US09546822B2
The present invention relates to liquid to air evaporative heat exchange apparatus, mainly for cooling towers, air conditioning units, and humidifies alike. The present invention incorporate an evaporative module embedded with a liquid delivery system with flow directors to control the flow of liquid through all of its layers. Such a design allows for an even and smooth liquid distribution, while at the same time maximized the duration and surface area for heat exchange to take place. The evaporative module of the present invention can be sealed off at various sections to redirect airflow. Such a design serves dual functions as a drift eliminator or regulator.
US09546818B2
A device to introduce bottles into a lyophilization chamber of a lyophilization machine provided at least with an arrival plane of the bottles and with a deposit plane inside the lyophilization chamber comprises at least limited feed means cooperating with a thruster bar to move it along an approach travel in the direction from the arrival plane to said deposit plane. The introduction device also comprises pantograph means connected to the limited feed means and to the thruster bar and configured to extend with respect to the limited feed means and toward the deposit plane, at least by the defined amount necessary to introduce the bottles completely into the lyophilization chamber.
US09546814B2
The present invention relates to a cryogenic air separation process that provides high pressure oxygen for an oxy-fired combustion of a fuel (e.g., a carbonaceous fuel). The air separation process can be directly integrated into a closed cycle power production process utilizing a working fluid, such as CO2. Beneficially, the air separation process can eliminate the need for inter-cooling between air compression stages and rather provide for recycling the adiabatic heat of compression into a process step in a further methods wherein an additional heat supply is beneficial.
US09546813B2
Embodiments of cascading ice luges and embodiments of apparatuses and methods for making cascading ice luges are disclosed. One apparatus embodying the principles of the invention features shelves and attached brackets in stepwise configuration. The shelves are affixed to a scaffold. Ice blocks can be frozen in trays such that pre-formed lanes are formed in the ice blocks. The trays can be of convenient size that can be placed in a conventional household freezer. Ice blocks can be arranged on the shelves in stepwise figuration and oriented so that a liquid or beverage placed on the uppermost ice block will flow in the pre-formed lanes in a cascading manner thereby rapidly cooling the beverage with minimal dilution.
US09546812B2
A refrigerator includes a storage compartment formed in a cabinet of the refrigerator by a fixed insulation wall, the storage compartment being provided with an access opening, a door rotatably provided to the cabinet to open and close the access opening, a drawer provided in the storage compartment, and a camera. The camera is fixed to a ceiling of the storage compartment to photograph both a first region for storing of food in an external space of the drawer in the storage compartment and a second region for storing of food in an internal space of the drawer. The refrigerator also includes a controller that separates, through a capturing time of a picture containing both the first region and the second region, a first region picture and a second region picture from the picture to individually divide and store the first region picture and the second region picture.
US09546807B2
In various implementations, an air conditioner may include one or more compressors, more than one expansion device, and/or a microchannel condenser. High pressure events may occur during operation of the air conditioner and may be identified. When a high pressure event is identified a bypass operation may be allowed.
US09546806B2
When a fully-closable expansion valve is used, there is a possibility that the expansion valve is fully closed thereby to block a refrigerant circuit. In an air conditioner 1 of the present invention, an indoor heat exchanger 14 includes an auxiliary heat exchanger 20 and a main heat exchanger 21 disposed leeward from the auxiliary heat exchanger 20. In an operation in a predetermined dehumidification operation mode, a liquid refrigerant supplied to the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 all evaporates midway in the auxiliary heat exchanger 20, i.e., before reaching the outlet. Therefore, only an upstream partial area in the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 is an evaporation region, while an area downstream of the evaporation region in the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 is a superheat region. Further, an evaporation temperature sensor 30 which detects an evaporation temperature is disposed downstream of an expansion valve 13 in an outdoor unit 3.
US09546805B2
In a coolant condenser assembly for a motor vehicle air conditioning system, comprising cooling pipes for conducting a coolant through, two collecting pipes for fluidically connecting the cooling pipes, a collecting container with an upper cover wall and a lower bottom wall and a side wall as well as with an inlet opening for conducting the coolant into the collecting container and an outlet opening for conducting the coolant out of the collecting container, with the result that through the inlet and outlet openings the collecting container is fluidically connected to the collecting pipe and/or the cooling pipes, the collecting container comprises an outlet chamber and a riser pipe, and the outlet opening opens into the outlet chamber, and the outlet chamber is connected to the riser pipe and a storage chamber for the coolant is formed within the collecting container and outside the outlet chamber and outside the riser pipe, the collecting container preferably has an inlet chamber and a downpipe, and the inlet opening opens into the inlet chamber and the inlet chamber is connected to the downpipe and the storage chamber is formed outside the inlet chamber and outside the downpipe, the cooling pipes have a superheating region for cooling the vaporous coolant, a condensation region for condensing the coolant and a supercooling region for cooling the liquid coolant, wherein the supercooling region is formed above the superheating region and above the condensation region, the intention is that little coolant will be present in flow spaces in the collecting container. This object is achieved in that the height of the storage chamber is greater than the distance between the lower floor wall and the inlet and/or outlet openings.
US09546801B2
A solar-thermal conversion member includes a β-FeSi2 phase material. The solar-thermal conversion member exhibits a high absorptance for visible light at wavelengths of several hundred nm and a low absorptance for infrared light at wavelengths of several thousand nm and, as a consequence, efficiently absorbs visible light at wavelengths of several hundred nm and converts the same into heat and exhibits little thermal radiation due to thermal emission at temperatures of several hundred ° C. The solar-thermal conversion member may therefore efficiently absorb sunlight, provide heat, and prevent thermal radiation due to thermal emission.
US09546760B2
A modular power generation system including a gasification reactor is disclosed for converting fuel, such as, but not limited to, biomass, to syngas to replace petroleum based fuels used in power generation. The system may include a reactor vessel with distinct reaction zones that facilitate greater control and a more efficient system. The system may include a sealing system for a continuous feed system of a gasifier enabling an inlet opening of a feedstock system to remain open yet seal the reactor without a mechanical system. The system may include a syngas heater channeling syngas collected downstream of the carbon layer support and to the pyrolysis reaction zone. The system may also include a syngas separation chamber configured to produce clean syngas, thereby requiring less filtering. The system may further include an agitator drive assembly that prevents formation of burn channels with in the fuel.
US09546759B2
Natural gas is produced when LNG that is contained in an insulated LNG cargo tank(s) of a non-self-propelled LNG carrier (i.e., a barge) evaporates as a result of heat leakage through the walls of the insulated cargo tank(s). The natural gas is transferred from the barge to a tugboat or a towboat that is equipped with natural gas burning engines through a flexible gas transfer assembly so that the tugboat is powered by the natural gas fuel. The pressure in the cargo tank(s) on the barge is, therefore, effectively managed to prevent or substantially reduce the buildup of pressure within the LNG cargo tank(s). The LNG can then be contained within the LNG cargo tank(s) for an appropriate period of time and can be delivered at an appropriate and acceptable equilibrium pressure and temperature.
US09546754B1
A method and system for repairing an air hose having a first exterior diameter having a deformed or crimped portion is presented. The system includes a helical polymer member, which when in a non-deformed state, has a second inner diameter smaller than a first diameter. The helical member is disposed about the air hose on first and second sides of the deformed member. The helical member has an interior diameter equal to the first diameter when the helical member is disposed about the air hose.
US09546750B2
The pinching operation is facilitated. A hose clamp (H1) is formed by bending a strip-like plate material (1) into a ring-like configuration, and includes a first end portion (5) having a first pinching operation surface (9), and a second end portion (6) having a second pinching operation surface (15). A through-hole (7) is open near the center in the longitudinal direction of the first pinching operation surface (9). At the time of bending into ring-like configuration, expansion regions (19) arranged at both side portions in the width direction of the second pinching operation surface (15) are folded at folding edges (20) with respect to a proximal region (18), whereby the second pinching operation surface (15) is narrowed in the width direction and can enter the through-hole (7). After bending into ring-like configuration, the expansion regions (19) are unfolded at the folding edges (20) and regain a widened state.
US09546743B2
A substantially leak-free, sealable microvalve that can be repeatedly opened and sealed is presented. The resealable microvalve includes a block with a through via and a sealing plate. The gap between the block and the sealing plate is sealed by a sealing material. The sealing material can be melted when heat is applied and can be solidified when heat is absent. To close the resealable microvalve, heat is applied by flowing a current through a resistive heater and an actuator brings the block and the sealing plate into a contacting position. By removing the heat, the sealing material is solidified and creates a sealed state. To open the resealable microvalve, heat is applied to the sealing material. When the sealing material melts, the actuator moves the block and the sealing plate into a spaced apart position.
US09546717B2
The invention relates to a ball screw (10) with a threaded spindle (12), a nut (14), rolling bodies (16) and at least one deflecting device (18, 20), wherein the threaded spindle (12) is displaceable by rotation, and wherein the deflecting device comprises an inner first body part (18) and an outer second body part (20), which body parts together form a deflecting channel (22), wherein the deflecting channel (22) has two tubular ends (24, 26) which are connected to each other via a transfer region (28), wherein the tubular ends (24, 26) of the deflecting channel are in each case formed by mutually complementary partial tubular sections (30, 32, 34, 36) of the body parts (18, 20), and wherein a sleeve (40) surrounding the nut (14) is provided, the deflecting device (18, 20) sits in an opening (42) in the nut (14), the deflecting device (18, 20) projects radially beyond the outer lateral surface of the nut (14) in a relaxed state when the sleeve (40) is absent and, in the presence of the sleeve (40), said sleeve exerts a radially inwardly directed force on the deflecting device (18, 20).
US09546712B2
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft receiving rotary power of an engine, an output shaft outputting the rotary power with rotary speed changed, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear set, a first rotating shaft operating continuously as an input element by being directly connected with the input shaft, a second rotating shaft selectively connected with a transmission housing, a third rotating shaft, a fourth rotating shaft selectively connected with the transmission housing, a fifth rotating shaft selectively connected with the second rotating shaft, a sixth rotating shaft operating continuously as an output element by being directly connected with the output shaft, a seventh rotating shaft, an eighth rotating shaft selectively connected with the first, the fourth, and the seventh rotating shafts, and six friction elements.
US09546703B2
A vehicle includes a transmission, which is characterized by the absence of a friction clutch that is operable to limit torque transfer between the drive wheels and a shaft of the transmission, to prevent torque communication between the drive wheel and the shaft. The transmission includes a selectable one way clutch, which interconnects a housing of the transmission and the shaft. The selectable one way clutch is selectively operable to prevent rotation of the shaft in at least one rotational direction. The selectable one way clutch includes a torque limiting system, such as a ball-detent torque limiting mechanism, which is operable to prevent torque transfer greater than a pre-defined value, between the housing and the shaft.
US09546702B2
A disc brake for a commercial vehicle, includes a brake caliper having a receiving space for functional elements, a mounting and functional opening of the receiving space being closed by a closure plate through which at least one adjusting spindle extends. The closure plate is fastened to the brake caliper so that it can be non-destructively detached. The closure plate, in a first sub-region, is screwed to the brake caliper and, in a second sub-region, is interlockingly held on the brake caliper.
US09546694B2
A flexible coupling assembly includes a power transmitting body to carry a torsional load between opposed rotating members and a quill shaft for carrying an axial load extending through the cavity of the torsional body. The power transmitting body defines an axis, a longitudinally extending cavity, and a first and second flanged portions for coupling opposed rotating members. The quill shaft extends through the cavity of the power transmitting body, spanning the power transmitting body, and fixed to the first and second flanged portions for carrying the axial load across the power transmitting body.
US09546690B2
A bearing which includes a bearing ring and rolling elements. The bearing ring includes an outer surface, having a groove around a circumference of the outer surface, wherein the groove is adapted to accommodate a fiber sensor. The bearing further comprises a clamping element, wherein the clamping element retains the fiber sensor with a clamping force acting in a radial direction of the bearing ring such that the fiber sensor intimately engages the bearing ring. Due to the clamping force, relative movement of the fiber sensor can be reduced.
US09546686B2
A rolling bearing comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, at least one row of rolling elements that are disposed radially between the rings, at least one seal forming a first sealing component that is fixed to one of the rings and engages with the other ring, and at least one flange forming a second sealing component that is fixed to the other ring and is offset axially with respect to the seal on the outer side of the bearing. At least one of the first and second sealing components comprises at least two annular ribs, the other sealing component being mounted axially in contact therewith. At least one closed annular space is delimited by the ribs and by the other sealing component. At least one lubricant is disposed inside the space.
US09546665B2
A ceiling fan including a motor with a stator and a rotor, a downrod assembly having a longitudinal slot therein and a base portion, and a plurality of fan blades attached to the rotor. The motor is capable of sliding along the downrod assembly in order to change the position along the downrod assembly that the plurality of fan blades rotate. Additionally, the speed at which the plurality of fan blades rotate corresponds to the height above the base portion that the plurality of fan blades elevate.
US09546663B2
A heat circulation pump includes a pump housing (1) with a pump impeller arranged therein which is driven by an electric motor arranged in a motor housing (8) which axially connects to the pump housing (1). The heat circulation pump also includes a terminal box (12) which is axially connected to the motor housing (8) in order to receive electric and/or electronic components of the engine control. A plug or socket (34) of an electric plug connection is arranged on the outside of the terminal box (12) for the electric connection. The plug or socket (34) is/are axially offset with respect to the terminal box (12) and is/are arranged adjacent to the motor housing (8).
US09546660B2
In one form, a compressor system includes a compressor, and an annular ring disposed downstream of the compressor and structured to reduce pressure fluctuations in the pressurized air discharged by the compressor. The annular ring may include an internal passage for conducting the pressurized air. The annular ring may include at least one resonator in fluid communication with the internal passage. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
US09546657B2
A compressor having a lower frame and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The compressor may include a cylindrical shell, a rotational shaft rotatably mounted in the cylindrical shell, a rotor and a stator that rotates the rotational shaft, a compression device driven by the rotational shaft, a lower bearing configured to rotatably support one side of the rotational shaft, a lower frame configured to support the lower bearing, the lower frame being configured to be press-fitted into a lower end portion of the cylindrical shell, and a base configured to seal the lower end portion of the cylindrical shell. The lower frame may include a main body configured to be press-fitted onto an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical shell and a flange that extends from the main body, the flange being configured to limit a press-fit depth by contacting the lower end portion of the cylindrical shell.
US09546656B2
The present invention relates to a fluid machine. A pump integrated expander (29A) includes a pump unit (60) and an expansion unit (50). In the pump unit (60), a casing member (65) supports a gear pump (61), a rotating shaft (28) and a driven crank mechanism (81). In the expansion unit (50), a casing including a main body (51a) and a casing member (54) supports an expander (23) including a fixed scroll (51) and an orbiting scroll (52). The pump integrated expander (29A) is divided into the pump unit (60) and the expansion unit (50) by separating at the fitted portion of a tubular portion (65c) on the pump unit (60) side and a smaller inner diameter portion (54b) on the expansion unit (50) side and by pulling the eccentric bush (83) out of a drive bearing (56).
US09546647B2
The primary invention is to cool a water vapor cryopump using a Gas Balanced Brayton cycle refrigerator. The refrigerator is comprised of a compressor, a gas balanced reciprocating engine and a counterflow heat exchanger. It is connected to the cryopump through insulated transfer lines. Options include a gas storage volume with valves that can adjust system pressures, a variable speed engine, gas lines between the compressor and cryopanel that by-pass the engine, and a gas line that by-passes the heat exchanger. This system can cool down and warm up rapidly, rapidly warm and cool the cryopanel without warming the engine, and reduce power input when the cryopanel heat load is reduced.
US09546646B2
A combined pump-injector valve utilizing a single piece as the barrel of the pump and as the stator of the valve, thus eliminating any need for connections between a pump and a valve, and therefore the potential for high-pressure leaks or pressure reductions. The combined pump-injector valve permits injection of nanoliter-sized samples into a chromatographic column, which is sealed during loading of the sample and filling of the pump, such that complete analyses can be completed with microliters of mobile phase with nanoliters of a sample.
US09546642B2
The energy-storing and power-generating system comprises an energy-storing system and a power-generating system. The energy-storing system comprises a high pressure gas generator, a water storage apparatus and a water turbine. The high pressure gas generator comprises at least one sealed high pressure gas tank (2) and an air compressor (1) cooperating therewith. The water storage apparatus comprises at least one sealed water tank (3). The air compressor is in communicated with the high pressure gas tank via a gas inlet pipe (4), while the high pressure gas tank is in communication with the water tank via a gas outlet pipe (5). The water tank is connected to a water inlet of the water turbine (10) via a water outlet pipe. Blades (102) of the water turbine are connected to the power generator via main gears.
US09546634B2
A fuel distribution rail for a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine has connected base tube sections defining a longitudinal fuel channel with connector devices fixed on the base tube and a force relieving groove provided on the outer surface of the base tube sections spaced from the connector devices which extend over at least a part, preferably at least over a greater part of the outer surface of the base tube. In one form a cylindrical base tube has a circular force relieving groove surrounding the base tube spaced from the connector device.
US09546632B2
In a two-stroke engine including a scavenging port (43b) having an open end (42d) opening out in a side wall of the cylinder bore (3a) and communicating with a crank chamber (2a), the open end being configured to be closed and opened by the piston (22), a fuel injection device (71) is mounted on the engine main body so as to inject fuel onto a back side of the piston and/or a part of the side wall of the cylinder bore located under the piston via the open end of the scavenging port or via the open lower end of the cylinder bore. The fuel deposited on the surfaces of the piston and the cylinder inner wall promotes the cooling of such parts.
US09546630B2
An injection valve for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber includes: a housing having at least one spray discharge orifice on a discharge side; a solenoid coil; a magnet armature linearly movable by the solenoid coil; a valve needle for opening and closing the spray discharge orifice, which valve needle projects through the magnet armature and is linearly movable along a longitudinal axis, the magnet armature being linearly movable in relation to the valve needle between a first stop and a second stop, the second stop being formed by a stop element having a stop face and a counter element having a counter face situated opposite the stop face, the stop element having an elastic design so that an angle between the longitudinal axis and the stop face is changed when the counter face strikes the stop face.
US09546627B2
In a support structure of a direct fuel injection valve capable of supporting a fuel injection valve stably for a long period of time, a valve housing is made of a metal and is provided with a first load bearing portion which is to be supported by an engine in an axial direction of the valve housing, a rear end portion of the fixed core is provided with a second load bearing portion which is to be supported by a resilient holding member in the axial direction, and the first and second load bearing portions are held between the engine and the resilient holding members with a forward set load applied to the resilient holding member by a fuel distribution pipe fitted to a fuel inlet tube and fixed to the engine.
US09546625B2
A housing has walls that define a volute passage and a diffuser passage fluidly connected to the volute passage. The volute passage has a first subsection and a second subsection, each having cross-sectional areas defined by tabular data. A centrifugal pump has a rotor and a housing, the housing having walls defining a volute passage and a diffuser passage fluidly connected to the volute passage. The volute passage has a first subsection and a second subsection, each having cross-sectional areas defined by tabular data.
US09546623B2
An assembly device between two sections of a double-skinned fuel pipe of an aircraft has a clamp for assembling the internal pipes, a coupling device for assembling the external pipes, a fitting extending between the ends of the external pipes of the first and second sections, with a shape complementary to the shape of an internal portion of the coupling device, and such that its section through any cutting plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis common to the coupling device and the external pipes contains the smallest surface delimited by: a line corresponding to the intersection of the internal surface of the coupling device with this cutting plane and a straight line cutting said line at two points, this straight line being tangential to the orthogonal projection in this cutting plane, of the internal surface of the external pipes of the first or of the second section.
US09546620B2
Methods and systems are provided for purging a fuel vapor canister into an engine intake. A method comprises flowing fuel vapors from a fuel tank through a full length of the fuel vapor canister from a first input to a first output on a first opposite side from the first input. The adsorbed fuel vapors may be purged from the fuel vapor canister through a full width in the fuel vapor canister from a second input to a second output on a second opposite side from the second input.
US09546615B2
A technique for controlling air-fuel ratio in an internal combustion engine consuming more than one fuel type includes determining a target air-fuel ratio as a function of engine operating conditions; determining an actual air-fuel ratio from the engine operating conditions; determining a first fuel quantity of a first fuel to introduce into a combustion chamber as a function of the engine operating conditions; determining a second fuel quantity of a second fuel such that the actual air-fuel ratio equals the target air-fuel ratio to within a predetermined range of tolerance when the first fuel quantity and the second fuel quantity are introduced into the combustion chamber, the second fuel quantity being determined as a function of the engine operating conditions, the target air-fuel ratio, the actual air-fuel ratio and the first fuel quantity; and introducing the first fuel quantity and the second fuel quantity into the combustion chamber.
US09546612B2
A power system may include an internal combustion engine, an exhaust gas recirculation system, a selective catalytic reduction system, and an engine control module. The internal combustion engine includes a plurality of combustion cylinders and a plurality of corresponding intake valves for controlling a flow of air from an intake into the cylinders. The engine control module is configured to adjust a closure timing of the intake valves based on at least one engine parameter and optimization of an operational cost of the power system. A method for controlling the power system may include recirculating a portion of an exhaust flow, injecting a reductant into the exhaust flow, and adjusting a closure timing of the intake valves based on at least one engine parameter and optimization of an operational cost of the power system.
US09546609B2
A gas supply nozzle assembly for port injection of gaseous fuel into a cylinder of an engine includes a main body with a funnel shape that has a large area inlet for attachment to a metering valve and a small end. A centerline of the main body curves through an angle greater than zero. An end nozzle that defines a gas passage extending between an inlet and a discharge end. A check valve is clamped between the small end of the main body and the inlet end of the end nozzle, and is biased closed to block flow from the end nozzle into the main body, the opening responsive to a pressure differential to permit flow from the main body into the end nozzle.
US09546601B2
The present application provides a clocked combustor can array for coherence reduction in a gas turbine engine. The clocked combustor can array may include a number of combustor cans positioned in a circumferential array. A first set of the combustor cans may have a first orientation and a second set of the combustor cans may have a second orientation.
US09546598B2
The present application provides a variable volume combustor for use with a gas turbine engine. The variable volume combustor may include a liner, a number of micro-mixer fuel nozzles positioned within the liner, and a linear actuator so as to maneuver the micro-mixer fuel nozzles axially along the liner.
US09546597B2
A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a rotating assembly having a turbine wheel disposed inside a turbine housing and a compressor wheel disposed inside a compressor cover. The turbocharger also includes a waste-gate assembly configured to selectively redirect at least a portion of the engine's post-combustion gases away from the turbine wheel. The waste-gate assembly includes a valve, a rotatable shaft connected to the valve, and a bushing fixed relative to the turbine housing and disposed concentrically around the shaft such that the shaft rotates inside the bushing for opening and closing the valve. The bushing is defined by a length, an outer surface in contact with the turbine housing, and an inner surface in contact with the shaft. The inner surface includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves configured to counteract friction between the bushing and the shaft and avoid seizure of the shaft relative to the bushing.
US09546591B2
An exhaust system includes a first turbine having an inlet that is fluidly coupled to an exhaust conduit; a valve assembly having an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port, the inlet port of the valve assembly being in fluid communication with the exhaust conduit; a second turbine having an inlet that is fluidly coupled to the first outlet port of the valve assembly via a first outlet port conduit, and fluidly coupled to an outlet of the first turbine via a first turbine outlet conduit; and a controller operatively coupled to the valve assembly. The valve assembly has a first configuration that blocks fluid communication between the inlet port and the first outlet port, and the valve assembly has a second configuration that effects fluid communication between the inlet port and the first outlet port.
US09546588B2
A method of modifying the oil cooling system of a diesel engine includes the steps of removing the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and installing a manifold having a configuration adapted to match the mounting configuration of the oil passages of the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger. The manifold has an oil outlet port directed to a remotely mounted oil cooler. The manifold also has a water passage having a configuration that is adapted to match the mounting configuration of the water passages of the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger. The water passage causes the entirety of the flow of water to be discharged back to the water cooling system of the engine where it is circulated by the water pump through the water cooling passages in the engine.
US09546577B2
A valve timing control apparatus includes a driving-side rotating member, a driven-side rotating member, a fluid pressure chamber defined by the driving-side rotating member and the driven-side rotating member and divided into a retarded angle chamber and an advanced angle chamber by a parting portion, an angle detecting portion detecting a relative angle of the driven-side rotating member relative to the driving-side rotating member, a fluid control mechanism controlling a supply and a discharge of an operation fluid to and from the fluid pressure chamber, an acceleration operation quantity detecting mechanism detecting an acceleration operation quantity, and a control portion setting either a normal drive mode or an acceleration drive mode as a control mode relative to the fluid control mechanism based on the acceleration operation quantity, and controlling the fluid control mechanism so that the relative angle corresponds to a target angle determined based on the set control mode.
US09546559B2
A lock link for locking variable stage stator vanes in a compressor includes a substantially planar body portion having a slot formed on one edge and a narrow neck portion extending away from an opposite edge, the narrow neck portion adapted to seat in a corresponding slot in an adjacent lock link attached to an adjacent vane; and a profiled opening in the substantially planar body portion adapted to receive a key provided on a vane stem to prevent relative rotation between the vane and the lock link.
US09546558B2
A resonance chamber (42) has an outer wall (32) with coolant inlet holes (34A-C), an inner wall (36) with acoustic holes (38), and side walls (40A-C) between the inner and outer walls. A depression (33A-C) in the outer wall has a bottom portion (50) that is close to the inner wall compared to peaks (37A-C) of the outer wall. The coolant inlet holes may be positioned along the bottom portion of the depression and along a bottom portion of the side walls to direct coolant flows (44, 51) toward impingement locations (43) on the inner wall that are out of alignment with the acoustic holes. This improves impingement cooling efficiency. The peaks (37A-C) of the outer wall provide volume in the resonance chamber for a target resonance.
US09546557B2
A nozzle, a nozzle hanger, and a ceramic to metal attachment system are provided. The ceramic to metal attachment system includes the nozzle, a ceramic matrix composite, and the nozzle hanger, a metal. The attachment system also includes a clamping member adjacent a second surface of the nozzle and a mounting member of the nozzle. The attachment system includes a plurality of attachment members securing the nozzle, the clamping member, and the nozzle hanger together. A sealing member of the nozzle hanger seals off an airfoil of the nozzle from adjacent airflow.
US09546553B2
The film cooling structure includes: a wall surface along which a heating medium flows; and at least one pair of film cooling holes that open at the wall surface and that blow a cooling medium. The pair of film cooling holes are arranged to be adjacent to each other in a main flow direction of the heating medium. In addition, perforation directions of the pair of film cooling holes are set such that directions of swirls of the cooling medium formed by blowing are opposite to each other, a swirl of the cooling medium on a downstream side in the main flow direction is mixed and merged with another swirl of the cooling medium on an upstream side in the main flow direction, and the merged cooling medium flows along the wall surface in a direction intersecting with the main flow direction.
US09546552B2
A gas turbine having a system of stages including at least one stage having first and second airfoils arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. The first airfoils each have a first array of cavities and the second airfoils each have a second array of cavities different from the first array of cavities.
US09546533B2
Systems and methods that utilize bremsstrahlung radiation may be used to facilitate the setting of a settable composition. For example, a method may include providing a settable composition in a portion of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, a portion of the subterranean formation, or both; conveying an electron accelerator tool along the wellbore proximal to the settable composition; producing an electron beam in the electron accelerator tool with a trajectory that impinges a converter material, thereby converting the electron beam to bremsstrahlung photons; and irradiating the settable composition with the bremsstrahlung photons.
US09546529B2
A pressure actuation enabling method includes plugging a passage that fluidically connects an inside with an outside of a tubular with a plug, building differential pressure across the plug, actuating an actuator with the differential pressure and removing the plug.
US09546526B2
A torque wrench apparatus comprises a top wrench, a bottom wrench, and a middle wrench. The top and bottom wrenches are configured such that either one of them rotates a first joint in a first direction, and the middle wrench is configured to rotate a second joint in a second direction opposite the first direction; or the top and bottom wrenches are configured such that either one of them immobilizes a first joint, and the middle wrench is configured to rotate a second joint in a first direction; or the middle wrench is configured to immobilize a first joint, and the top and bottom wrenches are configured such that either one of them rotates a second joint in a second direction opposite the first direction. A method for making and breaking joints with the apparatus is also introduced.
US09546515B2
A method in accordance with the invention includes prompting a user to align a mobile device with a geometric feature (e.g., a window sill, corner, etc.) of a window. The method further determines a position and orientation of the window using sensors of the mobile device. Based on the position and orientation of the window, the method determines a position of the sun over time relative to the window. The method automatically adjusts a window covering of the window to take into account the position of the sun over time. For example, the method may automatically tilt slats of a window blind or open or close a window covering to take into account the position of the sun over time. A corresponding system is also disclosed herein.
US09546512B2
The invention provides a closures (106) for a compartment (100) having one or more walls (112, 114, 116, 118) and an opening (110) defined by at least one of the walls (112, 114, 116, 118). The closure (106) is associated with at least one fastener located inside the compartment (100). The fastener can hold the closure (106) in a first position (eg. closed) relative to the opening (110). The fastener is adapted to cause the closure (106) to assume a second position (eg. open) relative to the opening (110) upon receipt of a suitable signal. The closure (106) has at least one indicium (108) visible from outside the compartment (110). The indicium (108) is adapted to provide a visual indication of a status of the closure (106) or the compartment (110), such as closure open, closure closed, compartment empty, compartment occupied. Instead of indicium (108) or in addition to it, the closure of the invention can include in the fastener means for communicating to a remote device, a status of the closure or the compartment. The closure and the compartment may form an array with other closures and compartments having similar fasteners. In that event, the fastener in each compartment may be addressable.
US09546508B2
A mechanical device includes a long, narrow element made of a rigid, elastic material. A rigid frame is configured to anchor at least one end of the element, which is attached to the frame, and to define a gap running longitudinally along the element between the beam and the frame, so that the element is free to move within the gap. A solid filler material, different from the rigid, elastic material, fills at least a part of the gap between the element and the frame so as to permit a first mode of movement of the element within the gap while inhibiting a different, second mode of movement.
US09546503B2
A rotary latch has a housing having first and second posts therein. A catch is mounted for rotation about the first post between latched and unlatched positions. A pawl is mounted for rotation about the second post between a catch-retaining position and a catch-releasing position. When the catch is in the latched position and the pawl is in the catch-retaining position, the pawl engages the catch and prevents it from rotating out of the latched position. When the pawl is in the catch-releasing position the catch is movable to its unlatched position. A motor and gear train mounted in the housing includes an output gear mounted for rotation about the second post. The output gear is in engagement with the pawl such that activation of the motor causes the output gear to rotate the pawl to the catch-releasing position.
US09546501B2
An awning system for a canopy that couples to two legs of the canopy is disclosed. The awing includes a fabric cover and frameworks. The supportive frameworks include a pair of side supports, each attached to a leg of the canopy and a laterally telescoping crossbeam that attaches to the distal ends of the side supports. The frameworks further include a plurality of tent poles connected perpendicularly to the side supports. The poles support the fabric cover in an upwardly arched shape to facilitate the shedding of water. A tension pole is connected to the bottom of a proximal fabric panel and the top of the distal fabric panel using a system of fabric pockets. The fabric cover is removably attached to the frameworks. The awning provides all-weather protection and may display a sign. Removable rain gutters attach to the awning supports and channel water down legs of the canopy.
US09546496B2
A method of forming a post sleeve within a post hole in the ground to include a post receiving cavity to insertably receive and support a post is provided. The method includes positioning a post sleeve core within the post hole with the aid of an elongate installation member and depositing uncured material into the post hole to at least partially surround the post sleeve core while the post sleeve core is attached to the elongate installation member. The method further includes allowing the uncured material to harden around the post sleeve core to form at least a portion of the post-receiving cavity of the post sleeve and removing the post sleeve core from the hardened material to expose the post receiving cavity to receive and support the post. Other related methods of forming post sleeves are also provided.
US09546494B2
A portable aircraft storage system for storing aircraft. The portable aircraft storage system generally includes a container having an enclosed space therein. The container has several connected walls including a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. A door is connected to the top wall by a hinge. The door rotates about the hinge between an open and a closed position. A front sliding section is coupled to the door. The front sliding section slides into and out of the enclosed space. A rear sliding section is coupled to the rear wall. The rear sliding section slides into and out of the enclosed space.
US09546492B2
The invention relates to a device (1) for covering a surface (3) of which the contour defines a surface plane, said device comprising: (a) a substantially rectangular cover (10) wound onto (b) a drum (2) which is rotatably mounted on a carriage that can wind up or unwind the cover (10) by movement of the carriage in a longitudinal direction of the surface and thus allows the deployment of the cover or the removal thereof from the surface (3); and (c) a protective casing (20) mounted on said carriage, characterized in that the distance between the edge of the casing and the edge of the surface varies between a first stopping position dp, and a second movement position dm when the carriage moves the drum over the surface (3), and in that dm>dp.
US09546489B2
This invention relates to a formwork support member, and a scaffold structure formed from at least a pair of adjacent formwork support members. The formwork support member comprises at least two spaced vertical members, at least one connecting member bridging said vertical members to form thereby a rigid formwork support member, each vertical member including a plurality of attachment means at spaced intervals there-along for releasable attachment thereto of at least one brace member extending between adjacent formwork support members to form the scaffold structure.
US09546476B2
There are provided a toilet cleaning apparatus having a bubble supply mechanism and a cleaning method thereof. The toilet cleaning apparatus having a bubble supply mechanism includes a mixture tank in which raw water supplied from a raw water supply unit, air introduced from an air supply unit, and a cleaning solution supplied from a cleaning solution supply unit are mixed and accommodated, a bubble generation unit provided in the mixture tank and generating bubbles with the raw water, air, and the cleaning solution by using an impeller, and a bubble discharging unit connected to the mixture tank and discharging bubbles generated by the bubble generation unit to the toilet bowl to cover water stored in the toilet.
US09546475B2
A valve member assembly includes a housing, a check valve assembly, and a float valve assembly. The housing is a cup, a retainer and a bonnet releasably secured together. The check valve assembly is positioned within the cup, and the float valve assembly is positioned between the bonnet and the retainer. The valve member assembly can be easily assembled and inserted into a valve body.
US09546463B2
An ocean surface-driven apparatus (1) to be installed around structural marine components comprising at least one ring wherein said ring comprising a plurality of rollers (2) disposed on a plurality of roller shafts (3) which are linked together by connectors (4). A plurality of linking members (5) with at least one moving self-cleaning ring (6) disposed on each linking member, said linking members linking a plurality of rings together.
US09546462B2
A self-propelled snowthrower wherein, in one embodiment, drive members on each side of the snowthrower provide variable speed propulsion. A transmission that delivers power to the drive members may be adapted to de-clutch one of the two drive wheels when the ground speed of that wheel exceeds the driving speed of the transmission. In other embodiments, the snowthrower includes a rotor having a snow ejection surface forming a negative rake angle. Yet other embodiments include a chute rotation control mechanism that permits manual discharge chute rotation via one-handed input.
US09546459B2
An apparatus for repositioning traffic control devices includes a bracket configured for removable attachment to a vehicle. The apparatus further includes a striker arm attached to the bracket and projecting forward of the bracket at a first end of the striker arm so as to form an acute angle with respect to a direction of travel of the vehicle.
US09546451B2
A surface treatment composition includes a solution having a pH within a range of above 4 to 8 that includes metal cations produced in situ from a metal-containing substance having a Ksp no greater than 1×10−6 in a reaction with an acid having a pKa in a range of −3.0 to +3.5. The composition further includes an agent mixed with the solution that is either a surface sizing agent or a coating agent used on a paper substrate. A print media includes the composition applied to a paper substrate. Preparation of the composition includes reacting the metal-containing substance with the acid, adjusting the pH to above 4 to 8, and mixing the metal cation-containing solution with either the surface sizing or coating agents.
US09546448B2
A doctor apparatus for a web forming machine to doctor a moving surface, and the doctor apparatus (10) includes a doctor blade (16) and blade holder (11), which blade holder (11) has a holder component (14) preferably made of aluminum, to which the doctor blade (16) is mounted by a front plate (15), and a frame component (12) preferably made of fiber-reinforced polymer material, to which the holder component (14) is mounted. The doctor apparatus (10) having a loading element (22) arranged between the frame component (12) and holder component (14) to load the blade holder (11) and further the doctor blade (16). The invention also relates to a corresponding blade holder and holder component.
US09546447B2
An elevator load bearing assembly (30) includes a jacket (34) having different portions comprising different polymer compositions. In a disclosed example, a plurality of tension members (32) are at least partially surrounded by a first portion (36) comprising a first polymer composition. A second portion (38) establishes at least one exterior surface (40) of the jacket (34) and comprises a second polymer composition. In one example, a surface-modifying agent is added to alter the composition of at least a portion of the jacket (34). In another example, co-extrusion techniques using different polymer compositions establish different portions of the jacket (34).
US09546441B1
An embroidery decoration has an outer frame and a stitching plate. The stitching plate is detachably mounted in the outer frame. An outer periphery of the stitching plate abuts an inner periphery of the outer frame. The stitching plate has multiple through holes formed through the plate surfaces for needles and threads to directly pass through for stitching on the stitching plate. After stitching, the outer frame, the stitching plate and the thread on the stitching plate form the end product. The stitching plate is solid in a fixed shape, thereby eliminating the problem of loosening and facilitating convenience in stitching. The embroidery decoration is mainly composed of two components made by plastic injection molding, such that the manufacturing cost is reduced.
US09546439B2
A method of forming a nonwoven article comprising receiving fibrous material comprising thermoplastic fibers; processing the fibrous material to produce short fibers, wherein the processing step comprises granulation using at least one granulator with a screen; distributing the short fibers approximately evenly across an area to form a short fiber web, wherein the distributing step comprises a use of a recyclate spreader; heating the short fiber web to fuse the short fibers to form a nonwoven material; and forming a sheet of the nonwoven material.
US09546438B2
A carbon/carbon part and processes for making carbon/carbon parts are provided. The process involves forming steps, carbonization steps and densification steps. The forming steps may include needling fibrous layers to form fibers that extend in three directions. Pressure may be applied to a fibrous preform at an elevated temperature to increase the fiber volume ratio of the fibrous preform. The densification steps may include filling the voids or pores of the fibrous preform with a carbon matrix.
US09546436B2
Casting polycrystalline silicon includes placing a bottomless cooling crucible divided at least partially in the axis direction into a plurality of parts in the peripheral direction and having an inner surface coated with a release agent containing nitrogen, in an induction coil of a chamber charged with an inert gas; melting a raw material of polycrystalline silicon in the bottomless cooling crucible by electromagnetic induction heating using the induction coil; and pulling out the molten silicon downward while cooling and solidifying it. Pullout of the solidified molten silicon is performed through adjusting the carbon concentration of the molten silicon to 4.0×1017 atoms/cm3 or more to 6.0×1017 atoms/cm3 or less, the oxygen concentration thereof to 0.3×1017 atoms/cm3 or more to 5.0×1017 atoms/cm3 or less, and the nitrogen concentration to 8.0×1013 atoms/cm3 or more to 1.0×1018 atoms/cm3 or less.
US09546430B2
The present invention relates to a lithium recovery device and recovery method. The lithium recovery device of the present invention includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a power supply device. In the lithium recovery device of the present invention, since lithium is attached to an adsorbent of the first electrode by applying a current to the first and second electrodes in a state in which the first and second electrodes are immersed in a lithium-containing fluid, the first electrode including a carrier made of a stainless steel material in a form of an iron mesh or perforated sheet and having a surface coated with the adsorbent containing a manganese oxide, and the second electrode facing the first electrode, it is possible to increase a size of the device and have excellent energy efficiency and economic feasibility.
US09546427B2
A system (10) for generating a chlorine-containing compound includes an anodic chamber (12), a cathodic chamber (20), and a brine chamber (30). The anodic chamber (12) includes an anodic electrode (14) and the cathodic chamber (20) includes a cathodic electrode (22). A membrane (28) separates the anodic and cathodic chambers (12), (20). The brine chamber (30) includes an anodic electrode (32) and a cathodic electrode (34). Concentration and type of the chlorine-containing compound can be selectively and consistently controlled by the system (10) in real time.
US09546421B2
A method of forming a film layer and a substrate comprising the film layer to reduce occurrence of defects and improve the quality of the film layer are described. The method of forming a film layer comprises forming a plurality of sub-film layers of a same material overlapped with each other on a substrate by multiple steps to constitute the film layer, wherein each time a sub-film layer is formed, the newly-formed sub-film layer is cleaned immediately. The substrate comprises a film layer formed by the above method.
US09546418B2
A method of making a diffusion bonded sputter target assembly is provided. A target blank comprising a first metal or alloy has a first surface defining a sputtering surface and a second surface. A second metal or alloy is placed around the target blank. A backing plate is provided adjacent the second metal or alloy that is positioned alongside of the second target surface. This assembly is then diffusion bonded, and a portion of the second metal overlying the sputtering surface of the target is removed to expose the target sputtering surface. W target or W alloy target/Ti or Ti alloy backing plate assemblies are provided with an Al interlayer positioned intermediate the W or W alloy target and backing plate. The assembly has a bond strength exceeding 50 MPa.
US09546410B2
The present invention aims at providing bronze alloy for a musical instrument that has high strength and processability and is provided with excellent acoustic characteristics by addition of Zr. The bronze alloy for a musical instrument according to the present invention has a component composition that contains 18% by mass to 26% by mass of Sn, 0.0005% by mass to 0.25% by mass of Zr, and a remainder consisting of Cu and inevitable impurities. Bronze alloy for a musical instrument having high strength and processability is obtained by setting the component composition as described above. Furthermore, from the frequency analysis result shown in FIG. 6A, in Example 13, higher harmonic components increase and low frequency waves also increase as compared with Comparative Example 2, and it is known that the enhancement of sound qualities such as complexity of beat sounds, profound feeling, and audibility is obtained.
US09546405B2
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to isolated nucleic acid sequences, methods of use thereof, and workflows for detection of several Listeria species in a sample, particularly in a food or environmental sample. Embodiments of the disclosure may also be used to detect one or more species or strains of Listeria from each other, for example L. grayi may be detected independently of other Listeria spp. Some embodiments also describe a duplexed assay that can detect L. monocytogenes, L. innocua, L. welshimeri, L. seelgeri, L. marthii (formerly incertae-sedis), L. ivanovii, and L. grayi. Kits for detection of Listeria are also described. In some embodiments, methods and kits of the disclosure may comprise a TAQMAN® assay. In some embodiments, 0.2-2 cfu of Listeria spp. are detected using the compositions, methods and kits after a 24-28 hour enrichment period.
US09546404B2
Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5′ and 3′ regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5′ portion of a target gene relative to the 3′ region of the target gene.
US09546399B2
The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits for detecting duplicate sequencing reads. In some embodiments, the duplicate sequencing reads are removed.
US09546395B2
Systems and methods for monitoring biofilm growth are provided. A method comprises supporting at least one coupon in a water reservoir, wherein the water reservoir feeds water into a tower interior, removing the at least one coupon from the water reservoir, and measuring a level of biofilm growth on the at least one coupon. The level of biofilm growth on the at least one coupon is predictive of a level of biofilm growth within the tower interior. Providing an indicator of predictive biofilm growth may allow measures to be taken to prevent biofilm growth in other sectors or areas of the tower.
US09546387B2
The invention provides a recombinant microorganism that has been genetically engineered to contain metabolic pathway for the production of muconic acid from a salicylic acid intermediate. The genetically engineered metabolic pathway comprises both biosynthetic and biodegradative elements.
US09546385B2
One aspect of the invention relates to industrial bioconversion of the xylose portion of biomass materials into fuels and chemicals. Another aspect of the invention relates to industrial bioconversion of the xylan portion of biomass materials into fuels and chemicals. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to the bacterium Clostridium thermocellum, a highly cellulolytic organism that has much potential as a biocatalyst in a consolidated bioprocess configuration. In some embodiments, the invention is a genetic modification that confers the ability to ferment xylose to C. thermocellum and the strains created with this modification. In some embodiments, the genetic modification is composed of two genes contained in an operon from T. saccharolyticum. The genes express proteins with xylose isomerase (XI) and xylulokinase activites (XK). In other embodiments, the invention relates to a recombinant Clostridium thermocellum host cell capable of fermenting xylan.
US09546383B2
Human pluripotent embryonic stem cells produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer as well as methods of making and using said human pluripotent embryonic stem cells are disclosed.
US09546376B2
A technique by which the production of plant biomass can be significantly increased is provided. A gene encoding protein phosphatase 2C having 3 consensus sequences comprising the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS: 1-3 from the N-terminal side in such order and a gene encoding glutathione-binding plastid-type fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase is introduced, or an expression control region of endogenous genes corresponding to the genes are modified.
US09546375B2
A method for synthesizing influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) within a plant or a portion of a plant is provided. The method involves expression of a novel influenza HA protein in plants and its purification The invention is also directed towards a VLP comprising influenza HA protein and plants lipids. The invention is also directed to a nucleic acid encoding improved influenza HA as well as vectors. The VLPs may be used to formulate influenza vaccines, or may be used to enrich existing vaccines.
US09546373B2
The present invention relates to a plant, which is resistant to a pathogen of viral, bacterial, fungal or oomycete origin, wherein the plant has a reduced level, reduced activity or complete absence of DMR6 protein as compared to a plant that is not resistant to the said pathogen, in particular organisms of the Fungi or the phylum Oomycota. The invention further relates to a method for obtaining a plant, which is resistant to a pathogen of viral, bacterial, fungal or oomycete origin, comprising reducing the endogenous level or activity of DMR6 protein in the plant. In addition, the invention relates to the use of a DMR6 promotor for providing disease resistant plants.
US09546371B2
The present invention concerns a chimeric polypeptide comprising several polypeptide domains, which is capable of being secreted in association with membrane vesicles and in particular exosomes.The present invention also concerns a polypeptide constituted by one of said domains for the secretion of a peptide or polypeptide of interest in association with membrane vesicles and in particular exosomes.The invention also concerns the use of polypeptides of the invention and of polynucleotides coding for said polypeptides for the production of immunogenic compositions based on exosomes or based on DNA or for screening protein interactions.The present invention also concerns exploiting the properties of exosomes comprising a polypeptide of the invention and of immunogenic compositions of the invention for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of an infection by a pathogenic agent, a pathogenic organism, a tumour antigen or a cytoplasmic antigen, in particular to elicit or promote, in vivo, in a host, in particular in a human or non-human mammal or a bird, a humoral and/or cellular response against a virus, bacterium, parasite or tumour.
US09546347B2
The invention relates to fluid washing or cleaning products which are present as combination products comprising a packaging means and at least two fluid washing or cleaning compositions A and B that are located in said packaging means and that are separate from each other, wherein the two compositions A and B comprise A: 10 to 75 wt % of builder material(s); 0.1 to 10 wt % of enzyme preparation; 24.9 to 89.9 wt % of water; and B: less than 0.1 wt % of enzyme preparation; 0.5 to 90 wt % of water and at least one further ingredient of washing or cleaning products, and which fluid washing or cleaning products have an improved stability if the viscosity of the compositions A and B is above 1500 mPas.
US09546344B2
The color protection properties of detergents when used to wash colored textiles is to be improved. This is substantially achieved in that polymers are used which are molecularly imprinted using dyes.
US09546342B1
The present invention generally provides a process for treating a soapstock. The present invention more particularly provides systems and methods for treating a soapstock to generate free fatty acids and/or fatty acid derivatives, e.g. fatty acid alkyl esters. The present invention more particularly provides systems and methods for realizing the full fatty acid yield of a soapstock by first converting substantially all of the saponifiable material in a soapstock to salts of fatty acids (soaps) and acidulating the soaps to generate free fatty acids and/or fatty acid derivatives, e.g. fatty acid alkyl esters, wherein the soapstock comprises soaps and saponifiable lipids, e.g. glycerides and/or phospholipids, and the generating of free fatty acids and/or fatty acid is achieved without the use of a mineral acid.
US09546339B2
1-[di(4-octylphenyl)aminomethyl]tolutriazole is prepared in a mineral oil and blended with a liquid alkylated diphenylamine. The liquid product shows increased storage stability with respect to crystallization of the 1-[di(4-octylphenyl)aminomethyl]tolutriazole when the amine is added. This blend product can be stored for a prolonged period of time, and then utilized in a lubricant composition as an antioxidant and corrosion inhibitor.
US09546325B2
A method for removing sulfur, nitrogen or metals from an oil feedstock. The method involves reacting the oil feedstock with an alkali metal and a radical capping substance. The alkali metal reacts with the metal, sulfur or nitrogen content to form one or more inorganic products and the radical capping substance reacts with the carbon and hydrogen content to form a hydrocarbon phase. The inorganic products may then be separated out from the hydrocarbon phase.
US09546323B2
A process for regionalization of mining bitumen-containing oil sands ore for extraction and conversion to produce dry bitumen comprises operating multiple separate oil sands ore mining and extraction facilities or in situ thermal recovery facilities, to produce separate bitumen froth streams; operating a regional paraffinic froth treatment (PFT) hub for receiving a portion of each of the separate bitumen froth streams and treating the bitumen froth streams to produce the dry bitumen; optionally providing a portion of the dry bitumen stream to the bitumen upgrading facility and another portion of the dry bitumen stream to a bitumen market pipeline or remote upgrading facility; and optionally comprising regionalization of water distribution where by-product waters are recovered from the PFT hub and the upgrading facilities and distributed to the mining and extraction facilities for use as extraction processing water to produce the bitumen froth streams.
US09546322B2
A closed system for gaining sellable petroleum coke pieces out of solidified petroleum coke in a coke drum unit, comprises a coke drum unit containing solidified petroleum coke; a coke crushing unit for crushing petroleum coke into sellable petroleum coke pieces; a closed slurry pipe leading petroleum coke slurry to a closed slurry pit; a dewatering bin unit for receiving petroleum coke slurry from the slurry pit, for collecting the sellable petroleum coke pieces and for leading filtered water and petroleum coke fines out of it; a closed drain water pit, separate from the slurry pit, for receiving the filtered water and the petroleum coke fines from the dewatering bin unit; a water settling tank receiving the filtered water and the petroleum coke from the drain water pit and for separating the petroleum coke fines from the water such that the petroleum coke fines collect in the bottom part of the water settling tank, and for leading the petroleum coke fines into the slurry pit where they mix with the petroleum coke slurry; a clean water tank for receiving the purified water from the upper part of the water settling tank; and a removal unit for removing the sellable petroleum coke pieces from the dewatering bin unit.
US09546316B2
This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.
US09546308B2
The present invention relates to an easy, scalable method, relying on conventional and unconventional techniques, to incorporate tilt in the fabrication of synthetic polymer-based dry adhesives mimicking the gecko adhesive system. These dry, reversible adhesives demonstrate anisotropic adhesion properties, providing strong adhesion and friction forces when actuated in the gripping direction and an initial repulsive normal force and negligible friction when actuated in the releasing direction.
US09546307B2
Embodiments of the invention provide for polyurethane-based sealants. The sealants include a reaction product of a reaction system which includes at least one isocyanate, and at least one polyester polyol. The polyester polyol includes a reaction product of a polyester reaction mixture which includes one or more hydrophobic monomers, one or more organic diacids or methyl esters thereof, and one or more diols.
US09546302B2
A base film for a dicing sheet is provided which can suppress dicing debris from generating during the dicing of a cut object without imparting physical energy, such as electron beam or γ ray. The base film for a dicing sheet comprises a resin layer. The resin layer comprises: a ring-containing resin that is a thermoplastic resin having a monomer, as a constitutional unit, having at least one type of an aromatic ring and an aliphatic ring; and an acyclic olefin-based resin that is an olefin-based thermoplastic resin other than the ring-containing resin. The ring-containing resin in the resin layer has a content of more than 3.0 mass %. A dicing sheet is also provided which comprises: the base film for a dicing sheet; and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer placed on the base film.
US09546300B2
A coating composition including a hydrophobic first aliphatic polyisocyanate, a second aliphatic polyisocyanate including a hydrophilic portion, a polyester polyol, a hydrophilic polyol, and a fluorinated polyol compound is disclosed. A coated substrate including a topcoat including the composition is also disclosed. Methods of forming the topcoat on a substrate are also disclosed.
US09546298B2
A material for a surface modifying agent with which the problems of insufficient durability as abrasion and chemical resistances of surface modification effect in polyurethane surface modification by the prior surface modifying agent are resolved, and is immobilized in a matrix resin firmly and improved in durability. A reactive fluorine-containing highly branched polymer obtained by: polymerizing monomer A having in a molecule two or more radically polymerizable double bonds, monomer B having in a molecule a fluoroalkyl group and at least one radically polymerizable double bond, and monomer C having in a molecule an alcoholic hydroxy group and minimum, one radically polymerizable double bond, in presence of a polymerization initiator D in an amount of 5 % to 200 % by mole with respect to the number of moles of the monomer A; a curable composition containing the reactive fluorine-containing highly branched polymer; and a cured film obtained from the composition.
US09546297B2
A method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of opacifying polymer particles containing inorganic pigment particles therein is disclosed. The method yields hollow polymer particles containing pigment particles therein using a non-RAFT emulsion polymerization process by free radical polymerization. The technique is much faster and simpler than known RAFT methods.
US09546295B2
A dressing suitable for tires and plastic automotive trim is an alkaline, aqueous emulsion, free from silicone oil, and contains a non-film forming acrylic polymer, an oxidized polyethylene wax, tributoxyethyl phosphate, hydrophilic carbon black, a non-ionic surfactant, and a biocide. The dressing, when applied to a tire or plastic automotive trim produces a lasting, luxurious luster.
US09546293B2
The present disclosure sets forth a fluid set and a method of wet-on-wet printing. The fluid set can comprise an analog pretreatment fluid including water, latex, and a salt; and a first and second inkjet ink each comprising water, pigment, a solvent system, and a surfactant system. The analog pretreatment fluid can be prepared to have a surface tension from 32 dynes/cm to 40 dynes/cm. The first inkjet ink can have a surface tension ranging from 2 dynes/cm greater than the surface tension of the analog fixer fluid to 6 dynes/cm less than the surface tension of the analog fixer fluid. Likewise, the second inkjet ink can have a surface tension ranging from 2 dynes/cm greater than the surface tension of the analog fixer fluid to 6 dynes/cm less than the surface tension of the analog fixer fluid.
US09546291B2
Provided is a photocurable ink composition for inkjet printing which is favorably cured with light from a light-emitting diode (LED), favorably adheres to a polyvinyl chloride sheet such as a tarpaulin and a vinyl chloride resin sheet, suppresses the occurrence of cockling, and has both safety and favorable ejection stability at room temperature when ejected from an inkjet head for low-viscosity ink, and a printed material. The present invention is a photocurable ink composition for inkjet printing containing photopolymerizable compounds and a photopolymerization initiator. The photopolymerizable compounds are vinyloxyethoxyethyl acrylate and benzyl acrylate, and contained in specific amounts. The photopolymerization initiator is a compound that expresses an initiator function when irradiated with light having a wavelength within the range of 450 to 300 nm. The photocurable ink composition has a flash point of 70° C. or higher and a viscosity at 25° C. of 5 mPa·s or lower, and further contains 50% by mass or more of a monofunctional monomer.
US09546289B2
An ink composition for continuous deflected ink jet printing, which is liquid at ambient temperature, comprising: a solvent comprising, preferably consisting of, one or more organic solvent compound(s), and optionally water; a binder, comprising a saturated copolyester resin and a terpene-phenol resin; a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond and a silicon chain; optionally, one or more dye(s) and/or pigment(s). A method for marking a substrate, support or object by spraying this ink composition on a surface of this substrate, support or object. A substrate, support or object, notably a polyolefin bottle or stopper, cap, for example made of polyethylene, provided with a marking obtained by drying, and/or absorption in the substrate, support or object, of this ink composition.
US09546284B1
Compositions, applications, coatings, processes of making and applying compositions and compositions for preventing dust buildup on plastic and wood surfaces such as on ceiling fan blades, portable fan blades, stand fan blades, window blinds, appliances, furniture, cabinet knobs, and drawer pulls. The compositions and coating prevent dust buildup by (1) dissipating static charges on the blades and (2) creating a very smooth blade surface that prevents dust particles getting “captured”. The coating can have a clear matte finish and contains an anti-static and high lubricity additive to deter the accumulation of dust. After applying the coating the dry time of the coatings by thin coat gravure rollers is approximately four minutes. When applied the coating can result in up to approximately 50% less dust buildup over a one week period of time.
US09546280B2
Variations of this invention provide durable, impact-resistant structural coatings that have both dewetting and anti-icing properties. The coatings in some embodiments possess a self-similar structure that combines a low-cost matrix with two feature sizes that are tuned to affect the wetting of water and freezing of water on the surface. Dewetting and anti-icing performance is simultaneously achieved in a structural coating comprising multiple layers, wherein each layer includes (a) a continuous matrix; (b) discrete templates dispersed that promote surface roughness to inhibit wetting of water; and (c) nanoparticles that inhibit heterogeneous nucleation of water. These structural coatings utilize low-cost, lightweight, and environmentally benign materials that can be rapidly sprayed over large areas using convenient coating processes. The presence of multiple layers means that if the surface is damaged during use, freshly exposed surface will expose a coating identical to that which was removed, for extended lifetime.
US09546277B2
The present invention relates to a thermoplastic film having improved tear and puncture resistance. The thermoplastic film has a plurality of embossed regions that are comprised of a plurality of parallel, linear embosses. The plurality of embossed regions is arranged so that a straight line cannot traverse the thermoplastic film without intersecting at least one of the plurality of embossed regions. Certain embodiments further disclose an unembossed arrangement having at least three distinct segments that extend in three distinct directions.
US09546275B2
This invention relates to asphalt compositions. More specifically, this invention relates to asphalt binder compositions including asphalt, elemental sulfur and polyethylene wax, and methods of making the same. In some aspects, the invention provides a sulfur wax asphalt binder composition that includes a base asphalt having viscoelastic properties, an elemental sulfur, and a polyethylene wax. The polyethylene wax is combined with the base asphalt and the elemental sulfur to create the sulfur wax asphalt binder composition. The polyethylene wax is present in the sulfur wax asphalt binder composition in an amount effective to increase the viscoelastic properties as compared to the viscoelastic properties of the base asphalt.
US09546267B2
This invention generally relates to a multi-stage polymer as a grinding additive and a method of producing the same.
US09546266B2
A polyamide composition comprises a polyamide, an anhydride-functional copolymer reactive with the polyamide, and a poly (ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) ionomer. A pneumatic tire assembly includes an inner liner which is formed from the polyamide composition. The inner liner comprises the reaction product of the polyamide and the anhydride-functional copolymer, as well as the (ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) ionomer.
US09546265B2
Provided are a plant derived plastic blend and a manufacturing method thereof in which high density polyethylene and polylactic acid are microscopically mixed to improve the mechanical properties of the plant derived plastic blend. The plant derived plastic blend comprises 10 wt % or more and 90 wt % or less of a plant derived polyethylene and 10 wt % or more and 90 wt % or less of a plant derived polylactic acid to achieve a total of 100 wt %, and further contains 1 wt % or more and 20 wt % or less of a compatibilizing agent. The manufacturing method of the plant derived plastic blend is carried out in a cylinder by applying a shear flow field and a stretching field and melt-kneading raw material containing the plant derived polyethylene, the polylactic acid and the compatibilizing agent.
US09546261B2
Use of one or more amino-triazine based Mannich-compounds and/or their dimers or trimers and/or one or more precondensate therefrom, including special new amino-triazine based Mannich-compounds, as antioxidant and/or UV-stabilizer for organic material, preferably for polymers; the stabilized material and use of the stabilized material.
US09546247B2
Explosives detection polymers are provided that include a polyamine polymer, such as polyethylenimine, functionalized with a small molecule fluorophore. Methods for detecting an explosive material using polyamine polymers functionalized with a small molecule fluorophore are also provided. Sensors for explosive detection are provided that include a polyamine polymer functionalized with a small molecule fluorophore and a complementary analytical device.
US09546246B2
Polymer complex obtained by polymerization of water-soluble monomers: in the presence of a host polymer comprising vinylamine functions and of a non-polymeric transfer agent, and in the absence of branching or crosslinking agent of ethylenic polyfunctional type.
US09546243B2
The disclosure relates to solving problems associated with conventional latent epoxy curing agents by providing a new class of latent epoxy curing agents. In particular, the disclosure relates to epoxy curing agents with improved storage stability and low use level (e.g., less than about 10 wt % relative to the epoxy compound) by forming solid solutions of certain classes of amines in polyphenolic resins.
US09546242B2
The present invention relates to novel thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions that have crystalline chain ends. The TPU compositions of the invention can provide improved resiliency, lower surface free energy, and/or reduced stickiness, while maintaining other desirable physical properties. The present invention also provides the described TPU compositions that are further grafted with vinyl alkoxysilane moieties allowing for crosslinked networks of the TPU compositions. The present invention also provides plasticizer-free, very soft TPU compositions without the processing difficulties often associated with such materials. The invention further provides means of reducing the surface tension of a TPU composition which can allow for improved blend compositions, and means of crosslinking the described TPU compositions.
US09546235B2
The present invention relates to polymers, especially polymers useful as hydrogels, and to use of hydrogels for repair or restoration of tissue. In particular, the polymers and hydrogels of the present invention can be used for the repair or restoration of cartilage, especially articular cartilage. The polymers comprise at least a monomer for binding water, a monomer for imparting mechanical properties and a monomer for binding to an extracellular protein. The hydrogels comprise a polymer comprising at least a monomer for binding water and a monomer for binding to an extracellular protein. Crosslinking polymers by binding of said extra-cellular matrix protein forms hydrogels.
US09546230B2
The present invention provides a method of producing a polyolefin composition comprising contacting a binuclear metallocene pre-catalyst and a co-catalyst, adding a excess of a metal alkyl, then adding a first olefin monomer. The method allows for the production of polyolefins with a highly stereoregular stereochemical microstructure through living coordination polymerization in which rapid reversible chain transfer between a racemic mixture of a chiral active transition metal propagating center and multiple equivalents of inert main group metal alkyl is competitive with chain-growth propagation at the active center. By virtue of the slower rate of chain-transfer relative to propagation that can be achieved with a binuclear catalyst relative to the corresponding mononuclear catalyst, the present invention provides a work-around solution to the intrinsic limitation on product volume imposed by a traditional living polymerization, as well as a work-around solution to the stereochemically random microstructure that is normally obtained as the result of rapid and reversible chain-transfer between two populations of chiral active propagating centers, of opposite absolute configuration, when a racemic mixture of the pre-catalyst is employed. In essence, the field of invention is defined as stereoselective living coordinative chain-transfer polymerization.
US09546229B2
Methods for synthesizing a random copolymer having a phosphorylcholine group. Syntheses involving a reaction mixture containing a chain transfer agent (CTA), a solvent, a hydrophobic methacrylate monomer, a 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) monomer, and, optionally, an initiator. The random copolymers produced by such synthesis methods having a polydispersity index (PDI) of less than about 1.3 and a peak molecular weight (Mp) of less than about 130,000. Polymer blends and medical devices including such random copolymers, and methods of treating a mammal using such random copolymers or medical devices.
US09546227B2
A process for preparing a polydiene, the process comprising the steps of (i) providing conjugated diene monomer; (ii) charging a nickel-based catalyst system to the conjugated diene monomer; and (iii) charging a modulating Lewis base to the conjugated diene monomer, to thereby polymerize the conjugated diene monomer in the presence of the modulating Lewis base, where said step of charging a modulating Lewis base is separate from said step of charging a nickel-based catalyst, and where said steps of providing conjugated diene monomer, charging a nickel-based catalyst system and charging a Lewis base form a polymerization mixture that includes less than 20% by weight of organic solvent based on the total weight of the polymerization mixture.
US09546206B2
High affinity PD-1 mimic polypeptides are provided, which (i) comprise at least one amino acid change relative to a wild-type PD-1 protein; and (ii) have an increased affinity for PD-L1 relative to the wild-type protein. Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the activity of immune cells in a mammal by administering a therapeutic dose of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a high affinity PD-1 mimic polypeptide, which blocks the physiological binding interaction between PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1 and/or PD-L2.
US09546205B2
Peptide analogs of glucagon and peptide analogs of GLP1 are provided herein. Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the analogs, and methods of using the analogs for the treatment and/or prevention of conditions such as obesity and diabetes.
US09546198B2
The invention relates to a method for inhibiting an ADAM protease, comprising inhibiting binding to an integrin-binding loop of a disintegrin domain in the ADAM protease. Also provided are cyclic peptides which inhibit binding to an integrin-binding loop of an ADAM protease, as well as associated pharmaceutical compositions, uses and methods of treatment.
US09546191B1
A palladium(II) complex which catalyzes the Sonogashira coupling reaction efficiently under aerobic condition and a method of employing the palladium(II) complex to synthesize internal alkynes. The palladium(II) complex is an effective catalyst for the coupling reactions of aryl iodo and diiodo compounds with unactivated alkyl alkynes and terminal dialkynes to produce various novel symmetrical dialkynes and disubstituted internal alkynes in excellent yields.
US09546180B2
Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions that modulate kinase activity, including PI3 kinase activity, and compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment of diseases and conditions associated with kinase activity, including P13 kinase activity, are described herein.
US09546177B2
The present invention is directed to an improved process to convert morphine into noroxymorphone having economic and ecological advantages.
US09546170B2
The disclosure relates to Compounds of Formula (1) : and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein Z1, Z2, Z3, Xa, Xb, Xc, Y, X2, and X4 are as defined herein, compositions comprising an effective amount of a Compound of Formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and methods to treat or prevent a condition, such as cancer which overexpresses Her-kinases, comprising administering to an patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a Compound of Formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09546164B2
The invention provides compounds having the general formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the variables RA, RAA, subscript n, ring A, X2, L, subscript m, X1, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and RN have the meaning as described herein, and compositions containing such compounds and methods for using such compounds and compositions.
US09546162B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for wound healing and scar reduction. The compositions and methods of the invention include at least one EP4 agonist set forth herein. Wounds and or scars that can be treated by the compositions and methods of the invention can arise from events such as surgery, trauma, disease, mechanical injury, burn, radiation, poisoning, and the like.
US09546158B2
The invention relates to novel substituted condensed pyrimidine compounds of general formula (I) in which the chemical groupings, substituents and indices are as defined in the description, and to their use as medicaments, in particular as medicaments for the treatment of conditions and diseases that can be treated by inhibition of the PDE4 enzyme.
US09546157B2
Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases which are pathophysiologically mediated by the ghrelin receptor. The compounds have the general Formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US09546153B2
Compounds having the following formula (I) or a stereoisomer or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, wherein R2 is a bicyclic heterocycle, and R1, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined herein, that are useful as kinase modulators, including IRAK-4 modulation.
US09546142B2
A process for preparing isoxaflutole of formula (I) wherein the process comprises: admixing (5-cyclopropyl-4-isoxazolyl)[2-(methylthio)-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-methanone of formula (II) with acetic acid, acetic anhydride and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a strong acid.
US09546137B2
Disclosed are methods for the preparation of Tecovirimat for the treatment or prophylaxis of viral infections and diseases associated therewith, particularly those viral infections and associated diseases caused by the orthopoxvirus.
US09546135B2
A novel solid drug form of N-(2,6-bis(1-methylethyl)phenyl)-N′-((1-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)cyclopentyl)methyl)urea hydrochloride (also referred to “ATR-101”) suitable for oral dosing, and to compositions, methods and kits relating thereto. ATR-101 has particular utility in the treatment of, for example, aberrant adrenocortical cellular activity, including adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and Cushing's syndrome.
US09546133B2
A method for producing a copolymer for semiconductor lithography containing less metal impurities, and a method for purifying a polymerization initiator for production of the copolymer, are provided. The method for purifying a polymerization initiator to be used for production of a polymer includes a filtering step wherein a solution of a polymerization initiator dissolved in an organic solvent is allowed to pass through a filter having a nominal pore size of not more than 1.0 μm, to reduce the sodium content of the polymerization initiator solution to not more than 300 ppb with respect to the weight of the polymerization initiator. Further, the method for producing a copolymer for semiconductor lithography includes a polymerization step wherein the polymer for semiconductor lithography is synthesized by a radical polymerization reaction in the presence of a polymerization initiator purified by the above purification method.
US09546124B2
Disclosed is a method of preparing acrylic acid from glycerol, including: (a) preparing products including allyl alcohol from reactants including glycerol and carboxylic acid; (b) adding a heterogeneous catalyst and a basic solution to the product including allyl alcohol and then performing oxidation, thus preparing a mixture composed of 3-hydroxypropionic acid and acrylic acid; (c) dehydrating 3-hydroxypropionic acid of the mixture composed of 3-hydroxypropionic acid and acrylic acid, thus producing acrylic acid.
US09546117B2
A process for the tetramerization of ethylene includes contacting ethylene with a catalyst under ethylene oligomerization conditions. The catalyst comprises a source of chromium, a ligating compound, and an activator. The ligating compound includes a phosphine that forms part of a cyclic structure.
US09546114B2
A silicon carbide based material exhibiting high strength, good thermal shock resistance, high resistance to abrasion and being chemically stable to harsh environmental conditions is described. The carbide Ball Hill ceramic comprises a β-SiAlON bonding phase in which sintering is facilitated by at least one rare earth oxide sintering agents incorporated within the Vibrating Sieve batch admixture as starting materials. The residual rare earth sintering aid being chosen so as to impart good mechanical and refractory properties.
US09546111B2
The invention relates mainly to a polymer comprising a hydrocarbon-based main chain bearing carboxylic groups and polyalkoxylated chains and up to 4% by weight of anti-oxidant groups, relative to the weight of the final polymer, grafted to the main chain. It also relates to a method for preparing such a polymer and to an admixture which is of use as a plasticizer of suspensions of mineral particles comprising same. Finally, it is related to the use of such a polymer for fluidifying suspensions of mineral particles and reducing the water demand of hydraulic compositions.
US09546104B2
A phase-separated glass for chemical strengthening has a total light reflectance of 10% or more in a wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm and a value obtained by dividing a maximum value of the total light reflectance by a minimum value of the total light reflectance of more than 4.2, when measured in a form of a plate having a thickness of 1 mm.
US09546086B2
A tapping device for at least one bag-in-box packaging equipped with a tap valve, comprising at least one accommodating area for the bag-in-box packaging, wherein the accommodating area has at least one loading opening, at least one device door that closes the loading opening of the accommodating area, wherein the device door has at least one trigger of an operating apparatus that corresponds to the tap valve, and at least one beverage outlet associated with the tap valve, the operating apparatus has at least one operating element that acts from above on certain parts of the tap valve in order to operate the tap valve and at least one valve accommodating bearing is provided in the area of the loading opening, the at least one valve accommodating bearing having bearing surfaces for wings of the tap valve protruding at least on both sides of the valve housing.
US09546083B2
An apparatus for filling containers with a filling material includes a transport element that rotates in a transport direction, filling positions formed on the transport element, and a common carrier common to all positions and moving with the transport element. Each filling position has a filling element, a weighing cell secured to the carrier, a container carrier, and a functional element assigned to the filling position on the common carrier. The common carrier is adjustable to move by an adjustment unit either in or opposite to the transport direction. The adjustment unit corresponds to a distance between functional elements of filler positions that are adjacent to each other in the transport direction.
US09546079B1
A self-stabilizing hoist apparatus for a lifting system is provided for re-positioning articles which, due to their weight and form, are not readily movable manually. The apparatus includes a support section, a collar section, and a plurality of stabilization members. The support section is adapted for securement to the lifting system, and the collar section is coupled to the support section by the plurality of stabilization members which extend therebetween. The collar section is reconfigurable between open and closed configurations and includes a plurality of arm portions each pivotally coupled to at least one other of the arm portions. At least first and second ones of the arm portions terminate at a free end. The collar section in the closed configuration defines a loop slipped about for capturing the article. In the open configuration, free ends of the arm portions are detached from one another to interrupt the loop.
US09546078B2
Pivoting arrangement of an emergency exit hatch of an elevator, the arrangement being for a surrounding frame structure, a roof element of an elevator, and an elevator, in which arrangement the emergency exit hatch of the elevator is a planar element, and includes pivot brackets on its opposite sides, and the frame structure includes an aperture, which the hatch is arranged to cover, and which aperture includes pivot apertures in its opposite sides, for receiving the pivot brackets, and the planar hatch element and/or the frame structure is/are fabricated from plate material, and the part of the frame structure including a pivot aperture and/or the part of the hatch including a pivot bracket is/are of the plate material.
US09546077B2
A switching device for an elevator door provides a door contact signal. The switching device includes a magnet, a plurality of proximity sensors, and a detection area, which area is adjoined by the proximity sensors and in which the magnet can be moved. A sensor signal can be generated by each of the proximity sensors in at least one position of the magnet in the detection area, wherein the sensor signals are dependent on the distance from the magnet to the proximity sensors. A method for providing the door contact signal utilizes the switching device.
US09546074B2
In an elevator apparatus, a car is suspended by a suspending device. A braking apparatus applies a braking force to the car by the suspending device. An excessive speed detection level that changes in response to car position is set in an excessive speed monitoring portion. The excessive speed monitoring portion makes the braking apparatus perform a braking operation when car speed reaches the excessive speed detection level. An anomalous acceleration detecting mechanism operates a safety device if acceleration that exceeds a preset set value arises in the car.
US09546067B2
In a method for forming product stacks of folded or unfolded product blanks made of paper or chemical pulp, product blanks are supplied consecutively to a stacking surface and placed in an upright position. A separating element is inserted between two consecutive product blanks as the product blanks are moved against a channel wall of a discharge channel for temporary support of a rear side of the product blanks, to thereby form a first product stack with a predetermined number of product blanks between the separating element and the channel wall. The channel wall is opened to thereby allow the first product stack to be transferred to the discharge channel, and a sliding element is inserted between the product stack and a subsequent second product stack, as the first product stack is moved to the discharge channel.
US09546061B2
In order to correct a corrugation caused when a sheet widthwise edge portion elongates more than the vicinity of the center in a sheet feeding direction, a sheet processing apparatus includes: a fixing portion that fixes a toner image onto a sheet by heating, a plurality of pairs of rollers provided along a sheet feeding direction with an interval in the downstream of the fixing portion in the feeding direction to nip and convey a sheet; and a tensioning device that applies a tensile strength of the sheet feeding direction to a sheet in a center area of a width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction.
US09546058B2
A stacking device includes: a first stacking portion having a stacking surface on which a sheet is stacked; a widthwise direction regulating unit, provided movably relative to the first stacking portion in a widthwise direction of the sheet, for regulating a widthwise position of the sheet stacked on the stacking surface; a second stacking portion provided rotatably relative to the first stacking portion between a first position and a second position. The second stacking portion is overlaid on the first stacking portion at the first position and supports, at the second position, an upstream portion of the sheet with respect to a feeding direction of the sheet fed by a sheet feeding unit. The second stacking portion is provided with a cut-away portion to avoid interference with the widthwise direction regulating unit when rotates between the first position and the second position.
US09546056B2
Dock leveler safety supports are disclosed herein. An example dock leveler disclosed herein includes a deck movable relative to a platform between a raised position and a lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in a working configuration. The deck to be inhibited from descending toward the lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in a service configuration. A first deck obstruction is movable relative to the deck between a secured position and an unrestrained position. The first deck obstruction in the secured position configures the dock leveler in the service configuration. The first deck obstruction in the unrestrained position configures the dock leveler in the working configuration. The first deck obstruction in the secured position to block movement of the deck toward the lowered cross-traffic position and the first deck obstruction in the unrestrained position to permit movement of the deck toward the lowered cross-traffic position. A first connector to couple the first deck obstruction to an obstruction actuator. The first connector including a rod, a sleeve to telescopically receive the rod, and a spring held in compression between the rod and the sleeve.
US09546054B1
A system, equipment; and processes for extending the scope of automation in port container facilities, and thereby increasing port capacity within fixed land resources, increasing operational productivity, increasing safety, increasing the velocity and reliability of goods movement, increasing freight security, reducing negative environmental impacts, and reducing the overall cost of goods movement. A storage area is accessed by automated guided vehicles which receive and unload containerized loads. On the waterside, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and ships using quay cranes. On the ground transportation side, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and truck or rail carriers using semi automated or automated remote-controlled bridge cranes. Within the storage area, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and the storage facilities using automated stacking cranes. The vehicles are adapted to receive a cassette storage platform which in turn receives standard ISO containers. The vehicles also are adapted to receive one or more alternative platforms including a coning platform for workers to manage container coning, a reefer access and maintenance platform, and a worker transport platform. The use of a single vehicle type with interchangeable platforms allows for maximum flexibility and efficiency. The automation of the vehicle allows for complete contamination within the storage portion of the system.The system thus substantially extends the reach of automation to cover both landside and waterside intra-terminal transfer operations. By this extension, the interface of workers and machines is greatly reduced, increasing safety, productivity, security, and capacity. By this extension, the robotic control process can be fully optimized, increasing velocity and reliability while reducing the terminal's environmental footprint.
US09546048B2
For filling cups in a cup conveyor, the cups are interconnected and arranged juxtaposed and thus constitute an endless conveyor belt. A cup at least includes an upwardly facing opening. The apparatus includes a filling station with an adjustable dosing device from which the material is supplied to the cups via a chute system during their passage of the filling station. A new feature of an apparatus and a method according to the invention is that the filling station of the apparatus includes a rotatable dispenser arranged above the cups. The rotatable dispenser includes at least one dosing aperture for dosing material into a cup. The apparatus further includes drive means and means for controlling and regulating the at least one dosing aperture in the rotatable dispenser in relation to the positions of the openings in adjacent cups at the filling station when the apparatus is in operation.
US09546041B2
Method in a pneumatic material conveying system, such as in a waste conveying system, which conveying system comprises at least one input point (61) of material, more particularly of waste material, a material conveying pipe (100), which can be connected to an input point (61), and a separating device, in which the material to be conveyed is separated from the conveying air, and also means for achieving a pressure difference in the conveying pipe (100) at least during the conveyance of material. In the method material is conveyed from an input point (61) to an accumulator tank (105) of a subsystem (1), where the material is separated from the conveying air and in a second phase the accumulator tank (105) of the subsystem is emptied.
US09546040B2
A method for a municipality to control, track, and monitor waste or refuse receptacles requires a permit for use of a waste receptacle. An issuing organization issues a permit associated with a discreet receptacle identifier. An RFID tag is provided with the permit and attached to a discreet receptacle. The RFID tag transmits a signal carrying data associated with the discreet receptacle identifier. The signal may be read by a portable reader carried by municipal personnel to record violations of municipal code associated with the use of the discreet receptacle.
US09546033B2
A bowl for storing and serving food products is provided. The bowl includes a bottom panel connected to at least one side panel. The at least one side panel and the bottom panel form a bowl compartment operable to hold soup or other food items. The bowl further includes a pair of opposed handles positioned at the top of the at least one side panel adapted to facilitate pouring of the contents of the bowl. The bottom panel includes a bottom surface. The bottom surface includes an indentation adapted to store food and tools to accompany the soup. A flexible film is removably attached to the bottom surface of the bottom panel, the flexible film covering the indentation allowing food to be stored in the indentation.
US09546030B2
The disclosure herein relates to a kit for creating a knitted garment such as a hat. The kit includes a length of yarn, a topper, a stabilizer, and optionally instructions for creating the garment from the yarn, topper and stabilizer. A method of packaging the kit for an effective presentation to the purchaser is also provided.
US09546027B2
Disclosed herein is a closure containing a top deck, an inner skirt and an outer skirt. The inner skirt engages the neck of a bottle via a snap fitting. The closure contains regions of weakness such that once the inner skirt engages the neck of the bottle and the regions of weakness are broken, the closure cannot be removed from the bottle neck without disabling the snap engagement between the closure and neck, thus preventing refilling and reuse of the bottle.
US09546024B2
A sealing cap includes a cap unit, a knob and at least one guiding mechanism. The cap unit includes a first cap body formed with a through hole extending along an axis, a second cap body, and a resilient gasket sleeved on the second cap body. The knob has a pressing portion abutting against the first cap body, and an insertion portion projecting into the through hole. The guiding mechanism includes an abutting member disposed on one of the second cap body and the insertion portion, and a guiding member having an inclined surface disposed on the other one of the second cap body and the insertion portion. Rotation of the knob causes the abutting member to slide on the inclined surface, and moves the second cap body between an opening position and a sealing position.
US09546022B2
A multiple-opening container is configured to facilitate the simultaneous opening of two or more material containing compartments, thus allowing for the material contents within the multiple containing compartments to be suitably mixed upon pouring into another container. As a result of the simultaneous opening and pouring ability facilitated by the multiple-opening container, the time for mixing of multiple materials, such as beverages, fluids, powders or other like contents, can be suitably reduced. In addition, the de-carbonization and/or deterioration or other side affects caused from pre-mixing of the contents can be eliminated. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, engagement portion can comprise a snap clip and a ring portion configured for sealed coupling to a material containing compartment. Second compartment can be suitably filled within beverages or other materials, and then positioned within the container portion and sealed or otherwise coupled by the engagement portion.
US09546015B2
A carton for holding a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a first side panel, a bottom panel, a second side panel, a first top panel, and a second top panel. The bottom panel comprises a first portion and a second portion. The carton comprises a first proximal side end flap, a first distal side end flap, a second proximal side end flap, a second distal side end flap, a first bottom end flap foldably connected to the first portion of the bottom panel, and second bottom end flap foldably connected to the second portion of the bottom panel. The first distal side end flap is in face-to-face contact with the second distal side end flap, the first bottom end flap is in face-to-face contact with the first proximal side end flap, and the second bottom end flap is in face-to-face contact with the second proximal side end flap.
US09546011B2
A container treatment plant and a method for the treatment of containers are described. The container treatment plant includes a plurality of treatment elements, wherein each treatment element is used for a pre-determined treatment of the containers and each treatment element has associated therewith a container nominal value which indicates which type of container the treatment element can treat, a detection device for detecting properties of one of the containers to be treated, and a comparator device for comparing a detection result of the detection device with the container nominal value for at least one treatment element.
US09546008B1
Miniature release mechanisms constrain objects, such as deployables during the launch of space vehicles, such as small satellites and nanosatellites, and enable the release of the objects once a desired destination is reached by the space vehicle. Constraint and release of the objects are achieved by providing a secure threaded interface that may be released by the release mechanisms. The release mechanisms include a housing structure; a release block can include a threaded interface; one or more retracting pins; one or more release springs; a breakable link, such as a plastic link; a cable harness clamp; and a circuit board. The release mechanism can be 0.1875 inches (approximately 4.8 mm) thick.
US09546000B2
A fixing structure for fixing a seat of a vehicle includes a fixing member which includes a locking section, a buffering section and a restricting section. The locking and restricting sections are provided with a thread for meshing with the thread of the locking passage, and the buffering section has no thread. The fixing seat includes a locking passage and a restricting space connected to the locking passage. The locking member is inserted through the cover and screwed into the fixing seat. When vibrations occur, the locking member will be unscrewed from the locking passage. However, in order to prevent the locking member from fully disengaging from the fixing seat, the buffering section is retained in the restricting space to prevent the thread of the restricting section from meshing with the thread of the locking passage, which prevents disengagement of the locking member in a vibrating condition.
US09545993B2
An apparatus forming an aircraft which is designed for flight by movement through the air, the aircraft has a front and rear portions and a center of mass, with left and right sides when divided by a central plane of reference. The aircraft has inboard portions closer to said central plane of reference and outboard portions farther from said central plane of reference. Further, the aircraft contains at least one positive lifting aerodynamic surface configured to affect the flow of air near said at least one positive lifting aerodynamic surface when said aircraft is appropriately moving forward, and at least one elevon structure configured to create negative aerodynamic force when said aircraft is appropriately moving forward. The elevon structure is constructed so as to have outboard portions thereof positioned outward of said central plane of reference to a distance at least three-fourths of the distance from said central plane of reference to a tip end of said at least one wing.
US09545989B2
An aircraft fuselage structure, includes a circumferential reinforcing frame (2) and a plurality of stringers (3) substantially perpendicular to the frame. The frame includes a mechanically weakened area able to cause its localized buckling under the effect of a compressive force exerted circumferentially thereon. The structure includes an energy absorbing device (5) having two effector members (52) secured to the frame respectively on either side of the weakened area, and a central core (51) maintained between the effector members such that a reduction in the distance between the effector members produces a deformation of the central core, which is able to absorb energy under the effect of the deformation.
US09545982B2
A breathing device for divers that includes a breathing tube exhibiting an end having an inclined opening, an obturator that is mobile between an open position and a closed position of the opening of the end, a float that activates the obturator, a first articulator that communicates the obturator to the tube, a second articulator that communicates the float to the tube. The first and the second articulators can each exhibit a respective hinge axis to the tube. The hinge axis to the tube of the second articulator can be more greatly distanced from the end of the tube relative to the hinge axis to the tube of the first articulator.
US09545980B2
A method to improve the safety and comfort of an ultra large marine floating system is provided. The ultra large marine floating system has a length of 350 to 550 m, a width of 45 to 80 m, and a depth of 25 to 35 m. The ultra large marine floating system has a tank zone and a plant zone that are visibly separated from one another. Additionally, the tank zone has LNG storage tanks, self-supporting spherical (MOSS type) tanks, a membrane tank arranged in a hold, and the plant zone includes a liquefied natural gas plant.
US09545978B2
A system for providing an air lubricating layer between a substantially flat bottom (3) of a vessel (1) and the water flowing under the bottom as the vessel is moving through the water, whereby the system includes sidewalls (5,5′) and a top wall (4) defining a cavity (6) with an opening (13) situated in an interface plane that is transversal to the sidewalls (5,5′), at the level of the flat bottom (3), the opening having a front end (9) and a rear end (15) seen in the length direction of the cavity, an air inlet (10) spaced from the opening for introducing air into the cavity, whereby the length of the opening (13) of the cavity (6) is between 2 and 10 m and the distance (H) of the top wall (4) from the interface plane is between 0.2 m and 0.5 m.
US09545968B2
An electric two-wheel vehicle includes a battery case that accommodates two batteries. The battery case is open in an upward direction. A head pipe supports a steering shaft and is connected to a front portion of the battery case. The battery case includes a beam portion that is disposed between the two batteries and extends rearward from a front wall portion of the battery case. Accordingly, it is possible to easily attach and detach the batteries with respect to a vehicle body for charging, protect the batteries, and secure the rigidity of a vehicle body frame.
US09545962B2
An electric vehicle for personal transportation includes an inflatable body that is airtight and a chassis. The chassis is made of two box-like structures connected together with a hinge so that when rotated together around the hinge the two box-like structures form an enclosure configured to hold the inflatable body when the inflatable body is deflated. The inflatable body preferably holds a number of independent “air bags” or chambers formed in the shape of an automobile and includes a driver's compartment with a driver's seat. A front-end chamber of the electric vehicle inflates a collision air-bag through a flowable connection when the front-end chamber is impacted in a front-end collision. A suspension system may be present for each wheel. The suspension system includes an arm between two tubular bearings. The arm is made of an air-chamber bag partially contained by a sheet-metal cap providing rigidity.
US09545952B2
An outer energy absorbing member and an inner energy absorbing member are mounted on a lower surface side of a vehicle bottom part. The outer energy absorbing member and the inner energy absorbing member are arranged adjacent and in parallel to each other in a vehicle width direction. A recessed engagement part is formed in a side end part of the outer energy absorbing member on an inner side in the vehicle width direction, and a projecting engagement part is formed in a side end part of the inner energy absorbing member on an outer side in the vehicle width direction. The recessed engagement part and the projecting engagement part are engaged with each other at a time of side impact.
US09545941B2
An infant stroller apparatus includes a stroller frame having a leg frame, a stand platform pivotally connected with the leg frame about a pivot axis, and a spring connected with the leg frame. The stand platform is connected with a caster assembly disposed rearward relative to the pivot axis. The spring is configured to bias the stand platform in a direction for displacing the caster assembly downward. In some embodiment, the infant stroller apparatus can include a brake assembly operable to lift the caster assembly of the stand platform in a braking state.
US09545931B1
An approach to setting a cruise control speed based on identifying a vehicle operator and analyzing metadata associated with the vehicle operator. The identity of the vehicle operator and any passengers is determined based on identity sensors in the vehicle or by manual identity entry. Metadata, associated with the vehicle operator, is retrieved from the metadata database, located either locally or remotely. The metadata is analyzed based on factors such as the current route and the identity of any passengers. The cruise control speed is set based on the results of the analysis. Any changes to the setting are updated in the metadata database.
US09545923B2
An object-detection system for, e.g., a vehicle collision avoidance system, utilizes a metamaterial-based phase shifting element array to generate a scan beam by varying the effective capacitance of each metamaterial structure forming the array in order to control the phases of their radio frequency output signals such that the combined electromagnetic wave generated by the output signals is reinforced in the desired direction and suppressed in undesired directions to produce the scan beam. The metamaterial structures are configured to resonate at the same radio wave frequency as an incident input signal (radiation), whereby each metamaterial structure emits an associated output signal by way of controlled scattering the input signal. A variable capacitance is applied on each metamaterial structure, e.g., using varicaps that are adjusted by way of phase control voltages, to produce the desired output phase patterns. The metamaterial structures are constructed using inexpensive metal film or PCB fabrication technology.
US09545920B2
When a rotational fluctuation ΔNEeng of an engine is equal to or larger than a first threshold NEref1, a rotational fluctuation ΔNEmg1 of a motor MG1 that is calculated at a timing preceding the rotational fluctuation ΔNEeng of the engine by 180 degrees in terms of a rotational angle of a crankshaft is compared with a second threshold NEref2. When the rotational fluctuation ΔNEmg1 is equal to or larger than the second threshold NEref2, it is determined that the rotational fluctuation ΔNEeng of the engine has reached a value equal to or larger than a threshold NEref due to a disturbance such as running on a bad road or the like, and a misfire counter is maintained. When the rotational fluctuation ΔNEmg1 is smaller than the second threshold NEref2, it is determined that a misfire may be occurring in at least one of cylinders of the engine, and the misfire counter is incremented.
US09545918B2
A control device of a hybrid vehicle causing a first electric motor to apply an engine reduction torque for reducing a rotation speed of an engine at the time of stopping a rotation of the engine, when it is determined that an output torque of a second electric motor is in a predetermined torque range near zero including zero during transition to stopping the rotation of the engine with the engine reduction torque applied by a first electric motor at the time of stopping the rotation of the engine being set to a predetermined engine reduction torque, the engine reduction torque is changed from the predetermined engine reduction torque.
US09545914B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a controller for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) having an engine and an electric machine, the controller being configured upon start-up to control an electric machine to provide torque to drive a vehicle with an engine off if a state of charge (SoC) of an energy storage device is above an EV-start SoC threshold and to start an engine if a SoC of an energy storage device is below the EV-start SoC threshold, wherein the EV-start SoC threshold is determined to be one selected from amongst a value sufficient to allow a vehicle to travel a prescribed distance before a SoC falls below a SoC minimum level at which an engine is started and a value sufficient to allow a vehicle to operate for a prescribed time period before a SoC falls below the SoC minimum level.
US09545898B2
A connector for a windscreen wiper of a motor vehicle, the connector being configured to allow the wiper to be articulated to an arm for driving the wiper in a rotational movement about an axis of rotation Y. The connector includes one or more projecting shapes which are configured to be guided in rotation by an adaptor for the wiper on the arm in various angularly distant regions about the axis of rotation Y, so as to allow the movement in rotation.
US09545887B2
Provided is a wire harness which does not increase in size with increase in number of electronic devices controlled by an electronic control unit and can standardize a relay connector, and an electronic device control system including such wire harness. A wire harness structure (2) communicably-connects electronic devices (3) mounted on a vehicle to an electronic control unit (4) controlling the electronic devices, and includes a relay connector (6, 6A, 6B) relaying a control signal from the electronic control unit to the electronic devices, a power wire (81) and a ground wire (82) drawn out from the relay connector, power supply units connected to the power wire and the ground wire, and sets of signal wires (83a, 83b, 83c) transmitting the control signal to each power supply unit arranged to supply power to the electronic device and drive the electronic device according to the control signal from the signal wire.
US09545886B2
A cargo tray assembly for a vehicle includes first and second trays. The first tray has a translatable planar section in a first plane, and a first hinged section moveable between upright and flattened positions with respect to the first plane. The second tray has a fixed planar section arranged in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane. The fixed planar section connects to the interior, e.g., a wall of a rear cargo area, and the first hinged section connects to a seat in the interior. The translatable planar section translates in response to an applied force, such as when the seat is moved forward or aft. The first hinged section pivots about an axis orthogonal to the direction of translation, e.g., when the seat is stowed flat or deployed into an upright position. A vehicle having the assembly is also disclosed.
US09545879B2
A vehicle seat assembly is provided. The assembly includes a seat back member and a haptic alert assembly. The haptic alert assembly includes a first actuator incorporated into the seat back member. The first actuator is configured to generate at least a first portion of a haptic alert.
US09545869B2
A lift mechanism for an associated cargo carrier includes a rail configured for sliding movement between a first position received within a footprint of the carrier and a second position extended outwardly from the carrier footprint. A leg assembly is configured for extending movement between a first position received in the rail and a second position extending outwardly from the rail. When the rail and leg assembly are in the respective first positions, the leg assembly is stored along the carrier, and when the rail and leg are in the respective second positions, the leg assembly supports the cargo carrier. A drive arrangement selectively raises and lowers the leg assembly between the first and second positions to raise and lower the cargo carrier relative to the vehicle bed.
US09545864B2
A conveyance seat includes a seat frame, and a rod that extends to a region on a seat inside, and that is connected to the seat frame. The rod is connected to the seat frame via a shaft member. The shaft member includes a tubular portion having a through-hole, and a protruding portion protruding toward an outside in a radial direction from one end of the tubular portion in an axial direction. The shaft member is assembled to the seat frame in a state in which the tubular portion is inserted through the seat frame from a seat outside, and an insertion position of the shaft member in the axial direction is restricted by a position where the protruding portion abuts against an outside surface of the seat frame. The rod is inserted in the axial direction through the through-hole in the shaft member, and assembled to the shaft member.
US09545853B1
Methods, systems, charge units, computer readable media, and combinations thereof are provided, to enable color coding of charging units (CUs), to provide a visual indication to users of when a CU is available, unavailable, in progress, out of service, etc. The method also include logic for finding charge units and identifying discounts are the identified charge units. The discounts can, in some examples, be provided by merchants that may be proximate or local to a charge unit. The discount can be in the form of a discount for the charge purchased or obtained at the charge unit or discounts for goods or services offered a location of the merchant. The method executed by a processor at a charge unit or by a cloud processing logic, or by a server or servers or over the Internet, or combinations thereof.
US09545846B2
Provided is a vehicular pedal device, wherein a master cylinder, which is connected to a clutch pedal via a piston, and which generates hydraulic pressure via a movement of the clutch pedal, is positioned further toward a passenger compartment side of a dash panel which separates a drive source mounting chamber from the passenger compartment, said vehicular pedal device comprising a pedal support bracket which supports the clutch pedal upon the dash panel. The pedal support bracket configures a cylinder part which houses operating oil of the master cylinder.
US09545835B2
A clamp for clamping a tonneau cover to a vehicle cargo box. The clamp can include a first member, a second member, a rod, and a driving member. The first member can have a proximal end pivotably coupled to the cover and a distal end pivotably coupled to a proximal end of the second member. The second member can have a distal end extending at an angle relative to its proximal end and toward the cover. The rod can be coupled to the first member's proximal end and can extend through an opening intermediate the second member's proximal and distal ends. The driving member can be mounted on the rod to engage the second member between its proximal and distal ends to drive the second member along the rod and to cause the first and second members to pivot relative to each other between unclamped and clamped positions.
US09545824B2
A pneumatic tire includes, on a tread surface (1) of the tire, at least two longitudinal grooves (2, 3) extending along a tire equator (C), a plurality of transverse grooves (4a to 4d) connecting the longitudinal grooves, and a block row (L5) formed by a plurality of blocks (5a to 5d) extending along the tire equator and defined by the longitudinal grooves and the transverse grooves. Each of the blocks (5a to 5d) includes a reduced thickness portion (6) in an overlapping region (R) where the blocks overlap in projection when the block row (L5) is projected in the circumferential direction, the reduced thickness portion (6) including at least two portions where the thickness of the block gradually decreases.
US09545823B2
The invention relates to a tire having a rubber tread of a circumferentially zoned tread including stratified lateral tread zones and peripheral sidewall extensions. The tread zones are comprised of three circumferential load bearing zones, with each zone containing a portion of the running surface of the tread, comprised of an intermedial zone positioned between and two stratified lateral tread zones together and, in addition, peripheral sidewall extensions. The intermedial and stratified lateral zones are comprised of rubber compositions having differentiated 100° C. hot rebound physical properties. The intermedial rubber zone, or layer, overlays a tread base rubber layer and underlies the lateral tread layer zones. The lateral tread zones are stratified in a sense of being separated from each other and also separated from the from the tread base rubber layer by the intermedial rubber layer. The tread includes a peripheral carbon black rich rubber layer as a sidewall extension which extends radially outward from the outer tire sidewall to thereby join a portion of the peripheral tread zone rubber layer and extends to and includes a portion of the running surface of the tread.
US09545818B2
A dual-wheel differential system includes an in inner hub, an outer hub, and a differential assembly mechanically coupled between the inner hub and the outer hub to allow the inner hub and the outer hub to rotate at different angular speeds. A user-actuatable locking system is configured to mechanically lock the inner hub to the outer hub. The user-actuatable locking system may include at least one axially-translating or radially-translating locking pin configured to engage at least one of the inner hub and the outer hub. The locking system may be pneumatically, hydraulically, or electromechanically actuated.
US09545817B2
A non frictional wheel enhancing assembly that utilizes bolts and lubricated joints to attach to a wheel, remains level and independent of the wheel as the wheel revolves, inhibits friction and heat between the wheel and a wheel cover, and aesthetically enhances the wheel without covering the perimeter of the wheel. The wheel assembly includes an attachment surface with three extending bolts that press outwardly, against an inner circumference of a wheel hub to create pressure and grip for attaching the wheel cover with the wheel. The wheel cover also secures to the wheel through numerous lubricated joints, adapters, and fasteners. The lubricated joints facilitate revolution of the wheel cover to minimize friction between the wheel and the wheel cover, and improve fuel efficiency for the vehicle. The wheel cover displays decorative indicia. A counterweight allows the wheel cover to remain level and revolve independently of the wheel.
US09545814B2
A method for decorating a given part is designed to print designs onto a coat layer deteriorating the coat layer on the surface of the given part. In the coat layer-forming process, in spreading the metallic-coating material containing aluminum flake onto the surface of the resin compact, the coat layer is formed on the surface of it. In a laser-printing process, a laser is irradiated on the condition of being able to maintain the same state of the coat layer before and after irradiating the laser, so as to reduce the aspect ratio of the micronized-metallic powder, which is the average value of the ratio of the maximum dimension of the micronized-metallic powder to the average value of the minimum dimension of the micronized-metallic powder, which laser irradiation eventually thermally deforms the first scale-shaped micronized-metallic powder into a spherical shape in the coat layer to print designs on the film.
US09545813B2
A ballpoint pen wherein an outer member (50) covering the outer circumference of a holder (21) covers a section that reaches as far as a narrowed section (23) of the holder (21) and has an outer member tip end portion (51). An ink spreads between the writing ball (30) and the contact section of the writing surface and between the outer member tip end portion (51) and the contact section of the writing surface, in which the writing ball (30) and the outer member tip end portion (51) are in contact with the writing surface at the same time. The relative position of the outer member (50) and the holder (21) can be changed from a holder protruding position to a holder retracted position wherein the writing ball (30) and the tip section of the outer member (50) can be in contact with the writing surface at the same time.
US09545812B2
A binder clip includes a generally triangular clamp including a first side between a mouth and a first vertex, a second side between the mouth and a second vertex, a third side between the first vertex and the second vertex, a first wing extending away from the mouth to a first wing end, and a second wing extending away from the mouth to a second wing end such that the first wing and the second wing are substantially coplanar. The binder clip further includes a first arm pivotably connected to the wing at the first wing end, and a second arm pivotably connected to the wing at the second wing end, the first arm and the second arm cooperatively useable to open the mouth.
US09545809B2
In accordance with one embodiment, a decoloring apparatus comprises a processor, a decoloring section, a shift roller, a paper discharge section and a paper discharge roller. The processor determines whether or not to execute either a decoloring job or a non-decoloring job. The decoloring section decolors an image on paper formed with decolorable coloring agent. The shift roller moves paper for decoloring job or paper for non-decoloring job in a direction orthogonal to a paper discharge direction of the paper on a same plane for a given distance to sort it. The paper discharge section stacks discharged papers. The paper discharge roller discharges the paper sorted by the shift roller to the paper discharge section.
US09545797B2
A recording medium heating apparatus includes a plurality of heat rollers disposed in a feeding path of a recording medium and having respective heating units; and a control unit controlling temperatures of the heating units so that the temperature of a first heat roller is lower than the temperature of a second heat roller. Further, the first and the second heat rollers are included in the plurality of heat rollers and the first heat roller is disposed on the upstream side of the second heat roller in the feeding path.
US09545796B1
Color registration errors are corrected for print jobs including periodic image content. A first subset of document pages are printed and the resulting color registration errors are measured. The measured color registration errors are analyzed to identify the presence of a periodic pattern of color registration errors having a repeat period. A repeating pattern of color registration correction values are determined corresponding to the periodic pattern of color registration errors. A second subset of the document pages is printed using the determined repeating pattern of color registration correction values.
US09545790B2
Examples of the method may comprise providing a print media under a printhead of the printing system, obtaining an actual height profile signal, related to a height between the printhead and the print media, based on measurements taken at a plurality of positions across the width of the media during at least one pass, comparing said actual height profile signal to an earlier height profile signal, obtained based on measurements taken at said plurality of positions across the width of the media during at least one earlier pass on the same print media, and determining a media malfunction condition based on said comparison.
US09545780B2
A method for producing a part made of a composite material, including a skin and at least one stiffener made of strips, which are in turn made of one or more plies of fibers impregnated with a non-polymerized resin. The method includes the steps of: producing a preform of the part by pulling the strips through a die for shaping and positioning the skin and the stiffeners, a polymerization core being provided between a first strip and a second strip prior to the passage thereof through the die; and pressing the resulting preform in a hot press for a duration dt while applying a pressure P and at a temperature T for polymerizing the resin of the strips in the hot press over a pressing length L that is shorter than the length of the panel.
US09545778B2
A mechanical pressure application system for applying a tailored pressure distribution to a plurality of structural components is provided. Each structural component has a first surface, and each first surface is configured to interface with the first surface of another of the structural components at a contact area. A base and at least one tooling block are configured to removably couple to the structural components. Each at least one tooling block includes a first surface configured to be positioned proximate at least one of the plurality of structural components. A second surface of each tooling block is configured to receive at least one forcing member. At least one biasing mechanism is configured to apply a predetermined load to the at least one forcing member, such that a force is transmitted from the at least one forcing member through the tooling block to a corresponding portion of the contact area.
US09545770B2
A dis-bond membrane prevents co-mingling between a thermoplastic liner and a fiber reinforced thermoset outer wall of a pressure vessel during thermal curing of the outer wall.
US09545769B2
The invention relates to an assembly for producing a web of corrugated cardboard. The assembly has a corrugating device for producing a corrugated web, a glue application device for applying glue to the corrugated web and a pressure belt device which has an endless pressure belt guided around a deflection roller and a belt course regulating roller for pressing a cover layer against the corrugated web provided with glue. The pressure belt device has at least one pressure belt detection device associated to the pressure belt, the pressure belt detection device comprising a first pressure belt detection means for detecting the position of a first outer endless side edge of the pressure belt in the transverse direction thereof, a pressure belt regulating device in signal communication with the pressure belt detection device and an actuating device connected to the belt course regulating roller displacement device for displacing the belt course regulating roller depending on the regulating signals received from the pressure belt regulating device.
US09545760B2
An isotropic fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin sheet wherein a chopped strand prepreg comprising a thermoplastic resin and a reinforcing fiber is layered so that the fiber orientation is random, the prepreg having a fiber volume fraction (Vf) of 20% to 50%, a length in the fiber axis direction of 15 to 45 mm, and a thickness of no greater than 0.13 mm, and the layered material is molded into sheet form by heating and pressing, and a molded plate obtained from the isotropic fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin sheet. Even if the volume fraction of the reinforcing fiber is relatively low, a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin sheet and a molded plate that are excellent in terms of mechanical properties and their uniformity can be obtained.
US09545759B2
Various automated fiber placement systems and methods are disclosed. The system can determine steerable paths for the application of a composite material over highly contoured surfaces. The system can determine when a course trajectory would violate a steering limitation (e.g., a maximum bendability of the composite material) and can adjust the trajectory to avoid such violations. The adjustment can create gaps between adjacent courses, which can have a generally flared peripheral shape. The system can fill such gaps with subsequent courses of the composite material. Thus, the system can automatically apply composite material to highly contoured surfaces while also avoiding violation of the steering limitations.
US09545752B2
A film-applying machine includes a bracket, a mechanical arm, an application apparatus, and a storage apparatus. The storage apparatus includes a storage mechanism, a driving mechanism, and a first rolling mechanism. The storage mechanism includes a supporting frame mounted to the bracket, and a storage assembly adjustably coupled to the supporting frame. The driving mechanism includes a supporting member and a driving assembly. The supporting member couples with the supporting frame. The driving assembly includes a driving member coupled to the supporting member and a first transmission belt coupled to the driving member. The first rolling mechanism includes a pressing plate and a plurality of rollers. An end of the pressing plate couples with the first transmission belt, and another end is coupled to the supporting frame. The rollers are rotatably mounted on the pressing plate.
US09545751B2
The sonotrode and anvil of co-pending application Ser. No. 12/925,652, for advanced ultrasonic welding of work pieces, are readily incorporated into new form-fill-seal machines, but existing machines with heat-seal stations pose difficult problems for swapping of the sealing packages. Kits enabling heat station replacement, with the further improved sonotrode and anvil disclosed herein, comprise: a housing; a linear rail fixed thereto; anvil and sonotrode support members; and a parallel gripper. Each of the anvil and sonotrode support members is slidably attached to the rail(s) and are also connected to a respective piston of the gripper, permitting actuation of each through cycling of the gripper pistons. The improved sonotrode/anvil combination each comprise a corresponding plurality of energy directors arranged into a three-dimensional grid pattern to produce a narrower weld region, but one exhibiting greater durability; thereby permitting use of less packaging material, and which may also weld a company logo into the workpieces.
US09545742B2
A mold for forming tilt boss includes a slider part, a main part and a core pin. The slider part is formed with a tilt groove. The main part is formed with a tilt channel. When the slider part and the first main part are engaged, a tilt-boss forming cavity is formed. The tilt-boss forming cavity is communicated with the tilt channel and coaxial with the tilt channel. The core pin penetrates the tilt channel and one distal portion thereof is slidably engaged with the tilt groove, another distal portion thereof is protruded into the tilt-boss forming cavity. When the slider part is separated from the main part for allowing the core pin to be moved from a high point to a low point of the tilt groove, the core pin is downwardly moved along the tilt channel.
US09545738B2
A method for painting a complex or compound curved three-dimensional surface of a portion of an article. The method comprises providing a paint film (24); providing sheet metal (26) having opposite major surfaces; laminating the paint film onto a major surface of the sheet metal to form a painted sheet metal laminate (22) comprising a first portion and a second portion; permanently deforming the first portion of the painted sheet metal laminate into a formed portion of the article having a complex or compound curved three-dimensional shape; applying an initial force for securing the second portion of the painted sheet metal laminate during an initial stage of said permanently deforming step; and applying a later force for securing the second portion of the painted sheet metal laminate during a later stage of said permanently deforming step. The later applied force is greater than the initially applied force.
US09545729B2
An adjustable hair trimmer blade set is provided, including a blade chassis, a blade platform linearly displaceable relative to the blade chassis, a stationary blade secured to the blade platform, and a moving blade constructed and arranged for slidable linear reciprocation relative to the stationary blade in a direction of cutting action. An offset rod has at least one offset cam lobe and is rotatably engaged in the chassis along an axis generally parallel to the direction of cutting action. A retaining spring has at least one loop engaged by the offset rod for holding the spring in operational relationship to the chassis.
US09545721B2
A robotic device includes a first calculation section adapted to calculate a first angular velocity of a first arm operating due to a first actuator provided with a first angle sensor based on rotational angle detection data of the first angle sensor of the first actuator, a second calculation section adapted to calculate a second angular velocity of the first arm taking an arm linkage device as an axis based on angular velocity detection data of an inertial sensor provided to the first arm linked via the arm linkage device including the first actuator, which is a calculation object of the first calculation section, and a third calculation section adapted to calculate a torsional angular velocity between the first actuator and the first arm with a low-frequency component eliminated.
US09545680B2
The inventive device includes a work supporting portion for supporting a work rotatably about a first axis, a cutter supporting portion for supporting a cutter rotatably about a second axis different from the first axis and a moving portion for moving the cutter along a reference line extending through the first axis. The second axis is slanted relative to a reference plane oriented perpendicular to the first axis and a blade edge of the cutter is caused to come into contact with the work at an offset position offset from the reference line. The work and the cutter are driven in synchronism and the cutter is moved along the reference line.
US09545677B2
A numerical control machine-tool includes: a ground-resting base plate; a movable supporting column rising cantilevered from the base plate in a substantially vertical direction and movable horizontally on said base plate; a first electronic-controlled drive assembly for moving the supporting column along the base plate; a head-carrier slide fixed in vertically sliding manner in a straight longitudinal slit extending along the front face of the supporting column parallel to the longitudinal/vertical axis of the supporting column; a second electronic-controlled drive assembly for moving the head-carrier slide along the supporting column; a straight supporting beam inserted in an axially sliding manner into the head-carrier slide and cantilevered juts out from the front face of the supporting column while remaining substantially parallel to the ground; and a third electronic-controlled drive assembly for moving the supporting beam forwards and backwards with respect to the head-carrier slide parallel to the beam longitudinal axis.
US09545670B2
A method for producing nanoparticles on a substrate using a metal precursor in an ionic liquid and microwave heating is described. The composite compositions are useful as catalysts for chemical reactions, fuel cell, supercapacitor and battery components, and the like.
US09545663B2
A method of assembling a centrifugal casting apparatus includes positioning a wedge on a rotatable axis and positioning at least two molds into sealing engagement with the wedge. Each of the at least two molds includes a front face and defines at least two cavities extending from the front face into the mold. A sprue chamber is defined and is structured to receive molten material, and at least a portion of the sprue chamber is defined by at least a portion of the front faces of the at least two molds.
US09545641B2
A microfluidic device having a substrate with an electrically conductive element made using a conductive ink layer underlying a hydrophobic layer.
US09545640B2
A microfluidic device having a substrate with an electrically conductive element made using a conductive ink layer underlying a hydrophobic layer.
US09545639B2
A faucet wand assembly including a mode diverter and a rotational spray diverter positioned downstream from the mode diverter. The mode diverter is configured to switch between a spray mode and a stream mode, and the spray diverter is configured to change open water outlets in the spray mode.
US09545638B2
A multiple-orifice nozzle that is employed for creating surface-adhesive rules onto the surface of a surface-adhesive die. The multiple-orifice nozzle is fluidly in communication with a source of flexible material that is forced or pulled through a selected orifice profile. The orifice profile can be selected based on a variety of criteria and, in some embodiments the orifice profile can be dynamically adjusted or controlled by adjusting the relative position of the multiple-orifice nozzle and/or by adjusting the position of one or more tubes that define various orifices such that the orifice profile is modified.
US09545634B2
A sample tube holder assembly may include a base comprising a base cavity defined therein. The sample tube holder assembly may include at least one first engagement member disposed within the base cavity and a plurality of sample tube holder racks configured to be received within the base cavity, at least one of the sample tube holder racks comprising at least one second engagement member, wherein each of the plurality of sample tube holder racks further comprises at least one sample tube cavity configured to receive a respective sample tube therein. The first and second engagement members may be configured to engage with one another when the plurality of sample tube holder racks are positioned within the base cavity such that the sample tube holder racks are offset at a different depth from one another within the base cavity.
US09545626B2
The present disclosure refers to a plurality of process employed for optimization of Zero-PGM washcoat and overcoat loadings on metallic substrates. According to an embodiment a substantial increase in conversion of HC and CO may be achieved by optimizing the total washcoat and overcoat loadings of the catalyst. According to another embodiment, the present disclosure may provide solutions to determine the optimum total washcoat and overcoat loadings for minimizing washcoat adhesion loss. As a result, may increase the conversion of HC and CO from discharge of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, optimizing performance of Zero-PGM catalyst systems.
US09545624B2
A composition contains (A) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst and (B) an aliphatically unsaturated compound having an average, per molecule, of one or more aliphatically unsaturated organic groups capable of undergoing hydrosilylation reaction. The composition is capable of reacting via hydrosilylation reaction to form a reaction product, such as a silane, a gum, a gel, a rubber, or a resin. Ingredient (A) contains a metal-ligand complex that can be prepared by a method including reacting a metal precursor and a ligand.
US09545616B2
A particulate feeding apparatus for applying particulate, such as super-absorbent materials, to a substrate, such as a fibrous web. A feeder tube for the powder and a rotary gate valve, including one or more holes is provided. This structure may then intermittently feed particulate to an eductor or venturi nozzle. The rotary valve provides an intermittent supply of particulate to a relatively low-pressure zone at the nozzle formed by the venturi action of the passing air stream and the particulate may be distributed precisely where desired. A process for delivering powder to a substrate in precise amounts and distribution patterns is also disclosed.
US09545614B2
Systems and apparatus for ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion, such as alkylation, using vaporization to remove reaction heat from an ionic liquid reactor and to provide mixing therein, wherein hydrocarbon vapors are withdrawn from the ionic liquid reactor and the withdrawn hydrocarbon vapor is recovered by a hydrocarbon vapor recovery unit in fluid communication with the ionic liquid reactor for recycling condensed hydrocarbons to the ionic liquid reactor. Processes for ionic liquid catalyzed alkylation are also disclosed.
US09545598B2
An absorber is provided which uses a liquid solvent formed into a myriad of bubbles and micro-droplets. The solvent froth is a solvent for a selected component in an incoming gas stream. A plurality of spaced apart mesh assemblies is placed in one or more absorber tubes or in a reaction vessel. Using screens having cross-sections that are substantially rectangular wave in design together with proper operating parameters, the phenomenon of solvent pulsing is induced and maintained, maximizing efficiency of the absorber.
US09545597B2
The invention relates to a process for separation or purification of gaseous streams by removal of acid gases using a liquid amine solution. The process involves the steps of —contacting the gaseous stream with liquid lean amine solution in at least one continuous flow stirred-tank reactor (10; 10a, 10b; 10c); —removing a sweetened gaseous flow from said continuous flow stirred-tank reactor (10); —removing rich amine from said continuous flow stirred-tank reactor (10; 10a, 10b; 10c) for regeneration; —passing rich amine solution through at least one flash tank stripper 20; 20a, 20b; 20c; —removing acid gases and vapor from said flash tank stripper 20; 20a, 20b; 20c; —removing lean amine from said flash tank stripper for recirculation to said continuous flow stirred-tank reactor (10; 10a, 10b; 10c).
US09545595B2
The present invention relates to a method for recovery of high purity carbon dioxide from a gaseous source and uses thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to the production of high purity carbon dioxide, which is substantially free of nitrogen, oxygen, nitrogen oxides, sulphurous compounds and volatile organic contaminants, particularly benzene. The present invention also relates to a method for removal of benzene from a carbon dioxide feeding gas as well as the use of said high purity carbon dioxide in foodstuffs.
US09545592B2
The present invention provides a protection device for air filter, which includes a dust sensor and an air filter protector, wherein, the air filter protector includes: a dust concentration comparator adapted for comparing a level signal transmitted by the dust sensor to represent a particle concentration of dust or smoke with a reference level, so as to output a positive or negative pulse signal according to a result of the comparison; a first inverter; a pulse generator and adapted for inverting a pulse signal outputted by the first inverter; a filtering comparator adapted for converting an output of the pulse generator into a high or low level signal; a relay switch adapted for performing on or off action according to the output of the filtering comparator, so as to control opening and closing of an air valve of the air filter.
US09545586B1
A water filtration system includes a housing with a valve having an inlet and an outlet. A filter media bed within the housing includes four filter media including silver impregnated activated carbon; coconut carbon or copper zinc; calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, garnet and silica sand; and gravel. The filter media bed is configured to provide a desired flow rate, e.g., of 10 g/m @ 15 psi. The filter media bed may include 3-9% of the first filter medium, 40-60% of the second filter medium, 12-23% of the third filter medium and 20-30% of the fourth filter medium or less. Additionally, the valve may include a drain line port through which the less dense filter media can be flushed from the housing and new filter media provided into the housing without the need to physically uninstall or replace the system.
US09545584B2
A process for fractionating a nanoparticle composition, the process includes combining a first polymer, a second polymer, and a solvent to form a fluid and contacting the nanoparticle composition with the fluid. The nanoparticle composition includes a plurality of first nanoparticles, a plurality of second nanoparticles, and a dispersant disposed on an exterior surface of the first nanoparticles and the second nanoparticles. Fractionating the nanoparticle composition also includes forming a multiphase composition that includes a first phase and a second phase by partitioning the first polymer and the second polymer such that a concentration of the first polymer is greater than a concentration of the second polymer in the first phase, and the concentration of the second polymer is greater than the first polymer in the second phase, wherein the solvent is present in the first phase and the second phase. Additionally, the process includes apportioning the first nanoparticles and the second nanoparticles among the first phase and the second phase to fractionate the nanoparticle composition, based on a relative affinity of the first nanoparticles and the second nanoparticles for the first polymer and the second polymer, wherein the first nanoparticles are present in the first phase and substantially absent in the second phase, and the second nanoparticles are present in the second phase and substantially absent in the first phase.
US09545582B2
A robotic activity system, which includes a board and an autonomous robotic device, is described herein. The board may display a line and one or more color patterns. The robotic device may traverse the line using one or more integrated sensors. For example, sensor data may include light intensity data for visible light reflected or emitted by the board. The sensor data may be analyzed to 1) ensure the robotic device follows the line and/or 2) detect color sequences associated with color patterns shown on the board. Upon detection of a color sequence, the robotic device may attempt to match the color sequence with a known color pattern definition. The color pattern definition may be associated with a function to be performed by the robotic device. Using multiple sets of color patterns and associated functions allows the robotic device to move in a variable and potentially unpredictable fashion.
US09545580B2
In some embodiments, the instant invention provides for a computer system that includes at least one server and software stored on a computer readable medium accessible by the at least one server; at least one database accessible by the at least one server and is configured to store the game data of the at least one personalized game; a plurality of specifically programmed input devices, where the at least one server, the at least one database and the plurality of specifically programmed input devices are connected through a computer network; where the plurality of specifically programmed input devices are at least a thousand of specifically programmed input devices; and where the at least one server is configured to manage, in real-time, the at least a thousand of specifically programmed input devices.
US09545573B2
An example system includes: a communication device having a first wireless communication unit for sending and receiving data to and from an information processing apparatus through short-distance wireless communication; and an information processing apparatus having a second wireless communication unit for sending and receiving data to and from the communication device through short-distance wireless communication, a detector for detecting existence of the communication device in an effective communication area of the second wireless communication unit, an acceptance unit for accepting detection or non-detection by the detector as an input operation by a user, and an information processor for performing information processing in accordance with the input operation accepted by the acceptance unit.
US09545571B2
A system for allowing a player to invoke magic or other special powers in a video game is provided. To activate the magic, the player moves a motion detecting controller in accordance with one or more provided instructions. The outcome of the activation of the magic can be determinate on, for example, speed, accuracy, etc. Controllers in one or both hands may be used, and the instructions can be as simple as single direction gestures and as complex as multi-directional symbols which must be traced in the air. A sequence of any type of instructions may also be provided to instruct the activation of the magic.
US09545568B2
A device includes a housing, a processor that is coupled to the housing, the processor is configured to process a software program stored in a memory. A touch screen is coupled to the housing and configured to display graphical objects, wherein a sensor signal associated with a user's interaction with the touch screen is provided to the processor. A first actuator is coupled to the touch screen and positioned within the housing. The first actuator is configured to output a first haptic effect to the touch screen upon receiving a first activating signal from the processor. A second actuator is coupled to the housing and configured to output a second haptic effect to the housing upon receiving a second activating signal from the processor. The first activating signal is associated with a foreground event and the second activating signal is associated with a background event occurring in the software program.
US09545561B2
An apparatus for supporting a board is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support device including a support bar extending beyond the board toward the ground when deployed to provide support to the board.
US09545557B2
A snow sliding apparatus for enabling sliding along a surface of snow, including: a plate-shaped deck configured to extend in a direction; and an auxiliary sliding part configured such that at least part thereof protrudes from both sides of the deck to have a width broader than and equal to that of edges of the deck, and configure to extend in a lengthwise direction of the deck, thereby protecting the edges of the deck during riding or assisting riding of the deck.
US09545555B2
An example climbing wall includes: a frame; a plurality of climbing panels connected to the frame; and a plurality of holds, each of the plurality of holds connected to at least one of the plurality of climbing panels with a t-nut, the t-nut including: a flange in contact with the at least one plurality of climbing panels, and a plurality of splines embedded within the at least one climbing panels.
US09545551B1
An easily assembled and disassembled frame for a net game includes a rigid multi-part frame with a cross-member that is non-sagging. Sections of the multi-part frame have an elliptical profile. A net stabilizer includes a tensioning member coupled at one end to a retention member of the frame, and having the other end of the tensioning member inserted into a center sleeve of the net, and, a center sleeve with a securing member for fastening securely at one end to the cross-member.
US09545546B2
A method for manufacturing a low-density steel wooden golf head solves the difficulty in reducing the thickness of a conventional wooden golf head. The method includes placing a shell mold having a crucible portion and a cavity portion in communication with the crucible portion on a rotary table, placing a metal ingot into the crucible portion, followed by melting the metal ingot in molten metal in a vacuum environment, rotating the rotary table to cause the molten metal to flow into the cavity portion under a centrifugal force, gradually slowing down the rotary table after the molten metal cools and solidifies, destroying the shell mold to obtain a casting including a cast product portion, and separating the cast product portion from the casting to obtain a casting product of a wooden golf head having a density of 6.5-7.6 g/cm3 and a minimum thickness of 0.4-0.6 mm.
US09545527B2
A method of verifying therapeutic beam delivery accuracy by ultrasound tomographic imaging to map three dimensional (3D) dose through the detection of ionizing radiation induced thermo-acoustic signal from the proton beam.
US09545520B2
A system and methods of maintaining communication with a medical device for exchange of information, instructions, and programs, in a highly reliable manner. Apparatus and methods for accomplishing this task include: 1) The inclusion of a locating device in the system, in close proximity to an implanted device, but which does not drain the implanted device battery. The locating device may be implanted or external to the body. 2) The use of motion detection and global positioning system devices to locate elements within a communicating system for the medical device; 3) The assessment of received signal quality by elements of the system; 4) The use of a notification system for a device user who is moving out of range of communications; and 5) Documenting the absolute and functional integrity of instructions received by the medical device.
US09545518B2
Techniques for posture classification of a patient in a coordinate system of a sensor. According to one aspect, a defined vector is obtained from a sensor disposed in a substantially fixed manner relative to the patient. The defined vector is described in a coordinate system of the sensor and without regard to an orientation in which the sensor is disposed in relation to the patient. A detected vector is obtained from the sensor that is described using the coordinate system of the sensor. The detected vector and the defined vector to are used to classify the posture state of the patient without regard to the orientation in which the sensor is disposed in relation to the patient. A response may be initiated by a medical device, which may include adjusting therapy delivery.
US09545517B2
The present disclosure describes a video device suitable to be word on the head of a user in the form of glasses. The glasses frame supports a camera, active electronics and a battery.
US09545514B2
A method and apparatus for making a connection with a part of a body to transfer an electromagnetic signal for a predetermined purpose, the apparatus including: a garment including one or more electrode capable of passing the signal to or from the part of the body; and a controller for controlling the nature of or processing the signal dependant on one or more parameters in order to vary the nature of the signal dependant on the purpose; wherein at least one parameter of the one or more parameters is stored on a data storage device included in the garment.
US09545509B2
A lead fixation device for securing a medical lead in a human patient includes: a single-piece structure comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; an outer perimeter; and an inner perimeter, the inner perimeter comprising: a diameter approximately equal to or smaller than a diameter of a burr hole into which the lead fixation device is designed to be deployed; a central bore extending longitudinally from the top surface through to the bottom surface, a portion of the central bore being located in approximately a center of the lead fixation device and comprising a central bore diameter; and at least one retention tract formed in the top surface of a cap of the lead fixation device, the retention tract configured for retaining, with an interference fit, a portion of a body of the medical lead in the lead fixation device.
US09545503B2
Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system include an anchor sleeve that receives a catheter (or other medical instrument) though a working channel of the anchor sleeve. The anchor sleeve may include a first actuator that controls the extension of one or more subcutaneous tines into the subcutaneous region under the skin. The anchor sleeve can also include a second actuator that can cause the anchor sleeve to lock onto an outer portion of the catheter (or other medical instrument) arrange in the working channel.
US09545499B2
A catheter includes a tip electrode with a shell and a support member to provide a plenum chamber. The plug is formed with a U-shaped passage for a safety line to wrap around and secure the support member (with the shell affixed thereto) to the catheter. Additional passages are formed in the plug to accommodate components such as irrigation tubing, lead wire and thermocouple wire pair. A method of manufacture provides distal installation and/or anchoring of the safety line, lead wire and thermocouple wire pair in the support member prior to sealing the support member and mounting the shell.
US09545486B2
A syringe (1B) comprises: a syringe body (1C) including a plunger (32) to be operated for injection of a drug solution; a cylindrical needle cover (11B) housing an injection needle (100A); and a spring (18) held in a compressed state by the needle cover (11B). The needle cover (11B) has seats (153A) and (155B) in a pair that abut on corresponding opposite ends of the spring (18) to restrict the position of the spring (18). Pushing in the plunger (32) further after injection deforms the seat (155A) to release restriction on the spring (18). The spring (18) free from the restriction abuts on the syringe body (1C). This biases the needle cover (11B) to move the needle cover (11B) to a position where the injection needle (100A) is housed.
US09545479B2
A finger grip extension for a syringe is configured to increase the leverage the hand of an operator on the plunger of a syringe during injection of medical fluid into, or withdrawal of medical fluid from a body site. The finger grip extension for a syringe is used with a syringe having a barrel portion having an open proximal end and a distal end for mounting a medical fluid conduit thereon. The open proximal end of the syringe barrel terminates in a rim or flange. The syringe also includes a plunger having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion into the open proximal end of a syringe. The extension grip includes an upwardly extending portion located inside or outside of a syringe barrel. The upwardly extending portion includes a finger support at the uppermost portion thereof.
US09545475B2
A patient care system includes a control unit capable of coupling with multiple modular medical devices. A modular medical device can be coupled with the control unit, wherein the behavior of the modular medical device automatically adjusts based on the status of being coupled or un-coupled with the control unit.
US09545463B2
An apparatus and method for aspirating, irrigating and/or cleansing wounds is provided. The apparatus and method include one or more of the following: simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound, supplying of thermal energy to fluid circulated through the wound; supplying physiologically active agents to the wound; a biodegradable scaffold in contact with the wound bed; and application of stress or flow stress to the wound bed.
US09545460B2
A process for imparting scent to air comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of particles in a reservoir; heating the reservoir to melt the particles to form a melt; and contacting the melt with air; wherein the particles include polyethylene glycol, perfume, and starch granules and each particle has a mass between about 0.95 mg and about 5 grams.
US09545457B2
The present invention describes processes for the preparation of a lipid blend and a uniform filterable phospholipid suspension containing the lipid blend, such suspension being useful as an ultrasound contrast agent.
US09545454B2
Isolated polynucleotides comprising a S100B mini-promoters are provided. The mini-promoter may be operably linked to an expressible sequence, e.g. reporter genes, genes encoding a polypeptide of interest, regulatory RNA sequences such as miRNA, siRNA, anti-sense RNA, etc., and the like. In some embodiments a cell comprising a stable integrant of an expression vector is provided, which may be integrated in the genome of the cell. The promoter may also be provided in a vector, for example in combination with an expressible sequence. The polynucleotides find use in a method of expressing a sequence of interest, e.g. for identifying or labeling cells, monitoring or tracking the expression of cells, gene therapy, etc.
US09545452B2
Drug carriers, methods of synthesizing, and methods of use thereof are provided. The drug carriers are liposomes comprising at least one functionalized cholesterol of the formula: Chol-X-T, wherein X is a linker domain, T is at least one targeting moiety which binds hard tissue and/or medical implants, and Chol is cholesterol or a derivative or analog thereof. The liposomes may encapsulate at least one therapeutic agent for the treatment of an oral disease or disorder.
US09545450B2
Described herein are methods of making targeting peptides conjugated to recombinant lysosomal enzymes by modifying the amino (N)-terminus and one or more lysine residues on recombinant human lysosomal enzymes using a first crosslinking agent to give rise to first crosslinking agent modified recombinant human lysosomal enzymes, modifying the first amino acid within a short linker at the amino (N)-terminus on a variant IGF-2 peptide using a second crosslinking agent to give rise to a second crosslinking agent modified variant IGF-2 peptide, and then conjugating the first crosslinking agent modified recombinant human lysosomal enzyme to the second crosslinking agent modified variant IGF-2 peptide containing a short linker. Also described herein are conjugates synthesized characterized as having higher affinities for the IGF2/CI-MPR receptor and cellular uptake using the methods disclosed herein. Also described herein are treatment methods using the disclosed conjugates.
US09545446B2
This invention provides a method of colonic cleansing.
US09545426B2
Amisulpride is used in the therapy of nausea, vomiting or retches. The therapy may utilize a novel injectable formulation, in unit dosage form, comprising less than 50 mg amisulpride.
US09545419B1
A method and composition for treating chronic inflammatory disorders comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier suitable for oral administration or injection and containing a therapeutic amount of a complex of dietary supplement ingredients comprising nicotinamide, quercetin, curcumin, EPA, DHA, hesperetin and glychrrhizin.
US09545418B2
The invention includes compositions and methods of treatment of cancers susceptible to treatment with nucleotide analog chemotherapeutic agent, including cancers in which nucleotide analog resistant tumors have developed, including identifying a subject having cancer susceptible to treatment with a nucleotide analog chemotherapeutic agent and a mitotic disruptor/polo-like kinase (Plk) pathway inhibitor to a subject; and monitoring the subject for a reduction of stabilization of at least one sign or symptom of cancer.
US09545412B2
This invention relates to a composition comprising an anti-HIV treatment and a treatment for side effects of said anti-HIV treatment in an HIV-infected patient. This invention is, for example, very useful in the treatment of side effects caused by certain anti-HIV treatments, for example premature aging and lipodystrophy, which can be caused by protease inhibitors or reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The composition of this invention includes at least one hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, at least one farnesyl-pyrophosphate synthase inhibitor, and at least one anti-HIV agent. One of the processes for treating an HIV-infected patient includes, in any order, the following steps: (i) administration of a mixture including at least one hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor and at least one farnesyl-pyrophosphate synthase inhibitor and (ii) administration of an anti-HIV agent, in which the administrations are concomitant, successive or alternative.
US09545410B2
The present invention provides methods of killing, inhibiting the growth, and/or inhibiting the reproduction of kinetoplastid or apicomplexan protozoan with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
US09545398B1
Disclosed herein are methods for counteracting age-related decrease in gene expression or treating age-related diseases, for example cancers and autoimmune diseases, caused by decreased expression levels of a gene associated with the apoptosis pathway, using a nitroxide. Further disclosed are methods for treating a human subject in need of an increased expression level of a gene associated with the apoptosis pathway using a nitroxide.
US09545395B2
A pharmaceutical composition for enhancing male erectile function comprising an erectile function-enhancing amount of an insulin-like growth factor selected from the group consisting of IGF-1 (Somatmedin-C) and analog LR3 IGF1 in admixture with a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluents or carrier. Such compositions optionally further comprise compounds selected from an androgen, particularly, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, a vasodilator, PDE5 inhibitor and prostaglandin E1.
US09545387B2
The present disclosure relates to a composition including, in combination, metformin or a salt thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient and at least one compound of formula (I), or the enantiomers, diastereoisomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Formula (I) is as follows: The present disclosure also relates to the use of this composition for the treatment of diseases associated with insulin resistance syndrome.
US09545379B2
A method of treatment of plasma with a physiologically compatible spray dry stable acidic substance (SDSAS) prior to or contemporaneously with spray drying of the plasma that results in greater recovery and greater long-term stabilization of the dried plasma proteins as compared to spray dried plasma that has not be subject to the formulation method of the present invention, as well as compositions related to plasma dried by the methods of the present invention.
US09545370B2
A method for preparing a bioactive composition containing conditioned cell culture medium is disclosed. The method comprises culturing cells of two or more eukaryotic cell line to form conditioned culture media, separating the cultured cells from the conditioned culture media, and combining conditioned culture media to form a bioactive composition. Novel bioactive compositions, formulations and their use in treating of a variety of diseases and health conditions are also disclosed.
US09545368B2
The present invention generally relates to topical skin care compositions having at least one cyclic diester. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel topical skin care compositions having at least one cyclic diester of an alpha hydroxy acid, and at least one polar non-aqueous solvent.
US09545365B2
Wiping products, such as facial tissues, contain a temperature change composition that can provide a cooling sensation when contacted with the skin of a user. The temperature change composition is structured emulsion that may include a phase change material, a carrier, a surfactant, and a crystalline initiator. The phase change materials, in one embodiment, can have a relatively high heat of fusion. When undergoing a phase change, the temperature change composition absorbs heat and thereby provides a cooling feeling or cooling sensation to the skin of a user.
US09545363B2
Provided is a machinable zirconia having high translucency as a sintered body which is formed to include a tetragonal zirconia composite powder containing 79.8 to 92 mol % ZrO2, 4.5 to 10.2 mol % Y2O3, 3.5 to 7.5 mol % Nb2O5 or 5.5 to 10.0 mol % Ta2O5, and a TiO2 nano powder which is added with a weight ratio of more than 0 wt % and up to 2.5 wt % to the composite powder, wherein a density of the sintered body is 99% or more, an average grain size of the sintered body is 2 μm or larger, hardness of the sintered body is in a range of 4 to 10 GPa, fracture toughness of the sintered body is in a range of 9 to 14 MPa·m1/2, a strength of the sintered body is in a range of 400 to 1000 MPa.
US09545358B2
A sexual aid device comprising a main body (100) and a cervical void (110), sized and shaped to shield a cervix (350) during intercourse. This self-retaining device comprises a means to prevent a penis from colliding with the cervix (350), a means to shield the anterior vagina wall from frictional contact during sexual intercourse and at least one means to retain the sexual aid device within the vagina. This device provides a non-surgical, cost-effective solution to allow for more comfortable deeper penetration by guiding the penis away from the cervix.
US09545356B2
A therapeutic hand exercise device includes one or more pliant sleeves (5) for attachment to one or more digits of a human hand, a chamber (4) provided in at least a dorsal region of the or each pliant sleeve (5), a liquid inlet to the chamber and a pump (3) for supplying pressurized liquid to the or each chamber. Each pliant sleeve (5) is movable between a relaxed state and a stiffened state in which the pliant sleeve forms a substantially rigid elongate member for holding a finger disposed within the sleeve in an extended position. A resilient member (6) is fitted to the palmar side of each pliant sleeve which returns the finger to a state of contracture.
US09545353B2
A method of operating an exoskeleton device includes: receiving sensor information; connecting a clutch system to a pulley system in; determining whether to engage a drive train gear to the clutch system based on the sensor information; engaging the drive train gear through the clutch system when determined to engage the drive train gear; and powering a first motor to drive the drive train gear for controlling a joint or segment of exoskeleton device.
US09545350B2
A sliding chair for assisting entering and exiting a bathtub provides assistance for handicapped or otherwise physically incapable persons in using a bathtub for bathing. A bathing chair is moved by a displacement mechanism from outside the bathtub to various positions within the bathtub. A chair support board supports the bathing chair in some positions, and slides along chair support rails into the bathtub.
US09545345B1
A deployable gurney ramp assembly with a retractable ramp deployment apparatus having two deployment tracks extending parallel, parallel first and second base tracks terminating in stops, the deployment tracks slidably engage the base tracks, with ramp guides slidably pivotally engaging a ramp at the end permitting the ramp to pivot when raised or lowered. Extension devices are utilized to advance the deployment ramps and the ramp guides.
US09545335B2
A graphical user interface for use in phacoemulsification surgical systems that allows a user to select different pulse modes by touching portions of the display screen. The user interface includes first and second display elements. One display element includes a representation of the on-time of the pulses, and the other display element includes a representation of the off-time. The representations show how the on-time and off-time change relative to a position of a controller, such as a foot pedal. The representation show a constant time, or that a time increases or decreases as the foot pedal is pressed. To select a pulse mode, a user can scroll through different pulse representations by touching the screen at the display elements. The selected pulse mode can be continuous, pulse, burst, or a combination or derivation thereof.
US09545333B2
The eye dropper positioning and guiding apparatus includes a resilient guiding device having a selectively compressible member having a first opening adapted to receive an eye drop applicator and a second opening adapted to position an eye within an area of the second opening to receive a fluid from the eye drop applicator. The selectively compressible member is adapted for selective linear and nonlinear movement in relation to the eye positioned within the area of the second opening. The eye dropper positioning and guiding apparatus can also include a support base and a resilient guiding device including a selectively expandable member having a plurality of concentric loops having an outermost loop and an innermost loop, adapted for selective linear and nonlinear movement, or a support base and a resilient guiding device including a plurality of concentric, interconnected rings adapted for selective linear and nonlinear movement in relation to an eye.
US09545329B2
A flow control and collection system includes a flow control device having a tubular member in which an inflatable balloon is positioned about the circumference of the interior side wall for closing the passageway to movement of matter and liquid when the balloon is expanded and allowing flow when the balloon is contracted against the side wall to which it is attached. The flow control device includes an adapter at the outer end of the tubular member having one or more interlocking features. A waste collection bag has a sealed body with at least one opening and a flow control device adapter at the opening having one or more counterpoising interlocking features to removably lock the adapters together and passes waste material and liquid through the flow control device into the waste collection bag.
US09545311B2
A prosthesis that mechanically couples with both cancellous bone and cortical bone of a glenoid includes a head portion comprising a rear surface and an articular surface, an anchor member, and a plurality of deformable fins extending radially outward from the anchor member. The anchor member includes a distal end and a proximal end connected to the rear surface of the head portion. The plurality of deformable fins extend radially outward from the anchor member and includes at least a first proximal fin adjacent to the rear surface of the head portion positioned to engage with the cortical bone. The anchor member may also include at least one distal fin located proximate the distal end of the anchor member positioned to engage with the cancellous bone.
US09545306B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide prosthetic valves having sealing members on the external surface thereof. The prosthetic heart valves of the present invention are preferably delivered by catheter directly through the apex of the heart or by other close range transcatheter delivery methods. Because these methods of implantation require a shorter length of catheter, a prosthetic valve can be more accurately oriented in the desired implantation location. Fluoroscopy can be used to further assist in orientation of the valve. The sealing members of the present invention can be positioned on the prosthetic valve such that, when the prosthetic valve is implanted in a native annulus, each provided sealing member is located adjacent to a commissural point of the native valve leaflets. Because the sealing members are precisely oriented on the prosthetic valve, a physician can ensure that the sealing members are aligned with the commissural points of the native valve leaflets. In embodiments of the present invention, the prosthetic valve can have a waisted middle section, and the sealing members can be located in the waisted middle section such that the crimped diameter of the prosthetic valve is not negatively impacted by the sealing members.
US09545300B2
A self-expanding implantable medical device formed from one or more non-interlocking filaments. Stents, stent-grafts, occluder devices, and filters are manufactured from one or more filaments utilizing a non-interlocking crossing pattern.
US09545299B2
A prosthesis delivery and deployment device includes an elongate and flexible outer catheter. The outer catheter has a tubular wall of layered construction, including translucent layers, opaque layers, and a braid composed of helically wound metal filaments. The outer catheter has a translucent distal adapted to constrain a radially self-expanding prosthesis in a radially reduced, axially elongated state. Because the stent constraining region is translucent, an endoscope can be used to visually monitor the stent when so constrained. Radiopaque markers can be mounted to the outer catheter and to an inner catheter used to deploy the prosthesis, to afford a combined visual and fluoroscopic monitoring for enhanced accuracy in positioning the prosthesis, both before and during its deployment.
US09545296B2
A digital face bow system for capturing a patient's dento-facial characteristics by acquiring and registering data defining the tilt or slant of the occlusal or incisal plane of a patient's teeth in three planes of space in relation to the cranium, head and/or face. The system includes a substrate adapted to support bite registration material, and a digital multiple axis inclinometer coupled to the substrate for registering the orientation of the occlusal or incisal plane, where the midline of the patient's horizontal-facial plane is registered. An adjustable mounting platform is adapted to receive the substrate and replicate the inclination registered by the digital multiple axis inclinometer.
US09545293B2
The invention relates to an implant (10) serving to receive an abutment (110). The implant (10) has a receiving opening (15) in which a connection region (115) of the abutment (110) can be inserted. The receiving opening (15) and the connection region (115) have a conical section (17) or (117) and an indexing section (18) or (118). The total conical angle equals 6 to 20° and the indexing length f of the implant (10) or the indexing length F of the abutment (110) equals at least 90% of the conical section length k of the implant (10) or of the conical section length K of the abutment (110), typically more than 1.6 mm.
US09545287B2
A medical portable terminal device includes an operation panel section including a touch panel for a first operator placed in a non-sterilized area to operate and configured to be capable of controlling operations of a plurality of medical instruments disposed in the non-sterilized area, an image pickup section configured to pick up an image of a region where a second operator performs operation of a gesture, a recognizing section configured to recognize the operation of the gesture from the picked-up image, an operation-list memorizing section configured to memorize an operation list for causing the plurality of medical instruments to perform a plurality of operations associated with a recognition result, and a control section configured to switch between control of the plurality of medical instruments based on operation of the operation panel section and control of the plurality of medical instruments based on the operation of the gesture.
US09545285B2
An apparatus for medical diagnosis and/or treatment is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible substrate, an intermediate bus disposed on the flexible substrate, and a plurality of sensing elements disposed on the flexible substrate and coupled to the intermediate bus. The plurality of sensing elements and intermediate bus are disposed on the flexible substrate such that the sensing elements are disposed at areas of minimal strain of the flexible substrate.
US09545278B2
The present invention relates to a series of orthopedic plates for use in repair of a bone. The plate has a Y-shaped profile or an X-shaped profile which includes an elongate central trunk with a complex contour and either one or two terminal pairs of arms that have a first arm and a second arm that form differing angles and lengths relative to the trunk portion of the plate. The arms include locking screw holes where the screws converge toward each other to provide for multiplanar fixation but which do not impinge.
US09545269B2
An implant device is provided that is configured for implantation at multiple locations between adjacent vertebrae. The implant device comprises an implant body, a first portion of the implant body, and a second portion of the implant body adjustably interconnected with the first portion. The implant body has a compact orientation and an extended orientation to allow the implant body to be shifted from one orientation to the other orientation for being positioned in any one of areas between the spinous processes of the adjacent vertebrae, between laminar regions of the adjacent vertebrae, spanning an opening in the annulus between the adjacent vertebrae, and in the intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae.
US09545267B2
In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention discloses interspinous process spacers that can be placed between adjacent spinous processes for minimally invasive surgical treatment of a spinal disease or defect. In particular, the present invention, in one embodiment, discloses an interspinous process spacer having a distraction end, a central support portion, and a trailing end. Also disclosed in the present invention are systems and kits including such implants, methods of inserting such implants, and methods of alleviating pain or discomfort associated with a spinal column disease or defect.
US09545264B2
A trocar assembly includes a trocar including an elongated tubular member extending between a distal end configured to be inserted into a surgical site and a proximal end including a housing configured for introduction of surgical instruments into the tubular member. The housing includes a pair of opposed latch receptacles. An obturator is assembled into the tubular member of the trocar. The obturator includes an elongated obturator body extending from a trocar cover to an opposed obturator tip. The trocar cover includes a rim for engaging the housing of the trocar. The trocar cover includes a pair of opposed latches extending radially inward from the rim, wherein the latches are releasably latched to the latch receptacles of the trocar. The trocar cover includes a compliant mechanism operatively connected to release the latches from the latch receptacles.
US09545260B2
The present invention is related to a minimally invasive device for surgical procedures which generally comprises at least a pair of assembly elements formed by a primary main body and a secondary main body joined together at their proximal and distal ends; a fastening element which is inserted in the distal end of both primary and secondary main bodies respectively, which is employed to keep them joined together; a threading element which is inserted in its inner section from the intermediate section of said device, continues to its proximal end and returns to its intermediate section on the opposite end; and a multifunction element located on the inside of the threading element.
US09545255B2
Methods and apparatus for the endoluminal revision of previously performed obesity procedures which have failed are described. One or more endoluminal instruments may be advanced per-orally into the previously formed failed pouch where a number of different procedures can be performed. One or more tissue folds can be formed and secured to reduce the size of the pouch, or the stoma connecting the pouch to the intestinal tract can be reduced in size using endoluminally deployed tissue anchors. These procedures can be performed entirely from within the pouch lumen or upon the exterior surface of the pouch via transgastric entry of the instruments into the peritoneal cavity of a patient. Alternatively, the interior tissue within the pouch can be injured or sclerosed to shrink the pouch lumen. In another alternative, a length of the Roux limb can be shortened endoluminally to create a malabsorptive region.
US09545250B2
A retractor for use in spinal surgery comprises a frame including a ring member defining a generally central interior space. A plurality of blades is releasably supported respectively to slidable arms each supported on the ring member for individual translational movement relative to the ring member. The blades define an initial substantially enclosed opening that is expandable for use in a surgical procedure. A clutch mechanism supported on the ring member is associated with each arm to individually selectively engage each such arm with a rotatable main gear such that upon rotation of the main gear by a single actuator any one, all or any desired combination of arms may be translated relative to the ring member to move the blades and expand the opening in one or more selected desired directions.
US09545247B2
A septal occluder, such as one made from a polymer tube, can have portions on either side of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or other septal defect. The portions on either side can be held in place with a catching mechanism that can take one of many forms. The tube can be made of bioresorbable materials.
US09545238B2
A method and system for the diagnosis of 3D images are disclosed, which significantly cuts the time required for the diagnosis. The 3D images are for example an image volume dataset of a magnetic resonance tomography system which is saved in an RIS or PACS system. In at least one embodiment, the diagnostic finding are partially automatically generated, and details of the position, size and change in pathological structures are compared to previous diagnostic findings are generated automatically. As a result of this automation the diagnostic work of radiologists is significantly reduced.
US09545237B2
Method and device for recording a vascular structure during intervention comprises steps or elements for detecting S1 an injection of a contrast agent 6 provided to the vicinity of a device landmark 5, monitoring S3 for a predetermined time the vicinity of the device landmark 5, generating S3a time-contrast curves based on the monitored vicinity of the device landmark 5, analyzing S4a the time-contrast curves, and determining S4b a best instant as a visibility optimum based on the time-contrast curves.
US09545231B2
A method and imaging system for operating imaging computed tomography using at least one radiation source and at least one detector to generate an image of an object. The method includes: defining desired image characteristics; and performing calculations to determine the pattern of fluence to be applied by the at least one radiation source, to generate said desired image quality or characteristics. Then, the at least one radiation source is modulated, to generate the intended pattern of fluence between the beam source and the object to be imaged. The desired image characteristics can provide at least one of: desired image quality in at least one defined region of interest; and at least one desired distribution of said image quality.
US09545224B2
A system for measuring fitness for duty which includes a) a visual stimulus display b) eye monitoring equipment for measuring eye and eyelid movements c) a central processing unit and data storage device to collect and store the data from the eye monitoring equipment d) a data analysis device programmed to calculate one or more of the measures of blink latency, measures of the relative velocity of upper eyelid closing and opening movements during blinks, the product of the amplitude to velocity ratio of eyelid closing and opening, the duration of blinks, the variability of eyelid movements during blinks, the failure to respond appropriately with a voluntary blink following each said brief visual stimulus e) said data analysis device programmed to place the values for said measures into an algorithm for measuring fitness for duty.
US09545214B2
A heart rate meter and a method thereof are provided. The method is adopted by a sensing circuit of a heart rate meter, wherein the sensing circuit includes a pulse sensor and a proximity sensor. The method includes: determining whether the sensing circuit is close to a neighboring object according to a proximity output signal of the proximity sensor; determining whether the sensing circuit is hung in the air according to a direct current (DC) output signal of the pulse sensor; and when the sensing circuit is close to the neighboring object and is not hung in the air, determining that the measuring circuit can measure an electrocardiographic signal of the neighboring object.
US09545210B2
A computer-assisted method for quantitatively characterizing atrial fibrillation in a patient includes recording time series of bipolar atrial fibrillation signals at multiple sites in a patient's atria using two or more electrodes, calculating a similarity index vector by a computer system based on the bipolar atrial fibrillation signal between a first site and its neighboring sites, constructing an similarity-index vector field based on similarity-index vectors at different sites, calculating Curl and Divergence of the similarity-index vector field, calculating Rotor Identification using Curl and Divergence, calculating Focal Identification using Divergence, and determining one or more critical regions in the patient's atria if Rotor Identification is above a first predetermined threshold and Focal Identification is above a second predetermined threshold.
US09545208B2
A method of monitoring relative nerve health and the presence of neuropraxia is described. The methods utilize the integration of a waveform function of an elicited or monitored nerve response to provide an indication of the strength of a detected signal from a nerve and thus the relative health and integrity of the nerve. In some embodiments motor nerve stimulation innervates muscle and an EMG waveform is obtained in response thereto. The integration under the waveform is expressed and an indexed value indicating a percentage of a certain threshold value. Methods set forth provide a more reliable status of a nerve in real-time and allow action to be taken to reduce neuropraxia or prevent permanent nerve damage.
US09545198B2
An optical system (120) for detecting optical aberrations of light from an object (101), the optical system comprising: a reference light-source (102) providing collimated reference light; an optical element (212) configured to focus at least one collimated light beam incident on the optical element (212) to a plurality of focal points in a conjugate object plane (214), the optical element (212) being arranged in an optical path between the reference light-source (102) and the object (101) for transmitting a plurality of reference light beams towards the object (101); and a wavefront sensor (112) configured to detect a property indicative of an optical aberration of light incident on the wavefront sensor; wherein the optical element (212) is further arranged to transmit a plurality of reflected guide star light beams resulting from reflection of the reference light beams at the object (101) towards the wavefront sensor (112).
US09545192B2
Embodiments of the invention include a method and system for displaying an in vivo imaging procedure. The method includes receiving real-time image data captured by the capsule, and continuously generating an updated summarized color bar, said color bar comprising color strips and time scale marks. The color bar is calculated based on color values of received image data, and is updated continuously as new image data is received. The displayed time period is periodically updated, for example based on predetermined fixed time intervals, based on varying time intervals, or based on an accumulated amount of received image data. Other methods of determining the periodic updates may be used.
US09545187B2
A first signal ratio (−log(B/G)) between a B image signal and a G image signal is calculated. A second signal ratio (−log(G/R)) between the G image signal and an R image signal is calculated. A difference between first and second signal ratios in a first area and first and second signal ratios in a second area is increased to enhance a color difference between normal mucosa and an abnormal region (an atrophic mucosal region and a deep blood vessel region). An image after enhancing the color difference is displayed on a monitor.
US09545184B2
A rich air sprayer of sanitary ware has a base, the base is disposed with at least two waterways; each waterway includes an inlet hole, a mutation cavity connected to the inlet hole and an air inlet hole connected to the mutation cavity, the flow area of the inlet hole is smaller than that of the mutation cavity, negative pressure is generated inside the mutation cavity when the water flows from the inlet hole into the mutation cavity, the negative pressure makes the mutation cavity suck air from the outside of the sprayer through the air inlet hole, the air and the water are mixed to form bubbles; the outlets of the mutation cavities intersect or the tangents of the outlets of the mutation cavities intersect, making the water flowing out of the outlets of the mutation cavities collide to enhance the granular sensation.
US09545183B2
A mobile floor cleaning machine is provided having an integrated floor cleaning tool. In order to provide a floor cleaning machine of this kind with improved handling capability, the floor cleaning machine can include an accessory retainer for cleaning accessories, which has at least one accommodating part, which is fastened to the floor cleaning machine, and at least one retaining part, which can be connected to the accommodating part, for retaining the cleaning accessories.
US09545181B2
A portable surface cleaning apparatus is removably mounted from a wheeled base. The portable surface cleaning apparatus is provided with an energy storage member and a suction motor.
US09545178B2
A shower pan provides a shower floor adjoining a surrounding bathroom floor with no raised lip, curb or other obstruction between the two. This allows easy wheeled access for the disabled and comprises a drain plate in combination with an underlayment, which provide a gradual slope from a surrounding floor to a drain and supported on unmodified joists with upper surfaces in the same plane as surrounding bathroom floor joists.
US09545173B2
A dual purpose, single use wood grill brush for cleaning a grilling surface and thereafter providing a flavor enhancing smoke. The device is a thin sheet of wood selected for the flavor enhancing characteristics of the smoke therefrom when slowly burned, which sheet is desirably soaked in water to make the wood flexible so that it may be manually used to clean the grilling surface prior to grilling, and then deposited on the heat source where it smokes rather than flames because of the absorbed water content. Exposing the food being grilled to such smoke during the grilling process provide a unique flavor to the food. One embodiment of the device includes a flat edge on one end and a plurality of longitudinally extending fingers at the other end, both useful in the cleaning process. Other embodiments of the device specifically for grilling surfaces with spaced parallel rods include a thin sheet of wood with notches for selectively cleaning the entire surface of the rods. Methods are also disclosed.
US09545172B2
A roller grill includes a housing structure adapted to support the roller grill; a plurality of tubular heating surfaces mounted between a first end of the housing structure and a second end of the housing structure; a first side housing coupled to the first end of the housing structure; a second side housing coupled to the second end of the housing structure, at least one of the first side housing or the second housing including a pressurized plenum maintainable at a plenum air pressure that is greater than a tubular air pressure of an inner volume of the plurality of tubular heating surfaces; and a drive assembly at least partially enclosed in the first side housing or the second side housing, the drive assembly configured to rotatably drive the plurality of tubular heating surfaces.
US09545167B2
Food product stabilization systems employing features to stabilize upright food wares that are subject to tipping, crumbling and/or being damaged during transport or storage. Freestanding upright food wares may have exposed edges requiring some form of protection to reduce and/or prevent unwanted surface deterioration, crumbling, tilting, sliding, collapsing and/or damage resulting from transportation and/or storage. Varieties of food containers are disposed around upright food wares as a general means of protecting against humidity, oxidation and/or contaminates from an outside environment. In cases where upright food wares are dissimilarly shaped or sized disproportionately to food containers, unwanted surface deterioration, crumbling, sliding, spillage or damage may occur. The food product stabilization system comprises proportionately designed shapes and/or extendable/contractible edge support features to better enable the upright food wares to be protected, braced, and held more securely during transportation and/or storage. In this manner upright food wares may be efficiently contained, transported or stored even while subjected to external conditions that might otherwise cause damage.
US09545156B2
An enhanced mattress for enabling passive involuntary digestive tract movement, shoulder opening and pelvis bones movement. The apparatus is configured solely for prone lying of a human body thereupon and includes a head support section which comprises an open face section, an upper main section connected to the head support section, the upper main section comprises a plurality of dedicated supporting members. A lower support section connected to the upper main section.
US09545151B2
A magazine apparatus may hold and retain glass articles. The magazine apparatus may comprise a base frame, a back plate, and a plurality of receiving racks. The base frame may define a front plane and a back plane. The back plate may be connected to the base frame and positioned in the back plane defined by the base frame. The plurality of receiving racks may be supported in the base frame between the front plane and the back plane. Each receiving rack may be parallel to and spaced apart from adjacent receiving racks in a vertical direction and comprise a plurality of receiving slots for receiving at least a portion of a glass article. The receiving slots may be arrayed in a linear array over a length of each receiving rack and open towards the front plane of the base frame.
US09545148B2
An oral care implement is disclosed that comprises a handle and a head. The head comprises a base structure having a front surface. A cleaning element carrier is provided that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The cleaning element carrier is supported so that the bottom surface of the cleaning element carrier is spaced from the front surface of the base structure. At least a portion of the cleaning element carrier is movable relative to the base structure in a direction towards the front surface of the base structure. A plurality of first cleaning elements are mounted to the cleaning element carrier and extend from the top surface of the cleaning element carrier. A plurality of second cleaning elements are mounted to the base structure and extend from the front surface of the base structure and beyond the top surface of the cleaning element carrier.
US09545144B2
An adjustable device for supporting a load includes a belt for fastening about a user's waist. A rod includes two rigid elements. One of the elements is longitudinally slidable relative to the other element so as to adjust a length of the rod. A lower end of the rod is attachable to the belt and an upper section of the rod is attachable to a shoulder harness that is placeable on the user's shoulders for carrying the load. A control is operable by the user when carrying the load to unlock a locking mechanism that, when locked, fixes the length of the rod. When the control is operated concurrently with movement of the user's shoulders relative to the user's waist, the length of the rod is changed to adjust a distribution of a weight of the load between the user's shoulders and waist.
US09545137B2
A foldable frame that can unfold into a complete open structure, and is convenient for converting into a storage container with an upward facing opening. The upper frame body and lower frame body are connected with the central pillars and support rods on both sides, and form a 6-pillar support structure at both ends of the frame, so that the frame can support more weight, realize multi-layer stacking or support other articles, such as desktop or seat surface.
US09545125B2
The present invention is a magnetic segmented sport equipment for reducing the impact force on sport equipment using deployable segments. The magnetic segmented sport equipment has a body defining a recess, and a panel movable within the recess. The body and the recess each have magnetic elements associated therewith, with similar pole orientation. The panel has magnetic elements that are aligned with the magnetic elements of in the recess. A biasing element is located in the recess which provides a spring force against the panel. The panel is retained in the recess by an attraction force between the panel magnetic elements and the recess magnetic elements, which is greater than the spring force. The attraction and spring forces are configured so that the spring force is greater than the attraction force when an additional force in the direction of the spring force is combined with the spring force.
US09545121B2
Capsule insert able in a beverage production device for preparing a beverage from a substance contained in the capsule by introducing liquid in the capsule and passing liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces for producing the beverage which is centrifuged peripherally in the capsule relatively to a central axis of the capsule corresponding to an axis of rotation during the centrifuging operation comprising: an enclosure containing a predetermined amount of beverage substance, a cup-like shaped body, an upper wall for closing the body, wherein it comprises a flange-like rim extending outwardly from the body which comprises an annular raising portion forming a restriction for the centrifuged liquid How path when said portion is engaged by a pressing surface of the beverage production device.
US09545118B2
A shaker/dispenser dispenses crushed chip particles of discrete sizes for sprinkling directly on food as pourable condiments of discrete sized particles of the remnants of the crushed potato chips. Each potato chip of pre-determined thickness is crushed and crumbed into fine, medium and coarse crumbs of varying particle sizes. The chip crumb particles have a variety of flavors, salt and vinegar, cheese and onion, sour cream and chives, eggs and bacon, etc. The system provides selected potato chip condiments in sliced components for crushing and forming the particles of the desired sizes. In an alternate embodiment, the condiments are packaged in either a self-opening single use pouch or in a shaker/dispenser with a mill lid.
US09545109B2
To provide a technology for controlling weeds and the like. A herbicidal composition comprising at least one compound selected from Group A, and 2,4-D choline salt has a weed control effect:Group A: a group consisting of flumioxazin, sulfentrazone, saflufenacil, oxyfluorfen, fomesafen and a compound represented by the formula (I):
US09545098B2
An insecticidal feeding bead comprises: a food source comprising a swellable starch; an insecticide active; and greater than or equal to 60 weight percent water, wherein weight percent is based upon a total weight of the insecticidal feeding bead. A method of making an insecticidal feeding system comprises: forming an insecticidal feeding bead, comprising: a food source comprising a swellable starch; an insecticide active; and greater than or equal to 60 weight percent water, wherein weight percent is based upon a total weight of the insecticidal feeding bead; absorbing the insecticide active in the swellable starch; and absorbing the swellable starch in the water.
US09545094B2
A fast closing remotely activated animal trap gate includes a gate with a wire mesh and a frame to hold the gate, with the gate moving within the frame between an open position and a closed position. A cable, interacting with a system of weight-reducing pulley wheels, holds the gate within the frame in an open position, and a release rod holds the cable in place. The release rod is retracted in order to allow release of the cable and consequent movement of the gate from the open position to the closed position. In some embodiments, low friction ball-bearing trolley wheels assist in the fast, downward fall of the gate.
US09545092B2
Disclosed are holders for supporting a burnable substrate such as a mosquito coil. They have an ash tray, a mounting post coupled to the ash tray and moveable between a storage position wherein both an outward part and an inward part of the mounting post are adjacent the ash tray and an erected position where the mounting post is suitable to support the burnable substrate, and a locking bracket linked to the ash tray which is suitable to retain the mounting post in the erected position when that is desired. In some forms multiple such coils and holders are housed in a compact kit.
US09545091B2
A retainer apparatus for a hook, the hook having opposing open and closed hook end portions, the retainer apparatus includes a beam and an extension element having an elongated loop shape that defines an aperture with a portion of the loop affixed to the beam. Also included is a resilient component with an outer surface, the resilient component encompasses the extension element and a portion of the beam, the resilient component having a slit extending from the outer surface inward to manually open the slit and expose a portion of the extension element. Operationally, the open slit allows the hook open end portion to be manually placed within the loop, when the slit is released the slit compressively sandwiches the hook about the extension element to removably retain the hook to the retainer apparatus with the hook closed loop end portion exposed outside of the outer surface.
US09545084B2
An illuminated animal restraint includes a leash having an elongated body; a plurality of light sources positioned along the elongated body; the light sources are connected by wiring which has a configuration to accommodate pull and sideway forces applied to the leash without damage to the wiring and light sources.
US09545076B2
A new and distinct cultivar of Mentha spicata L. named KI-MsEM0042 and characterized by elevated levels of rosmarinic acid and vigorous growth.
US09545071B1
A novel maize variety designated PH25JY and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH25JY with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH25JY through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH25JY or a locus conversion of PH25JY with another maize variety.
US09545070B1
A novel maize variety designated PH25HV and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH25HV with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH25HV through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH25HV or a locus conversion of PH25HV with another maize variety.
US09545065B2
The present invention relates to methods of producing unique varieties of triploid watermelon with diverse rind patterning. More specifically, a new watermelon variety designated ‘Harvest Moon’ is described. ‘Harvest Moon’ is a seedless, spotted watermelon variety with improved flesh quality and deeper red color than traditional spotted watermelon varieties.
US09545062B2
A harvester is provided for felling and processing a tree, the harvester including traction devices and a harvester head. The harvester includes an integrated hydraulic system for operating the traction devices and the harvester head. More particularly, the harvester includes an integrated load sense system for operating the traction devices and the harvester head.
US09545058B2
A plant growth promotion device includes: a flat-plate rotor, a motor coupled to the rotor by a rotary shaft, and a plurality of permanent magnets fixed in place at arbitrary intervals within the rotor, the rotor being rapidly rotatable by the rotary shaft that is coupled to the motor, so as to produce an alternating magnetic field. The device is used by situating and operating it in an agricultural field of crops so that the alternating magnetic field is produced in the agricultural field.
US09545056B2
The objective of the present invention is achieved by means of a row divider (1) applied to a sugar cane harvester (100). Said device (1) comprises at least one helicoidal lift (2) connected to an engine. Said helicoidal lift (2) has a conical shape geometry of variable cross section around an imaginary central axis (102), and comprises a first segment (3) and a second segment (4). The first segment (3) establishes a first generatrix (5) which defines an angle a to the central axis (102) and comprises a first screw thread (6) in its outer surface. The second segment (4) establishes a second generatrix (7) which defines an angle β to the central axis (102), so that β has a greater value than a. Said second segment (4) comprises a second screw thread (8) in its surface, which is oriented in the opposite direction of the first screw thread (6). Said device provides a higher peripheral speed in the last stage of separation and direction of the sugar cane cut by the blades of a sugar cane harvester (100) and lifted by the first segment (3) of the helicoidal lift (2) of a row divider (1). This aims to facilitate and expedite the work of the harvester (100), since it prevents the accumulation of material improperly positioned at the mouth of the harvester (100).
US09545050B2
An attachment for a power lawnmower enables cutting wet grass and includes a cross bar adapted to be supported by the forward end of the lawnmower. An elongated support member has a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, where the rear frame portion is secured transversely to the cross bar and extends forwardly therefrom. A rigid bracket is connected transversely to the front frame portion of the elongated support member and cantilevered above the ground. A flexible member has a first side secured along the rigid bracket and has a second side extending below the rigid bracket. The flexible member is adapted to contact the wet grass during forward movement of the lawnmower in order to remove moisture from the wet grass.
US09545046B1
A ground engaging agricultural tillage blade having a central opening adapted to be attached to an implement for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation; the blade having an outer periphery; and reinforcing flutes disposed in the plate from a location substantially at the outer periphery to a location adjacent the central opening. The blade can be used with a hub disposed around the central opening, a hub that covers at least a portion of the flutes or a spacer on a shaft extending through the central openings of adjacent blades, the spacers extending radially outwardly by a distance sufficient to place a portion of the spacer in abutment with at least a portion of the flutes.
US09549492B2
A correction mechanism includes a mounting board, a first correction assembly, and a second correction assembly. The first correction assembly includes a plurality of first limiting members and a plurality of first correction members alternating arranged with the plurality of first limiting members. The first limiting members are securely fixedly mounted on the mounting board. The first correction members are movably mounted on the mounting board and capable of moving toward the plurality of first limiting members along a first direction. The second correction assembly has a structure similar to the first correction assembly. The plurality of second limiting members and the plurality of second correction members are substantially perpendicular to and above the plurality of first limiting members and the plurality of first correction members
US09549483B2
An engine control unit including a substantially rectangular printed circuit board in which a microcontroller is mounted. The printed circuit board includes a connector portion in which connection terminals are provided to be arranged in one side edge portion along the longitudinal direction thereof. The connection terminals of the connector portion include connection terminals for input on one side in the longitudinal direction and connection terminals for output on the other side with respect to a setting position. A microcontroller is disposed at substantially the center portion of the printed circuit board in the longitudinal direction thereof. An electronic component as an input interface circuit is disposed on the one side in the longitudinal direction, and an electronic component as an output interface circuit is disposed on the other side.
US09549465B2
Provided are a printed circuit board and a method of manufacturing the same, the printed circuit board according to the present invention, the printed circuit board, including: an insulating substrate having a plurality of circuit pattern grooves formed on a surface thereof; and a plurality of circuit patterns formed by burying the circuit pattern grooves, wherein the circuit patterns protrude as much as a predetermined thickness from an upper surface of the insulating substrate.
US09549461B2
To improve electric characteristics of an electronic device. An electronic device includes a semiconductor device and a three-terminal capacitor mounted on the upper surface of a mounting substrate, the semiconductor device includes a power supply pad and a ground pad, the power supply pad and the ground pad are electrically connected with a power supply land and a ground land, respectively, and the power supply land and the ground land are allocated to a land line in an outermost periphery of the semiconductor device, Then, the power supply land and the ground land are electrically connected to the three-terminal capacitor by wirings formed on the upper surface of the mounting substrate.
US09549459B2
A multilayer PCB comprises vias for power-supply connected to power-supply wiring, vias for ground connected to ground wiring, ball pads for power-supply connected to balls for power-supply connected to power-supply wiring, and ball pads for ground connected to balls for ground connected to ground wiring. The vias for power-supply and the vias for ground are alternately arranged in a first direction. The vias for power-supply and the vias for ground are not alternately arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The ball pads for power-supply and the ball pads for ground are alternately arranged in at least one of the first and second directions. Areas where the ball pads for power-supply and the ball pads for ground are provided are arranged on both sides in the second direction of an area where the vias for power-supply and the vias for ground are provided.
US09549454B2
A flashlight stores a user selection of a desired mode of operation in a temporary storage medium so that it can be retrieved by a controller when an electrical circuit is interrupted for less than a preselected period of time.
US09549449B2
A fault detection apparatus coupling with a lamp module includes a current detector and a controlling module. The controlling module is coupled with the current detector. A fault detection method of a fault detection apparatus is also provided in the present disclose. The method includes providing a current detector to detect a current variation of one lamp of a lamp module in a period, and provide a controlling module to compare the current variation with a reference value stored in the controlling module to determine a state of the lamp module.
US09549448B2
A wall controller that is used for controlling CCT is disclosed. A user input interface allows a user to provide a CCT parameter by pressing a button, entering a value, or the like. The user output interface can provide the user with an indication of a CCT level, which may represent an actual or current CCT level, a maximum or minimum CCT level setting, or the like for an associated lighting fixture. The communication interface facilitates communications with the associated lighting fixture. The control circuitry is configured to receive user input via the user interface; send a signal based on the user input toward the lighting fixture via the communication interface; and control the user output interface to provide the indication of the CCT level. The signal based on the user input may be indicative of an increase or decrease in CCT level, a specific CCT level, or the like.
US09549438B2
The present invention relates to a microwave oven with at least one wave choke system. A front frame (12) encloses a front portion of a cavity wall (24) of an oven cavity (10) along a circumferential direction. An oven door (14) is provided to cover front sides of the oven cavity (10) and front sides of the cavity wall (24) completely and the front frame (12) at least partially in a closed state of said oven door (14). A first gap (16) is formed between the inner side of the oven door (14) on the one hand and front sides both of the front frame (12) and the cavity wall (24) on the other hand. A second gap (18) is formed between the front portions of the front frame (12) and the cavity wall (24). The cross-section of the second gap (18) extends perpendicularly to the cross-section of the first gap (16). A wave choke system is arranged within the second gap (18). The wave choke system comprises a plurality of choke members (26) and a counter part (28). There is no direct electric contact between the choke members (26) on the one hand and the counter part (28) on the other hand. Further, the present invention relates to a corresponding wave choke system for a microwave oven.
US09549433B2
A method for releasing a LIPA connection is provided, which includes that a MME executes a LIPA connection releasing check according to received LIPA connection releasing auxiliary information, and judges whether to release a LIPA connection of UE; or, a wireless-side network element executes a LIPA connection releasing check according to received LIPA connection releasing auxiliary information, and judges whether to release the LIPA connection of the UE. A device for releasing a LIPA connection, an MME and a wireless-side network element are also provided. According to the technical solutions of the present disclosure, under the condition that a mobile relay supports LIPA, continuity of the LIPA connection of the UE in an Mobile Relay Node (MRN) handover process is ensured, continuity of a LIPA service of the UE is further ensured, and the quality of service for a user and a user experience are improved.
US09549429B1
A method of connecting a first computing device and a wireless access point over a first wireless network using a second computing device, where the first and second computing devices are both enabled to communicate over the first wireless network and are both enabled to communicate over a second, different wireless network, and where there are first wireless network connection credentials for the wireless access point. The method includes establishing a wireless connection between the first and second computing devices over the second wireless network, sending the first wireless network connection credentials for the wireless access point from the second computing device to the first computing device over the second wireless network, and then establishing a connection between the first computing device and the wireless access point on the first network using the first wireless network connection credentials for the wireless access point.
US09549428B2
A method and a system for communication between devices in proximity, a network side device and a User Equipment (UE) are disclosed. The method includes that: a network side device determines whether UEs meet a direct Device to Device (D2D) communication condition; when the network side device determines that the UEs meet the direct D2D communication condition, the network side device informs the UEs of the result of the determination, and configures resources for direct D2D communication for the UEs according to requirements of the UEs; and when the network side device determines that the UEs do not meet the direct D2D communication condition, the network side device configures resources for architecture communication for the UEs according to the requirements of the UEs. The disclosure can implement D2D communication between devices in proximity, reduce network load and relieve the dependence of the D2D communication on a network.
US09549420B2
A method is provided for controlling equipment provided with a function for controlling a bidirectional radio link in reception and in transmission. The equipment is configured for connecting with at least one terminal of a home network via said radio link. The method includes: inhibiting the radio link in transmission; listening to the radio link in reception; detecting a wakeup identifier on the radio link; verifying the validity of the terminal that sent the wakeup identifier; and as a function of the value of this identifier and of the validity of the terminal that sent it, activating the radio link in transmission. Also provided is equipment having a function for controlling a radio link.
US09549415B2
A radio station (1) includes a first part (1A) and at least one second part (1B). The second part (1B) can be arranged so as to be physically separated from the first part (1A) and is connected to the first part (1A) via a transmission line (40) so as to be able to communicate with the first part (1A). The first part (1A) includes a bearer termination unit (10) capable of terminating at least one bearer between an upper network and the radio station (1). The second part (1B) includes a physical layer signal processing unit (12) that performs physical layer signal processing. The physical layer signal processing includes channel coding and decoding for user data pertaining to a first mobile station connected to the second part (1B) among a plurality of mobile stations.
US09549408B2
The present disclosure concerns interference congestion control in radio communication networks. Disclosed herein are methods as well radio network nodes. A radio network node may, for example, estimate a neighboring cell interference. The radio network node may also detect a sudden significant increase in the estimated neighboring cell interference. In response to detecting a sudden significant in the estimated neighboring cell interference, the radio network node may also transmit a message to at least one other radio network node. This message may include an indicator indicating to said at least one radio network node to initiate an interference congestion control procedure. Hereby it is made possible to allow for interference congestion control in radio communication networks.
US09549402B2
A method and an apparatus for utilizing multiple carriers are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) capable of receiving on a single downlink carrier at a time may tune the receiver to one downlink carrier and switch the downlink carrier in accordance with a configured pattern. The WTRU may switch the carrier from an anchor carrier to a non-anchor carrier at a high speed shared control channel (HS-SCCH) sub-frame boundary, and switches back at an end of a subsequent high speed physical downlink shared channel (HS-PDSCH) subframe. The WTRU may switch the carrier at an HS-PDSCH sub-frame boundary. A WTRU capable of receiving on multiple downlink carriers simultaneously may tune the receiver to an anchor carrier and a supplementary carrier, and switch the supplementary carrier to another carrier based on a carrier switching order. The carrier switching order may be received via an HS-SCCH or via layer 2 signaling.
US09549400B2
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for receiving control information through an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) in a wireless communication system, including the steps of: channel estimation in an EPDCCH related physical resource block (PRB) pair set; and, on the basis of the channel estimation, monitoring the EPDCCH in the PRB pair set, wherein, when the number of physical antennas of a transmission point transmitting the EPDCCH is 1, the terminal is assumed to identically precode allocated ports for the EPDCCH.
US09549397B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and a device for transmitting data. The method includes: a user equipment receives downlink data sent from a base station through downlink resources of a special subframe; the user equipment determines its corresponding guard period level, the guard period level corresponds to a round-trip time of the user equipment and indicates a length of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol in a guard period corresponding to the user equipment in the special subframe; the user equipment determines, according to its corresponding guard period level, a position of uplink resources corresponding to the user equipment in guard period resources of the special subframe; and the user equipment sends uplink data to the base station through the uplink resources corresponding to the user equipment in the guard period resources of the special subframe.
US09549396B2
A method and user equipment (UE) for transmitting Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) information in a wireless communication system. The UE determines a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) format and a PUCCH resource through which ACK/NACK information for downlink transmission in a downlink subframe set including M (M>1) downlink subframes is to be transmitted. The UE transmits the ACK/NACK information using the PUCCH format and the PUCCH resource in one uplink subframe. More than one serving cell is configured for the UE and the more than one serving cell includes one Primary Cell (PCell) and at least one Secondary Cell (SCell). The ACK/NACK information is transmitted using a PUCCH format 1b, when the ACK/NACK information corresponds to one Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) without a corresponding Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) received only on the PCell in the downlink subframe set.
US09549395B2
The present invention relates to a method for transmitting an uplink signal of a terminal using multiple component carriers in a wireless communication system and, more particularly, to a method for transmitting an uplink signal of a terminal using multiple component carriers in a wireless communication system which supports carrier aggregation, comprising the steps of: receiving setting information on a second-type component carrier from a base station through a first-type component carrier; and transmitting an uplink signal to the base station through the second-type component carrier, wherein the use of the second-type component carrier for a specific subframe is changed according to the setting information.
US09549391B2
Embodiments herein relate to a method in a radio network node (12,13) for paging a user equipment (10) in a radio communications network (1), which radio network node (12, 13) serves a cell (11) in the radio communications network (1). The radio network node (12, 13) determines whether a condition is fulfilled, which condition is associated with the cell (11). The radio network node (12, 13), when the condition is fulfilled, pages the user equipment (10) in the cell (11).
US09549383B2
The present application discloses a system and a method for clock synchronization of base stations. In the system for clock synchronization of base stations, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver on a main control board of a base station is connected to a GPS antenna feeder; the GPS receiver connected to the GPS antenna feeder is connected to a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) on the present main control board and a PLL on other main control board; the main control boards are connected through a judgment line.
US09549381B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling the power consumption of a power amplifier included in a communication device. For at least some embodiments, the power consumption may be controlled by determining an order for the data packets to be transmitted, selecting a coding scheme used to encode the data packets, and/or determining an output power level of the power amplifier. The data packet transmission order, the coding scheme, and/or the output power level may be determined, at least in part, by the temperature of the power amplifier, a quality of service associated with the data packets, a data packet length, and/or a link budget. Adjustments to the data packet transmission order, the coding scheme, and/or the output power level may be made dynamically for each data packet.
US09549370B2
Systems and methods for reducing interference and saving power for home Node Bs are disclosed. Home Node Bs can be configured to remain in sleep mode until needed based on various criteria, periodically operating transmit and receive components in order to detect mobile devices that may need the services of the home Node B. Mobile devices can indicate one or several target home Node Bs using one or more node identifiers within a proximity indication message. Closed subscriber group identifiers and membership data may also be included in a proximity indication message. Node or cell identities, along with membership data, may be stored in a fingerprint database or white-list on a mobile device.
US09549364B2
An approach is provided for providing optimized privacy in cognitive radio information sharing. A cognitive radio privacy optimization platform determines cognitive radio connectivity information provided by at least one device. The cognitive radio privacy optimization platform also processes and/or facilitates a processing of the cognitive radio connectivity information to determine a quality, an amount, or a combination thereof of the cognitive radio connectivity information. The cognitive radio privacy optimization platform further determines at least one service class for providing cognitive radio connectivity to the at least one device based, at least in part, on the quality, the amount, or a combination thereof of the cognitive radio information.
US09549358B1
A coverage hole detection apparatus and method are provided. The coverage hole detection apparatus decides two boundary locations of a coverage hole according to (a) a time length from a time point when a user equipment (UE) has detected a disconnection from a first base station to a time point when the UE determines that a Radio Link Failure (RLF) has happened, (b) a time length from a time point when the UE receives an RLF report request from a second base station to a time point when the UE transmits an RLF report response to the second base station, (c) a location that the UE determines that the RLF has happened, and (d) a location where the UE transmits the RLF report response. The coverage hole detection apparatus decides the coverage hole according to the two boundary locations and a sensitivity range of the UE.
US09549357B2
The present disclosure describes promoting roaming of a wireless terminal in a wireless local area network (WLAN). The AP obtains signal quality and/or data transmission quality of the wireless terminal periodically, and determines whether the obtained signal quality and/or data transmission quality of the wireless terminal satisfies a predetermined threshold. Upon determining that the predetermined threshold is not satisfied, the AP proactively sends a probe response frame to the wireless terminal. The probe response frame notifies the wireless terminal of a wireless signal strength of the AP to promote roaming to a neighboring AP.
US09549356B2
The present application relates to the technology of communications. Disclosed are a method and device for shunting IP streams during 3GPP access switching; after having received a command for 3GPP access switching transmitted by a source 3GPP access device, a user equipment (UE) determines the IP streams to be transferred, and then performs 3GPP access switching and IP stream transferring at the same time, thus improving IP stream transferring efficiency. In addition, the IP streams to be transferred contain an IP stream capable of being transmitted via WLAN access after a target 3GPP access device fails to allocate resources to a bearers for transmitting the IP stream, thereby avoiding service interruption due to bearer loss, and thus improving the QoS ensurance for the service.
US09549339B2
Embodiments herein relate to a method in a radio network node (500,12,13,13) for informing a network control node (700,14) about a state of a connection between the radio network node (500,12,13,13) and a user equipment (10) served by the radio network node (500,12,13,13). The radio network node transmits to the network control node (700,14), an indication indicating a congestion or not a congestion of MAC-hs or MAC-ehs packets towards the user equipment (10).
US09549332B2
Methods of operating devices on a wireless network as access points (AP) or spectrum monitors (SM). An adaptive radio management (ARM) process operating on the digital network senses network conditions based on data from APs and SMs on the network, and in response to conditions changes devices from AP operation to SM operation, and from SM operation back to AP operation. A method for providing wideband spectrum analysis functions on a radio operating as an AP on a channel proving client connectivity services. A method for scanning off-channel for shorter durations between transmissions to collect spectral data and a method for explicitly quieting IEEE 802.11 transmissions on a channel to collect spectral data.
US09549329B2
Provided is an intelligent mobile wireless access point device that is set-up to allow for remote configuration of the access point device, via a mobile communication network, by a configuration server. A configuration file for a mobile wireless access point device is maintained by a service provider in a configuration server. The configuration file is delivered to the mobile wireless access point devices over the mobile communication network, which allows multiple mobile wireless access point devices to be configured substantially simultaneously and without the multiple mobile wireless access point devices being physically located at an enterprise location. In addition, the remote configuration examples of a mobile wireless access point device mitigate the opportunities for unauthorized use of the mobile wireless access point, and provide additional security features for authorized users.
US09549327B2
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for mitigating/eliminating interference between adjacent cells by configuring a subframe subset, in which the downlink transmission/reception of a specific cell to be user equipment-specific is limited. According to the present invention, the transmission/reception of a downlink signal for a specific user equipment in the subframe in which the downlink transmission/reception of the specific cell is limited, thereby mitigating/eliminating interference from an uplink of a different cell with the downlink of the specific cell from a base station to the specific user equipment.
US09549326B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided facilitating flexible time sharing among systems. A method and apparatus may generate a secondary component carrier transmission plan including planned on and off durations. The planned on durations correspond to a time period for an apparatus and devices to communicate via an unlicensed band of the secondary component carrier. The planned off durations correspond to a time interval in which the devices may deactivate from the unlicensed band or remain disconnected from the unlicensed band. The method and apparatus may also enable provision of the plan to the devices via a licensed band of a primary component carrier and detecting a medium of the unlicensed band prior to the expiration of the time period to determine whether the medium is available in order to decide whether to turn on transmissions to the unlicensed band after one of the planned off durations.
US09549324B2
A computer-implemented diabetes management system is provided that supports enhanced security between a diabetes care manager in data communication with a medical device. The diabetes care manager includes: a first application that operates to request access to a first security role supported by the medical device, where the first security role is associated with a first set of commands for accessing data on the medical device that are defined as a private extension of the communication protocol; and a second application that operates to request access to a second security role supported by the medical device, where the second security role is associated with a second set of commands for accessing data on the medical device that are defined as a private extension of the communication protocol. The second set of commands has one or more commands that are mutually exclusive from the first set of commands.
US09549319B1
A first device wirelessly transmits beacon frames having distinct identifying contents within each. The first device issues a request to a second device to report what beacon frame contents the second device may have received. The second device sends a response to the first device. The first device analyzes the response in view of the beacon frame contents actually sent, the respective radio-frequency broadcast power of the beacon frames, and so on. Based on the analysis, the first device may determine proximity or other information regarding the responsive other device.
US09549318B2
Systems and methods for enabling a computing device to be registered and authorized for network access, while deferring device hardware address capture until a later time. Subsequently, when the computing device connects to a network location at which the hardware address can be detected registration and authorization can be fully completed. In some cases, the subsequent completion can be performed automatically and without user intervention.
US09549316B2
Some embodiments relate to a host-side surrogate tool configured to service mobile phones from a host device that is coupled to one or more peripheral cell phones. The presently-disclosed host-side surrogate tool executes on the host device concurrently with one or more software components of a vendor-compliant phone maintenance tool. In some embodiments, the concurrently-executing host-side surrogate tool may cause the vendor-compliant phone maintenance tool to provide functionality for which it was not intended. In some embodiments, it may be said that the host-side surrogate tool provides a ‘semi-virtual’ environment under which host-side vendor-compliant phone maintenance tool operates. Related methods, devices and systems are disclosed herein.
US09549310B2
A cellular device 10 has a SIM 12 having a unique identifier 14, for example formatted as an IMSI. The cellular device is activated by a registration process which registers the SIM to a selected home network. In this way, the cellular device can be bundled with a SIM before it is known for which country, region or network the cellular device will be sold.
US09549304B2
A method begins by an application server establishing information regarding a potentially adverse event and determining group constraints for a group regarding the potentially adverse event. The method continues with the application server selecting one or more user devices of a plurality of user devices affiliated with the group to produce selected user devices. The method continues with the application server obtaining, for each selected user device, a status associated with the selected user device and issuing a status response message to at least some of the user devices of the plurality of user devices affiliated with the group, where the status response message includes the status associated with each selected user device.
US09549303B2
Systems and methods for providing alerts to end users of networked enabled portable devices are provided so that the end users are made aware when broadcast emergency alerts are issued. The systems and methods provide a way for a portable device to receive information about an emergency alert broadcast of which the user should be aware, e.g., from the EAS, and to notify the user of the emergency alert. A flag provides an indication the EAS should be on and the systems and method override the settings made by a user to a portable device to enable EAS reception. The user may then be automatically taken to the emergency alert information by having the portable device automatically tune to the emergency broadcast information, or the user may optionally retrieve the emergency information by tuning to the emergency broadcast channel, or the user may otherwise be presented with a reference to the emergency data (e.g., a link to the information).
US09549300B1
A message receiving, intercepting and processing method and corresponding application and device may provide receiving a message at a message processing server, the message being intended for a phone number associated with a customer service provider, identifying a telephone number of the sender of the message, parsing at least one word from the message, retrieving user account information of the sender, and generating an automated response to the message that includes contextual information that is based on at least one of the user account information and the parsed at least one word from the message.
US09549292B2
A method for detecting a context of a mobile device (100) equipped with sensors (111, 121, 122, 131) and a context detection module (109) in which the sensors (111, 121, 122, 131) are assigned to at least two groups (110, 120, 30), each of which comprises at least one sensor (111, 121, 122, 131), and each group (110, 120, 130) is allocated a group classifier (116, 126, 136) 10 adapted to detect, in a form of a classification result, currently identified, by means of a given classifier, context of the device (100) based on indications of the sensors (111, 121, 122, 131) belonging to the given group, characterized in that with a use of the context detection module, whereas the groups (110, 102, 130) of sensors are ordered hierarchically, and the device context is detected 1 by reading a classification result indicated by the classifier (116, 126, 136) of the currently active group, wherein in case of detection of an identified context in the active group, switching on power supply of the sensors and activating classification in a group (110, 120, 130) with a level higher by one level and reading the context indicated by said group's classifier, wherein based on the 20 results of the classification indicated by the higher groups' classifiers (116, 26, 136), executing adaptation of the configuration of lower groups' classifiers (116, 126, 136).
US09549290B2
A method performed by an apparatus includes scanning at least one of multiple radio frequencies using at least two beamforming antennas of a plurality of beamforming antennas coupled to the eyewear and detecting, on a first scanned radio frequency, first externally emitted radio energy. The method further includes identifying a first wireless device using the detected first externally emitted radio energy and determining a first direction of the first wireless device relative to the eyewear.
US09549264B2
A method for controlling a hearing aid using a portable terminal is provided. The method includes taking a photo, generating a control signal to control a hearing mode of the hearing aid according to an analysis of a surrounding condition based on the photo, and transmitting the control signal to the hearing aid.
US09549263B2
An acoustic transducer has a substrate having a cavity, a vibrating electrode plate disposed above the substrate and having a void portion that allows pressure to escape, a fixed electrode plate disposed above the substrate opposite the vibrating electrode plate, a plurality of sensing portions configured by the vibrating electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate, at least one of the vibrating electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate being divided into a plurality of regions, and a sensing portion being configured by the vibrating electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate in each of the divided regions, and a leak pressure regulation portion that hinders leakage of air pressure passing through the void portion when the vibrating electrode plate is not undergoing deformation.
US09549235B2
A user interface apparatus using a speaker to control device operations by utilizing a speaker and a method thereof are provided. The user interface apparatus includes a user input pad that forms at least a portion of the exterior of a speaker and is configured to generate an impact sound wave based on an external impact An impact sound wave recognizer is configured to receive feedback of an output signal output via the speaker and separate a reverse current signal due to the impact sound wave included in the feedback signal. In addition, a controller is configured to analyze a waveform of the reverse current signal separated by the impact sound wave recognizer to recognize a user input pattern, and output a control signal that corresponds to the recognized user input pattern. The device operations of various devices may be controlled by tapping or flicking the exterior of a speaker.
US09549232B1
In an example, the present invention includes an integrated system on chip device. The device has a data input/output interface provided on the substrate member and configured for a predefined data rate and protocol. In an example, the data input/output interface is configured for number of lanes numbered from four to one hundred and fifty. In an example, the SerDes block is configured to convert a first data stream of N into a second data stream of M such that each of the first data stream having a first predefined data rate at a first clock rate and each of the second data stream having a second predefined data rate at a second clock rate.
US09549226B2
A method and apparatus is disclosed which reduces or removes the effectiveness of commercial skip systems such as presently found in VCRs, PVRs, etc. which are designed to delete commercials from signal material upon playback of a previously recorded version of the signal material. In an embodiment, the effectiveness of the commercial skip system is reduced or removed by adding a flat field of selected signal level to active line portions of video lines of the signal material. Other embodiments modify the normal fade to black signal indicative of a commercial to provide a fade to non-black signal. In further embodiments, a fade to non-black signal is inserted in an overscan area of the signal picture. Still further embodiments modify audio signals or selected signals in the horizontal blanking interval which may be used in commercial skip systems to detect the presence of commercials.
US09549223B2
A reception unit receives data whose bit rate varies. A signal processing section 118 converts the data received by the reception unit into data of a data format to be transmitted to a client apparatus and stores the data obtained by the conversion into a buffer 120. When data is stored by a given amount into the buffer 120, a transmission section streaming-distributes the data to the client apparatus. A control section 126 additionally stores, when data is not stored by the given amount into the buffer 120 in a given transmission period, dummy data into the buffer 120 until the given amount is reached, and controls the transmission section to transmit the resulting data.
US09549220B2
The user can respond to a media segment wherein the media segment may be associated with a schedulable event. Software on the device can then schedule the event into an electronic calendar system, and/or may use data associated with the media segment. At the appropriate time, the electronic calendar system may notify the user of the scheduled broadcast and/or event.
US09549200B1
Methods for improved parallel motion estimation are provided that decouple the merging candidate list derivation and motion estimation for merge mode and skip mode and the advanced motion vector predictor (AMVP) candidate list construction from regular motion estimation to increase the coding quality in parallel motion estimation while meeting throughput requirements. This decoupling may be accomplished by modifying the availability rules for spatial motion data (SMD) positions for construction of the candidate lists. As part of the decoupling, largest coding units (LCUs) of a picture may be divided into non-overlapping parallel motion estimation regions (PMER) of equal size. Within a PMER, motion estimation for merge mode, skip mode, and normal inter-prediction mode may be performed in parallel for all the prediction units (PUs) in the PMER.
US09549197B2
A system and method for enhancing data coherency and potential of at least one metadata associated with a video data configured to operate in a visual dynamic range (VDR) format are detailed. One system embodiment employs a metadata framing structure which includes a header start of frame bit set, a packet type bit set, a configuration bit set, a variable depth configuration/metadata bit set, a header end of frame bit set, a timestamp bit set for specifying a frame delay count to apply the at least one metadata to the video data and a checksum check bit set. The at least one metadata is designed to embed within a code word guard bit position of at least one color channel of the video data and adaptable to embed within the VDR pipeline to enhance the quality of the video data.
US09549185B2
A method of decoding a video includes determining an initial value of a quantization parameter (QP) used to perform inverse quantization on coding units included in a slice segment, based on syntax obtained from a bitstream; determining a slice-level initial QP for predicting the QP used to perform inverse quantization on the coding units included in the slice segment, based on the initial value of the QP; and determining a predicted QP of a first quantization group of a parallel-decodable data unit included in the slice segment, based on the slice-level initial QP.
US09549181B2
Relating to the field of video coding, a method and an apparatus for building a motion vector list for motion vector prediction, which solve a problem of building motion vector lists of at least two PUs in a same coding unit in a serial manner, and improve the parallel processing capability. The method includes: obtaining spatial neighboring blocks of a current prediction block, where the current prediction block is located inside a current coding unit; determining available neighboring blocks of the current prediction block according to a partition manner of the current coding unit, where the available neighboring blocks are located outside the current coding unit; and obtaining motion vector predictors from the available neighboring blocks in a preset sequence according to motion vector predictors of the available neighboring blocks, and adding the obtained motion vector predictors to the motion vector list.
US09549178B2
In various embodiments, an encoder may be configured to divide received content in a first format into one or more segments and then to transcode the previously-divided segments into other formats and/or bitrates for presentation. In various embodiments, the encoder may include multiple segmenting computing devices configured to perform the dividing of the content into segments. The encoder may also include multiple transcoding computing devices configured to transcode the divided segments into a format for presentation. In various embodiments, the computing devices may be configured to communicate with each other via a network to determine which content has been divided into segments and which divided segments have been transcoded. The determination may be performed autonomously by the devices. Thus, in various embodiments, the devices included in the encoder may be configured to perform segmenting and transcoding on a distributed basis without necessarily requiring coordination by any one device.
US09549168B2
Embodiments of the invention may include a scanning device to scan three dimensional objects. The scanning device may generate a three dimensional model. The scanning device may also generate a texture map for the three dimensional model. Techniques utilized to generate the model or texture map may include tracking scanner position, generating depth maps of the object and generation composite image of the surface of the object.
US09549164B2
Externally-set mask patterns are corrected into corrected mask patterns in a variable correction degree. A depth map is processed for each of areas designated by the corrected mask patterns respectively. The depth map is for an input image. A different-viewpoint image is generated on the basis of the input image and the processed depth map. The different-viewpoint image relates to a viewpoint different from the viewpoint concerning the input image. A texture in the input image is analyzed to obtain an analyzation result. The correction of the externally-set mask patterns into the corrected mask patterns includes varying the correction degree in response to the obtained analyzation result.
US09549158B2
A single pixel sensor is provided, comprising a photo sensor configured to convert light into proportional signals; a charge storage configured to accumulate, repeatedly, a plurality of the signals converted by the photosensor; a first transistor coupled between a pixel voltage terminal and the photosensor; a second transistor coupled between the photosensor and the charge storage; and a readout circuit coupled between the charge storage and an output channel, wherein: the single pixel sensor is configured to carry out the repeated accumulations of signals multiple times per each readout by the readout circuit, the single pixel sensor is configured to synchronously convert reflections of light emitted by an associated illuminator or to convert light emitted by non-associated flickering light sources, and wherein the single pixel sensor is backside illuminated by the light.
US09549154B1
A multipoint communication server for establishing multipoint communication between a plurality of endpoints, the multipoint communication server comprising: a data repository containing the set of endpoints identifiers wherein each endpoint identifier corresponds to a participating endpoint, a media processing unit configured to receive an upstream media stream from an emitting endpoint, the media processing unit being further configured to generate a plurality of downstream media streams for the participating endpoints, wherein the data repository further contains a replication inhibition set which consists of a subset of the set of endpoint identifiers and comprises at least the endpoint identifier of the emitting endpoint, wherein the media processing unit is configured to generate the downstream media stream for each participating endpoint whose endpoint identifier belongs to the replication inhibition set so that the downstream media stream does not replicate the upstream media stream.
US09549150B1
The communication device which includes a TV phone pausing visual data selecting implementer, a TV phone implementer, a TV phone pausing visual data transferring implementer, and an audio playback implementer.
US09549145B2
A laser projection device is described for projecting laser beams onto a projection plane, including a controllable multibeam laser diode unit; including a controllable optical deflection unit, which is designed in such a way that laser beams generated by the multibeam laser diode unit are deflected with the aid of the deflection unit; and including a control unit, which is designed in such a way that it controls the deflection unit to move laser beams deflected by the deflection unit onto a projection plane along a scanning line in such a way that different deflected laser beams run in the projection plane on the same scanning line.
US09549144B2
System, methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media to facilitate expansion of media device interface capabilities are provided. A state change with respect to one or more media devices may be detected. The state change may correspond to a second media device being communicatively coupled to, or communicatively decoupled from, a first media device. Consequent to the detecting, a set of interface ports, which are configured to interface with multimedia devices, may be determined. Configuration information may be generated based at least in part on the set of interface ports. The configuration information may be transferred to a sink device to indicate interface options based at least in part on the set of interface ports. Content may be transferred to the sink device based at least in part on audio and/or visual data via at least one interface port of the set of interface ports.
US09549140B2
An image sensor includes a row driver, a pixel array, an analog-to-digital converter, and an output compensating circuit. The row driver generates a photo-gate control signal, a storage control signal, a transfer control signal, a reset control signal and a row selecting signal. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels, and each pixel uses a deep trench isolation (DTI) region as a photo gate. The pixel array receives optical signals, converts the optical signals to electric signals, and outputs the electric signals as image signals in response to the photo-gate control signal, the storage control signal, the transfer control signal, the reset control signal, and the row selecting signal. The analog-to-digital converter performs an analog-to-digital conversion on the image signals to generate first signals, and the output compensating circuit compensates the first signals.
US09549131B2
An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, an AD conversion unit, a clamp processing unit, and a video signal correction unit. The clamp processing unit is configured to clamp to a black level, an image signal of an effective pixel region or an optical-black region of the image sensor after having been digitally converted by the AD conversion unit, by evaluating a difference from a signal of the optical-black region. The video signal correction unit is configured to calculate signal information of a part or whole of the optical-black region of an image signal of the image sensor; and, independently for each color of the video signal, to calculate correction amount of a video signal using the signal information, and to carry out correction by subtracting calculated correction amount from the image signal before clamping operation performed by the clamp processing unit.
US09549127B2
Methods and apparatus for controlling the read out of rows of pixel values from sensors corresponding to different optical chains used to capture portions of the same image area are described. The readout is controlled based on user input and/or determinations with regard to the rate of motion in captured images or portions of captured images. For a low rate of motion i, the readout rate of a sensor corresponding to a small focal length is slowed down while the pixel row readout rate of one or more sensors corresponding to one or more optical chains have larger focal lengths are allowed to proceed at a normal rate. For a high rate of motion, the read out rate of the sensor corresponding to the optical chain having the smaller focal length is allowed to proceed at the normal rate.
US09549124B2
A method for controlling a camera mode is executed at a camera including a controller, a sensor array, an IR filter, and a lens assembly. The camera is operated in a night mode. While in the night mode the IR filter is not interposed between the lens assembly and the sensor array, the camera receives at the sensor array ambient light that is not filtered by the IR filter, determines whether the received ambient light is due to a light source other than an IR light source, and detects a light level of the received ambient light. The camera switches the operation of the camera from the night mode to a day mode when it is determined the received ambient light is due to a light source other than an IR light source and that the light level of the received ambient light exceeds a first threshold.
US09549122B2
A digital camera includes an image sensor unit, a display that displays an image photographed by the image sensor unit, and a photographing guide generating unit that displays a photographing guide on the display when the image sensor unit obtains a stereo image or a panoramic image. The photographing guide generating unit displays, on the display as the photographing guide, an aiming mark that displays a fixed point positioned substantially at the center of the display and a guide mark that is a fixed point in the image photographed by the image sensor unit and has a length necessary for the stereo image or the panoramic image in a moving direction of the digital camera on a screen. Then, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus capable of stably moving the imaging apparatus upon photographing a panoramic picture.
US09549118B2
A method of blink and averted gaze avoidance with a camera includes detecting an averted gaze of a subject and/or one or more closed eyes of the subject in response to receiving an input to actuate a camera shutter. The method also includes scheduling actuation of the camera shutter to a future estimated time period to capture an image of the subject when a gaze direction of the subject is centered on the camera and/or both eyes of the subject are open.
US09549115B1
An depth sensing (AF) module including a depth sensing (DS) lens, DS image sensor, a prism array, and a DS controller is disclosed. The DS module may be configured to provide a control signal to an electromechanical device, such as a voice coil motor (VCM), of an image capture module to move a lens assembly to focus an image of an object to be imaged onto a primary image sensor. The DS module may direct the capture of an image for depth sensing by the DS image sensor and perform a depth sensing (DS) technique on the captured DS image to identify a focus point of the lens assembly. The DS technique may identify a magnitude of a split in segments of the DS image, where the segments correspond to light refracted through different prism elements of the array of prism elements. This determined focus point may be used to displace the lens assembly relative to the primary image sensor to achieve focus of the object onto the primary image sensor.
US09549106B2
A vehicular vision system includes a camera assembly having a first end connector electrically connected to circuitry disposed in a housing of the camera assembly, with the first end connector having no more than four connection points. A plurality of electrical conductors (such as conductors connected to a video display device) connect to the first end connector of the camera assembly. The electrical conductors may include (i) a first electrical conductor that electrically connects to a first connection point of said end connector, (ii) a second electrical conductor that electrically connects to a second connection point of said end connector, (iii) a third electrical conductor that electrically connects to a third connection point of said end connector and (iv) a fourth electrical conductor that electrically connects to a fourth connection point of said end connector.
US09549103B2
An antenna for a camera, comprising a camera having a communication module provided therein, a first radiator provided in a predetermined position of a lens barrel of the camera and having a length and a width for receiving a signal from a first wireless communication system, a power feeding line configured to feed a power from the communication module of the camera to the first radiator, and a ground line configured to ground the first radiator.
US09549084B2
A shooting processing section shoots a user as an object, and an editing processing section allows the user to edit a shot image obtained by shooting. An input receiving section receives, a plurality of times, selection of manipulation processing to be applied to the entire shot image, and a manipulation processing section generates, when the selection of manipulation processing has been received this time, an image after manipulation processing that is the entire shot image to which the manipulation processing received this time is applied over the manipulation processing, selection of which has been received previous time. The present invention can be applied to a photo sticker creating device, for example.
US09549075B2
A method for automatically establishing multi-participant interactions and/or conference calls between users of mobile devices, according to which an interaction establishing application is installed on the mobile device of each participating user and receives for each user, phone numbers of other users defined as his friends and a list of predetermined triggers as conditions for initiating an interaction between users. The application constantly monitors the location of each user's mobile device and upon detecting that one or more of the triggers are met, the application automatically initiates one or more interactions between users that comply with the triggers that are met.
US09549072B2
Conference call alerting is provided. A first device of a plurality of telecommunications devices initiates a telecommunications link between the first device and a second device of the plurality of telecommunications devices. The first device receives an interaction that includes a communications address of a third device of the plurality of telecommunications devices. The telecommunications link is modified to include the third device. In response to the third device joining the telecommunications link, the first device issues an alert to the second device and the third device, wherein the alert indicates that the third device has joined the telecommunications link.
US09549071B2
Methods and apparatus for intercepting communications in an Internet Protocol (IP) network involve maintaining dialing profiles for respective subscribers to the IP network, each dialing profile including a username associated with the corresponding subscriber, and associating intercept information with the dialing profile of a subscriber whose communications are to be monitored. Intercept information will include determination information for determining whether to intercept a communication involving the subscriber, and destination information identifying a device to which intercepted communications involving the subscriber are to be sent. When the determination information meets intercept criteria communications are established with a media relay through which communications involving the subscriber will be conducted or are being conducted to cause the media relay to send a copy of the communications involving the subscriber to a mediation device specified by the destination information.
US09549066B2
Methods and systems are provided for the management, routing and reporting of toll-free telecommunications calls and data. Methods and systems are provided for pre-populating a call routing template based on natural language inputs and populating telecommunications routing codes at nodes of a call routing decision tree to generate a call routing template that may be identified and presented to a user interface based at least in part on a natural language input.
US09549042B2
A method for using Bluetooth® information for inferring user context and computing sociability is presented. The method includes receiving wireless sensor data from wireless sensor communication for an electronic device. Information units are formed using the wireless sensor data. User context is inferred using the information units. An entropy metric is computed based on the inferred user context. Social profiling is created based on the entropy metric and one or more user context characteristics.
US09549037B2
In one embodiment, a computing system includes a cache including one or more memories and a cache manager. The cache manager is able to determine an amount of accessible data for a portion of the cache associated with the cache manager; compare the amount of accessible data to a threshold value; determine, for one or more clients associated with the cache manager, an amount of releasable data if the amount of accessible data exceeds the threshold value; communicate, to one or more clients associated with the cache manager, the amount of releasable data for the client; receive from one or more clients associated with the cache manager information associated with data released by the one or more clients; and determine an amount of data released by the one or more clients associated with the cache manager.
US09549031B2
In one embodiment, a user of a social networking system requests to check in a place near the user's current location. The social networking system generates a list of places near the user's current location, ranks the places in the list of places near the user's current location by a distance between each place and the user's current location, as well as activity of the user and the user's social contacts for each place, and returns the ranked list to the user.
US09549030B2
The present invention relates to correlating requests between a client and a server to a particular transaction. In one embodiment, transactions in a system of clients and servers are monitored and traced. From this information, a context comprising sets or groupings of transaction call sequences are determined. For example, a sequence of method calls on a client process is traced to a socket carrying data for transmission of a request message to a server. In response to this request message, the server then executes a set of method calls that can be correlated to the request message and the socket. This set of actions is considered part of a causally related grouping, and thus, associated together. In one embodiment, HTTP requests from a client may be comprise a unique custom header that is readily identified and traced. For other protocols, a client socket is associated with a corresponding server socket or to data received over a socket receive call.
US09549018B2
There is provided a system and method for exchanging messages between a native application and a web browser using a server. The server configured to receive a message from a communication application of a first client device for delivery to the second client device, determine if the second client device includes the communication application, create a link to a webpage for rendering the message on the webpage when the second client device does not have the communication application, transmit the link to the second client device, render the message on the webpage to the second client device in response to receiving a request, receive a reply message from the second client device, and transmit the reply message to the first client device for rendering by the communication application. The message from the first client device may include a multimedia message, such as an animated avatar with a lip-sync audio.
US09549016B2
An apparatus can include a congestion controller at a source endpoint node of a network that is configured to send substantially real-time media data at a variable sending rate to another endpoint node via the network. The congestion controller can be configured to compute the sending rate as a function of a predetermined target delay and feedback from the other endpoint node that includes a receive delay time for packets of the substantially real-time media data to be received at the other endpoint node from the source endpoint node.
US09549006B2
According to one embodiment, a technique is presented to dynamically adjust a sample period used at a presenter device for a screen content capture sharing function during a communication session. In another embodiment, a technique is provided to control how frames of screen capture content, e.g., in a desktop sharing function, are sent to attendee devices during an online conference session. According to a still another embodiment, a technique is provided to enable on-demand designation of frames as key-frames during a desktop sharing function of an online conference session.
US09549002B2
A method and a device are provided for making available at least one communication datum retrieved during consultation of a multimedia stream on a first terminal. The method includes a step of reception of a request for obtaining the at least one communication datum, a step of extraction of the at least one communication datum from the multimedia stream, a step of transmission to at least one second terminal of the at least one communication datum extracted. The communication datum transmitted thus makes it possible to implement on the second terminal an application making it possible to establish a multimedia communication between the second terminal and a remote device.
US09548999B2
The obfuscation of information included in Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) invites for the purposes of facilitating Lawfully Authorized Electronic Surveillance (LAES) is contemplated. The obfuscation may include the use of LAES headers with invites of sessions that require surveillance as well as those not requiring surveillance and/or selecting values or otherwise influencing parameter selection of data included in LAES headers according to a validity function, a shared secret, a key or other construct.
US09548990B2
Various techniques for exploit detection based on heap spray detection are disclosed. In some embodiments, exploit detection based on heap spray detection includes executing a program in a virtual environment, monitoring a heap of a memory while executing the program in the virtual environment, and detecting a potential heap spray attack based on detecting a burst allocation of a first plurality of blocks in the heap of the memory, in which each of the first plurality of blocks is stored in the predefined address range of the memory.
US09548984B2
A method and system for authorizing a user at a field device by a portable communications device. A first information is acquired by the portable communications device for identifying the field device. The portable communications device sends to a system the first information and a second information for identifying at least one of (i) the portable communications device, and (ii) the user thereof. The system determines a first piece of access information on the basis of the first information and the second information, and sends the first piece of access information to the portable communications device. The portable communications device transmits the second information and the first piece of access information to the field device. The field device determines a second piece of access information on the basis of the second information, and compares the first piece of access information with the second piece of access information. Access to the field device is allowed upon determining that the first piece of access information and the second piece of access information match.
US09548983B2
Systems and methods here may be used for authorizing network access including using a flow controller server in communication with a first gateway associated with a first network, a second gateway associated with a second gateway, and a repository, the flow controller server configured to, receive a first client device request to access the first network via the first gateway, receive a second client device request to access the second network via the second gateways, retrieve a validation response from the repository, wherein the validation response includes correlated client device identifier with client device credentials for the first network and second network.
US09548982B1
An authentication-related request sent from a mobile device to an authentication server is received at a proxy server. A posture of the mobile device is dynamically determined based at least in part on information included in the request. The request is validated based at least in part on the dynamically-determined posture. The proxy server communicates with an authentication server on behalf of the mobile device to obtain authentication information usable by the mobile device to access a service.
US09548981B2
A method and system for providing security to Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) operations in a home network environment based on ownership rights where a request is received from a Control Point (CP) to perform an UPnP action associated with an UPnP resource. It is determined whether the CP holds an ownership right to perform the UPnP action based on ownership data associated with the UPnP resource. Accordingly, the CP is authorized to execute the UPnP action on the UPnP resource or an error message is returned to the CP based on the ownership of the UPnP resource.
US09548975B2
A client terminal transmits a signal related to an authentication request to a service delivery server through a browser every time an application is started by an instruction from a user. Upon receiving the authentication request from the client terminal, an authentication server executes authentication processing in cooperation with the service delivery server based on authentication information of an application of the client terminal, a session of which has been established, and stored in the service delivery server, and user information related to the user stored in the authentication server.
US09548968B2
A server system for distributing information securely includes a network interface for receiving, over a network, an information object accompanied by metadata. A repository stores the information object. Metadata is mapped to electronic addresses of trusted recipients. A processor is configured to generate a link for accessing the information object in the repository, acquire an electronic address of a trusted recipient based on the metadata accompanying the information object, insert the link into an electronic message addressed to the electronic address of the trusted recipient, and send the electronic message with the link to the trusted recipient. The processor is further configured to receive, over a second network, a request for the information object sent from a user device in response to an activation of the link, retrieve the information object from the repository, and transmit the information object to a browser of the user device over the second network.
US09548965B2
Some embodiments use proxies on host devices to suppress broadcast traffic in a network. Each host in some embodiments executes one or more virtual machines (VMs). In some embodiments, a proxy operates on each host between each VM and the underlying network. For instance, in some of these embodiments, a VM's proxy operates between the VM and a physical forwarding element executing on the VM's host. The proxy monitors the VM's traffic, and intercepts broadcast packets when it knows how to deal with them. The proxy connects to a set of one or more controllers that provides a directory service that collects and maintains global information of the network. By connecting to the controller cluster, the proxy can obtain information that it can use to resolve broadcast requests. In some embodiments, the connection between the proxy and the controller cluster is encrypted and authenticated, to enhance the security. Also, in some embodiments, the connection is an indirect connection through an agent that executes on the host device and connects the proxies of the host device with the controller cluster.
US09548961B2
A network protection service for providing protective assistance to a subscribing host is presented. The network protection service is configured determine a set of rules for filtering network traffic for a subscribing host. The network protection service is further configured to receive network traffic on behalf of the subscribing host, filter the received network traffic according to the set of rules, and forward a portion of the filtered network traffic to the subscribing host. Still further, the network protection service is configured to analyze the received network traffic via the analysis server, and refine the set of rules for filtering the received network traffic based on the analysis of the received network traffic by the analysis server.
US09548941B2
Data flow node validation and provisioning techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a system is described that supports visual design and deployment of data flow pipelines to process streaming data flows. The system may be configured to include nodes and connections between the nodes to represent an arbitrary execution graph of data science algorithms (as algorithm action components) that are used to process the streaming data flows. The system may also support validation techniques to verify that the data flow pipeline may operate as intended. Further, the system may also support implementation and provisioning techniques that involve estimation and adjustment of runtime resource provisioning of a deployed data flow pipeline without preemption or starvation occurring for nodes within the pipeline.
US09548940B2
The invention provides a technique for assigning a server to manage resources. The server identifies a capacity value that represents a maximum number of resources that the server can simultaneously manage, and parses data included in a tracker directory to identify the resources that have the fewest number of servers assigned to manage them. Next, based on the capacity value, the server registers to manage the identified resources, where each registration to manage an identified resource results in the server actively managing the resource when no other server is registered to manage the resource, or acting as a backup manager to the resource when at least one other server is registered to manage the resource, and the tracker directory is updated accordingly. Finally, the server, for each registration that results in actively managing a resource, configures itself to process client device requests that are directed to utilizing the resource.
US09548926B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch comprises one or more ports, a link management module and a load balancing module. The link management module operates a port of the one or more ports of the switch in conjunction with a remote switch to form a virtual link aggregation. The load balancing module generates an index of a weight distribution vector based on address information of a multicast group associated with the virtual link aggregation. A slot of the weight distribution vector corresponds to a respective switch participating in the virtual link aggregation. In response to the index indicating a slot corresponding to the switch, the load balancing module designates the switch as primary switch for the multicast group, which is responsible for forwarding multicast data of the multicast group via the virtual link aggregation.
US09548922B2
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving at a first network element a packet from a second network element; processing the packet at the first network element to obtain information regarding an identity of a virtual machine (“VM”) hosted by the second network element contained within the packet; and storing at the first network element the identifying information. The identifying information stored at the first network element is accessible by at least one third network element. In some embodiments, the first network element comprises a physical switch and the second network element comprises a virtual switch.
US09548921B2
Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for improving the exchange of routing information between information handling system by using compression. In embodiments, route information may be packetized as normally performed according to protocol. In embodiments, these packets may be compressed and placed into the data/payload portion of a new format packet. In embodiments, the new format packet includes an extended header with one or more fields that provide information related to the compressed packets in the packet payload. A receiving device receives the new packets with compressed data, decompresses the data, and processes the decompress data packets as per the normal protocol procedures.
US09548918B2
A system including an edge router which collects data from a mesh network by receiving on multiple simultaneous frequencies. Using N simultaneous frequencies increases the throughput of a system by up to N-times, reducing the bottleneck that otherwise occurs at the take-out-point of a mesh communications system. Furthermore, nodes in direct communication with the edge router can send each data packet multiple times on multiple frequencies, increasing the probability that the packet is delivered correctly, eliminating the necessity to acknowledge (ACK) each packet. This further enhances system throughput.
US09548916B1
In one aspect, a method includes performing a fast discovery on a virtual network to obtain objects and attributes necessary to display the objects on a user interface, performing a full discovery on the virtual network after the fast discovery and performing rediscovery regularly on the virtual network after the full discovery comprising updating object data based on changes since the last discovery was performed.
US09548914B2
The invention measures the rates of a whole population of existing lines together with a line characteristic, such as capacitance, that can be measured prior to provisioning. Using these measures, a rating we refer to as a “quality figure” is generated for each distribution point by looking at the rate of the lines running through that distribution point, and comparing those rates to the rates of other lines having the same line characteristic across the whole population of lines. Distribution points that have lines operating better (faster) than the average for their given line characteristic will have higher quality figures. To estimate the rate of a new line, the quality figure of the distribution point that the new line passes through is used in conjunction with the measured line characteristic as a look up on the whole population of lines.
US09548913B2
Provided are a communication system that is capable of acquiring information having a relatively large data amount by a transmission unit while securing a communication speed of a transmission signal of transmission unit, and a transmission unit employed in communication system. Transmission unit transmits superimposition requesting data from a superimposition requesting unit to a second monitoring terminal in a transmission segment of transmission signal. Second monitoring terminal, upon receiving superimposition requesting data and with responding thereto, transmits, to transmission unit, monitoring data corresponding to a monitoring input from a sensor device with a superimposition signal superimposed on transmission signal as superimposition response data in a reply segment of transmission signal. Transmission unit, upon receiving superimposition response data composed of monitoring data with a superimposition communication unit, transmits control data to either a second control terminal or a first control terminal associated with this monitoring data in control table.
US09548908B2
A method is provided in one example and includes receiving flow data associated with a traffic flow. The flow data can be tagged with a data source identifier identifying a data source exporting the flow data, a source site identifier identifying a site associated with a source device of the traffic flow, and a destination site identifier identifying a destination site associated with a destination device of the traffic flow. The method further includes determining at least one authoritative data source for each site and metric type using at least one selection rule. The method further includes receiving a query for de-duplicated flow data, and generating de-duplicated flow data based on the data source identifier, source site identifier, and destination site identifier and particular flow data associated with the determined at least one authoritative data source.
US09548900B1
A controller may be used to control client switches in a network that includes non-client, switches. The controller may form client domains from groups of client switches that are separated by intervening non-client domains formed from non-client switches. The controller may determine a network domain topology from the client domains and non-client domains. The controller may determine a spanning tree that interconnects the nodes of the network domain topology. The controller may control client switches of the client domains to allow only network traffic between the client domains and the non-client domains along the spanning tree. The controller may use the network domain topology to generate inter-domain forwarding maps. The inter-domain forwarding maps may be used to determine network forwarding paths between end hosts in the network.
US09548899B2
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods for increasing a capacity in a peer-to-peer (P2P) wireless network. The methods include generating a connectivity metric (CM) value indicative of a number of other wireless nodes of the P2P wireless network to which the wireless node is connected, receiving a query for services, and then responding to the query for services if the CM value is greater than a defined CM threshold value. The disclosed methods therefore allow well-connected nodes of the P2P wireless network to be exploited in a manner that increases the overall connectivity of all the nodes in the network.
US09548893B2
A computing device receives information from one or more agents, wherein the one or more agents monitor one or more resources in a cloud network. The computing device determines that the configuration of the one or more agents monitoring the one or more resources needs to be changed based on at least the information received from the one or more agents. The computing device changes the configuration of the one or more agents monitoring the one or more resources based on at least the information received from the one or more agents.
US09548891B2
According to examples described herein computer devices coupled to a network can be automatically configured. Systems information is gathered from a plurality of computer devices by way of one or more of an agent and a scout. This information is standardized and stored in one or more databases. A program function is determined from the standardized information. This program function is used to identify two different sets of computer programs installed on a set of networked computer devices. This configuration is then replaced by a configuration where only a single common computer program is used to perform the program function.
US09548884B2
Various embodiments provide a method and apparatus for dynamically allocating resources to processes by using unified resources. In particular, a superVM allows a process from an application to utilize resources (e.g., CPU, memory, and storage) from other VMs. Advantageously, sharing resources of of VMs that are operating below capacity increases cost efficiencies and providing resources without the overhead of spawning new VMs to VMs requiring additional resources increases application performance. Moreover, legacy applications may run utilize resources from multiple VMs without modification.
US09548879B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a virtual multicarrier design for orthogonal frequency division multiple access communications. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09548878B2
A transceiver architecture for wireless base stations wherein a broadband radio frequency signal is carried between at least one tower-mounted unit and a ground-based unit via optical fibers, or other non-distortive media, in either digital or analog format. Each tower-mounted unit (for both reception and transmission) has an antenna, analog amplifier and an electro-optical converter. The ground unit has ultrafast data converters and digital frequency translators, as well as signal linearizers, to compensate for nonlinear distortion in the amplifiers and optical links in both directions. In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the digital data converters, frequency translators, and linearizers includes superconducting elements mounted on a cryocooler.
US09548874B2
A device may receive a content distribution network (CDN) routing table from a topology manager; receive a request, from a device in either of a redirect CDN or a domain name system (DNS), to identify a target CDN for sending content to a user device; perform a lookup in the CDN routing table, based on information provided by the device and CDN selection policies, to select the target CDN; obtain an identifier corresponding to the target CDN as a result of performing the lookup; and provide the identifier to the device.
US09548870B2
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal capable of controlling a navigation device and to a method for controlling same. The method for controlling the mobile terminal includes the steps of: receiving home information generated by home appliances, which includes product information; outputting the received home information to a display unit and detecting purchase reservation commands for the products; searching for a navigation device positioned on a predetermined street in response to the purchase reservation commands; and transmitting destination setting commands to the navigation device, together with the home information, in order to allow a found navigation device to set a destination related to the products.
US09548869B2
Systems and methods for multicasting using Bluetooth low energy are described herein. In one embodiment, a first device advertises multicasting capabilities over one or more channels using a first type of advertising packet. One or more receiving devices scan the one or more channels for the first type of advertising packets to identify the first device as a multicasting capable device. Further, the one or more receiving devices request information from the first device as to the channel and timing of transmission of the multicasting data. The one or more receiving devices use the requested information to listen for the multicasting data on the appropriate channel.
US09548868B2
Participants for an in-progress meeting are gathered, preferably by broadcast of instant messaging notifications thereto. Information for people who are invited to a scheduled meeting but are not participating when the meeting begins, as well as for one or more additional people who are mentioned by the current participants of the meeting as desired new invitees to the in-progress meeting, is placed on a participant list. A disambiguation process may be used in cases where it is not clear who was intended in the discussion of a new invitee. Responses to the notifications are collected and used to populate a consolidated joining status window, where this joining status window depicts the joining status of persons on the participant list.
US09548862B1
This disclosure describes cryptographic secure implementation of a Pseudo Random Number Generator (PRNG) architecture based on existing Fortuna algorithm, but providing improvements thereupon for gathering and measuring entropy. The improvement includes a unique step of initial seeding that is not covered by Fortuna. The solution should be adapted to a variety of computing and communicating devices, including mobile devices.
US09548860B2
An asymmetric-computing type shared key establishing method suitable for cloud computing and IoT has the following advantages. The realization efficiency and the security level are high, and a cryptographic algorithm coprocessor is not needed. The method can be applied to occasions in which the computing capabilities are asymmetric, and attacks from quantum computers can be resisted. Compared with a conventional key exchange protocol such as the Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol, the method can be more effective between servers and mobile equipment in the security fields as the IoT and cloud computing, and the method can be used in both the electronic environment and the quantum environment. Thus, the asymmetric-computing type shared key establishing method suitable for cloud computing and IoT provided by the invention can be widely applied to the field of information security systems such as network security and e-commerce.
US09548856B2
The present invention is directed to data communication. More specifically, the present invention provides a mechanism for determining an adjustment delay that minimizes skew error due to poor alignment between edge samples and data samples. The adjustment delay is determined by sampling edge samples and data samples using different test delays at a calibration frequency that is different from the sampling frequency. The test delay associated with the least average position between the data samples and edge samples is selected as the adjustment delay. The adjustment delay is used as a parameter when sampling data at the sampling frequency. There are other embodiments as well.
US09548852B2
A radio and antenna combination with 4×N MIMO on the downlink path, with antenna arrays spaced 1 wavelength apart, and N×4 MIMO (or SIMO) on the uplink path, with 3 to 10 wavelengths or more separation of the antenna arrays.
US09548848B1
Adaptive Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) selection is used in many wireless communication systems. The goal of Adaptive MCS selection is to use the most suitable MCS for any particular channel conditions. Often, the MCS selection is based on channel measurements by the client terminal. The relationship between the block error rate (BLER) and the Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) is not linear. The BLER is often determined by the lowest SINR rather than the average SINR experienced by the set of bits that are part of the block. The Exponential Effective SINR Mapping (EESM) method is often used to compute effective SINR for adaptive MCS selection. However, the complexity of selecting the optimum channel feedback from the client terminal to the base station is typically high. A method and apparatus are disclosed that enable EESM for selecting the most suitable MCS with reduced complexity and reduced power consumption.
US09548844B2
A preamble signal is an OFDM signal, and is a real-part signal obtained by removing an imaginary-part signal from a signal in the time domain that is generated by an IFFT process being performed on a signal in the frequency domain obtained by assigning preamble data to subcarriers in accordance with a predetermined arrangement pattern. The predetermined arrangement pattern indicates that preamble data is assigned to any of subcarriers given numbers equal to or less than N/2−1 and the preamble data is not assigned to subcarriers given numbers more than N/2−1, where a plurality of subcarriers are numbered by integers from 0 to N−1 (N is an integer) in ascending order with respect to the center frequency of each subcarrier.
US09548839B2
A method for mapping a physical hybrid automatic repeat request indicator channel (PHICH) is described. The method for mapping a PHICH includes determining an index of a resource element group transmitting a repetitive pattern of the PHICH, according to a ratio of the number of available resource element groups in a symbol in which the PHICH is transmitted and the number of available resource element groups in a first or second OFDM symbol, and mapping the PHICH to the symbol according to the determined index. In transmitting the PHICH, since efficient mapping is performed considering available resource elements varying with OFDM symbols, repetition of the PHICH does not generate interference between neighbor cell IDs and performance is improved.
US09548837B2
A method for transmitting and receiving a source data block using hybrid automatic retransmission request protocol. At the transmitting side, the source data block that is not decoded correctly at the receiving side is divided into a plurality of data segments, each of which may be padded with known data to expand the data segments to be a predetermined lengthen. At the receiving side, when each of the received data packets includes a data segment and a redundancy information segment, decoding is performed based on the received data segment and redundancy information segment extracted from buffered data packets, with chances to restore the data segment that is not decoded correctly in previous decoding processing. The additional decoding chances improve the probability of correctly decoding the erroneous data segment.
US09548828B1
A pinpoint forecast of the possible impact of a tsunami is created by processing near real-time tsunami data, including seismic data or wave data obtained using underwater pressure sensors, bathymetry data of the body of water in which the tsunami occurs, and topographic data of specific locations. Notifications are provided to subscribers via their mobile devices. The forecast presents the notification in a form that is easily understandable and which allows the subscriber to take any appropriate action. Disaster response personnel responsible for warning the populace can be similarly notified in a further embodiment. Additional assistance can be provided by activating disaster response and notification devices in the specific locations to be impacted. By providing the location-specific notifications and other actionable data, the system and method clarifies precisely where danger due to the tsunami exists on an individual basis and simplifies the evacuation from the affected areas, aiding public safety.
US09548826B2
Provided is a reception device including a first acquisition unit configured to acquire station information regarding a station transmitting a broadcasting wave of broadcasting on an arbitrary segment, a storage unit configured to store the station information, a selection unit configured to select a station transmitting a broadcasting wave that is receivable at a predetermined position as a tunable station to be tuned to using the station information, a specifying unit configured to specify a transmission frequency used at a transmission point of a broadcasting wave of the broadcasting performed by the tunable station using the station information, and a tuning control unit configured to perform tuning control such that a service of the broadcasting performed by the tunable station is tuned to according to the transmission frequency.
US09548812B2
The invention pertains to methods, apparatus, and systems for controlling the sub-carrier frequencies in an optical frequency division multiplex communication system by using a metric available from the sub-carrier modem's digital receive block as an indicator of cross-talk between sub-carriers and adjusting the sub-carrier frequency separation as a function of that metric.
US09548806B2
A radio measurement apparatus comprising: an array antennal selection unit selecting array antennas corresponding to received signals; a reference path selection unit selecting a reference array antenna; a signal processing unit selecting a reference antenna channel through analysis of signal characteristics measured through two reception channels; a sequential channel multiplex unit determining sequentially inputting received signals of remaining array antennas to output the sequentially input signals to a receiver; and a correction signal input unit compensating amplitude and phase characteristics of the respective reception channels.
US09548795B2
A method of identifying a wireless power receiver for a mobile device in a wireless power system includes transmitting a first identity of the mobile device to a wireless power base station of the wireless power system via a first wireless communication interface, receiving a first message including the first identity from the wireless power base station via a second wireless communication interface, and identifying the first message is destined to the mobile device according to the first identity.
US09548792B2
The disclosure relates to a method of reducing crosstalk in a crosstalk cancelation system. The method comprises at least the steps of applying to the at least one first signal a crosstalk cancelation according to a set of crosstalk coefficients; monitoring crosstalk received in the at least one first signal at a first end of the first path during the application of the crosstalk cancelation; and updating the crosstalk coefficients during the monitoring. The disclosure also includes a device, which can carry out the method.
US09548788B2
A frequency conversion system with improved performance. In one embodiment an image reject mixer is used to perform frequency conversion providing an initial degree of suppression of the image and local oscillator leakage signals, and a signal to noise enhancer (SNE) is used to further suppress the image and local oscillator signals, the signal to noise enhancer being a nonlinear passive device that attenuates low-power signals while transmitting high power signals with little loss. The signal to noise enhancer may be fabricated as a thin film of yttrium iron garnet (YIG) epitaxially grown on a gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) substrate, the GGG substrate secured to a microwave transmission line from the input to the output of the signal to noise enhancer, such that the thin film of yttrium iron garnet is close to the transmission line.
US09548784B2
A mobile device case or cover can include a distance marker for distance measurement. A mobile device coupled with the case may include a measurement application or module that can acquire video or still images of the distance marker. The measurement application can calculate a distance to the distance marker based on a captured image of the distance marker in the video or still images. The mobile device case can include a pocket, slot, or storage compartment for storing the distance marker.
US09548775B2
A transmitter channel interference mitigation processing method for cancellation of intermodulation products are described. In one embodiment, a method comprising generating continuous and real time IMP cancellation signals (ICS) in the baseband digital signal set of the transmitter based on a transmitter signal set, combining digital IMP cancellation signals with a digital baseband transmitter signal set such that the digital cancellation signals, when converted to analog signals and transmitted as part of an analog transmitter signal set, are cancelled by and so cancel the IMPs generated by the non-linear components in the analog transmitter hardware, including digitally generating the IMP cancellation signals using a process based on a power series description of a non-linear process generating the IMPs, generating 3rd order IMP cancellation signals by digitally multiplying two or three signals of the transmitter signal set to create 3rd order IMP cancellation signals, generating 5th order IMP cancellation signals by digitally multiplying two or three or five signals of the transmitter signal set to create 5th order IMP cancellation signals, generating 7th order IMP cancellation signals by digitally multiplying two or three or five or seven signals of the transmitter signal set to create 7th order IMP cancellation signal, generating odd order IMP cancellation signals (ICS) by digitally multiplying an odd number of digital signals and combining multiplied digital signals with the transmitter baseband digital signals, creating IMP cancellation signals in the receiver, and cancelling one or both of active and passive IMPs generated in a transmitter path that fall within a receiver passband.
US09548773B1
A method detects and mitigates harm caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI) to digital transmissions within an electronic circuit. One or more processors check for an initial transmission error during an initial digital transmission between a digital transmitter and a digital receiver on an electronic circuit. In response to detecting the initial transmission error, the processor(s) receive electromagnetic interference (EMI) detection signals from one or more EMI detectors. In response to determining that the EMI detection signals represent an EMI level that exceeds a predetermined value, the processor(s) identify an EMI anomaly source on the electronic circuit and adjusts the EMI anomaly source until the EMI level has been reduced to a nominal level. A copy of the initial digital transmission is then resent from the digital transmitter to the digital receiver. If no transmission error reoccurs, then the EMI anomaly source is kept in the adjusted state.
US09548768B2
Radio frequency (RF) front end circuitry includes first RF multiplexer circuitry and second RF multiplexer circuitry. The first RF multiplexer circuitry is a quadplexer, while the second RF multiplexer is a triplexer. The RF front end circuitry is configured to support the transmission and reception of signals within a first operating band, a second operating band, and a third operating band. Further, the RF front end circuitry is configured to support carrier aggregation configurations between the first operating band and the third operating band and the second operating band and the third operating band.
US09548764B1
A decoder including a compression module configured to select one or more nodes from a plurality of nodes associated with data being decoded by the decoder, where each node includes one or more bits, and to compress the one or more bits associated with the selected nodes. A memory is configured to store the compressed one or more bits associated with the selected nodes.
US09548757B2
A digital to analog converter including a current source for providing a master current, a first sub digital to analog converter coupled to the current source which generates a plurality of currents, and a second sub digital to analog converter coupled to at least one of the plurality of currents from the first sub digital to analog converter which generates a second plurality of currents. The digital to analog converter also includes an overlap adjustment circuit coupled with the second sub digital to analog converter which adds current. The digital to analog converter is configured to operate in a first mode for generating a sine wave with a first bit level accuracy and, when in the first mode, the overlap adjustment circuit adds no current. to the second sub digital to analog converter The digital to analog converter is configured to operate in a second mode for generating a ramp wave with a second bit level accuracy and, when in the second mode, the overlap adjustment circuit adds current to the second sub digital to analog converter. When in the second mode, the total current of the second sub digital to analog converter and the overlap converter is greater than one of the plurality of currents generated by the first sub digital to analog converter.
US09548754B1
The present invention is directed integrated circuits and methods thereof. More specifically, an embodiment of the present invention provides a comparator calibration loop where a digital integrator stores a running sum based on the output of a comparator. A DAC converts the running sum and generates an offset calibration voltage, which is filtered by a low-pass filter module, and the filtered offset calibration voltage is used to cancel out the intrinsic offset voltage and low frequency noise of the comparator. There are other embodiments as well.
US09548752B1
The disclosure provides a current steering digital to analog converter (DAC) that includes a plurality of DAC elements. At least one DAC element of the plurality of DAC elements is coupled to a calibration circuit. The calibration circuit includes a fixed current source coupled to a primary node of the DAC element through a first estimation switch. A digital code generator is coupled to the primary node, and generates a first digital code corresponding to a primary voltage generated at the primary node. The digital code generator generates a second digital code. A correction DAC is coupled to the digital code generator and generates a bias voltage based on the second digital code. The bias voltage is provided to the DAC element such that a current flowing through each DAC element of the plurality of DAC elements is equal.
US09548744B2
In some examples, compensating for hysteretic characteristics of a crystal oscillator in a timing circuit includes obtaining a plurality of successive temperature measurements. From the plurality of successive temperature measurements, a temperature gradient having a sign and a magnitude can be determined. A frequency compensation parameter can then be determined based on any combination of two or more factors chosen from a set of factors including a temperature measurement, the sign of the temperature gradient, and the magnitude of the temperature gradient. A frequency error of the timing circuit can then be compensated based on the frequency compensation parameter.
US09548738B2
In accordance with some embodiments, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit for high-voltage power rails includes an RC-triggered clamp having an RC-circuit having a resistor coupled between a first node and a second node, and a capacitor coupled between the second node and a third node. The RC-triggered clamp also has a transistor with a first source/drain, a gate, and a second source/drain, wherein the first source/drain is coupled to the first node, and the second source/drain is coupled to the third node. The RC-triggered clamp also has an inverter, wherein an input of the inverter is coupled to the second node, and an output of the inverter is coupled to the gate of the transistor. The ESD protection circuit also includes one or more forward-biased diodes coupled in series between a supply node and the first node.
US09548727B2
An oscillator circuit includes: a plurality of delay elements, a first delay element configured to receive a first oscillator signal outputted from a second delay element in one stage before the first delay element and a second oscillator signal outputted from a third delay element in two or more stages before the first delay element, the plurality of delay terminals being connected in a ring by at least three or more delay elements, and the first oscillator signal and the second oscillator signal having phases different from one another; and a bias voltage generator configured to change a ratio of a first input bias current for the first oscillator signal to a second input bias current for the second oscillator signal, in accordance with a first bias voltage and a second bias voltage supplied to the plurality of delay elements.
US09548725B2
Systems and methods for frequency specific closed loop feedback control of integrated circuits. In one embodiment, a plurality of controllable inputs to an integrated circuit is adjusted to achieve a frequency specific predetermined value of a dynamic operating indicator of the integrated circuit at the desired specific operating frequency. The predetermined value is stored in a data structure within a computer usable media. The data structure comprises a plurality of frequency specific predetermined values for a variety of operating frequencies. An operating condition of an integrated circuit is controlled via closed loop feedback based on dynamic operating indicators of the measured behavior of the integrated circuit.
US09548723B1
One or more resistors or resistances are integrated in a 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit. A 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit includes a 7-bit DAC. The integrated resistors or resistances (R1, R2, or RSET, or any combination) reduces the number of external components, reduces the number of pins, and increases the accuracy of the DVR or PVCOM circuit. The least significant bit (LSB) of the DAC depends only on ratios of internal resistors, which can be made very accurate and independent of temperature.
US09548722B2
Apparatus and methods for reducing glitches in digital step attenuators are disclosed. By configuring a multi-bit DSA such that an attenuation control block changes a plurality of control signals in a manner sequencing individual switches of the DSA, glitches can be reduced and RF signal behavior can be enhanced. The sequence, based upon a unit time delay, causes the transient attenuation value to be bounded between a minimum and maximum and can improve settling time.
US09548720B1
A resonant member of a MEMS resonator oscillates in a mechanical resonance mode that produces non-uniform regional stresses such that a first level of mechanical stress in a first region of the resonant member is higher than a second level of mechanical stress in a second region of the resonant member. A plurality of openings within a surface of the resonant member are disposed more densely within the first region than the second region and at least partly filled with a compensating material that reduces temperature dependence of the resonant frequency corresponding to the mechanical resonance mode.
US09548719B2
A tuning fork type piezoelectric vibration piece 2 includes a base portion 25 in which a piezoelectric vibration substrate has a connection area with an external element, and a pair of leg portions 21, 22 projecting from a first end face of the base portion. The pair of leg portions has vibrating portions 212, 222 equipped with drive electrodes, wide weight portions 211, 221 formed at tip ends of the vibrating portions, and connecting portions 213, 223 between the vibrating portions and the weight portions. The connecting portions have widening sections whose width increases exponentially from the vibrating portions to the weight portions. The length of the widening sections is greater than their width. The weight portions have constant-width parts whose width is fixed from their connecting positions with the connecting portions. The weight portions are free of drive electrodes.
US09548715B2
A tunable impedance network and a method for tuning the tunable impedance network are disclosed. In one aspect, the tunable impedance network comprises a plurality of transformers connected in series. Each transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The transformers have a voltage transformation ratio of N:1 with N>1. An impedance structure, acting as a resonant circuit together with the inductance of the secondary winding, is connected at the secondary winding of each transformer. A control circuit or processor is configured to tune the imaginary part of at least one of the impedance structures so as to change its resonance frequency to mimic a reference impedance. The control circuit is further configured to tune the real part of at least one of the impedance structures so as to change its Q-factor to mimic the reference impedance.
US09548694B2
A power generator unit includes a crankshaft-connecting unit and a power supply unit adapted to be arranged substantially in a left-right direction in which a crankshaft of a vehicle extends. The crankshaft-connecting unit includes a recharge generator adapted to be disposed on and actuated by the crankshaft, and a transmission shaft adapted to extend in parallel with and be driven rotatably by the crankshaft. The power supply unit includes a main shaft connected coaxially to the transmission shaft, and a supply generator connected to the main shaft and actuated by the main shaft. A portion of the transmission shaft is covered by the power supply unit.
US09548688B2
A motor control apparatus operates a power conversion circuit connected between a direct current power source and a motor, which performs mutual conversion between power at the direct current power source and power at the motor in response to a powering operation and a regenerative operation carried out by the motor. The motor control apparatus includes: a voltage command calculator that calculates a voltage command to the power conversion circuit; a suppression gain calculator that calculates a suppression gain such that an absolute value of an estimation value of a power source current or an absolute value of a detection value of the power source current is not more than a target value; and a voltage command suppressor that suppresses a voltage command by multiplying the suppression gain to the voltage command calculated by the voltage command calculator. Additionally, the suppression gain is within a range of 0 to 1.
US09548685B2
According to one embodiment, an over-voltage prevention device includes a first short-circuit device provided between a secondary side of a wound-rotor induction machine and a frequency converter configured to excite the secondary side by a three-phase AC current and having a function of short-circuiting between phases of the three-phase AC current, resistors each connected between the first short-circuit device and the frequency converter for each phase, and second short-circuit devices connected respectively to the resistors in parallel and having a function of short-circuiting between the frequency converter and the secondary side of the wound-rotor induction machine.
US09548683B2
When a control device of a motor controller simultaneously rotates a first DC motor and a second DC motor by controlling a first circuit, a second circuit and a third circuit, the second circuit is shared. Further, the control device controls each of switch elements of the shared second circuit by using pulse-width modulation. Accordingly, the drive of the first DC motor and the second DC motor can be controlled with high accuracy by the change of a duty ratio of each of the switch elements of the shared second circuit.
US09548682B2
An actuator (1M, 1S) with a motor (12) and a motor controller (11) is configurable to operate as a master or a slave to another actuator which is coupled mechanically for driving a common load. For the case where the actuator (1M) is set as the master, the motor controller (11) receives on an input terminal (Y3) an external position control signal (pC), generates a motor control signal (sC) for controlling the motor (12) based on the position control signal (pC), and supplies the motor control signal (sC) to an output terminal (U5) for controlling a slave. For the case where the actuator (1S) is set as the slave, the motor controller (11) controls the motor (12) by supplying to the motor (12) the motor control signal (sC) received from the master. Controlling the actuators with a master improves workload balancing and reduces damages to transmission mechanics of the actuators.
US09548681B2
A method and apparatus for generating electricity by electromagnetic induction, using a magnetic field modulated by the formation, dissipation, and movement of vortices produced by a vortex material such as a type II superconductor. Magnetic field modulation occurs at the microscopic level, facilitating the production of high frequency electric power. Generator inductors are manufactured using microelectronic fabrication, in at least one dimension corresponding to the spacing of vortices. The vortex material fabrication method establishes the alignment of vortices and generator coils, permitting the electromagnetic induction of energy from many vortices into many coils simultaneously as a cumulative output of electricity. A thermoelectric cycle is used to convert heat energy into electricity.
US09548643B2
A instrumented housing for an electric motor actuator is provided. The instrumented housing may have a ribbon gage coupled to a housing of an electrical motor actuator. The ribbon gage may have one or more strain gages. The strain gages may measure the tension on the housing when the electric motor actuator exerts a load. A cover may extend over at least a portion of the housing and ribbon gage.
US09548636B2
An electromechanical flywheel machine includes a multi-wall containment system used in connection with a motor-generator for exchanging energy with a flywheel mass.
US09548631B2
An antenna for harvesting RF energy includes a radiator; and a ground plane onto which the radiator is supported. Further, the antenna includes a vertical ground plane that is formed on the ground plane in a direction parallel to the radiator at a location spaced by a predetermined distance from the radiator.
US09548628B2
The invention is a portable power supply having a built in battery, switch matrix, external voltage and impedance sensing means, inverter, and charging circuitry. The device uses a power plug for receiving AC from a wall electric receptacle; a transformer for transforming high voltage input to a low voltage output; a rectifier, for rectifying the low alternating voltage to direct voltage; at least one battery rechargeable by said direct voltage; an inverter, for inverting direct voltage supplied by the rechargeable battery to relatively low alternating voltage, which is supplied to the secondary winding of the transformer; and an alternating current (AC) socket, for receiving high voltage from the primary winding of the transformer. Both AC and DC of various voltages may be supplied by this device in a portable manner, which uses a single transformer both for recharging batteries and for supplying AC power produced via the batteries. A switching assembly allows for connecting the batteries (which may be rechargeable) in a variety of topologies.
US09548621B2
A contactless connector apparatus is provided with a first coil closely opposed to a second coil so as to be electromagnetically coupled thereto. The first coil includes: an inner transmitter coil wound around an axis passing through its center; and an outer transmitter coil wound around the axis and outside the inner coil. One end of the outer transmitter coil is connected to one end of the inner transmitter coil such that, when a current flows through the transmitter coils, a direction of a loop current generated around the axis by a current flowing through the inner transmitter coil is opposite to that of a loop current generated around the axis by a current flowing through the outer transmitter coil. A self-inductance of the outer transmitter coil is larger than that of the inner transmitter coil.
US09548620B2
A system comprising a plurality of stacks and a plurality of converters, each of the plurality of converters is operable to charge a corresponding stack for adsorbing ions in a liquid, wherein when one of the plurality of stacks is charged or discharged at a first state, one of the plurality of converters associating with the stack operates in a first mode, and is configured to indirectly convert a first voltage to a second voltage at least by an intermediate stage, one of the plurality of stacks is charged or discharged at a second state, one of the plurality of converters associating with the stack operates in a second mode, and is configured to directly convert the first voltage to the second voltage.
US09548619B2
A method to control storage into and depletion from multiple energy storage devices. The method enables an operative connection between the energy storage devices and respective power converters. The energy storage devices are connectible across respective first terminals of the power converters. At the second terminals of the power converter, a common reference is set which may be a current reference or a voltage reference. An energy storage fraction is determined respectively for the energy storage devices. A voltage conversion ratio is maintained individually based on the energy storage fraction. The energy storage devices are stored individually with multiple variable rates of energy storage through the first terminals. The energy storage is complete for the energy storage devices substantially at a common end time responsive to the common reference.
US09548618B2
An efficient system to heat the insole of a heated insole of a shoe in which the Intelligent Circuit (IC) for a flat lithium battery is located outside the shoe and the placement of the heater for the insole is between more efficient heat insulation and heat conducting members.
US09548617B2
A battery-charging base for a portable information device, which is provided so as to easily connect and disconnect, to and from a battery-charging plug connector, a battery-charging slot for a portable information terminal, is a battery-charging base that is capable of holding one of a plurality of types of portable information terminals that are different in length and width sizes and positions of battery-charging slots provided at lower ends thereof, and charging the held one of the plurality of types of portable information terminals by inserting the battery-charging plug connector into the battery-charging slot of the held one of the plurality of types of portable information terminals. The battery-charging base for a portable information terminal includes: a holding base main body for holding the one of the plurality of types of portable information terminals on a main mounting surface inclined with respect to a horizontal surface; and a battery-charging cover including a first housing section capable of housing the battery-charging plug connector while changing a housing position thereof, the battery-charging cover being fixed to a lower end of the main mounting surface in a freely removable manner. The battery-charging cover is configured to support the lower end of the one of the plurality of types of portable information terminals to be held on the main mounting surface, and is rotatable about a first rotation axis provided at a lower end portion thereof.
