US09551859B2
Embodiments provide an apparatus for allowing close-focus of a camera on a portable electronic device while sliding the device on a surface. A macro lens is selectively placed by a user adjacent to a lens of the camera. Support points maintain the macro lens at a predetermined distance from the surface while the device is slid on the surface.
US09551858B2
An imaging lens includes first to sixth lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side in the given order. Through designs of surfaces of the lens elements and relevant lens parameters, a short system length of the imaging lens may be achieved while maintaining good optical performance.
US09551857B2
A camera system includes an image sensor, a stop aperture, an infrared cut filter disposed between the image sensor and the stop aperture, and a lens assembly. The lens assembly has a field of view ranging between 80 degrees and 110 degrees and is disposed between the infrared cut filter on an image side of the lens assembly and the stop aperture on an object side of the lens assembly. The lens assembly includes six lenses. Four of the six lenses have positive optical power and two of the six lenses have negative optical power. The six lenses include first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth lenses having first inline, second inline, third inline, fourth inline, fifth inline, and sixth inline relative positions, respectively, along an optical path through the lens assembly.
US09551856B2
This document describes MEMS-released curved image sensors capable of sensing light from a monocentric lens. This MEMS-released curved image sensor receives light focused on a curved focal surface by releasing a photodetector side of a computing and sensing wafer, such as a Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. This releasing is effective to allow the photodetector side to conform to the curved focal surface of the monocentric lens. By so doing, the wider field of view, smaller size, and often smaller weight of monocentric lenses can be gained while using generally high-quality, low-cost computing and sensing wafers by processing these wafers to give them a curved surface at which to sense light from a monocentric lens.
US09551849B2
Disclosed are interposer structures having an optical fiber connection and a related fiber optic ferrule that can form a portion of an optical assembly. The interposer structure is useful for transmitting optical signals to/from an integrated circuit that may be attached to the interposer. Specifically, the interposer structure and the related ferrule of the optical connector provide a passively aligned structure having a matched thermal response to maintain a suitable optical connection between the devices over a range of temperatures.
US09551845B1
The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing one or more optical engine packages, each optical engine package comprising a silicon photonic die. The method includes receiving a substrate comprising a package portion and a cutting area adjacent to the package portion, assembling the optical engine package on the substrate such that an edge-coupled waveguide of the silicon photonic die overlaps a boundary between the cutting area and the package portion, and cutting the optical engine package and the substrate in the cutting area to expose the edge-coupled waveguide for optical coupling thereof to an optical fiber core.
US09551844B2
A system for passive optical alignment includes an through optical via formed through a substrate, an optical transmission medium secured to a first side of the substrate such that the optical transmission medium is aligned with the through optical via, and an optoelectronic component secured to a second side of the substrate such that the active region of said optoelectronic component is aligned with the through optical via.
US09551841B2
Optical data center connector systems including a fiber optic plug assembly and a fiber optic receptacle assembly. In one embodiment, a fiber optic plug assembly includes a plug body having an insertion surface and a plug body opening at the insertion surface, wherein the plug body defines a ferrule enclosure coupled in free space to the plug body opening, and a ferrule element disposed within the ferrule enclosure of the plug body. The ferrule element includes a mechanical coupling face, an optical interface surface, and a plurality of lens elements at the optical interface surface. The ferrule element is disposed within the ferrule enclosure such that the optical interface surface is recessed with respect to the insertion surface of the plug body.
US09551835B2
A GRIN lens array of an embodiment has a structure for enabling a coupling face in which lens end faces of GRIN lenses are arranged, to be accurately polished so as to have a desired angle relative to optical axes of the GRIN lenses. The GRIN lens array has the GRIN lenses and a main body portion. The main body portion comprises a holding portion having a coupling face, and an edge portion having a reference face to be used as a reference in polishing of the coupling face. The respective thicknesses of the holding portion and the edge portion along the longitudinal direction of the GRIN lenses are set so as to form a step between the coupling face and the reference face.
US09551827B2
The disclosure generally relates to efficient hollow light duct bends (200) that are capable of retaining a higher on-axis transmission for partially collimated light propagating within a light duct (220, 230). In particular, the described hollow light duct bends (200) include input and output plates (214, 216) that have low reflectivity for near nonnal incident light, and high reflectivity for near grazing incident light.
US09551821B2
A light-emitting device comprises: a substrate that holds one end of connection terminals and on which is mounted an electronic component; a light-emitting element that is mounted on one face of the substrate; a support member on which the substrate is mounted; and a cover section that positionally locates and holds the substrate, by mounting on the support member in a condition abutting one face of the substrate. The cover section has a cover section body that covers one face of the substrate; on the cover section body, a light guide is provided, through which passes the light that is emitted from the light emitting element, in a condition in which movement thereof is restricted along directions on either side of the substrate.
US09551819B2
The present application relates to a method for manufacturing a polarized light splitting element and a polarized light splitting element. The present application can provide: a method for manufacturing the polarized light splitting element having excellent polarized light splitting ability and light-transmission ability through a simple and efficient process; and the polarized light splitting element having the excellent polarized light splitting ability and the light transmission ability.
US09551811B1
A method is disclosed for acoustic calibration of a towed hydrophone line array. In a very low frequency band, calibration is performed using a surrounding ambient acoustic noise environment observed by one or more calibrated reference standard hydrophones and hydrophone channels of the array being calibrated. The array hydrophone sensitivities are computed by comparing output voltages of the array hydrophones with the output voltages of one or more calibrated reference hydrophones. The method extends the low frequency limit for the calibration of a towed hydrophone line array to substantially less than the minimum frequency at which the acoustic projectors commonly used for acoustic calibrations can transmit a useful acoustic signal.
US09551806B2
Systems, devices, and methods for evaluating an earth formation. Methods may include inducing a current in the formation; measuring a time-dependent transient electromagnetic (TEM) signal induced by the formation responsive to the current; and estimating apparent resistivity values for each of a plurality of samples derived from the TEM measurement, wherein each sample corresponds to a discrete time window of the TEM measurement. Estimating the apparent resistivity values for each of the samples includes determining for each sample a simulated homogeneous formation that provides a best fit for the sample. The apparent resistivity values may be used to estimate distance to an interface. The apparent resistivity values or the estimated distance may be logged and the log displayed. The apparent resistivity values, the estimated distance, or the log may be used to conduct further operations in a borehole, including geosteering.
US09551805B2
An inductive wireless power device comprises a transmitter configured to generate an electromagnetic field to a coupling region for wireless power transfer to a receiver, and control logic configured to determine a coupling coefficient of the wireless power transfer when the receiver is within the coupling region. The control logic also determines a presence of a foreign object within the coupling region responsive to a comparison of the determined coupling coefficient and an expected coupling coefficient for the wireless power transfer. An inductive wireless power device comprises a receiver configured to couple with an electromagnetic field in a coupling region for inductive wireless power transfer from a transmitter. The receiver is configured to alter a wireless power transfer characteristic of the transmitter for a determination of a presence of a foreign object within the coupling region responsive to a determination of a coupling coefficient of the wireless power transfer.
US09551796B2
A radiation image conversion panel having a high luminance and sharpness is provided by growing columnar crystals from the root portion. The radiation image conversion panel includes a support; and a phosphor layer mainly composed of an alkali halide, the phosphor layer being formed by vapor deposition; wherein the phosphor layer includes a plurality of domains formed of a plurality of phosphor columnar crystals; each of the domains is a single phosphor columnar crystal or an aggregation of phosphor columnar crystals having substantially the same crystal orientation, and has an average diameter of 0.2 to 10 μm; and the phosphor columnar crystals are crystalline from root portion at which crystal growth started.
US09551792B2
A system and method for improving acquisition sensitivity and tracking performance of a GPS receiver using multiple antennas is provided. In an embodiment, the acquisition sensitivity can be improved by determining the correlation weight of each received path signal associated with one antenna from a plurality of antennas and then combining the path signals based on their respective correlation weight. In another embodiment, carrier offset correction information of each path signal is individually determined and then summed together to be used for tracking the code phase in a code phase tracking loop. The code phase tracking loop generates an early code and a late code that are used to determine the code phase error. The system includes digital adaptive filters to mitigate narrowband and broadband noises of a received GPS signal, wherein the digital adaptive filters are switched on periodically or by external events.
US09551787B2
Process for the determination of a position change or respectively resting and/or speed of an object
The present invention relates to a process for determining a position change or the resting and/or a speed of an object and a corresponding process for supporting an inertial measurement system. In the process at least one radio signal (FS) is received on the object (O) at at least one first and one second point in time, particularly continuously, and the change of the phase of said radio signal is determined for a determination of a relative movement between source (U) of said signal or a reference location and said object (O), and the relative movement between source (U) of said signal or the reference location and said object (O) is detected.
US09551780B1
An approach is provided in which an RFID reader receives a response signal from an RFID tag affixed to an object. The RFID reader determines a tag charging time of the RFID tag based upon a first point in time that the RFID reader sent a request signal to the RFID tag and a second point in time that the response signal was received by the RFID reader. In turn, the RFID reader identifies a location of the object based on the tag charging time and generates a notification that includes the location of the object.
US09551779B2
A method and apparatus for controlling pointing devices such as cameras according to the movements of an objects, such as balls or selected players of interest by attaching to the object, an RFID which, when triggered, transmits the identification of the object and detecting the transmitted identification at of different locations to define the instantaneous space location of the object. The detected identifications are inputted into an RTLP (Real-Time Location Processor) to produce tracking signals which cause the pointing device to track the movements of the object in a real-time manner. Another signal, is also derived from the RTLP defining another instantaneous condition of the object, and is also fed to the pointing device to control another parameter, such as the magnification or the displayed field-of-view, of the pointing device in a real-time manner.
US09551778B2
A system detects, identifies, and optically tracks a jammer by calculating position and velocity information associated with the jammer based on jamming signals received at one or more antennas, and utilizing the position and velocity information to control one or more cameras. The cameras capture a series of images that include the calculated location, the expected movement of the jammer, or both. The system analyzes the images to extract motion information associated with one or more objects identified in the images. The system utilizes the calculated position and velocity information and the extracted motion information to determine which of the identified object in the images is the jammer. Further, the jammer motion information extracted from the images may be utilized to update the calculated position and velocity information associated with the jammer, to improve the overall accuracy of the tracking of the jammer.
US09551769B2
A method of analyzing properties of a porous sample, typically a cylinder of porous rock, comprises centrifuging the sample while it contains at least one liquid, determining the distribution of at least one liquid in the sample by magnetic resonance imaging of the sample, and also determining the distribution of at least one magnetic resonance parameter, where the parameter is one of longitudinal relaxation time T1, transverse relaxation time T2 and diffusion coefficient D. Pore throat sizes can be determined from the distribution of at least one liquid in the sample and pore body sizes can be determined from the distribution of the magnetic resonance parameter enabling determination of a relationship between pore throat sizes and pore body sizes in the sample. This can be a relationship between individual values of pore throat size and an average of body sizes of pores having that individual pore throat size.
US09551767B2
A gradient amplifier system, includes: a power stage comprising a plurality of bridge amplifiers, each operates at a first switching frequency; a gradient coil coupled to the power stage and configured to produce a magnetic field proportional to a coil current signal supplied by the power stage; a controller stage coupled to an input terminal of the power stage and configured to: generate a pulse width modulated gate signal based on the coil current signal and a reference current signal, wherein the pulse width modulated gate signal is generated at a second switching frequency when a slew rate associated with the reference current signal is below a threshold rate for at least a first time period; and apply the pulse width modulated gate signal to the power stage for changing an operating frequency of each of the plurality of bridge amplifiers from the first to the second switching frequency.
US09551766B2
A system and method for obtaining a fill image of a bank note being processed. At least one magnetoresistive detector is employed to obtain line-scan sensings of a bank note as the note passes. A central processing unit obtains the sensing as magnetic pattern data which is subsequently stored in a database for processing.
US09551762B1
A magnetic field sensor and a method include a modulator coupled in a feedback arrangement and operable to modulate a calibration feedback signal with a modulator clock signal having a selected frequency and a selected relative phase operable to remove a gain error in the magnetic field sensor and in the method.
US09551760B2
System and method for applying a reverse energy flow for measuring one or more electrical characteristics of a DC power source, such as a solar panel. Applying reverse current and voltage to a DC power source and measuring selected resultant current and voltage enables monitoring of electrical characteristics of the source, and when done periodically, enables monitoring of the performance of the source over time, including whether performance has become affected by a hardware failure or damage, or whether the source has become disconnected due to a faulty or failed connector or theft.
US09551751B2
A high speed controllable load uses a voltage waveform synthesizer and a driver circuit to dynamically control an electronically variable load to generate a current though an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) device under test. Sensors may be used to monitor a source voltage and the output current to generate an arbitrary waveform have a range of voltage and current phase shifts. An optical isolation circuit allows separation of grounds between a control stage and the AFCI device under test.
US09551734B2
A method and apparatus for a current-output peak detector. A current-output peak detector circuit is disclosed and works in two phases. The peak detector circuit includes switches to switch the peak detector circuit from the first phase to the second phase upon detection of the peak voltage of an input voltage signal. The peak detector generates a current output with a high degree of accuracy in the second phase.
US09551730B2
An accelerometer arrangement and method are described for determining accelerations of an inground tool. First and second triaxial accelerometers are supported such that a normal sensing axis of the first triaxial accelerometer is at least generally orthogonal to the normal sensing axis of the second triaxial accelerometer for determining the accelerations along the three orthogonal axes based on a combination of sensing axis outputs from one or both of the triaxial accelerometers. A weaker sensing axis of one triaxial accelerometer can be supported at least approximately normal to a weaker sensing axis of another triaxial accelerometer such that the weaker axes are not used. The triaxial accelerometers can be supported such that one axis of one accelerometer can be redundant with respect to another axis of another accelerometer. One triaxial accelerometer can be mounted on a tilted plane with respect to another triaxial accelerometer.
US09551718B2
Assays for selecting a candidate modulator of a TMEM120A ion channel and/or a candidate modulator of chronic pain, the steps comprising contacting a lipid membrane comprising contacting a lipid membrane comprising TMEM120A polypeptide with a test compound; quantitating the TMEM120A ion channel activity; comparing the ion channel activity of the TMEM120A polypeptide with a control; and selecting the test compound that modulates the ion channel activity compared to the control; and methods and compositions for treating chronic pain including osteoarthritic pain.
US09551708B2
Methods of treating a subject having a cardiovascular disease, selecting a therapy for a subject having a cardiovascular disease, identifying a subject having a cardiovascular disease that will benefit or not benefit from exercise therapy, determining whether a subject having a cardiovascular disease should begin, continue, not begin, discontinue, or avoid exercise therapy, determining whether a subject having a cardiovascular disease should continue, discontinue, or avoid exercise therapy, reducing the risk of an adverse outcome (e.g., death) in a subject having a cardiovascular disease, and predicting the efficacy of exercise therapy in a subject having a cardiovascular disease. These methods include determining a level of soluble ST2 in a subject.
US09551703B2
The invention features compositions and methods that are useful for precisely determining the amount of one or more analytes present in a sample. In one aspect, the invention provides a composition for measuring the abundance of one or more target analytes in a sample, where the composition contains a set of detection units for each analyte fixed to a substrate (e.g., a membrane, bead, filter, chip, polymer-based film or glass slide, or other printable surface), where each detection unit contains a discrete amount of a capture agent that specifically binds the target analyte, and the amount of capturing agent varies over the set to form a concentration gradient.
US09551692B2
A method for estimating the detonation performance of a material is executed by first preparing a small sample of the material to be tested. That sample is lased with a laser beam having sufficient energy to induce a plasma from a portion of the sample and to produce a shock wave, without detonation of the sample. The velocity of the shock wave is then measured at different times. And a characteristic shock velocity determined for the material based on the relationship between shock velocity and time. The characteristic shock velocity represents the velocity of the shock wave at the point in time when the shock front expands freely without additional energy input from the plasma or subsequent chemical reactions. The characteristic shock velocity can be used to determine whether a material is non-energetic or energetic; if it is energetic, the estimated detonation performance can be determined.
US09551688B2
[Problem to be Solved] To provide a property measuring device for measuring a measurement object, which can highly reliably extract an electric signal serving as the measurement object from an electromagnetic field noise or the like generated by an acoustic wave generating source even if the acoustic wave is a continuous wave, while a high spatial resolution is maintained, by using an acoustic wave as a properly measuring means for measuring an object and method thereof.[Means for Solving the Problem] A property measuring device 100 for measuring a measurement object of the present invention includes: an acoustic wave emitting portion 40 arranged away from a measurement object 90 and emitting an amplitude-modulated acoustic wave; a receiver 50 for receiving an electromagnetic field generated when the acoustic wave is emitted to the measurement object 90; and a measuring portion 60 for extracting at least one type of properties selected from a group consisting of an electric property, a magnetic property, an electromechanical property, and a magnetomechanical property of the measurement object 90, based on at least one measurement selected from a group consisting of measurements of a strength, a phase, and a frequency of the electromagnetic field.
US09551684B2
A gas sensor element which has water-permeable electrodes, and water-impermeable leads connected to the electrodes A first electrode (133) has a space exposure portion (133b) exposed to internal space (160) of a gas sensor element (10) which communicates with an ambient atmosphere. A first lead (137) is connected to the first electrode (133). The first electrode (133) includes a first connection portion (133d) which is disposed at a position not exposed to the internal space (160) and connected to the first lead (137), and which is a portion of the first electrode (133) located most distant from the internal space (160). The entire first connection portion (133d) is located in a region A1 which extends from the internal space (160) over a distance of 1.0 mm or less. Also enclosed is a gas sensor including the gas sensor element.
US09551675B2
A computed tomography system and an X-ray collimator thereof are provided, which have a good collimator effect. The X-ray collimator includes a plurality of first plates extending in the circumferential direction of the computed tomography system and a plurality of second plates extending in the axial direction of the computed tomography system. The first plates and the second plates are inserted and engaged. Two adjacent first plates and two adjacent second plates define a through hole, and the extensions of the side walls of the through hole intersect at the focal spot of an X-ray source, so that the X-rays can pass through the through hole in a straight line. Since the extensions of the side walls of the through holes intersect at the focal spot of the X-ray source, the through holes are aligned with the radiation direction of corresponding X-rays.
US09551674B1
An inline dark field holographic method for measuring strain in a semiconductor or other crystalline material using a transmission electron microscope having an electron gun for passing an electron beam through strained and unstrained specimens. A condenser mini-lens between the magnetic tilting coil and the specimens increases defection of the beam at an angle with prior to passing through the pair of specimens. The first objective lens forms a virtual image of each of the specimens and the second objective lens focuses the virtual images of each of the specimens at an intermediate image plane to form intermediate images of each of the specimens. The biprism creates the interference pattern between the specimens is formed at the image plane, which may then be viewed to determine the degree of strain of the strained specimen and provides a coma-free strain map with minimal optical distortion.
US09551669B2
Embodiments as disclosed herein provide a method and system that characterizes physical properties, such as thickness, uniformity, polarization, and/or sizes and locations of defect (e.g. defect density distribution) of crystalline structures grown on or thin films deposited on a substrate of a solid state light emitting device. The embodiments disclosed herein generally include exciting the light emitting device with an energy source and analyze optical energy emitted by the crystalline structures grown on or the thin films deposited on the substrate.
US09551668B2
An apparatus and method for elemental analysis of a formation fluid from a subsurface tool having a housing, a sampling probe for collecting a sample of the formation fluid external to the housing, and a microplasma device within the housing and in fluid communication with the sampling probe. The microplasma device includes an upstream gas system, a sampling valve in fluid communication with the sampling probe and the upstream gas system, an expansion chamber for volatizing the formation fluid sample obtained from the sampling valve, and a microplasma chamber in fluid communication with the expansion chamber for ionizing the volatilized fluid sample.
US09551667B2
An optofluidic platform is constructed so as to comprise a planar, liquid-core integrated optical waveguides for specific detection of nucleic acids. Most preferably, the optical waveguides comprises antiresonant reflecting optical waveguide (ARROWs). A liquid solution can be prepared and introduced into the optofluidic platform for optical excitation. The resulting optical signal can be collected at the edges of the optofluidic platform and can be analyzed to determine the existence of a single and/or a specific nucleic acid.
US09551666B2
Reactive and modified M13 bacteriophages, and methods of making and using the same, are generally provided. The reactive M13 bacteriophage can include a alkyne functional group covalently attached to the M13 bacteriophage. The modified M13 bacteriophage can include a substituent covalently attached to the M13 bacteriophage via a 1,2,3-triazole linkage. Dual-modified M13 bacteriophages are also generally provided, and can include a cancer-targeting substituent covalently attached to the M13 bacteriophage and a fluorescent group covalently attached to the M13 bacteriophage. The modified M13 bacteriophages can not only be employed as a fluorescent probe for cancer imaging, but also can be used as biomaterials for cell alignment and scaffolding.
US09551653B2
The inventive concept provides apparatuses and methods for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes in real time using polarized light. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a light source configured to generate light, a beam splitter configured to reflect the light toward the wafer being processed, an objective polarizer configured to polarize the light reflected toward the wafer and to allow light reflected by the wafer to pass therethrough, a blaze grating configured to separate light reflected by the wafer according to wavelength, an array detector configured to detect the separated light and an analyzer to analyze the three-dimensional profile of the structure/pattern being formed in the wafer.
US09551644B2
A flow cytometer apparatus and methods for detecting and clearing a clog therein are disclosed. An example method for detecting a clog may include (i) detecting, via a fault detection system of a flow cytometer, a first plurality of events associated with a first aliquot from a first sample well, (ii) determining a count of the first plurality of events associated with the first aliquot, (iii) determining whether the count of the first plurality of events is below a minimum count tolerance and (iv) (a) if the count of the first plurality of events is below the minimum count tolerance, then determining that the flow cytometer has a clog, (b) if the count of the first plurality of events is equal to or above the minimum count tolerance, then detecting a second plurality of events associated with a second aliquot from a second sample well.
US09551638B2
Performance of an article of sporting equipment, such as a ball bat, is measured by applying a force through a spring of known elastic properties to compress the article of sporting equipment. Compliance of the article of sporting equipment to a known standard is based on the compression of the article of sporting equipment.
US09551620B2
A system and method for monitoring system including a embedded sensor coupled to an article, wherein the embedded sensor is a direct write embedded sensor using a high temperature light emitting material. A camera system detects illumination signals from the embedded sensors. A processing section processes the illumination signals and determines gas/surface temperatures and strain data for the article.
US09551617B2
Raman spectroscopic analyzer including: a beam-casting unit 3 for receiving a light beam generated by a light source and for converging the light beam on a predetermined position in a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal direction of a measurement chamber through which a liquid sample is passed; and a light-receiving unit placed at a distance in the longitudinal direction from the predetermined position, for receiving scattered light emitted from the fluid sample. Among the scattered light which enters the light-receiving unit, the portion which enters this unit after being reflected by the inner wall surface opposite to this unit is eliminated, so that the amount of noise in the Raman spectroscopic measurement is considerably reduced.
US09551612B2
Aspects of a monochromator are described herein. In one embodiment, the monochromator includes a light source that provides light, a diffraction grating including a first diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating, a grating drive motor that rotates the diffraction grating to provide dispersed wavelengths of light, a detector that detects a portion of the dispersed wavelengths of light, and processing circuitry that controls a grating drive motor to regulate an angular velocity of the grating based on an angular orientation of the diffraction grating. By using a diffraction grating having multiple, different dispersive surfaces, measurements of relatively high precision and quality may be taken throughout a wider spectral range. In another aspect, the processing circuitry controls a sample drive motor to vary an angle of incidence of the dispersed wavelengths of light onto a sample for evaluation.
US09551611B2
A reporting system includes a mobile computing device that wirelessly communicates with one or more sensors to track the use of a protective product. Reports are provided on the mobile computing device to remind and motivate a user of the protective product to use it at times most beneficial for receiving the intended protection from it.
US09551610B2
A Remotely Powered Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks (RPUASN) paradigm and the node architecture for RPUASN are disclosed. In RPUASN, sensor nodes harvest and store power supplied by an external acoustic source, extending their lifetime indefinitely. Necessary source characteristics are determined. The ability of an RPUASN sensor to harvest its required power is disclosed with respect to source parameters and distance to the source. Performance of RPUASN is directly related to the sensing coverage and communication connectivity over the field the sensor nodes are deployed. The required number of RPUASN nodes and the volume which is guaranteed to be covered by the nodes is disclosed in terms of electrical power, range, directivity and transmission frequency of the external acoustic source, and node power requirements.
US09551609B2
A method includes receiving characteristic information from a sensor. The characteristic information may be representative of a characteristic of a weight bearing structure of an aircraft when a force is applied to the weight bearing structure. The method includes determining a weight of the aircraft based on the characteristic information. The method includes receiving attitude information from an attitude sensor. The attitude information indicates whether the aircraft is situated on a level surface. The method includes determining a balance condition based on the attitude information and the weight of the aircraft. The balance condition indicates whether the weight of the aircraft is distributed evenly. The method includes generating an alert when the balance condition indicates that the weight of the aircraft is not distributed evenly.
US09551606B2
A measurement device is provided for determining a distance of the measurement device from a medium and a flow speed of a medium by evaluating a transmission signal emitted by the fill level measurement device and reflected by the medium. The measurement device includes an antenna arrangement for emitting the transmission signal in two different directions. The flow speed of the medium can be determined using the Doppler shift of the transmission signal.
US09551595B2
An induction detecting type rotary encoder includes: a stator; a rotor disposed opposite the stator; a first transmitting coil that is provided in the stator and includes a first inner circumference coil and a first outer circumference coil; a second transmitting coil that is provided in the stator and includes a second inner circumference coil and a second outer circumference coil; first and second receiving coils provided in the stator; and first and second magnetic flux coupling bodies provided in the rotor. The closest distance between the first inner circumference coil and the second magnetic flux coupling body is shorter than that between the first outer circumference coil and the second magnetic flux coupling body. The closest distance between the second inner circumference coil and the first magnetic flux coupling body is shorter than that between the second outer circumference coil and the first magnetic flux coupling body.
US09551594B1
A universal sensor interface enables selective coupling of one or more sensor module units to a wireless node. Each sensor module unit can contain a suite of sensors selected for a particular sensor application at a monitored location. Reconfiguration of the wireless sensor network can occur seamlessly through the plug-and-play connectivity between the sensor module units and the wireless node.
US09551575B2
A laser scanner includes a light emitter that generates a modulated light beam for measuring distance and red, blue, and green lights for capturing colors. The beam is collimated and directed to an object point with a steering mirror. Reflected light from the object point is directed by the steering mirror onto scanner optics. The reflected light is directed to an optical receiver that sends the first light in a first path and the second, third and fourth lights in a second path to a color receiver. The first light is demodulated to determine distance to the target. The second, third, and fourth lights are separated and measured to determine three color values. The color values are combined with the measured distance value to determine a color 3D coordinate for the object point.
US09551574B2
A spirit type level that may be used to plumb any vertical pole or post, may be used to horizontally set an object and may also be used to quickly and easily set a pipe at a selected slope of between 0 and 3 percent. The spirit type level of the invention includes a plurality of differently oriented spirit vials that are secured within the level body in a manner such that, if any one of the spirit vials become broken, or otherwise damaged, it can be easily replaced and the level need not be discarded. The spirit type level of the invention can be quickly and easily removably attached to the object to be leveled thereby freeing the hands of the user to position the object.
US09551571B2
A method and device for measuring a decentration and tilt of faces of an optical element is provided. At least all optically used and frame-relevant partial surfaces of a surface of the optical element and reference faces of the optical element are registered over the whole area thereof and referenced to one another in a common coordinate system, wherein in each case a surface form deviation of the partial surfaces and reference faces is established relative to an associated intended surface, wherein a location of the partial surfaces and reference faces is established in each case in the common coordinate system from the respective surface form deviation. At least one tilt and at least one decentration are established from the location as a function of a form of the respective partial surface and reference face in the coordinate system.
US09551570B2
A method of optical sensing comprising generating optical data associated with an object of interest, generating non-optical data associated with the object of interest, and analyzing the optical and non-optical data.
US09551561B2
Systems and methods for determining location using magnetic fields from AC power lines are provided. As an example, each magnetic field reading collected by the device over time can be analyzed to determine a plurality of characteristics of the magnetic field. One or more of the plurality of characteristics can describe a component of the magnetic field that oscillates at a frequency associated with the AC power lines. The plurality of characteristics can be compared to expected values respectively associated with a plurality of locations and provided by a map of the magnetic field to determine a location at which each magnetic field reading was collected. In further embodiments, magnetic field readings collected by the device over time can be analyzed in conjunction with other data or constraints to determine a trajectory of the device. In addition, the map can be updated using the collected readings and the determined trajectory.
US09551556B2
The necessary ESD safety for chemical detonators 1 is ensured by the fact that the sleeve 2 of the chemical detonator 1 is closely encompassed by an aluminum sleeve 20, the ignition pill 5 is sealed in addition by a casting compound 21 and a predetermined flashover position 26 is provided for the priming wires 3, 4.
US09551554B2
Exemplary projectiles and methods associated therewith including embodiments formed with an internal cavity adapted to receive and retain a cryogenic material into said cavity and then generate a first internal gas upon thermal equalization with said projectile as well as a first internal gas pressure within said cavity. Exemplary embodiments include a structure adapted for maintaining structural integrity after generation of the first internal gas pressure and a second internal gas pressure that is created upon the firing of the projectile. In some embodiments, the second internal gas pressure is more than twice the first internal gas pressure. Some embodiments are adapted with a portion of the projectile formed for displacing away or laterally from an axis formed through a longitudinal center of the projectile upon an impact from striking an object after firing based in part on internal gas pressure and an impact at cavity wall section rupture zones.
US09551553B1
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a bowfishing slide arrangement for use with an archery bow. In certain embodiments, the arrangement includes a slide having a slide body configured to slide along an arrow shaft. The arrangement further includes a stop used in cooperation with the slide. The stop is arrangeable on the arrow shaft in a manner to prevent the slide from sliding off of the arrow shaft. A dampening material is secured to the rear of the slide and arranged between the slide and the stop.
US09551551B2
A lens cover for a firearm scope comprises a lens ring configured to mount to a lens, a cover bracket pivotally mounted to the lens ring, and a cover membrane disposed upon a portion of the lens ring and a portion of the cover bracket. When the cover bracket is in a closed position, the cover membrane creates a seal against the lens ring. The lens ring comprises an elastomeric material so as to enable mounting of the lens ring to lenses of differing diameters. The cover bracket includes a plurality of opposing mounting holes for selectively mounting the cover bracket to the adjustable lens ring.
US09551533B2
A heat exchanger unit includes a heat exchanger main body in which a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger are arranged in series relative to a refrigerant flowing direction and an air flowing direction. The heat exchanger main body includes on one side thereof an external connection portion configured to supply at least refrigerant and on the other side thereof a communicating portion configured to connect (allowing fluid communication between) the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A bypass flow path extends from the one side to the other side of the heat exchanger main body, and is configured to bypass the first heat exchanger. At least one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger includes a pair of tank sections disposed at an interval, and a plurality of first heat transfer tubes configured to connect the pair of tank sections.
US09551531B2
The invention relates to a device having a bottom, side walls and a ceiling, which together define a channel, as well as transportation means, extending in an axial direction of said channel from an entry port of the channel to an exit port of said channel, for transferring a metallurgical material from said entry port to said exit port.
US09551525B2
A shocking cooler includes an ice chest cooler which has a lid and lower portion. A first conductor is located within the bottom portion and extrudes from one of the side interior surfaces of the ice chest cooler. A second conductor is located near a lower lip region, and is separated a distance from the first conductor. The first conductor and second conductor are joined to a power supply at alternate connections (either positive (+) or negative (−)) by connection cable(s). The power supply is connected to a switch, which allows the shocking ice chest cooler to be turned on or off. Water is introduced to the ice chest cooler, and is in contact with the first conductor. When a burglar attempts to reach into the ice chest cooler, his hand is immersed into the water, thereby completing the circuit and issuing an electrical shock.
US09551515B2
There is provided a refrigeration cycle apparatus in which an outdoor heat source unit, an indoor unit, and a water heating unit are connected, and an air conditioning operation and a water heating operation can be performed separately, and an exhaust-heat recovery operation can be performed by simultaneously performing air cooling and water heating. The outdoor heat source unit includes a compressor for compressing refrigerant, a refrigerant air-heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and outside air, a fan for cooling the refrigerant air-heat exchanger, a control device that includes an inverter device for driving the compressor, and a heat sink for dissipating heat of the inverter device, and a switching element in the inverter device is constituted by an element formed by a wide bandgap semiconductor.
US09551512B2
An air conditioning system, including a condenser for condensing a refrigerant, a first expansion device for throttling the refrigerant passed through the condenser, a second expansion device for throttling the refrigerant passed through the first expansion device, an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant passed through the second expansion device, a compressor for compressing the refrigerant passed through the evaporator and the refrigerant injected after branched between the first expansion device and the second expansion device, and a control unit for detecting a value of at least one operating parameter and determining a target opening degree of the first expansion device on the basis of a stored set value corresponding to the detected value of the operating parameter.
US09551507B2
A solar radiation absorber element for a thermal concentrating solar power plant is achieved by forming a selective coating on an outer surface of a substrate made from stainless steel, chosen from stainless steels presenting an aluminum content of more than 0.5% by weight. Formation of the selective coating includes a surface treatment step of the substrate, by polishing, and a heat treatment step of the substrate, in an oxidizing atmosphere, in a temperature range included between 550° C. and 650° C. The heat treatment in particular enables at least one intrinsically selective superficial thin layer to be formed on the outer surface of the substrate.
US09551503B2
A comfort control system includes a user-end subsystem and a system-end subsystem. The user-end subsystem includes an environmental control device, a sensor and a communication apparatus. The environmental control device adjusts an environmental factor value of a predetermined area. The sensor senses an activity value of a user. The communication apparatus sends the activity value and an identifier corresponding to the user. The system-end subsystem includes a communication element, a comfort database and a computing apparatus. The communication element receives the identifier and the activity value. The comfort database includes a basic data table having a physiological value and a preference data table having a control parameter. The computing apparatus looks up the basic data table for the physiological value and looks up the preference data table for a corresponding control parameter. The computing apparatus controls the environmental control device to adjust the environmental factor value.
US09551499B1
A buttressed hinge assembly or a flexible hinge assembly adjusts to fit a vent on a wall or a roof in order to hold a fan thereon, which fan is especially suitable for a restaurant roof or wall. The hinge assembly attaches to a roof or wall vent to hold the fan in a proper position, yet permits the fan to be easily moved for cleaning of vent and the fan.
US09551497B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for an ion generation device that includes an elongate housing having a back portion and a pair of side portions extending from the back portion and forming a cavity therein. A conductive portion is disposed within the cavity and connected to a power supply for providing power to the conductive portion. A plurality of tines are engaged to the conductive portion.
US09551486B2
An automated torch for generating and sustaining a flame is provided that includes a head, the head including a burning chamber, the burning chamber being open to the atmosphere and weather elements to expose the flame to the atmosphere and weather elements, a pole, a valve, a programmable computer module, the module configured to convert a low voltage to a high voltage, the module further configured to actuate a valve, the module still further configured to control the rotation of the valve to vary the amount of fuel introduced into the burning chamber to modify the aesthetics of the flame, a sleeve nut, the sleeve nut configured to be adjustable to control the amount of air introduced in the burning chamber to modify the aesthetics of the flame, at least one fuel supply tube, a diffuser assembly and an igniter. The igniter positioned within the burning chamber and the igniter including an anode and a cathode. The anode and the cathode are positioned such that the anode is proximate the cathode to create a sufficient gap such that when the high voltage is applied to said igniter a spark is induced across the gap. The anode and the cathode of the igniter are configured to detect the presence of a flame within the burning chamber. The igniter is configured to be electrically connected to the programmable computer module, the programmable computer module programmed to interpret a signal from the igniter to determine whether the high voltage should be induced across the gap to create the spark or a flame is present in the burning chamber.
US09551484B2
An electric lamp comprises a lighting module, a pin comprising an electric contact for powering the lighting module, and an insulating sleeve surrounding the pin and movable along the pin between a covering position and an uncovering position. Further, the sleeve covers the electric contact of the pin when in the covering position, and is retractable against the action of a biasing means to the uncovering position, in which the sleeve uncovers at least a portion of said electric contact of the pin.
US09551480B2
There is herein described an LED lamp suitable for replacing conventional fluorescent lamps. The LED lamp has a tubular body and a flexible circuit board as compared to the rigid circuit boards used in other similar lamps. The flexible circuit board has a plurality of LEDs, electric circuitry for powering the LEDs, and a curvature that is maintained by a retention means. The curvature of the flexible circuit board substantially corresponds to the curvature of the tubular body which places the LEDs further away from the front surface of the lamp thereby allowing for improved diffusion and light distribution.
US09551471B2
The invention provides a lighting system (1) comprising at least 16 lighting units (100) arranged in a grid (2) with in at least one direction center-to-center distances (d) between nearest neighbor lighting units (100) in the range of 4-16 mm, wherein each lighting unit (100) comprises a light source (110) and an optical element (20) configured to control a beam shape of light (101) generated by the light source (110), wherein each lighting unit (100) is conjured to generate said light (101) having a luminous flux of at least 100 lm and wherein the lighting system comprises as one luminous surface a plurality of grids (2), wherein between two nearest neighbor grids (2) an intermediate region (300) without a lighting unit (100) is configured, and with in at least one direction a shortest distance (d3) between nearest neighbor grids (2) of at least 35 mm.
US09551456B2
An apparatus includes a nut plate with a plurality of retention tabs integrally attached to the nut plate. A spring assembly is contained with the plurality of retention tabs. The apparatus also includes a nut retained by the retention tabs.
US09551440B2
A cable management clasp includes a clasp body having an upper locating member and a lower locating member joined to the upper locating member at opposite first and second ends. The upper and lower locating members are parallel to each other to form an elongated cable receptacle between the upper and lower locating members. The upper and lower locating members gang a plurality of cables in a parallel arrangement within the cable receptacle.
US09551423B2
A lightweight butterfly valve having a disk maintained in a fixed position on a compound shaft through an interlocking relation ship between each of the individual shafts of the compound shaft and the disk as the disk is moveable between an open or closed position with the butterfly valve may having other features such as an electric drive to quickly rotate the compound shaft to provide for rapid opening and closing the butterfly valve, a disk position indicator and a shaft stop to prevent the disk from being driven past a full open condition.
US09551416B2
The invention relates to a method for changing gear stages in a transmission having a hydrostatic transmission and a downstream manual transmission, and a corresponding transmission arrangement. First, a desire to shift is detected within the manual transmission to change the gear stages. The hydrostatic transmission and the downstream manual transmission are activated to change the gear stage of the downstream transmission. Whether the gear stage to be engaged through a gear stage change was successfully engaged is detected by a detection device, which is connected to an electronic control unit of the transmission arrangement. If the engagement of the gear stage to be engaged is not successful, the original gear stage is reengaged. After the engagement of the original gear stage, the downstream transmission is again activated such that the gear stage to be engaged is engaged.
US09551414B2
A synchronizer system and method allow synchronization of a plurality of rotating parts by determining a measured or calculated starting relative speed of the plurality of rotating parts, and based on the starting relative speed selecting a predetermined synchronizer force profile from among a plurality of candidate profiles for synchronizing the plurality of parts prior to engagement. The selected profile is retrieved and applied to a synchronizer between the plurality of parts to be engaged, and when the relative speed between the plurality of parts to be engaged becomes substantially zero, the plurality of parts can then be engaged to one another.
US09551411B2
A seal member is attached to a cover which occludes a gear case as a housing unit. The seal member is formed of elastomer and integrally formed with: a plate-shaped portion formed into a disc shape which covers the inner surface of the cover; an inner seal portion which is positioned on the inner peripheral edge of a through-hole, and comes into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of an output member; an outer seal portion which is positioned on the periphery of the cover, and comes into contact with the opening end of the housing unit; and anchor portions which latch onto the front surface of the cover via mounting holes provided to the cover. The boundary between the seal member and the cover extends only to the outside of the gear case, and does not extend to the inside of the gear case.
US09551406B2
A device for securing a support element to an actuating lever of a valvetrain of an internal combustion. The actuating lever having a socket dome to accept a socket end of the support element and a roller pocket, with the securing device seated on the socket dome, extending through the roller pocket and splitting into two arms that extend on opposite ends of a circumferential groove below the socket end of the support element.
US09551405B1
A length adjusting device has a guiding track and a controlling assembly. The guiding track has a guiding structure and a locking structure. The controlling assembly has a connecting base, an engaging body, a switch base, a spring, a switch, and a controlling body. The guiding track is mounted between the connecting base and the engaging body. The engaging body is selectively engaged with the guiding track. The switch is combined with the connecting base and has a switching recess. The spring is mounted between and compressed by the engaging body and the switch base. The switch is selectively engaged in the switching recess. The controlling body is mounted on the switch base and has a gear engaged with the guiding track.
US09551402B2
A belt tensioning device for a belt drive which comprises a driving machine with a driving belt pulley drivable by a driveshaft around a driving axis, and a plurality of further belt pulleys and with an infinite belt which is wrapped around the driving belt pulley and the further belt pulleys wherein the belt tensioning device comprises a housing in which two tensioning arms are supported so as to be pivotable around a common pivot axis, in which tensioning arms there are supported tensioning rollers with axes of rotation extending parallel to the driving axis, wherein the tensioning arms are supported relative to one another by spring means, wherein, with the driving belt pulley mounted at the driving machine, the housing can be mounted in that, in an annular region surrounding the driveshaft of the driving belt pulley, the housing is contact-free relative to the driving machine.
US09551401B2
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes an input arrangement associated with an input shaft and an output arrangement associated with an output shaft. An input sprocket and an output sprocket are connected via a chain. An input cone member is connected to the input shaft, disposed within a central opening of the input sprocket, and frictionally engages an inner periphery of the input sprocket such that rotation of the input cone causes the input sprocket to rotate. An output cone member is connected to the output shaft, disposed within a central opening of the output sprocket, and frictionally engages an inner periphery of the output sprocket such that rotation of the output sprocket causes rotation of the output cone member.
US09551397B2
A damping system (10) having a rotation axis (X) and comprising at least: one first flyweight (14) and one second flyweight (14) able to oscillate with respect to a support member (12), and at least one device (20) for guiding the first and second flyweights (14) with respect to the support member (12), having at least one bearing element (22) able to interact with a pair of opposite tracks, respectively a first guidance track (24) and a second guidance track (26) that is carried by the support member (12), wherein the first guidance track (24) is carried by said connecting means (16).
US09551395B2
An object of the present invention is to reduce the size of a shock absorber, and to facilitate adjusting of the damping amount of the shock absorber. The shock absorber 10 has an outer tube 11 and an inner tube 15, wherein a piston rod 14 projects from a base end of the outer tube 11, and a rotative operating part 19 provided in the inner tube 15 projects from a base end of the outer tube 11. An annular piston 27 separates a liquid accommodating chamber 16 into a shock absorbing chamber 28 and an accumulator chamber 29. A flow-rate adjusting hole 48 of the outer tube 11 is composed of a contact surface 51 and an eccentric surface 52. A bypass channel 53 communicating with a communication hole 49 is formed between the eccentric surface 52 and the inner tube 15.
US09551389B2
A bicycle disc brake caliper is basically provided with a first side caliper part, a second side caliper part, a layer of bonding material, a mating recess and a mating protrusion. The first side caliper part includes a first bonding surface. The second side caliper part includes a second bonding surface. The layer of bonding material is disposed between the first and second bonding surfaces of the first and second side caliper parts. The mating recess is disposed on one of the first and second side caliper parts. The mating protrusion is disposed on the other of the first and second side caliper parts and mated with the mating recess. The first and second bonding surfaces of the first and second side caliper parts are fixedly bonded together by the layer of bonding material with a brake disc slot being defined between the first and second side caliper parts.
US09551381B2
This device comprises a driving shaft, which is rotary on itself around a central axis and which is secured to a head for driving the tool into rotation around the axis, the tool being added onto the driving head in a removable way. The driving head includes a driving hub which is adapted so as to be engaged with a driven hub of the tool in order to transmit a rotary movement between them. The driving head is provided with locking centrifugal weights for the tool on the driving head, said centrifugal weights being moveable, under the effect of a centrifugal force resulting from the setting into rotation of the driving head by the driving shaft, between a rest position, in which the centrifugal weights do not interfere with the driven hub, and a position of use, in which a portion of each of the centrifugal weights is brought closer to the central axis and mechanically cooperates with the driven hub in order to maintain it engaged with the driving hub.
US09551377B2
A crankshaft or connecting-rod bearing assembly of an internal combustion engine includes a bearing journal configured to function as a bearing inner ring, and a bearing outer ring surrounds the bearing journal. At least one row of rolling elements is disposed between the bearing journal and the bearing outer ring, the rolling elements are held by a cage, and the cage includes at least two cage segments, each of which extends around a circumferential section of the bearing journal. Furthermore, the at least two cage segments are connected to each other in a materially-bonded manner at at least one joint lying in the circumferential direction.
US09551374B2
A crankshaft having an axis of rotation is disclosed. The crankshaft includes a main throw having a web, a main pin extending from the web that is coaxial with the axis of rotation and an aperture in the web. The crankshaft also includes a crank throw having a web, a crank pin extending from the web, a central aperture positioned in the web that is coaxial with the axis of rotation. The crank pin is positioned in the aperture of the main throw and a connecting rod is positioned on the crank pin. The crankshaft includes various features for distribution of oil to components.
US09551373B2
A method and apparatus for forming a seal over a hole in a structure. The apparatus comprises a washer, a sleeve, and a fastener. The washer has a first channel. The sleeve has a second channel and an expandable section. The sleeve is positioned inside the first channel in the washer. The fastener has an elongate portion positioned inside the second channel of the sleeve to cause at least a portion of the expandable section of the sleeve to form a first interference fit with the washer.
US09551372B2
A snap ring which has a substantially radially directed ring section with a support surface and a substantially axially directed ring section with a lateral surface, the two ring sections forming an L-shaped cross-section, and a ring gap. For ease of use, at least one of the two end sections that face each other in the ring gap is turned outward in the radial direction in relation to the rest of the ring profile by bending, and, in the bent region, the axial ring section has a notch.
US09551365B2
A hydraulic device includes a body, a piston rod configured to be actuated by a pressurized hydraulic fluid, and a first drainage channel for externally draining an internal leakage of hydraulic fluid in the device. The device includes a second drainage channel for externally draining the internal leakage of hydraulic fluid in the device, the first and second channels being oriented in two different directions and each of the channels communicating at one of the ends thereof inside the body of the device.
US09551355B2
A system, in certain embodiments, includes a plurality of detachable, three-dimensional diffuser vanes attached to a diffuser plate of a centrifugal compressor. In certain embodiments, the detachable, three-dimensional diffuser vanes may be attached to the diffuser plate using threaded fasteners. In addition, dowel pins may be used to align the detachable, three-dimensional diffuser vanes with respect to the diffuser plate. However, in other embodiments, the detachable, three-dimensional diffuser vanes may include a tab configured to fit securely within a groove in the diffuser plate. In addition, the tabs of the detachable, three-dimensional diffuser vanes may include indentions that mate with extensions extending from the diffuser plate, wherein the tabs may slide into slots between the extensions and the grooves of the diffuser plate.
US09551354B2
A regenerative fluid machine having guide vanes on a flow channel wall is disclosed. The regenerative fluid machine includes a circular plate-shaped impeller having a plurality of vanes radially formed on an outer circumference thereof at regular intervals, casings in which the impeller is housed, and flow channels, each of which has a suction hole and a discharge hole in opposite ends thereof, and which are circumferentially disposed within the casings so as to face the vanes. The plurality of guide vanes having an inclined angle (θ) with respect to a radial direction protrude from the flow channel wall in a rotational direction of the impeller so that a relative inflow angle (β) of the fluid introduced into the impeller grooves is increased and thus an absolute inflow angle (α) is decreased.
US09551353B2
A compressor blade mounting arrangement includes a compressor blade having an airfoil, a base attachment and a platform disposed between the airfoil and the base attachment. The base attachment includes a first root portion extending radially inwardly from the platform and a second root portion extending radially inwardly from the platform, the first root portion and the second root portion defining a hollow portion therebetween. The base attachment also includes a compression plate disposed within the hollow portion and in fitted engagement with the first root portion and the second root portion. The base portion further includes at least one tab protruding from at least one of the first root portion and the second root portion. The compressor blade mounting arrangement also includes a wheel including a channel extending from a base wall to a rim of the wheel, the channel having a varying opening width.
US09551345B2
A leading edge of a rotating blade of an impeller is formed in an arc recessed in a direction opposite to a rotating direction of the impeller. An angle where an extended line of the recessed arc of the leading edge meets another extended line of a curve of a side edge is set in an acute angle of 30 to 37 degrees in a front view so that a leading tip of the rotating blade may be projected in the rotating direction. An opening angle of a suction-side slant portion of a venturi casing is set in the range of 12 to 17 degrees and an opening angle of a discharge-side slant portion is set in the range of 30 to 35 degrees.
US09551344B2
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, an interface associated with the pump designed to receive input instructions from a user, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller determines a blockage condition based on a power consumption value of the motor, and further includes an auto-restart function that is designed to allow the pump to automatically restart after detection of the blockage.
US09551339B2
An electromagnetic pump configured with an electromagnetic portion that generates an electromagnetic force for pressing the piston, and an urging member that urges the piston in a direction opposite to the electromagnetic force. A strainer member including a disk-shaped portion which has a disk shape and in which a strainer surface is formed, and a side portion that extends from an outer peripheral edge of the disk-shaped portion. A suction check valve being capable of sucking the working fluid via the strainer surface. The piston, the urging member, the suction check valve, and the strainer member are sequentially inserted into the cylinder from a side opposite to the electromagnetic portion, and the cover member is attached so as to press the strainer surface.
US09551335B2
A method for coordinating operation between at least two groups of compressors in a cooling circuit is disclosed. A first group of compressors forms part of a low temperature (LT) part of the cooling circuit and a second group of compressors forms part of a high temperature (MT) part of the cooling circuit. Each of the compressor groups comprises one or more compressors, and each of the compressor groups comprises a controller, the controllers being capable of exchanging signals. In the case that the LT compressor group needs one or more of the LT compressors to start operation, it is investigated whether or not one or more of the MT compressors is/are operating. If this is the case, one or more of the LT compressors is/are allowed to start operation. If it is not the case, the suction pressure in the MT part of the cooling circuit is established, e.g. measured, and compared to a lower and an upper limit of a neutral pressure zone, said neutral pressure zone lying within an operating pressure zone of the MT part of the cooling circuit. Finally, the MT compressors and the LT compressors are operated based on the comparing step. The cooling system may be a cascade system or a booster system.
US09551323B2
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a wind power plant, comprising one or more wind turbine generator(s) connected to an electrical grid, and a power plant controller having an operational mode, controlling electrical parameters, wherein the method comprises, determining a first voltage level of one or more wind turbine generator(s), determining if the first voltage level of one or more wind turbine generator(s) is outside a first predetermined range, in case the first voltage level of one or more wind turbine generator(s) is outside a first predetermined range then, changing the operational mode of the power plant controller between first and second operational modes, the first operational mode controlling a first electrical parameter, the second operational mode controlling a second electrical parameter, the first and second parameters being different. The present invention also relates to a power plant controller and a wind power plant operated according to the method.
US09551322B2
Embodiments of methods and systems for optimizing operation of a wind farm are presented. The method includes receiving new values corresponding to at least some wake parameters for wind turbines in the wind farm. The method further includes identifying new sets of interacting wind turbines from the wind turbines based on the new values. Additionally, the method includes developing a farm-level predictive wake model for the new sets of interacting wind turbines based on the new values and historical wake models determined using historical values of the wake parameters corresponding to reference sets of interacting wind turbines in the wind farm. Furthermore, the method includes adjusting one or more control settings for at least the new sets of interacting wind turbines based on the farm-level predictive wake model.
US09551310B2
A valve device includes a housing, a flow duct and a valve body. The valve body is arranged in the flow duct and bears with a sealing section against a housing-side sealing seat when the valve device is closed. The valve body is guided along a movement axis by a housing-side guide surface and bears with a stop surface against a housing-side movement limiting surface when the valve device is open to the maximum. The guide surface is provided by a guide element, and the sealing seat and the movement limiting surface are provided separately by the guide element.
US09551309B2
A fluid injector includes a valve body, a valve needle and axially moveable in the valve body between a closing position that prevents a fluid injection and further positions that permit the fluid injection, an armature coupled to the valve needle for displacing the valve needle away from the closing position, and a solenoid assembly including at least a first and second coil and operable to magnetically actuate the armature via an electrical signal. A method for operating the fluid injector includes applying the electrical signal to the first coil to generate a magnetic field to move the armature for displacing the valve needle away from the closing position, evaluating a voltage across terminals of the first coil, and controlling the second coil with a further electrical signal to saturate a magnetic field in a portion of the valve body between the armature and solenoid assembly during evaluating the voltage.
US09551305B2
A safety and injection system for adding an additive to fuel in a fuel chamber, includes a portable additive source having a body, an additive chamber, a memory, a fuel inlet, and a fuel outlet. The system can also include a fuel inlet valve which is connected to the fuel chamber, and includes a connector for connecting to the fuel inlet; a fuel outlet valve which is connected to the fuel chamber and including a connector for connecting to the fuel outlet. The system can further include a platform having a memory reader/writer that reads the information in memory and is capable of writing information on memory, and on which the portable additive source is placed; and at least one control unit which is connected with the memory reader/writer, which includes a user interface device for receiving control information from the user, and which controls the operation of the safety and injection system.
US09551304B2
A tank venting system of an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold, a fuel tank, and an activated carbon filter includes: a tank vent valve; at least one check valve; and a pressure sensor situated between the tank vent valve and the check valve. For diagnosing this tank venting system, a negative pressure which is lower than the ambient pressure outside the engine system is stored between the tank vent valve and the check valve. The stored pressure is changed by controlling the tank vent valve, and the change in the pressure is measured via the pressure sensor. The functioning of the tank venting line, of the check valve, and of the tank vent valve is deduced from the correlation of the opening state of the tank vent valve with the change in pressure.
US09551294B2
Tracks (35), fastened to static structure of an aircraft engine nozzle, guide sliders (32) journaled in struts (27, 28) fastened to a flap (23) of the nozzle. Each slider and attached journal axle or bolt (33) is formed of cobalt, and each track slider surface (61) and journal bushings (43, 44) are formed of a nickel alloy to reduce wear from rubbing. Track slides (40, 41) are mounted to the static structure of the nozzle by blind bolts (68) having a tool recess (70) at its threaded tip to prevent the bolt (68) from turning as a nut is secured. Each slider has limited rotation due to a pin (102), thereon engaging a slot in a tab (100) of the bushing (43) to assist in inserting the slider (32) into the beveled ends of the tracks (35, 36), when mounting or replacing a flap.
US09551291B2
Steel pistons used in many internal combustion engines are generally composed of a skirt and a crown. The skirt's function is to reduce the lateral and rotational movement of the piston in the cylinder while the engine is in operation. Lateral and rotational frictional forces imparted to a piston during engine operation cause the piston to scrape off the lubricating oil film present on the cylinder wall. The reduced oil film thickness increases piston and cylinder wall wear due to metal to metal contact. The subsequent metal to metal contact produces a phenomenon called scuffing. This disclosure incorporates several design modifications to the piston and results in a significant reduction of the lateral and rotational motion of the piston during engine operation. The reduction of piston motion reduces the amount of oil film removed from the cylinder wall and increases lubrication efficiency. The Increased lubrication efficiency realized reduces frictional wear power loss and scuffing.
US09551276B2
Systems and methods are provided for reducing surge in a boosted engine system. One method comprises adjusting an opening of a compressor recirculation valve to allow a compressor recirculation flow based on a combination of a nominal compressor recirculation flow and a filtered nominal compressor recirculation flow. The nominal compressor recirculation flow may be calculated as a difference between a desired compressor flow rate based on a surge limit of compressor and an estimated throttle mass flow rate.
US09551270B2
A control device for an internal combustion engine is a control device, applied to an internal combustion engine including an EGR cooler which includes a heat exchange body made of a material including SiC. The control device includes a control unit that controls a flow rate of coolant passing through an EGR cooler to be small in a case of a temperature of the coolant not less than a predetermined value in ending the coolant stop control of the coolant stop control unit, as compared with a case of a temperature of the coolant less than the predetermined value in ending the coolant stop control of the coolant stop control unit.
US09551264B1
A marine propulsion device and a method of making a marine propulsion device including an internal combustion engine that discharges exhaust gases. The internal combustion engine has first and second castings. A first exhaust flow passage is in the first casting and a second exhaust flow passage is in the second casting. The second exhaust flow passage has a first and second leg that are transversely oriented to each other. A catalyst is disposed in the second exhaust flow passage and configured to treat the exhaust gases. A flow control element is between the first and second flow passages. The flow control element forms a smooth transition that is devoid of edges such that the exhaust gases flow across and are dispersed by the flow control element before being treated by the catalyst.
US09551256B2
A heat exchange unit (214) arranged to be used to recover energy from exhaust gas, the heat exchange unit (214) comprising a gas inlet duct (222) to which a heat exchange duct (216) is connected, wherein a heat exchange array (752, 754) of a heat exchange system is situated within the heat exchange duct (216) surrounding a maintenance duct and wherein the maintenance duct (226) is arranged to allow access for inspection and/or maintenance of at least part of the heat exchange system.
US09551251B2
Systems and methods to selectively control plurality of dosing modules may include receiving data indicative of an exhaust flow rate. An amount of reductant to be dosed may be determined based, at least in part, on the data indicative of the exhaust flow rate. A decomposition delay time may also be determined and a first dosing module and a second dosing module may be selectively activated. The first dosing module may be selectively activated at a first time and the second dosing module is selectively activated at a second time. The second time is based on the first time and the determined decomposition delay time.
US09551250B2
An operation control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: an exhaust emission purifier; a fuel supplying valve for supplying fuel to an exhaust passage; ignition means for igniting the fuel supplied; a warm up determining section for determining whether or not the purifier need be warmed; an exhaust heating determining section for determining whether or not the engine is in an operational state in which the fuel should be ignited and burned; an exhaust heating predicting section for predicting the transition from the operational state in which the fuel should not be ignited and burned to an operational state in which the fuel should be ignited and burned; and a heat generation temperature setting section for setting the temperature of a heating portion of the ignition means based on the result by the heating determining section and the predicting section.
US09551249B2
An aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The aftertreatment system includes in a sequence along the exhaust pipe, a lean NOx trap and a particulate filter. An air/fuel ratio sensor is located upstream of the lean NOx trap and downstream of the turbine outlet to determine the air/fuel ratio during a regeneration process (DeNOx) in the lean NOx trap. A NOx sensor is located downstream of the lean NOx trap or downstream of the particulate filter, to determine NOx in the exhaust pipe. A turbine temperature is determined in accordance with a first means, and a temperature during a desulphation process (DeSOx) in the lean NOx trap is determined in accordance with a second means. At least one of the first and second means for determining a temperature may be a temperature sensor.
US09551237B2
A vehicular fluid power transmitting device has a pump impeller, a turbine runner, damper device, an annular set member and a bearing assembly. The pump impeller has a pump shell. The damper device is provided between a drive source and the pump shell in an axial direction of an output shaft, and has a damper input member that is connected to the drive source, and a damper output member that is connected to the pump shell. The damper output member is connected to the annular set member that is fixed to the pump shell. The damper input member is relatively rotatably supported via the bearing assembly by the annular set member.
US09551235B2
The invention relates to an axial flow machine, in particular a gas turbine with axial hot gas flow. Gaps between rotor-side heat shields are blocked by easily mountable sealing strips, which are arranged with their longitudinal edges in opposing grooves in the side walls of the respective gap.
US09551233B2
One of the components (15), opposite a labyrinth seal (12), is arranged sliding on a conical interface (18) of its support (7, 19) and constructed from a material with different thermal expansions, so as to reduce the clearance with the component face to face (13, 14), at steady state, at high temperature. The sealing surface (25) may be assured by a circulation of oil.
US09551228B2
An airfoil includes leading and trailing edges, a first exterior wall extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge and having inner and outer surfaces, a second exterior wall extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge generally opposite the first exterior wall and having inner and outer surfaces, and cavities within the airfoil. A first cavity extends along the inner surface of the first exterior wall and a first inner wall and has an upstream end and a downstream end, and a feed cavity is located between the first inner wall and the second exterior wall.
US09551227B2
A cooling channel (36, 36B) cools an exterior surface (40 or 42) or two opposed exterior surfaces (40 and 42). The channel has a near-wall inner surface (48, 50) with a width (W1). Interior side surfaces (52, 54) may converge to a reduced channel width (W2). The near-wall inner surface (48, 50) may have fins (44) aligned with a coolant flow (22). The fins may highest at mid-width of the near-wall inner surface. A two-sided cooling channel (36) may have two near-wall inner surfaces (48, 50) parallel to two respective exterior surfaces (40, 42), and may have an hourglass shaped transverse sectional profile. The tapered channel width (W1, W2) and the fin height profile (56A, 56B) increases cooling flow (22) into the corners (C) of the channel for more uniform and efficient cooling.
US09551225B2
Turbomachines having close-coupling flow guides (CCFGs) that are designed and configured to closely-couple flow fields of adjacent bladed elements. In some embodiments, the CCFGs may be located in regions extending between the adjacent bladed elements, described herein as coupling avoidance zones, where conventional turbomachine design would suggest no structure should be added. In yet other embodiments, CCFGs are located upstream and/or downstream of rows of blades coupled to the bladed elements, including overlapping one of more of the rows of blades, to improve flow coupling and machine performance. Methods of designing turbomachines to incorporate CCFGs are also provided.
US09551217B2
A pick assembly is provided, comprising a bit assembly and a holder assembly; the bit assembly comprising a bit support body, a fastener mechanism and a deflectable member, cooperatively configured such the deflectable member can be deflected responsive to the progressive coupling of the bit support body to the fastener mechanism. The holder assembly comprises a holder body and is configured for accommodating and retaining the bit assembly by interference means. The holder assembly and bit assembly are cooperatively configured such that the retention of the bit assembly by the holder assembly by interference means can be progressively increased responsive to the progressive coupling of the bit support body with the fastener mechanism when the bit assembly is accommodated by the holder assembly, operative to prevent substantial movement of the bit support body relative to the holder body in use.
US09551208B2
In some aspects, first and second boundaries are computed based on locations of microseismic events associated with a stimulation treatment of a subterranean region. Based on the first and second boundaries, an uncertainty associated with a stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) for the stimulation treatment is identified. The first and second boundaries are defined in a common spatial domain and at least a portion of the second boundary resides outside the first boundary.
US09551207B2
Estimates of global total “liquid” hydrocarbon resources are dominated by structures known as oil sands or tar sands which represent approximately two-thirds of the total recoverable resources. This is despite the Canadian Athabasca Oil Sands, which dominate these oil sand based reserves at 1.7 trillion barrels, are calculated at only 10% recovery rate. However, irrespective of whether it is the 3.6 trillion barrels recoverable from the oil sands or the 1.75 trillion barrels from conventional oil reservoirs worldwide, it is evident that significant financial return and extension of the time oil is available to the world arise from increasing the recoverable percentage of such resources. According to embodiments of the invention pressure differentials are exploited to advance production of wells, adjust the evolution of the depletion chambers formed laterally between laterally spaced wells to increase the oil recovery percentage, and provide recovery in deeper reservoirs.
US09551191B2
Downhole tools with a topographical pattern, and anti-balling material over the topographical pattern. The topographical pattern may be defined by at least one of a plurality of recesses extending into a surface of a body of the tool and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface. Downhole tools include an insert disposed within a recess in a body, and the insert comprises an anti-balling material having a composition selected to reduce accumulation of formation cuttings on the tools when the tools are used to form or service a wellbore. Downhole tools include anti-balling material disposed over a porous mass provided over the surfaces of the tools. Methods of forming downhole tools include providing anti-balling material over features on and/or in a surface of a body of a tool. Methods of repairing downhole tools include removing an insert therefrom and disposing a replacement insert therein.
US09551187B2
A steering head for use with a casing, the steering head having a generally cylindrical body with a first body end with a lead edge, a second body end with a rear edge, and a body surface extending from the lead edge to the rear edge, an outer tube with an internal side generally facing the body surface, the outer tube extending from the first body end to the second body end, and a steering flap disposed on an external side of the outer tube having a first flap face facing radially inwardly and a second flap face facing radially outwardly. A biased hinge is secured to both the outer tube and the steering flap, the biased hinge being operative to retract the steering flap into a retracted position from an extending position.
US09551185B2
A distributed drive includes a frame, a main sprocket, and a plurality of drive assemblies mounted therearound for rotation of the main sprocket. The main sprocket has a circumferential drive rim around which the drive assemblies are mounted in driving engagement with the drive rim so as to selectively rotate the main sprocket relative to the frame. Each drive assembly includes at least two auxiliary sprockets lying substantially in the plane of the main sprocket. An endless belt is mounted around the auxiliary sprockets so that a span of the endless belt spans between a pair of the auxiliary sprockets in an arc-of-contact with the drive rim. At least one of the two auxiliary sprockets is a selectively driven drive sprocket for selective rotation of the main sprocket.
US09551183B2
A house clamp assembly having a fixed jaw and a slide bar mounted movable jaw, the fixed jaw opposing the movable jaw. A one-way drive means, by operation of a trigger handle grip, releasably engages the slide bar and advances the movable jaw towards the fixed jaw. The one-way drive means is incapable of moving the slide bar and movable jaw away from the fixed jaw. A return motion of the movable jaw (separating) is accomplished manually when the one-way drive means is disengaged. A braking lever, which is biased to bind the slide bar, prevents reverse motion of the slideable jaw away from the fixed jaw, except when the first lever is disengaged from the slide bar. A device for securing a ladder to a building, wherein the removed end of the slide member has a hook shape; wherein the jaws include jaw faces having multiple raised portions, wherein the releasable braking means of the building clamp assembly means includes a pivoting lever; wherein the locking member of the ladder hook assembly includes a pivoting lever, attached at one end to the body, and having a slot dimensioned to slideably receive the hook slide member therethrough; wherein the body of the ladder hook assembly includes a pair of slots dimensioned for and adapted to slideably receive the slide member therethrough; and wherein the slots are arranged to maintain the hook slide member substantially parallel to the slide bar of the building clamp assembly.
US09551173B2
The invention relates to a door lock provided with an oblique bolt. The objective is to decrease the external force directed into to deadlocking organs. The oblique bolt consists of slanted surfaces on both sides such that the tip part is narrower at its tip than in the back part of the tip part. The tip part has recesses in its lower part and upper part, which extend from the tip to the back part. Both recesses have a turning piece. Additionally, the oblique bolt has a support piece and flexing organs. The turning pieces guide external force up to a given turning angle via the support piece and flexing organs into the deadlocking organs.
US09551171B2
A door locking device includes a latch mechanism with which a striker is engageable or from which the striker is disengageable. A first link operates the latch mechanism in an interlocking manner with an inner door handle so as to release the striker. A second link is movable between an unlocked position where the second link is operated in an interlocking manner with the first link and a locked position where the second link is not operated in an interlocking manner with the first link and operates the latch mechanism in an interlocking manner with an outer handle by way of the first link in the unlocked position so as to release the striker. A locking lever changes over the second link between the unlocked position and the locked position.
US09551168B2
A locking device to secure a compartment which allows an intelligent interaction with the user. The locking device may be incorporated into a furniture or other structure requiring locking to prevent and allow access to the compartment.
US09551160B2
A scaffold includes a first end frame assembly. The scaffold includes a second end frame assembly. The scaffold includes a first side brace assembly supported by the first end frame assembly and the second end frame assembly. The scaffold includes a second side brace assembly supported by the first end frame assembly and the second end frame assembly. Each end frame assembly has a first rail with holes and a caster assembly and a second rail with holes and a caster assembly, and a horizontal that is attached to each rail. Each side brace assembly has a locking pin in proximity to each end which engages with a hole in a respective rail, and an associated guard disposed about each pin. Each locking pin has a handle which has a length that extends below the associated guard on an interior side of the guard. A method for a scaffold.
US09551144B2
A sound absorbing cover is made of foam containing magnetic filler and is integrally molded in a three-dimensional shape so as to cover at least a part of a mating member that is a noise source. The sound absorbing cover includes side walls that cover side surfaces of the mating member and a bottom wall that covers a bottom surface of the mating member that intersects with the side surfaces of the mating member. The magnetic filler is oriented in a thickness direction of each of the side walls and the bottom wall. A sound absorbing assembly includes the sound absorbing cover and a fixing cover that is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the sound absorbing cover and that fixes, to a base, the sound absorbing cover and the mating member that is a noise source covered by the sound absorbing cover.
US09551137B2
A system and method of Touch Free Automatic faucet controlled by electronic sensors provides a Primary-Water-Flow-Mode, a Continue-Water-Flow-Mode, a Temperature-Control-Mode, a Faucet-Pause-Mode, an Adjust-Water-Flow-Mode and a Flow-Temperature-Default-Setting-Mode for users to control faucet water flow and water temperature without touching any parts of faucet body. The system comprises at least three electronic sensors, a logical processor circuit board, an electricity power supply package, a water flow control valve assembly, a temperature control valve assembly, at least one faucet body housing and at least one inlet fluid line. From the outputs of the sensors, the logical processor responds to the flow control valve assembly and to the temperature control valve assembly to control water flow and temperature to the faucet spout.
US09551135B2
The present invention provides a mounting system for a plumbing fixture fitting that provides a secure mounting even when the mounting conditions are not optimal.
US09551131B2
A power system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having a work tool. The power system may have an engine, a first input device configured to generate a first signal indicative of an operator-desired output of the engine, a second input device configured to generate a second signal indicative of an operator-desired movement of the work tool, and a controller in communication with the engine, the first input device, and the second input device. The controller may be configured to adjust fueling of the engine based on the first signal and based on a desired speed of the engine during a first mode of operation, and to adjust fueling of the engine based on the first signal and a desired torque of the mobile machine during a second mode of operation. The controller may be further configured to selectively switch operation of the machine between the first and second modes based on the second signal.
US09551127B1
For supporting a foundation of other structure, there is provided a system for driving a pile into the ground using a rotary power device. In one example, a system includes a first member with a first end connecting to a drill and a second end having a keyed protrusion; and a second member having a hollow pile adapted to receive the first member therein, one or more blades along a perimeter of a lower portion, and a keyed opening for receiving the keyed protrusion. In use, a drill is connected with the first member, and the first member is inserted into the second member, and the drill drives the first member into and through the ground. The drill and the first member are removed, leaving the second member positioned into the ground at its desired depth.
US09551126B1
Methods are provided of inhibiting subterranean groundwater flow through a window in frozen soil including (i) introducing at least one conductor having at least one discharge aperture in proximity to the window; and (ii) discharging a grout material including C-18 alpha olefin or a combination of C-16 alpha olefin and C-18 alpha olefin in a flowable state from the at least one conductor, wherein the grout material, upon being discharged, permeates into surrounding soil materials generally without displacement thereof and wherein the grout forms a barrier to inhibit subterranean groundwater flow through the window.
US09551123B2
A basin for swimming pools, artificial ponds and the like, includes, within the bed excavated in the ground for its provision, a layer for protecting the internal surface of the bed, a first waterproofing layer, above the protective layer, an internally hollow structure, which is placed on the first waterproofing layer and whose inner face, directed toward the inside of the basin, is contoured or vertical, in order to provide a correspondingly shaped or substantially vertical wall of the central tank of the basin, a protective layer and a waterproofing layer for the outer face of the hollow structure, and a second waterproofing layer for the inner face of the hollow structure.
US09551121B2
A detachable base insert for use with a traffic delineator post assembly to enhance durability of the post assembly is provided. The traffic delineator post assembly includes a tubular post member and a post base comprising a central opening able to receive the tubular post member. The base insert includes a tubular insert member disposed within an interior wall of the bottom portion of the tubular post member, and a base ring coupled to a bottom portion of the tubular insert member. The base ring serves as a barrier between the bottom of the tubular post member and the ground surface, thereby minimizing surface wear of the tubular post member. The detachable base insert replaces a worn out base retention ring on the tubular post member.
US09551120B2
A friction damping device (100) for damping relative movements between a first structural element and a second structural element of a construction, comprising: —a first damping system (110) for damping a first relative movement component and having a first friction surface (111) and a second friction surface (112), —a second damping system (120) for damping a second relative movement component and having a third friction element (121) and a fourth friction element (122). The first friction surface and the second friction surface of the first and the second damping system form a frictional engagement. The first damping system (110) and the second damping system (120) are placed in series.
US09551118B2
A scraper device for a milling drum mounted in a construction machine at a machine frame between lateral walls with a milling drum axis, with a two-part scraper blade arranged in a height-adjustable fashion behind the milling drum when seen in the direction of travel, the lower part of which can glide over the ground surface milled off by the milling drum, where the lower part of the scraper blade is adjustable in height when in operating position, it is provided that the upper part of the scraper blade is attached, at the upper end, to swivel about a swivelling axis parallel to the axis of the milling drum.
US09551109B2
A fiber reinforced composite material containing a polymeric resin matrix reinforced by fabrics consisting of co-mingled glass/carbon yarns for a doctor blade.
US09551108B2
A dispersion machine for removing impurities from a fiber which includes a housing, a feed port and a discharge port arranged on the housing, and several processing components arranged in the housing wherein the processing component includes a connection portion and a scraping portion. When the processing component moves, the scraping portion is adapted to contact the fiber and moves relative to a surface of the fiber so as to remove impurities from the fiber surface. A feed screw rod and a discharge screw rod for processing material are also arranged in the housing to repeatedly feed material, discharge material and remove impurities form the fiber surface. The dispersion machine can be used to remove impurities from fiber in the papermaking field, textile field and the like, so as to obtain a raw material with a low impurity content.
US09551099B2
A sewing machine includes an embroidery frame moving portion, a sewing portion, a processor, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of acquiring image data created by a device and obtained by capturing an image of a range that includes at least one reference mark and at least one indicator mark, computing positioning data based on the image data, specifying an embroidery pattern to be formed in a sewing workpiece clamped in an embroidery frame, setting at least one of a position and an angle of the embroidery pattern on the sewing workpiece, based on the positioning data, acquiring embroidery data, causing the embroidery frame moving portion and the sewing portion to form the stitches that make up the embroidery pattern in the sewing workpiece, based on the embroidery data.
US09551097B2
A device for producing an absorbent body includes a rotating fiber stacking drum that includes an adsorbent molding section configured to mold fluff pulp into an absorbent body having a desired shape. The rotating fiber stacking drum further includes a cylinder having an outer circumference on which the adsorbent molding section is formed, and paired side walls that close ends of the cylinder, respectively. The device for producing an absorbent body further includes a sucking means, which is configured to generate an air flow from the outer circumference side of the adsorbent molding section toward the inside of the cylinder by sucking air in the rotating fiber stacking drum. The sucking means is connected to each of two side walls of the rotating fiber stacking drum.
US09551079B2
The invention generally relates to systems and methods for producing metal clusters; functionalized surfaces; and droplets including solvated metal ions. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods that involve providing a metal and a solvent. The methods additionally involve applying voltage to the solvated metal to thereby produce solvent droplets including ions of the metal containing compound, and directing the solvent droplets including the metal ions to a target. In certain embodiments, once at the target, the metal ions can react directly or catalyze reactions.
US09551078B2
An electrolytic cell for producing primary aluminum by using inert anodes is disclosed, in which an electrolyte system KF—NaF—AlF3 is used and the operating temperature of the cell is 700-850° C. The electrolytic cell comprises a cell shell, heat insulating refractory lining, a melting pot, a heat insulating cover, inert electrodes, electrode stems, anode bus-bars, cathode bus-bars, anode branching bus-bars, heat insulating plates, partitions between anodes and cathodes and a feeding device. The quality of the aluminum product obtained by using the electrolytic cell is not less than 99.7%. The cell is free from emission of carbon dioxide and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), and hardly has consumption of electrodes, so the distances between anodes and cathodes can be kept stable. The cell is sealed and the volatilization of dust and fluorides can be prevented, and it is useful to recover oxygen gas.
US09551074B2
A solution for providing electroless deposition of a metal layer on a substrate is provided. A solvent is provided. A metal precursor is provided to the solvent. A first borane containing reducing agent is provided to the solvent. A second borane containing reducing agent is provided to the solvent, wherein the first borane containing reducing agent has a deposition rate of at least five times a deposition rate of the second borane containing reducing agent, and wherein the solution is free of nonborane reducing agents.
US09551060B2
A film forming apparatus, for forming a metal oxide film on an object, includes a holding unit and a heating unit. The holding unit includes a first heater and holds the object in a processing chamber. A first heater power supply supplies power to the first heater. A target electrode is electrically connected to a metal target provided above the holding unit. A sputtering power supply is electrically connected to the target electrode. An introduction mechanism supplies an oxygen gas toward the holding unit. The heating unit includes a second heater for heating the object and a moving mechanism for moving the second heater between a region in a first space disposed above the holding unit and a region in a second space separated from the first space. A second heater power supply supplies power to the second heater.
US09551035B2
The present invention pertains to the field of cancer diagnosis. Specifically, it relates to a method for diagnosing pancreas cancer in a subject comprising the steps of determining in a sample of a subject suspected to suffer from pancreas cancer the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the biomarkers shown in Table 1 and comparing the said amount of the at least one biomarker with a reference, whereby pancreas cancer is to be diagnosed. The present invention also contemplates a method for identifying whether a subject is in need of a pancreas cancer therapy comprising the steps of the aforementioned methods and the further step of identifying a subject in need of a pancreas cancer therapy if said subject is to be diagnosed to suffer from pancreas cancer. Contemplated are, furthermore, diagnostic devices and kits for carrying out said methods.
US09551026B2
Methods are provided for carrying out DNA sequencing on a device having upper and lower conductive layers separated by an insulative layer. Holes in the upper conductive layer create discrete attachment sites for DNA fragments. Voltage is applied to the surface to control affinity between the attachment sites and the DNA fragments, and to compact the DNA fragments for discrete optical detection.
US09551024B2
Cotton event pDAB4468.18.07.1 comprises gene expression cassettes which contain genes encoding aad-12 and pat, affording herbicide tolerance to cotton crops containing the event, and enabling methods for crop protection. Embodiments of the subject invention provide polynucleotide-related event detection methods.
US09551021B2
The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for detecting pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, the present invention encompasses methods and compositions for catalyzing the dismutation of superoxide radicals. Further, the present invention encompasses methods for determining the antibiotic susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria.
US09551010B2
Methods of improving retroviral titer in transfection-based production system using eukaryotic cells
The invention relates to methods of improving titer in transfection-based bioreactor culture production or transfection-based production systems using eukaryotic cells.
US09551008B2
The present invention relates to the field of tomato plants having an intense phenotype and Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) resistance.
US09551004B2
Provided to a transgenic tree induced by RabG3bCA and a use thereof. The transgenic tree serves to control xylem growth through RabG3b of Arabidopsis thaliana, and this function is involved in the growth of poplars. Particularly, the transgenic tree is valuable for industrial use since the increase in length of a fiber cell, which is the most important factor of determining pulp quality, is confirmed.
US09551003B2
Four genes, A622, NBB1, PMT, and QPT, can be influenced for increasing nicotinic alkaloid levels in Nicotiana plants, as well as for synthesizing nicotinic alkaloids in non-nicotine producing plants and cells. In particular, overexpressing one or more of A622, NBB1, PMT, and QPT may be used to increase nicotine and nicotinic alkaloid levels in tobacco plants. Non-nicotine producing cells can be engineered to produce nicotine and related compounds by overexpressing A622 and NBB1.
US09551000B2
The present invention relates to the identification of alleles of the MET2 and SKP2 genes having the effect of reducing the production of sulphites, of hydrogen sulphide and of acetaldehyde by Saccharomyces, and to the use of these alleles in methods for controlling the production of these compounds during alcoholic fermentation.
US09550988B2
Provided herein are gapmer oligomeric compounds for reduction of target RNA in vivo comprising different nucleotide modifications within one or both wing regions. Also provided are methods of using such oligomeric compounds, including use in animals. In certain embodiments, such compound have desirable potency and toxicity characteristics.
US09550987B2
The invention provides novel and versatile classes of riboregulators, including inter alia activating and repressing riboregulators, switches, and trigger and sink RNA, and methods of their use for detecting RNAs in a sample such as a well and in modulating protein synthesis and expression.
US09550982B2
The present disclosure relates to polypeptides having transaminase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides.
US09550979B2
The present invention relates to mutant alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes, microorganisms comprising the mutant alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes, and methods for the production of products by microbial fermentation using the microorganisms.
US09550978B2
The invention relates to a method for tagging, identifying and isolating a target cell, wherein the cell is contacted with a capture compound comprising a small molecule moiety, for example a pharmaceutical drug molecule, capable of selectively binding with the cell surface of the target cell, and a function that is capable to covalently or quasi-covalently bind to a surface as a marker or tagging function. In some embodiments the capture compound also includes a photoactivatable reactivity function. The capture compound attaches to a particle that mediates identification or isolation of the tagged cell.
US09550975B2
Objects of the present invention are to provide a method for directly obtaining pluripotent stem cells from body tissue and the thus obtained pluripotent stem cells. The present invention relates to SSEA-3 (+) pluripotent stem cells that can be isolated from body tissue.
US09550973B2
A recombinant gram-negative bacterial cell comprising one or more of the following mutated protease genes: a) a mutated Tsp gene, wherein the mutated Tsp gene encodes a Tsp protein having reduced protease activity or is a knockout mutated Tsp gene; b) a mutated ptr gene, wherein the mutated ptr gene encodes a Protease III protein having reduced protease activity or is a knockout mutated ptr gene; and c) a mutated DegP gene encoding a DegP protein having chaperone activity and reduced protease activity; wherein the cell is isogenic to a wild-type bacterial cell except for the mutated Tsp gene and/or mutated ptr gene and/or mutated DegP gene and optionally a polynucleotide sequence encoding a protein of interest.
US09550964B2
This disclosure relates to detergent compositions containing pyridinol-N-oxide compounds and being substantially free of bleach. Methods for treating a stained fabric using such detergent compositions are also disclosed.
US09550963B2
A detergent emulsifier for laundry and other hard surface cleaning using an APE-free surfactant blend is disclosed. The emulsifier system is efficacious for removal of oily soils and greasy food removal. The compositions according to the invention include linear and branched fatty alcohol ethoxylates and ethoxylate propoxylate block copolymers. Methods of using the same are disclosed.
US09550962B2
The need for a stable, compact composition providing improved fabric care benefit, that is also convenient to use, can be met by incorporating a cationic cellulose polymer into a non-aqueous composition, using a non-aqueous dispersant. Such compositions have good physical stability, with little or no clumping of the cationic polymer in particulate form.
US09550959B2
Suggested is a perfume composition, comprising (a) Petit grain oil and (b) Hydroxy carboxylic acid esters, which is particular useful for fighting various malodors.
US09550958B2
A sulphurised calcium phenate detergent is made by (i) reacting hydrogenated distlled CNSL with a calcium salt and sulphur in the presence of a promoter and process solvent; (ii) reacting the product of (i) with additional calcium salt and promoter, and with a co-surfactant, and then carbonating; and optionally (iii) further carbonating the reaction mixture to obtain overbased sulphurised calcium phenate.
US09550957B2
Provided are formulations, methods of making, and methods of using a functional fluid of the present invention to achieve and maintain optimal frictional characteristics in machines housing that fluid, wherein the functional fluid comprises, among others, a friction-modifying amount of an alkyl toluene sulfonate salt or a mixture of alkyl toluene sulfonate salts.
US09550954B2
The invention pertains to certain (per)fluoropolyether triazine derivatives comprising at least one triazine group and at least one fluoropolyoxyalkene chain (chain Rf) comprising a fluorocarbon segment having ether linkages in main chain, said chain Rf comprising at least one hydroxyl group, to a method for their manufacture and to their use in lubrication, in particular for lubricating sliding or moving parts of magnetic recording media.
US09550948B2
The invention relates to a process for removing sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream. The hydrocarbon stream is contacted with water, at supercritical conditions and also subjects an effluent hydrocarbon stream to separation techniques. The resulting hydrocarbon stream is substantially free of sulfur oxides, sulfoxides, and sulfones.
US09550945B1
A portable, semi-portable, or permanent system for removing BS&W from crude oil at the local production or bulk storage site. A demulsifier is added to the crude as it enters a low shear pump which pumps the mixture through a plate and frame type heat exchanger where the incoming crude is preheated using outgoing heated and dehydrated crude. Then the incoming crude enters an oil-water separator where it is further heated by a secondary heater within the separator and passes through a special coalescing section. Water and basic sediment separate from the crude are discharged from the bottom of the separator. The heated dehydrated crude exits the separator, flows back through the heat exchanger where it is cooled as it preheats incoming crude, and then is pumped to clean oil storage. BS&W and flow monitors on the incoming crude and outgoing crude are used to control operation of the system.
US09550944B2
The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of bitumen from an oil sand comprising the following phases in succession: (a) mixing an oil sand with a diluent capable of reducing the viscosity and density of the bitumen contained in said oil sand, obtaining a first mixture (slurry) comprising diluted bitumen; (b) mixing said slurry with a basic aqueous solution (BAS) possibly containing salts to increase its ionic strength, capable of removing said diluted bitumen from said oil sand containing it, obtaining a second mixture (BAS-slurry) which can be separated into (i) a liquid phase comprising said diluted bitumen, a fraction of oil sand free of the bitumen removed and water; (ii) a sediment comprising the remaining fraction of said oil sand free of the bitumen removed, water and residual hydrocarbons which can be eliminated by subsequent washings; (c) separating a liquid phase comprising said diluted bitumen removed, from said BAS-slurry mixture; (d) recovering, from said liquid phase separated in phase (c), the removed diluted bitumen contained therein.
US09550941B2
A compound of the formula (I), wherein one or two radicals of the radicals R1 are independently of one another C1-C20alkyloxy or C3-C12cycloalkyloxy and the remaining radicals R1 are independently of one another hydrogen, C1-C20alkyl or C3-C12cycloalkyl; the radicals R0 and R2 are independently of one another hydrogen, C1-C20alkyl, C3-C12cycloalkyl or a group of the formula (II-a) with R3 being hydrogen, C1-C20alkyl, C3-C12cycloalkyl, C1-C20alkyloxy or C3-C12cycloalkyloxy; Y is C2-C12alkylene; m is 0 or 1; n is 1, 2 or 3; when n is 1, X is hydrogen, C1-C20alkyl, C3-C12cycloalkyl or a group of the formula (II-a); when n is 2, X is C2-C12alkylene; when n is 3, X is a group N(Z—)3 with Z being C2-C12alkyl.
US09550931B2
A temporary adhesive material for a wafer includes a first temporary adhesive layer of a silicone-containing polymer layer containing a photo base generator and a second temporary adhesive layer of a silicone-containing polymer layer which is laminated on the first temporary adhesive layer, does not contain the photo base generator, and is different from the polymer layer. Thereby, there can be formed a temporary adhesive layer having high thickness uniformity, even on a wafer having a step. Because of the thickness uniformity, a thin wafer having a uniform thickness of 50 μm or less can be easily obtained. When a thin wafer is produced and then delaminated from a support, the wafer can be delaminated from the support by exposure at a low exposure dose without stress. Therefore, a brittle thin wafer can be easily handled without causing damage, and a thin wafer can be easily produced.
US09550918B2
There are provided a radically curable adhesive composition maintaining adhesiveness thereof even in high-humidity environments, and a polarizing plate including the radically curable adhesive composition. The radically curable adhesive composition includes: a compound represented by Formula 1; a vinyl ether-based compound; a carboxylic acid compound having at least one unsaturated double bond; and a radical initiator.
US09550916B2
This invention relates to a silicone material satisfying any of the following conditions in an elemental composition percentage of the silicone material surface according to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ESCA): (i) the elemental composition percentage of carbon atoms is from 50.0 to 70.0 atom %; (ii) a ratio of the elemental composition percentage of carbon atoms to the elemental composition percentage of silicon atoms (C/Si) is from 2.0 to 5.0; or (iii) both of the above conditions (i) and (ii). The silicone material is stable against light and heat, in which a decrease in transmittance and generation of cracks do not tend to occur.
US09550914B2
The present invention relates to a coating composition in the form of a loose powder including the following by weight: 50% to 99.99% of polyamide powder, and 0.01% to 0.5% of polypropylene glycol, out of the total weight of the composition. The present invention relates in particular to a coating composition in the form of a powder including the following by weight: 50% to 99.9% of polyamide powder, 0.01% to 10% of at least one pigment and 0.01% to 0.5% of polypropylene glycol, out of the total weight of the composition. The present invention relates in particular to the use of said composition in methods for coating objects, in particular metal, by means of stuccoing.
US09550913B2
The present invention provides novel packaging articles, e.g., food and beverage cans. Preferred cans typically comprise a body portion and an end portion, wherein at least one of the body and end portions are aluminum and are coated on at least one major surface with a coating composition of the present invention. Suitable coating compositions of the present invention comprise: one or more polyester resins, wherein at least one of the polyester resins has a glass transition temperature (“Tg”) less than about 50° C., and wherein the polyester resin is formed by the reaction of one or more polyacid molecules and one or more polyol molecules; and a crosslinker. Preferred compositions are substantially free of mobile BPA and aromatic glycidyl ether compounds, e.g., BADGE, BFDGE and epoxy novalacs (e.g., NOGE) and more preferred compositions are also substantially free of bound BPA and aromatic glycidyl ether compounds. In more preferred embodiments (e.g., alcoholic beverage cans), the polyol molecules used to make the polyester resin are substantially free of NPG. The present invention also provides a method of making such cans.
US09550911B2
Epoxy resin compositions prepared using amino terminated fluoro alkyl ethers. The epoxy resin compositions exhibit low surface adhesion properties making them useful as coatings, paints, moldings, adhesives, and fiber reinforced composites.
US09550904B2
Disclosed is a recording method including recording which includes attaching a color ink composition, which contains a coloring material, and a reaction solution, which includes an aggregating agent which aggregates components of the color ink composition, to a recording medium in no particular order, in which the color ink composition gives recorded matter with a glossiness at 60° of 60 to 100 when the color ink composition is individually attached to a recording medium with a glossiness at 60° of 80 to 100.
US09550901B2
An inkjet printing method includes providing an inkjet composition, which includes a radiation curable monomer or oligomer, a photo-initiator, and an inhibitor present in an amount sufficient to prevent full curing of the radiation curable monomer or oligomer during an initial exposure to a curing energy. First drops of the inkjet composition are deposited onto a substrate. The curing energy is selected such that it is sufficient to substantially consume the inhibitor. The first drops are exposed to the curing energy, whereby the first drops retain substantially a same surface tension as a liquid drop of the inkjet composition. Second drops of the inkjet composition are deposited adjacent to the first drops. The first and second drops are exposed to the curing energy, whereby the first drops are at least partially cured and the second drops retain substantially the same surface tension as a liquid drop of the inkjet composition.
US09550894B2
Polyester materials, methods for making polyesters materials, and uses of the polyester materials in binder materials and articles of manufacture are disclosed. In one embodiment, a process is provided for preparing a polyester solution, including mixing monomers of at least one organic acid containing at least three carboxylic groups and at least one multi-hydroxyl alcohol containing at least three hydroxyl groups to form a reaction mixture, heating the reaction mixture to a first temperature, polymerizing the monomers at the first temperature until reaching an acid value from about 200 to about 400 mg KOH/g, adjusting the temperature to a second temperature less than the first temperature, and forming the polyester solution. The polyester materials may be mixed with cross-linking materials to form binder materials. The binder material may then be used to form articles of manufacture.
US09550891B2
A rubber composition for manufacturing tyres includes one or more diene elastomers, one or more reinforcing fillers, and a vulcanization system. The vulcanization system includes one or more thiazoline compounds chosen from compounds of formula I and compounds of formula II: Certain specific thiazoline derivatives are described.
US09550877B2
The present invention is directed to provide at least one of a novel thermosetting resin composition using an epoxy compound, a method for producing the composition, a method for producing a novel cured resin using an epoxy compound, and a novel method for causing self-polymerization of an epoxy compound. The thermosetting resin composition includes an epoxy compound, a gallium compound, and a silanol source compound. The method for producing the thermosetting resin composition includes a step of mixing the epoxy compound with the gallium compound and the silanol source compound. The method for producing a cured resin includes a step of heating an epoxy compound in the presence of a gallium compound and silanol. The method for causing self-polymerization of an epoxy compound is characterized by using a gallium compound and silanol as catalysts.
US09550872B2
The present invention relates to a process for recovering individual polymers, such as nylon and polyolefin, from a nylon-containing source such as a carpet. The process includes the steps of shredding a nylon fiber source such as a carpet wherein the shredding is conducted in the presence of a liquid that wets the carpet, granulating the wet shredded carpet slurry, further diluting the granulated slurry by adding additional water, subsequently refining the fibers and removing substantial amounts of polypropylene fibers from the slurry, preferably using a lamella clarifier, and recovering the nylon fibers by hydrocloning the slurry.
US09550865B2
An ion-immobilized metal oxide particle includes a metal oxide particle and an anion that itself includes a) a reactive group that consists of an alkoxysilyl group and b) an anionic group consisting of a carboxylate (—COO−) group or a sulfonate (—SO3−) group, the anion being immobilized to the metal oxide particle via a silanol group derived from the reactive group. An elastomer includes the ion-immobilized metal oxide particle, and a transducer includes the elastomer.
US09550859B2
A composition comprising linked segments of: (a) a polyhydroxy segment derived from a compound independently selected an acyclic polyhydric alcohol having 4 to 6 carbon atoms and 4 to 6 reactive hydroxyl groups; a cyclic polyhydric alcohol having 4 to 6 carbon atoms and 4 to 6 reactive hydroxyl groups, a poly(hydroxyethyl) polyethyleneamine having 4 to 6 reactive hydroxyl groups and combinations thereof; (b) polyoxyalkylene segments wherein each hydroxyl group of the polyhydroxyl segment is linked to a polyoxyalkylene segment; (d) and aliphatic end segments or aromatic end segments, each end segment having 6 to 32 carbon atoms and a hydroxyl reactive group, wherein the mole ratio of the polyoxyalkylene segment to the polyhydroxy segment is at least 4:1 and the mole ratio of the aliphatic or aromatic end segment to the polyhydroxy segment is at least 0.25:1.
US09550857B2
The present invention relates to new, urethane-group-containing polyisocyanates based on aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic diisocyanates, and to their use.
US09550852B2
Method for producing vinyl ester urethane resins based on dianhydrohexitol compounds and use thereof
Disclosed is a method for producing vinyl ester urethane resins, in which a dianhydrohexitol-compound is reacted with a diisocyanate in the presence of a monomeric radically co-polymerizable compound as a solvent and the product is reacted with a hydroxy-substituted (meth)acrylate. As a result, vinyl ester urethane resins based on dianhydrohexitol-compounds and also based on renewable raw materials can be obtained in a simple manner with high yields. The resins are suitable as binding agents in chemical fixing engineering.
US09550850B2
A rubber composition for a tire tread comprising: a diene rubber; a silica having an N2SA of from 194 to 225 m2/g and a CTAB of from 180 to 210 m2/g; and a polysiloxane represented by the average composition formula of formula (1) and contained in an amount of from 1 to 20 mass % with respect to the quantity of silica. (A)a(B)b(C)c(D)d (R1)3SiO(4-2a-b-c-d-e)/2. Also provided is a pneumatic tire having tire treads formed using the rubber composition.
US09550838B2
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions dock and lock (DNL) complexes comprising an AD moiety selected from an AKAP protein and a DDD moiety selected from a protein kinase A regulatory subunit. Also disclosed are fusion proteins comprising an AD moiety or DDD moiety attached to an effector moiety. The DDD moieties form dimers that bind to the AD moiety to form the DNL complexes. The effector moieties may be selected from a wide range of known effector moieties that produce one or more physiological effects, including but not limited to cell death. The DNL complexes may further comprise one or more diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents. The DNL complexes are of use for treating and/or diagnosing a variety of diseases or conditions.
US09550825B2
The present invention provides a humanized anti-HMGB1 antibody which specifically binds to a sequence consisting of the C-terminal 8 amino acid residues (EEEDDDDE) of HMGB1 protein and is effective for treatment or prevention of various inflammatory diseases related to this protein, as well as an antigen-binding fragment thereof. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising such an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.
US09550824B2
A ligand includes each of the complementary-determining regions (CDRs) set forth in SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 2, SEQ ID No. 3 SEQ ID No. 4, SEQ ID No. 5 and SEQ ID No. 6 or any sequence having either number of substituted aminoacids within said sequences as indicated in the following, from 0 to 3 in CDR1 (SEQ ID No.1), from 0 to 2 in CDR2 (SEQ ID No.2), from 0 to 2 in CDR3 (SEQ ID No.3), from 0 to 1 in CDR4 (SEQ ID No.4), from 0 to 4 in CDR5 (SEQ ID No.5), from 0 to 2 in CDR6 (SEQ ID No.6), or aminoacids substituted with other aminoacids having equivalent chemical functions and properties, within said sequences SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 6.
US09550807B2
The present invention relates to the use of compounds selected from the group consisting of Lys-(D)Pro-Thr, N-acyl Lys-(D)Pro-Thr, C-amide Lys-(D)Pro-Thr, and C-esters of Lys-(D)Pro-Thr; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said compound for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. The invention also relates to the use of αMSH for inducing tolerance.
US09550806B2
Immunogens against human extended-progastrin species comprise (A) a mimetic peptide comprised of (i) the amino acid sequence of a progastrin or a N- and/or C-terminal processed species of a progastrin joined to (ii) a 7 amino-acid spacer coupled to (B) an immunogenic carrier. Illustrative of the mimetic peptide/spacer combination are a 21 amino-acid peptide (SEQ ID NO.: 1) and other, related polypeptides (SEQ ID NOs.: 2-5). Pharmaceutical compositions containing such an immunogen display improved immunological properties, including the induction of effective antibody levels shortly after the administration of an initial course of immunogen. Levels of antibody thus elicited stay elevated for several months and readily elevate to higher levels upon subsequent boosting by a single injection of immunogen.
US09550805B2
The invention is directed to a Ca2+ precipitable polypeptide tags and cassettes useful for purification of molecules from heterogeneous samples. The invention also relates to methods for bioseparation of molecules comprising Ca2+ precipitable tags and cassettes.
US09550802B2
The invention provides novel compounds and compositions and methods for making and using the compounds and compositions. In particular, the use of organic acid salts promotes solubility. These more soluble forms are suitable for use in various diseases, notably diseases of lung, muscle, metabolism and eyesight.
US09550793B2
The present disclosure relates to a series of spirocyclic compounds of formula (I), their stereoisomers, tautomers, prodrugs, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, polymorphs, solvates, hydrates, N-Oxides, Co crystals and formulations thereof. The disclosure also relates to process of preparation of these spirocyclic compounds. These compounds are useful in the treatment, prevention, prophylaxis, management, or adjunct treatment of all medical conditions related to inhibition of acyl CoA diacyl glycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1).
US09550791B2
The present invention relates to polymers comprising a repeating unit of the formula (I), and their use as organic semiconductor in organic electronic devices, especially in organic photovoltaics and photodiodes, or in a device containing a diode and/or an organic field effect transistor. The polymers according to the invention can have excellent solubility in organic solvents and excellent film-forming properties. In addition, high efficiency of energy conversion, excellent field-effect mobility, good on/off current ratios and/or excellent stability can be observed, when the polymers according to the invention are used in organic field effect transistors, organic photovoltaics (solar cells) and photodiodes.
US09550789B2
Provided herein are halogenated indole and benzofuran derivatives of isoquinuclidene and intermediates thereto, and processes, preferably enantioselective processes, for preparing such derivatives including processes for preparing (−) and (+) noribogaine, in substantially enantiomerically pure forms.
US09550785B2
The present invention relates to Compounds of formula (I) and salts thereof: wherein R1 is n-C3-6alkyl; R2 is hydrogen or methyl; R3 is hydrogen or C1-6alkyl, and m is an integer having a value of 0 to 3; are inducers of human interferon. Compounds which induce human interferon may be useful in the treatment of various disorders, for example the treatment of allergic diseases and other inflammatory conditions, for example allergic rhinitis and asthma, infectious diseases and cancer, and may also be useful as vaccine adjuvants.
US09550782B2
Hydrogenated pyrido[4,3-b]indoles, pyrido[3,4-b]indoles and azepino[4,5-b]indoles are described. The compounds may bind to and are antagonists of the adrenergic receptor α2A. The compounds may also bind to and are an antagonist of the adrenergic receptor α2B; or the compounds are not antagonists of the adrenergic receptor α2B and the compounds are administered in conjunction with a second agent that reduces, or is expected to reduce, blood pressure in an individual. The compounds may find use in therapy, e.g., to regulate blood glucose level, increase insulin secretion and treat diseases or conditions that are, or are expected to be, responsive to an increase in insulin production. Use of the compounds to treat type 2 diabetes is particularly described.
US09550767B2
Crystalline Forms I and II of (R)-7-chloro-N-(quinuclidin-3-yl)benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamide hydrochloride monohydrate and compositions, methods of manufacture and therapeutic uses thereof are described.
US09550761B2
The present invention relates to modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (“CFTR”), compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using such modulators.
US09550759B2
New compounds of formula I are described. The compounds have potentially valuable pharmaceutical properties in the treatment of some central and peripheral nervous system disorders.
US09550755B2
The present invention provides a compound of formula I: a method for manufacturing the compounds of the invention, and its therapeutic uses. The present invention further provides a combination of pharmacologically active agents and a pharmaceutical composition.
US09550752B2
The present invention relates to novel triazolinthione derivatives, to processes for preparing these compounds, to compositions comprising these compounds, and to the use thereof as biologically active compounds, especially for control of harmful microorganisms in crop protection and in the protection of materials and as plant growth regulators.
US09550749B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel endoparasite control agent as a parasiticide, an antiprotozoal or the like. Provided is an endoparasite control agent comprising a carboxamide derivative represented by the general formula (I): or a salt thereof as an active ingredient.
US09550747B2
The present invention relates to a new crystalline form of dapagliflozin represented by formula (I). The crystalline form has a characteristic absorption peak at about 4.318 (20.45) in an X-ray powder diffraction pattern shown by angle 2 theta and interplanar spacing (value d). It can be prepared by dissolving dapagliflozin in good organic solvents, adding poor solvents, stirring to crystallization, filtering and drying. The new crystalline form of dapagliflozin of the present invention has the following superior features: good solubility, low hygroscopicity, high stability and good preparation reproducibility.
US09550741B2
Disclosed are benzoisothiazole compounds and a use in the preparation of anti-schizophrenia drugs. The benzoisothiazole compounds of the present invention not only have strong affinity for dopamine D3 receptor, 5-HT1A receptor and 5-HT2A receptor, but also can observably improve the symptoms of schizophrenia relevant to apomorphine model and MK-801 model mice, with oral absorption being good, safety being high and side-effect being less, and having developmental value as new anti-neurotic disease drugs. The present invention is the compounds having a structure of general formula (I), or geometric isomers, free alkalies, salts, hydrates or solvates thereof.
US09550740B2
Provided are compounds which are useful for controlling microorganisms in aqueous or water-containing systems or in systems which are exposed to moisture, including at elevated temperature. The antimicrobial compounds are of the formula I: wherein n, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and X are as defined herein.
US09550736B2
A method for obtaining salts of bicyclic imidazole compounds (V) having general structural formulae in which A represents a monovalent cation, X represents independently a carbon atom, an oxygen atom, a sulphur atom or a nitrogen atom. Also, the associated production method and to the use thereof, in particular as an electrolyte component for batteries.
US09550733B2
Provided are compounds of Formula I which are derivatives of 3-Hydroxypyridin-4-ones. The compounds may be used in treatment of a medical condition related to a toxic concentration of iron. The compounds may be used for preparation of a medicament for treatment of a medical condition related to a toxic concentration of iron. The medical condition related to a toxic concentration of iron may be selected from the group consisting of: cancer, pulmonary disease, progressive kidney disease and Friedreich's ataxia.
US09550731B2
Processes and systems for synthesizing organic peroxides are provided. One or more of the reactions described herein may be performed in a continuous reactor, optionally including at least one microscale reaction channel. Additionally, at least one phase transfer catalyst may be used to facilitate reaction of components present in a multiphase reaction mixture.
US09550728B2
The present invention relates to a thermo-responsive draw solute that can be applied to water desalination and purification based on forward osmosis. The thermo-responsive draw solute has a molar mass of 50 to 3000 g/mol and undergoes a phase transition at a temperature of 0° C. to 70° C. The thermo-responsive draw solute creates optimum conditions for the desalination of seawater and the purification of contaminated water based on forward osmosis. The present invention also relates to a method for water desalination and purification using the thermo-responsive draw solute. The method consumes little energy for water desalination or purification, is simple to apply to water desalination or purification, and enables separation of the draw solute in a very easy manner.
US09550715B2
The invention relates to a method for synthesizing glycolic acid or one of the salts thereof, including the following step: placing glycerol and an oxidizing agent in contact with one another in a reaction medium in the presence of a silver-based catalyst on a substrate, said substrate including a material selected from the group consisting of CeO2, basic Al2O3 optionally doped with a calcium or cerium oxide, an amphoteric resin, ZrO2, and a mixture of said materials. The invention also relates to the use of a silver-based catalyst on a substrate that can be used in said method.
US09550713B1
The present invention relates to the depolymerization of polymers and the recovery of the starting materials used for the production of the polymer. The present invention also relates to the depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the recovery of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol.
US09550708B2
A process for catalytic conversion of low value hydrocarbon streams to light olefins in comparatively higher yields is disclosed. Propylene is obtained in amounts higher than 20 wt. % and ethylene higher than 6 wt. %. The process is carried out in a preheated cracking reactor having a single riser and circulating an FCC catalyst. The riser is divided into three temperature zones in which different hydrocarbon feeds are introduced. An oxygenate feed is introduced in the operative top zone in the riser. Heat for the endothermic cracking is obtained by the exothermic reaction of converting the oxygenate feed into gas and/or from a regenerator in which the spent FCC catalyst is burnt.
US09550701B2
A technique of forming a carbon-carbon composite material includes infusing a liquid carbonizable precursor into a porous preform, and the infused precursor is subsequently pyrolyzed to convert the precursor to isotropic carbon. The preform then can be densified with a densifying agent, followed by infusion of the liquid carbonizable precursor into the densified preform. In some examples, after pyrolyzing the liquid carbonizable precursor, isotropic carbon extends substantially throughout a volume of the carbon-carbon composite material.
US09550692B2
Feeder channel for molten glass including an infrastructure including a block self-cast and sintered in situ. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a block of such an infrastructure and a supply channel for a glassmaking furnace are claimed.
US09550650B2
A traverse device and a traverse method for winding wire materials are provided. A guide roller is placed near the outer circumference of a reel body and inclined, around the rotation center (center of curvature of an R guide) located near the outer edge of the guide roller on the side near the reel body as the fulcrum, in a direction in which the roller outer edge recedes from one of reel flanges ahead in the traverse direction on the side apart from the reel body. The inclining direction is switched at the midpoint position between the reel flanges, and with the guide roller being inclined at all times, a reel is rotated while being moved in the axis direction to wind a wire material on the reel.
US09550632B2
Diverting device for diverting containers, for example bottles, from a transport path, the diverting device including a stationary frame that is disposed next to the transport path and in which at least two movably formed diverting segments are disposed perpendicularly to the central axis of the transport path, the diverting segments being suitable to divert a container from the transport path. Each of the diverting segments includes a diverting surface that is parallel to the transport direction of the containers in the transport path and that can come in contact with a container to be diverted.
US09550622B2
Improvements in containers are provided, and in particular improvements in containers for preparing and dispensing foamable beverage and food products. The package may contain at least a liquid primary ingredient and a secondary ingredient and comprises at least one wall defining a chamber at least partially filled with the primary ingredient, an outlet for dispensing the prepared product, and a capsule surrounding the primary ingredient separating the secondary ingredient from the primary ingredient. The capsule may be attached to insides of opposing walls of the package such that as the opposing walls are moved further apart the capsule breaks. At least one of the ingredients may include a foaming agent such that the foamed product is produced when the capsule is broken and the primary and secondary ingredients mix.
US09550620B2
A sterile cover for a touchscreen device is provided that includes a transparent, electrically conductive screen area adapted to cover a screen of the touchscreen device and including a first sterile material. The sterile cover also includes a perimeter area surrounding the screen region and having an opening adapted to receive the touchscreen device and including a second sterile material. A removable sterile cover for substantially encapsulating a touchscreen device is provided that includes an opening for inserting the touchscreen device into the cover and a closure for closing the opening. A device for dispensing sterile covers for touchscreen devices is provided that includes a chamber adapted to enclose a plurality of sterile covers and an actuator adapted to move a next sterile cover of into a ready position. The device also includes a loading area adapted to hold a touchscreen device.
US09550618B1
In one aspect, a shipping container includes a plurality of thermally insulating pads positioned in a cavity in a box. Each pad of the plurality of thermally insulating pads includes a solid compostable panel formed primarily of extruded milled sorghum, the panel providing a rectangular plate, and a compostable water-proof film forming a pocket enclosing the panel. The panel is loose within the pocket. At least one of the plurality of thermally insulating pads includes a multi-section panel including a score across its width in at least one location. The score extends partially but not entirely through the thickness of the multi-section panel. The multi-section panel is folded at a right angle at the score such that the panel provides a plurality of rectangular plates dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the plurality of plates is adjacent.
US09550616B2
A container having provisions that indicate tampering or previous attempts in opening the container is described. The container includes a peel tab for opening the container to thereby gain access to the container interior and contents therein. The container further includes pull tab provisions which must be at least partially separated from a container substrate, in order to gain access to the peel tab. Separation of the pull tab provisions provides indication of tampering or prior opening attempts. Related methods of providing such indication are also described.
US09550611B2
A lid and closure member assembly for placement on a container is provided. The lid includes a cover portion, an access port and an elongated channel defined in the cover portion. The channel may include two opposing side walls, two opposing end walls and a bottom. The channel's side walls can each include an inwardly-projecting lip forming an undercut for slidably receiving a portion of the closure member. The closure member includes an access port cap, a retainer slidably received within the channel and a strap extending between the access port cap and the retainer. The closure member is selectively movable between open and closed positions. The access port cap may cover the access port when the retainer is in a first position within the channel or may be at least partially received within the channel when the retainer is in a second position within the channel.
US09550610B2
The bag may include a draw tape that may be used to cinch closed the opening of the bag. The draw tape has at least one stretched elastomeric strip attached to the draw tape in an extended condition. The draw tape may be smaller in size than the bag sidewalls. The draw tape may include an elastic characteristic, such as patterned ribs. In one embodiment, the roll of bag is kept under tension to maintain the elastomeric strips in a stretched condition.
US09550597B2
A material removal method for removing net wrap or twine from the outer surface of a bale of material. The method comprises the steps of cutting the net wrap or twine material along a length of the bale, placing a first spear (62, 162) of a material wind-up system (60, 160) between the bale and the material, rotating the material wind-up system to wind the net wrap or twine material around the first (62, 162) and a second spear (64, 164) and stripping the material from the first and second spears.
US09550596B2
A method of sealing a container and a lid by melt adhesion by laser. Either the container or the lid has a thermoplastic resin that permits the laser beam to transmit through and the other one has a resin composition of the thermoplastic resin containing a heat-generating substance. Further, the laser beam applies a rectangular beam having a uniform intensity distribution. The upper-limit of temperature is not lower than a melting point of the thermoplastic resin but lower than a thermal decomposition start temperature thereof in the melt adhesion interface between the container and the lid, and the temperature reaches the upper-limit in a heating time t (msec) represented by the following formula (1), t (msec)=L/S (1) where L is the length (mm) of the rectangular beam in the scanning direction, and S is the rate of laser scanning (mm/msec) of not higher than 1.65 mm/msec.
US09550595B2
The invention relates to a method for operating a chamber packaging machine, wherein the position of a sealing bar is during the evacuation of a diaphragm checked using a sensor.
US09550590B2
A hand held tool for the tensioning and severing of cable ties, including reciprocating means for tensioning the cable tie tail, locking means to prevent further tensioning upon the attainment of a preselected tension level in the tie tail, and severing means to sever the tie tail from the cable tie head.
US09550589B2
A method for fastening a paper product roll entity to a pallet by continuous plastic foil. The pallet has a cross direction and a longitudinal direction. A first sequence is repeated at least once. The first sequence includes wrapping the paper product roll entity such that a first continuous foil unwound from a foil head travels over the paper product roll entity and under the pallet, and moving in a cross direction a head of the foil or the pallet having the paper product roll entity on its substantially horizontal plane. After the first sequence, a second sequence is repeated at least once. The second sequence includes wrapping a second continuous foil spirally around the paper product roll entity.
US09550585B2
Techniques for deorbiting a satellite include executing an orbit transfer maneuver that transfers the satellite from an operational orbit to an interim orbit. The operational orbit is substantially geosynchronous and has (i) an inclination of greater than 70 degrees; (ii) a nominal eccentricity in the range of 0.25 to 0.5; (iii) an argument of perigee of approximately 90 or approximately 270 degrees; (iv) a right ascension of ascending node of approximately 0; and (v) an operational orbit apogee altitude. The interim orbit has an initial second apogee altitude that is at least 4500 km higher than the first apogee altitude, and the interim orbit naturally decays, subsequent to the orbit transfer maneuver, such that the satellite will reenter Earth's atmosphere no longer than 25 years after completion of the orbit transfer maneuver.
US09550580B2
This description relates to a strapped windshield assembly for a rotorcraft. In some implementations, the rotorcraft includes an airframe, a windshield, and a plurality of independent straps connected to the airframe and the windshield, the straps operative to move independently with respect to one another. The independent movement of the straps allow relative movement of portions of the windshield in response to a strike. In some implementations, the straps are spaced every 4-6 inches along an edge of the windshield. In some implementations, the straps are over an edge of the windshield. The straps can have a modulus of elasticity of 8-12 millions of pounds per square inch (MSI). The windshield can include polycarbonate material.
US09550573B2
An aircraft cabin (26) has a plurality of seat units (10) including first (10) and second (12) seat units in a first row (22) and a third seat unit (14) in a second row (24). The first and second seat units (10, 12) are separated by an aisle (38). The seats all face in the same direction (31), said direction (31) being inclined to the longitudinal axis (30) by a seat offset angle (Sθ), and are configurable between a bed mode and a seat mode. A console (20a) of the first seat unit (10) is directly adjacent to the aisle (38) and accommodates a foot-well (40) for use by a passenger in the seat (18c) of the third seat unit (14). At least a part of the console (20a) of the first seat unit (10), in a region no higher than a first distance from the floor, extends further into the aisle (38) than the rest of the first seat unit (10) in a region higher than the first distance from the floor.
US09550570B2
The present invention provides a system and method for supplying, generating, conserving, and managing oxygen that is ideally suited for use on-board an aircraft for supply of breathable oxygen to passengers and flight crew. The system includes several components that together optimize oxygen utilization while reducing costs from maintenance and added weight of traditional pressurized gaseous cylinders. Components of the system include a pressurized cylinder of oxygen enriched gas or a chemical oxygen generator for rapid use in emergency situations, an on-board oxygen generator (OBOG) of the ceramic oxygen generator (COG) type incorporating solid electrolyte oxygen separation (SEOS) technology, a controller, a pulsed oxygen supplier, a crew/passenger breathing mask, and one or more sensors including sensors that detect inhale/exhale phases and communicate with the controller so that flow of oxygen may be regulated for conservation and to adapt to physiological needs.
US09550564B2
An electric taxi system (ETS) for an aircraft may include an electric motor positioned on a landing gear assembly of the aircraft; and one or more selectively operable engaging members for selectively coupling the ETS with a wheel of the aircraft. The engaging members may be drivably coupled to the electric motor. The engaging members may each have a base member and a leading end. An axis of the base member and an axis of the leading end may be in straight-line alignment upon initial engagement of the engaging member with the wheel. The axes of the leading end and the base member may displaced from a straight-line alignment responsively to lateral forces exerted on the leading end resulting from deflections of the wheel during taxiing of the aircraft.
US09550556B2
A power system for dynamic positioning of a vessel. The power system reduces fuel consumption, carbon buildup deposits and the risk of cylinder bore glazing while in combustion engine driven generators and provides an adequate protection against blackouts. The power system includes first and second combustion engine driven generators, a battery unit, and a converter unit arranged to provide power to the vessel from the battery unit. A first operational state of the power system in which the first combustion engine driven generator is arranged to deliver power to the vessel, and a second operational state, in which the first generator is subject to a fault, the second combustion engine driven generator arranged to deliver power to the vessel, and the converter unit is arranged to deliver power to the vessel during transition between the states.
US09550551B2
A wake-modifying a surf tab that can be attached to a watercraft is disclosed. That surf tab includes a control plate assembly, a mounting hinge for attaching the control plate assembly to a watercraft, a hydro-thruster assembly, and a separation hinge attaching the control plate assembly to the hydro-thruster assembly. Also included is an actuator attached to the control plate assembly which connects the control plate assembly to the watercraft such that the actuator can control the angle between the control plate assembly and the watercraft. a length adjustable control rod assembly connects the control plate assembly to the hydro-thruster assembly. The control rod assembly adjusts the angle between the control plate assembly and the hydro-thruster assembly. In use, the length of the actuator and the length of the control rod assembly can change the flow of water from the hydro-thruster assembly to modify a wake created by a watercraft.
US09550549B1
A rope cuff including a plurality of shoring lines attached to an interior surface and covered with an interior flap formed from a material with a high coefficient of friction is provided. The shoring lines are braided around a mooring line to serve as a chafe guard and the interior flap frictionally engages the mooring line to maintain both the chafe guard and the cuff in appropriate positions. An adjustable hook and loop strap is attached to the exterior surface of the rope cuff to constrict the cuff around the mooring line and provide further frictional engagement between the interior of the rope cuff and the mooring line.
US09550546B2
A hydraulic bicycle hose structure includes a hydraulic hose and a first seal. The hydraulic hose has a first end with a first opening. The hydraulic hose is configured to be coupled to a hydraulic component. The hydraulic hose is filled with hydraulic fluid. The first seal is arranged to seal the first opening of the first end of the hydraulic hose. The first seal is configured to be physically ruptured.
US09550545B2
A shock absorber includes: a valve body; a valve seat; an actuator; and a fail-safe valve that is urged by a first elastic body. When fluid does not flow, the fail-safe valve is urged by the first elastic body to come into contact with the valve body and close a channel. When the fluid flows, the fail-safe valve is spaced from the valve body by a fluid pressure to open the channel. When the valve body moves most in a valve opening direction, the fail-safe valve is brought into contact with the valve body and the channel is closed, and a supporting portion supports a part of the fail-safe valve. When the fluid flows in this state, at least a part of the fail-safe valve, which is in contact with a non-supporting portion, is spaced from the valve body by the fluid pressure to open the channel.
US09550540B1
A passenger vehicle for carrying a golf bag includes first and second front wheels and a rear wheel, a frame that may be folded into a compact position, gearing, and a steering mechanism. The frame includes a cross bar extending between the first and second front wheels, first and second front bars connected to a rear bar at a hinged connection, and a down tube connected to the cross bar, wherein the rear bar includes a receiving mechanism for releaseably receiving the down tube. The gearing includes a cassette secured to an axle extending through the cross bar. A steering mechanism for providing directionality includes a steering member within the rear bar. A first golf bag support is connected to the first and second front bars and a second golf bag support is connected to the cross bar.
US09550536B2
An idler group is disclosed for a mobile machine having a tracked undercarriage with an endless track. The idler group may include a retainer disposed on an axle and within an opening in an idler. The retainer may be configured to achieve an interference fit with the idler sufficient to hold the retainer within the opening of the idler during operation of the mobile machine. In another embodiment, a retaining ring may be disposed within a channel formed in the idler and may contact the retainer. In yet another embodiment, a swaged connection may be formed between the idler and the axle.
US09550531B2
A vehicle body rear structure includes a rear parcel provided between left and right vehicle body side parts, a parcel cross member bonded to the rear parcel and constituting a first closed cross section, and a parcel member and parcel support bonded to the first closed cross section and constituting the main section of a second closed cross section. The first closed cross section is configured from the rear parcel and the parcel cross member. Furthermore, the first closed cross section continues through the main section of the second closed cross section to the left vehicle body side part.
US09550530B2
A vehicle body structure includes a pair of side members, first and second cross members, a center member and a pair of connecting members. The first cross member extends in a widthwise direction and connects the side members each other. The center member is extends from a central portion of the first cross member in the widthwise direction to the front in a front-to-rear direction. The connecting members extend in the front-to-rear direction at a rear side of the first cross member and are connected to the center member at front ends thereof. Rear ends of the connecting members extend outwards in the widthwise direction towards the side members and are connected to the side members. The second cross member extends in the widthwise direction at the rear side of the first cross member and connects the connecting members each other.
US09550529B2
An apparatus and method for recognizing a driving field of a vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes a sensor that is configured to sense a location of a vehicle driving on a road and sense whether an object is adjacent to the vehicle. In addition, a controller is configured to detect whether the object is present and a lane of the road on which the vehicle is being driven is changed to detect a final lane candidate group on which the vehicle is positioned. The final lane candidate group is then displayed by the controller.
US09550514B2
A steering column system includes a steering column shaft, a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft, a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position, and, an air bag operatively arranged with the steering input device, the air bag deployable to one of a first size and a second size, the second size greater than the first size. When the steering column shaft is in the driving position, the air bag is deployable to the first size, and when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, the air bag is deployable to the second size.
US09550512B2
A simple device for transporting materials is formed of a sheet of a flexible plastics material of generally tear drop shape to define a front tapered converging portion connected directly to a rear semicircular cupping portion. A rope passes through a pair of transversely spaced holes at the front edge to define a forwardly extending handle portion. The rope extends rearwardly along each side of the front portion to a hole at or adjacent a rear edge of the side edge and is covered by a stiffening tube. The rope passes through holes at the rear cupping portion to define a rear portion of the rope outside the sheet across the rear covered by a stiffening tube engaged over the rear portion of the rope.
US09550511B2
A height extender for a control arm skate has an upper face configured to receive a control arm of a vehicle and a lower face configured to engage with an upper face of an underlying control arm skate. Extenders may be stacked.
US09550510B2
The present disclosure describes a cart having an adjustable handle system, the cart having: a chassis supported on wheels; a horizontal work surface having a perimeter defined by at least a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges; a stationary handle connected to, and extending along the perimeter of the horizontal work surface from an origination point located on the rear edge to a connecting point located on one of the two side edges; a moveable handle axially coupled to the stationary handle at the connecting point and extending along the perimeter of the horizontal work surface from the connecting point to an end point located on the front edge; and an adjustable connecting device connecting the moveable handle to the stationary handle at the connecting point and controlling the angular position of the moveable handle relative to the stationary handle.
US09550502B2
A cover structure in a slide position detection device for a vehicle seat includes a magnetic detector disposed on a side of one of a fixed rail and a movable rail; a cover that covers the magnetic detector and that is disposed on the side of the one rail; and a detected portion disposed on a side of the other rail. The cover includes a lateral cover portion that covers a lateral portion of the magnetic detector, and a detection portion cover portion that faces and covers a detection portion of the magnetic detector; and the detection portion cover portion is provided with a ferromagnetic plate that faces the detection portion, the ferromagnetic plate being located at a position that is farther from the detection portion than a closest position of the detected portion relative to the detection portion, and the ferromagnetic plate shielding against magnetism from the magnetic detector.
US09550501B2
A vehicle system comprises an interface assembly and a controller both on board a first rail vehicle. The interface assembly comprises one or more mechanical couplers, fuel couplers, fluid couplers, and electrical connectors, to detachably couple the first rail vehicle to a separate, adjacent fuel tender vehicle, for the transfer of one or more of fuel (e.g., compressed natural gas) from the fuel tender vehicle to the first rail vehicle, heated fluid from the first rail vehicle to the fuel tender vehicle (e.g., for regasification of liquid natural gas stored in the fuel tender vehicle to the compressed natural gas), or electrical power and/or control signals between the first rail vehicle and the fuel tender vehicle. The controller is configured to at least partially control operations of the first rail vehicle in relation to interfacing with the fuel tender vehicle for fuel transfer, heated fluid transfer, etc.
US09550499B2
A work vehicle includes: a first control system that controls a traveling of a work vehicle; a second control system that controls the traveling of the work vehicle via the first control system by using set information; a first communication line used for communication between the first control system and the second control system; and a second communication line that transmits information to the first control system from the second control system, wherein the second control system generates information for controlling an engine of the work vehicle and information for controlling a brake device of the work vehicle, and transmits the information for controlling the engine and the information for controlling the brake device to the first control system via the second communication line by an information transmission system different from an information transmission system by the first communication line.
US09550496B2
A travel control apparatus is configured to perform an overtaking travel on a host vehicle with a vehicle travelling ahead as an overtaking target vehicle during an autonomous driving of the host vehicle. In a case where the overtaking travel starts, the apparatus determines whether or not the overtaking target vehicle accelerates during the overtaking travel. In a case where it is determined that the overtaking target vehicle accelerates, the apparatus determines whether or not a front vehicle is present in front of the overtaking target vehicle. In a case where it is determined that the front vehicle is not present, the apparatus stops the overtaking travel of the host vehicle, and in a case where it is determined that the front vehicle is present, the apparatus continues the overtaking travel of the host vehicle under a predetermined condition.
US09550495B2
Technologies for assisting vehicles with changing road conditions includes vehicle assistance data based on crowd-sourced road data received from a plurality of vehicles and/or infrastructure sensors. The crowd-sourced road data may be associated with a particular section of roadway and may be used to various characteristics of the roadway such as grade, surface, hazardous conditions, and so forth. The vehicle assistance data may be provided to an in-vehicle computing device to assist or facilitate traversal of the roadway.
US09550492B2
A control device of a vehicle includes an engine, an electric motor, and a first clutch connecting/disconnecting a power transmission path between the engine and the electric motor, and a second clutch configured to achieve a mechanically directly-coupled state of a power transmission path between the engine/the electric motor and drive wheels, the control device of a vehicle increasing a torque of the electric motor and causing the second clutch to slip-engage when the engine is started by controlling the first clutch toward engagement during motor running using only the electric motor as a drive force source for running with the first clutch released and the second clutch engaged, when the torque of the electric motor increased at the start of the engine relative to the torque of the electric motor during the motor running is larger, a slip amount of the second clutch being made larger as compared to when the torque is smaller.
US09550491B2
Disclosed is a vehicle control apparatus which can execute a start-up control for improving acceleration performance at the time of starting an internal combustion engine during the running of a hybrid vehicle. When a hybrid ECU determines that a predetermined time has not yet elapsed after termination of the start-up control of the engine, and that the hybrid vehicle is in a high speed, high load condition, but not in a warming-up state, the hybrid ECU sets a value Nupest2 larger than a value Nupest1, that is usually set as a maximum value Krmx of a rise rate of an engine rotational speed.
US09550487B2
The present application relates to a braking system for a train that is configured to operate in combination with pneumatic systems. The braking system includes an electronic control board and an electronic control valve coupled to the brake pipe on a railcar. The braking system is located on one of a number of railcars dispersed throughout the train. The electronic control board monitors a brake signal from the locomotive and selectively transmits signal data to the electronic control valve to release air pressure within the brake pipe. The braking system provides one or more air release locations within the brake pipe so as to reduce braking stresses.
US09550477B2
A vehicle pedal device includes a main bracket with a pair of side plates supporting a pedal and attached to a dash panel, and a sub-bracket coupling a main bracket rear end and reinforcement. Where both ends of a clinching pin inserted through coupling holes formed in side plate rear ends are inserted through insertion holes of sub-bracket side plate portions, the both ends are axially clinchingly compressed, whereby the rear ends are clinchingly attached to the portions to be overlapped, inner peripheral edges of the coupling and insertion holes having a non-circular shape, distances from their centers circumferentially varying, the portions being extended outward to be separated further away from the side plates toward the panel, and the insertion holes formed in the portions having an elongated hole shape whose length allows the both ends protruding from the side plates to pass therethrough where the portions are extended outward.
US09550472B2
A personal protection arrangement in a vehicle includes a gas generator for fluid communication with a reservoir and a control unit. The control unit is arranged to activate the gas generator upon fulfillment of at least one predetermined criterion such that gas is released by the gas generator into the reservoir and the pressure in the reservoir is increased. The gas generator comprises at least one electrochemical cell which is arranged to generate gas when the electrical status of the electrochemical cell is changed from a first state to a second state by a state-changing action.
US09550469B2
An airbag device includes a main airbag unit with a main bag body that is inflated and deployed from a front side of a front seat when impact is input, and a supplemental airbag unit with a supplemental bag body that is inflated and deployed from a side portion of the main airbag unit when impact is input. The supplemental bag body comes into contact with the main bag body when inflated and deployed and restricts inflation and deployment of the main bag body.
US09550461B2
A weight can be reduced, and a desired bent shape can be easily obtained with the shielded pipe of the present application. An electric wire that connects a battery and an inverter is inserted into a shielded pipe arranged underneath a floor of a vehicle. The shielded pipe has a pipe body that is made of a synthetic resin material and shaped into a predetermined shape. After the pipe body is shaped, a shielding portion is formed by spirally winding a ribbon-shaped metal foil around the outer circumferential surface of the pipe body. Furthermore, the shielding portion is inserted into a heat-shrinkable tube. The heat-shrinkable tube is heated and covers the outer circumferential surface of the shielding portion in a tight contact state, thus constituting a protective portion for protecting the shielding portion.
US09550460B2
Disclosed is a flat cable wiring structure allowed to be mounted to all automobiles and corresponding to various circuits. The flat cable wiring structure is provided with a flat cable winder including a case arranged at an end of the rail, and a rotating body accommodated in the case rotatably about a virtual central axis vertical to the car body floor and configured to wind the flat cable; and a flat cable housing extending in a longitudinal direction of the rail and including a pair of walls arranged along an outside surface of the rail and parallel to a side wall vertical to the rail, and a bottom wall connecting the pair of walls.
US09550457B2
An electro-optic assembly is provided that includes a first substantially transparent substrate comprising: a first surface, a second surface, and a first peripheral edge, the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer and a first isolation area. The assembly further includes a second substrate comprising: a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second peripheral edge, the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer. The assembly also includes a primary seal between the second and third surfaces, wherein the seal and the second and third surfaces define a substantially hermetic cavity; an electro-optic medium at least partially disposed in the cavity; and an electrically conductive solder that is disposed on at least portions of at least one of the first and second peripheral edges in electrical contact with one of the first and second electrically conductive layers.
US09550453B2
A light bar is described that is of a modular construction based on one or more large circuit boards that are populated with light beam assemblies and then fastened to an interior space of the light bar housing. Keys that automatically align the light beam assemblies on each of the boards precisely control placement of the assemblies on the board. In turn, each of the boards is keyed to the interior of the light bar housing so that when the board is fastened to the housing the light beam assemblies are automatically registered into alignment with the lenses in the housing so that the beams from the assemblies are properly oriented. The light bar is inexpensive to fabricate and can be assembled quickly and reliably, yet it provides for a high degree of customization, which is a requirement in the emergency vehicle lighting industry.
US09550436B2
A track assembly for positioning and removably securing wheelchairs and transit seats in a vehicle, having a first rail having a frame, the frame having a top surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, and a longitudinal axis. The track assembly further includes a plurality of apertures having a shape, the apertures evenly distributed within the top surface along the longitudinal axis of the frame, a plurality of channels connecting the first and second side surfaces proximate the top surface, the channels evenly distributed along the longitudinal axis of the frame, and a second rail identical to and arranged in parallel with the first rail to form the track assembly.
US09550432B2
In a hybrid vehicle, the charging power of a power storage device can be generated through power generation by a motor generator by using an output of an engine. In response to operation of an SOC recovery switch, an ECU executes SOC recovery control for increasing an SOC of the power storage device to an SOC target value. The SOC target value in the SOC recovery control is set to be higher than an SOC control target when the SOC recovery control is not in execution. The ECU variably sets the SOC target value in the SOC recovery control based on a past driving history of the hybrid vehicle.
US09550422B2
A vehicle high voltage system may include switches (e.g., IGBTs, contactors, relays, etc.), wires, a traction battery, electrical components with electrical properties and at least one controller. The at least one controller may be programmed to modulate a switch to provide a testing voltage for the electrical components, which is less than an operating voltage of the battery, and in response to a current flow associated with the testing voltage being less than a predetermined threshold, stop current flow between the battery and electrical components.
US09550420B2
A parking assistance system and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The parking assistance system includes a parking-mode input unit, a parking-associated functioning unit having a plurality of parking-associated systems, a setting unit for selecting parking-associated systems that are operated, and a controller configured to control the respective parking-associated systems by receiving an input signal through the parking-mode input unit. The method for controlling the parking assistance system includes transmitting a parking-mode input signal by turning on a parking-mode input unit, recognizing that a parking action is ready to be executed through the parking-mode input signal, and controlling a set of parking-associated functioning units according to a predetermined condition stored in a setting unit.
US09550419B2
A method and system for providing an augmented reality vehicle interface. The method and system include providing an augmented reality user interface. The method and system additionally include receiving an image of a vehicle with an image capturing device. The method and system additionally include identifying a user classification category of the user that is capturing an image of the vehicle. Additionally, the method and system include presenting an augmented reality image of the vehicle by overlaying one or more virtual user interface objects on the points of interest. The method and system also includes controlling vehicle features via the one or more virtual user interface objects.
US09550416B2
A heavy-duty truck chassis has a frame assembly having a first rail spaced from a second rail to define a gap therebetween. A front axle is supported by the frame assembly and is positioned proximate a front portion of the frame assembly. A rear axle is supported by the frame assembly and is positioned proximate a rear portion of the frame assembly. A fuel tank is supported by the frame assembly and positioned in the gap and behind the rear axle.
US09550408B2
Door frame for vehicle with improved anti-corrosive performance and method of manufacturing the same
A door frame for a vehicle having improved anti-corrosive performance, and a method of manufacturing the door frame may includes: a three-stage superimposed portion which has a structure in which an upper steel plate layer, an intermediate steel plate layer, and a lower steel plate layer are superimposed, and in which a sealer for anti-corrosive performance is applied between the upper steel plate layer and the intermediate steel plate layer; and a curved portion which is formed at an upper side of the intermediate steel plate layer at a first end of the three-stage superimposed portion to prevent the applied sealer from being exposed to the outside, thereby improving anti-corrosive performance, and a method of manufacturing the door frame.
US09550403B2
A hydropneumatic suspension unit for a vehicle that includes an outer sleeve which defines a first chamber, and a damping piston which is arranged for sliding displacement in the first chamber. The first chamber contains gas mainly for providing spring action and liquid mainly for providing damping action. The gas is in direct contact with the liquid.
US09550397B2
The present invention provides a tire capable of effectively enhancing the visibility of marks. The tire is provided with a mark 3 on a surface of a side portion 1, in which the mark 3 is formed so as to vary at least one of the hue, brightness and saturation.
US09550396B2
A tread profile has a tread profile section which is in the center of the tire in the axial direction, and in each case one shoulder profile section. The central tread profile section is composed of profile belts, and the shoulder profile sections each have a second profile belt. A circumferential groove is arranged in each case between a first profile belt of the central section and the profile belt of the shoulder section. The groove is formed with a web which is radially raised from the groove base and which divides the groove into a narrow first and a wider second section which has, at the groove base, a linear section of extent which merges, with a curvature radius R3 and R2, with the edges of the profile belt or of the web, wherein R3>R2. The linear section of extent is at an angle of inclination >0°.
US09550391B2
A retractable ink pen including an elongate ink cartridge having a writing end and an exposed ink opening, wherein the writing end moves from a retracted position to an extended position for writing. The retractable ink pen includes a cap including a recess with an inner surface having one of: i) a position structure, and ii) both a first locator and a second locator spaced a distance from the first locator along a first longitudinal axis. The retractable ink pen further includes an elongate barrel including an outer surface having the other of the position structure and both the first locator and the second locator, wherein the position structure is located at the first locator when the writing end is in the retracted position and wherein the locating structure is located at the second locator when the writing end is in the extended position.
US09550389B2
An image erasing method includes reading a sheet having an image printed thereon with decolorable colorant and an owner information image printed thereon with decolorable colorant. The method further includes identifying a first owner information based on the owner information image, and receiving a second owner information. The method further includes determining a correlation between a user corresponding to the first owner information and a user corresponding to the second owner information. The method further includes selectively controlling a decoloring unit to decolor the image and the owner information image based on the correlation.
US09550377B2
A method includes advancing, by a controller device comprising a processing resource, a media from a roll into a printer via rollers before a printing process begins, wherein a leading edge of the media comprises a curl due to the roll. The method also includes guiding, by the controller device, the media through the printer to engage a substrate in a predetermined zone spaced downstream a predetermined distance from a roller pinch point. The method also includes holding, by the controller device, the media against the substrate in the predetermined zone to force the leading edge of the media to bend in a direction opposite the curl of the leading edge to counteract the curl of the leading edge.
US09550370B2
A print device includes a tape mounting portion, a tape print portion, a tape discharge portion, a tube mounting portion, a ribbon mounting portion, a tube print portion, and a tube discharge portion. The tape mounting portion is configured such that a tape is detachably mounted in the tape mounting portion. The tube mounting portion is configured such that a tube is detachably mounted in the tube mounting portion along a predetermined direction. The ribbon mounting portion is configured such that an ink ribbon is detachably mounted in the ribbon mounting portion. The tape mounting portion and the ribbon mounting portion are disposed on a same side with respect to the tube mounting portion, and are disposed side by side along the predetermined direction.
US09550361B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head and that includes nozzle openings through which liquid is ejected. A positioning abutting unit is arranged on an outer side of a region in which a plurality of the nozzle openings are formed. A cap main body is arranged so as to relatively move with respect to the liquid ejecting head. The cap main body has a side wall. A sealing member is accommodated inside the cap main body, comes into contact with the positioning abutting unit in a state of surrounding the region due to the relative movement of the liquid ejecting head and the cap main body, and forms a sealed space inside of the cap main body.
US09550360B2
Provided are a manufacturing method of an inkjet print head, the inkjet print head and a drawing apparatus equipped with the inkjet print head. The manufacturing method includes: forming a separation assisting layer on a substrate; forming heating resistors, thin-film transistors and nozzles for ejecting liquid, on the separation assisting layer; separating the separation assisting layer from the substrate; forming a first heat-conductive layer on the opposite surface of the separation assisting layer from the nozzles; and forming an ink supply port for supplying ink to the nozzles from a first heat-conductive layer side of the inkjet print head.
US09550359B2
An inkjet printhead integrated circuit includes: a substrate having a silicon layer; a nozzle plate disposed on the silicon layer; and embedded inkjet nozzle devices. Each inkjet nozzle device includes a nozzle chamber having a roof actuator; drive circuitry laterally disposed relative to the nozzle chamber; a connection arm extending parallel with the nozzle plate from the actuator towards the drive circuitry; and a metal via interconnecting each connection arm and the drive circuitry, the metal via extending perpendicularly to the nozzle plate. The drive circuitry is positioned proximal the nozzle plate relative to a plane of the floor.
US09550357B2
An image processor of a printing apparatus including a first printing head having recording units spaced at a given interval orthogonal to a transportation direction of a print medium and spaced along the transportation direction of the print medium, a second printing head disposed downstream of the first printing head, a device for obtaining recording positions of first and second images printed with the first and second printing heads, a device for calculating a positional shift amount between the recording positions of the first and second images, and a positional shift interpolating image converter performing weighting, if a remainder is generated through division of the positional shift amount by the given interval, to the first or second image depending on the remainder to convert the first or second image into a positional shift interpolating image having been shifted in accordance with skew of the print medium.
US09550354B2
A system and a method for cleaning a printing cylinder or other printing equipment such as printing plates, ink pans or floors of printing units, the method comprising applying a detergent to the surface to be cleaned, after a period to allow action of the detergent, removing the detergent by rinsing, using a vapor and high velocity air stream, i.e. atomized water fog; or steam; or a combination of steam and air, which allows dislodging particles encrusted within cells of the surface of the piece of equipment to be cleaned.
US09550336B2
A product made from an extruded sheet or web of material having a non-linear cross-section, and the process of making the product are provided. The extruded web or extrudate is plastically deformed in selected areas and then folded. When folded into the appropriate shape, the extrudate is formed into a product having a plurality of cells. The cells may have one or more openings, allowing access to an interior of the cell and reducing the weight of the product.
US09550320B2
The invention provides a synthetic resin container with a plurality of handgrips on its top face and a manufacturing method for such a container. The plurality of handgrips, as well as a metal cap opening, are molded in advance as insertion components. After heating the fusion portions of the insertion components, the insertion components are disposed parallel to the direction in which a parison is to be placed. Thereafter, a parison is placed into dies, and the dies are clamped. Air is blown into the parison through the metal cap opening to fuse the parison and the insertion components.
US09550318B2
A process of making a multi-layered product from an extruded sheet or web of material (42) having parallel upper and lower walls (130) and a plurality of spacers (134) extending between the upper and lower walls (130) is provided. Portions of the extruded web or extrudate (42) are removed in selected areas. The lightened web is then folded. Outer skins are then applied to the folded web. The extrudate (42) is formed into a product (10) having a plurality of cells (14). The cells (14) may have one or more openings (34), allowing access to an interior of the cell (14) and reducing the weight of the product (10).
US09550309B2
A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is provided where the web comprises a film having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The orientation of the arrangement of teeth and the molecular orientation of the film are predetermined and modified to provide a relative angle between the orientation of the teeth and the molecular orientation of the film. Apertures formed in the precursor web material have a length and width exhibiting a minimal aspect ratio.
US09550302B2
A utility knife includes a handle, a blade holder assembly, a pair of resilient blade wiper members, and a spreader. The blade holder assembly is constructed and arranged to hold a blade at a position of use wherein the blade projects through an opening at a front end of the handle. The pair of resilient blade wiper members are biased towards one another and constructed and arranged to remove debris from side surfaces of the blade, which debris would otherwise be brought into an interior space of the handle when the blade is retracted into the front end of the handle through the opening. The spreader is constructed and arranged to spread the resilient blade wiper members apart to facilitate removal of the blade from the handle when the blade is in a blade change position.
US09550290B2
A power tool is provided with a prime mover which causes the tool to rotate and a housing which houses the prime mover. In a back-end face that is positioned on an opposite side on the housing from a tool side, a back-end groove, into which a user can position his/her web between his/her thumb and forefinger, is formed. A pair of side-face grooves, into which the user can place the thumb and forefinger, are formed in both side faces of the housing. A depth changing portion is formed in at least one of the side-face grooves, such that the depth is reduced toward the back-end face of the housing. According to this structure, even when the housing is gripped directly from the back-end face, the user can easily draw up or raise the power tool.
US09550288B2
A fastener-driving tool includes a housing and a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool also includes a trigger connected to the housing and movable between a rest position and an activated position, a control valve including an actuating pin, an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and movable between a rest position and an actuating position adjacent to the actuating pin, and a trigger control mechanism associated with the actuation lever and configured for moving and holding the actuation lever in the actuating position. In a powered mode, the trigger control mechanism causes the-actuation lever to move and remain in the actuating position such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece and moves to the activated position causing the actuation lever to contact the actuating pin and initiate an actuation of the tool.
US09550280B1
This invention provides a tool for tightening and loosening lenses with respect to camera bodies. The tool includes a body that defines a cavity that is slightly larger in diameter than the sidewalls of the lens adjacent the lens face. Within the cavity is a thin, high-friction, elastomeric material that resides between the edges of the lens when the cavity is pressurably engaged over the lens face. The material frictionally couples the tool body to the lens face and adjacent side walls, thereby allowing a predetermined level of torque to be applied to tighten or loosen the lens. The tool can be adapted for attachment to a handle, such as a torque wrench or can include a handle specifically adapted/contoured for grasping by a user's hand.
US09550276B1
A polycrystalline diamond element leaching assembly includes a polycrystalline diamond element, a protective leaching cup surrounding at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element, and a liner positioned between the polycrystalline diamond element and the protective leaching cup. A leaching assembly for processing a polycrystalline diamond element includes a protective leaching cup configured to surround at least a portion of a polycrystalline diamond element and a liner configured to be positioned between the polycrystalline diamond element and the protective leaching cup. A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element includes assembling a polycrystalline diamond element, a liner, and a protective leaching cup such that the liner is disposed between the polycrystalline diamond element and the protective leaching cup, and exposing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element to a leaching agent.
US09550268B2
A substrate holding apparatus holds a substrate and presses the substrate against a polishing pad. The substrate holding apparatus includes a top ring configured to hold the substrate and press the substrate against the polishing pad, a vertical movement mechanism configured to vertically move the top ring, a torque detector configured to detect a torque of the vertical movement mechanism when the top ring is being lowered or being lifted by the vertical movement mechanism, and a controller in which a torque of the vertical movement mechanism when the top ring is brought into contact with a surface of the polishing pad at the time of a pad search is preset as a torque limit value. The controller calculates a torque correction amount from the torque detected by the torque detector and a preset reference value, and corrects the torque limit value by using the torque correction amount.
US09550257B2
A method for machining and finishing a metallic member to provide a finished product without any additional process uses a lathe and a milling process. A non-circular metallic member on a worktable is rotated, and lathe tool moved backwards and forwards to machine the peripheral top portion of the metallic member. The path of the lathe tool machines curved surfaces of the top portion of the metallic member. The rotation of the metallic member is then stopped, and a milling cutter is brought to meet the peripheral sidewall of the metallic member. The movement and feeding of the milling cutter is predetermined. The worktable rotates the metallic member to enable one end edge of the peripheral sidewall and then another to face the milling cutter, and have the end edge chamfered by the milling cutter.
US09550247B2
A cathodic protection device enclosing a reference cell and a conductive media and having two coupon assemblies mounted, facing opposing direction, on an exterior surface. The coupon assemblies each have a disc-shaped coupon seated in a coupon jacket and are electrically coupled to a wire. The coupon jacket defines a pocket in a first surface and a groove in a second, opposing surface thereof. The disc-shaped coupon is seated in the pocket and the wire is seated in the groove with the electrical junction therebetween aligned with an aperture connecting the pocket to the groove. A sealing material is used to form a watertight seal between the disc-shaped coupon and the pocket and fills the groove. The device includes a hydrophilic porous member having a first surface in communication with the conductive media and a second surface in communication with an external environment.
US09550240B2
A milling tool includes a body which is rotatable about a first axis. At least one cutting tooth mounted on the body having a cutting edge for cutting about the first axis. A wiper tooth extends from the mill body. The wiper tooth includes at least at a portion having a peripheral surface about the second axis and the peripheral surface intersects a face surface defining a cutting edge that is round about the second axis for cutting about the first axis. In some embodiments, the peripheral surface, the face surface and the cutting edge are formed on an insert that is mounted the mill body.
US09550231B2
A mold for molding post and strap in a cast on strap machine includes a mold body having an upper surface, a cavity in the upper surface for molding a strap and an opening aligned with the cavity for receiving a water-coolable insert for molding a post. The opening extends through the mold with its mouth in the upper surface to enable the insert to be inserted into the opening through the mouth. The mold body further includes a removable plate for being received in the mouth to retain releasably the insert in the opening and for defining the cavity.
US09550230B2
A mold for casting a workpiece that includes a casting shell, a casting core and casting pin that supports the core within the shell. The casting shell includes an interior shell surface. The casting core is located within the shell, and includes a sidewall extending between a first core surface and a second core surface. The casting pin includes an intermediate segment connected between a first support segment and a second support segment. The intermediate segment contacts the sidewall. The first support segment extends from the first core surface to a first side of the interior shell surface. The second support segment extends from the second core surface to a second side of the interior shell surface that is opposite the first side.
US09550225B2
An autonomous transport vehicle for transporting items in a storage and retrieval system is provided. The autonomous transport vehicle includes at least two drive wheels and a controller, where each drive wheel is independently driven and a drive wheel encoder is disposed adjacent each drive wheel. The controller, in communication with the drive wheel encoders, is configured to determine a kinematic state of the autonomous transport vehicle within the storage and retrieval system based on incremental data from the drive wheel encoders only and independent of drive wheel slippage.
US09550215B2
A method and a system are provided for detecting particles moving through a detection region or regions for facilitating or processing a sample having one or more particles flowing through the detection region. The particle detection system may include an optically detectable pattern associated with a detection region. The optically detectable pattern may be configured to receive a particle optical signal and produce a patterned optical signal. The detection system may further include a detector configured to analyze the patterned optical signal to determine both a particle characteristic based on a property of the particle optical signal and a particle parameter based on a property of the optically detectable pattern.
US09550192B2
A rotor unit for a centrifugal separator, which centrifugal separator comprises a non-rotatable housing wherein the rotor unit is disposed about a central axis of rotation, an inlet for supply of a mixture of components to be separated, at least one outlet for a component separated during operation, whereby the rotor unit, at least parts of which are made of metal, comprises a separating chamber formed inside the rotor unit, an inlet chamber connected to the inlet and the separating chamber, is formed radially within said separating chamber and is usually shielded from the separating chamber, at least one outlet connected to the separating chamber, a plurality of separating discs disposed at a distance axially from one another in said separating chamber coaxially with the axis of rotation, at least a number of the metal parts of said rotor unit are undetachably joined together to form a composite assembly.
US09550188B2
A method of reducing magnetic and/or oxidic contaminants in lithium metal oxygen compounds in particle form, in order to obtain purified lithium metal oxygen compounds, by means of treatment in a grinding process and sifting process with continuous or non-continuous removal and obtaining of the purified lithium metal oxygen compound. The grinding process and sifting process are terminated prematurely before the residue amounts to less than 1% of the quantity m. The residue, containing contaminants, is discarded.
US09550186B2
A system for fluid partitioning for chemical amplification or other chemical processing or separations of a sample, comprising a first dispenser of a first polymeric sheet, wherein the first polymeric sheet contains chambers; a second dispenser of a second polymeric sheet wherein the first dispenser and the second dispenser are positioned so that the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet become parallel; a dispenser of the fluid positioned to dispense the fluid between the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet; and a seal unit that seals the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet together thereby sealing the sample between the first polymeric sheet and the second polymeric sheet and partitioning the fluid for chemical amplification or other chemical processing or separations.
US09550177B2
This disclosure is directed to uses for a new crystalline molecular sieve designated SSZ-101. SSZ-101 is synthesized using a N-cyclohexylmethyl-N-ethylpiperidinium cation as a structure directing agent.
US09550176B2
This catalyst includes a lower catalytic layer 2 having catalytic ability to oxidize HC and CO and an upper catalytic layer 3 having catalytic ability to reduce NOx. The lower catalytic layer 2 contains Pt and Pd acting as catalytic metals, zeolite, a Ce-containing oxide, and activated alumina, and the upper catalytic layer 3 contains activated alumina loading an Rh-doped Ce-containing oxide and an NOx storage material.
US09550175B2
A honeycomb filter includes a plurality of cells, porous cell walls, and an oxidation catalyst. The plurality of cells include exhaust gas introduction cells and exhaust gas emission cells. The oxidation catalyst is supported inside the porous cell walls in an amount of 5 to 60 g/L. The exhaust gas emission cells have an average cross sectional area larger than an average cross sectional area of the exhaust gas introduction cells in the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A total volume of the exhaust gas introduction cells is larger than a total volume of the exhaust gas emission cells.
US09550172B2
A structurally promoted precipitated catalyst containing crystalline silica, at least one chemical promoter selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, and iron, the structurally promoted precipitated catalyst comprising maghemite and hematite catalytic phases, and exhibiting a main reduction peak temperature, as determined by TPR, in the range of from about 210° C. to about 350° C. A method of producing the structurally promoted precipitated catalyst is also provided.
US09550171B2
An exhaust gas purification catalyst is disposed in an exhaust gas channel of an engine and includes a catalytic layer 22 provided on a substrate 21. The catalytic layer 22 contains multiple types of γ-aluminas 23 and 24 which are different in composition and Pt 25 loaded on the multiple types of γ-aluminas 23 and 24.
US09550164B2
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and process for forming medical devices from an injectable composition. The apparatus includes a supply assembly configured to maintain and selective dispense a first precursor and a second precursor, a mixing assembly configured to mix the first and second precursors, and at least one catalyzing element including a transition metal ion to aid in the polymerization of the first and second precursors. The process includes dispensing a volume of the first precursor and a volume of the second precursor into a mixing assembly and mixing the first and second precursors. The first and second precursors each possess a core and at least one functional group known to have click reactivity with each other. The mixed precursors are contacted with a transition metal catalyst to produce a flowable composition for use as a medical device.
US09550160B2
A method for producing nanocomposite particles is provided. The method comprises supplying an organic phase fluid an organic phase fluid, an aqueous phase fluid, an amphiphile, and a plurality of hydrophobic nanospecies to a nozzle. An electric field is generated proximate the nozzle such that the fluid exiting the nozzle forms a cone jet that disperses into a plurality of droplets. The plurality of droplets are collected, and nanocomposite particles comprising a self-assembled structure encapsulating at least one hydrophobic nanospecies form by self-assembly.
US09550158B2
The invention relates to a method of operating a metering device (1) for metered dispensing of pumpable media, in particular of color pigment preparations, the metering device (1) comprising a dispensing means (2), which is in fluid connection with a plurality of canisters (3), wherein said metering device (1) comprises a controller (8) by means of which at defined times a defined dispensing volume of the medium is drawn from at least one of said canisters (3) and conveyed to said dispensing means (2) by means of a conveyor (10), wherein, in particular, by means of said controller (8) also an actual fill level is determined and/or calculated depending on a dispensing volume drawn from the respective canister (3). According to the invention, at least one calibration sensor (30), in particular a capacitive sensor, is arranged on said canister (3), preferably on an outer wall of said canister (3), in such a way that it is responsive in the event that the medium in said canister reaches at least a defined known calibration fill level, and transmits a corresponding sensor signal to said controller (8), based on which the controller (8) recognizes the calibration fill level as effective actual fill level and/or takes it over as a new current actual fill level. Further, a metering device and a canister are provided (FIG. 3).
US09550154B2
A method, apparatus, and system for obtaining a solution from a solid product are disclosed. A solid product is housed in a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into the housing of the dispenser to interact with the solid product to form a solution. To control the concentration of the formed solution, the turbulence of the liquid introduced to the dispenser is controlled and adjusted either manually or on a real time basis to account for varying characteristics of either or both of the solid product and the liquid. The dispenser will adjust the turbulence based on the characteristics to maintain a formed solution within an acceptable range of concentration. The concentrated solution can then be discharged from the dispenser to an end use application.
US09550136B2
A safety screen assembly includes a shroud sleeve with an upstream end that defines a flow inlet. A spring seat is disposed downstream from the shroud sleeve and includes a flow outlet. A screen spool is operatively disposed between the flow inlet and the flow outlet and includes a tubular body with an inner passage, a screen disposed within the inner passage, and a plurality of bypass passages formed in the tubular body. The tubular body is in sliding engagement with the shroud sleeve in both a first position and a second position, the shroud sleeve closing the plurality of bypass passages from fluid flow when the tubular body is in the first position, and the plurality of bypass passages being open to fluid flow when the tubular body is in the second position. A spring biases the tubular body of the screen spool toward the first position.
US09550133B2
A method and an apparatus (7′) for separating 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene by fractional distillation of a mixture (31) that contains C9 or C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons, and possibly hydrocarbons with less nine nine carbon atoms. In an aspect of the invention, a first distillation step and a second distillation step are carried out in respective distillation chambers (75, 75′) defined by a cylindrical vertical container 501 and by an inner partition wall (85) of the container.
US09550131B2
A plurality of toy and accessory figurines are provided which may be arranged in any number of configurations to provide a response upon the formation of a closed electrical circuit. The toy figurines comprise two electrical contacts which, when closed with an external connection source, provide a response stimuli, such as one or a combination of light, sound and/or motion. The toy figurines may be configured to provide the closed electrical circuit. Alternatively, direct skin contact with the electrical contacts may provide the closed electrical circuit. The accessory figurines provide a further level of interaction. The accessory toy figurines comprise a magnetic switch which is actuated between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The magnetic switch is actuated to a closed configuration to close the electrical circuit when in proximity with a conductive metal, such as the electrical contact of the toy figurine, to deliver a response stimuli.
US09550102B1
A system includes a tackle training apparatus that comprises a cylindrical structure. The cylindrical structure comprises at least one recessed portion in a curved surface of the cylindrical surface. Each recessed portion of the at least one recessed portion corresponds to a security strap. The system comprises placing a first flat surface of the cylindrical structure on a playing surface of a practice field, wherein the cylindrical structure stands upright upon the playing surface. The system comprises placing a ball in a recessed portion of at the least one recessed portion, wherein the recessed portion and a corresponding securing strap secure the ball to the tackle training apparatus. The system includes a player approaching the cylindrical structure in a tackling disposition, wherein the player targets the ball with a facemask portion of a helmet worn by the player. The system comprises striking the ball and the cylindrical structure with the facemask of the user's helmet, the striking including dislodging the ball from the cylindrical structure.
US09550097B1
A golf club head comprising at least one weight port and a cam weight sized to reversibly lock into the weight port is disclosed herein. The weight port includes a floor, a wall, a first seating tab extending from the wall, and a second seating tab extending from the wall, but no openings communicating with an interior of the golf club head. The cam weight, which preferably is composed of a single material, includes a cylindrical body, a first helical wing, a second helical wing, and a tool engagement feature. The helical wings give the cam weight a keyed shape, which matches the shape of the weight port when the seating tabs are taken into account.
US09550090B2
Portable fitness monitoring systems with displays, and applications thereof, are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of providing performance feedback to an individual using a portable fitness monitoring device is provided. The method may include sensing performance parameter information during the physical activity, generating a first visual output that includes an indication of the intensity level that the individual should be performing at, and generating a second visual output that includes an indication of the intensity level that the individual is currently performing at.
US09550074B2
A laser therapy apparatus includes: a laser source including a light source for outputting first laser light; a laser irradiator for subjecting the first laser light to at least one of light-guiding and beamforming to convert the first laser light into second laser light, and radiating the second laser light to the exterior; a second light amount detector for detecting a light amount of second laser light; a pre-use checker for performing a pre-use check at least based on a result of detection by the second light amount detector; a pre-use check detector for determining whether a pre-use check corresponding to the current activation has been performed or not, based on past-activation information and a result of the check by the pre-use checker; and an alarm for, at the current activation, reporting a result of determination by the pre-use check detector.
US09550058B2
A medical stylet for guiding a lead includes a first elongate member for attachment of the lead to the target tissue, a second elongate member to reshape the lead. The first elongate member of the medical stylet includes a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion wherein the distal end portion of the first elongate member includes a tip feature configured to engage the lead on application of torque externally. The second elongate member defines a lumen along its length. The lumen of the second elongate member can be configured to enclose at least a portion of the first elongate member. The second elongate member can have a pre defined shape. The pre defined shape of the second elongate member allows the lead to be reshaped when inserted into the lead, this reshaped lead now can be guided to an anatomical pass way.
US09550044B2
A device for stabilizing a patient catheter includes a medical valve and a male luer connector for connection to a catheter. The medical valve has an open mode that permits fluid flow through the valve and a closed mode that prevents fluid through the valve. The medical valve also includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. The device also includes a docking pod that has an internal fluid path. The docking pod is fluidly connected to the male luer connector, and secured to the patient via a docking pod adhesive layer that is at least partially located beneath at least a portion of the docking pod. The device also includes an adherent substrate having a first film layer and a second film layer that at least partially define a fluid pathway extending through the adherent substrate and fluidly connecting the outlet of the medical valve and the docking pod.
US09550043B2
Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system include an anchor device that secures a medical instrument (such as a catheter or the like) in place relative to a skin penetration point using subcutaneous anchors.
US09550040B2
Described are methods for safer nitric oxide delivery, as well as apparatuses for performing these methods. The methods may include detecting the presence or absence of a nasal cannula, and stopping the delivery of nitric oxide or providing an alert if the cannula is disconnected. The methods may also include purging the nasal cannula if it is reconnected after a disconnection or if it is replaced by a new cannula. Other methods pertain to automatic purging of the delivery conduit if the elapsed time between successive deliveries of therapeutic gas exceeds a predetermined period of time.
US09550031B2
A system and method for accurately and reliably determining and recording the time, date and location where a medication is used, and a system and method for transmitting, collecting, and using that data to improve clinical care, disease management, and public health surveillance. The device allows information concerning drug usage, including the time, date and location of use, to be transmitted to a remote network computer system so that the data can be evaluated to determine current impairment and future risk, and to identify changes in the frequency, timing, or location of medication usage indicative of change in disease control or management, and to examine spatial, temporal or demographic patterns of medication use or absence of use among individuals and groups. In addition, the device may further be configured to transmit signals indicative of its status, condition or other results to the remote network computer system.
US09550030B2
Embodiments of a retractable syringe assembly are provided that include a dual syringe barrel configuration. One or more embodiments include reuse prevention features and features that prevent premature activation of the retraction mechanism. Methods for aspirating and expelling liquid from medical devices are also provided.
US09550029B2
Systems and methods are described herein for guided injection, which include: one or more controllable light-emitting elements configured to emit non-destructive light and a computing device operably connected to the one or more controllable light-emitting elements configured to emit non-destructive light, the computing device including a processor operable to receive at least one digital representation of a body region of an individual, the body region of the individual including one or more physical registration landmarks, the at least one digital representation including one or more digitally registered injection sites and one or more digital registration landmarks corresponding to the one or more physical registration landmarks on the body region; and control the one or more controllable light-emitting elements to illuminate a location of a surface of the body region of the individual corresponding in location to at least one of the one or more digitally registered injection sites.
US09550027B2
A medicine injection device comprises a cartridge having a cartridge barrel and a plunger having a plunger shaft slidable within the cartridge barrel. The cartridge may have, e.g., a pre-filled medicine. The medicine injection device further comprises a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a cavity in which the cartridge barrel is disposed. The proximal end of the body may optionally form a finger grip. The medicine injection device further comprises a plunger locking mechanism attached to the proximal end of the body. The plunger locking mechanism comprises a member with an aperture slidably engaged with the plunger shaft. The locking mechanism is configured for preventing the plunger from being removed from the cartridge barrel. For example, the plunger shaft may include a locking stop, e.g., a flange, that engages with the aperture in an interference arrangement.
US09550026B2
It is possible to feed an injection objective substance to a depth of a skin structure of an objective living body without using any injection needle. A syringe having no injection needle comprises an ignition device which includes an ignition charge containing a fuel component and an oxidizing agent component, a combustion chamber into which a combustion product produced by a reaction of the fuel component and the oxidizing agent component during combustion of the ignition charge is allowed to flow and which accommodates a gas generating agent that is combustible by the combustion product to generate a predetermined gas, and an enclosing unit which encloses the injection objective substance, wherein the injection objective substance enclosed in the enclosing unit is pressurized by a pressure in the combustion chamber in this construction. The fuel component and the oxidizing agent component contained in the ignition charge are determined so that any component, which behaves as a gas, is excluded from the combustion product when the combustion product is at ordinary temperature in the case where the fuel component and the oxidizing agent component are mixed at a stoichiometric ratio and combusted, and a cooling member is arranged in the combustion chamber so that the cooling member can be brought in contact with the combustion product produced by the combustion of the ignition charge to cool the combustion product.
US09550025B2
An injector for delivering medicament comprises a collapsible container (1002) for containing the liquid medicament, a normally-closed valve (1004) coupled to the collapsible container (1002) for retaining the liquid medicament within the collapsible container and an injection means (1006) for delivering the liquid medicament from the collapsible container. The liquid medicament is maintained under pressure by a pressurizing means (1003) which pressurizes the liquid medicament such that it is delivered by the injection means (1006) when the normally-closed valve (1004) is opened.
US09550020B2
A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid cassette-based membrane blood pump; a dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood pump; first and second dialysis fluid cassette-based balance chambers each having (i) a fresh dialysis fluid compartment in fluid communication with the dialyzer and (ii) a spent dialysis fluid compartment; a dialysis fluid cassette-based fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the fresh dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; a dialysis fluid cassette-based spent dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer and the spent dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; and arterial and venous lines in fluid communication with the dialyzer for patient connection, the arterial and venous lines each including a contact used for electrically detecting a patient access disconnection.
US09550018B2
A pump cassette is disclosed. The pump cassette includes a housing having at least, one fluid inlet line and at least one fluid outlet line. The cassette also includes at least one reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pump within the housing. The pressure pump pumps a fluid from the fluid inlet line to the fluid outlet line. A hollow spike is also included on the housing as well as at least one metering pump The metering pump is fluidly connected to the hollow spike on the housing and to a metering pump fluid line. The metering pump fluid line is fluidly connected to the fluid outlet line.
US09550016B2
Described are systems, methods, and kits for compression sedimentation and whole blood separation. For example, a compression sedimentation system may include a compression stage configured to accept a flexible reservoir configured to contain a liquid mixture. The compression stage may include a base substrate and a compression substrate configured to apply a force to the flexible reservoir effective to create a pressure in the liquid mixture. An apparatus for whole blood separation may include a sedimentation system that separates whole blood into a supernatant including platelet rich plasma and a subnatant including red blood cells. At least one platelet-concentrating device may be included to receive the supernatant including the PRP and to separate a platelet concentrate and a platelet poor plasma from the supernatant.
US09550014B2
A uterine contractile device includes a series of perforated tubes, a sealing balloon, and an additional connecting tube to deliver a vacuum force inside the lumen of a postpartum uterus. The uterine contractile device may be used after child birth to facilitate contraction of a woman's uterus. By facilitating contraction of the uterus, a medical professional may achieve immediate and sustained hemostasis of the mother.
US09550013B2
A medical guide wire which has a core wire having a distal end-side small-diameter portion and a proximal end-side large-diameter portion having a larger outside diameter than the outside diameter of the distal end-side small-diameter portion, and a coil spring installed on an outer periphery of the distal end-side small-diameter portion of the core wire along an axial direction and fixed to the core wire at at least the front end portion and rear end portion thereof. The outside diameter of the proximal end-side large-diameter portion of the core wire and the outside diameter of coil of the coil spring are each at most 0.012 inch. The front end portion of the coil spring is fixed to the core wire by gold-containing solder. The length of a distal end portion stiffened by the gold-containing solder is 0.1 to 0.5 mm. The medical guide wire is high in fixing strength of the coil spring to the core wire and can shorten a shaping length compared with a conventional medical guide wire.
US09550011B2
A functionalized polymer system is described herein for preparing and/or modifying biological implants and prostheses. In one aspect, the polymer system once applied to the surface of a biological implant or prosthesis, or once used in preparing a biological implant or prosthesis comprises a surface that is more hydrophilic, more wettable, more comfortable, resists cell adhesion, resists protein deposition, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, a coated biological implant or prosthetic is described herein. The coated biological implant or prosthetic comprises a substrate forming the basic structure of the implant or prosthetic, and a coating comprising a polymer, where the coating is capable of resisting cell adhesion, protein deposition, or a combination thereof.
US09550010B2
Methods and articles of manufacture for treating patients with degenerative bone are provided. The methods are useful to improve bone quality in a localized area of a degenerative bone (e.g., osteopenic or osteoporotic bone), such as by improving BMD to be substantially similar to BMD in an average, healthy individual at the age of peak BMD. The methods can comprise forming a void in a localized area of the degenerative bone and filling the void with a bone regenerative material that causes generation of new, healthy, natural bone material. The articles of manufacture can comprise kits formed of various materials useful in the inventive methods for improving bone quality.
US09550009B1
A system is provided for treating a space at least partially enclosed by a wall with an aerosolized compound. The system includes a discharge unit, a liquid diffusion appliance, and a conduit extending therebetween. The discharge unit is mounted to a first side of the wall and includes an aerosol outlet in fluid communication with the space to be treated. The liquid diffusion appliance is mounted to a second side of the wall and includes a control system for operating the liquid diffusion appliance to generate and discharge an aerosolized compound from an appliance outlet. The conduit couples the appliance outlet with the discharge unit and defines a passageway through the wall through which the aerosolized compound travels to be discharged into the space to be treated.
US09550008B2
A Two-part, Syringe-based Electrochemical Dispenser. The dispenser consists of a disposable syringe-like fluid storage reservoir and a reusable fluid driver. The driver is located at the proximal end of a conventional syringe; the fluid exit port at the distal end. The driver generates a gas that inflates an elongated bladder situated within the filled syringe. Expansion of the bladder releases liquid at a rate nearly identical to the gas generation rate. The dispenser is held in a vertical position with the distal end pointed downward. Liquid is released drop-wise onto a porous material from which it can evaporate. A battery-driven electrochemical oxygen generator is the gas source. Means to attach the dispenser in its vertical position are provided. Such dispensing devices can be used to release pheromones, repellants, insecticides, fragrances, etc.
US09550005B2
Embodiments of this disclosure include systems, methods, and kits for sterilizing in vivo catheters using an optical fiber to deliver UV light. In an embodiment, a method for sterilizing a catheter with at least a first lumen, includes inserting a distal end of a fiber optic cable into a fiber insertion port of a catheter connector attached to a hub of the first lumen, flushing the first lumen with fluid from a fluid source, inserting the fiber optic cable into the first lumen until a stopper of the fiber optic cable is adjacent to the fiber insertion port, providing light to the fiber optic cable from a light source after the fiber optic cable is inserted into the first lumen, withdrawing the fiber optic cable from the first lumen while the light is provided, and ceasing to provide light to the fiber optic cable after the fiber optic cable is withdrawn from the first lumen. The disclosure is also applicable to catheters with multiple lumens and to catheters accessed through subcutaneous ports.
US09549999B2
The present invention provides a 99mTc-tetrofosmin radiopharmaceutical composition comprising tetrofosmin and a radioprotectant at a particular range of molar ratios. A kit and a multi-dose kit for the preparation of the radiopharmaceutical composition of the invention are also provided, as well as a process for the preparation of multiple unit patient doses of the radiopharmaceutical composition and a unit dose of the radiopharmaceutical composition.
US09549995B2
Novel methods of synthesis of ethylenedicysteine-sugar conjugates and therapeutic and diagnostic applications of such conjugates are disclosed. Methods of synthesizing these conjugates in high purity are also presented as using starting materials such as thiazolidine carboxylic acid. Also disclosed are methods of imaging, treating and diagnosing disease in a subject using these conjugates prepared herein, such as methods of imaging a tumor within a subject and methods of diagnosing myocardial ischemia.
US09549992B2
Conjugates of antifolates, releasable linkers, and drugs, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them are described. The conjugates are useful for treating diseases arising from pathogenic cell populations. Methods for treating such diseases are also described.
US09549982B2
The present technology relates to a dietary supplement, composition, nutraceutical, and/or system for inducing or treating biological responses or conditions (namely sleep or sleep disorders) which utilize ultra-low dosage amounts of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, co-enzymes, stimulants, and/or similar ingredients in a highly bio-active delivery system which bypasses first pass metabolism. In particular, the present technology relates to a nutraceutical composition/formulation which substantially bypasses first pass metabolism and such as, but not limited to, sleep apnea. Methods of using the composition/formulation to elicit enhanced sleep quality, induce short duration sleep and/or treat sleep disorders are also provided.
US09549981B2
The invention provides a blocking ligand specific for CTLA-4 and a vascular targeting ligand/IL-2 complex, for sequential use in inhibiting the growth of tumor cell.
US09549973B2
The present invention provides KLK3 peptides, FOLH1 peptides, recombinant polypeptides comprising same, recombinant nucleotide molecules encoding same, recombinant Listeria strains comprising same, and immunogenic and therapeutic methods utilizing same.
US09549962B2
A composition suitable for use as replacement material for all or part of a disc nucleus during percutaneous injection, the composition comprising: an injectable, curable, cross-linkable, non-immunogenic non-toxic protein hydrogel that (i) the protein component of the protein hydrogel contains at least one crosslinkable amino acid (ii) has a static compressive modulus of at least about 10 kPa, and (iii) has a dynamic compressive modulus of at least about 10 kPa; an iodinated contrast solution comprising an amount of an iodine compound sufficient to increase radiopacity to a discernable level, wherein the solution causes a decrease in the static and/or dynamic compressive modulus; and an amount of a crosslinker sufficient to restore at least about 100% of the decrease in static and/or dynamic compressive modulus caused by addition of the iodinated contrast solution.
US09549943B2
The present disclosure provides an A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) ligand for the treatment of sexual dysfunction. In some embodiments the A3AR ligand is selected from an A3AR agonist and A3AR allosteric enhancer. The present disclosure also provides a method a method and pharmaceutical composition for treating a sexual dysfunction, the method comprises administering to a subject having the sexual dysfunction an amount of an A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) ligand. In some embodiments, the A3AR ligand is an A3AR agonist and more specifically, IB-MECA.
US09549937B2
Described herein are manufactured dietary supplements that contain a phospholipid extract and the extract contains two forms of phospholipid-docosahexanoic acid. One form of phospholipid-docosahexanoic acid is phosphatidylcholine-docosahexanoic acid, and another form of phospholipid-docosahexanoic acid is phosphatidylethanolamine-docosahexanoic acid. The manufactured dietary supplement also contains L-methylfolate.
US09549934B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds having β2 adrenergic agonist and M3 muscarinic antagonist dual activity, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, to the process for their preparation and to their use in respiratory therapies.
US09549931B2
The present invention relates to aryl- or heteroaryl-substituted benzene compounds. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and methods of treating cancer by administering these compounds and pharmaceutical compositions to subjects in need thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of such compounds for research or other non-therapeutic purposes.
US09549929B2
Described herein are pyrrolo{2,3-d}pyrimidine derivatives, their use as Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US09549919B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful in therapy, to compositions comprising said compounds, and to methods of treating diseases comprising administration of said compounds. The compounds referred to are positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the nicotinic acetylcholine α7 receptor.
US09549916B2
This invention pertains generally to compounds of Formula I as described herein and compositions containing such compounds, as well as methods of using such compounds to treat bacterial infections. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods and compositions comprising these compounds for treating infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria.
US09549913B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to the use of a melatonin agonist in the treatment of free running circadian rhythms in patients, including light perception impaired patients, e.g., blind patients, and to methods of measuring circadian rhythm.
US09549912B2
The subject invention provides methods for reducing stroke rate, methods for preventing atrial remodeling, and methods for reversing atrial remodeling by administering budiodarone to reduce atrial fibrillation (AF) episode duration and an anticoagulant (AC). According to some methods of the invention, the average AF episode duration can be reduced to less than about 24, 5, 3 or 1 hour(s), and the maximum AF episode duration may be reduced to less than about 20, 10 or 5 hours. According to some methods of the invention, the reduced stroke rate upon administration of budiodarone and AC is less than the age-adjusted overall stroke rate. Further, some methods provide that patients who were refractory to one or more anti-arrhythmic drugs prior to administration of budiodarone may also be treated. Some methods provide for prevention of atrial remodeling and others provide for the reversal of atrial remodeling, including methods to quantify the reversal of atrial remodeling. In some methods of the invention, budiodarone is administered 400 mg BID or more preferably 600 mg BID.
US09549909B2
A method of treating and/or preventing Dravet Syndrome in a patient such as a patient previously diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, by administering an effective dose of fenfluramine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt to that patient. Dravet Syndrome patients are typically children under the age of 18 and are treated at a preferred dose of less than about 0.5 to about 0.01 mg/kg/day.
US09549901B2
A particle includes an aqueous core; a first amphiphilic layer surrounding the aqueous core; and a polymeric matrix surrounding the first amphiphilic layer.
US09549893B2
The invention provides compositions, methods and kits for the removal of harmful or irritating substances from bodily surfaces. Kits may include a composition containing capsaicin and a capsaicin-cleansing composition, e.g., a composition in which capsaicin is soluble.
US09549890B2
The compositions and methods of this invention relate to a rinse-off skin care composition containing hydrophobic, linear cellulose particles having an average length of from about 1 to about 1000 μm, a particle aspect ratio from about 1000 to about 2 and a thickness of from about 1 to about 500 μm; at least one cleansing agent selected from the group consisting of a saponified fat and a surfactant; and a cosmetically acceptable carrier.
US09549876B2
The present invention relates to a device for introducing filling material (21) into capsules (22), comprising a filling device (25) for feeding filling material (21) to the capsules (22), a capsule holder (30) with at least one row of seats (31) in which the capsules (22) that are to be filled are arranged, a station arrangement with several stations arranged one after another, wherein the station arrangement comprises at least one filling station (5) and a synchronously operating drive, and a movement device which, at the capsule-filling station (5), executes a relative movement between the filling device (25) and the capsule holder (30), wherein the filling device (25) adopts, relative to the capsule holder (30), at least a first filling position for filling a first capsule and a second filling position for filling a second capsule.
US09549874B2
Device and method for needle penetrating and filling a chamber with a predetermined substance, and hermetically resealing a resulting needle hole in the device by applying radiation thereto. The needle penetrable and resealable portion defines a predetermined wall thickness in an axial direction thereof, and may include a thermoplastic that substantially prevents the formation of particles released into the chamber from the needle penetrable and resealable portion during penetration by and withdrawal of the needle. Such thermoplastic may include a predetermined amount of pigment that allows the thermoplastic to substantially absorb laser radiation at a predetermined wavelength, substantially prevent the passage of radiation through the predetermined wall thickness thereof, and hermetically seal a needle aperture formed in the needle penetration region thereof in a predetermined time period.
US09549860B2
A dental isolator in the form of a U-shaped absorbent member having a first portion and a second portion disposed on either side of a third central portion and a retainment member, which retainment member transversely engages both the first portion and the second portion of the absorbent member, the retainment member being adapted to fit between adjacent teeth of a dental patient, the first portion of the U-shaped absorbent member being adapted to be disposed on the internal side of the teeth of a dental patient between the teeth and the tongue of the patient, the second portion of the U-shaped absorbent member to be disposed between the cheek and the mucobuccal fold of the patient with the central portion of the U-shaped absorbent member surrounding a rear tooth of the patient, the distal end of the second portion of the U-shaped absorbent member being tapered.
US09549856B2
A modular, reduced-pressure, wound-closure system for providing a closing force on a surface would includes a flexible strap operable to be formed into a closed loop inbound and around the surface wound and a plurality of modular closing members coupled to the flexible strap. A reduced-pressure source is fluidly coupled to the plurality of modular closing members. The modular closing members are operable to generate a closing force on the surface wound. A portion of the modular closing members are releasably attached to the patient's epidermis proximate the surface wound and another portion are attached to the flexible strap. A reduced pressure from the reduced-pressure source is delivered to each modular closing member to generate the closing force on the surface wound. Methods and other systems are presented.
US09549854B1
A device operative having a rotating cleaning tip for cleaning a narrow channel, such as an ear canal. In one embodiment, the tip is coupled to a handle with a motor that rotates the tip. The rotating tip has a plurality of strips that bow outwardly, scraping debris from the walls without debris accumulating and impacting along a channel wall. The bowing strips provide entry slits to capture debris into the tip, the strips closing after capture, removing debris when the tip withdraws from the channel. The device has a safety ring disposed around the tip, the safety ring operative for limiting penetration into a narrow canal when cleaning.
US09549853B2
A steerable laser probe may include an actuation structure, a nosecone fixed to the actuation structure by one or more links and one or more link pins, a housing tube having a first housing tube portion with a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion with a second stiffness, and an optic fiber disposed in the housing tube and the actuation structure. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the housing tube and the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the housing tube and the optic fiber.
US09549850B2
A surgical system comprises a hand piece, an irrigation conduit in fluid communication with the hand piece to carry fluid toward a surgical site, an aspiration conduit in fluid communication with the hand piece to carry fluid away from the surgical site, a pump interfacing with the aspiration conduit, the pump to create a vacuum pressure in the aspiration conduit to draw fluid through the aspiration conduit, a vacuum relief valve in fluid communication with the aspiration conduit to relieve the vacuum pressure in the aspiration conduit, a pressure sensor to detect a pressure associated with the surgical site, a controller in communication with the vacuum relief valve and the pressure sensor to control the vacuum relief valve to decrease the vacuum pressure in the aspiration conduit when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is less than a first pressure threshold.
US09549848B2
Devices that are adapted to insert corneal implants onto corneal tissue. Methods of using the devices include inserting the corneal implant into a pocket created in the cornea. Methods of use also include inserting the corneal implant onto corneal tissue after a flap has been created in the cornea. The devices can be adapted to deliver fluid to an implant holding space to at least assist in the deployment of the implant from the holding space and onto corneal tissue.
US09549846B2
This disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for use in treating eye conditions with implantable drug delivery devices. One method includes introducing an implant into the suprachoroidal space, wherein the interior volume of the implant is plugged with a drug-release material comprising at least one active agent that elutes through at least one opening in the implant, wherein the drug-release material degrades from the interior volume of the implant over a period time.
US09549838B2
An erection-facilitating sleeve for counteracting the effects of erectile dysfunction. The erection-facilitating sleeve includes two open ends at each distal end spaced apart by a plurality of inflatable, semi-rigid passages that extend in a braided, or crisscross, configuration from the base to the top of the sleeve. The sleeve is inserted onto the penis and is made of a resilient material that wraps tightly around the sex organ of a user. The semi-rigid passages are of a predetermined material and thickness so that a user's sex organ maintains at least partially erect even while suffering from erectile dysfunction.
US09549836B2
An orthosis to be placed on the hand of a user, including a supporting member having the general shape of a horse saddle and having an inner flange and an outer flange, to be placed at the thumb-index commissure with the inner flange against the palm and the outer wing against the back surface of the hand, in order to enable a spacing to be maintained between the thumb and the index finger. The orthosis includes a strap to be placed around the hand and the supporting member so as to retain said supporting member such that the metacarpal bone of the thumb is trapped inside the orthosis between the strap and supporting member.
US09549835B2
A modular catheter system including a sheath projecting distally from a delivery catheter having a main body module An inner core module carrying a stent thereon, the inner core being axially movable through the main body of the delivery catheter and the delivery catheter sheath, a handle member supported by the main body of the delivery catheter, the handle member being selectively axially engageable with the inner core such that the handle member and the inner core move together in an axial direction when the handle member is engaged with the inner core; and an adjustment member supported by the main body, the adjustment member being configured such that rotation of the adjustment member causes the adjustment member to move axially along the main body by either axially sliding the handle member relative to the main body or by rotating the adjustment member.
US09549834B2
A deployment device to deploy a prosthesis for interconnecting vessel portions of a body vessel is described herein. The device includes a support frame and an actuation member coupled to the support frame. The actuation member is movable between a first and a second position. A retaining member is movable between a closed and a open position. In the closed position, the retaining member forms a chamber to retain a length of a prosthesis in a compressed configuration. In the open position, the retaining member is positioned to allow the prosthesis to move to an expanded configuration. Movement of the actuation member to the second position causes movement of the retaining member to the open position. One or more retractable cuffs can be positioned over the ends of the prosthesis for selectively retaining the corresponding prosthesis ends in the compressed configuration.
US09549827B2
An ankle-foot prosthesis includes a foot plate, an ankle frame attached to the foot plate, a yoke pivotally connected to the ankle frame and including a member for attaching to a leg, a damper having a first end connected to the yoke and a second end connected to the ankle frame, and a control mechanism for switching the damper between low and high settings.
US09549821B2
A vertebral body spacer of the present invention is used by being inserted between a vertebral body and a vertebral body (intervertebral space). The vertebral body spacer has a block body constituted of titanium or a titanium alloy as a main component thereof, and provided with a pair of contact surfaces to be made contact with the vertebral body and the vertebral body. The block body includes needle parts formed into a needle shape having both end portions and a porous part having through holes passing through the porous part in a thickness direction thereof, and a porosity of at least a surface of the porous part is larger than a porosity of each of the needle parts. The needle parts are inserted into the through holes so that the both end portions are projected from the contact surfaces.
US09549820B2
A prosthetic glenoid component for replicating the behavior of a patient's natural glenoid includes a rim that replicates the patient's natural glenoid labrum.
US09549818B2
A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve may include an operating handle and a catheter assembly. The handle may include a housing, a piston cylinder, a piston longitudinally slidable within the piston cylinder, the piston and the piston cylinder together defining at least one pressure chamber, a deployment actuator coupled to the housing and rotatable relative thereto, and a pneumatic switch adapted to provide a pressurized fluid to the pressure chamber to apply a longitudinal force to the piston. The catheter assembly may include a first shaft around which a valve-receiving compartment is defined, the first shaft being operatively connected to the housing, and a distal sheath operatively connected to the piston, the distal sheath being moveable between a closed condition covering the compartment and an open condition uncovering the compartment. Longitudinal movement of the piston may move the distal sheath between the closed and open conditions.
US09549811B2
A system for single tunnel, double bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction includes implant constructs and instruments. The implant constructs provide a combination of cortical fixation and bone tunnel aperture fixation. The implant constructs separate a graft into distinct bundles. The instruments are used to prepare shaped bone tunnels to receive the implant constructs and graft bundles. Methods for reconstructing the antero-medial and postero-lateral bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament may rely on single femoral and tibial tunnels and a single strand of graft.
US09549801B2
A method of treating urinary incontinence includes implanting the urethral support into a patient, where the urethral support has a first anchor attached to a first end of a non-porous sling and a second anchor attached to the non-porous sling. The method includes moving an adjustment device through a channel formed in one of the anchors from a first position that locates the adjustment device between the anchor and the non-porous sling to a second position that locates the anchor between the adjustment device and the non-porous sling.
US09549790B2
Provided is a scanning jig capable of improving replacement accuracy of three-dimensional data. Provided is a scanning jig 10 for attaching to an analog 20 embedded in a model or to an artificial tooth root 30 embedded inside an oral cavity, the scanning jig including: a main body 11 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape provided with a bottom to one end portion; a fixation member 12 of which one end side is inserted inside the cylindrical shape of the main body and the other end side is fixated to the analog or the artificial tooth root; and a magnet 13 arranged inside the cylindrical shape of the main body, wherein the main body is not provided with a hole or a groove on one end surface on a bottom side of the bottomed cylindrical shape, and the end surface is provided with an inclined surface.
US09549785B2
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a guide stent of a dental implant. The method includes a first step of obtaining a three-dimensional image of periodontal tissue in a mouth of a patient through an CT scan and a three-dimensional exterior image corresponding to the three-dimensional image through an oral scan; a second step of matching the three-dimensional image and the three-dimensional exterior image through a difference amp which overlaps the three-dimensional image and the three-dimensional exterior image and outputs a matching degree between the images, and obtaining a three-dimensional procedure guide image; and a third step of manufacturing a stent body having a through hole corresponding to a preset implant implantation position according to the obtained three-dimensional procedure guide image.
US09549779B2
Various high-strength microwave antenna assemblies are described herein. The microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. The antenna is a dipole antenna with the distal end of the radiating portion being tapered and terminating at a tip to allow for direct insertion into tissue. Antenna rigidity comes from placing distal and proximal radiating portions in a pre-stressed state, assembling them via threaded or overlapping joints, or fixedly attaching an inner conductor to the distal portion. The inner conductor is affixed to the distal portion by, e.g., welding, brazing, soldering, or by adhesives. A junction member made from a hard dielectric material, e.g., ceramic, can be placed between the two portions and can have uniform or non-uniform shapes to accommodate varying antenna designs. Electrical chokes may also be used to contain returning currents to the distal end of the antenna.
US09549772B2
The present invention relates to devices and methods for altering the tissue in and around an intervertebral disc through localized hypothermia therapy to restore function of the disc and reduce pain. Hypothermia therapy is defined as the reduction of tissue temperature to below that of the equilibrium temperature. Target therapeutic temperatures and times are varied according to the desired treatment effect. Intended effects of hypothermia of the intervertebral disc include cellular disruption leading to cell death and or structural and chemical denaturation within the anulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus, or nerve fibers, temporary or permanent deadening of the nerves within or surrounding the disc, induction of a healing response, angiogenesis, or accelerated degeneration and/or drying of the nucleus pulposus and/or anulus fibrosus. Various effects can be achieved by reaching different temperatures for differing periods of time or by the proximity of the hypothermia therapy device to the treatment target. Accordingly, it is an object of one or more the embodiments of the invention to provide hypothermic therapy to selected locations within an intervertebral disc utilizing a flexible and guidable cryogenic device.
US09549758B2
A surgical access assembly is disclosed, including a resiliently compressible access port defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends. At least one lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the access port and is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The surgical access assembly includes a resiliently compressible adapter having proximal and distal ends, an opening at the proximal end, and a passage for receipt of the access port. The adapter has a diameter at its distal end different from the diameter of the distal end of the access port. The adapter has at least one opening in its distal end to allow an object to exit the at least one lumen. The surgical access assembly may also include a sleeve positionable through an opening in tissue.
US09549749B2
A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members disposed in parallel orientation relative to one another. One or both of the jaw members is movable along a first axis relative to the other jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. The first and second jaw members are configured to maintain the parallel orientation therebetween upon movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions. A drive bar is coupled to one or both of the jaw members. The drive bar is selectively movable along a second axis that is different from the first axis between first and second positions for moving the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions.
US09549748B2
Devices, kits, and methods of treatment are described. More particularly, methods of treating tissue of a passage wall defining a bodily passage, such as a sinus cavity, airway, or sinus passage are described. An exemplary method utilizes an elongate member having an elongate member proximal end, elongate member distal end, and an elongate member body that defines a curve.
US09549743B2
A device is provided to harvest bone grafts. The device generally consists of two pieces: an auger-type drill bit and a guide. The guide may have arms, etc., to keep the guide in place along a bone, and also may have a pivotable drill guide for the drill bit to be inserted. The auger drill bit may include a shoulder that acts as a depth guide to prevent the drill from extending too deep into bone. The device may be used to make multiple passes through a bone using only one drill hole. A method for harvesting bone graft is also provided.
US09549740B2
The invention relates generally to embolic agents and embolic delivery systems more specifically it relates to a device and method for filling of aneurysm or body cavity. In various embodiments, segmented and monolithic embolic agents provide the operator with the ability to select and detach the length of embolic agent, either extracorporeally or intracorporeally as desired by the operator, for implantation into the aneurysm or body cavity. Linking elements and detachment elements may be utilized by the operator to connect and detach variable lengths of embolic agents either extracorporeally or intracorporeally utilizing electrolytic, chemical, and mechanical detachment mechanisms. Embolic delivery systems are disclosed providing for constant and steady propulsion of the embolic agent.
US09549739B2
Devices, systems and methods for compressing, cutting, incising, reconfiguring, remodeling, attaching, repositioning, supporting, dislocating or altering the composition of tissues or anatomical structures to alter their positional or force relationship to other tissues or anatomical structures. In some applications, the invention may be used to improve patency or fluid flow through a body lumen or cavity (e.g., to limit constriction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate gland).
US09549734B2
A material-fastening device and related fastener and methods for use, and more particularly, a device with segments of the fastener capable of being independently attached to different sides of a gap in the material.
US09549729B2
A system includes a tool and a suture connected to a needle. The tool includes a bore formed in a tube, and a suture slide communicating with the bore. The suture slide has a curved surface formed between an exterior surface of the tube and the bore of the tube. The needle is disposed in the bore. A segment of the suture is disposed within the bore and alongside the needle. The suture is in contact with the suture slide, and a proximal portion of the suture extends out of the bore at the suture slide. The suture slide is located forward of the back end the needle. Tension applied to the suture ejects a pointed distal end of the needle out of the distal end of the tube.
US09549727B2
An apparatus including a flexible length of cord and three tissue connectors positioned at the opposite ends of the cord and at an intermediate position of the cord is designed to be laparoscopically inserted through the abdominal wall and into the abdominal cavity, and used to move a first internal organ to a position away from a second internal organ where the apparatus holds the first internal organ in the position without further manual input, thereby providing surgical access to the second internal organ.
US09549724B2
An adaptor for removably engaging surgical retractor blades to a retractor frame has a recess with a latch mechanism at its proximal end for removably securing the adaptor to the rail of a retractor frame, and a spring-loaded locking jaw mechanism at its distal end for removably engaging a retractor blade.
US09549719B2
A system for positioning an interchangeable tool in a body cavity includes a channel having a lumen in direct communication with the body cavity, a tool introducer having a longitudinal axis and a distal end, and a tool holder covering at least a portion of the interchangeable tool that is pivotally connected to the tool introducer allowing angular positioning of the interchangeable tool after the tool holder emerges from the channel into the body cavity. A method for engaging an interchangeable tool with a distal portion of a tool manipulator in a body cavity includes inserting a tool introducer into a channel, orienting the distal portion of the tool manipulator in the body cavity, emerging the interchangeable tool from the channel into the body cavity, and positioning the interchangeable tool eccentrically to the lumen of the channel.
US09549717B2
A voice controlled surgical system including a wireless command microphone receiving audio input, a voice control module for generating commands from the audio input received by said wireless command microphone, a detection module for generating signals indicative of a proximity of said wireless command microphone, a switch module for disabling the commands in response to one or more of the signals, and an alarm module activated in response to the one or more of the signals.
US09549711B2
A system for detecting lymphedema comprising a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry system and one or more spacer pads disposed within a field of view of the dual energy x-ray absorptiometry system. The dual energy x-ray absorptiometry system comprises an x-ray source and a patient support platform, wherein the patient support platform is configured to receive a patient in a supine position with the x-ray source disposed above the patient support platform. The one or more spacer pads are configured to be positioned between body parts of the patient.
US09549709B2
A system for multi-mode breast x-ray Imaging which comprises a compression arm assembly for compressing and immobilizing a breast for x-ray imaging, an x-ray tube assembly, and an x-ray image receptor is provided. The system is configured for a plurality of imaging protocols and modes.
US09549702B1
A system includes one or more optical sensors for the measuring and monitoring of physiological information of a motorized system operator. The system is configured to determine an incapacitation state of the motorized system operator based upon the measured physiological information. When the measured physiological information indicates an incapacitation state (intoxication level, stress level, and so forth), the system is configured to provide a response thereto including, but not limited to: lock out operation of the motorized system, provide a warning on a display, transmit a message from the motorized system, assume automatic control of the motorized system, and so forth. The system includes a plurality of light sources (e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs)), one or more photodetectors, and control circuitry coupled to the plurality of light sources and/or photodetectors to non-invasively measure physiological information (e.g., blood alcohol concentration, stress levels, and so forth).
US09549692B2
Devices and methods are described for providing continuous measurement of an analyte concentration. In some embodiments, the devices include a membrane that has an interference domain designed to reduce the permeation of one or more interferents.
US09549690B2
A system is configured to monitor the dead space fraction of a subject in a substantially ongoing manner, rather than only updating the dead space fraction of the subject if one or more blood gas parameters of the subject are measured. This may facilitate enhanced control over respiratory therapy being provided to the subject, may inform decisions about care of the subject, and/or may provide other enhancements.
US09549689B2
A method for determining a location of an object in a three-dimensional localization field created by a localization system includes the following steps: providing a catheter having known spacing between electrodes; providing a lookup table of data correlating locations of an object within the localization field with measurements made by the localization system; placing the catheter into the localization field; using the localization system to determine the location of the electrodes based on the lookup table; calculating an observed distance between electrodes; comparing the observed distance to the known electrode spacing; and adjusting the lookup table to more accurately measure the spacing of the electrodes. A Kernel function, such as the derivative of a Gaussian function, may be used to update the lookup table.
US09549687B2
A patient transport apparatus having a table configured to support a patient, a base attached to the table, a docking system attached to the base, the docking system configured to couple to a mating docking system of an MR imaging system, and a plurality of bays formed in the base, with each bay configured to receive a patient care module therein. The patient transport apparatus further includes a control system configured to be electrically coupled to each patient care module received within the plurality of bays and configured to centrally control each patient care module.
US09549683B2
Systems and methods are disclosed to determine one or more sensing zones on a body surface for electrocardiographic mapping of a region of interest associated with the heart. The sensing zone can be utilized to facilitate acquisition, processing and mapping of electrical activity for the corresponding region of interest. In other examples, an application-specific arrangement of electrodes can also be provided based on the sensing zone that is determined for the region of interest.
US09549682B2
Methods and systems for monitoring the well-being of a target are disclosed. In a method embodiment, data representing a signal is received by a computer system. The signal may be generated at least in part by one or more sensors in response to the detection of a change in an electrical field, electric potential, capacitance, and/or dielectric constant of a target spaced apart from the one or more sensors. The method may further include identifying, using the computer system and based at least in part on the data electronically received by the computer system, a recurring pattern in the received data. The method may also include determining, using the computer system and based at least in part on the received data, whether a deviation from the recurring pattern transgresses a threshold. The deviation may comprise a subset of the data electronically received by the computer system.
US09549679B2
A stenotic lesion can be characterized by measuring both pressure drop across the stenotic lesion and the size of the vessel lumen adjacent the stenotic lesion, both with sensors delivered intravascularly to the stenotic lesion site. The size (e.g., inner diameter, cross-sectional profile) of the vessel lumen adjacent the stenotic lesion can be measured via one or more intravascular ultrasound transducers. Such one or more intravascular ultrasound transducer(s) can be delivered to the site of the stenotic lesion with the same delivery device that carries a pressure transducer.
US09549673B2
A scanning laser ophthalmoscope includes: an irradiation optical system including a laser light source and an optical scanner; a light receiving optical system including first to third photo detectors; and a processor. The light receiving optical system includes a wavelength separator causing the light of a first wavelength range to be received by the first photo detector, the light of a second wavelength range to be received by the second photo detector, and the light of a third wavelength range to be received by the third photo detector. The processor generates a first fundus image on the basis of the light reception signal from the first photo detector, a second fundus image on the basis of the light reception signal from the second photo detector, and a third fundus image on the basis of the light reception signal from the third photo detector.
US09549658B2
A household appliance for performing a useful cycle of operation on a physical article may have a treating chamber for holding the physical article during performance of the useful cycle of operation. The household appliance may include a temporary controllable device located within the treating chamber where the temporary controllable device may be communicated with via a signal relay.
US09549655B2
An apparatus for the hot and moist cleaning of floors is disclosed, having an elongate body including a handle at a proximal end thereof and a water reservoir; and a cleaning head flexibly disposed at a distal end of the elongate body and having a heating plate and a cleaning pad, wherein the heating plate forms a planar underside of the cleaning head and includes a heating element to heat the planar underside. The water reservoir is adapted to moisten the cleaning pad when the planar underside is above 85 C. The cleaning pad is removably attached against and in thermal communication with the planar underside such that the cleaning pad is moistened and heated to a temperature between 85 C and 100 C, inclusive. And the heating plate does not substantially heat water from the water reservoir prior to the moistening of the cleaning pad.
US09549653B1
A toy gathering and storage device for gathering and storing toys includes a rake that has a handle which comprises an exterior section and an interior section, such that the handle is extendable. A top edge of a slat is coupled to a bottom end of the exterior section. A plurality of claws is coupled to and extends from a bottom edge of the slat. The device includes a collector that has a rod which comprises an inner section and an outer section, such that the rod is extendable. A bracket is coupled to and extends from a bottom terminus of the outer section. A pan is pivotally coupled to the bracket. A bag, which is flexible, is positionable around the pan and the bracket. The bag is couplable to the bracket.
US09549635B1
The techniques provide for a reconfigurable extraction column length based on the number of columns from a plurality of columns configured for use in an extraction apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of columns that each have an inlet, a central portion configured to hold extractable material during an extraction process, and an outlet. The reconfigurable extraction apparatus also includes a piping system connected to each of the plurality of columns that can selectively connect each of the plurality of columns, such that each column from the plurality of columns can be configured for an extraction process either singularly or in series or in parallel with one or more other columns from the plurality of columns, administering a solvent to one or more of the plurality of columns, and outputting the solvent after an extraction process occurs in the one or more of the plurality of columns.
US09549633B2
A shaker bottle comprising an open top lower vessel for retaining a liquid volume, an upper member releasably engaging and closing the open top lower vessel; the upper member including a liquid passage inlet in a bottom surface thereof connected to a closable port on an exterior of the upper member allowing liquid in the lower vessel to pass through the inlet and the closable port when the closable port is open and the upper member is closing the lower vessel; the upper member including a storage chamber suitable for receiving a powder supplement; the storage chamber including a releasable bottom member forming a seal with the storage chamber separating the storage from the lower vessel when the releasable bottom member is in with the storage chamber; the bottom member when released from the storage chamber being received in the lower vessel with the storage chamber being open to the lower vessel.
US09549632B2
Apparatus for a protecting a roadside mail box from snow thrown by snowplow by which includes first and second generally planar members each having at least one rectilinear edge and a top and a bottom. Bracing members are fixed to the first and second generally planar members with the members forming a wedge shape with a vertical edge to divert the thrown by the snowplow.
US09549624B2
Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for a hanging device including slides configured to align the hanging device at desired positions with the frame and on a wall. Embodiments may be configured to be aligned with a frame in both horizontal and vertical directions.
US09549619B2
Flexible cushions include structures configured to secure to a mattress or other sleeping surface, permitting cushion re-shaping to divide or otherwise configure a sleeping space. Cushions join to the mattress via an L-shaped plate that seats against a side an under a bottom of the mattress. The cushion is supported by the L-shaped plate, which may extend inside the cushion or otherwise mate with a flexible shaping pipe in the cushion. The flexible pipe in the cushion allows the cushion to be shaped in any fashion with sufficient human force while retaining its shape when slept on. The L-shaped plate is joined to an opposite latch plate that secures to an opposite side of the mattress by an adjustable belt that runs between the L-shaped plate and latch plate. The belt may run under the mattress and join to any number of structures.
US09549618B1
The present invention is a folding bed that is embedded into a filing cabinet. The folding bed comprises of three folding sections pivotably connected to each other to be sized to fit vertically into the compartment of the filing cabinet. The folding bed including a pull-push assembly to pull the folding bed out of the cabinet and a rotation system to rotate the folding bed from a vertical position into a horizontal position and reverse. When the door, which looks like a combination of two drawer doors, is opened, the folded bed is easily slid out of the cabinet and rotated to the right or left direction depending on the position of the cabinet proportional to a wall or other obstruction and opens the foldable bed in a horizontal position and retracts the foldable legs to support the bed on the floor.
US09549613B2
A bracket for attaching a drawer slide to a cabinet wall includes: main panel having front and rear surfaces, upper and lower edges, and opposed side edges; an L-shaped upper flange mounted to front surface of the main panel; an L-shaped lower flange mounted to the front surface of the main panel substantially parallel to the upper flange; a recess in the main panel positioned between the upper flange and the lower flange; an access ramp extending between one of the side edges and the recess; and means for mounting the main panel to the cabinet wall so that the rear surface confronts the rear wall. The upper and lower flanges are configured to capture the upper and lower edges of a panel of a mating bracket attached to a drawer slide. The recess is configured to receive and capture a nub extending from the panel of the mating bracket.
US09549596B2
A system and method for a moldable wallet. A moldable wallet has a clam shell shape with a top shell coupled to a bottom shell by a shell hinge. The wallet comprises a sealed side located at the shell hinge, and a clamped top side, right side, and bottom side. The top shell and the bottom shell have a moldable material, which can be a thermoplastic material or other bendable or moldable metal. The wallet can further include a money clip which can be integral with the wallet or a separate piece.
US09549589B2
Embodiments relating to a lightweight sole structure are disclosed. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a lobed member having a protruding portion associated with a cleat member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a chambered member located in an indention in an intermediate member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a cleat member having an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer. In some embodiments, a method of making a sole structure may include injecting a chambered member in between an upper member and an intermediate member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a plurality of zones having varying degrees of flexibility. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include cleat members having penetrating portions for penetrating into the ground surface.
US09549581B2
Disclosed are belt adjustment systems, particularly for wearing around a user's waist, that permit a continuum of belt loop sizes or a larger selection of belt loop sizes. The belt adjustment system includes an elongate belt member having a first end, a second end and a series of teeth positioned on an inner surface near the second end and a fixation member having first and second adjustment elements.
US09549565B2
The present invention is directed to methods and compositions that are useful in producing, feeding and growing animals. Compositions of the present invention comprise an extracted mineral element composition as disclosed herein. Animal lifespan and production is improved when provided with compositions comprising an extracted mineral element composition.
US09549560B2
A pesticidal composition comprises at least one compound selected from a 1-(3-pyridyl-N-oxide) pyrazole compound of formula I, II, or III, or any agriculturally acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R12, R13, Y, and Q, are as described herein. A method of controlling pests comprises applying the pesticidal composition near a population of pests.
US09549545B2
Firearm rests for hunting stands are provided. A firearm rest includes a first arm and a second arm. The second arm is spaced apart from the first arm along a lateral direction. The first arm and second arm each include a body extending between a first end and a second end, the body including a fixed portion and a rotational portion that is rotational between an extended position and a retracted position. The firearm rest further includes a cross-beam extending generally along the lateral direction between the first arm and the second arm. The cross-beam is coupled to the first arm at the first end and coupled to the second arm at the first end. The cross-beam has a position along a vertical direction in the extended position that is above a position of the cross-beam along the vertical direction in the retracted position.
US09549540B2
A dual-bearing reel includes a reel body, a spool, a spool shaft, a one-way clutch, and an operating lever. The spool is rotatable relative to the reel body. The spool shaft is configured to integrally rotate with the spool. The one-way clutch comprises an outer ring that is rotatable relative to the reel body and a rolling body configured to transmit rotation of the spool shaft in the casting direction to the outer ring, the one-way clutch being attached to the spool shaft. The operating lever is attached to the reel body, extends in a radial direction, and is configured to adjust a braking force that brakes rotation of the outer ring.
US09549533B2
The present disclosure provides a lightweight hybrid clumping animal litter made from organic core particles combined with small amounts of clumping agent, and methods for making the litter.
US09549520B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH018234. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH018234, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH018234 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH018234.
US09549518B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP37012 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP37012, cells from soybean variety XBP37012, plants of soybean XBP37012, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP37012. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP37012 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP37012, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP37012, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP37012. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP37012 are further provided.
US09549517B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP33010 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP33010, cells from soybean variety XBP33010, plants of soybean XBP33010, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP33010. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP33010 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP33010, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP33010, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP33010. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP33010 are further provided.
US09549516B1
A novel maize variety designated PH24VK and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH24VK with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH24VK 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 PH24VK or a locus conversion of PH24VK with another maize variety.
US09549512B2
The invention provides seed and plants of the bean line designated SV1545GA. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of bean line SV1545GA, and to methods for producing a bean plant produced by crossing a plant of bean line SV1545GA with itself or with another bean plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of bean line SV1545GA, including the pods and gametes of such plants.
US09549511B1
Disclosed is the seed of a novel soybean variety, designated 10CR148128, a sample of which is deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-123073. Also disclosed are plants, or parts thereof, grown from the seed of the variety, plants having the morphological and physiological characteristics of the 10CR148128 variety, and methods of using the plant or parts thereof in a soybean breeding program.
US09549510B2
An inbred corn line designated IT7EE42 is disclosed. The invention relates to the plants and seeds of inbred corn line IT7EE42 and methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred corn line IT7EE42 with itself or with another corn plant. The invention also relates to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to corn cultivars and plant parts derived from inbred corn line IT7EE42 and to methods for producing other corn cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from inbred corn line IT7EE42, and to the corn plants and parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing inbred corn line IT7EE42 with another corn cultivar.
US09549508B2
Stacked growing containers. The growing containers are stacked so that they are offset to each other in order to expose their corners to optimum light. Each growing container has a locking mechanism to ensure that the growing containers are locked into their correct offset position. Also each growing container has a drainage hole. A drainage container is positioned below the stack of growing containers and receives the excess water from the stack. Piping may be used to remove and redirect the excess water from the drainage container if required. In a preferred embodiment the growing containers are offset by 45 degrees.
US09549503B2
An agricultural harvesting machine a chassis, a cabin and at least one mount coupling the cabin to the chassis. The mount has a first connecting feature connected to the cabin, a second connecting feature connected to the chassis and a resilient member coupled to both the first connecting feature and the second connecting feature. The resilient member has a shaped void therein.
US09549501B2
The invention relates to a trimmer head comprising: a body to be coupled to a driving shaft of a vegetation cutting machine for rotating about a rotation axis, at least one rod comprising at least one retaining portion for holding a cutting filament in a determined direction, wherein the body comprises a housing for receiving each end of the rod such that the rod axis is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the body and substantially tangential to the rotational path of the body, the housing and the rod ends having respective shapes allowing at least two relative orientations of the rod relative to the body: a first orientation wherein the determined direction is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the body, and a second orientation wherein the determined direction is substantially radial and substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the body.
US09554492B2
A power converter is provided. The power converter includes a heat sink provided with a holding unit, a plurality of semiconductor devices disposed on the heat sink, and a fixing assembly pressing each of the semiconductor devices toward the heat sink to fix the semiconductor device. The fixing assembly includes a lower push unit disposed on the semiconductor device, and an upper push unit disposed on the lower push unit to press the lower push unit downward, the upper push unit being coupled to the holding unit. The upper push unit includes a central bent part that partially protrudes downward, an insertion part disposed on each of both ends of the central bent part in a left/right direction, the insertion part having a left/right distance therebetween that gradually increases upward, and a fixing bar inserted into the insertion part.
US09554490B2
A control system for providing thermal management of electronic equipment housed in a cabinet enclosure. The system can include a plurality of sensors in proximity to the cabinet enclosure for monitoring a temperature, a pressure and a humidity associated with the electronic equipment; and a controller in communication with the sensors for receiving data from the sensors, where the controller adjusts the temperature, the pressure and the humidity associated with the electronic equipment.
US09554468B2
Generally discussed herein are systems and apparatuses that can include a releasable core panel. The disclosure also includes techniques of making and using the systems and apparatuses. According to an example a technique of making a releasable core panel can include coupling an inner foil to a base, situating an adhesive layer on the inner foil, such that the inner foil is substantially flush with a periphery of the base, situating an outer conductive foil on the adhesive layer, or covering an interface between the adhesive layer, the inner foil and the outer conductive foil with a protective material.
US09554467B2
Provided is a printed circuit board including a first conductive layer including a first conductive layer including a recessed portion, a protruding portion disposed at a higher level than that of the recessed portion, and a connecting portion connecting the recessed portion with the protruding portion. A second conductive layer is disposed above the recessed portion of the first conductive layer. A core layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. An upper solder resist layer is disposed on the second conductive layer. The upper solder resist layer exposes at least a portion of the protruding portion. A lower solder resist layer is disposed below the first conductive layer.
US09554442B2
Provided is an organic metal complex having a structure represented by the following general formula (1): MLmL′n (1) where: M represents a metal atom selected from Ir, Pt, Rh, Os, and Zn; L and L′, which are different from each other, each represent a bidentate ligand; m represents an integer of 1 to 3 and n represents an integer of 0 to 2, provided that m+n is 3; a partial structure MLm represents a structure represented by the following general formula (2): and a partial structure ML′n represents a structure including a monovalent bidentate ligand.
US09554440B2
A dimmable LED lighting apparatus including a power input unit generating drive voltage through rectification of received AC power and outputting the generated drive voltage to the drive controller, an insulation type signal transceiver receiving a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal output from a PWM dimmer and outputting the PWM signal to the drive controller, while electrically insulating the PWM dimmer from the drive controller, a first LED group to an nth LED group, n being a positive integer of 2 or greater, receiving the drive voltage and sequentially operating under control of the drive controller, and a drive controller controlling sequential operation of the first LED group to the nth LED group according to a voltage level of the drive voltage, determining a dimming level based on the received PWM dimming signal, and controlling dimming of the first LED group to the nth LED group based on the determined dimming level.
US09554433B2
A driver system for driving a plurality of LED includes a control module having an input for receiving operating data, and at least one driver module for driving at least one of the LED. The driver module includes a hysteretical converter for generating a current to power the LED, and a controller electrically connected to the hysteretical converter for controlling the hysteretical converter.
US09554416B2
The techniques introduced here provide for efficient mass handover from a shared-spectrum wireless communication system (e.g., Licensed Shared Access, Authorized Shared Access, Cloud Spectrum Services, or the like) to a target system (e.g., 3GPP LTE, or the like). The techniques further provide for efficient handling of transitions from one shared-spectrum allocation period to the next shared-spectrum allocation period. Additionally, the techniques provide for efficient handling of multi-operator transitions to re-licensed or re-negotiated shared-spectrum allocations.
US09554411B1
Systems and methods are disclosed herein that can allow for wirelessly powering and/or communicating with a sterile-packed electronic device without removing the electronic device from its sterile packaging and while maintaining the sterility of the electronic device. In some embodiments, a base station with a power transmitter wirelessly transfers power to a power receiver of the electronic device, for example using inductive, capacitive, or ultrasonic coupling. The base station or another external device can also be used to wirelessly program or interrogate the electronic device. Battery charging circuits and switching circuits for use with said systems and methods are also disclosed.
US09554403B2
A technology that is operable to select a radio node on a communications network is disclosed. In one embodiment, a user equipment (UE) is configured with circuitry configured to determine when to offload data traffic of the UE to a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) in a multi-radio access technology (RAT) communications network based on radio access network (RAN) assistance information communicated via the operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) system. A status is identified of one or more WLAN APs in the multi-RAT communications network using the RAN assistance information. A radio node is selected in the cell of the multi-RAT communications network for communication based on selected criteria.
US09554396B2
A wireless local area network (WLAN) method and device to provide dual band (DB) operation of the WLAN device, the DB operation including communication in a first frequency band with a first device and communication in a second frequency band with a second device, the WLAN device including first network interface circuitry to support communication in the first frequency band with the first device, second network interface circuitry to support communication in the second frequency band with the second device, and a processor to generate at least one action frame that includes information regarding a duration of time during which the WLAN device will be unavailable for communication, and to enable transmission of the at least one action frame to the first device or to the second device.
US09554390B2
Terrestrial mobile wireless network capacity may be maximized subject to an interference constraint imposed by a protected station of another wireless network in a shared band. Equipment of one or more users (UEs) may receive a calibrated beacon signal from the protected station prior to activating a transmitter of one or more wireless UEs. The one or more UEs may measure an isolation (path loss) value between the one or more UEs and protected station using the beacon signal, and dynamically adjust the transmit power of one or more wireless UEs to maintain aggregate interference received by the protected station below an “acceptable” value. The transmit power may be adjusted based on the measured isolation and based on the indicated receive activity, such that the wireless network may operate with no interference constraints imposed by the protected station when a non-active state is indicated.
US09554384B2
A terminal for use within an unknown regulatory domain, and a computer program product and method for configuring the terminal, are provided. The terminal can comprise first program instructions to actively scan one or more domain independent channels in a frequency band, second program instructions to configure the terminal for use in the unknown regulatory domain in response to the terminal receiving regulatory domain information as a result of actively scanning one or more of the domain independent channels, third program instructions to passively scan one or more domain dependent channels in the frequency band in response to the terminal not receiving the regulatory domain information as a result of actively scanning one or more of the domain independent channels, and fourth program instructions to configure the terminal for use in the unknown regulatory domain in response to passively scanning one or more domain dependent channels in the frequency band.
US09554382B2
A method and device for service time division multiplexing as well as a method and a device for transmitting service are disclosed. The method for service time division multiplexing includes selecting a part or all of radio frames in one time unit as specific radio frames; and selecting a part or all of subframes in the specific radio frames as specific subframes for sending a specific service. The specific service is a multimedia broadcast multicast service, or a unicast service, or one or more than one kind of services transmitted in broadcast or multicast mode.
US09554374B2
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for transmitting acknowledgement/negative ACK (ACK/NACK) in a wireless communication system which supports carrier aggregation, and to an apparatus for the method. A method in which a terminal transmits ACK/NACK in a wireless communication system that supports carrier aggregation comprises the following steps: receiving one or more physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs); and transmitting ACK/NACK for said one or more PDSCHs via a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). A PUCCH format for transmitting ACK/NACK is selected by taking the type of the carrier in which said one or more PDSCHs are received into account.
US09554367B1
Systems and methods are described for determining an access node for a wireless device. An increased signal level for a first signal and an adjustment value based on the increased signal level may be determined. An indication of the adjustment value and the first signal may be transmitted from a first access node. A wireless device in communication with the first access node may transmit signal information comprising a first signal level associated with the first access node and a second signal level associated with a second access node, where the signal information is transmitted in response to a reporting event triggered at the wireless device based on the adjustment value and at least one of a received signal level for the first signal and a received signal level for the second signal. Based on the signal information, one of the first access node and the second access node may be selected for communication with the wireless device. The wireless device may be instructed to communicate with the selected access node.
US09554351B2
A communications apparatus includes multiple SIM cards, a RF signal processing module including two or more RF signal processing units which including at least a first RF signal processing unit, and an arbiter configured for dynamically determining which SIM card to use which RF signal processing unit for handling a radio activity of the SIM card according to priority of radio activities of the SIM cards and RF signal processing capability of the RF signal processing units. A number of the SIM cards is equal to or greater than a number of the RF signal processing units included in the RF signal processing module.
US09554350B1
In systems and methods of establishing an attachment between a wireless device and a communication network, an attachment request is received from the wireless device, an access node, or both, and an update location request is transmitted to a subscriber database. A create session request is transmitted to a gateway node before an update location answer is received from the subscriber database.
US09554341B2
The present specification relates to a method and device for allocating uplink power in multiple-TA environments. The method comprises: calculating transmission powers of a PUSCH for subframe m of a first component carrier and subframes k and (k+1) of a second component carrier by using required powers of the PUSCH for the first half and second half of subframe m, which temporally overlaps with the second half of subframe k and the first half of subframe (k+1), available powers of the PUSCH for the first and second components carriers, and required powers of the PUSCH for the second half of subframe K and the first half of subframe (k+1) in a user equipment to which multiple TAs are applied; and setting the transmission power of the PUSCH for subframe m according to the calculated transmission powers and performing uplink transmission to a base station through the subframe m.
US09554340B2
According to one aspect of the teachings herein, a set of rules for transmitting Downlink Control Information (DCI) messages containing Transmit Power Control (TPC) commands is known to a wireless communication network (10) and to any number of wireless devices (20) supported by network (10). A device (20) receiving a given TPC DCI message knows the uplink channel(s) to which the received TPC command(s) are to be applied based on interpreting the given TPC DCI message according to the known rules. The rules may be defined as internal within the DCI format, such as bits, states or code points. Additionally, or alternatively, the rules may be defined according to external attributes for DCI message transmission, such as whether the DCI message is transmitted on a Physical Downlink Control Channel, “PDCCH” or on an enhanced PDCCH, “ePDCCH”.
US09554337B2
A method for interference-aware scheduling is provided. The method can include acquiring a plurality of interference characteristics, each of the interference characteristics associated with a range of communication resources. The method may further include combining at least two of the interference characteristics into a combined interference characteristic, and transmitting a message encoding the combined interference characteristic.
US09554331B2
Aspects disclosed herein relate to activating a single wire protocol (SWP) interface with a circuit card. A single wire protocol (SWP) activation procedure is initiated with a circuit card. During the SWP activation procedure, an unexpected frame may be received, and a different SWP activation procedure may be initiated with the circuit card based at least in part on receiving the unexpected frame during the SWP activation procedure.
US09554329B2
An apparatus and a method for transmitting control information in a small base station of a wireless communication system are provided. In the method, when the small base station operates in a Low Duty operation Mode (LDM) in a superframe, a control signal including LDM operation information is generated. Only a subframe via which a preamble, a control signal including the LDM operation information, and a SuperFrame Header (SFH) are transmitted is transmitted during the superframe. When the small base station operates in a normal operation mode in a superframe, at least one of the control information and data is transmitted via at least one subframe of the superframe.
US09554325B2
A system includes an apparatus; a first access point configured to transmit a first signal reaching the apparatus; and a second access point configured to transmit a second signal reaching the apparatus during a period other than the first signal is transmitted from the first access point, wherein a signal quality regarding the first access point is estimated on the basis of the first signal but except the second signal.
US09554322B2
A transmission control method for a vehicular ad hoc network system having a plurality of mobile nodes is provided. The mobile nodes include a source node, a destination node, and a plurality of relay nodes. The source node transmits a data packet to the destination node through the relay nodes. The method includes each mobile node capturing mobility information being periodically broadcasted from neighboring mobile nodes to correspondingly update the connection state table thereof, wherein the connection state table records the coverage remaining time between the mobile node and neighboring mobile nodes; when any of relay nodes determines that the coverage remaining time between the relay node and the subsequent mobile node is less than a predefined threshold, the relay node transforms into a proxy node, stores the data packet, and establishes a reliable sub-connection between the proxy node and a next proxy node or the destination node.
US09554320B2
A mobile communication system includes a mobile station provided in a moving object moving along a predetermined route, and a plurality of base stations provided along the route. The mobile station includes an interruption time determining unit that determines whether an interruption time, in which the base station communicating with the mobile station which is currently connected is interrupted communication with the mobile station, is within a predetermined permissible time range for a travel direction side of the route more forward than a current position of the moving object, and a handover processing unit that performs handover processing when the interruption time determining unit determines that the interruption time is not within the permissible time range.
US09554310B2
A random access method and an evolved Node B (eNB) is described. The method includes: receiving, by a target evolved Node B (eNB), a handover request message including information of multiple target component carriers selected by the source eNB; determining, by the target eNB, whether to allow the multiple target component carriers selected by the source eNB; sending, by the target eNB, a handover request acknowledgement message including information about at least two determined target component carriers for the UE. If the multiple target component carriers selected by the source eNB are allowed by the target eNB, the at least two determined target component carriers include the multiple target component carriers selected by the source eNB. Otherwise, the at least two determined target component carriers include one or more newly configured target component carriers configured by the target eNB.
US09554305B2
Embodiments of User Equipment (UE) and methods to support reception of content for use by an application supported by a Port Control Protocol (PCP) client are disclosed herein. The UE may receive, from a PCP server, a first portion of video content for use by the application during a first time period. The UE may send a PCP update message that includes one or more mobility status parameters. The UE may receive a second portion of the video content for use by the application during a second time period. The first and second portions of the video content may be received from a first and a second mobility anchor, which may operate as relays for the PCP server. The second mobility anchor may be determined based on a referred IP prefix included in the PCP date update message.
US09554304B2
A scalable medium access control (“MAC”) module is provided that avoids conflict resource reservation so that network performance does not degrade as the number of hops or nodes in a wireless network increases. The MAC also provides different access schemes for traffic with different quality of service (“QoS”) requirements such that QoS is guaranteed and network resources are efficiently utilized. Furthermore, the resource allocation scheme determines the routing path as resources is allocated for data traffic, thereby achieving more robust layer-2 routing at the MAC layer. Finally, the scalable MAC is compliant with both WiMedia MAC and IEEE 802.15.3 MAC.
US09554302B2
QoS based uplink data buffering while TTI bundling is enabled by a wireless user equipment (UE) device. The UE may establish a packet-switched connection with a network via a wireless link. The UE may receive, at a media access control (MAC) layer, an indication to enable TTI bundling. The UE may selectively buffer uplink data at an application layer based on the indication to enable TTI bundling. The uplink data may be buffered selectively based on Quality of Service (QoS) considerations. Uplink transmissions may subsequently be performed using TTI bundling.
US09554297B2
Technology for periodic channel state information (CSI) reporting using a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) is disclosed. One method can include a user equipment (UE) generating a CSI report with a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) first reporting type and a CSI report with a PUCCH second reporting type; and dropping a CSI report with the PUCCH first reporting type of a serving cell when the CSI report with the PUCCH first reporting type has a collision with the CSI report with PUCCH second reporting type of the serving cell. The PUCCH first reporting type can have a lower priority level than the PUCCH second reporting type.
US09554295B2
A radio measurement collection method in one embodiment is provided with: a step (S142) wherein, in an idle state, radio-environment measurement is performed on a target LTE frequency band in accordance with measurement parameters set by an LTE base station (eNB); a step (S143) wherein, in an idle state, radio-environment measurement is performed on a frequency band for a non-LTE radio access technology and/or an LTE frequency band other than the target frequency band; and a step (S146) wherein, if the result of the measurement in step S142 is less than a threshold, the result of the measurement in step S142 and the result of the measurement in step S143 are both logged together with location information.
US09554281B2
Methods and systems are provided for allocating frequencies in a radio access network (RAN) that includes a plurality of radio nodes each associated with a cell and a services node operatively coupled to the radio nodes. In accordance with the method, the radio nodes (RNs) in the RAN are divided into a plurality of clusters of RNs. A fractional frequency reuse (FFR) pattern is generated for each cluster. Transmission resources are allocated to the radio nodes in each cluster in accordance with the respective FFR pattern that is generated for each cluster.
US09554274B1
Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods, and computer program products for authentication levels associated with a wearable device. The system is configured to receive an indication that a user is in possession of the wearable device; authenticate the wearable device; receive an indication from the user to execute a transaction; determine that the user continues to remain in possession of the wearable device; determine that the transaction requires an authentication level higher than the default authentication level; receive additional authentication credentials associated with the authentication level required to execute the transaction; authenticate the wearable device using the additional authentication credentials received from the user; and execute the transaction associated with the authentication level higher than the default authentication level.
US09554269B1
Privacy centric feature analysis. A secure set of multiple mapped features is selected and provided to a mobile device. Each mapped feature maps a sharable feature to a matching criterion for an item of protected information and no combination of mapped features for a secure set are unique to an individual item of protected information. Privacy compliance instructions enable the mobile device to select a mapped feature from a received set of mapped features by identifying an item of protected information available to the mobile device which corresponds to a matching criterion found in the received set of mapped features. The sharable feature of the selected mapped feature is identified and sent to a privacy compliant destination. Advantageously, the analysis system protects the privacy of the mobile device user because it does not require the mobile device to relay protected information for the selection of customized content or relevant advertisements.
US09554267B2
Techniques to associate user data with a mobile device are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise a service support component and a storage component. The services support component may be operative to receive a data package request from a service, the data package request comprising a network identifier for a mobile device associated with a user, and exchange a data package with the service in response to the data package request. The storage component may be operative to access the data package associated with the user based on the network identifier. Other embodiments are described and claimed. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09554263B2
A method and device for performing the process of discovering neighbors for Wi-Fi P2P communication. The method includes: checking at a first WFD P2P device whether there is WFD P2P group in which participation is possible; performing, at the first WFD P2P device, the operation for participating in the WFD P2P group in which participation is possible, if there is a WFD P2P group in which participation is possible, or performing, at the first WFD P2P device, the operation for creating a new WFD P2P group or entering a sleep mode, if there is no WFD P2P group in which participation is possible.
US09554260B2
According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a user may receive various information via a personal electronic device (“PED”), based in part on the individuals or contacts with whom the user associates and based in part on the activities, events, or locations with which the user has affiliated. In certain embodiments, the user may receive notifications to the user's PED without preselecting contacts, activities, events or locations. In other embodiments, the user may receive notifications relating to any one of the contacts, activities, events or locations that the user has preselected. Systems and associated methods for implementing and practicing the present disclosure are also described.
US09554257B2
An automatic call synchronization system and method, in which a mobile terminal (101) transmits, when receiving an incoming calling signal and determining that an automatic call synchronization function is turn on, to a wireless signal transponder (104) a call synchronization request carrying the identification information of the mobile terminal (101) and the call information; the pattern recognizer (103), which is connected with the wireless signal transponder (104), authenticates the mobile terminal (101) according to the identification information of the mobile terminal (101), and transmits to a fixed terminal (102) a call access request carrying the identification information of the mobile terminal (101) and the call information through the wireless signal transponder (104) after the authentication is successful; the fixed terminal (102) calls the user of the mobile terminal (101) according to the identification information and the call information, and transmits, when the call is answered by the user using the fixed terminal (102), to the wireless signal transponder (104) a call access response and implements the conversation through a fixed phone operation network matched with the fixed terminal (102). In this way, the call charge may be saved, and automatically performing the call synchronization has flexibility and convenience, thus bringing convenience to the user.
US09554247B2
In one embodiment, scanning data is received for wireless access points whose wireless signals were observed by the one or more scanning devices in a target area. For each group of scanning data that shares a common identifier of a Wi-Fi access point, a centroid of the scanning data is determined, a set of scanning data of the group that exceeds a threshold distance from the centroid is designated as having potential error, and a location of the Wi-Fi access point is calculated. The calculated location of the Wi-Fi access point for each group of scanning data is stored in a reference database. Upon receiving a request for a location of a mobile device, an identity of one or more Wi-Fi access points in range of the mobile device is determined, and the location of the mobile device is computed using calculated locations from the reference database.
US09554246B2
A method for providing information to a plurality of vendors located remotely from a broadcast network. A plurality of user-defined parameters are received by a user input database with at least one of the user-defined parameters including a user profile. Each of the user profiles includes a user identifier code identifying a communicator device associated with a particular user. Real-time data indicative of the spatial locations of the communicator devices is received by a communicator location database. Search information is received independently from a plurality of vendors and a data set is generated for each vendor.
US09554238B2
An example method performed by a first computing device executing an operating system includes receiving a request to form, with a second computing device, a wireless communication link, and sending, to the second computing device, a first message representing the request to form the wireless communication link. The method also includes prior to the operating system providing to the application a notification that the wireless communication link has been formed, sending, to the second computing device, a second message representing a request to receive data via the wireless communication link to confirm that the wireless communication link has been formed. The method also includes receiving, from the second computing device, the data confirming that the wireless communication link has been formed, and based on receiving the data, sending via the operating system to the application, the notification indicating that the wireless communication link has been formed.
US09554236B1
A universal sensor interface enables selective coupling of one or more sensor module units to a wireless node. Each sensor module unit can contain a suite of sensors selected for a particular sensor application at a monitored location. Reconfiguration of the wireless sensor network can occur seamlessly through the plug-and-play connectivity between the sensor module units and the wireless node.
US09554234B2
Method and device for device trigger/small data exchange/collection in wireless communication system
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for exchanging/collecting a device trigger by a short message service-service center (SMS-SC) in a wireless communication system comprises the steps of: receiving a first message including an old trigger reference number from a machine type communications-interworking function (MTC-IWF); and deleting a trigger message corresponding to the old trigger reference number, wherein when the first message further includes a new trigger reference number, the SMS-SC detects the trigger message and stores a new trigger message corresponding to the new trigger reference number.
US09554230B2
Disclosed are an apparatus and method of processing an audio signal to optimize audio for a room environment. One example method of operation may include recording the audio signal generated within a particular room environment and processing the audio signal to create an original frequency response based on the audio signal. The method may also include creating at least two iterative filters based on at least two separate frequency ranges of the original frequency response, calculating an error difference between the frequency response modified by the at least two iterative filters and the original frequency response, and applying the error difference to the audio signal.
US09554227B2
An audio signal processing apparatus including an index estimation unit that receives three-dimensional image information as an input and generates index information for applying a three-dimensional effect to an audio object in at least one direction of right, left, up, down, front, and back directions, based on the three-dimensional image information; and a rendering unit for applying a three-dimensional effect to the audio object in at least one direction of right, left, up, down, front, and back directions, based on the index information.
US09554222B2
A vibratory apparatus including a lever arm apparatus including a living hinge, wherein the vibratory apparatus is configured such that at least a portion of the lever arm moves about the living hinge when the vibratory apparatus is generating vibrations.
US09554209B2
A microphone preamplifier circuit is adapted to be connected to a microphone circuit, the microphone circuit including a microphone and at least one output node. The microphone preamplifier circuit includes a preamplifier including: an operational amplifier having at least one input and at least one output; at least one input DC decoupling capacitor connected to the at least one input of the operational amplifier; at least one feedback capacitor connected between the input and the output of the operational amplifier in order to set together with the at least one input DC decoupling capacitor a gain value of the preamplifier circuit; and first and second feed nodes adapted to be fed by first and second bias voltages respectively. The preamplifier further includes at least one switched capacitor adapted to be selectively and alternatively connected in response to a clock signal: between the at least one input and the at least one output of the operational amplifier; and between the first and second feed nodes. The microphone preamplifier circuit further includes an anti-aliasing filter having: (i) at least one output terminal connected to the at least one input DC decoupling capacitor and (ii) at least one input terminal adapted to be connected to the at least one output node of the microphone circuit.
US09554187B2
A smart television, and a turn-off method and a turn-on method for the smart television system are provided. The smart television system includes a remote controller and a smart television. The smart television includes a remote control module, a main chip, a memory chip and a memory chip. The turn-off method includes: when a remote control signal is received from the remote controller, quitting all operating interfaces of the television system; executing a television main program, which enters a wait status after completing loading a database and a program link process; storing a status of the main chip, and causing the memory chip to stay in a self-refresh operating mode; disconnecting power supplied to modules other than the remote control module and the memory chip, and the smart television system entering a turn off status.
US09554180B2
A system includes a converter to receive a receiving a satellite signal at first transport frequencies and to convert the satellite signal to second transport frequencies and a processor. The processor removes a radio frequency portion from the satellite signal without altering a sequence of media contents of a moving picture experts group portion of the satellite signal and without altering a quality of the media contents of the moving picture experts group portion. The processor determines whether the media contents include an error and corrects the error in the moving picture experts group portion with error correction data of the satellite signal. The processor encrypts the media contents to produce an encrypted digital moving picture experts group transport stream signal. The processor also sends the encrypted digital moving picture experts group transport stream signal to a modulator.
US09554170B2
A method and system to confirm co-location of multiple devices within a geographic area, while filtering spurious alarms, is provided. An example method comprises processing first GPS data obtained from a first GPS sensor and second GPS data obtained from a second GPS sensor. A sensing data evaluator compares a sensing error from the first GPS data and a sensing error from the second GPS data. Based on the result of the comparing, the sensing data evaluator determines whether the sensing errors are to be ignored. An approach where an alarm that otherwise would be generated is disabled or canceled may be termed as filtering spurious alarms.
US09554156B2
Deriving illumination compensation parameters and detection of illumination dominant transitions types for video coding and processing applications is described. Illumination changes such as fade-ins, fade-outs, cross-fades, and flashes are detected. Detection of these illumination changes is then used for weighted prediction to provide for improved illumination compensation.
US09554154B2
Image encoding apparatus adaptively determining a scan pattern according to an intra prediction mode
Provided is an image encoding apparatus that generates a prediction block according to an intra prediction mode, generates a residual block, transforms the residual block to generate a transform block, quantizes the transform block to generate a quantized transform block, scans the quantized transform block to generate one-dimensional (1D) quantized coefficients, and entropy-codes the 1D quantized coefficients. When a size of the transform block is 8×8, the quantized transform block is divided into a plurality of sub-blocks, the plurality of sub-blocks and coefficients of each sub-block are scanned using a same scan pattern determined according to the intra prediction mode. A scan pattern for scanning flags indicating non-zero coefficients of each sub-block is the same as the scan pattern for scanning non-zero coefficients of each sub-block.
US09554137B2
To improve an image recognition rate by quickly changing a parameter in a proper manner without being affected by a transmission delay of an image encoding stream in an image receiving device that recognizes a decoded image obtained by decoding the received image encoding stream. The image receiving device includes a data receiving unit, a parameter changing unit, a decoding unit, and an image recognition unit. The data receiving unit receives an image encoding stream including image encoding data and the parameter. The parameter changing unit changes the parameter received by the data receiving unit, that is, the parameter specified for encoding performed by a sender, to a value suitable for image recognition performed in the subsequent stage. The decoding unit generates the image decoding data by decoding the received image encoding data according to the changed parameter. The image recognition unit performs image recognition on the image decoding data.
US09554136B2
A method for decoding an image according to the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving and decoding MPM index information for indicating an MPM candidate which is to be used as an intra prediction mode of a current block; generating an MPM candidate list containing a plurality of MPM candidates for the current block; determining the MPM candidate indicated by the decoded MPM index information as the intra prediction mode of the current block, among the plurality of the MPM candidates which constitute the MPM candidate list; and generating a prediction block corresponding to the current block by performing intra prediction for the current block based on the determined intra prediction mode.
US09554126B2
Systems and methods for navigating a 3D stereoscopic scene displayed via a 3D stereoscopic display system using user head tracking. A reference POV including a reference user head position and a reference user head orientation may be established. The user head POV may be tracked, including monitoring user head positional displacements and user head angular rotations relative to the reference POV. In response to the tracking, a camera POV used to render the 3D stereoscopic scene may be adjusted based on a non-linear mapping between changes in the camera POV and the user head positional displacements and user head angular rotations relative to the reference POV. The non-linear mapping may include a mapping of user head positional displacements relative to the reference POV to translational movements in the camera POV and a mapping of user head angular rotations relative to the reference POV to rotations in the camera POV.
US09554125B2
Disclosed embodiments relate to a stereoscopic projection system and methods. An exemplary disclosed projection system includes an optical component disposed between the lenses of a lens arrangement. An exemplary lens arrangement includes a first power group, a second power group, and an aperture stop. In an embodiment, the optical component is disposed between the first power group and the aperture stop. In an exemplary embodiment, the optical component is proximate to the aperture stop. By disposing the optical component closer to or proximate to the aperture stop in the lens arrangement, various benefits may be realized, including improved contrast uniformity.
US09554124B1
A full depth display for use in three dimensional (3D) imaging has an array of optical emitters on a first plane, an aperture array having a plurality of apertures on a second plane separated from the first plane, and an optional set of corrective lenses which direct the image to a slightly divergent path about the z axis. The optical emitters are organized in left/right pairs. The aperture array contains periodic structures which direct optical energy from the array of apertures to an observer's left and right eyes to create the effect of a full depth image.
US09554123B2
Imagery from two or more users' different smartphones is streamed to a cloud processor, enabling creation of 3D model information about a scene being imaged. From this model, arbitrary views and streams can be synthesized. In one arrangement, a user of such a system is at a sports arena, and her view of the sporting event is blocked when another spectator rises to his feet in front of her. Nonetheless, the imagery presented on her headworn display continues uninterrupted—the blocked imagery from that viewpoint being seamlessly re-created based on imagery contributed by other system users in the arena. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
