movable element, and tooth parts protruding radially outward from the ring part on which the coil is mounted.
US09885409B1
A bicycle sprocket comprises a sprocket body and a plurality of chain-driving teeth. The sprocket body includes a radially outer periphery and an axial center plane. The plurality of chain-driving teeth include at least one noise-reduction tooth. The at least one noise-reduction tooth comprises a downstream circumferential surface, an upstream circumferential surface, and a first axial surface. The first axial surface is provided between the downstream circumferential surface and the upstream circumferential surface to face in an axial direction parallel to a rotational center axis. The first axial surface includes an inclined surface inclined relative to an axial center plane so that an axial width of the at least one noise-reduction tooth decreases from one of the upstream circumferential surface and the downstream circumferential surface to the other of the upstream circumferential surface and the downstream circumferential surface.
US09885402B2
A ring gear (82) of a planetary gear speed reducer (80) is fixed to a casing (31) provided with a core metal (31) fixed to a vehicle panel via a rubber damper (92). Therefore, the driving unit can be reduced in size through adoption of a speed reducer (80) formed of gears (82) made of spur gears, and the rubber dumper (92) can suppress low frequency vibrations which are transmitted from the speed reducer (80) to the vehicle panel. Therefore, the vehicle body of the vehicle having a low characteristic frequency is prevented from resonating with the incoming low frequency vibrations to generate noises which are transmitted to the vehicle interior, and which give an occupant an unpleasant feeling.
US09885396B2
A braking system for safely collecting brake dust produced by operation of a braking mechanism. The braking system comprises a collector apparatus coupled with a braking mechanism. The collector apparatus is able to include a shroud that surrounds the braking mechanism and a catch element coupled with the shroud for collecting brake dust exiting the shroud. As a result, when coupled with the braking mechanism, the collector apparatus is able to ensure that most or all brake dust, such as copper or other particles from the braking mechanism that break off from the breaking mechanism during operation of the braking mechanism, are removed from the braking mechanism and collected by the filter/catch of the collector mechanism.
US09885387B2
The invention relates to a motor vehicle axle, in particular a torsion beam axle, the rubber-solid material bearing being constructed in a disk-like manner from at least two disks made from solid material with a rubber layer which is arranged in between, and is characterized according to the invention in that a disk which is arranged on the outside in relation to the axial direction A of the rubber-solid material bearing has a collar which is oriented so as to stand upright toward the outside.
US09885386B2
A system includes a bearing assembly configured to be coupled to a compressor of a gas turbine engine and to receive an end of a torque shaft assembly, a bearing housing, and a circumferential bearing. The circumferential bearing includes a split race and a ball disposed within the split race. The circumferential bearing may be configured to be removed from the bearing housing without having to remove the torque shaft assembly from the compressor.
US09885385B2
A spacer device for roller elements of a toroidal roller bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring. The toroidal roller bearing allows for axial and angular displacement between the inner and outer rings. The spacer device comprises a first roller element-contacting surface and a second roller element-contacting surface on opposite sides thereof. First and second roller-contacting surfaces are arranged to separate two adjacent roller elements in a tangential direction of the toroidal roller bearing when the spacer device is in use. Each of the first and second roller element-contacting surfaces has a concave shape adapted to conform to respective convex contacting surfaces of the roller elements. The spacer device comprises end members that have projections that extend outwards from first and second roller-contacting surfaces and which are arranged to extend at least partly over the ends of two adjacent roller elements when the spacer device is in use.
US09885384B2
An object is to provide a floating bush bearing device with excellent oscillation stability and small bearing loss. A floating bush bearing device which rotatably supports a rotation shaft includes: a bearing housing, a floating bush rotatably disposed between the rotation shaft and an inner circumferential surface of the bearing housing, in the bearing housing, and a bush side oil supply hole which is formed through the floating bush and is capable of supplying lubricating oil between the rotation shaft and the inner circumferential surface of the floating bush, the inner circumferential surface of the floating bush has a non-circular shape so that a gap portion is formed between the rotation shaft and the inner circumferential surface of the floating bush, the gap portion having a predetermined clearance or larger regardless of relative positions of the rotation shaft and the inner circumferential surface of the floating bush, and the bush side oil supply hole communicates with the gap portion.
US09885382B2
The invention relates to a zinc-free spray powder for thermally coating a substrate, in particular for thermally coating a bearing part of a bearing apparatus, which spray powder has the following composition except for unavoidable contaminants: tin=5% to 30% weight percent; aluminum=0.1% to 5% weight percent; iron=at most 1% weight percent, and copper=difference to 100% weight percent. The invention furthermore relates to a layer system applied via thermal spraying, a work piece, particularly a connecting rod, as well as a spray method for manufacturing a spray layer.
US09885376B1
A connector assembly comprises a base part that defines a throughhole receiving a bolt and a connector device having a rear portion that fits through the throughhole in the base part, and a front portion that does not fit through the throughhole in the base part. The rear portion of the connector device defines a bolt hole for engaging with a bolt extending through the throughhole in the base part. The front portion of the connector device defines an access opening aligned with the bolt hole in the rear portion. The rear portion is configured with an engagement surface structure engaged with a forming wall structure of the throughhole in the base part upon movement of the connector device relative to the throughhole.
US09885366B2
A ceiling fan including a motor having a rotating flange; a single integrally formed fan blade, wherein the fan blade includes two substantially equally weighted wing portions disposed opposite each other; and a center portion disposed between and integrally formed with the two wing portions and having a passageway therethrough, wherein the passageway is sized such that the fan motor fits at least partially within the passageway; and means for attaching the center portion of the fan blade to the rotating flange of the motor is provided.
US09885359B2
Provided is a motor-driven compressor capable of realizing reduction in manufacturing costs. A compression mechanism of the motor-driven compressor according to the present invention includes a rotor rotatable by a rotation shaft and provided with a plurality of vane grooves, a plurality of vanes disposed advanceably and retractably in the respective vane grooves, a cup member formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape and enclosing the rotor, and a side plate closing an opening of the cup member The contour of the compressor is formed by a first housing and a second housing, and a suction pressure region in the first housing is hermetically closed from outside at a position where the first housing and the second housing are joined together.
US09885357B2
A hermetic compressor includes a hermetic container having a bottom portion in which lubricating oil is stored and an electric motor including a stator and a rotator. The hermetic compressor further includes a drive shaft attached to the rotator and a compression mechanism for compressing refrigerant by using rotation of the drive shaft. The hermetic compressor also includes a rotary pressure increasing mechanism for increasing a pressure of refrigerant gas, the rotary pressure increasing mechanism being arranged on the rotator, and a cylindrical lateral wall for partitioning a space above the electric motor into an outer space and an inner space in a manner that the a cylindrical lateral wall surrounds the rotary pressure increasing mechanism. Finally, the hermetic compressor includes a discharge pipe for allowing the refrigerant to flow out from the inner space into an external circuit that is external to the hermetic container.
US09885356B2
A variable displacement pump includes a housing having a pair of end wall surfaces; an annular outer rotor guide swingably disposed between the pair of end wall surfaces; a cylindrical outer rotor; an inner rotor provided radially inward of the outer rotor and configured to rotate integrally with a drive shaft at a location eccentric relative to the outer rotor; and a plurality of coupling plates coupling the inner rotor and the outer rotor. The outer rotor is rotatably fitted into an outer rotor supporting surface of the outer rotor guide. A space between the inner rotor and the outer rotor is partitioned into a plurality of chambers by the plurality of coupling plates. A concave portion is formed in the outer rotor supporting surface such that the concave portion exists over an entire axial range between the both end surfaces of the outer rotor guide.
US09885351B2
A pump system including a motor, a fluid pump powered by the motor, a user-interface, and a controller. The controller including a user-interface input electrically coupled to the user-interface, a serial communication input, a digital input having a plurality of digital input pins sharing a common ground pin, a processor, and a computer readable memory. The computer readable memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to receive an operating signal simultaneously from the serial communication input and the digital input, and control the motor based on one of the operating signal from the serial communication input and the operating signal from the digital input.
US09885347B2
Carbon dioxide compressors having one or more coatings with wear surfaces having electroless surface coatings are provided. Alternatively, propane compressors are contemplated having wear surface coatings. The coating is electrolessly applied and may comprise nickel and wear resistant particles, such as boron nitride. The electroless surface coatings for use with compressor machines improve corrosion and wear resistance, as well as anti-friction properties for compressors processing CO2 or C3H8 containing refrigerants. In certain aspects, a scroll machine has an Oldham coupling and/or lower bearing comprising aluminum and has an electroless surface coating comprising nickel boron nitride particles disposed on one or more wear surfaces. In other aspects, a reciprocating compressor has a wear surface, such as on a connecting rod and/or piston coated with an electrolessly applied nickel and boron nitride particle layer. Methods for making the electroless surface coatings are also provided.
US09885346B2
A shape memory actuator system is provided that includes a shape memory actuator having a body made of a shape memory material, with individual power conductors interfaced with a first portion of the body, and one or more individual ground conductors interfaced with a second portion of the body in physical contact with the first portion of the body. A power source provides power to the individual power conductors. A controller is provided for controlling a resistive heating current connection sufficient to impart shape memory to the body between the individual power conductors and the one or more individual ground conductors with the proviso that the ground conductors are physically separated from the individual power conductors. A novel shape memory article results. A method for controlling a shape memory actuator and forming a shape memory article are also provided.
US09885344B2
The present application relates to the field of energy recovery and in particular to the use of shape memory alloys (SMA) for same. An energy recovery device is provided which comprises a one way drive mechanism for incrementally winding a spring. An SMA engine comprising a length of SMA material is fixed at a first end and connected at a second end to the one way drive mechanism. The SMA engine is housed in an immersion chamber and adapted to be sequentially filled with fluid to allow heating and/or cooling of the SMA engine to enable high frequency contractions and expansion. An output transmission is provided which is coupled to and driven by the spring. In this manner, repeated contractions of the SMA material incrementally wind the spring to store energy. The spring is restrained by a release mechanism which may be activated to allow the spring to drive an output transmission.
US09885340B2
A screened wind power generation system for generating power in locations where the sight of wind turbines is undesirable or where advertising space can be utilized. The system uses a screen to cover wind turbines with a mesh size and other characteristics that are appropriate for allowing sufficient wind to pass through to wind turbines. The mesh can be coated or imprinted with surface indicia that constitute advertising or create an appearance that blends with surroundings better than an unscreened wind power generation system. The depth of the screen can vary to better enable muffling of wind turbine noise. The screen cross-section can have an aerodynamic shape to facilitate wind flow through the screen.
US09885334B2
A method for operating an electric machine coupled to an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, the electric machine having a stator winding, a rotor winding, a field regulator assigned to the rotor winding and a current converter post-connected to the stator winding having controllable switching elements, in which during a starting process of the internal combustion engine the electric machine is operated as a motor according to a rotational speed specification signal.
US09885333B2
A method and a device for supplying fuel into a combustion chamber of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, in which an air-fuel mixture is supplied to the cylinder via at least two intake sections, which are connected to the cylinder via an intake valve, and each of the intake sections is assigned an injector, fuel being injected into the intake sections in at least intermittently asynchronous manner.
US09885331B2
The decoupling element for a fuel injection device according to the invention is characterized in particular in that a low noise design is implemented. The fuel injection device includes at least one fuel injector and a receiving borehole in a cylinder head for the fuel injector, and the decoupling element between a valve housing of the fuel injector and a wall of the receiving borehole. The decoupling element is a decoupling system made up of a contoured spring seat on a shoulder of the receiving borehole and a spring washer resting on the shoulder. The fuel injection device is suited in particular for direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing spark-ignition internal combustion engines.
US09885328B2
A bush is disposed on an inner wall of a fixed core. A second spring, which biases a movable core in a valve-closing direction, has one end abutting the bush. The bush is formed separately from the fixed core, and is formed to be movable relative to the fixed core when adjusting a biasing force of the second spring. When a needle is abutting a valve seat, a gap is formed between a movable core first abutting face of the movable core and a flange end face of a flange portion included in the needle. Accordingly, during valve-opening, a relatively large force in a valve-opening direction is applied to the needle. Further, by changing the position of the bush relative to the movable core, the biasing force of the second spring may be adjusted without changing a length of the gap in a central axis direction.
US09885327B2
An assembly for an internal combustion engine may include an intake module of a fresh air system for supplying fresh air to at least one combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine and an attachment part attached to the intake module in a joining direction. The intake module may include at least one retaining surface facing away from the attachment part. The attachment part may include at least one counter retaining surface facing away from the intake module. At least one reinforcing element may be disposed between the intake module and the attachment part and may interact with the at least one retaining surface and the at least one counter retaining surface. The at least one retaining element may be moveable in a movement direction extending transverse to the joining direction between a releasing position and a securing position.
US09885325B2
An air intake chamber is disposed at a location downstream of a supercharger and upstream of a throttle body. The air intake chamber serves to accumulate an intake air pressurized by the supercharger. This air intake chamber includes a confronting portion, which has an outlet and overlaps the throttle body, and a connecting portion that connects between the confronting portion and a discharge port of the supercharger. The connecting portion has an outlet side opening set to be larger than an inlet side opening thereof.
US09885320B2
A pressure regulator (10) including a body (12) having an internal chamber (110) and a thermal shield (124) made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than a material of the body (12) for reducing heat transfer between the body (12) and the fluid flowing into the internal chamber (110). By reducing heat transfer between the fluid and the body (12), the temperature of the components of the pressure regulator (10) is increased to reduce failure of the components and the density of the fluid is increased to improve the flow capacity of the pressure regulator (10).
US09885317B2
A system for combusting volatile vapors includes a carburetor having intake valves for receiving base fuel from a fuel source, ambient combustion air, and volatile vapors from a vapor source. A plurality of sensors measure and generate sensor data based on a respective plurality of physical properties associated with the carburetor and associate combustion engine operation. One or more programmable controllers receive the sensor data and control the intake valves to regulate respective ratios of the fuel, air, volatile vapors drawn through the carburetor based on the received sensor data. To increase the burn of volatile vapors, an engine loading system automatically operated by the controller(s) applies an automatically adjustable braking load on the engine. The load level applied is based on the sensor data and commensurate with maintaining stable engine running conditions. The loading system decreases time necessary to remediate a site.
US09885304B2
A vehicle control system for an internal combustion engine having a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel directly into a combustion chamber includes a controller configured to perform a fuel cut-off when a predetermined fuel cut-off condition is met during travel of the vehicle to thereby stop fuel injection from the fuel injection valve. The controller is configured to resume the fuel injection from the fuel injection valve when a predetermined fuel cut-off recovery condition is met during the fuel cut-off. The controller is configured, upon elapse of a predetermined time that is required for a wall temperature of the combustion chamber to rise after resuming the fuel injection from the fuel injection valve, to perform a rich spike that temporarily increases the fuel injection amount from the fuel injection valve.
US09885302B2
Methods and systems are provided for regenerating a NOx storage catalytic converter of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine comprising selectively switchable cylinders. During permissible engine operating conditions, the switchable cylinders may be deactivated in order to regenerate the NOx storage catalytic converter using the rich exhaust from the active cylinders blended with un-combusted gas from the deactivated cylinders.
US09885299B2
A method for fuel regulation during a non-motoring operating mode of an internal combustion engine is provided. A fuel regulator employs a first fuel to regulate pressure of a second fuel. The first fuel is communicated to the fuel regulator through a first fuel circuit. The method comprises actuating a fuel injector that introduces the first fuel and the second fuel into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine during the non-motoring operating mode. The fuel injector is actuated with an injection command signal having a pulse width below a predetermined maximum value whereby no fuel is injected into the combustion chamber and the first fuel drains from the first fuel circuit through the fuel injector to a supply tank.
US09885298B2
An electronic control unit includes a seat temperature calculating unit, a supply amount control unit, and a concentration acquiring unit. The seat temperature calculating unit calculates a simulated temperature of an exhaust valve seat. When the simulated temperature of the exhaust valve seat becomes equal to or higher than a threshold temperature, the supply amount control unit starts fuel increase control of increasing a lower limit value of an amount of fuel to be supplied into a cylinder to a larger value than that before the simulated temperature becomes equal to or higher than the threshold temperature. The concentration acquiring unit acquires an ethanol concentration of the fuel. In the fuel increase control, the supply amount control unit makes the amount of increase in the lower limit value larger as the ethanol concentration of the fuel acquired by the concentration acquiring unit is higher.
US09885291B2
A bypass turbine engine including: an inner casing, an inter-duct casing, and an outer casing so as to define a primary duct between the inter-duct casing and the inner casing, and a secondary duct between the inter-duct casing and the outer casing; a rotary shaft including a movable fan including radial blades of which free ends face the outer casing of the turbine engine to compress an air flow in the secondary duct; a plurality of variable-pitch radial stator vanes mounted upstream of the movable fan so as to deflect the incident axial air prior to it being axially rectified by the movable fan in the secondary duct; and a system for individually regulating the pitch of the variable-pitch radial vanes if heterogeneity of the air flow in the secondary duct is detected, is provided.
US09885288B2
An APU has a gas turbine engine and a starter generator to be selectively driven by the gas turbine engine. A sensor senses windmilling of components associated with the starter generator. A lock feature limits rotation within the starter generator when windmilling is sensed. A method of operation is also disclosed.
US09885286B2
An assembly system for assembling a gas turbine engine including a support beam defining a horizontal plane for assembly of engine components along a horizontal axis substantially parallel with the support beam. A forward arm is supported on the support beam for supporting a forward portion of an engine component. An aft arm is supported on the support beam for supporting an aft portion of the engine component. An aft mounting ring is attachable to an aft end of an engine assembly. A forward mounting ring is attachable to a forward end of the engine assembly. A drive is mounted to the aft arm engageable to the aft mounting ring for rotating the engine assembly about the horizontal axis. A roller is supported on the forward arm and engageable to the forward mounting ring to support the first end of the engine assembly during rotation about the horizontal axis. A method is also disclosed.
US09885284B2
A turbojet comprising a high-pressure compressor with several compression stages in which the pressure rises in a direction of air flow, from a low pressure to a high pressure, passing through intermediate pressures, and a system to bleed air in the turbojet and deliver the air to an air system. The bleeding system comprises a first air intake to bleed air at low pressure, a second air intake to bleed air at an intermediate pressure, a first valve and a second valve having inlets connected to the first air intake, a compressor having an inlet connected to the second valve outlet, a high-pressure valve connected to the second air intake, and a control valve connected to the air system, and a controller to control the opening and closing of the valves depending on the pressures at the first and second air intakes.
US09885283B2
A gas turbine engine includes a shaft having a first air compressor coupled thereto, a combustor positioned to receive compressed air from the first compressor, and a power source coupled to the shaft, the power source powered by a working fluid other than the compressed air.
US09885280B2
An internal combustion engine includes a piston oscillating in a cylinder linearly between a top dead centre and a bottom dead centre. A crankshaft driven by the piston via a connecting rod is connected to the rotor of a first electrical machine. The rotor co-operates electromagnetically with a stator of the first electrical machine. The stator is connected to a first current converter unit for bidirectional transmission of electrical energy. The rotor of a second electrical machine is disposed on the piston. The stator of the second electrical machine is disposed on the piston. The rotor of the second electrical machine co-operates electromagnetically with the stator of the second electrical machine. The stator of the second electrical machine is connected to a second current converter unit for unidirectional or bidirectional transmission of electrical energy. The current converter units are controlled by a control device common to the current converter units.
US09885279B2
A cyclone separator having a circular cross section is arranged upstream of an air filter. An introduction passage extends from a branch air inlet, which is provided at a position displaced from a main passage, to the cyclone separator. A margin space where at least part of air introduced in the introduction passage flows is formed in the introduction passage before the cyclone separator. A swirl flow occurring in the cyclone separator starts at this margin space.
US09885277B2
The present invention is a compression-ignition direct-injection internal-combustion engine comprising at least a cylinder (10), a cylinder head (12) carrying fuel injection means (14), a piston (16) sliding in this cylinder, a combustion chamber (34) having on one side an upper face (44) of the piston comprising a projection (48) extending in the direction of the cylinder head and located at the center of a concave bowl (46). The engine comprises an injector projecting fuel in at least two fuel jet sheets with sheet injection angles (A1, A2), a lower sheet (36) of jet axis C1 and an upper sheet (38) of jet axis C2, at least two mixing zones (Z1, Z2) of the combustion chamber. According to the invention, one of the zones comprises a toroidal volume (64) of center B into which fuel jets (40) of the lower jet are injected in such a way that axis C1 of the lower jet is contained between center B and projection (48).
US09885272B2
An apparatus includes an exhaust system, a cooling system, and two or more thermoacoustic devices. A first thermoacoustic device is configured to convert heat energy from the exhaust system to amplify an acoustic wave. A second thermoacoustic device configured to convert energy in the amplified acoustic wave to an input for the cooling system. The apparatus may be incorporated or in communication with an engine or a generator.
US09885270B2
A device to trap and remove particulate matter from exhaust of internal combustion engines, without increasing resistance to the flow of engine exhaust is disclosed herein. The system is provided with a single or a plurality of ducts (1 & 2) through which exhaust gases enter tangentially into a hollow chamber (3), causing the gases to spin at high speeds. The spinning gases generate centrifugal force resulting in separation of particulate matter from the exhaust gases. The hollow chamber (3) contains ports (4) and radial projections (5) on its axial surface to allow the separated particulate matter to enter into a trap (6). The particulate matter entering the trap (6) gets stuck to a fine mesh of high temperature resistant porous material that may or may not be electrically charged. The trap (6) is enclosed in a cover (7) that encases the fine mesh which surrounds the ports (4) and radial projections (5). The cover (7) has a single or plurality of ducts (8) connecting the trap (6) to the low pressure area of the rotating gases in the hollow chamber (3) through the port (9) provided at the proximal end of the hollow chamber (3).
US09885268B2
Insulation system for thermoacoustic insulation of a component to be insulated, such as an exhaust gas component, comprising a fiber molded part having a surface facing away from the component to be insulated, where the surface facing away is at least in part jacketed with a cladding, and having an insulation surface facing the component to be insulated, where the fiber molded part is applied to the component to be insulated such that at least one cavity is formed between a portion of the insulation surface of the fiber molded part and the component to be insulated.
US09885263B2
A compression-release brake system is provided that includes a lost motion exhaust rocker assembly, an actuation piston, and a reset device. The actuation piston includes an actuation piston body that is slidably received by the rocker arm to define a piston cavity in the rocker arm and is movable between piston retracted and extended positions. The actuation piston is configured to be operatively associated with the exhaust valve to permit unseating of the exhaust valve from the seated state. An actuation piston check valve is configured to move between closed and open positions to permit hydraulic fluid flow through an actuation piston communication port to the piston cavity. The reset device includes a reset check valve and a reset pressure control spring for applying a biasing force to the reset check valve to urge the reset check valve toward an open position.
US09885261B2
Disclosed is an actuator for axial displacement of an object, including an actuator piston disc displaceable in a cylinder volume, an inlet channel, a first inlet valve body arranged in the inlet channel, a second inlet valve body operatively connected to the actuator piston disc and arranged in the inlet channel, an outlet channel and an outlet valve body arranged therein. The actuator includes an electrically controlled pilot valve communicating a first control pressure to the first inlet valve body via a first control pressure channel and communicating a second control pressure to the outlet valve body via a second control pressure channel. The pilot valve places itself in either a resting state or an active state.
US09885260B2
Systems and methods for operating exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine with poppet exhaust valves are described. The systems and methods provide for locking exhaust valves in a closed state when the exhaust valves are in mechanical communication with a base circle of a camshaft lobe. Locking the exhaust valves in a closed state may reduce the possibility of exhaust pressures opening the exhaust valves at times they may not be desired to be open.
US09885249B2
A gas turbine engine includes a front center body case structure. A geared architecture is at least partially supported by the front center body case structure. A bearing structure is mounted to the front center body case structure to rotationally support a shaft driven by the geared architecture, the shaft drive a fan. A bearing compartment passage structure is in communication with the bearing structure through the front center body case structure. A method is also disclosed.
US09885248B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for implementing the method so as to alleviate the disadvantages of a reciprocating combustion engine and gas turbine in electric energy production. The invention is based on the idea of arranging a combustion chamber (10) outside a gas turbine (22) and providing compressed air to the combustion chamber (10) in order to carry out a combustion process in controlled and optimal conditions.
US09885246B2
A sealing arrangement for a duct, through a stationary housing, of a shaft which rotates about an axis is provided, wherein a sealing liquid is used for sealing instead of sealing steam. The sealing arrangement includes a seal, having a vapor steam extraction system, and a feed line, which is arranged between the inner space and the vapor steam extraction system and is designed for supplying a sealing liquid, wherein a labyrinth seal, a brush seal with metallic bristles, a brush seal with bristles made of natural fibers and/or a brush seal made of synthetic fibers is provided for sealing off with respect to the inner space and the vapor steam extraction system.
US09885239B2
Provided is a method for energy recuperation in the expansion of processed natural gas before the delivery of the latter to an acetylene production plant (H). The method includes delivery of heated processed natural gas to an expansion device and expansion of the processed natural gas in the expansion device to a pressure of 2 bar to 8 bar. The expansion device is a piston expansion machine which is operated by the expansion of the processed natural gas and which generates energy. Also provided is a plant for energy recuperation in the expansion of processed natural gas.
US09885232B2
The method and system for determining position with improved calibration allows a device to initiate activity at the proper location, such as navigating a drill bit through a rock formation. A pair of position sensors in opposite orientations generates position data signals. A temperature sensor detects temperature and duration of the temperature. An adjusted plastic bias value is determined by a processor module based on the temperature data signal, the duration of the temperature, and the position data signals so as to account for bias and hysteresis errors and error correction based on the opposing orientations of the pair of position sensors. A position value is set according to the adjusted plastic bias value so that the position value is more accurate. The activity of the terminal device is initiated or maintained according to the position value calibrated by the adjusted plastic bias value.
US09885225B2
The present invention generally concerns the treatment of hydrocarbon-bearing formations adjacent a wellbore. In one embodiment, fracturing jobs are performed through the use of subs disposed in a casing string having profiles that interact with profiles formed on retractable keys of a tool.
US09885224B2
A downhole tool, such as a sliding sleeve, deploys on a tubing string in a borehole. The tool has a housing with an internal bore and at least one port communicating outside the housing. An insert disposed in the bore can move from a closed position to an opened position relative to the port so fluid can be communicated to the borehole. A burst band disposed outside the housing at the port can break away from the housing in response to a particular pressure level communicated through the open port. In particular, the insert can have a seat that engages a deployed plug or ball. The insert shifts open when a first level of applied pressure against the seated ball shears the insert free. This can give a first indication that the insert has moved open. Then, a second level of pressure can be detected when the burst band breaks as a second indication that the insert is opened.
US09885219B2
A grip a no goes in a subterranean tool to properly position grip members held radially outward with a cone on delivery of an uphole force. In the case of a subsurface safety valve that has a flow tube the slips are wedged into the flow tube when the grip tool lands on the no go in the subsurface safety valve and is jarred up. Jarring up using spang jars and weight bars can be repeatedly accomplished without releasing the grip tool from the flow tube. Jarring down unsupports the slips to allow them to retract while one or more springs can be used to prevent a re-grip of the flow tube. The grip tool can now be pulled out of the hole with the flow tube broken loose from accumulated debris for subsequent normal operation of the flow tube with the control system for the subsurface safety valve.
US09885215B2
There is disclosed herein drilling apparatus, in particular for use in the field of oil prospecting, comprising: a first tubular member (1, 2, 3); a second tubular member (6, 7, 8, 9) mounted at least partly within the first tubular member so as to be reciprocally free in rotation with respect to the first tubular member about an axis (5); and a drill bit (4) operatively connected to one of the first or second tubular members so as to be rotated in response to the one tubular member being turned in order to effect drilling, characterized in that: the drilling apparatus further comprises a restoring member (18, 36) for applying a forces between the first tubular member and the second tubular member at least in respective first axial directions in response to relative displacement of the first tubular member and the second tubular member in the respective opposite axial directions. Also provided are a tubular assembly and a method of assembling tubular members.
US09885201B2
A lock device body includes a brake member fastening a rod to lock the rod, a piston that press-opens a pair of pressure-bearing sections of the brake member by using an expansion member to unlock the rod, and an operation element for manually operating the piston, the operation element includes a shaft threaded in a screw hole, a pressure plate formed on one end of the shaft and located in the pressure chamber, and a sealing member disposed on the pressure plate. When the shaft is threaded into a lock release position, an operation end becomes an unextending state while the pressure plate displaces the piston to the lock release position, and, when the shaft is threaded back to a lock position, the operation end extends from the screw hole to the outside while the sealing member seals the screw hole to isolate the screw hole from the pressure chamber.
US09885200B2
A lock actuation assembly includes an escutcheon and a handle having a first end pivotably connected to the escutcheon at an interface. A link arm is pivotably mounted in the escutcheon and also comprises a first end. A projection is engaged with the first end of the handle and the first end of the link arm. A cam located in the escutcheon is rotatably engaged with a second end of the link arm. The cam includes a tailpiece adapted for engagement with a locking mechanism.
US09885192B2
A spa cover comprising: a) a bladder section having a length and a width approximating that of a water spa; b) a plurality of elongated and generally parallel structures affixed to and substantially spanning the width of the bladder section; c) a plurality of flexible rods affixed to the bladder section and under sufficient tension to compress and create an arc over the width of the bladder section; and d) a cover supported by the flexible rods; wherein the rods and the elongated structures are spaced sufficiently to allow the bladder section and the cover to be rolled lengthwise.
US09885190B1
A safety system includes a sleeve fitted within a pool's suction line at its inlet. The sleeve terminates with a plate that resides within the suction line. The plate has holes formed therethrough. A housing defining distinct channels is fitted in the sleeve so that the distinct channels lie within the sleeve. Each of the distinct channels has a first opening on one end thereof and a second opening on another end thereof. The second openings reside in the sleeve. The first openings are in fluid communication with the water in the pool, and are distributed around a periphery of an area of the housing that prevents coverage of all the first openings when a human interacts therewith. A first sensor is coupled to the sleeve to sense pressure therein, and a second pressure sensor is coupled to the plate to sense pressure in one of the plates' holes.
US09885186B2
A joint structure includes a first floorboard and a second floorboard. The first floorboard and the second floorboard each includes: a top surface; a bottom surface; a first side surface; a second side surface; a third side surface; a fourth side surface; a first beveled tenon, the first beveled tenon including a first tenon face facing upwards; a first beveled mortise, the first beveled mortise including a first mortise face facing upwards; a second beveled tenon, the second beveled tenon including a second tenon face facing downwards; and a second beveled mortise, the second beveled mortise including a second mortise face facing downwards. The top surface is disposed substantially parallel to the bottom surface. The first side surface, the second side surface, the third side surface, and the fourth side surface are disposed substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface.
US09885174B2
A sound abatement system and method providing for assembly of stacked acoustic suppression walls is disclosed. The system incorporates vertical support members (VSM) and/or vertical I-beams (VIB) driven into the ground that support an acoustic suppression panel (ACP) array by virtue of diagonal fastening cables (DFC). The DFC in one preferred embodiment utilizes a combination of threaded J-hooks, cable loops, and angle iron to fix the ACP to the VSM/VIB by frictional contact.
US09885170B2
Provided is a cab in which an engine stop switch can be caused to make an emergency stop and an improper operation of the engine stop switch can be suppressed. The cab includes an operator's seat placed in the cab and the engine stop switch for causing the engine to make an emergency stop. The operator's seat includes a back portion serving as a backrest. The engine stop switch is provided rearward relative to a perpendicular line which is perpendicular to a midline bisecting the operator's seat as seen in a plan view and passes the back portion.
US09885160B1
A snow pusher, also known as a box plow has a blade that is configured to be disposed in a first position for pushing snow forwardly, as is typical of snow pushers, and is further configured to be disposed in a second position for pulling snow rearwardly. The blade of the snow pusher may be contained within a snow plow box that may be reversible, allowing the blade to be disposed at a rear of the box for pushing the snow forwardly and at a front of the box for pulling snow rearwardly.
US09885148B2
A laminated sheet includes a base cloth layer having a porous structure obtained by impregnating a woven fabric, which has a tear strength by a trapezoid method of 150 N or more in the longitudinal direction and 100 N or more in the lateral direction, with a resin composition containing a polyurethane resin and an organic flame retardant, and a skin layer layered on the base cloth layer, and has plural air holes penetrating in the thickness direction.
US09885128B2
A textile material exhibiting enhanced energy absorption (e.g., enhanced near-infrared energy absorption) and, optionally, flame resistance. The textile material comprises a textile substrate and a finish disposed on at least one surface of the textile substrate. The finish comprises a binder and an energy-absorbing agent. A method for protecting an individual from infrared radiation that can be generated during an arc flash comprises the step of positioning a textile material between an individual and an apparatus capable of producing an arc flash.
US09885126B2
A method for producing ceramic fibers of a composition in the SiC range, starts from a spinning material that contains a polysilane-polycarbosilane copolymer solution. The spinning material is extruded through spinnerets in a dry spinning method and spun through a spinning duct into green fibers, and the green fibers are subsequently pyrolyzed. Accordingly, the polysilane-polycarbosilane solution contains between 75 wt. % and 95 wt. %, in particular between 80 and 90 wt. %, of an indifferent solvent, and the spinnerets have a capillary diameter between 20 and 70 μm, in particular between 30 and 60 μm, in particular between 40 and 50 μm.
US09885122B2
The invention provides a method of manufacturing an N-type silicon single crystal having a resistivity of 0.05 Ωcm or less and a crystal orientation of <100> by a Czochralski method, including: bringing a seed crystal into contact with a melt doped with a dopant in a crucible; forming a cone while adjusting a taper angle θ such that a ratio of the total of individual lengths of areas each having a taper angle θ ranging from 25° to 45° to length L of a cone side surface is 20% or less, where θ being formed between a growth direction of the silicon single crystal and the cone side surface when the cone is seen in a diameter direction of the silicon single crystal; and successively forming a straight body. The method can inhibit the generation of dislocations during the cone formation without reducing the yield and productivity.
US09885120B2
The prior arts generate bubbles with fixed characteristics of the gas in the bubbles. The invention proposes an apparatus of generating bubbles and a method thereof. The apparatus comprising: a first unit (10) configured to determine at least one characteristic of a gas in the bubbles; a second unit (12) configured to generate the bubbles, comprising: an electrolyzer (120) configured to electrolyze an electrolyte to generate the gas in the electrolyte, thereby generating bubbles; and a controller (14), configured to control the second unit to generate the bubbles according to the at least one characteristic of the gas. In embodiments of the invention, the generation is controllable with respect to the gas in the bubble based on the practical requirement of the gas, and is more flexible and with wide applicability.
US09885115B2
A plasma treatment apparatus that includes a chamber having an opening portion which serves as a plasma ejection port surrounded by a dielectric member; a gas supply pipe that introduces gas into an inside of the chamber; a solenoid coil disposed in a vicinity of the chamber; a high-frequency power supply having a pulse modulation function which is connected to the solenoid coil; and a base material mounting table disposed on a plasma ejection port side. Plasma can be stably generated using the plasma treatment apparatus.
US09885114B2
A film forming apparatus for performing a film forming process by sequentially supplying a plurality of reactant gases to a substrate and supplying a replacement gas includes a mounting table configured to mount thereon a substrate, and a shower head having a flat surface facing the mounting table and a plurality of gas supply opening. An annular protrusion is provided at the shower head to form a gap between the annular protrusion and a top surface of the mounting table. A plurality of gas supply units is provided at a ceiling portion at an upper side of the shower head. Each gas supply unit has gas discharge openings formed along a circumferential direction. The diffusion space is disposed such that an outer periphery of the diffusion space is located at an inner side of an outer periphery of the substrate mounted on the mounting table in a plan view.
US09885109B2
The embodiments of the invention cover a ceramic sputtering target comprising at least 85 wt. % of an (In4Sn3O12 phase, wherein the ceramic sputtering target has a density of greater than 7.0 g/cm3. A method of forming an ITO ceramic sputtering target is also described by combining 53 to 65 wt. % of In2O3 and 35 to 47 wt. % of SnO2 to form a first In2O3/SnO2 mixture; mixing and milling the In2O3/SnO2 mixture in the presence of water and a dispersing agent until a first slurry is formed, wherein the average particle size of the first slurry is between 0.3-0.7 μm and wherein the specific surface area is between 4-8.5 m2/g; drying the first slurry to form a powder; heat treating the powder at 1300 to 1500° C. to form a compound having an In4Sn3O12 phase; adding additional In2O3 and SnO2 to the compound having the In4Sn3O12 phase thereby forming an In—Sn—O-based mixture having an atomic In/Sn ratio of 1.33; forming the ITO ceramic sputtering target.
US09885107B2
The purpose of the present invention is to prevent a drop in secondary electron emission characteristics due to the inside wall of a chamber being covered by a noble metal film continuously formed by plasma sputtering, and so generate and maintain the plasma. After a noble metal film is formed on a given substrate and before a film is formed on a subsequent substrate, a secondary electron emission film comprising a material having a secondary electron emission coefficient higher than that of the noble metal is formed on the inner wall of the chamber.
US09885106B2
A hard coating containing at least one layer including chromium, aluminum, tantalum and nitrogen as main components and a chemical composition (AlaCrbTac)N in which the following conditions are satisfied: a=x, (1−c), b=(1−x)·(1−c), 0.60≦x≦0.70, and 0.01≦c≦0.5. The layer has an X-ray diffraction peak intensity ratio of I200/(I200+I111)≧0.25. The application also relates to a reactive arc ion plating PVD process for making the hard coating.
US09885103B2
A process for providing a corrosion resistant coating on uncoated ferrous components, involving mechanical plating, using as a coating medium a zinc metal-containing powder, such as zinc or zinc alloy powder, or a powder mixture of zinc or zinc alloy and at least one other metal, so as to build up a firmly adherent coating of the coating medium over exposed surfaces of the components, heating the components with the firmly adherent coating to produce solid-solid diffusion to form an Fe/Zn intermetallic over the surfaces, at least in a base layer of the coating built up by the plating, and cooling the components.
US09885095B2
A process is provided for separation of at least one metal sulfide from a mixed sulfide concentrate. The process includes: subjecting the mixed sulfide concentrate to flotation in which at least one sulfide including antimony, arsenic and a first metal is floated and at least one sulfide including a second metal is depressed. The flotation yields a first metal concentrate having the at least one sulfide including antimony, arsenic and the first metal and a second metal concentrate having the at least one sulfide including the second metal. The first metal concentrate is leached to yield a further concentrate and a leach solution. The further concentrate includes the first metal and the leach solution includes soluble antimony and soluble arsenic. The process further includes oxidizing the leach solution to yield an antimony precipitate and an arsenic solution, and forming a stable arsenic compound from the arsenic solution.
US09885093B2
The present invention relates to a microorganism having an enhanced ability to produce L-isoleucine and a method of producing L-isoleucine using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a Corynebacterium glutamicum mutant strain, which is resistant to L-isoleucine and L-threonine derivatives and has an enhanced ability to produce L-isoleucine, and to a method of producing L-isoleucine using the mutant strain.
US09885089B2
High levels of bacterial flagella in a sample such as a gastrointestinal sample and/or low levels of anti-flagella antibodies serve as an indication for metabolic syndrome (such as insulin resistance, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, increased risk for blood clotting, and obesity) with highest levels of adiposity. An intervention that reduces the level and/or activity of flagella in the gastrointestinal tract can mitigate the severity of metabolic syndrome or in protecting against the development of metabolic syndrome.
US09885080B2
The invention relates to a kit, a device and a method for detecting the copy number of fetal chromosomes and tumor cell chromosomes. The method for detecting the copy number of fetal chromosomes or tumor cell chromosomes of the invention includes the following steps: collecting maternal plasma or plasma of tumor patient; separating the plasma from blood cells in blood; preparing Deoxyribonucleic Acids (DNA) in the plasma into a sequencing library; sequencing the DNA sequencing library; comparing a sequencing result with a genomic sequence map to determine which chromosome the DNA sequence comes from and the length of each DNA sequence; and calculating the ratio of the DNA segments from the chromosomes to be detected to all DNA segments in the same sample by a sequencing and comparison result of DNA, correcting the ratio according to a GC content of the DNA segments from the chromosomes to be detected, and calculating the variation of the corrected ratio of the DNA segments from the chromosomes to be detected in a sample to be detected, and determining the copy number of the chromosomes to be detected according to degree of variation.
US09885076B2
The present invention provides methods, compositions, kits, systems and apparatus that are useful for multiplex PCR of one or more nucleic acids present in a sample. In particular, various target-specific primers are provided that allow for the selective amplification of one or more target sequences. In one aspect, the invention relates to target-specific primers useful for the selective amplification of one or more target sequences associated with cancer or inherited disease. In some aspects, amplified target sequences obtained using the disclosed methods, kits, systems and apparatuses can be used in various downstream processes including nucleic acid sequencing and used to detect the presence of genetic variants.
US09885068B2
The disclosed subject matter relates generally to a method for modifying oil, and specifically to a process for increasing the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acid in an oil composition.
US09885065B2
Provided herein are genetically modified yeast cells for the production of succinate, methods of making these yeast cells, and methods of using these cells to produce succinate.
US09885061B2
Provided herein is a gaseous isoprene composition comprising isoprene, carbon dioxide and water, wherein the isoprene is in an amount between about 0.1% and about 15% by volume; wherein the carbon dioxide is in an amount between about 0.04% and about 35% by volume; wherein the water is in an amount greater than about 70% of its saturation amount. Also provided herein is a liquid isoprene composition comprising isoprene in an amount of at least 65% by weight and carbon dioxide in an amount between about 0.01% and about 1% by weight.
US09885054B2
The Zea mays c.v. B73 Ubiquitin-1 (Z. mays c.v. B73 Ubi-1) promoter drives high levels of constitutive transgene expression in plants. Repeated use of the same Z. mays c.v. B73 Ubi-1 promoter in multi-gene constructs may also lead to gene silencing, thereby making transgenic products less efficacious. Provided are gene regulatory promoter elements, constructs, and methods for expressing a transgene in plant cells and/or plant tissues using gene regulatory elements from the Ubi-1 promoter of a different Zea species, Z. luxurians v2.
US09885048B2
The present disclosure relates to a method for treatment or prevention of diseases have an increased level of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). The method comprises administration of a growth hormone (GH) variant having antagonistic activity in combination with an oligonucleotide targeted to growth hormone receptor (GHR) to a subject in need.
US09885042B2
The present invention provides oligonucleotide inhibitors of miR-92 and methods of using said inhibitors for inhibiting the function and/or activity of miR-92 in a subject in need thereof. The present invention also provides methods for evaluating or monitoring the efficacy of a therapeutic for promoting wound healing and selecting a subject for treatment with a therapeutic that modulates miR-92 function and/or activity.
US09885037B2
The present invention relates to chirally controlled oligonucleotides, chirally controlled oligonucleotide compositions, and the method of making and using the same. The invention specifically encompasses the identification of the source of certain problems with prior methodologies for preparing chiral oligonucleotides, including problems that prohibit preparation of fully chirally controlled compositions, particularly compositions comprising a plurality of oligonucleotide types. In some embodiments, the present invention provides chirally controlled oligonucleotide compositions. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of making chirally controlled oligonucleotides and chirally controlled oligonucleotide compositions.
US09885026B2
A clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated complex for adaptive antiviral defence (Cascade); the Cascade protein complex comprising at least CRISPR-associated protein subunits Cas7, Cas5 and Cas6 which includes at least one subunit with an additional amino acid sequence possessing nucleic acid or chromatin modifying, visualizing, transcription activating or transcription repressing activity. The Cascade complex with additional activity is combined with an RNA molecule to produce a ribonucleoprotein complex. The RNA molecule is selected to have substantial complementarity to a target sequence. Targeted ribonucleoproteins can be used as genetic engineering tools for precise cutting of nucleic acids in homologous recombination, non-homologous end joining, gene modification, gene integration, mutation repair or for their visualization, transcriptional activation or repression. A pair of ribonucleotides fused to FokI dimers may be used to generate double-strand breakages in the DNA to facilitate these applications in a sequence-specific manner.
US09885023B2
Provided are cytochrome P450 polypeptides, including cytochrome P450 santalene oxidase polypeptides, cytochrome P450 bergamotene oxidase polypeptides and cytochrome P450 reductase polypeptides. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules encoding the cytochrome P450 polypeptides. Cells containing the nucleic acids and/or the polypeptides are provided as are methods for producing terpenes, such as santalols and bergamotols, by culturing the cells.
US09885022B2
Nucleic acids encoding Parvoviral Rep proteins with a mutated nuclear localization signal (NLS) are provided. Also provided is a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a Parvoviral Rep protein with a mutated zinc finger domain and a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a Parvoviral Rep protein comprising an amino acid mutation at position 43, 57, 79, 97, 120, 179, 305, 484, 493 or 571 with reference to SEQ ID NO: 2. Nucleic acid constructs and cells, such as insect cells, comprising the nucleic acids are provided as well as a method for producing a recombinant Parvoviral virion using the nucleic acids.
US09885017B2
Compositions comprising viral antigens and antigenic peptides corresponding to or derived from Hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins or fragments thereof, fused to heavy and/or light chain of antibodies, or fragments thereof specific for dendritic cells (DCs) are described herein. Included herein are immunostimulatory compositions (HCV vaccines, HCV antigen presenting dendritic cells, etc.) and methods for increasing effectiveness of HCV antigen presentation by an antigen presenting cell, for a treatment, a prophylaxis or a combination thereof against hepatitis C in a human subject, and methods of providing immunostimulation by activation of one or more dendritic cells, methods to treat or prevent hepatitis C.
US09885012B2
Devices, systems, and methods for facilitating placement of cells and materials in culture plates configured for high-throughput applications are provided. A culture system is provided with a culture plate having a lid for guiding placement of cells and materials in each individual culture well of a culture plate. The lid may provide for coupling to an electrophysiology culture plate comprising a biosensor plate and a biologic culture plate, where the biosensor plate underlies and is coupled to the culture well plate such that each biosensor is operatively coupled to one culture well of the plurality of culture wells. A containment device that physically influences the positioning of fluid received in the culture plate is also provided herein.
US09885010B2
A rectangular or cylindrical container made of stainless steel or another liquid-impervious material has a plurality of openings formed in the side wall(s). Wooden boards, made of scarce white oak or other wood used for aging and flavoring beverages, are fitted into the openings and sealed so that their inside surfaces contact the liquid in the container. The inside surfaces have cross-grain cuts such as saw cuts or holes, which are used to enhance the infusion of beverage liquid into the wood to age the beverage rapidly and flavorfully. When one batch is finished, the used boards are removed and new ones are fitted into the openings and used to treat another batch. Thus, the use of wood, which can be scarce and expensive, is minimized.
US09885005B2
[Problem] To provide a phospholipid α-linolenic acid composition of consistent quality and having a stable supply of source material, with focus on Torula yeast, which is edible and recognized as safe, in order to resolve issues with omega 3 sources.[Means for Solving the Problem] As a result of intensive study to resolve the above-noted issues, the inventors of the present invention have discovered that a phospholipid α-linolenic acid composition can be obtained using residue of yeast extract extracted from Torula yeast (Candida utilis), for example, which is currently produced in large quantities for application in foods, and so arrived at the present invention.
US09885002B2
A carbon dioxide/co-fluid mixture is provided for use in a refrigeration cycle in which the carbon dioxide is alternately absorbed and desorbed from the co-fluid. Suitable co-fluids are selected from the class of alkoxylated carboxylic amides, wherein the amides are cyclic or non-cyclic. It has been discovered that N-2,5,8,11-tetraoxadodecyl-2-pyrrolidinone and its homologs exhibit an advantageous property of a high rate of desorption at lower temperatures.
US09884998B2
A synthesis gas production apparatus (reformer) to be used for a synthesis gas production step in a GTL (gas-to-liquid) process is prevented from being contaminated by metal components. A method of suppressing metal contamination of a synthesis gas production apparatus operating for a GTL process that includes a synthesis gas production step of producing synthesis gas by causing natural gas and gas containing steam and/or carbon dioxide to react with each other for reforming in a synthesis gas production apparatus in which, at the time of separating and collecting a carbon dioxide contained in the synthesis gas produced in the synthesis gas production step and recycling the separated and collected carbon dioxide as source gas for the reforming reaction in the synthesis gas production step, a nickel concentration in the recycled carbon dioxide is not higher than 0.05 ppmv.
US09884996B2
A coke drum apparatus including: a cylindrical section; a cap connected to an upper end of the cylindrical section; a bottom, and a knuckle connecting the bottom and the cylindrical section. The cylindrical section includes a plurality of arcuate segments attached together by vertical welds. Each arcuate segment includes a plurality of arcuate plates attached together by circumferential welds. The circumferential welds of each arcuate segment are offset from the circumferential welds of each adjacent arcuate segment.
US09884988B2
Methods and compositions comprising an emulsion or a microemulsion for use in various aspects of the life cycle of an oil and/or gas well are provided. In some embodiments, the emulsion or the microemulsion comprises water, a solvent, and a surfactant, and optionally, one or more additives.
US09884986B2
Corrosive effects arising during well treatment applications are inhibited and/or prevented by introducing into the well composition containing a corrosion inhibitor of a biosurfactant selected from glycolipids (other than sophorolipids and mannosylerythritol lipids), phospholipids; polyol lipids; lipoproteins, lipopeptides, ornithine lipids, carbohydrate-lipids, neutral lipids, aminoacid lipids, exolipids, liposan; siderolipids, protein polyamines diglycosyl diglycerides, fimbriae, saponified triglycerides and fatty acids. The composition may also contain a corrosion inhibitor intensifier.
US09884982B2
An abrasive grain made from melted spherical corundum where the abrasive grain consists of a spherical corundum core, coated with an encircling layer of a binder and fine-grained abrasive solid particles.
US09884976B1
Described are sealing primer compositions that can be used to reduce paint defects such as pops or vapor boil on painted plastic substrates, as well as related methods for sealing plastic substrates, and sealed plastic substrates. Sealing primer compositions of the invention include a functionalized polydiene polymer such as a hydroxylated or other functional-group-containing polybutadiene polymer.
US09884961B2
A non-halogenated flame retardant polycarbonate compound is disclosed. The compound comprises a polycarbonate, a non-halogenated, non-migrating, non-plasticizing flame retardant adduct. The compound can achieve a UL 94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of at least 3.2 mm and otherwise achieves no dripping/igniting of the cotton indicator during that test. The adduct is formed from an allyl-functional phenoxyphosphazene and a hydride-functional polysiloxane.
US09884956B2
There are provided a thermoplastic elastomer composition from which a molded article excellent in softness, flame retardancy, tensile properties, and appearance can be obtained and which is excellent in flowability, and a molded article thereof. The thermoplastic elastomer composition includes a thermoplastic elastomer obtained by reacting an ethylene copolymer comprising monomer units derived from ethylene and monomer units derived from at least one selected from the group consisting of propylene and α-olefins having 4 to 10 carbon atoms (component (A)), a propylene polymer (component (B)), and a crosslinking agent, a phosphoric acid salt compound (component (C)), a metal oxide including a metal having an atomic weight of 22 to 64 or a metal hydroxide including a metal having an atomic weight of 22 to 64 (component (D)), and a polyhydric compound (component (E)).
US09884955B2
A hydroxylated-fullerene-containing solution in which a hydroxylated fullerene is evenly nano-dispersed in a solvent removable at low temperature in a subsequent step is provided. The hydroxylated-fullerene-containing solution includes a continuous phase including a mixed solvent consisting essentially of tetrahydrofuran and water or including melted phenol, and at least one of a hydroxylated fullerene and a hydroxylated fullerene derivative that is dispersed as a dispersed phase in the continuous phase, wherein the number-standard average particle diameter of particles in the dispersed phase is 50 nm or less. This solution is applied onto a surface of a resin molding, and then tetrahydrofuran and water, as the mixed solvent, are removed to form a hydroxylated fullerene layer on the surface of the resin molding. Alternatively, this solution is mingled with a resin, and then the mixed solvent is removed to produce a hydroxylated-fullerene-containing resin composition.
US09884951B2
The present invention generally relates to a method for reducing polymer agglomeration or fouling, and its use in processes for the preparation of an acrylate, methacrylic acid, or a methacrylate. According to the present invention, the reagent comprises an alkyl phthalate, an alkaryl phthalate, an aryl phthalate, or a phthalic acid, and applying the reagent to processes for the preparation of an acrylate, methacrylic acid, or a methacrylate to prevent polymeric foulant precursors from agglomerating or to dissolve existing polymeric agglomerates or foulants so as to reduce polymer agglomeration or fouling in the process or storage equipment.
US09884950B2
An impregnating resin for an electrical insulation body includes a base resin, a filler having nanoscale particles, and a radically polymerizing reactive diluent. The impregnating resin includes a crosslinker for crosslinking the base resin and the reactive diluents. The base resin is an epoxy resin. An electrical insulation body includes the impregnating resin and a method produces the electrical insulation body by production of an impregnating resin having a base resin, a filler having nanosize particles and a free-radically polymerizing reactive diluent.
US09884944B2
Functionalized polymer matrix and/or reinforcement materials that are capable of a thermoreversible Diels-Alder reaction are useful for making composite materials. Also disclosed is a composite material which includes one or both of functionalized reinforcement materials and functionalized polymer matrix materials, as well as a method for repairing a composite material including the step of thermally treating the composite material at a temperature sufficient to react a functionality on one of the reinforcement material and the polymer matrix material with another functionality via a Diels-Alder reaction. A method of making a composite material including functionalizing one or both of a reinforcing material and a polymer matrix material with a first reactive group, providing a second reactive group capable of undergoing a Diels-Alder reaction with the first reactive group and reacting the first and second reactive groups to form a composite material, is also described.
US09884941B2
Provided herein are systems and methods for polymerizing and programming a liquid crystal polymer, including a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) with two-way shape-memory via a stepped or self-limiting reaction. In the described method, the reaction may be stepped to achieve different aspects of the two-way shape-memory effect in the produced LCE. In one embodiment, the method creates a polydomain LCE body with a completed thiol-acrylate Michael addition reaction polymerization. The method may further crosslink the polydomain LCE body under a stimulus, thereby locking a domain state in a portion of the polymer. A two-way shape-memory effect of the LCE may thereafter be programmed and locked into the LCE the second stage polymerization reaction. The self-limiting reaction allows for unprecedented control over LCE domain states and cross-linking densities, as well as the resultant mechanical and optical properties of the LCE formed.
US09884923B2
Metallated aminosilane compounds for use as functional initiators in anionic polymerizations and processes for producing an aminosilane-functionalized polymer using the metallated aminosilane compounds to initiate anionic polymerization of at least one type of anionically polymerizable monomer. Preferred use of the metallated aminosilane compounds results in rubber compositions for use in tires comprising an aminosilane functionalized polymer.
US09884912B2
The present invention is directed to antibodies and fragments thereof and humanized versions thereof having binding specificity for IL-6. Another embodiment of this invention relates to the antibodies described herein, and binding fragments thereof, comprising the sequences of the VH, VL and CDR polypeptides described herein, and the polynucleotides encoding them. The invention also contemplates conjugates of anti-IL-6 antibodies and binding fragments thereof conjugated to one or more functional or detectable moieties. The invention also contemplates methods of making said anti-IL-6 antibodies and binding fragments thereof. Embodiments of the invention also pertain to the use of anti-IL-6 antibodies, and binding fragments thereof, for the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with IL-6. These antibodies may bind at least one of soluble IL-6, cell surface expressed IL-6, IL-6/IL-6R and/or prevent the association of IL-6 and IL-6R, the association of IL-6/IL-6R and gp130 and or the formation of IL-6/IL-6R/gp130 multimers and thereby inhibit a biological effect associated with any of the foregoing.
US09884908B2
The invention features methods for preventing or treating CGRP associated disorders such as vasomotor symptoms, including headaches (e.g., migraine, cluster headache, and tension headache) and hot flushes, by administering an anti-CGRP antagonist antibody. Antagonist antibody G1 and antibodies derived from G1 directed to CGRP are also described.
US09884907B2
The invention features methods for preventing or treating CGRP associated disorders such as vasomotor symptoms, including headaches (e.g., migraine, cluster headache, and tension headache) and hot flushes, by administering an anti-CGRP antagonist antibody. Antagonist antibody G1 and antibodies derived from G1 directed to CGRP are also described.
US09884903B2
B7-H5 costimulatory polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods for using the polypeptides and nucleic acids to enhance a T cell response are provided herein.
US09884900B2
In part, the present disclosure relates methods for treating, preventing, or reducing the severity of a myeloproliferative disorder (e.g., polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myelofibrosis) or one or more complications of a myeloproliferative disorder. The present disclosure further relates methods for treating, preventing, or reducing the severity of a Janus kinase-associated disorder or one or more complications of a Janus kinase-associated disorder. In certain aspects the disclosure provides TβRII antagonists for treating, preventing, or reducing the severity of a myeloproliferative disorder (e.g., polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myelofibrosis) or a Janus kinase-associated disorder or one or more complications of a myeloproliferative disorder or a Janus kinase-associated disorder.
US09884898B2
The present disclosure provides hNGAL muteins that bind a pyoverdine family member or pyochelin and can be used in various application including pharmaceutical applications, for example, to inhibit or reduce growth of P. aeruginosa. The present disclosure also concerns methods of making one or more pyoverdine- or pyochelin-binding muteins described herein as well as compositions comprising one or more of such muteins. The present disclosure further relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such muteins and to methods for generation of such muteins and nucleic acid molecules. In addition, the application discloses therapeutic and/or diagnostic uses of these muteins as well as compositions comprising one or more of such muteins.
US09884895B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods comprising a chimeric coronavirus spike protein.
US09884889B2
Provided are compounds comprising two DNA supramolecular binding molecules covalently joined by a linker group. Also provided are multisignal labeling reagents comprising (i) an oligomer of nucleotides or nucleotide analogs; (ii) a DNA supramolecular binding molecule noncovalently bound to the oligomer; and (iii) a first reactive group or a first partner of a first binding pair covalently bound to the oligomer. Additionally provided are methods of producing multisignal labeling reagents.
US09884882B2
There is provided a production method of a compound represented by the following formula (II) through a step of reacting a compound represented by the following General Formula (I) with a sulfur compound. In General Formulas (I) and (II), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an acyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, an acyloxy group, an arylmethyloxy group, an allyloxy group, an arylmethyloxycarbonyloxy group, or an allyloxycarbonyloxy group, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an acyloxy group, R5 represents an alkyl group or an aryl group, and X represents a leaving group. Here, in a case where R2 is a fluorine atom, an acyloxy group, an arylmethyloxy group, an allyloxy group, an arylmethyloxycarbonyloxy group, or an allyloxycarbonyloxy group, R3 is an acyloxy group.
US09884879B2
A method for preparation and polymerization of siloxane monomers of Formula I is presented. The synthesis includes the selective reaction between silanol containing unit and alkoxy containing units in the presence of basic catalyst. The siloxane monomers of the invention can be used for preparation of siloxane polymers with good flexibility and cracking threshold, and functional sites, useful for applications requiring low metal content in semiconductor industry.
US09884875B2
Provided is a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof, which has an AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) receptor potentiating action. The compound of the present invention is useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic drug for depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the like.
US09884867B2
The present invention relates to certain compounds (e.g., imidazopyrazine, imidazopyridine, imidazopyridazine and imidazopyrimidine compounds) that act as inhibitors of the MAP kinase interacting kinases MNK2a, MNK2b, MNK1a, and MNK1b. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and to the use of the compounds for the prevention and treatment of diseases (e.g., proliferative diseases (e.g., cancer), inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, metabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. autism, autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer's disease)), as well as methods of treating these diseases.
US09884866B2
The invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein R1-R3, Ra, and Rb have any of the values defined herein, and salts thereof. The compounds have immunomodulatory properties.
US09884865B2
The invention provides azaspiro[4.5]decane derivatives of Formula (A): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, N-oxides, and diastereomers thereof, wherein A1, X, A2, Rr, R2′, W1, R3′, R4′, a, and b are defined in the disclosure. The invention also provides compounds of Formulae I, and B-G, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, N-oxides, and diastereomers thereof. Further, the invention provides use of the compounds of Formulae A-G and I, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, N-oxides, and diastereomers thereof, to treat pain. In certain embodiments, Compounds of the Disclosure are useful for treating a disorder responsive to blockade of one or more sodium channels.
US09884858B2
Provided is a diaryl-azole compound represented by formula (1) wherein R1-3 are C1-6 chain hydrocarbon, etc.; p=0-3; q=0-4; n=0-2; X is N, CH, etc.; Ar is phenyl, or 5-6-member aromatic heterocyclic ring; G is C1-6 chain hydrocarbon, etc.; and Het is a group selected from formulas (H1) (H2) (H3) described in the specification. The diaryl-azole compound of formula (1) has an excellent controlling effect against arthropod pests. Also provided are a control agent having an excellent controlling effect against arthropod pests, and a method for controlling arthropod pests in which the control agent is used.
US09884856B2
The present invention involves novel crystal forms of Dabrafenib mesylate and preparation method thereof, wherein the novel crystal forms are more stable in water or an aqueous system, and have greater solubility and dissolution rate in water, thus having better stability and bioavailability compared with the existing crystal forms.
US09884850B2
The present invention relates to pyrimidine hydroxy amide compounds, the use of such compounds in the inhibition of HDAC6, and the use of such compounds in the treatment of various diseases, disorders, or conditions related to HDAC6.
US09884847B2
Provided herein are compounds of the formulas (I) and (II): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of Retinoic Acid Receptor-Related Orphan Receptor regulated diseases and disorders.
US09884846B2
Disclosed are novel crystalline salts of (S)-6-((1-acetylpiperidin-4-yl)amino)-N-(3-(3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)-2-hydroxypropyl)pyrimidine-4-carboxamide and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation thereof and methods for use thereof.
US09884841B2
This invention is in the field of medicinal chemistry. In particular, the invention relates to a new class of small-molecules having benzoic acid structure which function as inhibitors of Mcl-1 protein, and their use as therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
US09884837B2
The invention relates to a method for obtaining and purifying phytosterols and/or tocopherols from distillation residue from a transesterification of vegetable oils, in particular from the vegetable oil-based fatty acid methyl ester production for the field of use of biodiesel (FAME), comprising a first transesterification stage for converting partial glycerides contained in the distillation residue; separating the glycerin phase from a reaction mixture resulting from the first transesterification stage; a second transesterification stage for converting sterol esters contained in the reaction mixture; adding water to the reaction mixture after the second transesterification stage in order to generate a multiphase system; simultaneously or sequentially separating the phases of the multiphase system into a substantially sterol-containing phase; a substantially glycerin- and methanol-containing aqueous phase; and a tocopherol-containing methyl ester phase; and obtaining phytosterols from the sterol-containing phase; and optionally obtaining tocopherols from the tocopherol-containing methyl ester phase. The invention further relates to a method for purifying a phytosterol phase and/or phytosterols.
US09884835B2
A method for preparing an isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one based compound of the following formula I is provided. R1, R2 and p are defined in the specification.
US09884820B2
This technology relates generally to compounds and methods for stimulating neurogenesis (e.g., post-natal neurogenesis, including post-natal hippocampal and hypothalamic neurogenesis) and/or protecting neuronal cell from cell death. Various compounds are disclosed herein. In vivo activity tests suggest that these compounds may have therapeutic benefits in neuropsychiatric and/or neurodegenerative diseases such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, normal aging, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, spinocerebellar ataxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, stroke, radiation therapy, chronic stress, abuse of a neuro-active drug, retinal degeneration, spinal cord injury, peripheral nerve injury, physiological weight loss associated with various conditions, as well as cognitive decline associated with normal aging, chemotherapy, and the like.
US09884815B2
In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of treating or preventing a PGAM1 mediated condition such as cancer or tumor growth comprising administering an effective amount of PGAM1 inhibitor, for example, an anthracene-9,10-dione derivative to a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of treating or preventing cancer, such as lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and leukemia, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound disclosed herein or pharmaceutically acceptable salt to a subject in need thereof.
US09884814B2
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) and in particular to medicaments comprising at least one compound of the formula I for use in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of physiological and/or pathophysiological conditions in the triggering of which cathepsin D is involved, in particular for use in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of osteoarthritis, traumatic cartilage injuries, arthritis, pain, allodynia or hyperalgesia.
US09884809B2
Disclosed herein are novel antioxidant inflammation modulators, including those of the formula: wherein the variables are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits and articles of manufacture comprising such compounds. Methods and intermediates useful for making the compounds, and methods of using the compounds and compositions thereof are also provided.
US09884808B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of iodinated X-ray contrast agents and in particular to key intermediates thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to a work-up process for preparation of a compound mixture comprising 1-formylamino-3,5-bis(2,3-bis(formyloxy)propan-1-ylcarbamoyl)-2,4,6-trioodobenzene, a key intermediate in the process for preparing Ioforminol. Further, the invention relates to a process for preparing Ioforminol, a contrast agent useful in X-ray imaging.
US09884799B2
Disclosed is a process for preparing at least one ether compound, comprising reacting at least one alcohol (I) with at least one polyol (II) in the presence of a functional polymer [polymer (F)] as a catalyst (X), wherein: the alcohol (I) is represented by the general formula (1): R1-OH (1) wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms, the polyol (II) is represented by the general formula (2): R2-(OH) m (2) wherein R2 represents the skeleton moiety of the polyol and m is an integer of from 2 to 20, and polymer (F) is a polymer comprising recurring units derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer [monomer (M)] and bearing at least one cation exchange group. Further disclosed is a surfactant composition obtained by said process, and featuring an excellent detergency performance.
US09884789B2
A method and apparatus for providing molten metal infiltration into a component is provided.
US09884787B2
An article comprises a plasma resistant ceramic material comprising 40 mol % to less than 100 mol % of Y2O3, above 0 mol % to 60 mol % of ZrO2, and above 0 mol % to 5 mol % of Al2O3.
US09884777B2
Disclosed is a seawater desalination method. The method includes reading parameters representing properties of one or more membranes constituting a membrane combination to be applied to each membrane module; calculating water flux and salt flux of the membrane modules based on the read parameters; calculating a volumetric flow rate imbalance and a total permeate flow rate of the membrane modules based on the calculated water flux and salt flux; and determining a membrane combination having a minimum volumetric flow rate imbalance and a maximum total permeate flow rate based on the calculated volumetric flow rate imbalance and total permeate flow rate. Thus, it is possible to achieve arrangement optimization of reverse osmosis membrane modules.
US09884767B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing zeta positive hydrogenated nanodiamond particles, and to a method for producing zeta positive single digit hydrogenated nanodiamond dispersions. The present invention further relates to zeta positive hydrogenated nanodiamond powder and zeta positive single digit hydrogenated nanodiamond dispersion.
US09884765B2
Ferrous (II) phosphate (Fe3(PO4)2) powders, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) powders for a Li-ion battery and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The lithium iron phosphate powders are represented by the following formula (II): LiFe(1-a)MaPO4 (II) wherein, M, and a are defined in the specification, the lithium iron phosphate powders are composed of plural flake powders, the length of each of the flake powders is 0.1-10 μm, and a ratio of the length and the thickness of each of the flake powder is in a range from 11 to 400.
US09884758B2
The present disclosure relates to a MEMS package having an outgassing element configured to adjust a pressure within a hermetically sealed cavity by inducing outgassing of into the cavity, and an associated method. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming an outgassing element within a passivation layer over a CMOS substrate and forming an outgassing resistive layer to cover the outgassing element. The outgassing resistive layer is removed from over the outgassing element, and the MEMS substrate is bonded to a front side of the CMOS substrate to enclose a first MEMS device within a first cavity and a second MEMS device within a second cavity. After removing the outgassing resistive layer, the outgassing element releases a gas into the second cavity to increase a second pressure of the second cavity to be greater than a first pressure of the first cavity.
US09884752B2
A tap to pour beer foam onto a liquid has a flow path through which the beer foam flows. A folded section and a second extension section of the flow path are curved along a liquid surface of the liquid.
US09884748B2
An elevator system includes a suspension traction device guided over at least one pulley and at least one counter pulley located adjacent to the pulley. The suspension traction device is guided between the pulley and the at least one counter pulley.
US09884746B2
A method and a device configures a floor allocation of at least two operating panels of an elevator system having an elevator car and an elevator control unit in a building having at least two floors, wherein a respective one of the operating panels and an elevator door are located on each floor of the building, wherein a door contact unit is arranged on the elevator door, wherein the door contact unit is opened with the elevator door open, and wherein the elevator car moves vertically between the at least two floors. According to the method and device, the door contact unit is connected with the operating panel on each floor. The elevator car is moved to each floor and the elevator door is opened. The operating panel detects the open door contact unit and allocates the approached floor to the operating panel depending on the position of the elevator car.
US09884737B2
A sheet separating apparatus includes a stacker having a sheet supporting surface, a separation roller rotating around a first shaft center parallel to a width direction of the sheet supporting surface, contacting a sheet fed from the stacker and conveying the sheet to a downstream side in a conveyance direction perpendicular to the width direction, a separation piece facing the separation roller and separating the sheet one at a time in cooperation with the separation roller, the separation roller and the separation piece nipping the sheet at a first nip position, and a pinch roller provided on an upstream side with respect to the first nip position and abutting on the separation roller to be rotatable around a second shaft center parallel to the width direction, the pinch roller having a portion overlapping the separation piece as seen from the width direction.
US09884736B2
A conveying roller has a rotary shaft portion, a roller supporting member, and a roller member. The rotary shaft portion is extendable/contractible. The roller supporting member has an interior space. The roller member is supported on the outer circumferential surface of the roller supporting member. The rotary shaft portion includes first and second shafts. The first shaft has one end part inserted into the interior space, and is movable axially relative to a first side surface. The first shaft has a regulating portion displaceable between a permitting position where the regulating portion permits the movement of the first shaft in the insertion direction relative to the roller supporting member without interfering with a rim of an opening and a restricting position where the regulating portion restricts the movement of the first shaft in the insertion direction relative to the roller supporting member by interfering with the rim.
US09884731B2
A transportable drive-over conveyor system includes a drive-over hopper for receiving material and having a belt-type conveyor for conveying the material, a transition section pivotally connected at an upstream end to the drive-over hopper, an auger mounted at a downstream end of the transition section. The transition section transfers the material from the belt-type conveyor to the auger. The system may include radially offset wheels that support and move the conveyor system. The system further includes a pair of foldable ramps having hooks. The system further includes a folding and lifting mechanism which may include cables connected to the hooks for folding the foldable ramps and then lifting the conveyor system by the ramps.
US09884730B2
A tracking apparatus and method for urging a mistracking conveyor belt towards a correct travel path are disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize downstream shifting of an end portion of an idler roller due to mistracking of the conveyor belt for steering the belt back toward its correct travel path and a reaction force from the belt due to the steering thereof for energizing a tilting action of the idler roller to raise the downstream end portion thereof. The idler roller is mounted to the conveyor structure via a frame assembly including a tilt device mounted internally within the idler roller. The roller is rotatably mounted to an inner tube, and the inner tube member is pivotally mounted to the tilt device, which in combination allow the idler roller to pivot, shift, and tilt to steer a mistracking conveyor belt in relative proportion to degree of mistracking of the belt.
US09884726B2
Modular wafer transport and handling facilities are combined in a variety of ways deliver greater levels of flexibility, utility, efficiency, and functionality in a vacuum semiconductor processing system. Various processing and other modules may be interconnected with tunnel-and-cart transportation systems to extend the distance and versatility of the vacuum environment. Other improvements such as bypass thermal adjusters, buffering aligners, batch processing, multifunction modules, low particle vents, cluster processing cells, and the like are incorporated to expand functionality and improve processing efficiency.
US09884724B1
A surface platform for a conveyor belt includes a platform member having an upper surface and a rail member at one side of the upper surface. The upper surface has a first portion adjacent the rail member, a second portion adjacent the first portion, and a third portion adjacent the second portion. The second portion extends upward at a distance and in a direction such that when an article is placed on the platform member in contact with the rail the article extends to, and no further than, the second portion. The first portion may extend at least to a center of the platform member and may be horizontal. The second portion may extend upwardly less than a height of the rail member.
US09884717B2
[Purpose] The disclosure provides a package structure of an agent for skin external application, which is unfolded upon the opening of the package structure and very easily separated from the stack structure, and a method of fabricating the package structure for the agent for skin external application.[Constitution] An agent 2 for skin external application is interposed between a film-type base material 3 and a film-type cover material 4, the resultant product is folded by employing the cover material 4 as a folding surface, and the four-layer overlap material including the base material 3-the cover material 4-the cover material 4-the base material 3 provided at a peripheral portion of the folded structure is closed through thermal bonding.
US09884711B2
A product container formed from a continuous blank that permits the inclusion of literature from the product manufacturer or packager. The container contains structures that prevent the included literature from interfering with high-speed, automated filling of products into the container.
US09884710B2
A lid member for a press-through package, and a press-through package packing body using the same, includes a lid member which is not to be inadvertently torn, while tablets or capsules as its contents can be removed under a uniform opening strength by a predetermined force or more using fingers. The lid member of the packing body includes a resin film, an adhesive, an aluminum foil, and a thermal adhesive layer, in which tapered through holes are formed in the resin film. The resin film is laminated to the aluminum foil to reinforce the lid member so that the lid member is not to be inadvertently torn. When contents of a container are pushed out using fingers, the lid member is broken starting from the tapered through holes provided in the resin film, and so the contents can be easily taken out.
US09884709B1
A tie-on headband positioning device using post and rail separated slots for compact spreading of headband material in a flat configuration providing compacted storage, shipping, and display of the headband. The device is likewise suitable for use with other elongated flexible bands other than headbands, such as scarves, socks, or hose.
US09884708B2
A tie includes a band that extends lengthwise from a first end to a second end. The tie also includes a housing, affixed near the second end, with a first opening to receive the first end of the band when the first end of the band is brought toward the housing in a loop. The housing includes: walls that enclose a space and have a stop toward the second end of the band; a first mass in the space; and a second mass placed in the space and between the first mass and the stop. When the first end is inserted into the housing, the first end passes under the first mass and the second mass and exerts a pull on the first mass toward the second mass. When the first mass is pulled toward the second mass, the second mass acts as a spring between the first mass and the stop and prevents the first mass from hitting the stop.
US09884707B2
A system and method for co-packaging constructible utensil assemblies with a food container including a utensil layer and a protective laminate layer. The utensil is disposed in the assembly to be easily removed while concurrently being peeled from the protective laminate layer that helps to ensure the cleanliness and sanitary portions of portions of the utensil to contact the foodstuff.
US09884703B2
A container may include a neck including an external surface and at least one handle retention feature with axially lower and upper handle retention surfaces. A handle for a container may include a collar including spaced apart container retention features having axially lower and upper container retention surfaces to cooperate with the corresponding handle retention feature of the container to prevent axial movement of the collar with respect to the container.
US09884697B2
A printer for label printing includes a cutter to cut a continuous label after printing at a position inside of the surface with respect to the outer case of the printer. A separation sensor is disposed between the cutter and the thermal head. A sheet detection sensor is disposed downstream of the cutter in the feeding direction. The sensors are mounted in two stages on a common circuit board. The circuit board is disposed vertically along the feeding direction of the continuous label within the region where a cover-open button to open an opening and closing cover of the printer is disposed.
US09884696B2
A label fitting device cylindrically opens and feeds downward an individual label, and thereby fits the individual film body around a fitting target carried to a fitting position. The label fitting device includes a feed unit which feeds downward the label base material while changing the carrying direction thereof, and a label fitting unit which carries downward the label and fits the label to the container. The label is formed by cutting the label base material fed by the feed unit. The label fitting unit is provided so as to be turnable relative to the container to thereby enable adjustment of the fitting angular position of the cylindrical label relative to the circumferential direction of the container.
US09884686B2
An aircraft including a fuselage extending along a longitudinal axis and having a rear end pointing reward of the aircraft, a main gear connected to the fuselage in a main gear position with respect to the longitudinal axis, and an engine for propelling the aircraft provided outside of the fuselage and attached to the fuselage via an attachment device between the main gear position and the rear end, wherein the engine generates a repulsive air stream streaming in the reverse direction. A surface element is moveably connected to the attachment device. The surface element moves between a neutral position at which it does not deflect the repulsive air stream, and a deflected position at which it deflects the repulsive air stream to assist aircraft rotation during take-off.
US09884679B2
A controller for an aircraft steering system, the controller being configured to receive a steering input representative of a desired direction of travel of a steerable nose landing gear, and to receive one or more force-based inputs representative of lateral forces acting upon the nose landing gear, wherein the controller is adapted to automatically adjust the steering input based upon the force-based input(s) so as to output an adjusted steering command for a steering actuator of the nose landing gear.
US09884678B2
Known autonomous taxi systems for aircraft include a rigid connection between the aircraft wheel and a gear which is used to drive it. Such arrangements have been found to suffer from the problem that wheel deformation modes cause unacceptable wear and/or stresses within the drive system and/or wheel. The present invention thus proposes a drive system for an aircraft landing gear, the drive system comprising: a pinion gear; a drive shaft arranged to rotate the pinion gear about a drive axis; a driven gear arranged to mesh with the pinion gear to be rotatable by the pinion gear, the driven gear being connectable to a wheel of the landing gear to be capable of rotating the wheel about a wheel axis; and a flexible interface. The flexible interface comprises a plurality of driven gear coupling members, each driven gear coupling member having a first connection portion attached to the driven gear, a second connection portion adapted to be attached to the wheel at an offset distance from the wheel axis, and a joint between the first connection portion and the second connection portion, the joint permitting relative movement between the first connection portion and the second connection portion.
US09884676B2
An actuating device to displace a part of an empennage of a helicopter, including a first part including a first casing fixed to a frame of the helicopter, a first element mounted in rotation with respect to the first casing and a first motor the first element. A second part includes a second casing connected to the part of the empennage, a second element mounted in rotation with respect to the second casing and a second motor driving the second element. A connecting element connects the first part with the second part, being mobile in translation with respect to the first element. Rotation of the first element causes a translation of the connecting element, and is mobile in translation with respect to the second element. Rotation of the second element causes a translation of the connecting element with respect to the second element.
US09884674B2
An aircraft includes a tail extending from a fuselage. The tail defines a structural box having first and second vertical stabilizers that support a horizontal stabilizer. The tail includes at least one sacrificial control surface and at least one primary control surface. The primary control surfaces maintain aircraft controllability in the event that the sacrificial control surface becomes inoperable.
US09884671B2
A method for propulsion of a marine vessel, a liquid-directing system and a marine propulsion system are presented. Water-directing scoops are moved in a rearward direction while the scoops are dipping into the water. The scoops may be arranged about a hub. Water is scooped using a bottom edge and lower sides of each of the scoops. Each scoop has an open-faced concave interior and directs scooped water towards a centerline and towards a water exit region of the scoop. The water exit region remains above the local or apparent waterline while the water is scooped, directed and ejected. Water is ejected from the water exit region of the scoop in the rearward direction and at a relative exit velocity that is greater than a relative entrance velocity of water being scooped. Rearward ejection of the water expresses a forward thrust of the propulsion system. Other liquids may be used.
US09884669B2
The invention describes a partially submerged ‘Detachable Island Rig’ (DIR) locked on a permanent ‘under-water basement’, to be instantly detached upon a rig-fire. The electrical wiring and metal tubing (with intervening rubber tubing) are cut and sealed, before the DIR disengages also from adjacent stationary rig. For stationing back onto the base, submerged despite changing tides, the buoyant forces of DIR are countered by a system of double pulleys within the basement, when also the DIR is aligned to be locked to the permanent base. The DIR has provisions for immediate functions of a conduction platform, living quarters, a basement entry, steering station, and uniquely designed life-boats and lift-boats. The ‘water-seal’ of the basement entry, not destroyed upon a rig-fire, serves as an ideal ‘fire-escape’ model, a safe refuge within the rig. A Continuation-in-part application extensively details water-sealed fire-escape devices of off-shore rigs, including a conventional jack-up rig.
US09884650B2
The invention relates to a vehicle body structure, with at least one hollow profile beam (1) that extends in the direction (x) of the lengthwise extension and with a hollow profile (7) whose height (Δz1; Δz2) between two opposite profile walls (17) varies along the direction (x) of the lengthwise extension, and in this hollow profile (7) at least one dividing element (23) is arranged in order to reinforce the hollow profile beam (1) in a crosswise direction (y). According to the invention, the dividing element (23) consists of two separate sheet metal parts (33, 35) which are each firmly attached to the opposite profile walls (17) and which are firmly joined together at a shared connection point (A).
US09884649B2
A single cross member extending in a vehicle width direction is provided between a portion of a side sill which is positioned near a center pillar and a tunnel portion. A pair of seat-rail mounting seats are provided at a lower portion of the tunnel portion to be spaced apart from the cross member in a vehicle longitudinal direction. A seat rail is rigidly connected to the pair of seat-rail mounting seats at its bottom face. Thereby, the lightweight, high rigidity, and quietness of the vehicle can be attained.
US09884646B2
A parking assist system includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: at the time of assisting in parking a vehicle to a parking area, determine a path from an initial position of the vehicle to a target position; generate a first circumference that passes through the initial position and that touches a traveling direction of the vehicle, as the path; determine a center position on the basis of a position of a rear corner of a parked vehicle ahead, a turning radius of the vehicle at a minimum turn and the target position; and generate a second circumference that has a center at the center position and that passes through the target position and touches both the traveling direction of the vehicle at the target position and the first circumference, as the path continuous with the first circumference.
US09884642B2
In order to provide a steering device capable of inhibiting generation of abnormal sound without a complicated structure, the steering device is provided with a wheel gear connected to an output shaft which transmits an output to a turning wheel and a worm gear engaging with the wheel gear and capable of transmitting power generated by a motor to the wheel gear, and a rotational speed of the motor is made lower than that during normal operation, at the time driving of the stopped motor is started or at the time a rotational direction of the worm gear is reversed.
US09884638B1
Accordingly, a hand truck for percussion drums and related accessories of the invention enables storage, transport, protection, and control of a plurality of percussion drums and their related accessories. The hand truck for percussion drums and related accessories is comprised of a body panel consisting of individual drum compartments of varying dimensions sized to accommodate preselected percussion drums of corresponding varying dimensions which are protectively releasably received into the compartments thru the use of support strips. A cymbal storage rod assembly is included to facilitate the control and storage of a plurality of percussion cymbals. Said body panel further supporting a cover onto which a plurality of drum accessory and drum pedal storage compartments may be attached. Support brackets with end closures support the body panel each employing handles to facilitate maneuvering along with wheels on the front end to enable transport.
US09884633B2
The zip line rail system can be connected to a challenge course, a zip line, a zip track system, or any combination thereof. The zip line rail system of the present invention can have two rails that a member slide's two wheels rollably engage with, and the zip line rail system can be configured in any of a variety of directions.
US09884626B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a control system for a motor vehicle, the system being operable in an automatic mode selection condition in which the system is configured to select automatically an appropriate system operating mode and to assume operation in said system operating mode, wherein when operating in the automatic mode selection condition the system is configured to prevent selection of a prescribed one or more operating modes if it is determined that the vehicle is towing a load.
US09884622B2
Described herein is a vehicle system configured to identify and mitigate inappropriate driving behavior. In some embodiments, the vehicle system may receive input information from one or more input sensors. The vehicle system may identify driving behaviors related to a vehicle from the received input. The vehicle system may determine whether the driving behaviors are inappropriate in light of one or more conditions affecting the vehicle. Upon identifying inappropriate behavior, the vehicle system may generate a set of corrective actions capable of being executed to mitigate the inappropriate driving behavior.
US09884613B2
[Summary] To provide a brake system in which due to change in structure of a seat member, an end portion of a push rod that faces a piston can be increased in diameter and thus weight reduction of entire construction of the piston and suppression of vibration hitting noises are obtained.A seat member 27 of a check valve mechanism 25 is formed at a position opposite to one open end of a connecting hole 27a with a recessed portion 27d that is opened to a liquid pressure chamber 20b, a retainer 31 that has at its center part a sliding hole 31c for slidably supporting the push rod 32 is fixed to an open side of the recessed portion, an annular part of the retainer is formed with an arcuate and elongate passage hole 31e for communicating the recessed portion with the liquid pressure chamber, a smaller diameter rod part 32a of the push rod, which is arranged at the side of the ball valve body 29, is inserted from the sliding hole toward a ball valve body through the recessed portion and the connecting hole, and a larger diameter rod part 32b of the push rod, which is kept inserted toward the ball valve body is slidably supported by the sliding hole.
US09884612B2
The invention relates to a wiper blade device comprising a main unit (10) and an adapter unit (14) which can be connected to a wiper arm (12) and is secured in a form-locked manner to the main unit (10) in at least one mounted state. The wiper blade device comprises at least one form-lock recess (16) that extends at least from a first face (18) to a second face (20) of the main unit (10) or the adapter unit (14).
US09884611B2
An identification of a vehicle is received. An identification of a first user to receive delegation of control of the vehicle is received. Authentication information for the first user for the vehicle is determined. A request to authenticate the first user for delegation of control of the vehicle to the first user is received. The request to authenticate includes at least the authentication information for the first user is determined. Responsive to the determination, control of the vehicle is delegated to the first user.
US09884599B2
A vehicle front structure includes a front frame member, a bumper beam (9) disposed at a front section of the vehicle in a vehicle width direction, a crush box (10) fixed to a rear surface of the bumper beam (9) and having a rear end portion coupled to a front end portion of the front frame member, and a corner reinforcement member (15) disposed at a corner portion formed between the rear surface of the bumper beam (9) and the side surface of the crush box (10), wherein an outer surface of the corner reinforcement member (15) is joined in a state in which the outer surface abuts the rear surface of the bumper beam (9) and the side surface of the crush box (10).
US09884593B2
A weapon mounting system including a base and an upright for supporting a weapon holder. The weapon holder is supported for sliding movement along the upright.
US09884592B2
An illuminating device (28) includes a light transmittable shield (38) having a first face (40) and a second face (42) spaced from the first face (40) in a direction. A chamber (43) is defined in the first face (40) and includes an operative face (46) spaced from the second face (42) in the direction. A plurality of refractive units (52) is provided on the operative face (46). Each refractive unit (52) includes a plurality refractive faces (54). Each refractive face (54) is at a non-parallel and non-perpendicular angle (55) to the operative face (46). Light diffusing particles (53) are disposed between the operative face (46) and the second face (42) and are located in the refractive units (52). At least one light emitting diode (34, 36) is fixed in relation to the light transmittable shield (38), is located in the chamber (43), and faces the operative face (46).
US09884589B2
A system and a method for assisting vehicle driving are provided. The system may select and use an imaging device among a plurality of imaging devices within a smart phone possessed by a driver or a passenger in a vehicle and assist in driving. A system includes a smart phone configured to capture an image in front of a vehicle and an inner image of the vehicle using the plurality of imaging devices within the smart phone and select one of the plurality of imaging devices. The system also includes a controller configured to analyze image information provided from the plurality of imaging devices to operate the smart phone or control the vehicle.
US09884580B2
A ratchet assembly for a vehicle bed includes a ratchet mechanism having a ratchet frame and an interface anchor. An operable strap extends and retracts from the ratchet mechanism. An interface plate having a securing recess is disposed within a vehicle-bed sidewall that selectively receives the interface anchor. An interface bracket extends from at least one sidewall and selectively engages the interface anchor to couple the ratchet mechanism with the interface bracket. The interface bracket includes a rotating mechanism operable between an engaged position and a secured position. When the interface bracket is in the engaged position in the interface plate, the rotating mechanism is free of engagement with a securing recess and the interface bracket is operable within the interface plate. When the interface bracket is in the secured position in the interface plate, the interface bracket is free of movement within the interface plate.
US09884576B1
A combination loading system and hose bed for a firefighting vehicle includes a platform and an actuating mechanism configured to pivot the platform between a substantially vertical stowed position, a substantially horizontal position, and a downwardly angled position. The platform includes a bottom wall and a pair of side walls extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall. When in the stowed position, the platform closes the substantially open rear end of the firefighting vehicle, and when in the substantially horizontal position, the platform can serve as a hose bed allowing firefighters to easily grab hose from a standing position. When in the downwardly angled position, the platform can serve as a ramp allowing the firefighters to wheel equipment on and off the vehicle. The platform may also be provided with a crane extension for lifting heavy objects.
US09884571B2
A vehicle seat having a seat back and seat cushion connected to the seat back, the seat back and seat cushion being retractable to a retraction floor disposed lower than a vehicle body floor, is described. The vehicle seat includes: a support base connected to the vehicle body floor, disposed below the seat cushion, and pivotally connected to a lower end of the seat back; a detachable leg having an upper end attached to the seat cushion and lower end connectable to the support base; a leg retaining member attached to the support base to detachably retain the lower end of the detachable leg; and a base cover that covers the support base. The leg retaining member is disposed at a rear side of a front end of a portion of the base cover in a front to back direction of the seat to cover the support base from above.
US09884570B2
A seat assembly is provided with a seat cushion, and a seat back. Sensors are operably connected to the seat cushion and the seat back to detect a seating position of an occupant. An actuator is operably connected to the seat cushion and the seat back for adjustment of a plurality of settings of the seat assembly. An interactive user interface permits manual adjustment of the actuator. A controller is in electrical communication with the plurality of sensors, the at least one actuator, and the user interface. The controller is configured to receive seating position data input indicative of a manually selected seating position. Detection data is received from the plurality of sensors, and compared to the manually selected seating position to determine if the occupant is seated evenly. The at least one actuator adjusts an occupant seating position to the manually selected seating position.
US09884567B2
In a vehicle including a fuel cell system, an electronic control unit is configured to perform first processing in which a rotation speed of an air pump is controlled based on a torque command value and a rotation speed command value, and to perform, in the first processing, at least one of second processing in which the torque command value is set to be larger than the calculated torque command value when at least one of values of an accelerator position, required electric power, and the rotation speed command value or a change rate thereof is increased by a prescribed first value or more, and third processing in which the torque command value is set to be smaller than the calculated torque command value when at least one of the values or the change rate thereof is decreased by a prescribed second value or more.
US09884563B2
A power receiving unit adopted for this power receiving device includes a core unit having a plate-like shape and including a side surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and a power receiving coil helically wound about a coil winding axis to surround the core unit including the upper and lower surfaces, the shield including a first shield disposed on the side of one end of the power receiving unit in an axial direction of the coil winding axis, and a second shield disposed on the side of the other end of the power receiving unit in the axial direction of the coil winding axis, the shield being absent at least at a location directly above a center portion of the power receiving unit.
US09884558B2
In an electric vehicle having a primary battery powered source of energy with a primary electric motor driven and connected to one or more ground engagement wheels of the electric vehicle, has a device utilizing a sprocket and chain for collecting energy from the inner rim edge of the rear wheel of the electric vehicle. This sprocket mechanism device collects this energy then transfers that energy to a plurality of alternators on mounted framework such as in the trunk compartment by way of a chain. The alternators with their sitting pilot voltages, then transfer it by electrically conductive cables to the battery.
US09884554B2
In various embodiments, the present disclosure includes a cruise control system with (a) a vehicle having a steering system, an accelerator system, a braking system, a battery, a display, a processor, and memory; and (b) a cruise control program, operatively coupled to the accelerator system and configured to display a most recent cruising setpoint and a menu of user-adjustable cruising setpoints.
US09884553B1
A power distribution assembly integrated into the lower engine housing of an internal combustion engine, the assembly having a drive train with a T-box output configuration and power take off driven by the crankshaft of the engine. The drive train may power the input shafts of a pair of independent, variable drive transmissions. In one embodiment, a single actuator engages a manual clutch/brake mechanism that controls the output shaft of the power take off. In other embodiments, an electric clutch affords control of the power take off mechanism. In further embodiments, a hydraulic clutch/brake assembly allows control of the power take off, and an additional hydraulic clutch assembly may be used to control the outputs of the T-box.
US09884544B2
An underbody unit (10) for reinforcing a motor vehicle body of a motor vehicle has a floor body (12) that is connectable to the motor vehicle body for dissipating loads of the motor vehicle body. The floor body (12) has an upper side (32) for supporting battery cell units (18) of a traction battery for driving the motor vehicle purely electrically and at least one cooling channel (26) for cooling the upper side (32). The floor body (12) and the underbody unit (10) form a supporting plate of a battery housing and can: support the battery cells (18) of the traction battery, form an armor plating to protect the battery cells (18) and define a heat exchanger that can actively and/or passively cool the battery cells (18) with the aid of the cooling channel (26).
US09884534B2
The invention relates to an air-conditioning system, in particular for a motor vehicle, in which a fan takes in air which flows through an evaporator and/or a heater, wherein the fan has arranged downstream of it an air-bypass channel, which contains a bypass damper and guides air past the evaporator. In the case of an air-conditioning system in which the air-mass flow which flows through the air-bypass channel and/or evaporator can be adjusted in a particularly variable manner, an air-throttle element is arranged in and/or on the air-bypass channel and/or upstream or downstream of the evaporator.
US09884530B2
An air and land multimodal vehicle comprises a frame, a propeller engine attached to a first location of the frame supplying power and torque to a propeller, a ground engine attached to a second location of the frame supplying power and torque to one or more ground traction elements, and a flexible wing releasably connectable to the frame, wherein the propeller engine is vertically and horizontally spaced from the ground engine and the ground engine extends at least six inches below a base of the frame.
US09884525B2
A method for installing a monitoring device in a tire for vehicle wheels, includes: providing a monitoring device including: an electronic unit; a connecting member having an upper structure and a lower structure that, in cooperation, define a housing for the electronic unit, the lower structure including two base portions mutually separated by a separation region, each of the base portions having a respective base surface associable with an inner surface of a tire. The method further includes providing a positioning device including two separate active portions, each having a main surface in the shape of which matches that of a respective portion of an outer surface of the monitoring device, the separate active portions being adapted to cooperate with at least the base portions; associating the positioning device with the monitoring device to keep the monitoring device in an installation condition in which the base portions are maintained at a given mutual distance by the active portions; fastening the base portions to the inner surface of the tire; and removing the positioning device.
US09884517B2
A pneumatic tire, having in a tread surface thereof a pair of circumferential grooves formed on respective sides of the tire equatorial plane in the middle, a rib-like central land portion row demarcated by the circumferential grooves, and a plurality of lateral grooves extending between the central land portion row and each tread end, comprises in each half region of the tread: a row of first intermediate blocks each having a circumferential length D2 and demarcated by the lateral grooves, the corresponding circumferential groove, and first longitudinal grooves; and a row of second intermediate blocks demarcated by the lateral grooves, the first longitudinal grooves, and second longitudinal grooves, wherein facing openings of the first/second longitudinal grooves adjacent in the tire circumferential direction are offset from each other, and provided that D1 represents a circumferential distance between adjacent ends of the adjacent first and second intermediate blocks, D1≦D2/2.
US09884512B2
An axle device for a motor vehicle includes an axle shaft, a wheel receiving unit fixed on an end of the axle shaft, and a support body on which the wheel receiving unit is supported from rotation fixed about an axis of rotation. A bearing unit is arranged between the support body and the wheel receiving unit. The bearing unit includes an inner bearing shell at least partially formed by a surface portion of the wheel receiving unit, an outer bearing shell at least partially formed by a sleeve body abutting the support body, and a bearing assembly arranged between the inner bearing shell and the outer bearing shell.
US09884509B1
A finger-mounted marking apparatus including a finger ring having a ring-shaped finger member and a substantially trapezoidal continuous upper member. A single substantially trapezoidal opening is disposed within the substantially trapezoidal continuous upper member of the finger ring from a rear surface to a front surface. A writing utensil is slidably and removably engageable within the single substantially trapezoidal opening. The ring-shaped finger member of the finger ring is selectively slidable on a finger of a wearer.
US09884489B2
To provide an inkjet printer capable of satisfactorily performing printing on a media made of a variety of materials.An inkjet printer includes a laser light irradiation device configured to irradiate a surface of a medium with laser light, thereby forming recesses in at least a portion of the surface of the medium, and an inkjet head configured to eject ink, thereby supplying the ink onto the surface of the medium having the recesses formed therein. The inkjet printer may further include an irradiation position adjusting unit configured to adjust a position on the medium to be irradiated with laser light, such that a plurality of the recesses is formed inside the outline of a pattern to be formed by ink, and a supply position adjusting unit configured to adjust an ink supply position on the medium such that the ink is supplied to the recesses.
US09884488B2
Generation of cockling is suppressed to enable superior image quality printing. An inkjet printing device is provided with a head discharging ultraviolet curing ink onto a medium, pinning irradiation sections irradiating the ultraviolet curing ink on the medium with light, and a curing irradiation section arranged on a downstream side of the pinning irradiation sections in a conveying direction of the medium, and radiating light with a shorter wavelength than the pinning irradiation sections.
US09884480B2
Functional amine release agents displaying improved wetting as compared to standard silicone oils comprise a polydimethylsiloxane oil and a functional amine selected from the group consisting of pendant propylamines and pendant N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyl, in which the concentration of functional amine to polydimethylsiloxane oil is approximately less than 0.0006 meq/g and the release agents have a viscosity of 20 cSt and 10 cSt. In an in-line tandem print system, the 20 cSt release agent is used in the upstream print engine while the 10 cSt release agent is used in the downstream print engine.
US09884476B2
A method for manufacture of at least one component of a field device for determining or monitoring a process variable, wherein the field device is applied in automation technology and is manufactured from at least one material. The method comprises method steps as follows: specifying at least one structure related and/or material related boundary condition of the component and/or a boundary condition relevant for the functionality of the component and/or at least one external boundary condition, which takes into consideration the influence of environmental conditions on the component at the location of use; optimizing the structure of the component via a finite element model taking into consideration the at least one structure related and/or material related boundary condition and/or the at least one boundary condition relevant for the functionality of the component and/or the at least one environmental condition, wherein the optimized structure of the component is described by digital data; transferring the digital data, which describe the optimized structure of the component, to a 3-D printer; and printing the component in accordance with the digital data.
US09884474B2
A method of fabricating a curved display device includes placing a cover window having a curved portion and a flat portion on a stage, placing an absorption member, on which a panel member is placed, over the stage, and bonding the panel member onto the flat portion and then the curved portion of the cover window by pressing the panel member against the cover window with a roller, wherein a supporting member is formed at an end of the stage, where the bonding of the panel member and the cover window ends, such that the supporting member supports an end of the panel member until the bonding of the panel member and the cover window is complete.
US09884471B2
Disclosed is a biodegradable sheet prepared from biodegradable material, a process for preparing the biodegradable sheet and uses thereof. One of the disclosed uses of the biodegradable sheet is in the preparation of a flexible liquid receptacle. Disclosed also is a flexible liquid receptacle arranged as an array of several receptacle units that are attached to one another and that may be detached from one another by tearing along a perforated line created between each two receptacle units. The disclosed array may also include a hanger, thus allowing the array to be hung from any appropriate means. Further disclosed is a biodegradable sheet including at least one layer comprising about 15-25% w/w PLA and about 75-85% w/w PBSA.
US09884468B2
Disclosed are a tailor welded blank and a manufacturing method thereof. The tailor welded blank is manufactured by connecting blank elements of different materials or thicknesses, thereby eliminating quality problems in a welded zone. A hot stamped component is manufactured by hot stamping the tailor welded blank formed by laser-welding blank elements made of coated steel plates having different strengths or thicknesses using a filler wire, wherein a laser-welded zone has a martensite structure.
US09884460B2
A method for finishing a repaired surface is described. The method includes wiping a sealer on the repaired surface to seal microporosity in the repaired surface, the sealer consisting essentially of a mixture of polymer, at least one filler, solvent, and optionally microspheres; and applying a top coat to the sealed surface without sanding the sealed surface, the top coat being free of visible pinholes. Sealers and tools for applying surface sealers are also described.
US09884453B2
A dual roll fabric welding or seaming machine is configured to seam pieces of sheet material to one another as the pieces move downstream. The machine includes modular gantries and various actor devices which may be readily mounted on any of the gantries to interact with the moving sheet material to achieve various functions, such as seaming pieces of sheet material together, forming hems, applying grommets to the sheet material, printing on the sheet material, connecting reinforcement strips or ropes to the sheet material and cutting the sheet material.
US09884447B2
A tool for making retroreflective articles comprises (a) a substrate comprising a patterned surface comprising an array of microstructured retroreflective elements and (b) a welding seam through at least a portion of the array. An optically degraded area adjacent the welding seam on the patterned surface has a width of about 400 μm or less.
US09884444B2
An additive manufacturing extrusion head that includes a heated nozzle for accepting a feedstock and extruding the feedstock onto a substrate at a deposition plane, the nozzle having a longitudinal extrusion axis. A reciprocating platen surrounds the nozzle, the platen operable to reciprocate along the extrusion axis at or above the deposition plane as the nozzle extrudes feedstock onto the substrate; and wherein the platen flattens the extruded feedstock such that it does not protrude above the deposition plane as the extrusion head traverses over the substrate.
US09884435B2
Disclosed in this specification is a casting cup assembly comprising frontcurve and basecurve molds which of which includes a ring that circumscribes the respective concave and convex mold surface. When the casting cup is assembled, the rings align and minimize de-centering and tilting of the concave and convex mold surfaces which, in turn, reduces edge defects.
US09884427B2
An integrated multiaxial wrist and grasper system for use in a robotic tool can yaw, pitch and grasp via actuation of four independent cable ends of four cables. The tool includes a drive mechanism that effects movement of the multiaxial wrist and grasper via actuation of the cables that extend between the drive mechanism and the wrist.
US09884426B2
A boom has a cylindrical body with a coupling flange at each end. The body is manufactured from a carbon fiber material. During construction of the carbon fiber body, an electronic feedback mechanism is embedded into the carbon fiber. The electronic feedback mechanism may be a simple electronic strain gauge. Optionally, the feedback mechanism may include a fiber optic cable woven into the carbon fiber weave.
US09884423B2
A method for energy management in a robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station.
US09884422B2
A robot includes a base, a first arm rotatably provided on the base via a first connecting section, a second arm rotatably provided on the first arm via a second connecting section, and a movable shaft section provided in the second arm and movable with respect to the second arm. When a movable range of the movable shaft section is represented as S and the height between a distal end of the movable shaft section on the opposite side of the first arm at the time when the movable shaft section moves to the first arm side most with respect to the second arm and a first connection surface, which is a connection surface of the base and the first connecting section, is represented as H1, a relation H1≦3S is satisfied.
US09884419B2
A multi-component quick assembly handle includes tubular members made of a permanently deformable material.
US09884416B2
Devices with non-binding linear slides include: (a) a device body and first and second spaced apart linear rails held in the device body; (b) first and second spaced apart (rail) pathways held in cooperating alignment with the rails in the body, a respective one engaged with a respective one of the first and second linear rails that define spaced apart contact points; and (c) a translating actuation (e.g., input) member held by the body in communication with the rails. The actuation (e.g., input) member has a configuration that can generate off-center loads associated with forces applied at different positions of the actuation (e.g., input) member. Only one pathway and rail pair guides linear movement for the first and second force positions to thereby inhibit frictional binding.
US09884413B2
A socket retaining tool for preventing separation of a socket from a drive shaft of a driving tool. A keeper sleeve is configured to accommodate insertion and reciprocal movement of a quick change adapter and a quick change sleeve under the action of a biasing member. The quick change adapter has a male end and an opposite female end. The male and female ends are constructed and arranged to be used with locking mechanisms such that the socket is connected to the male end, and the drive shaft is connected to the female end. A socket locking mechanism coupled to the male end is enclosed by the keeper sleeve, and a driver locking mechanism coupled to the female end is enclosed by the quick change sleeve, when the socket retaining tool is in a relaxed position, thereby avoiding unwanted release of the locking mechanisms.
US09884411B2
A tool structure includes a base, a first retaining member, a connecting rod, a second retaining member, and a threaded rod. The first retaining member is received in the base. The second retaining member is received in the connecting rod and engages the first retaining member so that the connecting rod is limited in the slot of the base. Thus, the connecting rod is rotated relative to the base to adjust different angles between the connecting rod and the base. In addition, the connecting rod has a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole so that the connecting rod is available for two kinds of screwdriver tips with different sizes.
US09884409B2
A pipe wrench includes a fixed jaw with alternatively located first recesses and first driving faces defined in the inner side thereof. A pivotal member is pivotably connected to the fixed jaw and a resilient member is biased between the fixed jaw and the pivotal member. The pivotal member has alternatively located third recesses and second driving faces. A hexagonal space is defined between the first and second driving faces. The end portion of the pivotal member is inserted into a second recess defined in the inner side of the fixed jaw. The object is clamped in the hexagonal space, and the pivotal member can be pivoted away from the fixed jaw. The pipe wrench is able to quickly clamp and dismounted from the object.
US09884403B2
A machining arrangement for drilling a hole into a front wall section of a workpiece by way of a machining jet, the front wall section being located in front of a rear wall section of the workpiece, as seen looking in a drilling direction, the rear wall section being disposed with an intermediate space at a distance from the front wall section, the machining arrangement being switchable between a continuous mode, in which the machining jet formed from liquid and abrasive material continuously impinges on the workpiece, and a pulsed mode, in which the machining jet is pulsed, so that the impingement of at least on of said liquid and said abrasive material on the workpiece is recurrently interrupted, the machining arrangement including a controller which is programmed and configured so that the hole is drilled at least partially in the pulsed mode.
US09884396B2
The invention relates to a motor spindle comprising at least one spindle drive which can be supplied with energy and/or operating supplies via at least one feed line. This motor spindle has a fixedly installed first coupling element of a multi-coupling, to the ports of which the feed lines for transmitting energy and/or operating supplies are connected. The invention also relates to a machine tool comprising such a motor spindle, wherein the machine tool has a second coupling element of the multi-coupling. On this second coupling element, the respective complementary ports for transmitting energy and/or operating supplies are arranged.
US09884393B2
Methods for repairing surface of a metal substrate are provided, which can include preparing the surface of the metal substrate for repair; melt attaching a base layer onto the surface of the metal substrate; fusing a plurality of first layers of a first material via additive manufacturing to the base coating; forming an interlocking transition zone via additive manufacturing from the first material and a second material; and fusing a plurality of second layers of the second material via additive manufacturing on the interlocking transition zone. The interlocking transition zone can have a plurality of projections alternately extending from the plurality of first layers and the plurality of second layers, respectively, to undetachably couple the plurality of first layers to the plurality of second layers. A repaired metal substrate is also provided.
US09884391B2
Use of a laser beam (1) which has one external and one internal laser beam area (4,7) with different intensities enables a higher temperature gradient to be produced in the z-direction.
US09884389B2
Disclosed herein is an SiC ingot slicing method including: an initial separation layer formation step for scanning a focal point of a laser beam parallel to an end face of the SiC ingot along a scheduled separation plane, and forming a separation layer at a position at a distance from the end face; a repetition step for sequentially moving, after the initial separation layer formation step, the focal point by the distance equal to the thickness of an SiC plate from the separation layer toward the end face, scanning the focal point parallel to the end face, repeating the formation of the separation layer, and forming the plurality of separation layers; and a separation step for applying an external force to the plurality of separation layers formed by the repetition step, peeling off the SiC plates starting from the separation layers, and acquiring the plurality of SiC plates.
US09884388B2
A friction welding tool having a main body and a first clamp for gripping a first weld component and a second clamp for gripping a second weld component, at least one of the clamps being movable with respect to the other to effect friction welding of the respective weld components. The friction welding tool includes a vibration damper arrangeable to absorb vibrations of the first weld component during the friction welding. The friction welding tool includes an anchor element arranged to couple the damper to the main body of the friction welding tool to transfer absorbed vibrations to the main body.
US09884386B2
A welding process for the welding of aluminum includes a force sensor measuring a force between two welding electrodes on aluminum elements to be welded and transmitting its measured values to a welding control. Until the elapse of a set welding time, the welding control calculates and stores at least one absolute value and/or at least one increase in the measured force. The welding control compares the measured absolute value and/or the increase in the measured force with a reference value and/or a reference curve and calculates a control deviation from the comparison. After the elapse of the set welding time, the welding control subjects the welding electrodes to a constant current during a welding time extension that follows the set welding time, dependent on a magnitude of the control deviation that is measured at the point in time of the elapse and/or during the set welding time.
US09884384B1
A solder dross recovery module has gears and a waste collection chamber positioned within a solder pot. The gears are configured to draw in solder dross from a surface of molten solder stored in the solder pot. The gears apply pressure to the solder dross so as to separate solder from the solder dross. The recovered solder is returned to the molten solder in the solder pot. A resulting waste material is collected in the waste collection chamber.
US09884362B2
A system for manufacturing a wheel includes a cope mold portion with internal cope mold walls and a drag mold portion with internal drag mold walls. The internal cope mold walls and internal drag mold walls define at least in part perimeter boundaries of a wheel cavity. The wheel cavity includes a cavity center portion configured to form a wheel center portion of a wheel after solidification of a molten alloy in the cavity center portion, a cavity plate portion configured to form a wheel plate portion of the wheel after solidification of a molten alloy in the cavity plate portion, and a cavity flange portion configured to form a wheel flange portion of the wheel after solidification of a molten alloy in the cavity flange portion. The system includes a chill component positioned within the wheel cavity adjacent the cavity flange portion. The chill component is configured to provide directional solidification from the cavity flange portion toward the cavity plate portion of molten alloy in the wheel cavity.
US09884354B2
The subject matter discloses a water dispenser, comprising a water container, a water supply system, a fluid pump and a control unit. The water supply system is configured to supply water from the water container to a hot water reservoir and to a cold water reservoir and is further configured to provide hot water from said hot water reservoir and cold water from said cold water reservoir to a user of said water dispenser. The fluid pump is fluidly coupled to a fluid flow system and the water supply system and is configured to pump a quantity of hot water from the hot water reservoir to the water container via a fluid flow conduit of the fluid flow system for a cleansing operation of at least the fluid flow system. The control unit is in communication with the fluid pump for controlling the cleansing operation.
US09884353B2
A drain cleaner includes a handle assembly having a grip, a motor positioned within the handle assembly, and an actuator supported by the handle assembly adjacent the grip. The actuator is electrically coupled to the motor and operable to selectively energize the motor. The drain cleaner also includes a shroud fixed to and extending forwardly from the handle assembly. The shroud includes a closed end adjacent the handle assembly. The drain cleaner further includes a drum assembly rotatably coupled to the handle assembly and positioned within the shroud. The drum assembly is operable to be rotated by the motor relative to the handle assembly and the shroud. The drain cleaner also includes a flexible cable stored within the drum assembly. The flexible cable is configured to be extended out of the drum assembly and into a drain.
US09884351B2
A process for treating a substrate comprised of sorptive material is provided herein. The sorptive material may be an absorbent synthetic material such as polyester. The material is designed to be used for cleaning surfaces in an ultraclean environment. The process first comprises unwinding a roll of sorptive material as a substrate into a cleaning system. The cleaning system utilizes several sections. These include a pre-washing section, an acoustic energy washing section, and a drying section. Preferably, the process of moving the substrate through the cleaning system is continuous. The acoustic energy washing section employs one or more acoustic energy generators. In one aspect, the process also includes cutting the substrate into sections to form wipers after moving the substrate through the drying section. Thereafter, the wipers are placed into a bag and the bag is sealed.
US09884348B2
A cleaning system that includes a meter operatively connected to a cleaning device, and where the flow of waste water activates the cleaning device, and which device removes contaminates from the meter.
US09884342B2
Techniques or processes for providing markings on products are disclosed. The markings provided on products can be textual and/or graphic. The techniques or processes can provide high resolution markings on surfaces that are flat or curved. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on the housings. For example, the housing for a particular product can include an outer housing surface and the markings can be provided on the outer housing surface. The markings can be formed using a ultra-violet (UV) curable material that can be selectively cured on a surface (e.g., housing surface) in places where markings, namely text and/or graphics, are to be provided.
US09884336B2
A dispensing device is selectively operable in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The device comprises a base and a refill removably connectable with the base. The base comprises a first dispensing system and a first actuator communicably connected with the first dispensing system. The refill comprises a reservoir having a sidewall and an orifice. The first dispensing system is in fluid communication with the refill in the first mode of operation and the refill is disconnected from the base in the second mode of operation.
US09884334B2
The present invention relates to a bottle top dispenser. According to an embodiment, the dispenser comprises a swayable selector for convenient and rapid volume adjustment by a user. The dispenser further comprises a second selector for analogous volume adjustment, wherein a user may use one of the two selectors according to preferences. The dispenser further preferably comprises two different graduations for assisting a user in the rapid identification of a specific volume when adjusting the volume. The dispenser relates to further advantageous embodiments.
US09884331B2
A bellow seal of a fluid dispensing system is disclosed. The bellow seal having a generally circular cross section includes a first end having a first diameter. The bellow seal further includes a second end having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter of the first end. The bellow seal further includes a contoured external surface extending between the first end and the second end. The external surface includes a cylindrical portion extending from the first end, an undulating portion, (which includes a convex portion extending from the cylindrical portion and a concave portion extending from the convex portion), and a tapered portion extending from the concave portion to the second end. The bellow seal further includes a flexible region defined between a first point located on the cylindrical portion and a second point located on the concave portion.
US09884323B2
An auto-feed paper shredder operates by using counter-rotating belts to grasp sheets of paper from the bottom of a stack of paper and push the sheet into a shredding mechanism. Successive sheets are pulled from the stack and shredded so that an entire stack of several hundred sheets can be shredded without operator intervention. The belts that accomplish the auto-feeding are housed in roller belt assemblies that can be easily removed from and reinserted into the paper shredder. In this way when the belts become worn and no longer effectively grasp the paper, the user simply removes the assembly and inserts a new one. The worn assemblies can be returned to the manufacturer to be refurbished.
US09884321B2
It is problematic that modern classrooms are often not so flexibly usable that said classrooms are suitable for lecture-style teaching and also for natural-science teaching with practical instructional content. Therefore, the invention relates to a laboratory device (1), comprising a cabinet (10), which has an internal cabinet space (11), wherein a laboratory bench (20) is supported at the cabinet (10) in such a way that the laboratory bench can be pivoted about an axis of rotation (A), and wherein the laboratory bench (20) is positioned in the cabinet space (11) in a first pivot position (P1) about the pivot axis (A) and is arranged at least partially outside of the cabinet space (11) in a second pivot position (P2) about the axis of rotation (A).
US09884320B2
A system for detecting one or more biomarkers is provided, the system comprising: an inlet region for receiving a sample; a channel connected with the inlet region, wherein the channel allows the sample to move along thereof; multiple functional zones arranged along the channel in a designated distribution; and a driving mechanism to force the sample to move along the channel.
US09884318B2
A system and method for using multi-axis deposition tool heads on a machine such as a three dimensional fabrication device like a 3D Printer, for novel automation and additive manufacturing techniques which offer increased output product quality and fabrication speed by introducing a novel cartridge and deposition systems and techniques. The system allows a plurality of materials, some reacted or mixed by the device, to be extruded through a deposition head, which may adaptively (and automatically) change shape and lumen size to accommodate different path widths and shapes. The cartridge system may employ pellets which may be comprised of a plurality of materials and/or colors.
US09884316B2
A neutral or cationic mononuclear ruthenium divalent complex represented by formula (1) can actualize exceptional catalytic activity in at least one reaction among a hydrosilylation reaction, hydrogenation reaction, and carbonyl compound reduction reaction. (In the formula, R1-R6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, aryl group, aralkyl group, organooxy group, monoorganoamino group, diorganoamino group, monoorganophosphino group, diorganophosphino group, monoorganosilyl group, diorganosilyl group, triorganosilyl group, or organothio group optionally substituted by X; at least one pair comprising any of R1-R3 and any of R4-R6 together represents a crosslinkable substituent; X represents a halogen atom, organooxy group, monoorganoamino group, diorganoamino group, or organothio group; L each independently represent a two-electron ligand other than CO and thiourea ligands; two L may bond to each other; and m represents an integer of 3 or 4.)
US09884313B2
This invention is directed to novel mixed transition metal iron (II/III) catalysts for the extraction of oxygen from CO2 and the selective reaction with organic compounds.
US09884309B2
A metal-organic framework (MOF) body that includes MOF crystallites adhered to each other via a MOF binder is provided. In one embodiment, the body consists of: MOF crystallites; a MOF binder which binds the crystallites together in the body; optionally, residual solvent; and optionally, one or more additives, where the additives are present at a level of not more than 10% by mass. The MOF binder may have substantially the same composition as the MOF crystallites. Alternatively, the MOF binder may have a different composition to the MOF crystallites.
US09884307B2
The invention solves the problem of the development of microporous layered MOF-type manganese materials based on isonicotinate anions, their synthesis and modification with selected ionic substances and application associated with the adsorption of the molecules and the construction of solid superionic conductors.
US09884305B1
A hydrogen-generating device is provided, wherein a first substrate includes a liquid container and a first gas container at a first side thereof, and the first substrate sequentially includes a first and second liquid diffusion area and a diverging channel area from the liquid container to the first gas container. The first and second liquid diffusion areas respectively have a plurality of liquid diffusion structures, and the diverging channel area has a plurality of diverging channels. A laminate covers the first side of the first substrate and includes a liquid feed inlet connected to the liquid container. The first side of a second substrate covers the second side of the first substrate and includes a second gas container and a gas reaction channel located at the first side. A catalyst is disposed in the gas reaction channel and a heater is disposed on the second side of the second substrate.
US09884301B2
A mixing system for mixing ground or soil with an additive in a batch mode, the mixing system comprising: a moveable mixing device for mixing the ground with an additive, and moving mechanism, such as a moveable arm; a cargo body positioning area for receiving a cargo body; the cargo body positioning area and the moving mechanism being configured in position such that the mixing device can be positioned in the ground through an upper open side of the cargo body; the mixing system furthermore comprising information obtaining system for automated obtaining information regarding the load of the cargo body for allowing the mixing system to mix the ground with the additive, taking into account said information.
US09884299B2
Process for the preparation of a water-in-oil or oil-in-water nanoemulsion wherein the dispersed phase is distributed in the dispersing phase in the form of droplets having a diameter ranging from 1 to 500 nm, comprising: 1) the preparation of a homogeneous water/oil blend (I) characterized by an interface tension lower than 1 mN/m, comprising water in an amount of 30 to 70% by weight, at least two surface-active agents having a different HLB, selected from non-ionic, anionic, polymeric surface-active agents, said surface-active agents being present in such a quantity as to make the blend homogeneous; 2) the dilution of the blend (I) in a dispersing phase consisting of oil or water with the addition of a surface-active agent, selected from non-ionic, anionic, polymeric surface-active agents, the quantity of the dispersing phase and surface-active agent being such as to obtain a nanoemulsion having a HLB different from that of the blend (I).
US09884296B2
A composite membrane includes a hydrophobic porous membrane and a high water content hydrogel layer disposed on the surface of the hydrophobic porous membrane facing the hot end. The surface active agents contained in the wastewater at the hot end are blocked by the high water content hydrogel layer, thus the problem of pore wetting of the hydrophobic porous membrane can be prevented. Therefore, the membrane distillation technique can be utilized for processing wastewater containing surface active agents.
US09884292B2
An exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an addition valve to add a precursor of ammonia or ammonia into an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine, a sensor to detect NOx and ammonia at the upstream side of the addition valve, a channel cross section reducing part arranged at the downstream side of the addition valve, and a control device to limit the calculation of an amount of the precursor of ammonia or an amount of ammonia to be added from the addition valve based on a detection value of the sensor, or the calculation of a rate of NOx reduction based on the detection value of the sensor, in cases where a flow rate of exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust passage is equal to or more than a predetermined flow rate.
US09884286B2
The present disclosure is directed to the use of elemental or speciated iodine and bromine to control total mercury emissions.
US09884285B2
The invention relates to a method for removing solids in dust and sulphur oxides from process gases generated in a metallurgical process by a wet process. At least part of basic liquid is fed into the gas flow containing solids in at least one cascade scrubber in order to mix basic liquid with the gases and solids to be cleaned at the latest during the wetting of the gases and solids in the water space of the cascade scrubber, and the mixture containing basic liquid, wetted gases and solids are directed to have a cascade shower in each cascade scrubber in order to remove sulphur and solids from the gases.
US09884284B2
A dehumidifying unit, a layered temperature control dehumidifying element and a drying device are provided. The dehumidifying element has a plurality of dehumidifying units. The dehumidifying units are made of a direct heating desorption material and used for dehumidifying air by adsorption and capable of being regenerated by desorption. By performing temperature compensation through a preheater and performing a layered temperature control method on the dehumidifying element, the disclosure achieves a uniform temperature control on the air flow passage of the dehumidifying element so as to improve regeneration performance of the dehumidifying element and reduce energy consumption of the drying device.
US09884281B2
An environmental control system (ECS) having particulates in air therein includes a sensor, an air purification subsystem, and a controller in communication with the sensor and air purification subsystem. The sensor detects particulates in the air, and generates a particulate concentration signal. The controller: compares the particulate concentration signal to a predicted particulate concentration threshold that is based on one of a probability of odor detection, a probability of sensory irritancy detection, and a combination thereof. When the particulate concentration signal reaches the predicted particulate concentration threshold, the controller commands the air purification subsystem to alter a condition in the air containing the particulates.
US09884277B2
A filter assembly includes a filter media for filtering a fluid, and a valve having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for controlling a flow of the fluid through the filter assembly. The valve includes a thermally active element that changes shape between a first configuration and a second configuration in response to a temperature variation. When the thermally active element is in the first configuration the valve is open with the fluid inlet in fluid communication with the fluid outlet, and the thermally active element changes shape to the second configuration to close the valve. The thermally active element may move a valve poppet against a valve seat to close the valve. A pressure bypass is configured to open the valve in response to a pressure increase in the filter assembly above a threshold pressure when the thermally active element is in the second configuration.
US09884270B2
The present invention relates to a removal device for removing gas bubbles and/or dirt particles from a liquid in a liquid conduit system or for removing a second liquid from a first liquid in the conduit system. The removal device includes a main channel for a main flow, the main channel having an entry and an exit which are configured to be connected to the conduit system, a housing which defines an inner space, at least one supply channel extending from the main channel to the inner space, at least one return channel extending from the inner space back to the main channel, directly or indirectly via a return chamber, at least one quiet zone in the inner space in which in use the liquid has a substantially smaller velocity than in the main channel. The quiet zone is configured to allow dirt particles or a relatively heavy liquid to settle at a lower end of the housing and/or gas bubbles or a relatively light liquid to rise to an upper end of the housing. The removal device further comprises means to remove dirt particles or relatively heavy liquid, and/or gas or relatively light liquid out of the housing.
US09884269B2
Systems and methods for selectively extracting hydrogen gas dissolved in oil are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a selectively permeable membrane provided at a point of contact between oil and a sensor chamber. The selectively permeable membrane has a hydrogen specificity and a thickness selected to minimize detection of further gasses dissolved in the oil by a hydrogen gas sensor cross-sensitive to the further gasses. The selectively permeable membrane can include polyimide. The further gasses include carbon monoxide, acetylene, and ethylene. The system can include a further membrane and a porous metal disc. The porous metal disc is bound to the selectively permeable membrane by using the further membrane as an adhesive layer and by applying pressure and temperature. The porous metal disc supports the selectively permeable membrane and the further membrane against pressure of the oil when exposed to a vacuum. The further membrane includes fluorohydrocarbons.
US09884257B2
One aspect of the invention is directed to a method for preventing misoperations of an intelligent terminal, which includes detecting gesture operation information of a touch screen corresponding to a location around a non-player-controlled character (NPC) in a game; determining whether the detected gesture operation information includes first gesture information; and shielding game characters of non-NPC when the detected gesture operation information contains the first gesture information. The method can prevent a misoperation of the intelligent terminal, thereby improving user experience.
US09884255B2
Methods and apparatus provide for: communicating with one or more controller devices operated by one or more users, respectively, via wired communication or wireless communication selected by the one or more users; controlling a display for displaying a menu of one or more controller identifiers which are related to the one or more controller devices, respectively, and which are selectable from the menu by the one or more users; storing relation information between one or more user identifiers, which are related to the one or more users, respectively, and the one or more controller identifiers that are selected; carrying out operation inputs transmitted from the selected one or more controller devices as instruction operations for the related one or more user identifiers that correspond to the selected one or more controller identifiers; executing at least one application program and producing an output for display that is manipulated in accordance with the operation inputs; and identifying, from among the stored relation information, one of the user identifiers that corresponds with one of the controller devices when a connection of the one of the controller devices is changed from the wired connection to the wireless connection.
US09884240B2
A sports pad is provided including an outer shell defining a pocket and a pad received and held in the pocket. A three dimensional image element is captured between said outer shell and the front face of the pad. That image element projects an image outline through the outer shell to enhance the uniform of the player wearing the sports pad.
US09884237B2
A bicycle trainer includes a base frame including a first pivot connection part, a damper unit mounted at the base frame, a support frame including a locating portion and a second pivot connection part, which is pivotally connected to the first pivot connection part of the base frame for enabling the support frame to be biased relative to the base frame in direction away from or toward the damper unit such that when the support frame is held in an inclined position relative to the base frame, the locating portion and the damper unit can hold a wheel of a bicycle in place, and a non-return unit mounted at the base frame or support frame and adapted to prohibit the support frame from being biased in direction away from the base frame. The invention enables the support frame to be constrained by the non-return unit.
US09884224B2
An apparatus is disclosed for enabling an operator to exercise comprising a frame having a body, a base and a top. A load is positioned on the frame for providing a resistive force. A press is positioned on the frame for displacement by the operator. A linkage joins the load with the press for displacing the load upon displacement of the press by the operator. An arm extends between a support end and a user end. A support pivot secures the support end of the arm to the top of the frame for pivoting the arm about the frame. A user interlace inputs and outputs data. A user pivot securing the user interface to the user end of the arm for pivoting the user interface about the arm.
US09884222B2
A multifunctional treadmill is provided with a platform on the running deck. A reception cavity is formed on a top of the platform, the reception cavity has a sensor and an operating board tiltably mounted on one side of the reception cavity. When the operating board is released for the reception cavity, the treadmill is in a standard speed mode. When the user wants to exercise and work or do other activities at the same time, the user can store the operating board into the reception cavity so that the operating board and a top surface of the platform become a workbench. Simultaneously, the sensor is triggered and the treadmill changes to a low speed mode. Thus, the safety may be improved by forcefully restricting the speed of the running deck.
US09884220B2
A portable exercise apparatus having a base, at least two handle assemblies, and a cable wrapped between at least one flywheel within the base, wherein the cable is attached to a handle assembly and is affixed to a spring mechanism configured to provide resistance against the pulling of the handle assemblies. The load provided by the spring mechanism can be adjusted to accommodate more or less resistance for the user. The exercise apparatus is compact and can be used in a standing or sitting position.
US09884217B2
An improved jump rope handle and method of assembling the same. The jump rope handle includes a head. The head includes a channel, a set hole perpendicular to the channel, and a set mechanism adjustably insertable into the set hole. The jump rope handle further includes a grip. The grip includes a cylindrical member, first and second bearings arranged along the cylindrical member, an inner bushing arranged along the cylindrical member between the first and second bearings, and a sleeve around said inner bushing, said bushing being fixedly attached to an inner surface of the grip. An end portion of the cylindrical member is fixedly attached to the head whereby the cylindrical member and the head rotate together about a same axis. The channel of the head is configured to receive a rope. The set mechanism is configured to be inserted into the set hole to secure the rope.
US09884214B1
The hose winding device has an open rectangular parallelepiped skeleton frame made of tubular members. The upper cross members at opposite ends of the frame include a lower wringer roller mounted on a shaft fixed to opposite sides of the frame and an upper wringer roller spaced above the lower wringer roller. The wringer rollers compress and flatten the fire hose as it is cranked through the wringer rollers, thereby removing any water left inside the hose. A pair of spaced apart, vertical guide rollers are mounted closely behind the wringer rollers, the four rollers being configured similar to a winch's roller fairlead, permitting the hose to be smoothly wound on the device without first straightening the hose. A hand crank is removably mounted to opposite sides of the frame halfway between opposite ends of the frame. The crank has a hose coupler retainer extending parallel to the crank's axle.
US09884199B2
A method and apparatus for treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD), particular diabetic nephropathy, are disclosed. The method comprises activation of adenosine A2a receptors in parenchymal and immune cells infiltrated into kidneys. The activation is performed by PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) stimulation applied locally to kidneys. Adenosine A2a signaling pathway is a potent anti-inflammatory and immuno-suppressive regulator that has been proven to attenuate inflammation and injury in diabetic nephropathy. Efficient activation of A2a receptors is achieved by applying electromagnetic field stimulation consecutively in 3 spatial dimensions. This allows attaining a significant increase in activation of A2a receptors in comparison with one-dimensional stimulation. Assistant thermal stimulation may be applied to increase expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in parenchymal cells. HSPs improve protein functions, protect cells from apoptosis and necrosis, increase metabolism, and symbiotically enhance effects of electric stimulation on CKD.
US09884182B2
A neuromodulation system includes a first therapy element adapted for positioning within a superior vena cava, and a second therapy element adapted for positioning within a pulmonary artery. The first therapy element is carried on a first elongate flexible shaft, and the second therapy element is carried on a second elongate flexible shaft. One of the first and second shafts is slidably received within a lumen of the other of the first and second shafts—so that the second therapy element may be advanced within the body relative to the first therapy element. A stimulator is configured to energize the first therapy element within the first blood vessel to deliver therapy to a first nerve fiber disposed external to the superior vena cava and to energize the second therapy element within the pulmonary artery to deliver sympathetic therapy to a second nerve fiber disposed external to the pulmonary artery. For treatment of heart failure, the first nerve fiber may be a vagus nerve and the second nerve fiber may be a sympathetic nerve fiber.
US09884172B2
One embodiment of the present invention discloses a balloon catheter employing a reinforced, co-axial, duel lumen design. In certain embodiments, at least one of the lumens is formed of a multilayer, tubular element in which one of the layers functions, in part, to provide radial reinforcement to the tubular element.
US09884170B2
Novel catheter constructions comprising thin covering or wrapping materials such as polymer films. A catheter provided with a guidewire catheter lumen having a thin covering that is easily punctured by a guidewire at virtually any desired point along the catheter length. The thin covering may be integral with the catheter shaft, or may be a separate component that covers only the portion of the catheter shaft immediately adjacent the outer portion of the guidewire lumen, or may be a thin tubular construct that surrounds the entire catheter shaft. Moreover, polymer film can be used in combination with one or more elements to produce novel catheter constructions.
US09884162B2
An oxygen concentration device is provided which, when the number of revolutions of a compressor reaches an upper limit of control, increases an oxygen concentration, and can extend an operating time of the oxygen concentration device, comprising a control means which controls the number of revolutions of the compressor based on a detected value of an oxygen concentration sensor, judges deterioration due to moisture absorption based on the detected value of the oxygen concentration sensor, a detected value of a pressure sensor, and an operating time of an adsorption cylinder and, when criteria for judgment of the deterioration due to moisture absorption are satisfied, makes a purge step time shorter than an initially set time.
US09884155B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a device containing a needle that poses an injury risk, which is equipped with a protective mechanism. The method comprises the following steps, which may be carried out in any order: a) provision of at least one film, b) connection of the film to a protective device to form a protective mechanism, and c) fixing of the protective mechanism to the device, whereby at least part of the surface of the film can be fixed directly or indirectly to the device. The invention also relates to a protective mechanism for a device containing a needle that poses an injury risk, the device comprising at least one film, in addition to an assembly of protective mechanisms, in which the protective mechanisms are directly or indirectly connected.
US09884142B2
The present invention provides a drug eluting stent including a metallic stent framework, an electro-grafted primer coating disposed on the stent framework; and a biodegradable polymer coating hosting a drug disposed on the electro-grafted primer coating and a method of manufacturing said biodegradable drug eluting stent.
US09884127B2
In one aspect, an active agent-conjugate, methods of preparing the active agent-conjugate, and uses thereof is provided.
US09884124B2
The invention provides carriers that enhance the absorption, half-life or bioavailability of therapeutic compounds. The carriers comprise targeting groups that bind the Vitamin D Binding protein (DBP), conjugation groups for coupling the targeting groups to the therapeutic compounds, and optionally scaffolding moieties.
US09884120B2
Provided is a flavor modifying composition including a blend of a water soluble filler including plant fibers; and at least one sucrose substitute of natural source, wherein said flavor modifying composition includes at least 90% w/w of the filler, the amount being determined when said composition is in dry form; and said flavor modifying composition is water soluble. The flavor modifying composition is particularly effective in enhancing sweet taste and/or aroma of a product. Further provided are products including the flavor modifying composition.
US09884114B2
Provided herein are methods for rational design of nicotine haptens. More particularly, provided herein are methods for designing, selecting, and synthesizing nicotine haptens and nicotine hapten conjugates. Also provided herein are novel nicotine haptens and methods for using nicotine haptens to treat nicotine addiction.
US09884110B2
The present invention relates to immunization of hypo-responsive groups of individuals. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for eliciting a potent immune response to hepatitis B virus in individuals in need thereof.
US09884108B2
The present invention relates to a new vaccine delivery system. In particular, the present invention includes compositions and methods of integrally transformed non-pathogenic, commensal bacteria that can express a nucleic acid molecule of a foreign polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid molecule that encodes the foreign polypeptide is stably integrated into genomic DNA of the bacteria. The foreign polypeptide includes a vaccine antigen that elicits an immunogenic response, an inhibitor of a pathogen, or an immune booster or modulator.
US09884096B2
Embodiments of the present invention illustrate methods of treating and preventing transplantation and side effects associated with transplantation. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibition of graft rejection and promotion of graft survival. Thus, the invention relates to modulation of cellular activities, including graft rejection, promotion of graft survival, graft versus host rejection and conditions commonly associated with graft rejection. More particularly, the present invention relates to the inhibitory compounds comprising naturally occurring and man-made inhibitors of serine protease and inducers of other alpha1-antitrypsin activities.
US09884095B2
A skin sensitivity improving agent which is safe and, when routinely taken or applied to the skin, exerts an effect of improving deterioration in peripheral sensation is provided. The present invention also provides a food, a drink, a feed or a cosmetic for improving sensation which exerts an effect of improving deterioration in peripheral sensation when orally taken or applied to the skin. The skin sensitivity improving agent includes, as the active ingredient, a basic protein fraction derived from milk or a degraded basic protein fraction derived from milk. By orally taking the basic protein fraction derived from milk or the degraded basic protein fraction derived from milk or applying the same directly to the skin, deterioration in sensation, in particular, peripheral sensation can be improved. Thus, a food, a drink, a feed or a cosmetic for improving sensation can be obtained.
US09884093B2
The present invention relates to compounds with an extended duration of action at the glucagon receptor as compared to native glucagon. Specifically provided are glucagon receptor agonists with modifications to the structure of native glucagon introduced to selectively agonize the glucagon receptor over an extended period of time.
US09884089B2
Described herein is a method of mitigating, in a subject (individual), tissue injury resulting from exposure to radiation (accidental/unintentional or intentional, such as therapeutic), chemoradiotherapy, disease, toxin, or drug or biologic mediated therapy.
US09884081B2
Provided is a composition having moxibustion effects and a formulation acceptable in oriental medicine. More particularly, the composition has moxibustion effects without odor commonly associated with moxibustion.
US09884072B2
Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing apo(a) to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases, disorders or conditions related to apo(a) or Lp(a). Certain diseases, disorders or conditions related to apo(a) or Lp(a) include inflammatory, cardiovascular and/or metabolic diseases, disorders or conditions. The antisense compounds disclosed herein can be used to treat such diseases, disorders or conditions in an individual in need thereof.
US09884061B2
Provided are an injection preparation which include: an aqueous composition containing pemetrexed or a salt thereof, at least one antioxidant agent which is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, an ascorbic acid derivative, and salts thereof, and the content of which is 0.0001 mass % to 0.5 mass % with respect to the total mass of the aqueous composition in terms of ascorbic acid, and an aqueous solvent of greater than or equal to 50 mass % with respect to the total mass of the aqueous composition; and a container which encloses the aqueous composition, in which the concentration of oxygen in gas within the container which encloses the aqueous composition is less than or equal to 0.2 volume %, and a method for producing the injection preparation.
US09884060B2
Novel RET fusion molecules and uses are disclosed. In one embodiment, a KIF5B-RET fusion includes an in-frame fusion of an exon of KIF5B (e.g., one or more exons encoding a kinesin motor domain or a fragment thereof) and an exon of RET (e.g., one or more exons encoding a RET tyrosine kinase domain or a fragment thereof). For example, the KIF5B-RET fusion can include an in-frame fusion of at least exon 15 of KIF5B or a fragment thereof (e.g., exons 1-15 of KIF5B or a fragment thereof) with at least exon 12 of RET or a fragment thereof (e.g., exons 12-20 of RET or a fragment thereof).
US09884058B2
The present invention concerns a method for modulating the enzymatic activity of an enzyme, wherein said enzyme interacts with BMP, said method comprising the step of administering or inducing Hsp70, or a functional fragment or variant thereof, in a form suitable for allowing interaction between BMP and Hsp70, or said functional fragment or variant thereof, and thereby modulating the enzymatic activity of an enzyme interacting with BMP.
US09884056B2
Controlled release oral dosage forms suitable for administration of methylphenidate are provided. Abuse-resistant controlled release oral dosage forms suitable for administration of methylphenidate are also provided. Methods of treating ADD and ADHD using the oral dosage forms are also provided.
US09884053B2
The present application discloses a compound which is which activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling and thus treats or prevents diseases related to signal transduction, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthropathy; osteogenesis imperfecta, bone defects, bone fractures, periodontal disease, otosclerosis, wound healing, craniofacial defects, oncolytic bone disease, traumatic brain injuries related to the differentiation and development of the central nervous system, comprising Parkinson's disease, strokes, ischemic cerebral disease, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia; eye diseases such as age related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema or retinitis pigmentosa and diseases related to differentiation and growth of stem cell, comprising hair loss, hematopoiesis related diseases and tissue regeneration related diseases.
US09884050B1
Roflumilast crystals have been shown to increase in size during storage. The size of the roflumilast crystals can affect the bioavailability and efficacy of a pharmaceutical composition. The growth of roflumilast crystals can be inhibited during storage by including hexylene glycol in the composition. The resulting composition has improved bioavailability and efficacy and can be used to inhibit phosphodiesterase 4 in a patient in need of such treatment.
US09884045B2
The present invention provides a transplantation adjuvant for neural progenitor cells containing valproic acid and/or zonisamide as an active ingredient.
US09884038B2
This invention provides substituted acylanilide compounds and uses thereof in treating a variety of diseases or conditions in a subject including, inter alia, a muscle wasting disease and/or disorder such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy or Becker muscular dystrophy.
US09884024B2
The present invention proposes a design to incorporate drug(s) in the hard capsule shells (body and cap) composition. Drug(s) in the cap and body of the capsule shell may be the same or may be different. Other drug(s) in the form of granules, beads etc. can be filled into the capsules as a core material. The drug(s) in the capsule core material may be the same as in the shell-composition or may be different. Thus, the same capsule may contain different drug(s) as the core material and in the shell. The key advantages of incorporation of drug in the capsule shell compositions are to minimize drug-drug interaction and to obtain a desired rate of release of the drug(s), mainly for potent ones. The concept can be applied to the hard gelatin, and hard non-gelatin capsules.
US09884021B2
A tablet comprising a core containing an active agent, and a coating, the core being disposed within the coating such that the coating has a thickness about a longitudinal axis (X-Y) of about 4.85 to 4.95 mm. The position of the core within the coating dictating that the active agent is released rapidly after a lag time during which time no active agent is released.
US09884016B2
The present disclosure provides ready-to-use, oil/water emulsion compositions with mean droplet size (intensity-average, nm) of 100-500 nm, where the oil phase comprises clopidogrel free base dispersed in pharmaceutical acceptable oil(s). The emulsion uses clopidogrel free base or premix of clopidogrel free base in oil(s) as the starting materials and may also contain one or more excipients such as surfactant and or co-surfactant, osmotic agent, pH adjustment agent, antioxidant, preservative, sweetener, and/or suspending agent, etc.
US09884013B2
The present invention provides methods of delivering a composition comprising nanoparticles that comprise a macrolide and an albumin by directly injecting the nanoparticle composition into the blood vessel wall or the tissue surrounding the blood vessel wall. The methods can be used for inhibiting negative remodeling or vascular fibrosis in the blood vessel and are useful for treating various diseases.
US09884011B2
In one aspect, an ingestible, electrical device, comprises a substrate comprising a reservoir that is configured to hold one or more substances; a first film covering the reservoir, wherein the first film is at least partially metallic; a charge storage system connected to the first film, the charge storage system configured to deliver a transient electrochemical potential to the first film; wherein the first film is configured to prevent exposure of the substance to an aqueous environment in an organism, while the charge storage system delivers the transient electrochemical potential to the first film; and wherein the first film is configured for dissolution to expose the one or more substances to the aqueous environment in the organism, after the charge storage system stops delivering the transient electrochemical potential to the first film.
US09884009B2
Provided is a moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, and anti-allergic traditional Chinese medicine composition and a preparation method thereof. The traditional Chinese medicine composition has an aqueous extract of Dendrobium nobile, Viola tricolor, Ophiopogon japonicus, Tremella fuciformis, and an oat material as active ingredient. The oat material is oat grains, oat flour, or oat bran. In the composition, the Dendrobium nobile, Viola tricolor, Ophiopogon japonicus, Tremella fuciformis and oat material have a weight ratio of 5-15:2-10:2-10:1-5:1-5, and preferably 12:6:3:2:2. The Dendrobium nobile, Viola tricolor, Ophiopogon japonicus, oat material, and Tremella fuciformis are combined and extracted for external use, with which moisturizing and also delaying skin aging, anti-allergic and anti-chapping efficacies are achieved by means of water retention, maintenance of normal physiological functions of aquaporins, and others.
US09884007B2
A solid cosmetic composition includes (i) sugar; (ii) a vegetable fiber, a fruit fiber or mixture thereof; and (iii) a soap. The solid cosmetic composition is prepared by dehydrating a liquid composition including (i) sugar in an amount of 33.75 to 47 wt. %; (ii) a vegetable fiber, a fruit fiber or mixture thereof, in an amount of 3.75 to 4.75 wt. %; (iii) a soap in an amount of 20 to 75 wt. %; and (iv) water in an amount of 11 to 15 wt. %. The amounts are based on the total combined amount of the sugar, the fiber, the soap and the water.
US09883995B2
Disclosed are oral care compositions, for example dentifrice compositions, comprising an oral care composition comprising an orally acceptable vehicle, metal oxide particles having an average particle size of no greater than a dentin tubule and at least one amino acid capable of chelating the metal oxide. The composition may comprise a polymeric adherent material for adhering the metal oxide particles in the dentin tubule. The metal oxide particles have a median particle size of 5 microns or less, and may comprise zinc oxide.
US09883985B2
The present cane and grabber device can comprise a cane component and a grabber component. The grabber component can be housed within the cane component or can be unsheathed from the cane component and utilized to grab one or more objects. In an embodiment, the cane component can provide support to a user both while housing the grabber component and while the grabber component has been unsheathed. In an alternative embodiment, one or more grabber components can be housed by a walker or other similar support providing device.
US09883981B1
A cremains container includes a container body (10), a cover (20) mounted on the container body, and a determined amount of filling powder (30) provided in the container body and the cover. The container body is made of transparent material. The container body has an interior formed with a receiving space (12) and has a periphery provided with a hollow portion (111) receiving the filling powder. The cover is made of transparent material and has an interior provided with a hollow portion (21) receiving the filling powder. Thus, the filling powder in the container body and the cover conceals the receiving space of the container body to prevent the receiving space of the container body from being viewed directly by a person outside of the container body.
US09883980B2
Laminar-flow operating theatre that comprises a support (4) that defines a horizontal plane, on which the patient (2) rests, which has a main longitudinal direction, on which support (4) there is, in addition, an operating region (R), laminar-flow-emitting unit (5) and an air-absorption unit (6), wherein the laminar-flow-emitting unit (5) emits the laminar flow in a horizontal direction which is oblique with respect to the longitudinal position of the support (4) such that said direction of incidence of the flow reaches the operating region (R) for the patient (4), and the air-absorption unit (6) is in a horizontal absorption direction which is oblique with respect to said longitudinal direction of the patient's support (4).
US09883979B2
A seat back linking mechanism includes a base frame having a pivot portion; a back frame pivotally connected to the base frame; an actuation member slidably coupled to the back frame; a linkage having a first link and a second link pivotally coupled together, the first link and the second link being respectively pivotally coupled to the pivot portion of the base frame and the actuation member, and a driven slot; and a drag member having a drag pin adapted for dragging the driven slot of the linkage.
US09883974B2
A process for preparing a disinfecting wound dressing for the protection of wounds, such as burn wounds, ulcers and cuts, the process comprising the steps of providing a yarn-based substrate, subjecting a surface of the substrate to a plasma environment, thereby providing non-leaching and biocidal features to the substrate surface by exposing the substrate surface to an antimicrobial active compound reaction.
US09883973B1
A movement and expression sensor has a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) disposed along the length of an optical fiber, and the optical fiber is placed in contact with a subject's skin surface. The sensors are interrogated for reflected wavelength, which is converted into a temperature or a strain. A series of such measurements can be made to determine the movement or position of the sensor location. A garment may be formed using the sensors and an elastomeric material, such that the sensors may be worn and removed, and the movements of the elastomer in the areas of sensors measured as a wavelength shift to characterize movement or estimate location. The elastomeric garment may be formed as a mask, or a sock, such as for use with a face, or foot.
US09883953B1
An intervertebral scaffolding system is provided having a laterovertically-expanding frame operable for a reversible collapse from an expanded state into a collapsed state, the laterovertically-expanding frame having a stabilizer, one or more tensioners, or a combination of the stabilizer with one or more tensioners. The stabilizer slidably engages with the distal region of the laterovertically-expanding frame and both the stabilizer and the one or more tensioners are configured for retaining the laterovertically-expanding frame from a lateral movement that exceeds the expanded state. The expanded state, for example, can be configured to have an open graft distribution window that at least substantially closes upon the reversible collapse.
US09883924B2
A pocket orthodontic bonding pad for attaching orthodontic attachments to teeth wherein the orthodontic attachment is mechanically secured within a bonding pad pocket with a design that allows a slight buffering flexibility under masticatory stress and ease of removal of the orthodontic attachment. Upon removal of locking tabs the orthodontic attachment may be removed with minimal force, and the remaining bonding pad polished from the teeth with ease, which is most advantageous for brackets that tend to break upon removal and create high stress forces upon tooth structure. The ease of removing orthodontic attachments allows maximum bonding strengths.
US09883921B2
A changeable positioning device for dental drilling comprises a base, a guide body and a positioning block. The base comprises a top end, a bottom end, a first outer wall, a first inner wall, a first guide groove, at least one first recess and at least one second recess. The at least one protrusion can be slidably fitted with the at least one first recess and the at least one second recess, thereby the second guide groove of the guide body will not be synchronously moved with a drill during drilling toward the axial direction of the guide body. The distance between the two extension portions is smaller than the diameter of the second inner wall at the same plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the guide body so that the drill will not deviate from the guide groove, thereby increasing the stability and precision of drilling.
US09883919B2
A brachytherapy treatment apparatus is provided that includes a center catheter including proximal and distal ends defining a central longitudinal axis therebetween, the center catheter including a bend between the proximal and distal ends. The apparatus includes a pair of expandable catheters including pathways extending between the proximal and distal ends thereof, the expandable catheter distal ends coupled to the distal end of the core member. An actuator is coupled to the expandable catheters adjacent expandable portions that is movable relative to the center catheter for moving the expandable portions between a collapsed configuration wherein the expandable portions extend substantially parallel to the center catheter and an expanded configuration wherein the expandable portions bow away from one another substantially within a curved plane aligned generally with a bend of to the center catheter. A balloon is provided adjacent the expandable portions and surrounding a portion of the catheters.
US09883918B2
While detecting a cardiac arrhythmia, a mapping electrode of a probe is used to associate a local activation time with a first location in a region of interest in the heart. While detecting an absence of the cardiac arrhythmia, the local activation time is associated with a second location in the heart. Electrical data of the first location is assigned to the second location, and an electroanatomic map of the heart is generated that includes the second location in association with the assigned electrical data of the first location.
US09883914B2
An apparatus comprises a robotic manipulator and a surgical instrument mounted to the robotic manipulator. The surgical instrument comprises an elongate arm including an actively controlled bendable region including at least one joint region and an end effector and a passively bendable region including a distal end coupled to the actively controlled bendable region. An actuation mechanism extends through the passively bendable region and is coupled to the at least one joint region to control the actively controlled bendable region. A channel extends through the elongate arm, and an optical fiber is positioned in the channel. The optical fiber includes an optical fiber bend sensor in at least one of the passively bendable region or the actively controlled bendable region.
US09883912B2
A suspension system for supporting surgical devices inside a patient's body cavity comprising an external frame, a plurality of elongated members extending from the external frame and through the patient's skin into the body cavity, and an internal platform located inside the body cavity. The internal platform includes a plurality of links reconfigurable from a first elongated position wherein the links are substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis for insertion to a second position wherein the links are angled with respect to one another to form a non-linear configuration. A first support of the external frame is movable with respect to the second support to thereby move the internal platform.
US09883910B2
A device for manipulating a magnetic coupling force across tissue in response to a monitored coupling force is described. The device includes a magnetic field source assembly, a positioning assembly operatively connected to the magnetic field force assembly, and a magnetic coupling force monitor. The magnetic field source assembly includes magnets that provide an external magnetic field source for providing a magnetic field across tissue. The positioning assembly adjusts the position of the magnetic field source. The magnetic field creates a magnetic coupling force between the external magnetic field source and an object positioned in use in a patient during a procedure, wherein the object has or is associated with an internal magnetic field.
US09883907B2
Methods, systems and devices for evaluating the integrity of a uterine cavity. A method comprises introducing transcervically a probe into a patient's uterine cavity, providing a flow of a fluid (e.g., CO2) through the probe into the uterine cavity and monitoring the rate of the flow to characterize the uterine cavity as perforated or non-perforated based on a change in the flow rate.
US09883904B2
A method and system for treating a surgical incision to prevent scarring is disclosed. The system comprising an applicator is configured to protrude a target tissue from one or both sides of a surgical incision into a treatment cavity located in the applicator. The system is further configured to deliver fractional treatment, from energy sources located along the inner walls of the treatment cavity, to an incision edge.
US09883901B2
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with characterizing Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) lesions using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) are described. One example method includes acquiring an OCT signal from a Region Of Interest (ROI) in an ablated material. The example method may also include determining whether a lesion was formed by the ablation by analyzing optical properties of the ROI as recorded in the OCT signal.
US09883899B2
The present disclosure relates to a device for use during ligament reconstruction surgery. The device includes a handle and a shaft coupled to the handle, the handle including a first channel for housing of an insert, a second channel, a third channel for housing of the shaft, a first window, a second window, and a groove. A method for use during ligament reconstruction surgery is also disclosed.
US09883891B1
A spinal stabilization system having a pedicle screw which includes (i) a shaft with external threads and a head segment on one end of the shaft; (ii) a first drive socket positioned in the head segment; (iii) a second drive socket on a shaft end opposite the first drive socket; and (iv) wherein the shaft end opposite the first drive socket has a lesser diameter than the shaft end at the head segment. The system further includes an intervertebral stabilization structure having an elongated body with rotating ring segments attached to each end of the elongated body.
US09883890B2
A clamping device for attaching to an external fixation element of an external fixation system includes a first jaw having an inner surface and an outer surface and includes a second jaw having an inner surface and an outer surface, with the inner surface of the first jaw and the inner surface of the second jaw together forming a passage configured to receive the external fixation element of the external fixation system. A locking system is engageable with the first and the second jaws and is moveable relative to the first and the second jaws between at least a first position.
US09883889B2
The invention concerns the domains of materials science and medicine and relates to a method such as can be applied to in vivo or in vitro fertilization, for instance. The problem addressed by the present invention is that of specifying a method with which the activity and controlled mobility of motile cells is improved and the absorption of materials alien to the cell is prevented as far as possible. The problem is solved by a method in which one or more motile cells are introduced into or attached to one or a plurality of magnetic particles, and subsequently the magnetic particles with the motile cells introduced into them or attached to them are moved in a directional manner by the application of an external magnetic field. The problem is further solved by the use of the method for the controlled movement of motile cells in liquid or gaseous media in the body of a mammal or human being.
US09883876B2
An orthopaedic surgical instrument comprising an orthopaedic cutting block includes a metallic bearing insert configured to support a bone cutting tool and a body molded to the bearing insert. The bearing insert includes a plurality of chemically etched holes, and the body is molded to the bearing insert such that each of the plurality of chemically etched holes is at least partially filled by a portion of the body. The body of the orthopaedic cutting block may include a bone-facing surface adapted to contact a portion of a patient's bone, and the bearing insert may be positioned to allow a surgeon to perform a cut on the patient's bone using the bearing insert for support. A method of manufacturing an orthopaedic surgical instrument is also disclosed.
US09883866B2
Surgical clips and surgical applicators used in performing rapid tissue closure in either minimally invasive surgeries or traditional open procedures are provided. In one example approach, a surgical clip comprises opposing sides extending from a top portion and terminating at tips positioned below the top portion. The resting position of the clip is its closed position. Edges of the top portion and the opposing sides form opposing faces perpendicular to the opposing sides. The opposing faces are angled inwardly towards each other at a region of the faces adjacent to the top portion. Grooves are formed in each of the opposing sides. The grooves are configured to engage inwardly turned tracks of a clip applicator such that, when a force is applied to the clip, the opposing sides bend outwardly away from each other to place the clip in an intermediate open position.
US09883861B2
A retainer for assembling tissue thickness compensators to a surgical stapler can comprise a grip, a first surface for supporting a first tissue thickness compensator, a second surface for supporting a second tissue thickness compensator, and clips for aligning and attaching the retainer to the surgical stapler. The clips may align and attach the retainer to a staple cartridge of the surgical instrument. The clips may align the retainer with an anvil of the surgical instrument. An insertion tool may be used in combination with the retainer to insert the retainer into the surgical stapler and to push the tissue thickness compensators against the anvil and/or the staple cartridge of the surgical instrument.
US09883857B2
One embodiment is directed to a system for closing a wound created across a portion of a tissue structure, comprising a suture member having proximal and distal ends; an anchor member coupled to the distal end of the suture member; a tension retainer assembly releasably coupleable to the suture member; and a suture buttress movably intercoupled to the suture member between the anchor member and the tension retainer and configured to minimize direct sliding contact between the suture member and the tissue structure portion around the location of the suture buttress.
US09883853B2
This disclosure includes various embodiments of couplers for coupling intraosseous (IO) devices and drivers, and various embodiments of drivers and kits.
US09883846B2
Disclosed herein is a mammography device for X-ray photographing an object to be inspected. The mammography device includes: a generator irradiating an X-ray; a support part for an object to be inspected including a detector positioned to face the generator; and a pressing pad moving between the generator and the support part for an object to be inspected to press the object to be inspected, wherein at least one of the support part for an object to be inspected and the pressing pad is rotatably installed at one side of the mammography device, and in a pressing initial state of the object to be inspected, at least one of the support part for an object to be inspected and the pressing pad that is rotatably installed is configured so that a front end portion thereof toward a subject is elastically deflected to a position inclined toward the object to be inspected.
US09883836B2
A system and method for monitoring a health status of a subject. The system comprises: a medical device implantable in the subject and having a passage or compartment through which blood flows through; a sensor device embedded at or near a surface of said passage within said medical device for generating signals suitable for measuring a Doppler shift effect occurring within said passage; and a control device coupled to said sensor device for measuring a liquid blood flow rate within said passage based on sensor generated signals outputs. The embedded sensor device comprises a first piezo-electric element configured to generate an acoustic excitation signal and a second piezo-electric element configured to receive said acoustic excitation signal. The second piezo-electric element emits a signal responsive to said acoustic excitation signal. Control device in real time compares a generated output signal with the input excitation signal to determine a Doppler frequency shift measurement.
US09883833B2
Under one aspect, a method of displaying medical information about a subject having a plurality of regions includes: resolving light obtained from each region of the plurality of regions into a corresponding spectrum; selecting a portion of each spectrum, the selected portion including medical information about the corresponding region; constructing an image based on the selected portion of each spectrum; and projecting the image onto the subject. Under another aspect, a method of displaying medical information about a subject that has a plurality of regions includes: resolving light obtained from each region of the plurality of regions into a corresponding spectrum; selecting a portion of each spectrum, the selected portion including medical information about the corresponding region; constructing a spectral image based on the selected portion of each spectrum; displaying an image of the plurality of regions; and displaying the spectral image overlying the image of the plurality of regions.
US09883821B2
The invention relates to a method for monitoring the respiration activity of a subject, comprising the acquisition of a sensor signal of at least one Doppler-Radar sensor representing the respiration activity of a subject, the transformation of the sensor signal into a transformation signal being a series according to Formula (I) where ak is a set of predetermined constant coefficients specific for one individual subject, and processing the transformation signal S(t). The transformation signal can be analyzed with basic signal processing techniques that are applied in the field of inductive plethysmography. The invention is further related to a corresponding monitoring system.
US09883817B2
Discussed herein is an image processing device and a corresponding method for assessing inflammatory bowel diseases. A plurality of dynamic MRI sequence of images of a bowel that include peristalsis information of the bowel and static MRI image(s) of the bowel that identify at areas of inflammation, stenosis, and increased mural thickness of the bowel are processed. A displacement of the bowel caused by respiration of the patient is conducted on the dynamic MRI sequences by performing a non-rigid registration. A peristaltic activity is determined by performing motion flow analysis on the dynamic sequences of images. A peristaltic activity of the static MRI image(s) based on a weighted sum of two closest dynamic MRI sequences of images is computed and the static image is combined with the closest dynamic MRI sequence of images by performing a multi-modal registration.
US09883815B2
Systems, devices and methods for control of a prosthetic or orthotic device (POD) based on electromyography (EMG) signals are described. The POD may be a lower or upper limb POD having one or more joints. One or more EMG sensors may detect the EMG signals. The EMG sensors may be external, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, epimysial, intramuscular, or other types. Control of the POD may be based on EMG and non-EMG signals, such as velocity, acceleration, position, force, etc. Voluntary and/or automatic control may be implemented, for example with voluntary muscle contractions and/or data based on velocity, acceleration, position, force, etc. In some embodiments, the neutral position of an ankle POD is adjusted based on EMG signals.
US09883810B2
Described herein is an optical coherence tomograph (OCT) angiography technique based on the decorrelation of OCT signal amplitude to provide flow information. The full OCT spectrum can be split into several narrower spectral bands, resulting in the OCT resolution cell in each band being isotropic and less susceptible to axial motion nose. Inter-B-scan decorrelation can be determined using the individual spectral bands separately and then averaged. Recombining the decorrelation images from the spectral bands yields angiograms that use the full information in the entire OCT spectral range. Such images provide significant improvement of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for both flow detection and connectivity of microvascular networks compared to other techniques. Further, creation of isotropic resolution cells can be useful for quantifying flow having equal sensitivity to axial and transverse flow.
US09883809B2
Apparatus is described, including a motion sensor configured to sense motion of a patient and to generate a motion signal in response thereto. The apparatus includes an output unit and a control unit. The control unit is configured to analyze the motion signal, to identify breathing of the patient as being shallow breathing in response to the analyzing, and to drive the output unit to generate an alert in response to identifying the breathing of the patient as being shallow breathing. Other applications are also described.
US09883790B2
A medical luminaire for photodynamic diagnosis. The medical luminaire including: a broad-band lamp for generating broad-band background light; a semiconductor lamp for generating short-wave excitation light, wherein the semiconductor lamp comprises a laser diode, the light from which is fed alternatively or additionally into a light path of the broad-band lamp, and a light fiber bundle for transporting the light, wherein the excitation light is transported in a partial bundle.
US09883788B2
A stereoscopic endoscope pupil configuration for embedding in a stereoscopic endoscope, the shape of the cross section of the stereoscopic endoscope is a predetermined closed two-dimensional shape, the stereoscopic endoscope pupil configuration including at least two pupils, each of the at least two pupils having a shape covering a different unique portion of the two-dimensional closed shape, and together the at least two pupils substantially fully forming the two-dimensional closed shape.
US09883786B2
A medication confirmation method and apparatus for confirming administration of medication employing an inhalable medication administration apparatus. The method of an embodiment of the invention includes the steps of capturing one or more video sequences of a user administering medication employing the inhalable medication administration apparatus, storing the captured one or more video sequences, capturing one or more audio sequences of the user administering medication employing the inhalable medication administration apparatus and storing the captured one or more audio sequences. At least one of the stored video sequences and at least one of the stored audio sequences are then analyzed to confirm that the user has properly administered the medication.
US09883779B2
A brushroll for a surface cleaning apparatus includes a brush dowel defining an axis and having opposing bristle supports and a shroud surface between the opposing bristle supports, and a plurality of bristles protruding from the bristle supports. The shroud surface is positioned relative to the bristles to minimize hair wrap.
US09883772B2
A blending appliance includes a housing having a motor compartment and a jar receiving portion spaced laterally therefrom. The jar receiving portion is disposed below an upper housing. A motor is disposed in the motor compartment is adapted to drive a blade assembly of the jar through a magnetic coupling system. The motor is connected to a blade assembly disposed within the jar through a series of gears or belts, and finally through a magnetic coupler. The magnetic coupler is configured such that it stores kinetic energy while the motor is running at a high speed, and releases the stored energy when the motor is running at a slower speed.
US09883764B2
The disclosed technology is a kettle supported by a base, with a burner mounted to the base and positioned below the bottom of the kettle. The kettle generally has a rounded bottom and straight sidewalls, although various curved portions of the kettle sidewalls are possible including a purely semispherical section. The kettle is provided with a U-shaped handle on each side which provides a gripping handle and also provides a means of rotating the kettle. The stand includes two grooves in a side portion, and the kettle can be tipped to one side and rotated to pour out the contents of the kettle, with the groove providing stability while the kettle is rotated to one side. The kettle rotates at a point which is not the center point of the kettle.
US09883763B1
A shower curtain and window curtain hanging structure provides constant stream of heated air as well as the ability to sound audio from an external source. The hanging structure includes a tubular body, an at least one heating fan assembly, an at least one rechargeable battery, an at least one waterproof speaker, and a wireless communication device. The tubular body supports various types of curtains. The rechargeable battery, the heating fan assembly, and the wireless communication device are all internally mounted within the tubular body. The waterproof speaker is integrated into an external surface of the tubular body in order to sound audio towards a user. The heating fan assembly includes an impeller, a heating element, and an electric motor. The impeller is powered by the electric motor in order to forces air to pass by the heating element and expelling heated air onto the user.
US09883762B1
The present invention is a tray apparatus providing mobility of a Christmas tree in a tree stand. The invention comprises a pan for placing the tree stand and a releasably attached handle. The improved mobility provided by the smooth, low-friction pan and removable handle of the present invention assists in decoration of the tree by allowing rotation for placing lights and ornaments, or other decorating tasks, as well as to present a favored side toward a desired area of the room in which it is placed. The tree may also be decorated in any convenient location and then moved laterally into the desired final position. In addition to the relatively frictionless movement provided by the pan, it also provides a basin to contain any water that spills from the stand, to catch needles, to hold presents, and to protect the floor or carpet.
US09883752B2
A novel and improved device to assuage distressed infants by means of adjustable vertical motion combined with adjustable orientation. The motion is adjustable in terms of amplitude, frequency and time. The device allows the infants to be held face-inward or face-outward in the case of vertical orientation and prone or supine in the case of horizontal orientation.
US09883745B2
A structural arrangement is provided in the form of a bracket for fastening a profile handle, wherein the bracket is constructed and arranged to be fastened by a fastening screw on a top edge of a front wall of a door or a drawer and contains a passing hole able to receive the fastening screw and a pair of side recesses. The pair of side recesses configures a rail for fitting and sliding a pair of tines existing in an inner region of a base of the profile handle, and the bracket includes other features such as having three of four edges of the bracket comprises removable tabs, a rectangular shape, and a configuration wherein the passing hole is positioned in an internal end of the bracket, the internal end being opposite to the edge of the bracket has one of the removable tabs.
US09883740B2
A system comprising a switching device linked to a common display screen and including a wireless receiver configured to receive content, the switching device configured to use the received content to drive the common display screen and a plurality of interface devices, each interface device including an interface housing, an interface device processor, a control button mounted within the housing and a plug linked to the housing via a cable, the plug receivable within a connection port of a computing device, a first interface device including a first device processor, a first plug and a first control button, the first processor configured to perform the steps of, with the first plug received in the connection port of the first computing device and first content presented on the first display screen while other content is presented on the common display screen, detecting selection of the first control button and, upon detecting selection of the first control button, causing a wireless transmission to the switching device, upon receiving the wireless transmission, the switching device presenting the content from the first computing device display screen on the common display screen.
US09883736B2
A portable deployable table is a device that may be easily mounted to and removed from a surface or structure. The device includes a housing with at least one telescopic arm fixed within the housing. A table frame and a planar table top are hingedly connected to the at least one telescopic arm and may be deployed after being extended from within the housing. The table frame and the planar table top are contained within the housing when the device is not in use. At least one adjustable mounting brace is connected to the exterior of the housing, allowing the housing to be mounted to a surface or structure and fixed in place. The housing may be closed via a housing lid that covers the interior of the housing.
US09883732B2
A retractable holder for a smartphone is formed with a housing, a connection mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the smartphone to the housing, a first lanyard loop comprising lanyard cords that are reeled onto or deployed from cord storage spools located inside the housing, a second lanyard loop comprising lanyard cords that are reeled onto or deployed from cord storage spools located inside the housing and a lanyard control mechanism. The lanyard control mechanism applies a retracting force to each of the cord storage spools, the retracting force operational to reel the lanyard cord extending from the housing in a deployed state to the cord's respective cord storage spool and to enable a user draw out and deploy a fixed length of the lanyard cord from the cord's respective cord storage spool.
US09883727B2
A pattern assembly helps control the removal of hair by joining a template of a predetermined hair pattern directly on the body, such as the face, in conjunction with the application of a depilatory composition. At least one middle template, at least one right template, and at least one left template join correlating middle, right, and left regions of a body, such that the depilatory composition may be applied on the body, generally around the edges, and proximal to the templates. The templates includes a mount surface that engages the body, and an outer surface that is visible. The edges of the templates are tapered so as to inhibit seeping of the depilatory under the template. A handle portion enables holding and manipulation of the templates. An alignment portion enables measured positioning of the templates. The templates are flexible to conform to the various angles of the face.
US09883723B2
A method to apply nano-crystalline diamond onto a selected substrate, including preparing Nanodiamond slurry of Nanodiamond particles dispersed in a medium. The medium may include a liquid or a sol-gel. The selected substrate is immersed in the Nanodiamond slurry for a predetermined period of time. Then the substrate is removed from the slurry. The substrate is then dried with a flow of inert gas. The substrate is left coated with a coating of the nanodiamond particles that are highly adherently held by van der Waals forces.
US09883707B2
A headwear support system includes a support base having a shape that is generally one-half of a hemisphere. The support base includes a front projection extending outwardly therefrom, a rear connection rib coupled to a top rear of the support base, and two diametrically-opposed apertures on a bottom rear of the support base. The headwear support system further includes a first elastic member having opposed ends, each end configured to be coupled to respective ones of the diametrically-opposed apertures and wherein the first elastic member is configured to selectively secure the headwear to the support base. The headwear support system also includes a second elastic member configured to be coupled to the rear connection rib and configured to be selectively coupled to a button of the headwear. A clip member is also included in the system and is configured to be coupled to the rear connection rib and configured to be selectively coupled to a travelling case.
US09883706B2
A locking artificial tree trunk including a first generally cylindrical, hollow trunk portion including an upper end, the upper end defining a notch, and a second generally cylindrical trunk portion including a body portion, a lower end having an insertable portion, and an upper end. The locking artificial tree trunk also includes a coupling mechanism having a body portion and an upper portion having a tab, and defining a channel for receiving the insertable portion of the lower end of the second trunk portion. The body portion is inserted substantially into the upper end of the first trunk portion with the tab of the upper portion aligned with the notch, thereby preventing rotation of the coupling mechanism within the upper end of the first trunk portion.
US09883704B2
An impact transfer device comprising a device body, an impact zone shield associated with a first body region, and at least one body contact associated with a second body region, each body contact comprising at least one contact surface, and at least one attachment structure configured to attach the impact transfer device to a person. At least a portion of a force applied to the impact surface is transferred to the second body region of the person through the contact surfaces.
US09883699B2
Present disclosure relates to a heating tube, a replaceable vaporizer assembly and an electronic cigarette having the replaceable vaporizer assembly. In certain embodiments, the electronic cigarette may include an electronic cigarette body, and a replaceable vaporizer assembly. The electronic cigarette body may include a mouthpiece installed in a mouthpiece base, a connector base, a mounting base defining multiple air intake openings, an E-liquid storage tank, and a connector. The mounting base and the connector base are threadedly connected through an internal thread of mounting base and an external thread of connector base to form an air chamber inside the mounting base and connector base. When in operation, outside air enters the air chamber through the multiple air intake openings and is vaporized by the replaceable vaporizer assembly, goes up through multiple air gaps between the mounting base and the connector base, and exits the electronic cigarette body through the mouthpiece.
US09883694B2
A guillotine-style cigar cutter. The cutter includes a body with a central aperture and a pair of blades disposed on opposite sides of the aperture and configured to move translationally across the aperture to cut an end of a cigar in preparation for smoking. A gear train is provided that includes a ring gear disposed to circumscribe the aperture and to engage pairs of spur gears disposed at diametrically opposite positions. Edges of the blades engage the spur gears in a rack-and-pinion style configuration. The gear train thus provides synchronous and symmetrical movements of the blades relative to one another.
US09883681B2
The wash away fillet tool is a new cutting board utensil designed primarily to be used to fillet fish; although, it could be used for other similar jobs. The design is a straightforward improvement of the cutting board which makes the job of filleting fish safer, cleaner, and faster. A water chamber attached to a cutting board is the key part. The water chamber permits water to flow across the working surface of the fillet tool. The flow of water washes undesirable waste material off of the fillet tool keeping the hands and knife free of fish slime.
US09883667B2
A bug zapper includes a body, a fan and a light source. The body has a compartment, an opening, a channel arranged between the compartment and the opening, and a coupling portion arranged between the compartment and the channel. The channel is formed by an enclosed reflection wall and gradually expands from the coupling portion towards the opening. The fan is coupled with the coupling portion. The light source is mounted on a location of the body adjacent to the fan and irradiates light in the channel. As such, the efficiency in attracting the mosquitoes is outstanding, and the negative effect to the human is reduced.
