US09989728B2
A plurality of imaging optical systems includes at least two imaging optical systems having different focal lengths. Each imaging optical system includes in order from an object side, a front lens unit having a positive refractive power, a diaphragm member, a focusing lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a rear lens unit. The front lens unit includes one of a positive lens and a negative lens as a common lens, and each of at least two imaging optical systems from among the plurality of imaging optical systems includes at least one common lens. At the time of focusing, only the focusing lens unit moves on an optical axis. Each imaging optical system satisfies the following conditional expression (1), and the plurality of imaging optical systems satisfy the following conditional expression (2). 0.06<|ffo/f|<0.4 (1) 1.02
US09989725B2
A lens includes a barrel and a first optical element. The barrel includes an inner circumferential surface surrounding an axis and defining an accommodation space, an object side and an image side spaced at two ends of the axis and interconnecting with the accommodation space, and a first mounting portion integrally formed around the inner circumferential surface. The first mounting portion includes a first blocking portion having a first blocking surface corresponding to the object side. The first optical element is received in the accommodation space, and disposed in the first mounting portion, and includes a first body portion and a first stopping portion. The first stopping portion includes a first stopping surface leaning against the first blocking surface. The distance between an outermost edge of the first stopping portion and the axis is greater than the distance between an innermost edge of the first blocking portion and the axis.
US09989719B2
An optical transceiver includes a main board, a fiber joint, a circuit board, a transfer board, metal traces, photoelectric elements, a lens set, a connection base, and an amplifier. The fiber joint is coupled to the lens set and connection base for positioning plural optical fibers. The connection base is coupled to the main board, and the circuit board is electrically connected to the main board. The transfer board is disposed between the fiber joint and circuit board. Each of the metal traces is arranged on both of two neighboring surfaces of the transfer board. The photoelectric elements are respectively coupled to metal traces on the surface of the transfer board facing the fiber joint, and axially aim to the optical fibers, respectively. The amplifier electrically connects the circuit board and the photoelectric elements via the metal traces.
US09989717B2
Some embodiments include a latch mechanism and an optoelectronic module that includes the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism may include a driver, a follower, a pivot member, and a cam member. The driver may be configured to rotate relative to a housing of the optoelectronic module about an axis of rotation. The follower may be configured to be slidably positioned relative the housing. The follower may include a resilient member configured to interface with the housing and may define an opening including a protuberance. The pivot member may be coupled to the driver or to the housing and may define the axis of rotation. The cam member may be coupled to the driver and may be configured to engage the follower from within the opening so as to urge the follower to slide relative to the housing as the driver is rotated between a latched position and an unlatched position.
US09989711B2
A fiber optic connector and cable assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a fiber optic connector and a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable can be coupled to the assembly at a demarcation section. All components of the fiber optic cable (e.g., fiber, strength members, jacket, etc.) are fixed relative to each other and relative to the fiber optic connector at the demarcation section. The demarcation section may be located on a boot mounted at a proximal end of the fiber optic connector. For example, the demarcation section may be located at a proximal end of the boot.
US09989710B2
A ferrule for an optical connector includes a body, a cavity extending into the body from a back end of the body, and first and second groups of micro-holes extending into the cavity from a front end of the body. The cavity includes at least one bottom surface extending under an opening in a top surface of the body and below a first plane that extends through or below the first and second groups of micro-holes. The cavity also includes a divider extending under the opening in the top surface of the body, with the divider having a divider surface positioned above the first plane such that the divider surface is offset from the at least one bottom surface.
US09989708B1
A connector having a front and rear origination and configured to mate with a mating connector, said connector comprising a ferrule defining at least one borehole for receiving a fiber, and having a second diameter less than the opening of the housing through which it extends such that a gap is defined between said ferrule and said orifice to allow said ferrule to move within said orifice angularly and laterally with respect to said axis. A sleeve containing a lens is disposed around a portion of said ferrule forward of the opening of the housing and extends beyond the front end of the ferrule.
US09989704B2
Embodiments of present invention provide a digital dispersion compensation module. The digital dispersion compensation module includes a multi-port optical circulator and a plurality of dispersion compensation units connected to the multi-port optical circulator, wherein at least one of the plurality of dispersion compensation units includes a first and a second reflectively terminated element and an optical switch being capable of selectively connecting to one of the first and second reflectively terminated elements, and wherein the at least one of the plurality of dispersion compensation units is adapted to provide a substantially zero dispersion to an optical signal, coming from the multi-port optical circulator, when the optical switch connects to the first reflectively terminated element and is adapted to provide a non-zero dispersion to the optical signal when the optical switch connects to the second reflectively terminated element.
US09989695B2
A back plate assembly and a backlight module are provided. The back plate assembly includes a back plate, at least one optical film and at least one fixing member. The back plate includes a bottom plate and a sidewall. The optical film is disposed on the bottom plate. The fixing member includes a main body and a protruding member. At least one portion of the main body overlaps with the sidewall. The protruding member is disposed on the main body and is combined with the optical film.
US09989693B2
A double-sided liquid crystal display device is provided, which includes a light guide plate, a light source, a first liquid crystal panel, a second liquid crystal panel and a reflective Dual Brightness Enhancement Film (DBEF). The light guide plate has a light incident side, a first light exit surface and a second light exit surface. The light source is disposed adjacent to the light incident side. The first liquid crystal panel is disposed opposite to the first light exit surface, and a first lower polarizer of the first liquid crystal panel faces the first light exit surface. The DBEF is disposed between the first lower polarizer and the first light exit surface, and a direction of light transmission axis of DBEF is in parallel with that of the first lower polarizer, and the direction of light transmission axis of DBEF is perpendicular to that of the second upper polarizer.
US09989682B2
A mask plate, a method for manufacturing a color film substrate and a color film substrate for decreasing the segment difference of the color filter layer are disclosed. The mask plate includes a plurality of first regions, each of the plurality of first regions corresponding to each subpixel unit; and a second region between two adjacent first regions. Each first region is respectively provided with one first subregion for forming a color filter layer pattern within an opening region of a black matrix layer, and two second subregions for forming a color filter layer pattern within a non-opening region of the black matrix layer. The first subregion is between the two second subregions. In each second subregion: along the direction away from the first subregion, the transmittance of the second subregion gradually decreases or increases.
US09989672B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for weather station data usage based on weather data confidence. In the context of a method, the method includes receiving historical weather data associated with a candidate weather station and plurality of weather stations, determining distances between a candidate weather station and respective ones of the plurality of weather stations, and generating a station to station location based model of weather attribute errors associated with the distances between the candidate weather station and the respective weather stations of the plurality of weather stations.
US09989665B2
Devices and methods for well logging using a wear-resistant electrode are provided. A downhole device may include a drill collar and a first electrode mounted on the drill collar. Further, the first electrode may include a wear-resistant face. The first electrode may be movably coupled within the drill collar, and the first electrode may be configured to extend and retract into a wellbore to maintain contact with a wall of the wellbore. Furthermore, the first electrode may be configured to measure impedance of a geological formation.
US09989663B1
A metal detector has a large primary transmit coil, a small primary feedback bucking coil, a first receive coil, and a second receive coil. A variable resistance device is connected to the first and second receive coils. A voltage source is connected to the large primary transmit coil. The voltage source is oppositely connected to the small primary feedback bucking coil. A primary voltage is provided to the large primary transmit coil. A reverse primary voltage is provided to the small primary feedback bucking coil. The small primary feedback bucking coil is positioned near the first and the second receive coils. The metal detection methods and apparatus sums up the signals from the two secondary coils. One is over nulled, the other is under nulled. They are close enough to an inductive null to attenuate the stray coupled signals from the primary driving signal and detecting the object.
US09989660B2
At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: performing Normal MoveOut (NMO) correction on a first Common Depth Point (CDP) gather, the NMO correction based on a reference velocity of sound in water, the NMO correction creates first NMO data with a plurality of traces; selecting a first estimated velocity that makes travel time represented in the traces substantially the same; calculating a zero-offset time shift that represents a difference in travel time as between the reference velocity and the first estimated velocity at a zero-offset trace; performing NMO correction on the first CDP gather based on a final estimated velocity to create second NMO data; adding the zero-offset time shift to each trace of the second NMO data; and then performing reverse NMO correction on the second NMO data to create corrected data.
US09989653B2
A detector of an embodiment includes a plurality of photomultipliers, a signal line, and identifying circuitry. The photomultipliers each convert light converted from radiation into an electric signal and output the electric signal. The signal line has a first path and a second path through which the electric signal passes and that have different lengths for each of the photomultipliers. The identifying circuitry identifies the photomultiplier that outputs the electric signal by a time difference between the electric signal passing through the first path and the electric signal passing through the second path.
US09989651B2
In the field of satellite geolocation, a geopositioning method with a trust index is implemented by a geopositioning terminal. According to the method, the positioning of the terminal is estimated by geopositioning satellites and the trust index is provided by comparison with at least one pseudo-distance measurement recorded by at least one additional geopositioning satellite, which is different from those used to compute the position of the terminal.
US09989640B2
There is provided an optical apparatus including a substrate, a light emitting device, a light sensitive device and a plurality of micro-lenses. The light emitting device is disposed on the substrate and adapted to provide a light beam. The light sensitive device is disposed on the substrate and adapted to receive a light beam reflected from an object, wherein the light sensitive device has a plurality of photosensitive units arranged in matrix. The micro-lenses are disposed above the light sensitive device and respectively opposite to the associated photosensitive units. There is further provided a light sensitive device with micro-lens and a manufacturing method thereof.
US09989639B2
A wireless water regimen detecting device includes a fish finder module, a data communication module connected to the fish finder module and a WIFI module connected to the data communication module, which are arranged within a housing. The wireless water regimen detecting device utilizes the wireless communication way of WIFI to make the display terminal of the fish finder module not be limited to the wireless receiving terminal which is especially prepared for it, but can use existing intelligent terminals with a WIFI wireless communication function, such as smart phone, tablet PC, notebook computer or other portable mobile devices, to display. Sweb operating mode of monopoly serial communication port can be utilized, thus the user can carry on related operation on the webpage of the display terminal by visiting the web server to obtain detecting information of the fish finder module. Much convenience is provided to the user.
US09989632B2
To provide a measuring system for guiding a worker to a pile driving point by utilizing a measuring device for performing a distance measurement and an angle measurement by automatic guiding and a controller. The measuring system includes a measurement pole 50 equipped with a prism 52, a measurement device 2 having an automatic guiding function, a memory section 30L, a display section 30G displaying a guiding map, an imaging optical system 30E, and a controller 30C having a transceiver 30D, calculates a difference between present position information and a pile driving point position information, calculates a moving direction of the prism 52 from the current position information and previous position information by the imaging optical system 30E, and when these moving directions are different, calculates a gradient component θ of the controller 30C, and displays a guiding map by amended spaced-apart components Δx″, Δy″ amended by the gradient components.
US09989625B2
A system for determining a new orientation and/or position of an object comprises a sky polarimeter configured to record image data of the sky, a signal processing unit, and logic configured to receive and store in memory the image data received from the sky polarimeter. The logic calculates the Stokes parameters (S0, S1, S2,), DoLP, and AoP from the image data, detects obscurants and filters the obscurants (such as clouds and trees) from the image data to produce a filtered image. The logic is further configured to find the Sun and zenith in the filtered image, and to determine the roll, pitch, yaw, latitude and longitude of the object using the filtered image. A method for determining a new position/orientation of an object comprises recording raw image data using a sky polarimeter, calculating S0, S1, S2, DoLP, and AoP from the image data, detecting obscurants and filtering the obscurants from the image data to produce a filtered image, obtaining last known position/orientation data of the object, finding the Sun and zenith in the filtered image, and determining the roll, pitch, yaw, latitude and longitude of the object using the filtered image.
US09989614B2
In a method and apparatus for acquiring a magnetic resonance (MR) data set from a target area of a patient containing at least one metal object that distorts the basic magnetic field due to susceptibility differences, a slice selection gradient that rises in one direction is used to select a slice from which MR data are to be acquired. At least for at least one outermost edge slice on one side of the slice stack from which the MR data are to be acquired, the polarity of the slice selection gradient is selected as a function of a primary direction of distortion in the edge slice.
US09989613B2
A system and method for accelerated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) includes controlling an RF system of an MRI system to acquire coil calibration data from a subject including a material causing inhomogeneities in a static magnetic field of the MRI system when arranged in the bore of the MRI system. After acquiring the coil calibration data, the RF system is controlled to acquire imaging data from the subject at multiple different resonance frequency offsets. The spectral bin images relate specific resonance frequencies to distinct spatial locations in the static magnetic field of the MRI system. An image of the subject is reconstructed from the imaging data using coil calibration data and the spectral bin data to provide spatial encoding of the image.
US09989609B2
A method and an apparatus for adjusting the parameters of a magnetic resonance image are disclosed. An embodiment of the invention provides a method for adjusting a parameter at an imaging device that includes: (a) obtaining and storing MR (magnetic resonance) data; (b) calculating a constant by using the MR data; and (c) outputting a magnetic resonance image having a different contrast in real time, when a user manipulation is inputted, by using the constant and a parameter adjusted according to the manipulation.
US09989608B2
In an MRI method and apparatus a BLOCH-SIEGERT method is used to establish a scaling factor of an excitation magnetic field that excites nuclei in a subject. A method involving two flip angles is executed to obtain a spatial distribution of longitudinal relaxation times of the excited nuclei so as to reconstruct a longitudinal relaxation time spatial distribution image, wherein the scaling factor is used to correct the two flip angles. This MRI method and apparatus cannot only obtain the spatial distribution of an excitation magnetic field accurately, but also can greatly reduce scan time, while ensuring a similar image resolution and image signal-to-noise ratio.
US09989606B2
An image dataset comprises multiple shots of imaging data acquired using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner (10). The signal power of each shot of the image dataset is normalized (24) to a reference signal power to generate a power normalized shot representation having total signal power matching the reference signal power. A reconstructed image is generated (26) from the power normalized shot representations. Odd/even phase correction (22) may also be performed on the image dataset. The phase correction, normalizing, and generating operations are suitably performed by an electronic data processing device (20).
US09989605B2
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a magnetostatic field magnet formed in the shape of a substantially circular cylinder; a gradient coil formed in the shape of a substantially circular cylinder on the inside of the magnetostatic field magnet; a cylindrical part that is formed in the shape of a substantially circular cylinder on the inside of the gradient coil and includes at least one selected from a sound absorbing material layer and a sound blocking material layer; and a ring part that is substantially ring-shaped, covers the space formed between the magnetostatic field magnet and the cylindrical part on at least one end face of a magnet structure being formed in the shape of a substantially circular cylinder and including the magnetostatic field magnet, the gradient coil, and the cylindrical part, and includes at least one selected from an sound absorbing material layer and a sound blocking material layer.
US09989598B2
A method for dynamic noise reduction of magnetic field sensor signals of a magnetic field sensor circuit with a magnetic field sensor and a switching device, wherein the magnetic field sensor provides a sensor signal to a sensor output, and wherein the switching device comprises a signal comparator, a low pass filter and a multiplexer, and wherein the switching device comprises a signal input interconnected with the sensor signal output and a signal output, and wherein the signal comparator has a first input interconnected with the signal input and a second input interconnected with the low pass filter, and a control signal output interconnected with the multiplexer. In a first method step, the sensor signal is compared to the level of a signal of the low pass filter by means of the signal comparator, and the result is compared to a predetermined threshold value.
US09989596B2
A circuit for displaying the state of a battery that is almost discharged features a battery, an inductive load, and a controllable switch connected in series. The circuit also includes a display element connected in series with the inductive load and the battery. The controllable switch is opened when a voltage of the battery is lower than a first threshold level and is only closed again when the voltage of the battery is greater than a second threshold level. The circuit may also include a control circuit having a comparator which compares the voltage of the battery with the first threshold level and the second threshold level and triggers the controllable switch accordingly.
US09989594B2
The invention relates to a circuit (1) for detecting a switching state of an electrical switching contact (2) in a current supply path (5) for at least one electrical load (3). The monitoring circuit (1) has a monitoring unit (8) and a transformer (9). The transformer has a primary winding (10) connected to the monitoring unit (8) and a secondary winding (11) connected to the electrical switching contact (2). The secondary winding (11) forms a monitoring current circuit (6) together with the electrical switching contact (2) electrically connected to the secondary winding. The monitoring unit (8) is designed to apply electrical power to the primary winding (10) and to determine the switching state of the electrical switching contact (2) in dependence on a measured value (UA) proportional to the current (IA) flowing through the primary winding (10).
US09989593B2
The present invention relates to an arrangement for providing a testing environment for the testing of test objects. The testing environment includes a first test object receiving apparatus and a second test object receiving apparatus, each of which are configured to receive a test object. The testing environment also includes a connection interface configured to connect the first test object receiving apparatus and the second test object receiving apparatus to the testing environment. In one embodiment, the first test object receiving apparatus has a first external connection interface, and the second test object receiving apparatus has a second external connection interface, wherein said first and second external connection interfaces are configured to be selectively coupled with the connection interface of the testing environment.
US09989591B2
Method and apparatus for performing Pattern-Controlled tests on an automatic test equipment (ATE). The ATE includes a diagnostic instrument and a control device. An application programming interface (API) is installed in the control device and operates to interact with a test program and thereby automatically controls the diagnostic instrument to perform a test. The test program is coded in a high-level programming language and defines a plurality of operation events for the test based on user input. The API identifies the operational events and determines respective operational types associated therewith. Events of an operational type are assigned to a respective pattern label. The pattern labels are then aggregated into a pattern burst which is downloaded to the diagnostic instrument.
US09989590B2
A self-test circuit is driven by a multiphase clock signal which includes N number of clock signals in same cycle having phases from first to N-th phases each phase-shifted by 1/N of the cycle. The self-test circuit includes a data selecting circuit, a serialization circuit, and a logical test circuit. The data selecting circuit switches input data that are input as M-bit wide parallel data to the self-test circuit, between normal data and test data for logical test. The serialization circuit performs serial conversion of the input data in N-parallel manner and outputs bits in N-parallel manner, as a single serial output signal at timing corresponding to each phase. In synchronization with timing corresponding to each phase, the logical test circuit imports the serial output signal as N-parallel bit strings each having length equal to M/N number of bits and performs a bit logical test for M number of bits.
US09989587B2
A die tester comprising a testing table on which a plurality of dice arranged in an array are mountable, and a first probe and a second probe that are adjustable to a fixed position with a fixed separation distance between the first probe and the second probe. The fixed position corresponds to predetermined test points on the plurality of dice, and the testing table and the first and second probes are movable relative to each other so as to position test points of a first die of the plurality of dice to the first probe and the second probe for testing the first die. The die tester further comprises movable third and fourth probes that are movable relative to each other and positionable to test points on a second die of the plurality of dice for testing the second die.
US09989575B2
A method is disclosed for detecting ground faults in a communications system. The method includes measuring a predetermined number of voltage points; determining if the measured voltage points represent recessive or dominant bits; identifying which of the predetermined number of voltage points represent inter-frame bits and which represent frame data bits based on whether the measured voltage points are recessive or dominant; calculating a maximum average voltage for the inter-frame bits; calculating an average frame voltage for all dominant bits within a frame; determining a high average dominant voltage count based on a number of frames for which the average frame voltage is greater than a high voltage threshold; and determining if a ground fault exists based on the average frame voltage and the high average dominant voltage count.
US09989574B2
An embodiment method for short-circuit detection includes determining a set of local reference voltages each associated with a respective load chain in a plurality of load chains, and determining a global reference voltage in accordance with the set of local reference voltages. The method also includes determining, for each load chain in the plurality of load chains, a respective per-chain reference voltage in accordance with the global reference voltage, and comparing, for each load chain in the plurality of load chains, the respective per-chain reference voltage relative to a respective measured voltage across each load chain to determine a respective short-circuit condition.
US09989573B2
In the present invention, the connection between an external power supply and a unit for detecting welding of a relay is disestablished at least when a short circuit is detected, thereby preventing the short circuit from being falsely detected in the event that the short circuit and the welding of the relay can both be detected. A device for detecting welding of a relay detects welding of a relay provided to a path via which a cell is charged by an external power supply. Welding of a power-supply-side relay or a ground-side relay is detected on the basis of a current flowing disproportionately more toward the external power supply than the power-supply-side relay or ground-side relay when a control unit has deactivated the power-supply-side relay or ground-side relay during an interrupting in charging. A disconnecting switch establishes or disestablishes the connection between the external power supply and a weld-detection switch.
US09989572B1
A method and a probe device for testing an interposer prior to assembly are described herein. The method includes coupling a plurality of probe tips of a probe device to the plurality of signal interconnect paths of the interposer to be tested. A test signal is provided from the probe device to the plurality of signal interconnect paths of the interposer and a quality characteristic of signal interconnect paths of the interposer is detected based on behavior of the interposer in response to the test signal.
US09989568B2
An electrical meter and methods of use and operation are disclosed. The electrical meter includes a housing and an electrical interface including a plurality of electrical connections having a predetermined physical layout. The meter further includes a plurality of voltage measurement elements within the housing, each of the plurality of voltage measurement elements connected to at least one of the plurality of electrical connections, and an electrical metering circuit within the housing and configured to detect power consumption based at least in part on monitoring a voltage at each of the plurality of voltage measurement elements. The meter also includes a power supply electrically connected to the electrical metering circuit, the power supply supplying power to one or more circuits of the electrical meter. The meter further includes a low voltage electrical connection dedicated to the power supply and from an electrical service to which the electrical meter is connected.
US09989560B2
A system is disclosed for detecting and calculating the level of ambient and/or environmental noise, such as electromagnetic interference generated by electric power lines, ambient lights, light dimmers, television or computer displays, power supplies or transformers, and medical equipment. In some embodiments, the system performs frequency analysis on the interference signal detected by light photodetectors and determines the power of the interference signal concentrated in the analyzed frequency bands. The worst-case interference level can be determined by selecting the maximum from the computed power values. In some embodiments, the determined interference signal power can be compared with the noise tolerance of a patient monitoring system configured to reliably and noninvasively detect physiological parameters of a user. The results of the comparison can be presented to the user audio-visually. In some embodiments, the system can be used to perform spot check measurements of electromagnetic interference.
US09989556B2
Aspects of the present invention include systems and devices useful for surface chemical analysis of solid samples by Tip Enhanced Raman Spectrometry (“TERS”), and particularly it relates to devices useful for chemical analysis of molecular compounds located either on or within thin surface layer of solid samples. Even more particularly, aspects of the present invention relate to systems, and devices for non-destructive analysis combining both high sensitivity and high spatial resolution of analysis of chemical compounds located or distributed on the surface of solid samples with obtaining important information regarding vibration spectra of atoms and molecular groups contained in a thin surface layer of solid samples. These objectives are realized by implementation of computer-assisted systems that use sensors to carefully regulate the motion of, and force applied to, probes of atomic force microscopes.
US09989551B2
A method of confirming volume during dispensing of a liquid using pressure. The method includes attempting to dispense a volume of the liquid from a dispense port, measuring a pressure associated with the attempted dispense of the liquid and providing a measured pressure signal, determining a liquid dispensing start time and a stop time based on a slope of the measured pressure signal, integrating the measured pressure signal between the start time and the stop time to provide an integrated pressure value, and comparing the integrated pressure value to one or more preset threshold values. Liquid dispensing apparatus are provided, as are other aspects.
US09989544B2
A technique is disclosed for sample management for use in conjunction with sequencing devices that sequence biological samples, e.g., DNA and RNA. A sequencing device or a network of sequencing devices may be scheduled according to the characteristics of the samples in queue and the capabilities and availability of sequencing devices. Biological samples may be automatically queued and loaded via a sample distribution system. A sample distribution system may be used to reduce operator intervention.
US09989540B2
The invention provides assays that identify Huntington's disease and monitor the progression and severity of conditions associated with variant Huntingtin protein (Httn). In particular, the invention provides assays that monitor the severity and progression of Huntington's Disease as well as predict the onset of symptoms. The invention also provides assays for identifying drugs for treating Huntington's disease.
US09989539B2
Provided is a method for detecting injury to the brain comprising: a) determining the level of a tight junction (TJ) protein in exosomes isolated from a test sample from a subject, wherein the TJ protein is occludin, claudin-3, claudin-5, claudin-12, ZO-1, ZO-2, ZO-3, JAM-A, JAM-B or JAM-C, or any combination thereof; b) comparing the level of the TJ protein in the test sample to the level of the TJ protein in a control sample, wherein an elevated level of the TJ protein in the test sample relative to the level of the TJ protein in the control sample indicates that the subject has an injury to the brain.
US09989536B2
The present invention relates to a method for the production of a library comprising recombinant derivatives of the SH3 domain of the Fyn kinase of SEQ ID NO: 1 as well as a method for selecting from a library comprising recombinant derivatives of the SH3 domain of the Fyn kinase of SEQ ID NO: 1 one or more of said derivatives having a specific binding affinity to a protein or peptide.
US09989529B2
The present invention involves extracting from Legionella bacteria, particularly L. pneumophila bacteria, an essentially protein-free O-polysaccharide or carbohydrate antigen, coupling this antigen to an activated chromatographic column through a protein space molecule which is first conjugated to the antigen, utilizing the column thus prepared for the affinity purification of raw polyvalent antibodies to the same Legionella bacterium from which the O-polysaccharide or carbohydrate antigen was separated—thereby obtaining antigen-specific antibodies which are useful for the rapid detection of the corresponding Legionella bacterium or its antibody in human bodily fluids such as urine, sputum, blood and the like or in environmental samples suspected of harboring theLegionella bacterium.
US09989527B2
In one aspect, a diagnostic test system includes a housing, a reader, and a data analyzer. The housing includes a port for receiving a test strip. The reader obtains separable light intensity measurements from localized regions of an area of the detection zone exposed for optical inspection, wherein each of the localized regions is characterized by at least one surface dimension smaller than the first dimension. The data analyzer identifies ones of the light intensity measurements obtained from the at least one test region and computes at least one parameter from the identified ones of the light intensity measurements. In another aspect, the reader obtains a respective set of light intensity measurements from each of multiple corresponding regions of the exposed surface area of the detection zone, and the data analyzer computes at least one parameter from at least one of the sets of light intensity measurements.
US09989525B2
The present disclosure provides a diffraction based biosensor containing at least two diffraction gratings. The first grating is referred to as an in-coupling diffraction grating and the coherent light source (laser) is directed to illuminate the in-coupling grating, and the biosensor is configured such that a selected order of the light beam diffracted from the in-coupling diffraction grating illuminates a second biosensor grating coated with analyte-specific receptors which are selected to preferentially bind with analytes being tested for that may or may not be located in a sample being tested.
US09989522B2
The invention relates to sensors configured to include compositions disposed in specific regions of the sensor in order to provide the sensors with enhanced functional properties, for example faster start-up times. These compositions include, for example, hygroscopic compositions, gas generating compositions and gas solvating compositions. While typical embodiments of the invention pertain to glucose sensors, the systems, methods and materials disclosed herein can be adapted for use with a wide variety of sensors known in the art.
US09989518B2
This invention relates to a method for measuring autophagy in cells, comprising using, as a probe reagent, a single fluorescent protein, to measure a change in fluorescence properties of the fluorescent probe reagent depending on pH changes associated with autophagy, thereby determining the presence or activity of autophagy, wherein the single fluorescent protein is resistant to degrading enzyme activity in the lysosome or vacuole of the cell, it is not denatured or inactivated under acidic to neutral pH environment, and it is capable of changing excitation spectra or fluorescence spectra when located under the environments of acidic region and neutral region.
US09989514B2
A system for detecting Poly-Bag and Poly Wrap on mail pieces, intended to be a sub-assembly on a mail unit open system that automatically opens wrapped bundles of either letter or flat mail. The system generally includes two orthogonally-opposed but otherwise identical Poly Bag Detectors both controlled by a programmable controller and deploying a swinging pendulum test, plus a Poly Wrap detector employing a rolling friction wheel test.
US09989496B2
A fixed value residual stress test block, comprising a main body (1) and two welded blocks (2); the main body (1) and the welded blocks (2) are all rectangular metal blocks; the welded blocks (2) are welded onto the two opposite side surfaces of the main body (1); the main body (1) is deformed under the upper and lower pressures and generates residual stress. The fixed value residual stress test block has a simple structure.
US09989495B2
A method of monitoring an additive manufacturing process in which a directed energy source is used to create a weld pool at an exposed build surface of a mass of powdered material, and selectively fuse the powdered material to form a workpiece, the method including measuring acoustic energy generated by the weld pool to generate a measured acoustic profile.
US09989491B2
A diagnostic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure is applied to measure values of impedance-related parameters for one or more sensing electrodes. The parameters may include real impedance, imaginary impedance, impedance magnitude, and/or phase angle. The measured values of the impedance-related parameters are then used in performing sensor diagnostics, calculating a highly-reliable fused sensor glucose value based on signals from a plurality of redundant sensing electrodes, calibrating sensors, detecting interferents within close proximity of one or more sensing electrodes, and testing surface area characteristics of electroplated electrodes. Advantageously, impedance-related parameters can be defined that are substantially glucose-independent over specific ranges of frequencies. An Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) enables implementation of the EIS-based diagnostics, fusion algorithms, and other processes based on measurement of EIS-based parameters.
US09989477B2
A compact and versatile multi-spot inspection imaging system employs an objective for focusing an array of radiation beams to a surface and a second reflective or refractive objective having a large numerical aperture for collecting scattered radiation from the array of illuminated spots. The scattered radiation from each illuminated spot is focused to a corresponding optical fiber channel so that information about a scattering may be conveyed to a corresponding detector in a remote detector array for processing. In one embodiment, a one-dimensional array of illumination beams is directed at an oblique angle to the surface to illuminate a line of illuminated spots at an angle to the plane of incidence. Radiation scattered from the spots are collected along directions perpendicular to the line of spots or in a double dark field configuration.
US09989460B2
Rolling bearings include a plurality of rolling bodies which during operation roll on raceways. In order to reduce friction during rolling, it is customary to supply the rolling bearings with a lubricant. However, the quality of the lubricant can deteriorate during operation due to long-term stress, aging, or thermal influences, or get lost in gaps etc. The objective addressed by the invention is that of providing a sensor device, which can be operated in a functionally reliable manner. This objective is achieved by a sensor device for monitoring the state of a lubricant in a lubricant chamber, including a transmitter platform, wherein on the transmitter platform, a plurality of diode devices are arranged, having a measurement window device, wherein the measurement window device is arranged between a measuring chamber and the lubricant chamber, having a receiving device, wherein at least one of the diode devices comprises a die and a plastic dome. The plastic dome and the die are connected by way of a contact surface, wherein the contact surface is arranged on an upper side of the die.
US09989448B2
At least some embodiments of the technology are directed to an automated slide processing apparatus configured to apply at least one reagent to a specimen carried by a microscope slide. The slide processing station can include a support element with a support surface, at least one vacuum port, and a sealing member having a non-round shape. In an uncompressed state, the sealing member can extend upwardly beyond the support surface. In a compressed state, the sealing member can be configured to maintain an airtight seal with a backside of the microscope slide as the microscope slide is pulled against the support surface by a vacuum drawn via the at least one vacuum port.
US09989443B2
A sampling point for use with an aspirating particle detection system. The sampling point includes: a body; a plurality of apertures in the body for drawing an air sample from an ambient environment; an outlet for delivering the sampled air, at a predetermined sample flow rate, from the body into a sampling pipe of the network of sampling pipes; and a means for maintaining the predetermined sample flow rate regardless of the presence or absence of ambient flow of air about the body. A particle detection system, and air sampling system are also described.
US09989437B2
A vibrator-mounted holder is attached to a casing of a vibration generator which moves a vibrator to generate a vibration when used. The vibrator-mounted holder includes a vibrator, a vibrator retention unit retaining the vibrator, a fixing unit fixed to a casing, and an arm. The vibrator includes a magnet having a plate shape parallel to a horizontal surface and a yoke arranged on the magnet. The arm connects the fixing unit to the vibrator retention unit, and supports the vibrator retention unit in a manner that the vibrator retention unit is displaceable with respect to the fixing unit. The yoke has a projecting portion which is projected downward and fixed to the vibrator retention unit. The arm is connected to a portion, at which the projecting portion is arranged, within the vibrator retention units.
US09989436B1
Method and device for detecting the location and magnitude of a leak in a pipe by measuring aberrant electromagnetic radiation from within the pipe. A probe comprising three orthogonally oriented coils coupled to a control unit and an electrode are inserted into a pipeline trailing a metered wire. The coils detect an anomalous current flow when a leak is encountered, enabling the magnitude and location of the leak to be detected.
US09989423B2
Systems and methods for measuring temperature in a gas turbine are disclosed. The method can include directing a first acoustic signal towards a gas path in a turbine; directing a second acoustic signal towards the gas path in the turbine; receiving the first acoustic signal and the second acoustic signal at a downstream gas path location; combining the first acoustic signal and the second acoustic signal to create a combined acoustic signal, where a portion of the first acoustic signal cancels out a portion of the second acoustic signal; and determining a temperature of the gas path based at least in part on the combined acoustic signal.
US09989417B2
Disclosed is a system for dielectrically processing a product in a radio frequency (RF) cavity. The system may include a cavity; an RF feeding module that includes a plurality of radiating elements configured to feed RF radiation into the cavity, and a plurality of dummy loads for receiving RF energy coupled from the cavity into the radiating elements; and the system includes a processor configured to (a) estimate an effect operating the system at each of a plurality of sets of operating parameters will have on the temperature of each of the dummy loads; (b) choosing among the plurality of sets of operating parameters at least one set based on the estimation; and (c) controlling the system to operate at the chosen at least one set of operating parameters.
US09989400B2
A system for evaluating a flow rate measurement includes a flowmeter and a diagnostic system. The diagnostic system is configured to perform a diagnostic test for detecting a physical change in the flowmeter that could impair operation of the flowmeter, output a result of the diagnostic test, evaluate a reliability of the diagnostic test using information about a process condition, and output an indication of the reliability of the diagnostic test.
US09989394B2
A shut off valve featuring a flow conduit with a fluid inflow end and a fluid outflow end, at least one electrically actuated flow control element coupled to the conduit with a blocking state and a flow state, control circuits coupled to the element and a local power source coupled at least to the control circuits. Wherein, in response to a received signal from a displaced source, the control circuits switch the element from the flow state to the blocking state.
US09989392B2
A method for operating a Coriolis mass flowmeter (1) having at least one measuring tube (2) and at least one sensor (3), wherein the sensor (3) emits an electric sensor signal depending on the temperature of the sensor (3), the sensor (3) is mechanically coupled to the rest of the Coriolis mass flowmeter (1) via a connection (5) and the connection (5) has a thermal resistance. To provide a method for operating a Coriolis mass flowmeter that makes recognition of a change in the connection possible an electric excitation signal is generated, the excitation signal is impressed in the sensor (3), the sensor signal influenced by the excitation signal is detected, a change between the detected sensor signal and a reference signal is determined and the change between the detected sensor signal and the reference signal is associated with a change in the thermal resistance.
US09989382B2
Provided herein are approaches for detecting movement of a seatbelt sensor. In some approaches, a detector includes a sensor housing coupled to a plate of a vehicle restraint system, and a sensor disposed within the sensor housing, wherein the sensor is operable to sense a position of a magnet in proximity to the sensor. The detector further includes a magnetic field accumulator (e.g., a pole-piece) coupled to the sensor, wherein the magnet and the magnetic field accumulator move relative to one another, and wherein the sensor receives an indication of a magnetic field accumulated by the magnetic field accumulator as the magnet and the magnetic field accumulator move relative to one another. A change in the magnetic field distribution correlates to a change in position of the plate, to which the magnet is coupled.
US09989371B1
Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for determining and assigning intermediate handoff checkpoints for low-resolution robot planning. In various implementations, a global path planner may identify a task to be performed by a robot in an environment. In various implementations, the global path planner may determine, based at least in part on one or more attributes of the environment or the task, an intermediate handoff checkpoint for the robot to reach by a scheduled time while the robot performs the task. In various implementations, the global path planner may determine that a measure of reactivity that would be attributable to the robot upon the robot being assigned the intermediate handoff checkpoint satisfies a reactivity threshold. In various implementations, the global path planner may provide, to a local path planner associated with the robot, data indicative of the intermediate handoff checkpoint.
US09989369B2
Aspects of the present disclosure include a navigation system and computer-implemented methods for proactively re-routing vehicles to control traffic flow. Consistent with some embodiments, the navigation system seeks to reduce traffic flow along primary navigation routes (e.g., routes with relatively short travel times) by re-routing vehicles to alternative navigation routes (e.g., routes with relatively longer travel times) using incentives. As an example, upon detecting a vehicle traveling along an alternative route instead of a primary route, the navigation system updates a data structure that represents a user account of a vehicle occupant to reflect an increased account balance. Consistent with some embodiments, the amount of value provided to an occupant of a vehicle traveling along an alternative routes may be obtained from user accounts of occupants of other vehicles that are traveling along a primary route.
US09989368B2
A set of smart devices includes a first smart device physically placed at a first geolocation and a second smart device physically placed at a second geolocation. The first and second smart devices obtain their first and second current geolocations. The first smart device sends the first current geolocation and a first roadway status information indicating a start of the roadway to a mapping service over a wireless communications network, and the second smart device also sends the second current geolocation and a second roadway status information indicating an end of the roadway to the mapping service. The first and second roadway status information may further indicates that the roadway defined by the first and second current geolocations is a closed roadway or a detour. The mapping service may calculate routes based on the first and second geolocations and the first and second roadway status information.
US09989363B2
A hemispherical resonator gyro includes: a vibration mode shape extractor to extract, based on sine and cosine wave signals corresponding to an actuator drive frequency and radial displacement of a hemispherical resonator, a vibration mode shape excited in the hemispherical resonator; a drive frequency corrector to cause, based on a resonance phase characteristic of the hemispherical resonator, the actuator drive frequency to match resonance frequency of the hemispherical resonator; a nodal quadrature vibration controller to generate, based on a vibration amplitude of a nodal quadrature vibration and azimuth orientation of wave antinode of a resonance mode, an actuator DC drive signal to suppress the nodal quadrature vibration; and a resonance controller to generate an actuator AC drive signal to control the vibration amplitude to be a constant value, and detect a rotational angle in an angle measurement axis direction from the azimuth orientation of wave antinode of the resonance mode.
US09989356B2
A shape measuring apparatus includes: an irradiating part configured to irradiate work with a linear line laser, the irradiating part including: a light source configured to produce laser light; a first optical member configured to linearly spread the laser light from the light source and generate the line laser; and a second optical member, provided between the light source and the first optical member, configured to adjust an area of irradiation with a line laser on the work; a first sensor configured to receive a line laser reflected by the work and capture an image of the work; a lens configured to form an image of a line laser reflected by the work on an imaging surface of the first sensor; and a control part configured to control adjustment of the area of irradiation with the line laser on the work by the second optical member.
US09989347B2
A series of nominally identical workpieces is received from a manufacturing process and measured on a measuring apparatus. They are received at a non-ambient temperature because of heat introduced during the manufacturing process, but they are placed on the measuring apparatus in a repeatable manner, e.g. by a robot, such that their non-ambient temperatures when measured are repeatable. One of the workpieces is measured as a reference workpiece at the non-ambient temperature, and these measurements are compared to calibrated values obtained from an external source, in order to generate an error map or error function. The error map or error function is used to correct measurements of subsequent workpieces of the series which are measured at the repeatable non-ambient temperature.
US09989342B1
A case orientation device may include an input chute coupled to a discharge chute via a funnel. The input chute may have a width dimension which may be greater than the length dimension of the ammunition case. The discharge chute may have a width dimension which may be less than the less than the length dimension of the case. The funnel may transition from the width dimension of the input chute to the width dimension of the discharge chute. A splitter may be disposed in the funnel, and the splitter may have a tipping surface which may be oriented towards the input chute. A case may enter the input chute in a horizontal orientation, may be rotated out of the horizontal orientation via contact with the tipping surface, and may be forced into a vertical orientation to enter the discharge chute in the vertical orientation.
US09989341B2
Stun grenades may include a fuze configured to ignite a delay material secured to a housing including a delay chamber in which the delay material is located. A handle of the fuze may be located over a final payload chamber of the series of payload chambers, payload material in the final payload chamber being configured to ignite after ignition of payload material in each other payload chamber of a series of payload chambers. Methods of assembling stun grenades may involve positioning an obstruction in a port extending between a delay chamber and a payload chamber of a series of payload chambers surrounding the delay chamber in a housing. A delay material may be packed in the delay chamber. The obstruction may be removed, and a payload material may be positioned in the payload chamber and the port.
US09989332B1
The invention belongs to the technical field of sighting mirrors, and specifically relates to a shooting angle fitting method for an integrated precision photoelectric sighting system. The invention puts forward a precision photoelectric sighting system, which is simple in shooting calibration and quick and accurate in sighting, adapts to any environmental factor, can furthest reduce the use of sensors and realizes double-eye sighting. The invention provides a shooting angle fitting method for an integrated precision photoelectric sighting system. The system comprises a view field acquisition unit, a display unit, a ranging unit and a sighting circuit unit; the sighting circuit unit is provided with a memory card, the memory card stores the shooting angle fitting method, and precise shooting under any environment is realized using the integrated precision photoelectric sighting system.
US09989325B2
A gun locking and unlocking device, which may be configured to be disposed adjacent the trigger of a gun to alternatively prevent or enable firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as data stored in the data memory. One or more separate electronic gun keys are provided to transmit gun lock/unlock data to the data receiver of the gun lock device. The logic device responds to a gun control signal transmitted by one of the gun key devices with priority over a gun control signal transmitted by another gun key device. The logic device automatically locks the gun when it is located in a proscribed area, such as within a school zone or outside a prescribed protected area. The logic device also locks the gun when the gun user is intoxicated or acting in an irrational manner. Once locked, the user must set a timer which allows the gun to be unlocked only after a specified “wait” time. In case of emergency, when the gun must be available for immediate use, the user can override the safety features and unlock the gun by speaking a “secret word” or phrase.
US09989321B2
A heat dissipation device includes a heat dissipation member, a heat transfer member, and a reinforcing member. The heat transfer member has one side attached to the heat dissipation member, and two opposite lateral edges thereof are respectively provided with at least one connection portion and at least one through hole. The reinforcing member is connected to the other side of the heat transfer member, and two opposite lateral edges thereof are respectively formed with at least one mating connection portion for correspondingly connecting to the connection portion. The reinforcing member is provided at a central portion with an opening. With these arrangements, the heat transfer member can bear a larger locking force when the heat dissipation member is locked thereto, and is also prevented from deformation.
US09989319B2
A Plate and Shell type plate heat exchanger, which comprises a plate pack, a shell surrounding the plate pack, and end plates mainly in the direction of the ends of the plate pack and inlet and outlet connections for a first heat exchange medium and a second heat exchange medium arranged through the end plate. The plate pack of the heat exchanger is arranged inside the shell in an acentric manner, so that the midpoint of the cross-section of the plate pack deviates substantially from the midpoint of the cross-section of the shell in the vertical direction and/or lateral direction of the cross-section.
US09989313B2
A smelting ladle and a method for improving use efficiency thereof. The smelting ladle includes a housing, a working layer, and a permanent layer. The method includes: 1) rebuilding the working layer to have an outer layer and an inner layer, the inner layer being a consumable working layer which contacts with molten steel and steel slag, and the outer layer being a circulating working layer which contacts with the permanent layer or directly contacts with the housing; 2) allowing the smelting ladle to work, when the thickness of the consumable working layer is reduced to be between 0 and 20 mm, removing a residue of the consumable working layer and masoning a new consumable working layer for the smelting ladle; and 3) repeating 2) until the circulating working layer reaches a designed service life thereof, and casting a new circulating working layer for the smelting ladle.
US09989310B2
Waste heat is extracted from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14) in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (74) provides high pressure steam to a balance of the plant (64). A recovered energy circuit (76) extracts heat from the exhaust via a dryer exhaust condensing economizer (24) and provides a steam mixture (60) to satisfy an intermediate pressure steam demand of the balance of the plant, thereby bypassing a portion of the boiler circuit. Working fluids in the boiler and recovered energy circuits are intermixed in a boiler feed vessel (72). Dryer exhaust condensate (30) may be used in an exhaust gas scrubber (22) upstream of the dryer exhaust condensing economizer to remove pollutants and to saturate (26) the exhaust gas for improved heat transfer. Heat transfer may be further improved by operating the dryer exhaust condensing economizer at an elevated pressure.
US09989304B2
This invention relates to a system and method for liquefying natural gas. In another aspect, the invention concerns an improved liquefied natural gas facility employing a closed loop methane refrigeration cycle. In another aspect, the invention concerns the utilization of lean boil-off gas.
US09989303B1
A refrigeration device having a heat-insulated inner container, which is configured to delimit a cooling chamber for storing refrigerated goods, wherein the inner container has a lateral container wall. The refrigeration device includes a shelf mounted on the inner container, wherein the shelf has a lateral shelf edge, and a transport securing element for securing the shelf during transport of the refrigeration device, wherein the transport securing element is positioned between the lateral container wall and the lateral shelf edge, and wherein the transport securing element is formed with a recess, which is configured to enclose the lateral shelf edge.
US09989299B1
A cooler includes a bottom, a top, a left side, a right side, a front, and a back defining an interior. A plurality of lights extends along at least one of the back corners of the cooler. The interior of the cooler is divided into a bottom insulated portion for storing items that must remain cold and a top non-insulated portion for storing utensils, and other items without temperature requirements. The top of the cooler includes a food preparation surface. Optionally, the cooler includes a handle having at least one light directed toward the top of the cooler.
US09989292B2
An ice making device includes heating and cooling elements that control the formation of ice within a cavity. The ice making device may include one or more fluid inlets that supply liquid water to the cavity, and one or more fluid outlets that drain water from the cavity after formation of ice having a desired shape.
US09989291B2
An ice machine includes an ice discharge gear to which an output of a motor is transmitted. The ice discharge gear is configured to rotate about a rotation axis, a cam member is disposed at a first axial side of the ice discharge gear and provided with a ratchet structure between the cam member and the ice discharge gear, and an ice discharge shaft is connected to the cam member in a facing relationship with the cam member and configured to scrape out ice pieces with ice discharge claw portions during rotation of the ice discharge shaft. A flat or substantially flat sleeve is disposed at a second axial side of the ice discharge gear so as to face the ice discharge gear across a gap, and an elastic member is interposed between the sleeve and the ice discharge gear.
US09989287B2
A control method includes initially operating a compressor at the same RPM as an operating RPM of the compressor during a previous cycle, adjusting the RPM in consideration of an operation rate of the previous cycle such that the RPM is increased when the operation rate is greater than a first set value, reduced when the operation rate is less than a second set value, and maintained when the operation rate is within a range between the first set value and the second set value, and operating the compressor at the adjusted RPM, the first set value being greater than the second set value.
US09989285B2
A purging apparatus for removing a non-condensable gas from a refrigeration system is described and which includes a low temperature liquid refrigerant storage tank for enclosing refrigerant, which is supplied by the refrigeration system, and a condenser having a main body, which lies in conductive heat transferring relation relative to an exterior facing surface of the storage tank and progressively to the low temperature liquid refrigerant within, and wherein the condenser, is maintained at a reduced temperature by the low temperature liquid refrigerant enclosed within the storage tank, and wherein foul gas generated by the refrigeration system is processed by the condenser in a manner so as to remove non-condensed refrigerant, and return the condensed refrigerant to the storage tank while releasing non-condensable gases to the ambient environment.
US09989284B2
A refrigeration apparatus uses R32 as refrigerant, and includes a compressor, condenser, expansion mechanism, evaporator, accumulator, branching flow path, opening degree adjustment valve disposed in the branching flow path, injection-use heat exchanger and a first injection flow path. The accumulator has an inside space to separate and accumulate refrigerant. The injection-use heat exchanger causes heat exchange between refrigerant flowing through the main refrigerant flow path and that has passed through the opening degree adjustment valve of the branching flow path. The first injection flow path guides the refrigerant that has flowed through the branching flow path and exited the injection-use heat exchanger to the inside space of the accumulator. A distal end of the first injection flow path is located in a height position separated by a dimension from a bottom of the inside space. The dimension is 0 to 0.3 times a height dimension of the inside space.
US09989279B2
A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a compression device having at least a first compression stage and a second compression stage, a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger disposed downstream with respect to refrigerant flow of the second compression stage, and a refrigerant intercooler disposed intermediate the first compression stage and the second compression stage. The refrigerant intercooler is disposed downstream of the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger with respect to the flow of a secondary fluid. A second refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger may be disposed downstream with respect to refrigerant flow of the aforesaid refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger, and a second refrigerant intercooler may be disposed intermediate the first compression stage and the second compression stage and downstream with respect to refrigerant flow of the aforesaid refrigerant intercooler.
US09989274B2
An HVAC controller may include a first sub-assembly and a second sub-assembly releasably securable to the first sub-assembly. The first sub-assembly may include a housing having the back and a cover, a printed circuit board at least substantially enclosed by the housing, a battery compartment formed in the back of the housing for receiving one or more batteries, and a display exposed for viewing through an aperture in the cover of the housing for viewing the display by a user. The printed circuit board may include one or more battery terminals that extend from the printed circuit board through the back of the housing and into the battery compartment. In some cases, the battery compartment may define a cup-shaped reservoir that may be configured to collect leakage from one or more of the batteries.
US09989272B2
In an air conditioner, one of a linkage mode or a non-linkage mode is selected by a user as a control mode of an external device. In the air conditioner, when the linkage mode is selected, on/off control of the external device by using a human detection sensor is permitted during operation, whereas on/off control of the external device by using the human detection sensor is inhibited during suspension of operation. In the air conditioner, when the non-linkage mode is selected, on/off control of the external device by using the human detection sensor is always permitted, irrespective of whether the air conditioner is in operation or not.
US09989256B2
An injection system for a turbine engine combustion chamber is provided. The injection system includes a first annular deflector surrounded by the bowl of the injection system and extending in the downstream direction from the downstream transverse surface that delimits the downstream side of the swirler. The first deflector has a free downstream end offset in the upstream direction from a downstream end of the bowl, so as to guide an air film output from the first orifices formed through the bowl. The internal radius of the cross section of the first annular deflector increases from the downstream transverse surface as far as the downstream end of the first annular deflector.
US09989253B2
A gas turbine combustion instability control device has a combustion unit provided with a hollow combustion chamber, a gas turbine connected to the inside of the combustion chamber and a dynamic pressure sensor which is provided to the inside of the combustion chamber and measures the combustion dynamics of the inside of the combustion chamber; a diagnosis module which processes combustion dynamic pressure signals (p) according to the combustion dynamics measured by the dynamic pressure sensor to calculate the kurtosis value (k) of the dynamic pressure signals, and compares the same with a kurtosis reference value (kth) to evaluate the combustion instability; and a combustion control unit for controlling the operation of the combustion part according to the determination of the diagnosis module.
US09989251B2
The invention provides a system for reducing the volume of bulk material, comprising a transportable container; a single chamber adapted to receive said transportable container; a means for establishing a plurality of controlled atmospheres within said chamber; a plurality of electrically-charged heating elements capable of heating said chamber to at least 1200 F; and an waste heat generator in fluid communication with the chamber. A method for simultaneously thermally degrading different waste differently in a single chamber, comprising filling each container within a plurality of containers with preselected waste and placing each container within the chamber at preselected positions; establishing a controlled atmosphere within the chamber and applying heat to the waste for a time and at a temperature sufficient to gasify the waste; collecting thermal degradation data during gasification; and applying the collected data to an algorithm to adjust the temperature and oxygen concentrations for each preselected position.
US09989250B2
A method of starting an auto-ignition gas torch includes increasing a flow of oxygen above zero and increasing a flow of fuel gas to a level lower than the flow of oxygen for improved start reliability. In one form, the flow of oxygen is from about two times to about six times higher than the flow of fuel gas.
US09989247B2
A pyrolysis-combustion dual-bed system comprises a fluidized bed, a cyclone separator, a coal ash distributor, an ash-coal mixer, a lower pyrolysis bed, a return feeder and a cleaner, wherein the cyclone separator is connected with an upper lateral side of the fluidized bed, the outlet end of the cyclone separator is connected with the inlet end of the coal ash distributor; the two outlets of the lower pyrolysis bed are respectively connected with the inlet of an external bed and the inlet of the cleaner; the outlet of the external bed is connected with the inlet of the return feeder; the return feeder close to the lower lateral side of the fluidized bed is connected with the inlet on the lower lateral side of the fluidized bed; and the outlet of the cleaner is connected with the inlet of the lower lateral side of the fluidized bed.
US09989243B2
A method of bonding a silicone-based element to a textile based element is provided. The method comprises steps that enable a user to bond a silicone-based element to a textile based element using a fibrous material to strengthen the bond. An assembly constructed according to the method is also provided. This assembly is particularly suited to being disposed against skin due to the high biocompatibility of silicone, particularly PDMS.
US09989240B2
According to some embodiments, a system and housing provide a lamp including a heat sink including: an annular tube including a first end and a second end, a plurality of fins extending radially from an exterior surface of the annular tube, wherein a length of each fin extends from the first end of the annular tube to the second end of the annular tube; a plurality of light sources in thermal contact with the heat sink; a driver circuit operative to provide the input voltage and current for the plurality of light sources; and a capper positioned at the second end of the annular tube, wherein the capper is operative to be received in a socket. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US09989238B2
A low light failure high power LED street lamp and a manufacturing method therefor. Color mark is made on tail end of N-type semiconductor element (6) or P-type semiconductor element (7); then N-type and P-type semiconductor element (6, 7) are arranged in matrix manner between upper beryllium-oxide ceramic wafer (8) and lower beryllium-oxide ceramic wafer (9), so that head end of N-type semiconductor element (6) is connected with tail end of P-type semiconductor element (7) or tail end of N-type semiconductor element (6) is connected with head end of P-type semiconductor element (7), then lower beryllium-oxide ceramic wafer (9) is attached, through graphene thermal conductive greaseon layer (4), on backside of circuit board (2) which is mounted with LED bulbs (3), and heat sink (15) is mounted on upper beryllium-oxide ceramic wafer (8), then circuit board (2) together with heat sink (15) are mounted into street lamp housing (1).
US09989234B2
An interior aircraft LED light unit includes at least one printed circuit board, on which a plurality of LEDs are connected to a power source, each one of the plurality of LEDs having a predetermined distance to the power source, and each one of the plurality of LEDs being associated with a respective thermal transfer member having a predetermined size, for transferring heat away from the respective LED, wherein, for at least some of the plurality of LEDs the predetermined size of the respective thermal transfer member varies with the predetermined distance of the LED to the power source.
US09989220B2
A lighting device is provided. The light device (1) comprises a light source (2), a driver (3) for providing an output to said light source (2), and a first housing (4). The first housing (4) comprises a blister pack with at least one compartment suitable for locating said light source (2) and driver (3). A second housing (6) may also be provided and the second housing (6) may advantageously comprise a luminaire.
US09989218B2
Methods and apparatus for adjusting at least one lighting parameter based on user action. For example, methods and apparatus adjust one of a minimum set point and a maximum set point in response to a user manipulation of a component of a light management system (10, 110). The adjusted at least one of the minimum set point and the maximum set point are adjusted based on a measured interior illuminance value after the user manipulation. The set points may be indicative of user desired levels of interior illuminance.
US09989217B2
Described are an improved automated luminaire and automated luminaire system with both a spot light and wash light mode of operation, which employs an improved beam shutter blade system that serves as framing shutters in spot light mode and barn doors in wash light mode.
US09989211B2
A vehicle lamp has a housing for holding a circuit board, and a gasket mounted on the housing to waterproof the circuit board. A fastening portion is provided on the gasket to fasten the circuit board to the housing. A lid member is provided which is connected to the housing to fasten the gasket.
US09989204B2
An example embodiment of substrate tensioning system is disclosed that may comprise a frame including four sides and channels, wherein the channels may comprise a first surface, a second surface that opposes the first surface, and an edge truss retention feature. The substrate tensioning system may further comprise at least one substrate including four major edges and a first surface, wherein each major edge is configured with one or more edge trusses configured from corresponding folds in the at least one substrate, such that the edge trusses may be configured at an angle relative to the first surface of the substrate. The at least one substrate may attach to the frame, wherein each edge truss may nest inside, and be secured inside a corresponding frame channel, wherein a perimeter edge of each outermost edge truss may be engaged by the corresponding frame channel's edge truss retention feature.
US09989192B2
A device for regulating the pressure and/or flow of pressurized gas, comprising a body with a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a gas passage connecting the outlet with the inlet, a pressure reducer and a flow selector arranged downstream of the pressure reducer, a hand-wheel rotatably mounted on the body and cooperating with the flow selector for adjusting the flow, and a pressure indicator located at the center of the hand-wheel. The device comprises also a shaft rigidly fixed to the body and rotatably bearing the hand-wheel, the shaft supporting the pressure reducer and comprising a gas channel fluidly connected to the gas passage in the body.
US09989182B2
A method of forming a sealed joint between a tubular article (10) and a thin sheet article (14) wherein the articles (10, 14) are made of metallic materials that are capable of fusion welding together. One step in the method involves locating an end of the tubular article in a collar (20) surrounding a hole (12) formed in the thin sheet article (14). An end (22) of the tubular article (14) is positioned to lie substantially flush with a proximal end (24) of the collar (20). Next the ends (22, 24) of the collar and the tubular article are fusion welded forming a circumferential bead (26) creating an integral joint. Consequently in effect the previously separate a tubular article (10) and a thin sheet article (14) become a single piece.
US09989180B2
An air valve connecting device or attachment includes a mouth engaged in a housing and having a compartment for engaging with either a US or French inflation valve, a barrel engaged into the housing and engaged onto the mouth, an actuator slidably engaged in the housing and engageable with the barrel, and a cam member is engageable with the actuator for selectively forcing the actuator and the barrel to compress the mouth to grasp either of the inflation valves to the housing, a tube is slidably engaged in the actuator and extendible into the mouth, and a catch is slidably engaged in the actuator and engageable into the actuator for selectively engaging with and for retaining the tube to the actuator.
US09989173B2
The present invention provides a flexible pipe having excellent blister resistance in a high-temperature and high-pressure environment even though including a thick resin pipe. The flexible pipe includes a resin pipe having a thickness of greater than 5 mm. The resin pipe is formed from a resin having a CO2 permeability coefficient P(CO2) of 20×10−9 cm3·cm/cm2·s·cmHg or lower at 150° C., a CH4 permeability coefficient P(CH4) of 10×10−9 cm3·cm/cm2·s·cmHg or lower at 150° C., a ratio D(CO2)/S(CO2) between a CO2 diffusion coefficient D(CO2) and a CO2 solubility coefficient S(CO2) of 3×10−5 Pa·m2/s or higher at 150° C., and a ratio D(CH4)/S(CH4) between a CH4 diffusion coefficient D(CH4) and a CH4 solubility coefficient S(CH4) of higher than 15×10−5 Pa·m2/s at 150° C.
US09989171B2
Lifting device (1) suitable for lifting a tube or pipeline (25) with respect to a supporting girder (26) with an H profile or I profile, whereby the lifting device (1) at least contains the following elements: —a supporting body (2); —gripping means (3) on the supporting body (2) that can grip over opposite side edges (30,32) of a free flange (30) of the girder (26), and with which the supporting body (2) can be suspended from this free flange (30) of the girder (26) with an H profile or I profile; and, —lifting means (4) provided on the supporting body (2) on either side of the gripping means (3), with which the tube or pipeline (25) can be lifted with respect to the supporting body (2).
US09989144B2
A motor coupling device for connecting a drivetrain of a hybrid vehicle to a motor and transferring a driving torque of the motor to the drivetrain, the motor coupling device comprising: a coupling plate connected to a rotation shaft of the motor and engaging with a connecting plate of the drivetrain; and a first backlash compensation unit installed at one surface of the coupling plate, interfering with the connecting plate, and compensating for backlash when a motor reverse torque is generated.
US09989136B2
A starting device where the lock-up clutch is a single-plate clutch including a piston having a friction material that is in frictional engagement with the input member; and the piston and the input element of the damper mechanism are coupled to each other on a radially inner side of the plurality of pendulum mass bodies so as to rotate together.
US09989129B2
In one aspect the invention relates to a tensioner that is capable of precognitively anticipating when it is desirable to increase the tension in a belt or other endless drive element so as to prevent belt slip prior to events that would raise the risk of it.
US09989128B2
A multiple speed transmission includes an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. Each of the plurality of planetary gearsets includes a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier member with pinion gears. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms.
US09989120B2
A balancer, attachable via its attaching portion to a rotatable body, and rotatable together therewith about its rotation axis, includes: weights of same mass and shape; and a weight holder with storage chambers for housing the weights, respectively, such that the weights can oscillate in arbitrary directions. The weight is shaped similar to and smaller than the chamber. The chamber is a cylindrical space extending alongside its central axis; and has concave curved ends perpendicular to the central axis. Midpoints of the central axes of the chambers are contact points on a circumference of a circle having the rotation axis as its center and being on an arbitrary plane perpendicular to the rotation axis; and are positioned so that they create a rotational symmetry around the rotation axis. The balancer can correct dynamic imbalance in rotatable bodies, such as machine tools, at both low-speeds and high-speeds of rotation.
US09989115B2
A brake system including a piston brake system and an integral parking brake system. The brake system includes a brake piston having a piston bore, and a brake pad. The parking brake system includes a rotary to linear stage mechanism located at least partially within the piston bore. During a brake apply, the brake piston and the brake pad are moved against a brake rotor to create a clamp force. During a parking brake apply, the rotary to linear stage mechanism transfers torque into a linear force to move the same brake piston and the same brake pad against the brake rotor to create a clamp force.
US09989108B2
A method for determining a connection state of an engine clutch includes: a stroke sensing operation of sensing, by a controller, a change of an actuator stroke of the engine clutch; a first pressure comparing operation of determining whether or not an actuator pressure of the engine clutch exceeds a first set pressure and is then changed to below the first set pressure when the actuator stroke is increased; a torque comparing operation of comparing transfer a torque of the engine clutch with a set torque when the actuator pressure exceeds the first set pressure and is then operated to below the first set pressure; and an open determining operation of determining that the engine clutch is in an open state when the transfer torque of the engine clutch is the set torque or less.
US09989090B2
A slewing bearing providing a first ring, a second ring, the rings being concentric around a central axis (X1), at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the rings in order to form an axial thrust that can transmit axial forces, at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the rings in order to form a radial thrust that can transmit radial forces, and at least one sealing assembly arranged between the first ring and the second ring. The sealing assembly provides first sealing means being arranged outside second sealing means, an annular sealed chamber being defined between the first sealing means and second sealing means.
US09989075B2
A cylinder has first and second coupling partners. The first coupling partner is a cylindrical tube. The second coupling partner is a closing element. One coupling partner is inserted axially into the other coupling partner. Each of the coupling partners has an annular groove. The groove of the inserted coupling partner is an external groove. The groove of the remaining coupling partner is an internal groove and the grooves of the coupling partners lie opposite one another. The working cylinder includes a spring-loaded coupling ring, and which when deformed in a tensioning direction, can be fully accommodated by the groove of one coupling partner and which, when deformed in the release direction, engages in the grooves of both coupling partners. The inserted coupling partner is oversized in relation to the remaining coupling partner and provides a additional frictional connection.
US09989066B2
The disclosure relates to a blower assembly having a blower housing, an impeller adapted for rotation about an axis A-A disposed in blower housing, and an intake plenum cooperating with the interior first surface of the blower housing to define an air entrance passage for receiving an incoming air flow. The intake plenum includes means to split the incoming air flow into a plurality of air streams and direct the air streams to predetermined portions of the impeller susceptible to stall conditions as the impeller rotates about the axis A-A. The means to split the incoming air may include a splitter plate disposed in the air entrance passage or at least one port defined in a portion of the air intake plenum adjacent the impeller.
US09989064B2
A rotating machine including a rotor operable to rotate about a centerline axis and subjected to axial thrust loads along the centerline axis during operation; a balance piston engaged with the rotor; a stator positioned around the balance piston and the rotor wherein a fluid passageway extends between the internal face of the stator and the external face of the balance piston; the fluid passageway including at least one cavity. A balance piston for a rotating machine including at least two segments arranged with a shift in diameter between each other.
US09989054B2
The invention features a seal assembly for a high pressure liquid system. The seal assembly includes a seal carrier having abuse portion defining a proximal end, a distal end, and a bore. The seal carrier also includes a seal disposed within the bore of the seal carrier. The seal carrier also includes a backup ring disposed within the bore of the seal carrier. The seal carrier also includes a hoop ring disposed substantially between the seal and the backup ring, the hoop ring having a proximal surface and an outer surface.
US09989053B2
A housing for use in high-pressure fluid applications, and in particular a structure for the fluid end of a multi-cylinder reciprocating pump used in oilfield, wherein the structure includes features such as ruled surfaces and increased sidewall thickness to improve resistance to stress applied and has an extended the service life.
US09989051B2
A linear compressor is provided that may include a shell in which a discharge port may be provided, a cylinder disposed in the shell to define a compression space for a refrigerant, a piston disposed to be reciprocated in an axial direction within the cylinder, a discharge valve disposed on or at one side of the cylinder to selectively discharge the refrigerant compressed in the compression space, a valve spring coupled to the discharge valve to provide a restoring force, and a stopper coupled to the valve spring to restrict deformation of the valve spring. The stopper may include a guide recessed in a direction in which the valve spring is deformed to reduce an impulse between the stopper and the valve spring.
US09989047B2
A micro-gas pressure driving device includes a miniature gas transportation module, a covering plate and a tube plate. The miniature gas transportation module includes a convergence plate, a resonance membrane and a piezoelectric actuator. When the piezoelectric actuator is activated to feed a gas into an input tube of the tube plate, the gas is sequentially transferred through a first input chamber, a second input chamber, an inlet, a convergence channel and a central opening of the convergence plate, a central aperture of the resonance membrane, and transferred downwardly through the piezoelectric actuator and an output chamber, and outputted from an output tube of the tube plate. The first input chamber is arranged between the covering plate and the input tube. The second input chamber is defined between the covering plate and the convergence plate. The output chamber is defined between the tube plate and the piezoelectric actuator.
US09989045B2
A triple action air pump includes a manual pump mechanism and an electrical pump mechanism. The mechanical pump mechanism has a piston mounted within a cylindrical housing, a shaft having a first end coupled to the piston and a second end that passes out of the cylindrical housing via an aperture in an end of the cylindrical housing, and a handle coupled to the second end of the shaft. The mechanical pump mechanism operates on both upstrokes and down-strokes of the handle. In one embodiment, the cylindrical housing has a single inner chamber and the electrical pump mechanism is mounted within the same chamber as the piston. In a second embodiment, the cylindrical housing has two separate inner chambers, with the mechanical pump mechanism mounted within one chamber and the electrical pump mechanism mounted within the other chamber.
US09989036B2
A wind turbine blade is described having a lightning bypass system located at the root end of the blade. The lightning bypass system comprises a stay bolt formed from an electrically insulating material having a conductive core. The conductive core of the stay bolt provides a conductive path for a lightning down conductor system through the root end of a wind turbine blade to the turbine hub or nacelle, bypassing any sensitive root end components of the wind turbine blade.
US09989033B2
Efficiency of a horizontal axis wind/water turbine (HAWT) is increased by the addition of a secondary blade associated with each main blade. The secondary blade is preferably a blade segment paralleling the main blade only in the outer reach of the main blade. The secondary blade travels rotationally ahead of the main blade and axially behind it, in an area in which air has not been disturbed by the main blades and in which disturbance of air by the secondary blade is not seen by the main blades. In one embodiment the secondary blade is carried by its associated main blade. In another embodiment, the secondary blades are carried by a ring or wheel which rotates with the main blades and the axle to which they are attached.
US09989032B2
To alleviate or eliminate a problem of unburned fuel discharged to the outside of a cylinder in a case in which an air fuel mixture is insufficiently combusted in a combustion chamber. During the expansion stroke in which a high voltage is applied to an ignition plug via an ignition coil, and a spark discharge is caused to occur at the ignition plug, thereby the air fuel mixture in the combustion chamber is ignited and combusted, in a case in which deterioration of combustion state is detected, a microwave electric field is created in the combustion chamber prior to an opening timing of an exhaust valve at an end stage of the expansion stroke, thereby plasma is generated and enlarged in the combustion chamber.
US09989025B2
A distal end portion of an injector is fitted into a mounting member. A fuel joint having a connecting pipe portion is connected to a proximal portion of the injector. A joint pressing member which restricts the displacement of the fuel joint in the direction away from the mounting member is fixed by fastening to the mounting member. The injector is fixed to the mounting member by restricting the displacement of the fuel joint by the joint pressing member.
US09989023B2
Methods and systems are provided for increasing airflow through a charge air cooler (CAC) in order to purge condensate from the CAC. In one example, a method includes increasing airflow through the CAC while maintaining torque by selectively deactivating one or more engine cylinders and increasing boost. The number of deactivated cylinders may be based on an amount of condensate within the CAC.
US09989021B2
The invention relates to an engine control valve (100), comprising a flap (112) rotatably mounted in a valve body (126) around an axis (114) separating said flap into a first part (112A) and a second part (112B), said flap (112) being able to cooperate with sealing means carried by the valve body (126) in a closed position to stop the flow of a fluid through said flap for which the first part (112A) of the flap (112) sealingly cooperates with first sealing means (122A) and the second part (112B) of the flap (112) sealingly cooperates with second sealing means (124B). According to the invention, the first sealing means (122A) and the second sealing means (124B) are mounted securely so as to slide along the valve body (126).
US09989020B2
Embodiments of an internal combustion engine are provided. In one example, an engine includes at least one cylinder, an intake system for supplying charge air to the at least one cylinder, an exhaust-gas discharge system for discharging exhaust gas from the at least one cylinder, a first exhaust-gas turbocharger including a first turbine arranged in the exhaust-gas discharge system and a first compressor arranged in the intake system; and an exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) system. The EGR system includes a line which branches off from the exhaust-gas discharge system and opens into the intake system, a second exhaust-gas turbocharger comprising an EGR turbine arranged in the line on a shaft and an EGR compressor arranged in the line on the shaft upstream of said EGR turbine, and an EGR cooler positioned between the EGR turbine and the EGR compressor.
US09989016B2
An apparatus for delivering a fuel-air mixture to an engine is provided. The apparatus includes: a carburetor having one or more passages and one or more chambers, wherein at least some of the passages and chambers are in communication with one another; and a fluid pump communicated with the carburetor and pumping fluid into or out of the carburetor to influence an fuel-to-air ratio of a fuel and air mixture delivered from the carburetor.
US09989015B2
A stage of a space launcher including an engine core, a tank secured above the engine core, and a nozzle including a first deployable nozzle section secured below the engine core, the nozzle further including a second and a third section configured to be situated extending from each other when the nozzle is in a deployed propulsion configuration. The stage further includes a structure for temporarily supporting nozzle sections mounted on the tank, configured to change the nozzle to a configuration for accessing the engine core wherein the nozzle sections are inserted into each other, with the third section bearing against a lower support of the temporary structure.
US09989008B2
The invention relates to a piston for an internal combustion engine, having a piston lower part, an upper part, an internal cooling channel having at least one coolant inlet opening and at least one outlet opening defined by a rim hole. The rim hole having a screw thread into which at least one tubular element is inserted and selectively positioned relative to the cooling channel for regulating the coolant level in a cooling channel.
US09989005B1
A secondary controller for controlling the performance of an automobile is described. The secondary controller can be configured to temporarily reprogram one or more vehicle controllers, such as the engine control unit, after the automobile has been powered on. The secondary controller can substitute command sets with different command sets by rewriting the corresponding portion of RAM. The secondary controller can receive vehicle information from the engine control unit to determine the particular type of vehicle to locate the particular command in RAM in order to rewrite the command set. In one embodiment, the secondary controller communicates with the vehicle controller via the vehicle's diagnostic port, such as an OBD-II port. In another embodiment, the secondary controller can be configured to control a variable displacement engine in a vehicle to command the vehicle to operate using all available cylinders.
US09989001B2
A discrete time rate-based model predictive controller for air path control for a diesel engine regulates VGT position and EGR valve position to specified set points by coordinated control of intake manifold air pressure and EGR rate. The controller may be configured to measure or estimate at least one of the intake manifold pressure and EGR rate. A non-linear discrete time rate-based predictive model may be used, as developed by the controller.
US09988997B2
Methods and systems are provided to improve engine temperature control. Cylinders scheduled for deactivation may have their exhaust retained in the cylinder by holding an exhaust valve closed on the preceding firing cycle. In this way soot emissions on reactivation are reduced.
US09988993B2
A control method is provided for using a feed forward technique. The method includes, but is not limited to using a setpoint value of a controlled variable to calculate a compensation of the closed loop static error, summing said contribution to the setpoint value, operating an estimation of the closed loop error to obtain a feed forward contribution.
US09988986B2
The present disclosure provides systems and methods related to thermal management systems for gas turbine engines. For example, a thermal management system comprises a thermally neutral heat transfer fluid circuit, a first heat exchanger disposed on the fluid circuit, and a second heat exchanger disposed on the fluid circuit.
US09988982B2
A turbine engine has inner and outer annular covers containing an annular combustion chamber and an annular nozzle. The combustion chamber is held in position inside the outer annular cover between two radial holder rings that are nested at least in part one within the other and that have their radially outer first ends secured to the outer annular cover by fasteners and their radially inner second ends in the form of combs holding in position between them a transverse rim of the annular combustion chamber so as to enable a cooling stream to flow towards the annular nozzle and so as to hold the annular combustion chamber axially while leaving it free to move at least radially.
US09988973B2
A water injector for an aviation cooling system includes a body having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. A conduit extends through the body from the first end to the second end. A spray nozzle is fluidically connected to the conduit and arranged at one of the first end and the second end. A mounting plate is arranged at the other of the first end and the second end. The mounting plate is configured and disposed to secure the body to an aviation cooling component. A filter is supported at the body and is fluidically exposed to the conduit. The filter is configured and disposed to capture particulate flowing into the water injector towards the spray nozzle.
US09988970B2
A suction tube unit connected between a cylinder block and a carburetor in a stratified scavenging engine has a suction tube for mixture made of an elastic material; and a suction tube for stratified scavenging air made of an elastic material. The suction tube for mixture and the suction tube for air have, at respective inlet ends connected to the carburetor, respective wall portions which face each other and have complementary shapes. A clearance space is provided between the wall portions of the suction tube for mixture and the suction tube for air.
US09988967B2
A cooling system includes a cooling loop containing a cooling fluid configured for circulation through an engine, an auxiliary alternator configured to be driven by the engine for powering auxiliary loads of the rail vehicle, and a canned pump positioned within the cooling loop and being configured to circulate the cooling fluid through the cooling loop. The canned pump includes an integrated induction motor for driving the pump. The system further includes an electronic control system electrically connected to the auxiliary alternator and configured to electrically power the induction motor of the canned pump independently of a mechanical output of the engine.
US09988962B2
An exhaust emission control system of an internal combustion engine may include a filter, a temperature raising device, a differential pressure detecting device, and an electronic control unit. The filter may include a first region as a part of the filter, and a second region as another part of the filter. The electronic control unit may be configured to calculate a first deposition amount such that a calculated deposition amount is larger as a proportion of a magnitude of the first differential pressure reduction amount to the length of the first oxidation period is larger. The electronic control unit may be configured to calculate an amount of the particulate matter deposited in the second region based on a length of the second oxidation period and a second differential pressure reduction amount.
US09988949B2
Methods and systems are described for an engine with a cam torque actuated variable cam timing phaser. Phaser positioning control is improved by reducing inaccuracies resulting from inadvertent spool valve and/or phaser movement when the spool valve is commanded between regions. In addition, improved spool valve mapping is used to render phaser commands more consistent and robust.
US09988941B2
A shroud device of a jet engine, including a radially internal shroud appliance and a radially external shroud appliance. The internal shroud appliance is embodied with a radially internal ring-shaped shroud part and a radially external ring-shaped shroud part. The internal shroud appliance includes multiple blades that extend substantially in the radial direction between the internal shroud part and the external shroud part. The radially external shroud appliance is embodied with a radially internal ring-shaped shroud part and a radially external ring-shaped shroud part. The external shroud appliance includes multiple blades that extend substantially in the radial direction between the internal shroud part and the external shroud part. The internal shroud appliance is embodied as a first one-piece cast structural component and the external shroud appliance is embodied as a second one-piece cast structural component.
US09988940B2
An assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a first fan cowl pivotable on a hinge from a first position to a second position. A latching actuation mechanism is disposed under the nacelle, engages the hinge, and is actuated by movement of the hinge between the first position and the second position.
US09988939B2
A fixed vane-type turbocharger is provided with a fixed vane in a conduit between a bearing housing and a turbine housing. The fixed vane is configured by a movable member disposed on one of the mutually opposing front faces of the bearing housing and the turbine housing so as to be capable of forward and backward movement, and by vanes which are fixed to the front face of the movable member. A pressing member presses the movable member so that the distal ends of the vanes are brought into pressure contact between the rear face of the movable member and either the bearing housing or the turbine housing with the other opposing front face of these. The pressing member contacts the rear face of the movable member within a range in the radial direction where the vanes are disposed, and presses within this range.
US09988930B2
A method of predicting the condition of a compressor with respect to rotating stall is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: i) comparing the difference between the largest and smallest values of a variable occurring during a time period with a difference threshold, the variable at any given time being dependent on the compressor exit pressure at that time, and ii) predicting either that the compressor is in rotating stall or that the compressor is not in rotating stall in dependence upon the result of the comparison.
US09988928B2
System and methods for predicting a turbomachine engine safe start clearance following a shutdown of the turbomachine engine is provided. The system includes a controller operatively connected to a plurality of temperature detecting means (TDM). The TDMs are arranged at an upper and lower part of the engine casing, and are configured to sense parameters of the engine and to transmit the sensed parameters to the controller. The controller is configured to receive the sensed parameters and to determine, via a control application of the controller, whether components of the engine have sufficient clearance. The controller is further configured to transmit the clearance information, e.g., to a user. Based on the clearance information, the turbomachine engine is restarted.
US09988924B2
A gas turbine engine comprising first and second axially spaced turbine rotor stages (46, 48) and a turbine casing (56) radially outside the rotor stages. A first seal segment arrangement (58) forms a cavity (64) radially between the first turbine rotor stage (46) and the turbine casing (56). A first air source (82) is coupled to the first seal segment arrangement (58). A second seal segment arrangement (70) forms a cavity (74) radially between the second turbine rotor stage (48) and the turbine casing (56). A heating chamber (84) is provided radially between the second seal segment arrangement (70) and the turbine casing (56). A duct (86) is coupled between the first air source (82) and the heating chamber (84).
US09988922B2
An impingement baffle for a gas turbine engine is provided. The impingement baffle is a one piece impingement ring with one opening and with fastening elements at both free ends of the impingement ring to enable the closing of the impingement ring. A gas turbine engine including at least one such an impingement baffle is also provided.
US09988919B2
The present disclosure relates generally to a seal between two circumferential components. The seal comprises a first rope seal partially disposed within a first retainer, a second rope seal partially disposed within a second retainer, a carrier including a first end operatively coupled to the first retainer and a second end operatively coupled to the second retainer.
US09988915B2
One exemplary embodiment of this disclosure relates to a stator segment. The stator segment includes a first circumferential end face, and a second circumferential end face. Further, the first and second circumferential end faces are misaligned relative to one another.
US09988912B2
A turbomachine component (e.g., a blade, vane, or any other suitable component) is defined at least partially in a radial direction and an axial direction orthogonal to the radial direction and includes a body defining an outer surface configured to be in thermal communication with a gas path flow in the axial direction. The component includes a thermal regulation channel system defined within the body which includes at least one radial channel configured to allow thermal regulation flow in the radial direction, and at least one axial channel configured to allow thermal regulation flow in the axial direction.
US09988910B2
A core for gas turbine engine component comprises a body extending between first and second ends to define a length, and extending between first and second edges to define a width. A plurality of core extensions are formed as part of the body. The plurality of core extensions are positioned to be staggered relative to each other such that at least two adjacent core extensions are variable relative to each other in at least one dimension. A gas turbine engine component is also disclosed.
US09988908B2
A gas turbine engine include a combustor section arranged between a compressor section and a turbine section. A fan section has multiple fan blades. A geared architecture couples the fan section to the turbine section or compressor section. The fan blades include an airfoil that has pressure and suction sides. The airfoil extends in a radial direction from a 0% span position at an inner flow path location to a 100% span position at an airfoil tip. The airfoil has a relationship between a trailing edge dihedral and a span position. The trailing edge dihedral positive from the 0% span position to the 100% span position. A positive dihedral corresponds to suction side-leaning and a negative dihedral corresponds to pressure side-leaning.
US09988907B2
A turbocharger including a wheel having suction surfaces and hub surfaces contoured to reduce secondary flow. The suction surfaces are radially contoured with a sinusoidal component, and further have a chamfered edge at the shroud edge. The hub end-walls are contoured both streamwise and cross-stream with sinusoidal components.
US09988904B2
A plow bit for a bit holder including a recess of a mining plow is disclosed. The plow bit also has a bit shank configured to be inserted into the recess of the bit holder. The bit shank has a front shank face, which is concave. The bit shank also has a rear shank face disposed on an opposite side of the bit shank with respect to the front shank face. The bit shank further has a first lateral shank face connected to the front shank face and the rear shank face. The first lateral shank face includes a first groove extending from the front shank face in direction of the rear shank face. The groove receives a securing pin.
US09988897B2
An electromagnetic telemetry system adjusts telemetry parameters which may include carrier frequency, signal amplitude and/or data encoding protocol to achieve reliable data transmission and to conserve power. In some embodiments, sweep signals transmit a range of carrier frequencies and the parameters are determined in part by analyzing the received sweep signals. In some embodiments, different parameters are selected automatically based on a mode of drilling.
US09988896B2
Methods, techniques, and systems for transmitting a data frame of an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry signal to or from a downhole location can be performed using multi-channel transmissions in which at least two different channels at two different frequencies are used to send a long header and the data frame. At least a portion of the long header is transmitted at a first frequency, and at least a portion of the data frame and any remaining portion of the long header not transmitted at the first frequency are transmitted at one or more additional frequencies different from each other and the first frequency. In one example, only two channels are used: one channel is used to transmit all of the long header, another channel is used to transmit all of the data frame, and either of the channels is used to transmit an identifier identifying the type of the data frame.
US09988895B2
Method for characterizing subterranean formation is described. One method includes: placing a subterranean fluid into a well extending into at least a portion of the subterranean formation to induce one or more fractures; measuring pressure response via one or more pressure sensors installed in the subterranean formation; and determining a physical feature of the one or more fractures.
US09988885B1
According to an aspect a deformable member is provided, wherein the deformable member is configured for use in a ballistic transfer module. The ballistic transfer module includes the deformable member, a booster holder, a booster and a detonating cord. A method of initiating one or more percussion initiators of a perforating gun assembly using the ballistic transfer module and deforming the deformable member is also provided.
US09988882B2
A gravel packing apparatus has first and second joints each including a sand control screen assembly a slurry delivery subassembly positioned exteriorly of the sand control screen assembly. Each slurry delivery subassembly includes a transport tube extending longitudinally along the sand control screen assembly. A jumper tube extends between and is sealably coupled to the transport tube of the first joint and the transport tube of the second joint. A first locking assembly is operably coupled between the jumper tube and the transport tube of the first joint and a second locking assembly is operably coupled between the jumper tube and the transport tube of the second joint.
US09988879B2
A system, method, and software are provided for use in modeling zonal allocation in multilayered subterranean reservoirs. Information associated with a wellbore that is in fluid communication with producing zones of a multilayered subterranean reservoir is provided. A methodology is selected to compute zonal splits for the wellbore and zonal splits for the wellbore are automatically computed using the selected methodology and the information associated with the wellbore.
US09988878B2
A combination tool allows delivery of a tool such as a packer or bridge plug with a variety of well cleanup tools that are retracted for running in. Once in the vicinity of where the plug or packer is to be set or if an internal diameter is to be targeted using clean up tools after passing a restriction, an inner mandrel can be activated such as in conjunction with a j-slot to selectively extend one or more cleaning tools against the force of a return spring out though openings in an outer housing. Circulation is established either through an open port or by opening a circulation port with mandrel movement. Just the zone near where the packer or bridge plug is to be set is cleaned. The cleaning tools retract after use with further mandrel movement. The packer or plug is picked up into position and set and the bottom hole assembly is removed. The plug or packer can be set in a variety of ways.
US09988871B2
A rotating control device (RCD) for use with a drilling unit includes a body having a flange formed at an end thereof for coupling to the drilling unit; a seal assembly for receiving and sealing against a tubular; a bearing assembly for supporting rotation of the seal assembly relative to the body; a releasable connection connecting the bearing assembly to the body; a transmitting assembly rotatable with the seal assembly; and a receiving assembly attached to a non-rotating portion of the RCD.
US09988861B2
A riser data logging system can be installed on the riser top to provide real time information of the riser, instead of or in addition to relying on sensors installed on a tensioner. The riser recoil detection system can thus be made independent of any motion of the vessel. This logging system can feedback the riser top acceleration, velocity, position, and the wire-line tensions into a controller. By comparing the acceleration difference between the riser top and the vessel body, the controller can provide more reliable and faster detection of events occurring on a vessel, potentially detecting the condition within one second. If the acceleration exceeds a certain limit, the electrical tensioners are able to reduce the wire-line tension nearly instantaneously, providing a much more effective anti-recoil control that conventional hydro-pneumatic tensioners.
US09988860B2
A removable riser hang-off connector is equipped with a flexible element that, in one embodiment, comprises rubber-encapsulated steel plates. The connector is designed for attachment to a hang-off collar provided on a steel catenary riser below the tapered stress joint or flex joint. Connection of the removable riser hang-off connector may be made by an ROV. With the removable riser hang-off connector attached, the tapered stress joint and/or flex joint may be raised out of the water (for inspection, maintenance, repair or replacement) by lifting the upper end of the SCR out of its porch receptacle with a chain jack (or other lifting device) and inserting the removable riser hang-off connector into the porch receptacle. This temporarily supports the SCR in an elevated state with the tapered stress joint and/or flex joint above the surface of the water.
US09988859B2
An apparatus for dampening vibrations in a drill string has a tubular housing with an upper sub connected to a first end, having a threaded connection for engagement with the pipe or drillstring. A piston is positioned in the bore of the tubular housing and longitudinally movable in the bore; the dimensions of the piston and bore permit limited fluid flow around the piston. Connected to the piston and extending out of the second end of the housing is a bottom sub. Mating and engaging profiles in the tubular housing and lower sub allow longitudinal movement between them, but no relative rotation. A spring member, which may be a mechanical spring, an elastomeric member, a compressed gas, or some combination thereof, biases the piston and lower sub out of the tubular housing.
US09988853B2
A cutting tool may include a tool body. At least one blade extends radially from the tool body, and cutters are coupled to the at least one blade. At least one retention component contributes to the retention of at least two of the plurality of cutters.
US09988852B2
An underreamer for increasing a diameter of a wellbore. The underreamer includes a body having an axial bore extending at least partially therethrough. A sleeve is arranged and designed to move a first axial distance within the body. A cutter block is movably coupled to the body. The cutter block is arranged and designed to move at least the first axial distance with respect to the body to contact the sleeve in response to hydraulic pressure in the bore. The cutter block moves from a first outer diameter to a second outer diameter as the cutter block moves the first axial distance.
US09988850B2
A downhole seal system for roller cone drill bits includes a seal gland having a width larger than it depth. In one implementation, the seal gland includes a protrusion along its base on which a seal element seats. The seal element is a single, annular seal element with a recess formed therein so as to define two lobes. The seal element seats in the gland so that the recess engages the protrusion. The lobes function as separate seal elements, although they are a single unitary seal element disposed in a single gland.
US09988847B2
An example downhole motor may include a first housing and a second housing coupled to the first housing at a movable joint. A turbine may be within the first housing in selective fluid communication with a bore of the first housing. A biasing mechanism may be coupled to the movable joint and the turbine. The biasing mechanism may alter an angle between a first longitudinal axis of the first housing and a second longitudinal axis of the second housing by altering an orientation of the movable joint.
US09988837B2
An operating system for a window covering includes at least one spring motor, at least one variable force brake, and at least one lift spool assembly operatively coupled to a panel for raising and lowering a panel. An effective shaft is operatively coupled to and synchronizes the spring motor, the variable force brake, and the lift spool. The variable force brake comprises a one-way clutch operatively coupled to the shaft. A brake member is operatively engaged with the one-way clutch to apply a brake force to the one-way clutch when the shaft is rotated. The magnitude of the brake force applied to the one-way clutch is determined by the rotational position of the shaft.
US09988836B2
In a cellular material a first panel having a series of lengthwise accordion folds across the width of the panel, alternate folds projecting toward the front of the panel and the back of the panel is attached to a second panel of material in a manner to create a series of P-shaped cells having a back, an upper cell wall and a lower cell wall in which the upper cell wall and the lower cell wall are curved in a same direction.
US09988833B2
A static hinge disabler is provided for preventing the operation of a door hinge. The static hinge disabler includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a channel, and a cap. The first sidewall is substantially parallel to the second sidewall. The channel is disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and configured to receive at least a portion of the door hinge therein. The first sidewall and the second sidewall are statically connected such that the channel does not change shape. The first sidewall and the second sidewall therefore prevent the door hinge from operating while the door hinge is disposed within the channel.
US09988827B2
Magnetic keys, bow caps and key components are described. In one aspect, the present application describes a key. The key includes a blade and a bow connected to the blade. The bow is for applying torque to the blade. The bow defines a key ring aperture located near a top of the bow. The top is the portion of the bow furthest from the blade. The key also include a magnet fixedly coupled to the bow by placement within the key ring aperture to provide a magnetic field on at least one side of the key.
US09988810B2
A sheathing material includes a layer of ceramic paper to help prevent the burning of the sheathing during a fire. The material may include insulation disposed between the ceramic paper and the substrate to further reduce damage to the substrate, and may include a thin layer of wood or paper placed over the ceramic paper to protect the ceramic paper and to allow the sheathing to be used in a manner similar to that of a conventional sheathing material.
US09988809B2
A system for anchoring a wall including superposed rows of construction blocks to an adjacent upstanding structure, each row including a plurality of the construction blocks, the system comprising: an inter-block element insertable between adjacent ones of the construction blocks and securable thereto; and an anchor including an anchoring portion securable to the upstanding structure and a coupler, the coupler securing the anchor and the inter-block element to each other with the anchoring portion at a predetermined distance from the inter-block element and such that with the anchoring portion operatively secured to the upstanding structure and the inter-block element operatively inserted between the adjacent ones of the construction blocks and secured thereto, the anchoring portion and the inter-block element are movable vertically relative to each other over a predetermined range of motion with the anchor remaining secured to the inter-block element. Also a wall including the system.
US09988796B2
Pull out sprayhead (1) for a faucet, comprising: an inlet fitting (10), provided with a coupling end (10d) connectable to a extractable water supply pipe; a supply mouth (11a) in fluid connection with said attachment end (10d); and a magnet (12) fixed at the inlet fitting (10) and prearranged to allow a releasable connection of said pull-out sprayhead (1) to a faucet neck (20), said magnet (12) being arranged in a housing chamber (13), defined between an outer wall of said inlet fitting (10) and a covering nut (14), within which an insulating sleeve (30) is placed, distinct from the covering nut (14) and interposed between the inlet fitting (10) and the magnet (12), so as to minimize the heat flow occurring between a supplied fluid and the magnet (12) through the inlet fitting (10).
US09988795B2
A lip shroud for a dragline lip configured to prevent wear on the dragline lip and to prevent decoupling therefrom during operations. The lip shroud comprises of a first sidewall having a first abutment surface provided with an opening; a second sidewall having a second abutment surface wherein the second sidewall has a securing portion configured for coupling to a lock device on the dragline lip; and a center wall having a third abutment surface, the center wall connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall wherein the first, second and third abutment surfaces define a channel to receive an edge portion of the dragline lip.
US09988789B2
An earth removal and sand mining system is provided, comprising a modular floating platform having an elongated U-shaped open channel defining an operating area; a gantry positioned above the operating area, wherein the gantry includes a crane and trolley operable along a predefined path within the operating area; a hoist extending from the trolley; and a pump operatively suspended from the trolley, wherein the pump includes a slurry discharge hose. The platform includes an adjustable drag line connected to the pump to enable control of the pump position.
US09988788B2
The present disclosure describes a vacuum-excavation apparatus that is connectible to a vehicle. The vacuum-excavation apparatus comprises a vacuum tube with an input end; a vacuum assembly for generating a suction force at the input end and drawing a stream of fluidized debris-material into the vacuum tube. The apparatus also includes a boom assembly for supporting the vacuum tube and a tank for receiving the stream of fluidized debris-material from the vacuum tube. The tank provides a boom mount for pivotally connecting the boom assembly and for providing fluid communication between the vacuum tube and the tank. The apparatus also includes an evacuation tube for providing fluid communication between the tank and the vacuum assembly and for distributing at least a portion of stress-loads that are generated by the boom assembly.
US09988786B2
A lift linkage assembly for a work machine having a work tool. The lift linkage assembly includes a frame, a boom arm, an upper link, a lower link, and a hydraulic actuator. The boom arm is configured to be pivotally coupled to the work tool and has a surface that defines a longitudinal axis. The upper link has a first end pivotally coupled to the frame and a second end pivotally coupled to the boom arm. The lower link has a first end pivotally coupled to the frame and a second end pivotally coupled to the boom arm. The hydraulic actuator has a rod that is pivotally coupled to the boom arm and moves between a retracted position and an extended position. The upper link, lower link, and hydraulic actuator are each spaced from the longitudinal axis.
US09988785B2
A brake system for the doors of excavator buckets which increases the braking force of the doors, allowing the use of heavier caps with more shield, increasing the durability and reliability, cushioning the blows of the door against the frame of the bucket and decreasing the likelihood that the whole system is deregulated at the same time.
US09988775B1
A beam used for construction, particularly of short- to mid-span bridges. A beam can include flanges extending from a web that are joined to flanges of another beam. When joined two beams form an open internal void. The beams can be manufactured from concrete and include an embedded reinforcement cage. Manufacture of the beams utilizes a formwork that can be filled in a single pour.
US09988771B2
A road finisher includes a screed plate extending at right angles to the working direction of the road finisher, a tamper bar disposed rearwardly and/or forwardly of the screed plate in the working direction, wherein at least one electrically operated heating element is configured to heat up a heating surface facing a road subsurface, the heating element comprising a heating layer at least partially obtained through thermal spraying onto a substrate surface, and a piston rod with connecting means to a tamper bar drive. The tamper bar is connected to the piston rod with an upper surface of the tamper bar contacting a lower surface of the piston rod, wherein the piston rod is single-pieced with regard to its connecting means and its lower surface, and the heating layer is located between the piston rod and the tamper bar, especially applied to the lower surface of the piston rod.
US09988756B2
The present invention relates to a dryer having a liquid spraying function, and according to one aspect of the present invention, a laundry treating apparatus including a plurality of laundry treating courses which have different laundry treating methods is provided. The apparatus comprises: a drum for receiving the laundry; a hot air supply means for supplying hot air to the inner side of the drum; a spraying means for spraying a fragrant solution to the inside of the drum; a manipulating means including a course selecting means for selecting the laundry treating courses; and a controller for controlling the apparatus according to the instructions inputted by the manipulating means, wherein a plurality of laundry treating courses includes at least one scent spray course for spraying the fragrant solution during the laundry treating process, and the course selecting means comprises a scent spray course selecting means for selecting one of the scent spray courses.
US09988751B2
Methods of reducing a likelihood of contact between a rotating laundry-container, such as a basket or drum, located within a tub of a laundry treating appliance where the method includes accelerating a rotational speed of the rotating laundry-container during an extraction cycle speed ramp, monitoring the friction associated with the rotating laundry-container during the speed ramp and comparing to a threshold and altering the accelerating of the rotational speed of the rotating laundry-container when the comparing indicates the threshold is satisfied.
US09988741B2
Provided is a sapphire single crystal heat treatment method comprising the steps of: charging a sapphire single crystal into a chamber; raising the temperature in the chamber to a target temperature by heating the chamber; holding the temperature in the chamber at a constant temperature; and cooling the inside of the chamber to room temperature, wherein the temperature raising step comprises: a first temperature raising step of raising the temperature to a first set temperature at a temperature raising rate of 4° C./min to 5° C./min; and a second temperature raising step of raising the temperature to a second set temperature at a temperature raising rate of 1° C./min or less after the first temperature raising step has been completed. The temperature raising process is executed in a multi-stage, to reduce the temperature raising time and prevent a sapphire single crystal from being affected by heat.
US09988740B1
A crystal printer for fabricating a crystalline part, where the printer includes a crucible for holding a magnetic material that will be fabricated into the part. The printed also includes a heat sink being operable to cool the crucible and a plurality of shaped induction field generators disposed around the crucible and being operable to generate time-varying shaped magnetic fields. A controller controls the plurality of induction field generators so as to generate the time-varying shaped magnetic fields in a manner so that the magnetic fields interact with the material to heat selective areas within the material so that unheated areas in the material are cooled by the heat sink to harden the part into a desired crystalline orientation.
US09988730B2
In a substrate like a printed circuit board comprising an insulator and a copper layer laminated on part of the insulator, said insulator outer surface and said copper layer outer surface are simultaneously subjected to a process (1) comprising treatment with an alkali metal hydroxide solution, a process (2) comprising treatment with an alkaline aqueous solution containing an aliphatic amine, a process (3) comprising treatment with an alkaline aqueous solution having a permanganate concentration of 0.3 to 3.5 wt % and a pH of 8 to 11, a process (4) comprising treatment with an acidic microemulsion aqueous solution containing a thiophene compound and an alkali metal salt of polystyrenesulphonic acid, and a process (5) comprising copper electroplating, which are implemented sequentially.
US09988727B2
An electrode is provided that is suitable for use with the electrolysis of water in a liquid electrolyte medium, the electrode formulated by the following formulation method: a) dissolving, in a volatile solvent or a mixture of volatile solvents, at least one ion-conducting polymer binder that allows, in the solid state, the diffusion of the gases formed during electrolysis; b) adding, to the solution obtained in step a), at least one electrocatalytic material in the form of divided powder, in order to obtain a mixture; and c) depositing the mixture obtained in step b) on a metallic or metallic-type conductive support or collector, said support or said collector being openwork and chemically stable in an aqueous medium, steps a) and b) being able to be implemented simultaneously, successively or to be reversed.
US09988724B2
An inorganic polarizing plate, which contains: a substrate transparent to light in a wavelength range for use; linear metal layers; linear dielectric layers; and linear light-absorbing layers having a light absorbing function, provided in this order, wherein the linear metal layers are aligned being apart from each other on the substrate at a pitch shorter than wavelengths of the light; each of the linear dielectric layers is provided on each of the linear metal layers; each of the linear light-absorbing layers is provided on each of the linear dielectric layers; and a cross-sectional shape of the linear metal layer cut in a direction orthogonally crossing a longitudinal direction thereof is a trapezoid with a bottom base at a side of the substrate, and an upper base at a side of the linear dielectric layer, where the bottom base is longer than the upper base.
US09988718B2
A material deposition system and method for cooling a component after material deposition. The method of deposition and cooling comprising a platform, a deposition head, and a cooling mechanism. The platform adapted to support a component for the addition of material. The deposition head including a material depositor configured to deposit material on a surface of a component supported on the platform an and an energy source configured to energize material deposited onto a surface of a component supported on the platform to bond the material to the component. The cooling system including bristles.
US09988717B2
There is provided a substrate processing apparatus which supplies a processing gas onto a surface of a substrate on a substrate mounting table from a gas nozzle. The apparatus includes: a ring member installed in a leading end side of to the gas nozzle rather than a through-hole and including an inner peripheral surface on which the gas nozzle inserted into the through-hole is mounted, at least one of contours of an outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface being set to a spiral curve or a polygon obtained by linearly approximating the curve; and a pedestal part on which the ring member is mounted at left and right positions spaced apart from each other in a circumference direction of the ring member. A height of a position at which the gas nozzle is supported by the ring member is adjusted with a rotation of the ring member.
US09988715B2
Methods of fabricating magnetic devices are described herein. Methods involve exposing a magnetic film, such as a CoFeB film, to a reducing agent before, during, or after depositing a metal oxide film using atomic layer deposition or chemical vapor deposition. Some methods include exposing the magnetic film in cycles involving exposure to a reducing agent, exposure to a magnesium-containing precursor, and exposure to an oxidant. Methods are suitable for depositing a magnesium oxide layer on a CoFeB layer to form part of a magnetic tunnel junction.
US09988705B2
Reactive sputter deposition method and system are disclosed, in which a catalyst gas, such as water vapor, is used to increase the overall deposition rate substantially without compromising formation of a dielectric compound layer and its optical transmission. Addition to the sputtering or reactive gas of the catalyst gas can result in an increase of a deposition rate of the dielectric oxide film substantially without increasing an optical absorption of the film.
US09988704B2
A manufacturing method of a nitrided steel member and the nitrided steel member include: performing a nitriding treatment on a steel member made of a carbon steel or an alloy steel in an atmosphere of a nitriding treatment gas in which when the total pressure is set to 1, a partial pressure ratio of NH3 gas is set to 0.08 to 0.34, a partial pressure ratio of H2 gas is set to 0.54 to 0.82, and a partial pressure ratio of N2 gas is set to 0.09 to 0.18, at a flow speed of the nitriding treatment gas set to 1 m/s or more, at 500 to 620° C.; and thereby, forming an iron nitride compound layer having a thickness of 2 to 17 μm on a surface of the steel member.
US09988703B2
A system (100), apparatus (110), and method (900) for monitored thermal spraying. One or more sensors (610) are used to capture one or more types of measurements (650) to monitor the thermal spraying process. A processor (710) can analyze a waveform (750) of measurements (650), such as electrical measurements (652). The processor (710) can then initiate a response (770) such as a warning (772) or an automatic adjustment (790) that is triggered by an identified operating condition (800).
US09988698B2
Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing on a base article a nickel-titanium alloy; where the nickel is in an amount of about 58 to about 62 weight percent and titanium in an amount of about 38 to about 42 wt %, based on the total weight of the nickel-titanium alloy; and applying a pressure of 12 to 20 kilopounds per square inch at a temperature of 1400 to 2100° F. for a period of 1 to 8 hours to form a nickel-titanium alloy coating on the base article. Disclosed is an article comprising a base article; and a nickel-titanium alloy; where the nickel-titanium alloy is disposed on the base article; where the nickel is in an amount of about 58 to about 62 weight percent and titanium in an amount of about 38 to about 42 wt %, based on the total weight of the nickel-titanium alloy.
US09988691B2
An aerosol biological collector/analyzer, and method of collecting and analyzing an aerosol sample for diagnosis is provided. In particular, the current invention is directed to an airborne aerosol collection and bacterial analysis system and method, capable of collecting an airborne aerosol sample and preparing it for analysis via aerodynamic shock in a single-step.
US09988688B2
Novel gene deletions and translocations involving chromosome 2 resulting in fusion proteins combining part of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) kinase with part of a secondary protein have been identified herein in human solid tumors, e.g. non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Secondary proteins include Echinoderm Microtubule-Associated Protein-Like 4 (EML-4) and TRK-Fusion Gene (TFG). The EML4-ALK fusion protein, which retains ALK tyrosine kinase activity, was confirmed to drive the proliferation and survival of NSCLC characterized by this mutation. The invention therefore provides, in part, isolated polynucleotides and vectors encoding the disclosed mutant ALK kinase polypeptides, probes for detecting it, isolated mutant polypeptides, recombinant polypeptides, and reagents for detecting the fusion and truncated polypeptides. The disclosed identification of this new fusion protein enables methods for screening for compounds that inhibit the proteins, and methods for inhibiting the progression of a cancer characterized by the mutant polynucleotides or polypeptides.
US09988668B2
Described herein is a chip-based apparatus for amplifying nucleic acids, a cartridge housing the apparatus, and methods of using the apparatus for amplification of nucleic acids. More specifically, this invention provides integrated semiconductor chip, manufactured with standard semiconductor manufacturing process, with on-chip circuitry to perform thermal management and optical sensing necessary for amplification of nucleic acids. The apparatus and methods embodied in this invention makes it possible to build a disease diagnosis and prognosis tool that is easy to use, portable and disposable.
US09988665B2
A method for determining protein binding specificity using a screen of a peptide library is provided. The method can be used to determine binding specificity for human NAD+-dependent deacetylase SIRT1, and to identify the most efficiently deacetylated peptide sequences. The method can be also used to screen a combinatorial H4 histone N-terminal tail peptide library to examine the binding preferences of a α-phos (S1) H4 antibody toward all known possible H4 histone modification states.
US09988659B1
The instant invention provides for the assembly of large DNA oligonucleotide constructs by the self-assembly of multiple oligonucleotide fragments, wherein the assembly is guided by the hybridization between non-standard nucleotides that form non-standard nucleobase pairs orthogonal to the standard T:A and C:G nucleobase pairs. Adding nucleobase pairs increases the information density of the fragments, minimizing off-target hybridization. The invention further provides rules and methods for converting non-standard pairs into standard pairs using polymerase copying with conversion.
US09988657B2
A method is disclosed for hydrolyzing an alpha-1,3 or alpha-1,6 glucosyl-glucose linkage in a saccharide (disaccharide or oligosaccharide). This method comprises contacting the saccharide with an alpha-glucosidase enzyme such as transglucosidase under suitable conditions, during which contacting step the enzyme hydrolyzes at least one alpha-1,3 or alpha-1,6 glucosyl-glucose linkage of the saccharide. This method is useful for reducing the amount of oligosaccharides in a filtrate isolated from a glucan synthesis reaction, for example.
US09988654B2
This document describes biochemical pathways for producing 2,3-dehydroadipyl-CoA methyl ester from precursors such as 2-oxoglutarate using one or more of a fatty acid O-methyltransferase, a thioesterase, a CoA-transferase and a CoA ligase, as well as recombinant hosts expressing one or more of such enzymes. 2,3-dehydroadipyl-CoA methyl ester can be enzymatically converted to adipyl-CoA using a trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase, and a methylesterase, which in turn can be enzymatically converted to adipic acid, 6-aminohexanoate, 6-hydroxyhexanoate, caprolactam, hexamethylenediamine, or 1,6-hexanediol.
US09988653B2
Processes, methods, and apparatus for carbon sequestration utilizing catalysis schemes configured to provide high concentrations of hydrated CO2 in proximity with a sequestration agent are provided. Reactants are combined with catalyst such that at least two regions of controlled catalytic activity form encompassing at least the interface between a sequestration agent and an aqueous solution containing dissolved CO2. Suitable reactants include various sequestration agents, catalyst, and carbon dioxide dissolved in an aqueous solution (seawater, for example). Possible products include bicarbonate and metal cations.
US09988645B2
The present invention relates nucleic acid constructs for the production of recombinant parvoviral (e.g. adeno-associated viral) vectors in insect cells, to insect cells comprising such constructs and to methods wherein the cells are used to produce recombinant parvoviral virions. The insect cells preferably comprise a first nucleotide sequence encoding the parvoviral rep proteins whereby the initiation codon for translation of the parvoviral Rep78 protein is a suboptimal initiation codon that effects partial exon skipping upon expression in insect cells. The insect cell further comprises a second nucleotide sequence comprising at least one parvoviral (AA V) inverted terminal repeat (ITR) nucleotide sequence and a third nucleotide sequence comprising a sequences coding for the parvoviral capsid proteins.
US09988641B2
This invention disclosure relates to novel maize starch. The starch can be made from the newly developed waxy sugary-2 double-mutant maize that has low activity of Granule Bound Starch Synthase I (GBSSI), which results in low amylose level. The starch from newly developed waxy sugary-2 double-mutant is freeze-thaw stable and has high viscosity. In comparison with the starch of the existing waxy sugary-2 double-mutant maize, the new waxy sugary-2 double-mutant maize starch showed, inter alia, improved pasting profile, starch granule integrity, larger starch granule size, and higher viscosity.
US09988634B2
This invention provides polynucleotide molecules and methods for regulating genes in plants, e. g., by providing RNA for systemic regulation of genes. Various aspects of the invention provide polynucleotide molecules and methods for regulating endogenous genes and transgenes in a plant cell and polynucleotide molecules.
US09988624B2
The present disclosure provides a HTP microbial genomic engineering platform that is computationally driven and integrates molecular biology, automation, and advanced machine learning protocols. This integrative platform utilizes a suite of HTP molecular tool sets to create HTP genetic design libraries, which are derived from, inter alia, scientific insight and iterative pattern recognition. The HTP genomic engineering platform described herein is microbial strain host agnostic and therefore can be implemented across taxa. Furthermore, the disclosed platform can be implemented to modulate or improve any microbial host parameter of interest.
US09988618B2
The present invention provides a novel psicose epimerase derived from Flavonifractor plautii and capable of converting fructose to psicose. The novel psicose epimerase according to the present invention possesses an activity producing psicose by epimerizing the carbon-3 position of fructose, and has maximal activity for the conversion of fructose to psicose at a relatively high temperature and a pH less than or equal to neutral, has excellent thermal stability, and can mass-produce psicose from fructose in a high yield for a short amount of time. Therefore, the psicose epimerase according to the present invention is advantageous in the industrial production of psicose, and it is expected that the psicose produced thereby can be usefully utilized in the functional sugar industry and also as materials for health food, medicine, cosmetics, and the like using the psicose.
US09988617B2
Described herein are heme-binding compositions and methods relating to their use, e.g. methods of treatment of, for example, sepsis and rhabdomyolysis.
US09988616B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having xanthan degrading activity, catalytic domains and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides and catalytic domains. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides and catalytic domains.
US09988615B2
The invention relates to a polypeptide having hemicellulase activity. The invention features the full length coding sequence of the novel gene as well as the amino acid sequence of the full-length functional protein and functional equivalents of the gene or the amino acid sequence. The invention also relates to methods for using the polypeptide in industrial processes. Also included in the invention are cells transformed with a polynucleotide according to the invention suitable for producing these proteins.
US09988612B2
Disclosed are T7 RNA polymerase variants with enhanced transcriptional activity. T7 RNA polymerase variants are known which have the ability to incorporate modified ribonucleotides into growing RNA molecules. However, these variants have relatively low levels of transcriptional activity. Presented herein are mutations that increase the transcriptional activity of the variants with broad substrate range.
US09988605B2
The present invention prepared insulin-producing endocrine cells by inducing the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells or human induced pluripotent stem cells into definitive endoderm (DE), pancreatic endoderm (PE), endocrine progenitors (EP), and endocrine cells (EC) stepwise in that order. Particularly, the present invention established the conditions for the formation of an insulin producing endocrine aggregate (EA) from the endocrine cells. Especially in this invention, it was confirmed that the endocrine aggregate has the cell proliferation potential at a significant level and has the increased insulin productivity as well as the activity of inhibiting cell necrosis and apoptosis. Therefore, the method for preparing the endocrine aggregate of insulin-producing beta cells from human pluripotent stem cells can be effectively used for the examination of the medicinal effect of the conventional antidiabetic agents and of the novel antidiabetic drugs.
US09988597B2
In a method for cultivating cells, there is provided a container (4) comprising an at least partly flexible container wall structure (41). The container is at least resting on a support structure (2). Into the container's interior space (42) there is introduced a gas, a liquid medium (5) and a cell culture. At least part of said support structure together with the container thus resting thereon are being moved, thereby inducing motion to the liquid medium in the container. An upwardly facing outer surface structure of said support structure comprises an elongate downwardly recessed portion (24, 25, 26) which causes a gutter (7) in the container's bottom wall structure (43).
US09988592B2
An aryl-substituted alkanal compound having a molecular weight of less than 300 g/mol and which bears a substituent on the aryl ring ortho to a substituent bearing the aldehyde functionality. Said compounds are useful as perfume ingredients in personal care and household care products.
US09988586B2
The present disclosure provides a Fischer-Tropsch tail gas recycling system, including: a Fischer-Tropsch reactor providing a source of tail gas; a first preheater for preheating the tail gas to between about 200 and 300 degrees C.; a hydrogenator for hydrogenating the tail gas; an expansion device for reducing the pressure of the tail gas to between about 2.5 and 5 bar; a second preheater for preheating a feed gas comprising the tail gas and steam to between about 500 and 600 degrees C.; and a catalytic reformer for reforming the feed gas in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalytic reformer operates at about 2 bar and about 1000 degrees C., for example. Optionally, CO2 and/or natural gas are also added to the tail gas and/or steam to form the feed gas.
US09988580B2
Mobile treatment systems and methods for use in removing hydrogen sulfide from oilfield effluents. The systems and methods use a pre-treatment subsystem, a vapor treatment subsystem and a treatment subsystem interconnected by a plurality of piping and valve subsystems. The systems and methods are not dependent on pH and may operate at temperatures as low as −20° C. The systems are easily transported to, and readily assembled at a site and are inexpensive, simple, quick, and extremely effective at removing large-scale quantities of hydrogen sulfide from oilfield effluents.
US09988578B2
Pressure vessels containing a charge are preheated at pressure of 2 to 5 kPa with liquid heat carrier to maximally 120° C. They are afterheated in another place to maximally 550° C. The pressure vessels are continually added and/or replaced and generated gasses are continuously drawn off, cooled to maximally 60° C. and separated oily condensate. Residual gasses and solid residues are burned after treatment in a cogeneration unit.
US09988565B2
Water-dispersible adducted rosin esters, a process for making them, and their use in aqueous tackifier dispersions for pressure-sensitive adhesives are disclosed. Reaction of a rosin with a polyol gives a rosin ester intermediate, which is then reacted with a dienophile to produce an adducted rosin ester. The adducted rosin ester is further esterified with a polyethylene glycol having an Mw<700 to produce the water-dispersible adducted rosin ester. Esterification with the low-molecular-weight PEG imparts good water dispersibility to the adducted rosin ester while maintaining compatibility with other tackifier components. Combination of the aqueous tackifier dispersions with polymer emulsions, particularly acrylics, gives pressure-sensitive adhesives that deliver good loop tack and peel properties compared with commercial alternatives, even when the coat weight is reduced by 20%.
US09988563B2
The invention relates to a composition obtained by simultaneously mixing at least one isocyanate, at least one polyether and at least one amino resin, wherein said polyether comprises at least one ethylene oxide moiety and at least one isocyanate reactive group selected from the group comprising hydroxyl, amino, epoxy, and thiol, and wherein said amino resin is the condensation product of an aldehyde with a compound selected from the group comprising urea, melamine, benzoguanamine, glycoluril, acetoguanamine and mixtures thereof.
US09988547B2
The present invention relates to opaque polymers functionalized with phosphorus acid groups, composites of TiO2 particles and the opaque polymers, and methods for their preparation. The composites are useful in coatings formulations and have been shown to exhibit improved hiding benefits in coated substrates over compositions containing non-functionalized opaque polymer and TiO2.
US09988544B2
An ink for a piezoelectric driving-type inkjet for printing on a resin-based ink receiving layer formed on one surface of a reflection-type display contains 30% by weight to 75% by weight of a solvent which hardly dissolves the ink receiving layer and 3% by weight to 30% by weight of an alcohol-based solvent which easily dissolves the ink receiving layer.
US09988538B2
A binder for a self polishing and/or antifouling coating composition comprising an oligomer or polymer composition, formed from at least 50% by weight of monomer units of a vinyl ester of versatic acid.
US09988526B2
Hybrid dendrite copolymer compositions include a hybrid dendrite copolymer including at least one ethylenically unsaturated first monomer, at least one second ethylenically unsaturated second monomer and a naturally derived hydroxyl containing chain transfer agent as an end group. The at least one first and second ethylenically unsaturated monomers are on separate side chains of the naturally derived hydroxyl containing chain transfer agent. Methods of preparing a hybrid dendrite copolymer are also included.
US09988525B2
Resin compositions, layers, and interlayers comprising two or more thermoplastic polymers and at least one RI balancing agent for adjusting the refractive index of at least one of the resins or layers is provided. Such compositions, layers, and interlayers exhibit enhanced optical properties while retaining other properties, such as impact resistance and acoustic performance.
US09988523B2
Polypropylene composition which combines low sealing initiation temperature (SIT) and high melting point (Tm), furthermore showing a broad sealing window, low hexane solubles and good optical properties, like low haze.
US09988521B2
A polyphenylene sulfide resin composition has excellent heat resistance, flowability and lightweight property as well as surface smoothness and impact resistance. The polyphenylene sulfide resin composition includes 1 to 30 parts by weight of a mica (b) having an aspect ratio of not less than 80, relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyphenylene sulfide resin (a).
US09988519B2
A liquid crystalline polymer composition having a reduced tendency to create a static electric charge during a molding operation is provided. More particularly, the composition contains an ionic liquid that is distributed within a liquid crystalline polymer matrix. In addition to being electrically conductive, the ionic liquid can exist in liquid form during melt processing, which allows it to be more uniformly blended within the liquid crystalline polymer matrix. This improves electrical connectivity and thereby enhances the ability of the composition to rapidly dissipate static electric charges from its surface.
US09988505B2
A polyethylene composition comprising an ethylene/α-olefin copolymerized linear low density polyethylene, wherein the polyethylene composition has a Mw of from 100,000 g/mol to 200,000 g/mol, a Mw/Mn of from 4.0 to 9.0, a Mz/Mw of from 4.0 to 7.0, and a Mz+1/Mw of from 4.5 to 13.5, is provided. A film formed of the polyethylene composition is also provided.
US09988503B2
A thermoplastic starch composition acquired from compounding a mixture comprising starch-containing agricultural byproducts in 45 to 70% by weight of total composition, the agricultural byproducts having a starch content less than 50% dry weight; thermoplastic synthetic polymer in 25 to 50% by weight of total composition; plasticizer in 1 to 10% by weight of total composition; and coupling agent in 1 to 5% by weight of total composition; the compounding performed at a first temperature which is higher than room temperature.
US09988486B2
Amine terminated curing agents for curing water based epoxy resins wherein the equivalent weight of active hydrogen is from 85 g to 105 g obtained by reacting polyamine with salicylic acid and subsequently reacting with epoxy resin. The invention also relates to curing compositions, curable systems, and cured compositions and coatings including such curing agents. The cured coatings find application as coatings for floor surfaces, including surfaces where food use approval is required. The cured coatings have particular application for coating the flooring of shipping containers but the use is not so limited.
US09988481B2
The present invention provides a polyisocyanate composition wherein the composition is obtained from an aliphatic diisocyanate unit including 1,6-diisocyanatohexane, and has an isocyanurate group, a uretdione group, a uretonimine group, and an iminooxadiazinedione group, and the molar ratio of the uretonimine group to the isocyanurate group is 0.0010 to 0.0050, and the molar ratio of the iminooxadiazinedione group to the isocyanurate group is 0.00050 to 0.30.
US09988479B2
The present invention is directed to a copolymer of 1,3-butadiene or isoprene and a monomer of formula I or V wherein R1 is a covalent bond, phenylene, a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 are independently linear or branched alkyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; or R5 is a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or a bridging aromatic group. The invention is further directed to a rubber composition including the copolymer, and a pneumatic tire containing the rubber composition. The invention is further directed to a method of making such a copolymer.
US09988474B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of ethylene-propylene copolymers having —a weight average molecular weight of 800,000-1,800,000, —a molecular weight distribution of 3-8, —an ethylene content of 1-10 wt %, preferably 1.5 to 5.5 wt %. —a melt flow in the range of 1.5-8 dg/min measured with a load of 21.6 kg at 230° C. and —a xylene soluble content of 2-15 wt % by converting propylene into the UHMWEP copolymer without pre-polymerization in the presence of a polymerization catalyst under a condition where the volume ratio of H2 to propylene is at most 0.0020, wherein the catalyst comprises a catalyst component and a co-catalyst, wherein the catalyst component is obtained by a process wherein a compound with formula Mg(OAIk)xCly wherein x is larger than 0 and smaller than 2, y equals 2−x and each Alk, independently, represents an alkyl group, is contacted with a titanium tetraalkoxide and/or an alcohol in the presence of an inert dispersant to give an intermediate reaction product and wherein the intermediate reaction product is contacted with titanium tetrachloride in the presence of an internal donor.
US09988468B2
A method of preparing a catalyst comprising a) contacting (i) a silica-support, (ii) an oxotitanium compound, (iii) a chromium-containing compound, and (iv) an optional solvent to form a first aqueous mixture comprising a pre-catalyst and a reaction media having from about 1 wt. % to about 99 wt. % water; b) thermally treating the pre-catalyst by heating to a temperature of from about 400° C. to about 1000° C. for a time period of from about 1 minute to about 24 hours to form the catalyst. A method of preparing a catalyst comprising contacting a hydrated support material comprising silica with a chromium-containing compound to form a first aqueous mixture comprising a chrominated support; contacting the first aqueous mixture comprising a chrominated support with a solution comprising (i) a solvent and (ii) an oxotitanium compound to form a second aqueous mixture comprising a pre-catalyst; and thermally treating the pre-catalyst to form the catalyst.
US09988458B2
The present invention relates to antibodies against human CSF-1R (CSF-1R antibody), methods for their production, pharmaceutical compositions containing said antibodies, and uses thereof.
US09988457B2
Antigen binding proteins that bind to human c-fms protein are provided. Nucleic acids encoding the antigen binding protein, vectors, and cells encoding the same are also provided. The antigen binding proteins can inhibit binding of c-fms to CSF-1, reduce monocyte migration into tumors, and reduce the accumulation of tumor-associated macrophages.
US09988454B2
The present disclosure provides various molecular constructs having a targeting element and an effector element. Methods for treating various diseases using such molecular constructs are also disclosed.
US09988452B2
Antibody molecules that specifically bind to PD-L1 are disclosed. Combination therapies comprising the anti-PD-L1 antibody molecules are also disclosed. The anti-PD-L1 antibody molecules can be used to treat, prevent and/or diagnose cancerous or infectious conditions and disorders.
US09988442B2
Microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) binding antibodies are provided to prevent or to inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and neointima formation in blood vessels. Furthermore, there are provided antibodies that effectively inhibit remodelling of vessels and prevent progression of arteriosclerosis as well as restenosis of vessels. The provided antibodies block the interaction between MF AP4 and integrin receptors.
US09988440B2
The present invention relates to antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof that bind to complement Factor P and used thereof as well as combinations of anti-Factor P antibodies with antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof that bind to complement component 5 (C5).
US09988439B2
Anti-SpA murine, chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies, and variant antibodies having a heavy chain with at least one amino acid substitution are provided. Such antibodies may be used to prevent or treat microbial infections.
US09988438B2
Dual variable domain immunoglobulins (DVD Igs) are provided capable of tetravalent binding to bispecific sites of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The DVD Igs may be asymmetric and may have more variable domains on either the light chain or the heavy chain of the Igs. The DVD Igs may have specificity for gp41 and gp120. Therapies are provided using DVD Igs to neutralize HIV viral loads.
US09988430B2
New GLP-1 derivatives, compositions thereof and their use in medicine.
US09988427B2
The present invention relates to novel endogenous variants of erythropoietin (EPO) and their use for treatment or prevention of a condition associated with tissue damage due to cell death (apoptosis, necrosis) and inflammation, in particular for neuroprotection, e.g. treatment of acute (for example stroke) and chronic disease (for example ALS) of the nervous system.
US09988425B2
The present invention relates to novel immunogens based on overlapping peptides (OLPs) and peptides derived therefrom useful for the prevention and treatment of AIDS and its related opportunistic diseases. The invention also relates to isolated nucleic acids, vectors and host cells expressing these immunogens as well as vaccines including the immunogens.
US09988417B2
The invention relates to a process for obtaining Estetrol or a salt or solvate thereof, the process comprising: a) reacting a compound of formula (IV) or a salt or solvate thereof, wherein R1 is a hydroxyl protecting group selected from a silyl ether, an ether, an ester, a carbamate and a carbonate, and R2 is a hydroxyl protecting group selected from an ether, with an oxidizing agent selected from OsO4 or a source of osmium tetroxide to produce Estetrol or a compound of formula (II) or a salt or solvate thereof wherein R1 is as defined previously; and b) if a compound of formula (II) is obtained in step a), deprotecting said compound to produce Estetrol.
US09988416B2
The present invention provides a compound of Formula (I) or a salt thereof; and therapeutic uses of these compounds. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and compositions comprising these compounds with a therapeutic co-agent, and methods of using the compounds and compositions for treatment of viral infections, especially HRV.
US09988409B2
Described herein are multi-dimensional networks that can include a recurring unit of Formula (I) and a recurring unit of Formula (II), and methods of synthesizing and using the same.
US09988405B2
Disclosed are an o-phenyl chalcone compounds and preparation methods and uses thereof. The o-phenyl chalcone compounds are capable of inhibiting the aggregation of microtubules in tumor cells and influencing the mitosis of the cells, and has a high antitumor activity. The compounds also have inhibitory activity against proliferation on various tumor cells, such as a human ovary cancer cell A2780, a human colon cancer cell HCT8, a human breast cancer cell MCF7, a human lung cancer cell A549, a human colon cancer cell SW480, a human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell CNE2, a human liver cancer cell HepG2 and the like at nanomole concentrations.
US09988404B2
There is provided herein a polyalkylene-oxide-free surfactant composition comprising an ester-modified organosilicon having the general formula (I) AOaR4b(BOcR11d)e(C)fDg. There is also provided methods for making the ester-modified organosilicon (I) and agricultural, coating, personal care and home care applications containing the polyalkylene-oxide-free surfactant composition.
US09988399B2
The present invention provides compounds useful as inhibitors of Acetyl CoA Carboxylase (ACC), compositions thereof, and methods of using the same.
US09988397B2
The present invention provides a compound of Formula (I) or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, and prodrugs thereof, which are ERK2 inhibitors. The invention also provides a method of inhibiting ERK2 in a patient in need of such treatment comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of at least one compound of Formula (I). The invention also provides a method for treating cancer in a patient in need of such treatment, said method comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of at least one compound of Formula (I).
US09988391B2
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, useful as TBK/IKKε inhibitors.
US09988384B2
The present invention relates to compounds and methods for the treatment of cancer. In particular, the invention provides potent inhibitors of Aurora A kinase, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds for the treatment of cancer.
US09988372B2
The present invention relates to a novel crystalline form of 5-chloro-N-({(5S)-2-oxo-3-[4-(5,6-dihydro-4H-[1,2,4]triazin-1-yl)phenyl]-1,3-oxazolidin-5-yl}methyl)thiophene-2-carboxamide methanesulfonate and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same. The novel crystalline form of a compound according to the present invention exhibits excellent stability even in high-temperature and humidity environments, and thus can be favorably used to prevent or treat diseases, such as thrombosis, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, inflammation, stroke, angina pectoris, restenosis after angioplasty, and thromboembolism.
US09988368B1
This invention provides a method for enantioselective synthesis of cis-imidazolines and related structures through chiral resolution. A chiral acid is used to separate enantiomeric precursors of the cis-imidazolines from a racemic mixture by selective crystallization. Both enantiomers can be cyclized into the desired cis-imidazoline by complementary pathways. Compounds can be synthesized according to the invention with an enantiomeric excess as high as 99%. Cis-imidazolines such as Nutlin-3a prepared according to this invention may be used for treating cancer, killing senescent cells, or treating senescence-associated conditions.
US09988365B2
Provided herein are 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,1-difluoro-1-(5-substituted-pyridin-2-yl)-3-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)propan-2-ols and 1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2,2-difluoro-2-(5-substituted-pyridin-2-yl)ethanones and processes for their preparation.
US09988362B2
The present invention relates to a method for preparing for a furan derivative from biomass, comprising step (1) of preparing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural by reacting biomass and a solid acid catalyst in butanol; and step (2) of preparing a furan derivative by reacting the butanol solution of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, obtained in step (1), with a hydrogenation catalyst.
US09988360B2
A method for preparation of 2-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one from 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one by contacting 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one with an alkali metal hydroxide and dimethyl sulfate.
US09988357B2
Methods for preparing compounds having the following structure (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, or tautomer thereof, wherein R1, R2a, R2b, R3a, R3b, R4a, R4b and R4c, are as defined herein are provided. Related compounds and methods for making the same are also provided.
US09988345B2
The present invention regards a process for the production of an aqueous solution comprising urea for use in the removal of nitrogen oxides from combustion gas or fumes, the process being characterized in that it comprises the steps of: —subjecting at least a part of a urea-concentrated aqueous solution comprising residual free ammonia, obtained directly from or downstream of a recovery section of a plant for the production of urea, to washing with carbon dioxide, so obtaining a first vapor phase comprising carbon dioxide and optionally ammonia and a urea-concentrated aqueous solution comprising carbamate and essentially lacking in free ammonia, and —diluting said urea-concentrated aqueous solution comprising carbamate and essentially lacking in free ammonia with water until the desired concentration of urea in aqueous solution is reached.
US09988341B2
The present invention provides novel compounds as bacterial topoisomerase inhibitors with antibacterial activity. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one of the compounds and methods of using the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions as antibacterial agents for treating infectious diseases.
US09988332B2
The invention relates to compounds of the formula Ar(—CH2C6Br5)y, wherein Ar indicates a structure comprising one or more six-membered aromatic ring(s) and —CH2C6Br5 indicates a pentabromobenzyl group, characterized in that at least one carbon atom of said six-membered aromatic ring(s) is bonded to the benzylic carbon of said —CH2C6Br5 group, wherein y, which indicates the number of the —CH2C6Br5 groups in said compound, is not less than 1. Processes for preparing the compounds and their use as flame retardants are also disclosed.
US09988330B2
In a process for the production of higher alcohols, i.e. C4+ alcohols, from syngas, the syngas is first reacted in a heterogeneous alcohol pre-converter (A) using an alcohol synthesis catalyst, whereby methanol as the main product in a concentration corresponding to or close to the equilibrium concentration is produced. Then the effluent from the pre-converter is mixed with unconverted wet recycle gas and reacted in a heterogeneous reactor for higher alcohols synthesis (B) containing a higher alcohols synthesis catalyst, and finally the effluent from the reactor for higher alcohols synthesis is separated into (i) unconverted syngas, which is recycled to the higher alcohols synthesis reactor, (ii) methanol and light alcohols, which are recycled to the higher alcohols synthesis reactor, and (iii) the final product consisting of higher alcohols.
US09988324B2
Processes and systems for making cyclopentadiene and/or dicyclopentadiene include converting acyclic C5 hydrocarbon(s) into CPD in a first reactor to obtain a product mixture, separating the product mixture in a separation sub-system such as compression train to obtain a C5-rich fraction comprising CPD and essentially depleted of hydrogen and C1-C4 hydrocarbons, dimerizing the C5-rich fraction in a dimerization reactor to obtain a product effluent comprising DCPD, followed by separating the product effluent to obtain a DCPD-rich fraction. Multiple-stage of dimerization and separation steps can be optionally used to obtain multiple DCPD-rich fractions of various degrees of purity and quantity. C5-rich fractions from various stages of the process may be recycled to the first reactor, or converted into mogas components after selective hydrogenation. C5-rich fractions and mogas components may be optionally separated to produce value-adding chemicals.
US09988306B2
A variety of methods and compositions for cementing with set-delayed cement. In one embodiment a method comprises providing a set-delayed cement composition comprising a hydraulic cement, water, and a primary retarder. The method further comprises activating the set-delayed cement composition through a retarder exchange whereby, a secondary retarder is added to the set-delayed cement composition to produce an activated cement composition. The activated cement composition is then allowed to set.
US09988304B2
Certain example embodiments relate to an improved method of strengthening glass substrates (e.g., soda lime silica glass substrates). In certain examples, a glass substrate may be chemically strengthened by creating an electric field within the glass. In certain cases, the chemical tempering may be performed by surrounding the substrate by a plasma including certain ions, such as Li+, K+, Mg2+, and/or the like. In some cases, these ions may be forced into the glass substrate due to the half-cycles of the electric field generated by the electrodes that formed the plasma. This may advantageously chemically strengthen a glass substrate on a substantially reduced time scale. In other example embodiments, an electric field may be set in a float bath such that sodium ions are driven from the molten glass ribbon into the tin bath, which may advantageously result in a stronger glass substrate with reduced sodium content.
US09988291B2
Contaminating material is extracted from a body of water by providing a floating bed on which plants such as Cat Tails can be grown with their roots hanging into the body of water over an area where extraction of contaminating material from the body of water is required, growing the plants to take up the contaminating material from the body of water and harvesting the upstanding plant mass by moving the bed to a harvesting machine which cuts away the plant mass leaving at least part of the root mass to continue growing into a new season. The bed can be returned to a location for the next season.
US09988283B2
A system reclaiming contaminated water includes a heat exchanger that receives the contaminated water and converts at least a portion of the contaminated water into steam and collects at least a portion of the contaminants within the heat exchanger. A thermal transfer fluid is heated by a heat exchanger is communication with a heat source. The heated fluid is circulated through the heat exchanger to heat the contaminated water. A steam engine is coupled to a generator, the steam engine receives the steam from the heat exchanger to drive the generator to provide power for the system. Steam exhausted from the steam engine is supplied to supplemental heat loads and then condensed in a modular condensing system. The collected contaminants are directed to an evaporation device to remove residual liquid.
US09988280B2
A process for reducing the amount of magnesium in a lithium-containing brine by adding an aqueous solution of KCl to the brine to precipitate at least some of the magnesium as carnallite salt is disclosed. Lithium salts prepared using this magnesium removal process are also disclosed.
US09988271B2
A method of producing carbon fiber, yarns, and nonwoven carbon fiber cloths, includes forming suitable polymeric precursor microfibers and/or nanofibers using a centrifugal spinning process and decomposing at least a portion of the polymeric precursor fibers to form carbon fibers. The decomposition may be accomplished by treating the polymeric precursor fibers with acid vapor from an aqueous acid solution at a temperature of less than 250° C.
US09988264B2
A method of fabricating an integrated structure for MEMS device and semiconductor device comprises steps of: providing a substrate having a transistor thereon in a semiconductor device region and a first MEMS component thereon in a MEMS region; performing a interconnect process on the substrate in the semiconductor device region to form a plurality of first dielectric layers, at least a conductive plug and at least a conductive layer in the first dielectric layers; forming a plurality of second dielectric layers and an etch stopping device in the second dielectric layers on the substrate in a etch stopping device region; forming a plurality of third dielectric layers and at least a second MEMS component in the third dielectric layers on the substrate in the MEMS region; and performing an etching process to remove the third dielectric layers in the MEMS region.
US09988262B2
A method for fabricating an electronic device is disclosed. In one example, the method comprises providing a semiconductor wafer, forming a plurality of cavities into the semiconductor wafer, filling a stabilization material into the cavities, fabricating a temporary panel by applying a cap sheet onto the semiconductor wafer, the cap sheet covering the cavities, singulating the temporary panel into a plurality of semiconductor devices, fabricating an embedded wafer by embedding the semiconductor devices in an encapsulant, removing the cap sheet of each one of the semiconductor devices, and singulating the embedded wafer into a plurality of electronic devices.
US09988261B2
A micromechanical device, in particular a sensor device, and a method for manufacturing a micromechanical device are provided. The micromechanical device has a housing, the housing including a first cavity, and the housing including a second cavity that is separate from the first cavity. The micromechanical device is configured in such a way that a predetermined first gas pressure prevails in the first cavity, and a predetermined second gas pressure which is reduced compared to the first gas pressure prevails in the second cavity. A heating element is situated in the area of the second cavity. The micromechanical device has a printed conductor, the heating element being heatable with the aid of the printed conductor.
US09988259B2
A portable storage device to contain fuel. The device is designed to be relatively light-weight to allow for movement around a fueling facility, and to be delivered to the fueling facility through the air. The device includes a number of separate tanks each configured to contain fuel. A suspension protects the tanks by absorbing external forces that could occur in the event the device is dropped during air delivery.
US09988256B2
An adjustable soda dispenser holding device for securing a soda dispenser to an object including a frame, where the frame includes a horizontal elongated member for abutting a top of the object, a vertical elongated member being connected to the horizontal elongated member and abutting a side of the object, a platform having an inside rim, the inside rim surrounding an opening formed in the platform, and a drip cup for catching drips from a soda dispenser, the drip cup being supported by the inside rim and being rotatable relative to the platform. A method of using an adjustable soda dispenser holding device, including inserting a drip cup into an inside rim surrounding an opening formed in a platform of a frame, where the frame includes a horizontal elongated member and vertical elongated member, and rotating the drip cup relative to the platform.
US09988252B1
A line-handling block permits a soft attachment to perform the functions of securing the block to the boat, hinging the block's cheeks at one end, and locking the cheeks together positively but releaseably at its other end. The soft attachment so arranged, reinforces the block against destructive strain and aligns the block for a fair lead. Increased force on the soft attachment has the desirable effect of engaging it positively about the block to restrain unwanted opening. The block may be 3D-printed in “sparse mode” with a hard-plastic shell having a lightweight honeycomb interior, hence being so light that it floats if dropped overboard.
US09988247B2
A mobile crane includes a counterweight carrier capable of traveling following a movement of a crane main body, the counterweight carrier including a carrier main body on which a counterweight is loaded and a wheel unit attached to the carrier main body and including wheels, a wheel driving device configured to rotate the wheels to thereby cause the counterweight carrier to travel, a loadage detector configured to detect a weight loadage index value, which is an index value of weight of the counterweight loaded on the carrier main body, and a controller configured to cause the wheel driving device to change a driving force of the wheel driving device for rotating the wheels such that the driving force increases as the weight loadage index value detected by the loadage detector increases.
US09988245B2
A multi-purpose emergency services strap for facilitating lifting, transporting or carrying an individual has a strap body with a plurality of independent loops formed in the strap body. The independent loops include at least two adjacent, proximal leg loops formed in the strap body on either side of the midline, end loops on each end of the multi-purpose emergency services strap, and a plurality of adjacent handles formed in the strap body positioned distal to each of the at least two adjacent, leg loops and proximal to the end loops. The multi-purpose emergency services strap also includes a back strap and attachment loops that can be variously configured for many rescue and transport applications for humans and animals.
US09988239B2
A system for providing preventative maintenance of switchable components includes a load-moving system including one or more switchable components. The system also includes a microcontroller configured to operate the one or more switchable components of the load-moving system, to determine a number of switching events of the one or more switchable components and to perform a preventative maintenance action based on determining that the number of switching events is greater than a threshold number of switching events.
US09988237B1
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for smart elevator car destination management according to probabilistic destination determination. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for smart elevator car destination management according to probabilistic destination determination includes predicting a set of passengers requesting use of an elevator car in a bank of elevator cars in a building and determining a probability for each of the passengers that each passenger will select as a destination a particular floor in the building. The method also includes grouping ones of the passengers in the set according to a common floor determined to be probable for the grouped ones of the passengers. Finally, the method includes displaying in connection with the bank of elevator cars an assignment of the grouped ones of the passengers to one of the elevator cars in the bank.
US09988235B2
According to an embodiment, a sheet folding apparatus comprises a first roller, a second roller configured to be energized to the first roller, form a nip section together with the first roller, fold a sheet in half together with the first roller through the nip section and convey the sheet folded in half together with the first roller and a pressing force adjusting mechanism configured to be capable of increasing and decreasing a pressing force generated at the nip section. The pressing force adjusting mechanism causes a pressing force in a state of being conveying the sheet folded in half to be lower than that in a state of being folding the sheet in half.
US09988222B2
The invention relates to a supply device for the supply of filled sacks to a palletizing device, comprising a main supply belt for the supply of a first row of filled sacks on a sliding area of the palletizing device, wherein beneath the main supply belt at least one secondary feed belt is assembled for the supply of another row of filled sacks on the sliding area beneath a first row of filled sacks.
US09988203B2
A prize package containing edible confectionery items, such as gum, candy or mints, includes a container, a plurality of edible confectionery items disposed within the container, a number provided on each edible confectionery item disposed within the container, and a reference number provided inside the container. The prize package is a winning prize package if the sum total of the numbers provided on the edible confectionery items disposed within the container matches the reference number provided inside the container. A validation code is provided inside the container for confirming that the prize package is a winning prize package. The validation code may be a bar code, a number code, a QR code, or scratch-off code. The container may be made of paper or plastic, and may have a sleeve or tube shape.
US09988202B2
A retaining member for use with a vacuum-insulated vessel is described. The retaining member includes a frustoconical body, a cylindrical skirt extending from the frustoconical body, and a deformable member extending along an inner surface of the frustoconical body. The deformable member may have multiple layers. An opening extends through the frustonical body, so that the neck of a bottle may pass through the opening. The vacuum-insulated vessel, in combination with the retaining member, may receive and secure bottles having different heights and widths. The retaining member and vacuum-insulated vessel also eliminates condensation from external surfaces of a bottle positioned therein, maintains the initial temperature of the bottle, and allows a user to pour from the bottle without having to remove the bottle from the vessel.
US09988201B2
This invention is a micro-featured surface with improved insulation and condensation resistance comprising: a micro-structure included with the substrate having an arrangement of a first set of micro-features and a second set of micro-features; a first micro-feature horizontal cross section taken from the group consisting of a circle, oval, polygon, and concave portion; a condensation rate less than 0.15 grams when measure by an ambient test method; and an improved hold time of 23.00% or greater as shown by hold testing wherein a micro-feature density is in a range of 5.00% to 25.00%.
US09988198B2
A package comprises a heat seal between a first film and a second film. The first film comprises at least 70% of one or more polyamides. The first film also comprises at least one modified layer comprising (1) at least 70% of one or more polyamides and (2) one or more modifiers selected from ethylene/alkyl(meth)acrylate copolymers, ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymers, and ionomers. The second film comprises at least 70%) of one or more polyamides. The package is useful under ovenable conditions.
US09988193B1
A presentation box for presenting a transaction card may include a hinged lid connected to a hinge edge of the presentation box, the hinged lid to pivot about the hinge edge of the presentation box when moved between a closed position and an open position. The presentation box may further include a presentation apparatus that includes a tether that may be attached to the hinged lid, and a sleeve to receive the transaction card, where the presentation apparatus is to move the transaction card between a first position when the hinged lid is in the closed position and a second position when the hinged lid is in the open position, where the first position is different from the second position.
US09988190B2
Flexible containers having biased dispensing.
US09988188B2
When packing a polycrystalline silicon with a two-layer structured packing body comprising an inner bag (1a) and an outer bag (1b), there are used the inner bag (1a) and the outer bag (1b) having bottom sections (4a, 4b) provided with a pair of tucked sections, the shape of which is substantially a triangle in plan view, formed by inward-folding the portions continued from both of rectangular side face sections (3a, 3b), and when storing the inner bag (1a) that stores the polycrystalline silicon therein into the outer bag (1b), the bottom sections (4a, 4b) are superimposed with the respective tucked sections (6a, 6b) of the inner bag (1a) and the outer bag (1b) displaced from each other by 90° so that they do not overlap on each other.
US09988186B1
A tool storage device stores tools and provides a work surface attachable to a railing of a lift. The device includes a top wall extending from a front side of a box to define a seat with a front side of the box. The seat abuts a railing on a lift such that the box is supported on and positioned against the railing. Each of a pair of tethers is elongated and coupled to the box for extending around the railing and being secured to hold the box to the railing. A front opening into an interior space of the box provides access to the interior space to a person supported on the lift.
US09988180B2
A pallet has an upper deck portion having an upper planar portion and a lower deck portion having a lower planar portion. Ribs extend from one of the planar portions and are vibration welded to the other planar portion. A peripheral lip extends downwardly from the upper deck portion around the periphery of the lower portion. In this manner, the entire upper deck portion, which includes the entire upper surface of the pallet, is vibration welded to the lower deck portion. Further, the peripheral lip of the upper deck portion hides any flash that might be generated by the vibration welding process.
US09988179B2
A container includes a metal end applied and sealed to an all-thermoplastic container body by a crimp-seaming or double-seaming operation. The metal end has an outer curl joined to a chuck wall that extends down from the curl. One or both of the inner surface of the container side wall and the outer surface of the chuck wall has/have a heat-sealable material thereon. The metal end is crimp-seamed or double-seamed to the container body and the heat-sealable material(s) are heated to soften or melt such that the interface between the chuck wall and the side wall is fused. The interface is oriented along a direction relative to internal pressure exerted on the metal end such that stress on the interface caused by the internal pressure is predominantly shear stress.
US09988170B2
A sterilization process is performed on a preform or container made of resin after a corona discharge treatment is performed on an inner surface of the preform or container, the corona discharge treatment including applying a voltage produced in a corona discharge to an electrode that passes through an opening part of the preform or container, an insertion step of inserting the electrode to which the voltage is applied into the preform or container through the opening part, and a bottom part treatment step of treating an inner surface of a bottom part of the preform or container by bringing the electrode close to the bottom part until the corona discharge from the electrode changes discharge mode, and the sterilization process including a hydrogen peroxide supplying step of blasting a mist or gas of hydrogen peroxide solution or a mixture thereof to the preform or container.
US09988158B2
A DC electrical generation system for an aircraft propelled by a turbine engine, such as a turbojet, includes at least one electrical energy storage capacity, at least one generator driven mechanically by a rotation shaft of the turbine engine and electrical connections between the electrical energy storage capacity, the generator and the aircraft equipment for powering the above-mentioned equipment with DC current, also including at least one alternative for supplying DC current to the equipment, which are autonomous in relation to any mechanical driving by a rotation shaft of the turbine engine, and a device that can cut-off power to the generator(s) and simultaneously activate the alternative current supply. The power cut-off device for triggering power cut-off and activating the alternative current supply is controlled by a control or operating parameter of the turbine engine. The alternative current supply is preferably formed by one or more supercapacitors.
US09988157B2
A nacelle may include fan cowl panels which may be opened to provide access to the fan case. A latching mechanism may latch a left fan cowl panel to a right fan cowl panel. The latch may create a separation between the fan cowl panels when unlatched. A shoot pin latch may be aligned with a receiver cavity such that the shoot pin latch may be closed when the latching mechanism is closed. If the fan cowl panels are not fully closed, the shoot pin latch may be prevented from closing, and a high visibility handle may indicate that the fan cowl panels are not latched together.
US09988155B2
The present disclosure is applicable to all vehicles having an engine mounted therein. In one embodiment, an aft mount system for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The aft mount system includes a vehicle chassis and at least one flexible mounting member disposed within the vehicle chassis, wherein when a gas turbine engine is received within the vehicle chassis, an exhaust portion of the gas turbine engine is substantially mounted within the vehicle chassis through engagement with the at least one flexible mounting member.
US09988154B1
An apparatus, method for making, and product by process for a parachute, the parachute having a conductive network and a set of fabrics; the conductive network including a set of conductive elements and a set of devices; wherein a first subset of conductive elements of the set of conductive elements is incorporated with a second subset of fabrics of the set of fabrics and third subset of devices of the set of devices incorporated is incorporated with a fourth subset of fabrics of the set of fabrics.
US09988151B2
A dehumidification system for use in a vehicle is provided. The system includes a thermally conductive member coupled to an outer skin of the vehicle, and a duct at least partially circumscribing the thermally conductive member such that an air flow passage is defined between the duct and the thermally conductive member. The thermally conductive member is configured to transmit a temperature of the outer skin to moisture-laden air channeled through the air flow passage.
US09988144B2
A steering device for an aircraft landing gear leg including a main fitting has a steering collar for rotatably mounting on the outside of the main fitting; an actuator having an actuator body; and an actuator arm arranged to move between an extended position and retracted position with respect to the actuator body. The actuator arm is pivoted to the main fitting, and a bracket is pivoted to the main fitting; a second pivot location pivoted to the actuator body; and a third pivot location pivotally connected to one end of a steering arm. The steering arm is pivoted at its other end to the steering collar. Also, an aircraft landing gear with the steering device and aircraft having the landing gear.
US09988140B2
Systems and methods using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to perform physical functions on a cell tower at a cell site include flying the UAV at or near the cell site, wherein the UAV comprises one or more manipulable members; moving the one or more manipulable members when proximate to a location at the cell tower where the physical functions are performed to effectuate the physical functions; and utilizing one or more counterbalancing techniques during the moving ensuring a weight distribution of the UAV remains substantially the same.
US09988134B1
Systems and methods are for controlling movement of a marine vessel extending along a longitudinal axis between a bow and a stern and along a lateral axis between a port side and a starboard side, having a first propulsion device located closer to the stern than to the bow and steerable about a first steering axis perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral axes, a second propulsion device located closer to the bow than to the stern and steerable about a second steering axis perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral axes. An input device is configured to input a request for movement of the marine vessel. A control module is configured to control steering and thrust of the first and second propulsion devices to achieve a resultant movement of the marine vessel commensurate with the request for movement.
US09988119B1
A protective covers for small land vehicles has a bottom cover member that is generally in the form of a flat elongated rectangular thin material with two side edges and two end edges attached at a front end edge to a front end edge of a top cover member that has two side portions and two end portions generally in the form of a thin material to cover and drape over a small land vehicle that has handle bars. A peripheral edge of the bottom cover member has a first row of teeth for a zipper and a peripheral edge of the top cover member has a second row of teeth for the zipper. An outer layer of cover material is formed of 420 D water proof treated and UV treated material for the bottom cover member and the top cover member. A first inner layer of cover material is formed of 600 D-PVC material and is attached interior to the bottom cover member, and a second inner layer of cover material is formed of 600 D fabricated of 80 to 90 GSM material and is attached interior to the top cover member.
US09988118B1
The invention is a suspended hanger with an adjustable slide that helps to maintain the suspended hanger in a balanced condition. The hanger has a tubular channel with a longitudinal slot. The channel has one or more devices for attaching suspended objects to the channel. Affixed to the channel by means of the slot is a slide that has a frictional breaking mechanism. The braking mechanism uses a lever and compression spring to secure the slide to any position along the channel. When objects are suspended from or removed from the hanger, the slide is adjusted to achieve the balanced condition. The suspended hanger may be suspended overhead by one or more pulleys. The invention is especially suited for holding bicycles, especially three bicycles.
US09988106B2
A suspension automobile comprising an automobile body, wheels and a flow disturbing plate, the wheels connect the flow disturbing plate through connecting devices, and a fluid channel communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the flow disturbing plate and a bottom shell of the automobile body; a power device used for driving the automobile is contained in the body and is suspended along with lift force generated by the body. The invention changes the common sense that the wheels bear all weight generated by the self-weight, loads, and gravitational acceleration of the automobiles when traveling; the body which exceeds 90% by weight of the automobile generates lift force to suspend, the wheels eliminate lift force; meanwhile, a novel propelling force source is found from fluid resistance; the suspension automobile can be driven by various energy including engines and clean energy, thus effectively reduce energy loss.
US09988104B2
The present invention provides an operator compartment structure for a working machine. The compartment structure comprises a roof having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a floor spaced apart from the roof. A first section of the inner surface of the roof is orientated at an angle to the floor.
US09988102B2
A passenger compartment of the modular vehicle, such as a bus, includes a roof panel and sandwich-type side panels coupled to structural joiners to form the passenger compartment. The side panels and the joiners may include pultruded beams for increased structural integrity. A chassis of the vehicle has channels integrated therein for coupling of the side panels and passenger compartment to the chassis. This coupling to the chassis channel may also include the use of a bonding agent.
US09988096B2
Several grill assemblies and methods for assembling the same are claimed and disclosed. In one embodiment, the assembly includes slotted panels with a single deformable wall to fix the slotted panels together. In another embodiment, slotted panels are fixed together using two deformable walls, one deformed subsequently after the other. The general shape of panels and grill assemblies is disclosed. Features of grill assembly members used to mount the grill to separate structural frame members and mount separate assemblies to the grill assembly are also disclosed.
US09988094B1
A vehicle body structure, includes a structural pillar that is located adjacent to a passenger compartment. The structural pillar has an elongate aluminum extrusion that has a peripheral wall that defines a closed cross-sectional shape. The peripheral wall has at least a first portion that is oriented toward the passenger compartment, and a stiffening structure that is connected to the first portion of the elongate aluminum extrusion.
US09988090B2
A vehicle frame includes: a pair of right and left side frames; plural cross members connecting the pair of right and left side frames; and a pair of right and left push members obliquely extending forward and also toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, from right and left ends of one of the cross members in front of a cabin. The frame further includes: a pair of right and left first diagonal members obliquely extending backward from positions opposing the push members across one cross member to connect the one cross member with an intermediate portion of another cross member behind the one cross member; and a second diagonal member obliquely extending backward in V shape from a position opposing the first diagonal members across the other cross member to connect the other cross member with inner surfaces of the right and left side frames behind it.
US09988088B2
A structure for connecting a strut bar is provided to reinforce lateral rigidity of an engine room of a vehicle. The structure includes a first strut bar that has a first end coupled to a dash panel of a vehicle and a second end coupled to a strut housing and a second strut bar that has a first end coupled to the dash panel and a second end coupled to the first strut bar, and is disposed to have a predetermined angle with respect to the first strut bar. Further, a connecting bar has a first end coupled to the first strut bar and a second end coupled to the second strut bar, and connects the first strut bar and the second strut bar to increase lateral rigidity of a vehicle body, diversify load paths during a collision, and tune a degree to which the dash panel is pushed.
US09988079B2
An independent steering mechanism of controllable hydraulic locking type for left and right wheels is provided. The independent steering mechanism includes a power steering mechanism, a steering drive mechanism, a hydraulic locking mechanism and an electronic control unit. Power of the left and right steering motors flows through the worm, the worm gear, the gear to drive left and right racks to translate. Outer ends of the left and right racks are connected to left and right tie rods via spherical hinges respectively. Inner ends of the left and right racks are connected to a piston rod and a cylinder barrel via spherical hinges respectively. A left chamber and a right chamber in the hydraulic cylinder are connected to an oil reservoir via an electro-hydraulic valve. The left and right steering motor controllers for the left and right steering motor and the electro-hydraulic valve controller are communicated via CAN bus.
US09988077B2
Filters output a vibration-suppression gain for suppressing resonance of a sub frame or shimmy by performing a filter processing on a rotational angle of a motor. The filters have respective frequency characteristics that a gain becomes a maximum magnitude and a phase advances by 90° at a cut-off angle frequency. The cut-off angle frequency of the filter is fixedly set at a resonance frequency of the sub frame. The cut-off angle frequency of the filter is variably set in accordance with a tire rotation frequency. A gain adder adds the respective gains of the filters and outputs an added magnitude to a correcting mechanism as a vibration-suppression gain. The correcting mechanism corrects a motor torque set by an assist map by using the vibration-suppression gain outputted by the gain adder.
US09988075B2
An update amount calculation processing circuit manipulates a control angle based on an update amount in order to perform feedback-control for causing a steering torque to be adjusted to a target torque. In this case, the update amount calculation processing circuit executes a guard process on the update amount with reference to an estimated amount of change that is a speed equivalent value based on estimation by an induced voltage observer. However, when a command current set by a command current setting processing circuit is zero, the update amount calculation processing circuit determines the estimated amount of change subjected to the guard process to be the update amount. When the command current is zero and the update amount is fixed to a guard value, an electric path between the synchronous motor and a battery is blocked.
US09988072B2
A steering apparatus is provided which can suppress unintended movement of a steering wheel when a clutch is engaged. When a power switch is turned off and a steering wheel is steered, a reaction force control circuit makes a reaction force motor to generate a steering reaction force stronger than a normal steering reaction force to give a driver an appropriate feeling of response according to a steering torque. The strong steering reaction force is applied to a steering shaft to suppress steering of the steering wheel. A steering operation control circuit executes steering operation control, that is, control that makes an actual steered angle equal to a target steered angle based on a steering angle, and then a clutch is engaged. The clutch is engaged after confirmation of an immovable state of steered wheels, and thus rotation of the steering wheel unintended by the driver is suppressed.
US09988062B2
A connectable dolly having a platform with an upper surface, a peripheral edge and a bottom surface, a plurality of caster wheels extends from the bottom surface and are attached thereto, and a connector element is mounted to the platform proximal the peripheral edge and is moveable from a stored position to a deployed position, the connector element having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having an engaging member dimensioned for removably connecting the connectable dolly to a second dolly.
US09988059B2
A vehicle behavior detection device mounted on an own vehicle detects own vehicle's behavior, in particular driver's right or left turn behavior at an intersection on a roadway. The vehicle behavior detection device is a microcomputer system having a CPU capable of providing an intended direction acquiring section, a turn direction acquiring section, a coincidence judgment section and an information output section. The intended direction acquiring section obtains an intended direction toward which the own vehicle is turning. The turn direction acquiring section acquires a direction to which the own vehicle turns. The coincidence judgment section detects whether or not the intended direction coincides with the turn direction of the own vehicle. The information output section provides warning regarding wide right or left turn of the own vehicle when the judgment result indicates that the intended direction does not coincide with the turn direction of the own vehicle.
US09988055B1
Methods and systems for monitoring vehicle occupants using infrared and other sensors are disclosed. The systems may use infrared sensor data to identify each vehicle occupant using biometric signatures (such as heartbeat or facial recognition). Vehicle occupant characteristics may be determined that include skeletal characteristics of the occupants. Further monitoring of the occupants using sensor data may occur until an abnormal situation is detected. Abnormal situations may include medical emergencies, driver impairment, security threats, or similar situations requiring correcting action. The system may then determine and implement an appropriate response to the abnormal situation. Such responses may include generating alerts, adjusting vehicle environmental controls, taking control of operation of the vehicle (such as an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle), or initiating wireless communication with an outside party, such as an emergency service.
US09988053B2
The present invention relates to a Self-Governed Gear Box (SGGB) functions as an automatic gear box system suitable for any power drive ranging from electrical to mechanical. This is an optimally-performed gear box system, in terms of power loss. The assembly is compact and simple with no additional elements other than gears. For the same reason, it is highly economical, easy to assemble and easy to maintain, with an expected ideal performance. Such a dynamic task of an automatic gear box system is achieved by implementing an algorithm enabling to sense the additional load applied at the input end, created by diverting a small quantity of power from the output end. This is in effect of inducing an engine disturbance as under-drive, under sub-optimum output rpm-torque conditions. As the engine disturbance introduced for sub-optimum output rpm-torque condition is a continuous governance mechanism, the input to output speed ratio assumed also will be continues in a designed range. The engine starts from zero speed when this gear box system is coupled between an engine and a load. Thus it is a continuously variable transmission system.
US09988043B2
Methods and systems are provided for determining vehicle spin-out conditions including conditions indicative of a vehicle spin-out ahead of the vehicle actually spinning-out. The methods and systems receive motion parameters of a vehicle based on sensed signals from at least one vehicle sensor of an electronic power steering system and an inertial measurement unit. The method and systems estimate pneumatic trail based on a rate of change of self-aligning torque with respect to axle lateral force. The methods and systems determine vehicle spin-out conditions based on the estimated pneumatic trail. The methods and systems control at least one feature of a vehicle in response to the determined vehicle spin-out conditions.
US09988040B2
A method prevents the stalling of the engine of a hybrid vehicle (1) equipped with an auxiliary motor (4) and wheels (R1 to R4), pistons (2a to 2d), tank (3), axle (5), drive shaft (6), gearbox (7), connections (8a, 8b), and computer (9). The method uses an estimate of the predicted instantaneous speed of the main engine (2) at its next top dead center, for the purpose of assisting the main engine in a stall situation, via the auxiliary motor which can supply sufficient power to it on a one-off basis to prevent it from stopping. The method defines two levels of instantaneous speed. If the predicted instantaneous speed is located in the intervention zone between the two levels, the auxiliary motor assists the rotation of the main engine to enable it to rotate in the same direction, without stalling.