US09029983B2

In one embodiment, a chip comprises a capacitor and a resistor. The capacitor comprises a first capacitor terminal, a second capacitor terminal, and a dielectric layer between the first and second capacitor terminals. The second capacitor terminal and the resistor are both fabricated from a resistor metal layer.
US09029979B2

A trench groove is formed and a silicon oxide film is buried in the periphery of a channel region of (0001) surface 4h-SiC semiconductor element. The oxide film in the trench groove is defined in such a planar layout that a tensile strain is applied along the direction of the c-axis and a compressive strain is applied along two or more of axes on a plane perpendicular to the c-axis. For example, trench grooves buried with an oxide film may be configured to such a layout that they are in a trigonal shape surrounding the channel, or are arranged symmetrically with respect to the channel as a center when arranged discretely.
US09029964B2

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming plural layers of a MTJ device, depositing a conductive layer over the plural layers, forming a hard mask pattern used for patterning the plural layers over the conductive layer, where the conductive layer is exposed through the hard mask pattern, performing hydrogen peroxide process to volatilize the exposed conductive layer and removing the volatilized conductive layer, and patterning the plural layers by using the hard mask pattern as an etch mask to form the MTJ device.
US09029952B2

A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first well having a first conductive type, a second well having a second conductive type, a body region, a first doped region, a second doped region, a third doped region and a field plate. The first and second wells are formed in the substrate. The body region is formed in the second well. The first and second doped regions are formed in the first well and the body region, respectively. The second and first doped regions have the same polarities, and the dopant concentration of the second doped region is higher than that of the first doped region. The third doped region is formed in the second well and located between the first and second doped regions. The third and first doped regions have reverse polarities. The field plate is formed on the surface region between the first and second doped regions.
US09029946B2

A power transistor includes a plurality of transistor cells. Each transistor cell has a first electrode coupled to a first electrode interconnection region overlying a first major surface, a control electrode coupled to a control electrode interconnection region overlying the first major surface, and a second electrode coupled to a second electrode interconnection region overlying a second major surface. Each transistor cell has an approximately constant doping concentration in the channel region. A dielectric platform is used as an edge termination of an epitaxial layer to maintain substantially planar equipotential lines therein. The power transistor finds particular utility in radio frequency applications operating at a frequency greater than 500 megahertz and dissipating more than 5 watts of power. The semiconductor die and package are designed so that the power transistor can efficiently operate under such severe conditions.
US09029943B2

The semiconductor memory device includes a cell transistor having a gate insulating film deposited on an inner surface of a groove formed in an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode buried in the groove with the gate insulating film formed on the inner surface thereof, and a source region and a drain region formed on an upper surface of the active area of the semiconductor substrate on opposite sides of the gate electrode. The semiconductor memory device includes an MTJ element having a variable resistance that varies with a direction of magnetization that is provided on the source region and electrically connected to the source region at a first end thereof.
US09029941B2

A vertical transistor component includes a semiconductor body with first and second surfaces, a drift region, and a source region and body region arranged between the drift region and the first surface. The body region is also arranged between the source region and the drift region. The vertical transistor component further includes a gate electrode arranged adjacent to the body zone, a gate dielectric arranged between the gate electrode and the body region, and a drain region arranged between the drift region and the second surface. A source electrode electrically contacts the source region, is electrically insulated from the gate electrode and arranged on the first surface. A drain electrode electrically contacts the drain region and is arranged on the second surface. A gate contact electrode is electrically insulated from the semiconductor body, extends in the semiconductor body to the second surface, and is electrically connected with the gate electrode.
US09029938B2

According to one embodiment, the stacked body includes a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of insulating layers alternately stacked on the substrate. The plurality of contact parts are provided in a protruding shape on respective end parts of the plurality of electrode layers. The plurality of contact parts do not overlap each other in the stacking direction. The plurality of contact parts are displaced in a surface direction of the substrate. The plurality of plugs extends from the respective contact parts toward the respective circuit interconnections and electrically connects the respective contact parts with the respective circuit interconnections.
US09029937B2

A transistor in which the state of an interface between an oxide semiconductor layer and an insulating film in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer is favorable and a method for manufacturing the transistor are provided. Nitrogen is added to the vicinity of the interface between the oxide semiconductor layer and the insulating film (gate insulating layer) in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer so that the state of the interface of the oxide semiconductor layer becomes favorable. Specifically, the oxide semiconductor layer has a concentration gradient of nitrogen, and a region containing much nitrogen is provided at the interface with the gate insulating layer. A region having high crystallinity can be formed in the vicinity of the interface with the oxide semiconductor layer by addition of nitrogen, whereby the interface state can be stable.
US09029936B2

A memory device includes a semiconductor channel, a tunnel dielectric layer located over the semiconductor channel, a first charge trap including a plurality of electrically conductive nanodots located over the tunnel dielectric layer, dielectric separation layer located over the nanodots, a second charge trap including a continuous metal layer located over the separation layer, a blocking dielectric located over the second charge trap, and a control gate located over the blocking dielectric.
US09029932B2

A programmable device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. A programmable device comprises a substrate having a source region, a drain region and a diffusion region adjacent to the source region and the drain region; a channel coupling the source region and the drain region; a floating gate formed of a conductive material and positioned on the substrate and corresponding to the channel; and a trench formed in the diffusion region at the substrate, wherein the floating gate extends to the trench, and the conductive material covers a sidewall of the trench.
US09029931B2

An improvement is achieved in the performance of semiconductor device including a nonvolatile memory. In a split-gate nonvolatile memory, between a memory gate electrode and a p-type well and between a control gate electrode and the memory gate electrode, an insulating film is formed. Of the insulating film, the portion between the lower surface of the memory gate electrode and the upper surface of a semiconductor substrate has silicon oxide films, and a silicon nitride film interposed between the silicon oxide films. Of the insulating film, the portion between a side surface of the control gate electrode and a side surface of the memory gate electrode is formed of a silicon oxide film, and does not have the silicon nitride film.
US09029925B2

A solid-state imaging device in which the potential of a signal line, which is obtained before a pixel has an operating period, is fixed to an intermediate potential between a first power-supply potential and a second power-supply potential.
US09029904B2

A light emitting diode includes a substrate, a first semiconductor layer, a luminous layer, a second semiconductor layer, a current diffusion layer, a third semiconductor layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulation layer. The first semiconductor layer is formed above the substrate. The luminous layer is formed on the first semiconductor layer, and exposes a portion of the first semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer is formed on the luminous layer. The current diffusion layer is formed on the second semiconductor layer. The third semiconductor layer is formed on the current diffusion layer. The first electrode is formed on the first semiconductor layer. The second electrode includes a base portion formed on the surface of the substrate, and plural comb structures extending upward vertically. Each tip of the comb structure is in the third semiconductor layer. The insulation layer exposes the tip of each comb structure.
US09029895B2

Disclosed is a light emitting device including an active layer emitting light with a wavelength band of 200 nm to 405 nm, and a light-transmitting layer disposed on the active layer, the light-transmitting layer having a lower part facing the active layer, wherein at least one of side and upper parts of the light-transmitting layer has a surface-processed pattern portion.
US09029893B2

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer, a p-side electrode, an n-side electrode, a fluorescent material layer and a reflection film. The semiconductor layer has a first surface and a second surface on an opposite side to the first surface and includes a light emitting layer. The p-side electrode and the n-side electrode are provided on the semiconductor layer on a side of the second surface. The fluorescent material layer is provided on a side of the first surface and includes a plurality of fluorescent materials and a bonding material. The bonding material integrates the fluorescent materials. The reflection film is partially provided on the fluorescent material layer and has a higher reflectance to the radiated light of the light emitting layer than to the radiated light of the fluorescent materials.
US09029892B2

According to one embodiment, a device module includes a mounting substrate, a device, and a bonding agent. The mounting substrate has a mounting surface and a plurality of pads. The device includes a plurality of electrode surfaces arranged in a first direction. The pad has a first width portion and a second width portion. The first width portion has a width in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second width portion is wider than the first width portion and the electrode surfaces in the second direction. One end portion in the first direction of the electrode surface is bonded to the pad on the first width portion via the bonding agent. The other end portion in the first direction of the electrode surface is bonded to the pad on the second width portion via the bonding agent.
US09029888B2

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a high-efficiency light emitting diode (LED). The LED according to an exemplary embodiment includes a substrate, a semiconductor stack arranged on the substrate, wherein the semiconductor stack has a p-type semiconductor layer, an active layer and an n-type semiconductor layer, a first metal layer interposed between the substrate and the semiconductor stack, the first metal layer ohmic-contacted with the semiconductor stack, a first electrode pad arranged on the semiconductor stack, an electrode extension extending from the first electrode pad, wherein the electrode extension has a contact region contacting the n-type semiconductor layer, a first insulating layer interposed between the substrate and the semiconductor stack, wherein the first insulating layer covers a surface region of the p-type semiconductor layer under the contact region of the electrode extension, and a second insulating layer interposed between the first electrode pad and the semiconductor stack.
US09029887B2

Solid state lighting (SSL) devices and methods of manufacturing SSL devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an SSL device comprises a support having a surface and a solid state emitter (SSE) at the surface of the support. The SSE can emit a first light propagating along a plurality of first vectors. The SSL device can further include a converter material over at least a portion of the SSE. The converter material can emit a second light propagating along a plurality of second vectors. Additionally, the SSL device can include a lens over the SSE and the converter material. The lens can include a plurality of diffusion features that change the direction of the first light and the second light such that the first and second lights blend together as they exit the lens. The SSL device can emit a substantially uniform color of light.
US09029868B2

A semiconductor apparatus includes a substrate; a buffer layer formed on the substrate; a first semiconductor layer formed on the buffer layer; and a second semiconductor layer formed on the first semiconductor layer. Further, the buffer layer is formed of AlGaN and doped with Fe, the buffer layer includes a plurality of layers having different Al component ratios from each other, and the Al component ratio of a first layer is greater than the Al component ratio of a second layer and a Fe concentration of the first layer is less than the Fe concentration of the second layer, the first and second layers being included in the plurality of layers, and the first layer being formed on a substrate side of the second layer.
US09029866B2

A semiconductor device in provided having a substrate and a semiconductor layer formed on a main surface of the substrate. A plurality of first island electrodes and a plurality of second island electrodes are placed over the semiconductor layer. The plurality of first island electrodes and second island electrodes are spaced apart from each other so as to be alternatively arranged to produce two-dimensional active regions in all feasible areas of the semiconductor layer. Each side of the first island electrodes is opposite a side of the second island electrodes. The semiconductor device can also include a plurality of strip electrodes that are formed in the regions between the first island electrodes and the second island electrodes. The strip electrodes serve as the gate electrodes of a multi-island transistor. The first island electrodes serve as the source electrodes of the multi-island transistor. The second island electrodes serve as the drain electrodes of the multi-island transistor. A plurality of connections to the gate electrodes are provided at each interstice defined by corners of the first island electrodes and the second island electrodes.
US09029862B2

A trench is formed in a semiconductor substrate, and is filled with a node dielectric layer and at least one conductive material fill portion that functions as an inner electrode. The at least one conductive material fill portion includes a doped polycrystalline semiconductor fill portion. A gate stack for an access transistor is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a gate spacer is formed around the gate stack. A source/drain trench is formed between an outer sidewall of the gate spacer and a sidewall of the doped polycrystalline semiconductor fill portion. An epitaxial source region and a polycrystalline semiconductor material portion are simultaneously formed by a selective epitaxy process such that the epitaxial source region and the polycrystalline semiconductor material portion contact each other without a gap therebetween. The polycrystalline semiconductor material portion provides a robust low resistance conductive path between the source region and the inner electrode.
US09029852B2

A semiconductor device includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating film which includes oxidized material containing silicon and covers the gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor film provided to be in contact with the gate insulating film and overlap with at least the gate electrode, and a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film. In the oxide semiconductor film, a first region which is provided to be in contact with the gate insulating film and have a thickness less than or equal to 5 nm has a silicon concentration lower than or equal to 1.0 at. %, and a region in the oxide semiconductor film other than the first region has lower silicon concentration than the first region. At least the first region includes a crystal portion.
US09029851B2

As a display device has a higher definition, the number of pixels, gate lines, and signal lines are increased. When the number of the gate lines and the signal lines are increased, a problem of higher manufacturing cost, because it is difficult to mount an IC chip including a driver circuit for driving of the gate and signal lines by bonding or the like. A pixel portion and a driver circuit for driving the pixel portion are provided over the same substrate, and at least part of the driver circuit includes a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor interposed between gate electrodes provided above and below the oxide semiconductor. Therefore, when the pixel portion and the driver portion are provided over the same substrate, manufacturing cost can be reduced.
US09029850B2

An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a thin film transistor including an active layer, a gate electrode, source and drain electrodes, a first insulating layer between the active layer and the gate electrode, and a second insulating layer between the gate electrode and the source and drain electrodes, a third insulating layer covering the source and drain electrodes, the third insulating layer being an organic insulating layer, a pixel electrode including a semi-transparent metal layer and having an end located in a trench formed around the first insulating layer, a fourth insulating layer including an opening exposing a top surface of the pixel electrode, the fourth insulating layer being an organic insulating layer, an organic light-emitting layer on the pixel electrode, and a counter electrode on the organic light-emitting layer.
US09029845B2

The present invention provides an electrode composite that has a reaction interface with a large area and can constitute a photoelectric element having high electron transport properties between the reaction interface and the electrode. The electrode composite of the present invention includes a first electrode and a conductive particle layer stacked on the first electrode. The conductive particle layer includes conductive particles containing acicular particles. The conductive particle layer has a three-dimensional porous network structure that is formed by the interconnection of the conductive particles. The three-dimensional network structure is joined to the first electrode. The conductive particle layer contains pores having a pore size of 50 nm or more in a total volume of 50% or more based on the volume of all pores in the conductive particle layer.
US09029844B2

An organic light emitting diode display and a method of manufacturing the same, the display including a substrate; a plurality of thin film transistors on the substrate; a protective film covering the plurality of thin film transistors; a pixel electrode on the protective film; a pixel defining film on the protective film, the pixel defining film having an opening exposing the pixel electrode; an organic emission layer on the pixel electrode and the pixel defining film; and a common electrode covering the organic emission layer, wherein a cross-section of an opening sidewall of the opening in the pixel defining film has a rounded shape.
US09029837B2

Coordinating additives are included in porphyrinoid-based materials to promote intermolecular organization and improve one or more photoelectric characteristics of the materials. The coordinating additives are selected from fullerene compounds and organic compounds having free electron pairs. Combinations of different coordinating additives can be used to tailor the characteristic properties of such porphyrinoid-based materials, including porphyrin oligomers. Bidentate ligands are one type of coordinating additive that can form coordination bonds with a central metal ion of two different porphyrinoid compounds to promote porphyrinoid alignment and/or pi-stacking. The coordinating additives can shift the absorption spectrum of a photoactive material toward higher wavelengths, increase the external quantum efficiency of the material, or both.
US09029836B2

In a method for fabricating a graphene structure, there is formed on a fabrication substrate a pattern of a plurality of distinct graphene catalyst materials. In one graphene synthesis step, different numbers of graphene layers are formed on the catalyst materials in the formed pattern. In a method for fabricating a graphene transistor, on a fabrication substrate at least one graphene catalyst material is provided at a substrate region specified for synthesizing a graphene transistor channel and at least one graphene catalyst material is provided at a substrate region specified for synthesizing a graphene transistor source, and at a substrate region specified for synthesizing a graphene transistor drain. Then in one graphene synthesis step, at least one layer of graphene is formed at the substrate region for the graphene transistor channel, and at the regions for the transistor source and drain there are formed a plurality of layers of graphene.
US09029832B2

The invention provides a Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device in which the strain in the light-emitting layer is relaxed, thereby attaining high light emission efficiency, and a method for producing the device. The light-emitting device of the present invention has a substrate, a low-temperature buffer layer, an n-type contact layer, a first ESD layer, a second ESD layer, an n-side superlattice layer, a light-emitting layer, a p-side superlattice layer, a p-type contact layer, an n-type electrode N1, a p-type electrode P1, and a passivation film F1. The second ESD layer has pits X having a mean pit diameter D. The mean pit diameter D is 500 Å to 3,000 Å. An InGaN layer included in the n-side superlattice layer has a thickness Y satisfying the following condition: −0.029×D+82.8≦Y≦−0.029×D+102.8.
US09029829B1

A memory cell includes a first resistive switching device having a first terminal and a second terminal, a switching device having a first terminal and a second terminal, and an access device having a first access terminal and a second access terminal. The first access terminal is coupled to the first terminal of the first resistive switching device and the first terminal of the switching device.
US09029822B2

Resistive memory cell array fabricated with unit areas able to be scaled down to 4 F2, where F is minimum feature size in a technology node are described. Memory cells in a pair of cells commonly include a pair of buried sources in the bottom of trenches formed in a silicon substrate. The source line is shared with an adjacent cell. A pair of gate electrodes provides a vertical channel on a sidewall of the trench. A buried word line connects the bottom of the gates on the sidewall overlying the source wherein the word line is looped at the end of the array. A drain, which is self-aligned to the gate, is formed by implantation/doping the surface of the silicon before patterning the trenches. A contact is formed on top of the drain and the resistive memory element is fabrication on the contact.
US09029819B2

A gas detection system with an inner ring cavity fiber laser using saturated absorption optical fiber is provided. The system comprising a ring fiber laser consisted of a pump source, a wavelength division multiplexer, a first active optical fiber, a first coupler, a fiber Bragg grating and a second coupler connected successively; an optical isolator coupled between said first active optical fiber and said first coupler; a second active grating connected between said fiber Bragg grating and said first coupler; a detection gas chamber connected between said first coupler and said second coupler; a first photoelectric detector for detecting the laser intensity outputted from said ring fiber laser to generate a first light intensity signal; a second photoelectric detector for receiving the intensity measuring beam passing through the detection gas chamber to generate a second light intensity signal; and a feedback control unit.
US09029814B2

An LED light source device capable of making the amount of light of an emitting region a predetermined amount of light or more and uniformizing the amount of light is provided. The LED light source device 1 includes an ultraviolet LED array 3 including an LED juxtaposition region R in which LEDs 10 that emit ultraviolet light toward the front are juxtaposed, and a light transmitting member 4 provided on the front side of the LED juxtaposition region R of the ultraviolet LED array 3 so as to be opposed thereto, showing a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and formed of a material containing quartz. At a front surface 10a of the LED 10, an emitting surface S surrounded by a marginal portion 11 of a predetermined width H and for emitting the ultraviolet light is provided. Here, when viewed from the front, an end of the light transmitting member 4 is located between inside by ½ of the predetermined width H and outside by ½ of the predetermined width H with respect to an end of the LED juxtaposition region R of the ultraviolet LED array 3.
US09029813B2

A filter is used in a target material supply apparatus and includes a sheet having a first flat surface and a second opposing flat surface, and a plurality of through holes. The first flat surface is in fluid communication with a reservoir that holds a target mixture that includes a target material and non-target particles. The through holes extend from the second flat surface and are fluidly coupled at the second flat surface to an orifice of a nozzle. The sheet has a surface area that is exposed to the target mixture, the exposed surface area being at least a factor of one hundred less than an exposed surface area of a sintered filter having an equivalent transverse extent to that of the sheet.
US09029807B1

A composition capable of producing a unique scintillation response to neutrons and gamma rays, comprising (i) at least one surfactant; (ii) a polar hydrogen-bonding solvent; and (iii) at least one luminophore. A method including combining at least one surfactant, a polar hydrogen-bonding solvent and at least one luminophore in a scintillation cell under vacuum or an inert atmosphere.
US09029799B2

A radioisotope elution system including a radioisotope generator having an alignment structure. The alignment structure may be configured to interface with a complementary alignment structure of an auxiliary radiation shield assembly.
US09029790B2

In imaging on the basis of list mode data of a list of radioactive count data detected by a nuclear medicine imaging apparatus for measuring radiation in a pulse mode, the processing from the measurement to imaging of radiation is accelerated substantially to the real time level by selecting the number of count data to be used for online imaging computations on the basis of the counting rate of radiation.
US09029784B1

Typical practice of the present invention performs measurement and processing of two forms of light emissions—viz., unfiltered and filtered—of a core-valence luminescent (CVL) scintillator impinged by ionizing radiation emanating from a radioactive source. When unfiltered, the CVL scintillator light emission is inclusive of gamma emissions and neutron emissions. When filtered by a filtering apparatus that transmits CVL light only, the CVL scintillator light emission is inclusive of gamma emissions but is exclusive of neutron emissions. Algorithmic comparison between the two sets of empirical data provides discriminative information regarding gamma emissions versus neutron emissions. Essentially, the difference is taken between the unfiltered pulse height spectra data and the filtered pulse height data. The set of pulse height spectral data thus computed via subtraction is indicative of the portion of the CVL scintillator light emissions that is inclusive of neutron emissions but is exclusive of gamma emissions.
US09029782B2

A chemical sensor is provided. The sensor includes at least one lightguiding element having an optical core. The lightguiding element comprises a layer of graphene situated in sufficient proximity to the core to exhibit evanescent wave absorption of optical energy in at least one optical mode guided in the core.
US09029775B2

An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including first and second laser beams coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce CW signals in one or more bands in a range of frequencies greater than 100 GHz focused on, and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral heterodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target. The lasers are tuned to different frequencies and a phase modulator in the path of one laser beam allows the constructive or destructive interference of the signals on the detector as the laser beams are swept in frequency to be adjusted to achieve greater resolution in one or more selected frequency bands.
US09029773B2

The architecture, design and fabrication of array of suspended micro-elements with individual seals are described. Read out integrated circuit is integrated monolithically with the suspended elements for low parasitics and high signal to noise ratio detection of changes of their electrical resistance. Array of individually sealed, suspended micro-elements is combined with signal processing chip that contains nonvolatile memory with sensitivity calibration of all elements and interpolation between non-functional elements. When the micro-elements are infrared light absorbers, image analysis and recognition is embedded in the processing chip to form the infrared imaging solution for infrared cameras.
US09029765B2

Ion sources, systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the ion sources, systems and methods can exhibit relatively little undesired vibration and/or can sufficiently dampen undesired vibration. This can enhance performance (e.g., increase reliability, stability and the like). In certain embodiments, the ion sources, systems and methods can enhance the ability to make tips having desired physical attributes (e.g., the number of atoms on the apex of the tip). This can enhance performance (e.g., increase reliability, stability and the like).
US09029763B2

A time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) system includes an ion deflector, ion extractor, a flight tube, and a detector. The deflector may be disposed in the flight tube or outside the flight tube upstream of the extractor. The deflector deflects ions away from a main flight path such that the defected ions are not detected.
US09029757B2

An illumination portion of an optical encoder comprising a scale track extending along a measuring axis direction, an imaging portion, and a detector configuration. The illumination portion comprises: a light source configured to output source light; a collimation portion; and a structured illumination generating portion comprising a beam-separating portion and an illumination grating and configured to input the source light and output structured illumination to the scale track. The beam-separating portion is arranged to input the source light and output a first source light portion and a second source light portion to the illumination grating, such that they form beams that are spaced apart from one another along the measuring axis direction. The illumination grating is configured to diffract the first and second source light portions to the scale track such that only two orders of diffracted light overlap within an imaged region.
US09029754B2

A light detection apparatus includes an image sensor, a signal obtaining unit, an exposure-time-period determination unit, and an exposure controller. The signal obtaining unit is configured to obtain a first dark current being a dark current of the image sensor in a first exposure time period, and a second dark current being a dark current of the image sensor in a second exposure time period. The exposure-time-period determination unit is configured to determine an optimal exposure time period of the image sensor based on the first dark current and the second dark current. The exposure controller is configured to control the image sensor to be exposed to light for the optimal exposure time period.
US09029734B2

The subject embodiments relate to a retractable wire feed system used within a welder, which include a friction-drive system disposed on a first side of a wire, an idle drive roll located opposite the friction-drive system on a second side of a wire, wherein the friction-drive system advances the wire through a welding nozzle toward a workpiece, and a brake, which is applied to retract the wire when a predetermined condition is met.
US09029728B2

A sensor apparatus for measuring a plasma process parameter for processing a workpiece. The sensor apparatus includes a base, an information processor supported on or in the base, and at least one sensor supported on or in the base. The at least one sensor includes at least one sensing element configured for measuring an electrical property of a plasma and may include a transducer coupled to the at least one sensing element. The transducer can be configured to receive a signal from the sensing element and convert the signal into a second signal for input to the information processor.
US09029708B2

A base insulating layer is formed on a suspension body. Read wiring patterns, write wiring patterns and a ground pattern are formed in parallel on the base insulating layer. A first cover insulating layer is formed on the base insulating layer to cover the read wiring patterns, the write wiring patterns and the ground pattern. A ground layer is formed in a region on the first cover insulating layer above the write wiring patterns. A second cover insulating layer is formed on the first cover insulating layer to cover the ground layer.
US09029702B2

The disclosure relates to a connection assembly for a sensor assembly having a connection element which is electrically and mechanically connected to one end of at least one wire of a connection cable in a first contacting region and can be electrically and mechanically connected to a sensor element in a second contacting region, wherein the connection element is at least partially enclosed by a plastic overmold which has a window-shaped recess in a transition region between the first contacting region and the second contacting region which is sealed in the injection molding die during the injection process of the plastic overmold and a corresponding sensor assembly. According to the disclosure, a positioning opening is arranged in the transition region such that the connection element can be positioned in the injection molding die and the transition region surrounding the positioning opening is sealed flat in the injection molding die to create the window-shaped recess.
US09029693B2

This invention is directed to a flexible solar cell photovoltaic module with high light transmittance based on modified substrate, which belongs to the field of thin-film solar cell technology. The objective of the present invention to provide a technical solution for a transparent flexible solar cell module and its fabrication method. Technical features include using a stainless steel template to mold a modified polyimide PI substrate (the PI substrate). The PI substrate has light-passing through-holes, including draining holes and convergence holes, through and distributed on the PI substrate, a conductive film layer, and various stacked photoelectric conversion film layers. The creativeness of the present invention is obvious, such as reducing the short circuit and current leakage due to crystallization of the photoelectric layer interface caused by a subsequent process of laser etching the conductive film layer, reducing the composition on the surface of the solar cell, reducing steps of the fabrication process, and lowering the production cost. Further, the present invention significantly increases the conversion efficiency and load capacity of the solar cell and the quality-cost ratio. The transparent flexible solar cell photovoltaic module also has a broad range of applications.
US09029688B2

Disclosed is a photovoltaic device. The photovoltaic device includes: a substrate; a first electrode placed on the substrate; a second electrode which is placed opposite to the first electrode and which light is incident on; a first unit cell being placed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and including an intrinsic semiconductor layer including crystalline silicon grains making the surface of the intrinsic semiconductor layer toward the second electrode textured; and a second unit cell placed between the first unit cell and the second electrode.
US09029686B2

Improved silicon solar cells, silicon image sensors and like photosensitive devices are made to include strained silicon at or sufficiently near the junctions or other active regions of the devices to provide increased sensitivity to longer wavelength light. Strained silicon has a lower band gap than conventional silicon. One method of making a solar cell that contains tensile strained silicon etches a set of parallel trenches into a silicon wafer and induces tensile strain in the silicon fins between the trenches. The method may induce tensile strain in the silicon fins by filling the trenches with compressively strained silicon nitride or silicon oxide. A deposited layer of compressively strained silicon nitride adheres to the walls of the trenches and generates biaxial tensile strain in the plane of adjacent silicon fins.
US09029683B2

The teachings generally relate to a system for converting solar energy into electrical energy and thermal energy using a self-contained system having a plurality of channels for the heat transfer using a respective plurality of fluids.
US09029680B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) unit may have all electrical contacts positioned on the back side of the PV device to avoid shadowing and increase absorption of the photons impinging on the front side of the PV unit. Several PV units may be combined into PV banks, and an array of PV banks may be connected to form a PV module with thin strips of metal or conductive polymer formed at low temperature. Such innovations may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells.
US09029677B2

A method for composing a musical is carried out by identifying spectral data characterizing a selected chemical composition, said spectral data representing a plurality of transmittance peaks for the selected chemical composition in a spectral range (e.g., a wave number range), including identifying the spectral range and transmittance values and positions of a sequence of transmittance peaks within the spectral range; assigning a melody duration to the identified spectral range; generating a sequence of musical tones by assigning the identified transmittance values to musical tones to the sequence of transmittance peaks; and assigning a duration to each musical tone. A computer-readable medium includes code for carrying out the method on a general-purpose computer.
US09029664B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH740515. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH740515, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH740515 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 CH740515.
US09029660B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV246752. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV246752, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV246752 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV246752 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV246752.
US09029657B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH389253. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH389253, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH389253 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 CH389253.
US09029650B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01046137. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01046137. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01046137 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01046137 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09029645B1

A novel soybean variety, designated XBP16004 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP16004, cells from soybean variety XBP16004, plants of soybean XBP16004, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP16004. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP16004 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP16004, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP16004, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP16004. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP16004 are further provided.
US09029642B2

Rice plants are disclosed with multiple sources of resistance to herbicides that normally inhibit a plant's acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) enzyme. Besides controlling red rice, many AHAS-inhibiting herbicides also effectively control other weeds that are common in rice fields. Several of these herbicides have residual activity, so that one treatment can control both existing weeds and weeds that sprout later. With effective residual activity against red rice and other weeds, rice producers now have a weed control system superior to those that are currently available commercially.
US09029640B2

A determinate pea plant, where peas of the pea plant have a wrinkled-seed phenotype, and where the pea plant is slow-maturing.
US09029634B1

A novel maize variety designated PH1D3V and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1D3V with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1D3V 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 PH1D3V or a locus conversion of PH1D3V with another maize variety.
US09029628B2

Genetically modified mice are provided that express human λ variable (hVλ) sequences, including mice that express hVλ sequences from an endogenous mouse λ light chain locus, mice that express hVλ sequences from an endogenous mouse κ light chain locus, and mice that express hVλ sequences from a transgene or an episome wherein the hVλ sequence is linked to a mouse constant sequence. Mice are provided that are a source of somatically mutated human λ variable sequences useful for making antigen-binding proteins. Compositions and methods for making antigen-binding proteins that comprise human λ variable sequences, including human antibodies, are provided.
US09029624B2

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for treating spent caustic soda generated from an oil refinery process, a petrochemical process, etc. through a process in which a series of treatment steps are integrated, wherein the method can constitute a process under mild conditions excluding high temperature and/or high pressure conditions and can be advantageous to a post treatment process since the amount of by-products is small.
US09029616B2

The present invention provides routes for making 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233zd) from commercially available raw materials. More specifically, this invention provides routes for HCFO-1233zd from inexpensive and commercially available trifluoromethane (HFC-23).
US09029612B2

In a process for producing phenol, cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with oxygen in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising a cyclic imide under oxidation conditions effective to produce a product comprising cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide and unreacted cyclic imide catalyst. At least a portion of the product is contacted with a cleavage catalyst under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide into a second product comprising further unreacted cyclic imide catalyst, phenol, and cyclohexanone. A portion of the further unreacted cyclic imide catalyst may then be removed from the second product and optionally recycled back to the oxidation step.
US09029611B2

In a process for the dehydrogenation of cyclohexanone to produce phenol, a feed comprising cyclohexanone is contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst under dehydrogenation conditions comprising a temperature of less than 400° C. and a pressure of less than 690 kPa, gauge, such 0.1 to 50 wt % of the cyclohexanone in said feed is converted to phenol and the dehydrogenation product contains less than 100 ppm by weight of alkylbenzenes.
US09029609B2

The present invention provides an easy process for purifying phenol by separating carbonyl compounds through selective hydrogenation of the compounds to the corresponding alcohols then distillation. The phenol purification process of the present invention comprises bringing phenol into contact with a copper-based catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to convert carbonyl compounds contained in the phenol to the corresponding alcohol compounds, and separating the alcohol compounds and phenol by distillation.
US09029603B2

A process for preparing alkylated p-phenylenediamine having the steps of reacting aniline and nitrobenzene in presence of a complex base catalyst to obtain 4-aminodiphenylamine intermediates, hydrogenating the 4-aminodiphenylamine intermediates to 4-aminodiphenylamine in presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, and reductively alkylating the 4-aminodiphenylamine to alkylated p-phenylenediamine.
US09029601B2

The present invention provides a pest control agent, acaricide or fungicide that contains, as the active ingredient thereof, at least one type of compound selected from the aryloxyurea compounds represented by formula (V) (wherein R1 to R5 each independently represents an alkyl group or the like, X is a halogen atom or the like, n is an integer of 0 to 5, and Z is an oxygen atom or sulfur atom) or salts thereof.
US09029597B2

A reactive rectification column suitable for the production of 2-hydroxy-4-methylmercaptobutyric acid and/or methionine contains a weir having a height of 100 mm or more.
US09029591B2

Provided is a gem-dinitro ester compound, represented by Formula 1 below: wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted straight-chain or side-chain alkyl group of C2˜C12.
US09029590B2

The instant invention provides for novel cationic lipids that can be used in combination with other lipid components such as cholesterol and PEG-lipids to form lipid nanoparticles with oligonucleotides. It is an object of the instant invention to provide a cationic lipid scaffold that demonstrates enhanced efficacy along with lower liver toxicity as a result of lower lipid levels in the liver. The present invention employs low molecular weight cationic lipids comprising at least one short lipid chain to enhance the efficiency and tolerability of in vivo delivery of siRNA.
US09029589B2

A phenyl alkyl carbamate derivative compound and a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound are provided. More specifically, the phenyl alkyl carbamate derivative compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a composition for muscle relaxation containing the phenyl alkyl carbamate derivative compounds and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient, and a method of muscle relaxation comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of the phenyl alkyl carbamate derivative compound and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a subject in need of to a subject in need of, are provided.
US09029582B2

The invention relates to a solid pharmaceutical composition comprising solid amorphous fulvestrant, said composition being formulated in combination with a solubilizing composition. The invention also relates to a method for preparing said composition and a kit including the composition.
US09029579B2

The present invention relates to a method of making low colored bis(2-ethylhexyl) furan-2,5-dicarboxylate (BEHFD) plasticizer via mild hydrogenation of highly colored BEHFD.
US09029575B2

A process for the preparation of 1,3:2,4-bis(4-methylbenzylidene)sorbitol (MDBS) and 1,3:2,4-bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene)sorbitol (DMDBS) via a dehydrocondensation reaction is disclosed. The reaction is carried out between an aldehyde and an alditol in a mole ratio of 2:1 wherein ionic fluid is used as the acidic catalyst and/or reaction medium. The ionic fluid used in accordance with the present invention is quaternary ammonium salt based ionic liquid.
US09029574B2

Provided is a compound which has strong and sustaining intraocular pressure lowering action and, further, has no fear of side effect on eyes.Since a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein definition of each group is as described in the specification, or a salt thereof, a solvate thereof, or a prodrug thereof has strong and sustaining intraocular pressure lowering action and, further, has no side effect on eyes such as ocular stimulating property (hyperemia, corneal clouding etc.), aqueous humor protein rise etc., it has high safety, and can be an excellent agent for preventing and/or treating glaucoma etc.
US09029559B2

The present invention relates to compounds of the formula I, wherein A, D, E, L, G, R10, R30, R40, R50 and R60 have the meanings indicated in the claims, which are valuable pharmaceutical active compounds. They are inhibitors of the protease cathepsin A, and are useful for the treatment of diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart failure, renal diseases, liver diseases or inflammatory diseases, for example. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds of the formula I, their use and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US09029555B1

3-(3-Chloro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine is prepared by cyclizing 3-hydrazinopyridine-.dihydrochloride with commercially available 3-ethoxyacrylonitrile to provide 3-(3-amino-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine, and by converting the amino group to a chloro group by a Sandmeyer reaction.
US09029554B1

The present application provides processes for making pesticidal compounds and compounds useful both as pesticides and in the making of pesticidal compounds.
US09029549B2

The use of thiazole-4-carboxylic esters and thioesters of the formula (I) in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, Y1, Y2, Y3, W, X and G have the meanings given in the description, and also of agrochemically active salts thereof, as fungicides.
US09029544B2

The present invention relates to compounds defined by formula I wherein the variables R1-R8 are defined as in the description, possessing valuable pharmacological activity. Particularly, the compounds are inhibitors of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) and thus are suitable for treatment and prevention of diseases which can be influenced by inhibition of this enzyme.
US09029540B2

Disclosed are novel ruthenium compounds of formula (Ia) and (Ib): wherein R1 and the moiety are defined herein. Also disclosed is a process for using these novel ruthenium compounds as catalysts for asymmetric hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation of ketones with high reactivities and excellent selectivities.
US09029536B2

The present invention provides a compound which has the effect of PDE 10A inhibition, and which is useful as a medicament for preventing or treating schizophrenia or so on. A compound represented by the formula (1′): wherein, Ring A′ represents an optionally substituted pyridine ring, an optionally substituted pyridazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, or 10 a pyrazine ring, R1′ represents (1) wherein, R1a′ represents an optionally substituted phenyl group, or an optionally substituted 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic group, Ring B2 represents a bond, —S—, -0-, —CO—, an optionally substituted methylene group, or —NRa′— (Ra′ represents a hydrogen atom, or an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl group), and Ring B1′ represents an optionally further substituted 6- to 10-membered aromatic hydrocarbon ring, or an optionally further substituted 5- to 10-membered aromatic heterocyclic ring, or alternatively, L′ and R1a′ may be taken together to form an optionally substituted bicyclic or tricyclic fused heterocyclic group, or (2), wherein, R1b′ represents an optionally substituted phenyl group, or an optionally substituted 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic group, Ring B2′ represents an optionally substituted benzene ring, an optionally substituted pyridine ring, an optionally substituted pyrimidine ring, an optionally substituted pyrazine ring, or an optionally substituted pyridazine ring, Ring D′ represents an optionally further substituted 5- or 6-membered ring, R2′ represents a hydrogen atom, or a substituent, X′ represents ═N— or ═CRb′—(Rb′ represents a hydrogen atom, or a substituent), - - - - - represents that Rb′ and R2′ may form, taken together with the carbon atom and the nitrogen atom to which they are each adjacent, an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring when.X′ is ═CRb′, or a salt thereof.
US09029534B2

Methods for isolating 9-{(R)-2-[((S)—{[(S)-1-(isopropoxycarbonyl)ethyl]amino}phenoxyphosphinyl)methoxy]propyl}adenine (compound 16): a method for preparing, in high diastereomeric purity, intermediate compounds 13 and 15: and a method for preparing intermediate compound 12: 9-{(R)-2-[((S)—{[(S)-1-(isopropoxycarbonyl)ethyl]amino}phenoxyphosphinyl)methoxy]propyl}adenine has anti-viral properties.
US09029527B2

The present invention relates generally to synthetic genes for modifying endogenous gene expression in a cell, tissue or organ of a transgenic organism, in particular a transgenic animal or plant. More particularly, the present invention provides novel synthetic genes and genetic constructs which are capable of repressing delaying or otherwise reducing the expression of an endogenous gene or a target gene in an organism when introduced thereto.
US09029523B2

The present invention provides DNA molecules that constitute fragments of the genome of a plant, and polypeptides encoded thereby. The DNA molecules are useful for specifying a gene product in cells, either as a promoter or as a protein coding sequence or as an UTR or as a 3′ termination sequence, and are also useful in controlling the behavior of a gene in the chromosome, in controlling the expression of a gene or as tools for genetic mapping, recognizing or isolating identical or related DNA fragments, or identification of a particular individual organism, or for clustering of a group of organisms with a common trait. One of ordinary skill in the art, having this data, can obtain cloned DNA fragments, synthetic DNA fragments or polypeptides constituting desired sequences by recombinant methodology known in the art or described herein.
US09029519B2

The present invention provides a modified promoter, an expression vector and a transformant each containing the promoter, and a method for producing a gene product of interest using the transformant. The invention provides a modified promoter, including a nucleotide sequence of a promoter derived from bacterium belonging to the genus Bacillus in which at least one nucleotide sequence selected from the following has been modified: a nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; a nucleotide sequence equivalent to the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, except that one or a plurality of bases therein are substituted, deleted, added or inserted; and a nucleotide sequence having a sequence identity of 70% or more with respect to the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1.
US09029510B2

There is disclosed compositions and methods relating to anti-VEGFR2 antibodies. More specifically, there is disclosed fully human antibodies that bind VEGFR2, VEGFR2-binding fragments and derivatives of such antibodies, and VEGFR2-binding polypeptides comprising such fragments. Further still, there is disclosed antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, and methods of using such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, including methods of treating or diagnosing subjects having various cancers.
US09029509B2

The present disclosure relates to binding agents (e.g. antibodies) that bind to and/or modulate the activity of a urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR/CD87), compositions comprising the antibodies, and methods involving use of the antibodies or compositions.
US09029499B2

Novel semiconducting photovoltaic polymers with conjugated units that provide improved solar conversion efficiency that can be used in electro-optical and electric devices. The polymers exhibit increased solar conversion efficiency in solar devices.
US09029496B2

Provided is a liquid crystal polyester amide resin which has a good hue. Specific monomers are polymerized using a specific catalyst. The specific monomers are composed of: at least one kind of a monomer selected from among aromatic aminocarboxylic acids, aromatic hydroxyamines and aromatic diamines; and at least one kind of a monomer selected from among aromatic hydroxy carboxylic acids, aromatic dicarboxylic acids or aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, and aromatic diols or aliphatic diols. It is preferable that the content of the at least one kind of a monomer selected from among aromatic aminocarboxylic acids, aromatic hydroxyamines and aromatic diamines is from 0.1 mol % to 85 mol % (inclusive).
US09029483B2

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) linked ligand of the general formula (I) L[(R1a)n-1(SiO1,5)nR2a]k[(R1b)n-1SiO1,5)nR2b]l[(R1c)n-1SiO1,5)nR2c]m  (I) in which (R1a,b,c)n-1(SiO1,5)n is a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) with n=4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 or 18 and R1a, R1b, R1c is each independently selected from the group consisting of same or different branched or linear C1-C20 alkyl chains, cyclo alkyl, C1-C20 alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl and arylalkyl groups, k, l, m is 0 or 1 provided that k+l+m≧1, R2a, R2b, R2c is a spacer that binds the polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) to the ligand L and ligand L is an uncharged electron donor.
US09029480B2

The present invention relates to a preparation method of a superabsorbent polymer, and specifically to a method of preparing a superabsorbent polymer including the steps of: preparing a hydrous gel phase polymer by thermal polymerizing or photo-polymerizing a monomer composition including a water-soluble ethylene-based unsaturated monomer and a polymerization initiator; drying the hydrous gel phase polymer; milling the dried polymer; classifying the milled hydrous gel phase polymer into two or more grades by particle size; adding a surface cross-linking agent to each hydrous gel phase polymer classified into two or more grades; and carrying out a surface cross-linking reaction of the hydrous gel phase polymer to which the surface cross-linking agent is added.
US09029477B2

A composition comprising a first fluoropolymer and a second fluoropolymer. The first and second fluoropolymers are melt-processable, thermoplastic and have a melting point between 100° C. and 320° C. The first fluoropolymer has a relaxation exponent of from 0.93 to 1.0. The second fluoropolymer has a relaxation exponent of from 0.3 to 0.92. A composition comprising a first fluoropolymer having a long chain branching index of from 0 to 0.1 and a second fluoropolymer having a long chain branching index of at least 0.2. A composition comprising a core-shell polymer having a first polymer portion, wherein a polymer having an identical chemical structure as the first polymer portion has a relaxation exponent of from 0.93 to 1.0, and a second fluoropolymer portion, wherein a polymer having an identical chemical structure as the second fluoropolymer portion has a relaxation exponent of from 0.3 to 0.92. Methods for making compositions and methods of making articles from compositions.
US09029476B2

A composition comprising: a blended product of: a matrix polymer; and from 0.05 to 2.5 wt % diffuser polymeric particles, wherein the diffuser polymeric particles are characterized by an average diameter from 2.0 to 8 micrometers, a particle size distribution such that at least 90 wt % of the polymer particles fall within ±30% of the volume average particle size, a refractive index, RI, from 1.50 to 1.55; a crosslinking level great than 4%; and wherein the diffuser polymeric particles are produced using at least one alkyl(meth)acrylate monomer copolymerized with from 5 wt % to 25 wt % crosslinking monomer selected from the group consisting of aliphatic crosslinking monomers, aromatic crosslinking monomers, and combinations thereof, and optionally, one or more comonomers selected from the group consisting of aryl(meth)acrylate monomers and monovinyl arenes is provided.
US09029470B2

Latex emulsions are disclosed which can be used in the formation of coating compositions that are not water sensitive, have good blush resistance and retortability. In some embodiments, the coating compositions are used to coat substrates such as cans and packaging materials for the storage of food and beverages. Coating compositions can be prepared by mixing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component and a stabilizer comprising a strong acid, in a carrier to form a monomer emulsion, reacting the monomer emulsion with an initiator to form the latex emulsion, and reacting the latex emulsion with a neutralizer. Methods of coating substrates with the coating compositions, and substrates coated with the coating compositions are also disclosed. The latex emulsions can be prepared by mixing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component and a stabilizer comprising a strong acid, in a carrier to form a monomer emulsion, and reacting the monomer emulsion with an initiator to form the latex emulsion, wherein the stabilizer is present in an amount from about 0.1 to about 2.0 by weight polymeric solids.
US09029442B2

A method of increasing the solubility and/or dispersibility of a perylene dye in a liquid medium. The method comprises binding the perylene dye to a polymer which is soluble in the liquid medium. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US09029438B2

Provided is a thermosetting resin composition including an inorganic filler and a thermosetting resin matrix component, in which the inorganic filler includes secondary sintered particles each formed of primary particles of scaly boron nitride, and at least some of the secondary sintered particles each have a maximum cavity diameter of 5 μm to 80 μm. The thermosetting resin composition can be used for providing a heat conductive sheet in which electrical insulation property is kept by controlling where the defects such as voids and cracks occur and their size, and which has excellent heat conductivity.
US09029431B2

Porous particles can be prepared using an evaporative limited coalescence process in which one or more discrete cavities are stabilized within the continuous polymeric solid phase of the porous particles. The one or more discrete cavities have inner walls and are dispersed within the continuous polymeric solid phase. The porous particles further comprise a cavity stabilizing hydrocolloid on the inner walls of the one or more discrete cavities, and an amphiphilic (low HLB) block copolymer that is disposed at the interface of the discrete cavities and the continuous polymeric solid phase.
US09029426B2

The invention relates to a process for producing highly soluble compositions containing purified steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant extract, more particularly Rebaudioside D. Obtained highly soluble compositions are useful as non-caloric sweeteners or in combination with sugar or high intensity sweeteners in edible and chewable compositions such as beverages, confectionaries, bakery products, chewing gums and the like.
US09029424B2

Disclosed is a novel sirtuin modulating composition comprising an orally bioavailable SIRT-1 enhancing compound 3,5-dimethoxy-3,4′-dihydroxystilbene represented by STR#I. Also disclosed is an anti-acne composition comprising 3,5-dimethoxy-3,4′-dihydroxystilbenes represented by STR#I. Further, a novel sirtuin modulating composition comprising an orally bioavailable SIRT-1 enhancing compound 2,3′,5′,6-tetrahydroxy-trans-stilbene represented by STR#II is also disclosed.
US09029404B2

Disclosed are compounds which inhibit the activity of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, compositions containing the compounds and methods of treating diseases during which is expressed anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein.
US09029400B2

The present invention relates to 5-oxoisoxazole derivatives of the formula I, the pharmaceutically usable salts thereof and the use thereof as medicinal substances.
US09029393B2

The present invention provides new compounds with high affinity for adenosine A2A receptors. It also provides antagonists of adenosine A2A receptors and their use as medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and disorders where the partial or total inactivation of adenosine A2A receptors signalling pathways could be beneficial such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), Huntington's disease, neuroprotection, schizophrenia, anxiety and pain. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing such new compounds with high affinity for adenosine A2A receptors and their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and disorders where the partial or total inactivation of adenosine A2A receptors could be beneficial.
US09029392B2

Disclosed are a series of quinoline and quinoxaline derivatives comprising a fluorinated ethyl side-chain, being selective inhibitors of PI3 kinase enzymes, are accordingly of benefit in medicine, for example in the treatment of inflammatory, autoimmune, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, metabolic, oncological, nociceptive or ophthalmic conditions. The compounds are of general formula (I):
US09029385B2

The present invention relates, in general, to fibroproliferative disorders, and, in particular, to methods and compositions for treating fibroproliferative disorders by administering to a mammal in need of treatment pharmacologically effective doses of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, such as pentoxifylline, and an anti-oxidant which is a precursor of glutathione, such as N-acetyl-cysteine, or their derivatives or metabolites.
US09029382B2

The present invention relates compounds of the formula: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, useful as sodium channel blockers, as well as compositions containing the same, processes for the preparation of the same, and therapeutic methods of use therefore in promoting hydration of mucosal surfaces and the treatment of diseases including cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchiectasis, acute and chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and pneumonia.
US09029367B2

The present invention provides a compound of Formula III: Formula III wherein A is: and Z, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which is useful for treating Alzheimer's disease.
US09029366B2

In one aspect, the invention relates to substituted bicyclic alkoxy pyrazole analogs, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction using the compounds and compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US09029364B2

The present invention is directed to 2,5-disubstituted thiomorpholine amide compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors. The present invention is also directed to uses of the 2,5-disubstituted thiomorpholine amide compounds described herein in the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The present invention is also directed to uses of these pharmaceutical compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved.
US09029362B2

In its many embodiments, the present invention provides certain iminothiadiazine dioxide compounds, including compounds Formula (I): and include stereoisomers thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds stereoisomers, wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R9, ring A, ring B, m, n, p, -L1-, -L2-, and -L3- is selected independently and as defined herein. The novel iminothiadiazine dioxide compounds of the invention have surprisingly been found to exhibit properties which are expected to render them advantageous as BACE inhibitors and/or for the treatment and prevention of various pathologies related to β-amyloid (“Aβ”) production. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more such compounds (alone and in combination with one or more other active agents), and methods for their preparation and use in treating pathologies associated with amyloid beta (Aβ) protein, including Alzheimer's disease, are also disclosed.
US09029346B1

Methods and compounds are disclosed for irreversibly inhibiting a DNA repair enzyme that possesses lyase activity.
US09029344B2

The disclosure provides linked purine pterin compounds and analogs thereof that are novel HPPK inhibitors. The HPPK inhibitors described herein are compounds and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof of general Formula I The variables, e.g. A1 to A3, R1 to R4, L1, L2, B1, and B2 are described herein. Compounds and salts of Formula I bind to HPPK with high affinity and specificity. Pharmaceutical compositions containing an HPPK inhibitor of Formula I and methods of treating a bacterial infection in a patient by providing one or more HPPK inhibitors of Formula I to the patient are also provided. Processes and intermediates useful for preparing compounds of Formula I are also provided. Methods of using the disclosed compounds to guide the development of additional novel anti-bacterial agents are also provided.
US09029333B2

The present invention provides a glucose decomposition-suppressed solid preparation for dialysis among powdery or granular preparations for dialysis containing acetate-free solid organic acids as pH adjusting agents. The present invention provides the solid preparation for dialysis containing electrolytes, glucose and pH adjusting agents characterized in that solid organic acids containing reduced amount of microparticles are used, and more specifically, characterized in that solid organic acids whose 20 or less percent of particles are 250 μm or less in diameter, or solid organic acids whose 10 or less percent of particles are 150 μm or less in diameter, are used. Preferably, the solid organic acid contained therein is citric acid.
US09029325B2

The invention relates to polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence which is an analogue of pramlintide, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these polypeptides, and these polypeptides for use as medicaments.
US09029322B2

The present invention relates to a method for identifying a drug candidate for enhancing expression of p21cip1/waf1 in a human patient suffering from a medical condition that can be treated by enhancing expression of p21Cφ1/waf1. The method includes (a) providing a cell line comprising a nucleic acid sequence that comprises a p21cip1/waf1 promoter operationally ligated to a reporter domain; (b) exposing the cell line to a compound; and (c) identifying a compound that induces expression of the reporter domain. The compound that induces expression of the reporter domain is a drug candidate for treating a medical condition that can be treated by enhancing expression of p21cip1/waf1.
US09029320B2

Formulations and methods for weight loss and body contouring are disclosed. An illustrative formulation comprises human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and resveratrol. An illustrative method for weight loss and body contouring comprises administering hCG and resveratrol sublingually.
US09029317B2

A method of improving the appearance of aging skin includes applying to skin tissue having dullness or lack of radiance, or eleven lines, marionette lines, or horizontal forehead lines, or sagging skin, a composition containing S-acyl glutathione derivative having unsaturated or saturated C16 acyl group.
US09029316B2

The invention relates to a stable pharmaceutical composition in liquid form or in solid form, comprising factor VII, said composition being free of mannitol and of sucrose, or even also of any antioxidant.
US09029301B2

Systems and methods are provided for hydroprocessing a petroleum fraction, such as a bottoms fraction from a fuels hydrocracking process, to generate a lubricant base oil. A fuels hydrocracking process typically has less stringent requirements for the sulfur and nitrogen content of a feed as compared to a lubricant base oil. Additionally, depending on the nature of the feed for the fuels hydrocracking process, the bottoms fraction may contain a relatively high level of aromatics compounds. The aromatic content of such a petroleum fraction can be reduced using a aromatic saturation stage with multiple catalyst beds, or alternatively using a reactor (or reactors) with multiple aromatic saturation stages. The catalysts in the various beds or stages can be selected to provide different types of aromatic saturation activity. An initial bed or stage can provide activity for saturation of 1-ring aromatics in the petroleum fraction. One or more subsequent beds or stages, operating at successively lower temperature, can then be used to reduce the multiple-ring aromatic content of the petroleum fraction.
US09029300B2

A well treatment composite which allows for the slow release of one or more well treatment agents into a subterranean formation and/or a wellbore penetrating the formation has a nano-sized calcined porous substrate (adsorbent) of high surface area onto which is applied the well treatment agent. The composites are suitable for use in such well treatment operations as hydraulic fracturing and sand control.
US09029299B2

Agents, chemicals and particles may be controllably released at remote locations, such as pre-selected or predetermined portions of subterranean formations, by binding or associating or trapping them with an association of micelles formed by a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) in an aqueous base fluid to increase the viscosity of the fluid. An internal breaker within the association of micelles disturbs the association of micelles at some later, predictable or predetermined time thereby reducing the viscosity of the aqueous viscoelastic treating fluid and releasing the agent, chemical or particle at a predetermined or selected location.
US09029293B2

An inhibitor for tobacco axillary bud growth, the inhibitor containing one or more cell division inhibitors selected from pyridine-based compounds and benzamide-based compounds. This inhibitor may further include an aliphatic alcohol having 6 to 20 carbon atoms in combination with the one or more cell division inhibitors.
US09029288B2

A catalyst can be manufactured using a method which can include preparing a first aqueous solution including zirconium, filling the pores of the porous alumina with the aqueous solution by a pore-filling method using the capillary phenomenon, forming a zirconia layer in the pores of the porous alumina, preparing a second aqueous solution including noble metals, filling the pores of the porous alumina with the second aqueous solution by a pore-filling method using the capillary phenomenon, and drying and baking the porous alumina to carry the noble metals in the pores of the porous alumina formed with a zirconia layer.
US09029287B2

A component part has a catalyst surface. This surface has metallic components and components of MnO2 (13) in contact with the former. The metallic components are preferably formed of Ag and/or Ni. These material pairs achieve a great improvement in catalyst action compared to the pure metals. Especially in the case of use of Ni, which is toxicologically safe, these surfaces, for example, may also find use in ambient air purification for reduction of the ozone content. The surface can be applied, for example, by a coating of the component part, in which case the metallic component and the component of MnO2 are applied in two layers.
US09029274B2

A rubber continuous annular baler press belt is made of at least one of rubber and rubber-like materials. The press belt includes an embedded core of a reinforcing fabric and has at least two individual superimposed fabric layers (6, 7, 8). The ends of each fabric layer mutually abut and do not overlap each other at the abutment location. The abutment locations (11, 13, 15) are arranged over the periphery of the press belt so as to be offset from each other.
US09029265B2

A method for forming a semiconductor structure. A dielectric layer including adjacent first and second dielectric regions is formed on a substrate. The dielectric layer includes a curable material. The first dielectric region is cured. A portion of the second dielectric region is etched to form an opening and leave a remaining portion of the second dielectric region. After the etching step, the remaining portion of the second dielectric region is cured.
US09029248B2

A nano-ionic memory device is provided. The memory device includes a substrate, a chemically inactive lower electrode provided on the substrate, a solid electrolyte layer provided on the lower electrode and including a silver (Ag)-doped telluride (Te)-based nano-material, and an oxidizable upper electrode provided on the electrolyte layer.
US09029246B2

An embodiment is a method. A first III-V compound semiconductor is epitaxially grown in a trench on a substrate, and the epitaxial growth is performed in a chamber. The first III-V compound semiconductor has a first surface comprising a facet. After the epitaxial growth, the first surface of the first III-V compound semiconductor is etched to form an altered surface of the first III-V compound semiconductor. Etching the first surface is performed in the chamber in situ. A second III-V compound semiconductor is epitaxially grown on the altered surface of the first III-V compound semiconductor. The epitaxial growth of the first III-V compound semiconductor may be performed in a MOCVD chamber, and the etch may use an HCl gas. Structures resulting from methods are also disclosed.
US09029241B2

A photoelectric conversion device includes a first semiconductor substrate including a photoelectric conversion unit for generating a signal charge in accordance with an incident light, and a second semiconductor substrate including a signal processing unit for processing an electrical signal on the basis of the signal charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit. The signal processing unit is situated in an orthogonal projection area from the photoelectric conversion unit to the second semiconductor substrate. A multilayer film including a plurality of insulator layers is provided between the first semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor substrate. The thickness of the second semiconductor substrate is smaller than 500 micrometers. The thickness of the second semiconductor substrate is greater than the distance from the second semiconductor substrate and a light-receiving surface of the first semiconductor substrate.
US09029239B2

A method includes etching a release layer that is coupled between a plurality of semiconductor devices and a substrate with an etch. The etching includes etching the release layer between the semiconductor devices and the substrate until the semiconductor devices are at least substantially released from the substrate. The etching also includes etching a protuberance in the release layer between each of the semiconductor devices and the substrate. The etch is stopped while the protuberances remain between each of the semiconductor devices and the substrate. The method also includes separating the semiconductor devices from the substrate. Other methods and apparatus are also disclosed.
US09029236B2

A termination structure with multiple embedded potential spreading capacitive structures (TSMEC) and method are disclosed for terminating an adjacent trench MOSFET atop a bulk semiconductor layer (BSL) with bottom drain electrode. The BSL has a proximal bulk semiconductor wall (PBSW) supporting drain-source voltage (DSV) and separating TSMEC from trench MOSFET. The TSMEC has oxide-filled large deep trench (OFLDT) bounded by PBSW and a distal bulk semiconductor wall (DBSW). The OFLDT includes a large deep oxide trench into the BSL and embedded capacitive structures (EBCS) located inside the large deep oxide trench and between PBSW and DBSW for spatially spreading the DSV across them. In one embodiment, the EBCS contains interleaved conductive embedded polycrystalline semiconductor regions (EPSR) and oxide columns (OXC) of the OFLDT, a proximal EPSR next to PBSW is connected to an active upper source region and a distal EPSR next to DBSW is connected to the DBSW.
US09029230B2

A method comprises: forming a plurality of reference voltage patterns in a first layer of a semiconductor substrate using a first mask, the reference voltage patterns including alternating first reference voltage patterns and second reference voltage patterns; and forming a plurality of signal patterns in the first layer of the semiconductor substrate using a second mask, ones of the plurality of signal patterns located between successive pairs of reference voltage patterns.
US09029224B2

A method is provided for fabricating a High-K layer. The method includes providing a substrate, applying a first precursor gas on the substrate such that the substrate absorbs first precursor gas molecules in a chemical absorption process, and removing the unabsorbed first precursor gas using a first inert gas. The method also includes applying a second precursor gas on the substrate, and forming a first thin film on the substrate as a reaction product of the second precursor gas and the absorbed first precursor gas molecules. Further, the method includes removing unreacted second precursor gas and byproducts using a second inert gas, and forming a high-K layer on the substrate by forming a plurality of the first thin films layer-by-layer.
US09029221B2

Semiconductor devices having three-dimensional bodies with modulated heights and methods to form such devices are described. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a first semiconductor device having a first semiconductor body disposed above a substrate. The first semiconductor body has a first height and an uppermost surface with a first horizontal plane. The semiconductor structure also includes a second semiconductor device having a second semiconductor body disposed above the substrate. The second semiconductor body has a second height and an uppermost surface with a second horizontal plane. The first and second horizontal planes are co-planar and the first and second heights are different.
US09029219B2

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor wafer includes a carbon layer formation step, a through hole formation step, a feed layer formation step, and an epitaxial layer formation step. In the carbon layer formation step, a carbon layer (71) is formed on a surface of a substrate (70) made of polycrystalline SiC. In the through hole formation step, through holes (71c) are formed in the carbon layer (71) formed on the substrate (70). In the feed layer formation step, a Si layer (72) and a 3C—SiC polycrystalline layer (73) are formed on a surface of the carbon layer (71). In the epitaxial layer formation step, the substrate (70) is heated so that a seed crystal made of 4H—SiC single crystal is formed on portions of the surface of the substrate (70) that are exposed through the through holes (71c), and a close-spaced liquid-phase epitaxial growth of the seed crystal is caused to form a 4H—SiC single crystal layer.
US09029216B1

A memory comprises a substrate, a plurality of bit line stacks of alternate semiconductor layers and first insulating layers, a memory layer, a plurality of second insulating layers, and a plurality of string select structures. The bit line stacks are disposed over the substrates and arranged in parallel. Each of the bit line stacks has two opposite sidewalls. The memory layer is disposed on the sidewalls of the bit line stacks. The second insulating layers are disposed on the bit line stacks, respectively. The string select structures are disposed correspondingly to the bit line stacks. Each of the string select structures comprises a first conductive layer and two liners, the semiconductor layer is disposed on a corresponding second insulating layer, and the two liners are disposed respectively along the two opposite sidewalls of a corresponding bit line stack and connected the first conductive layer.
US09029214B2

Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided herein. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming over a semiconductor substrate a gate structure. The method further includes depositing a non-conformal spacer material around the gate structure. A protection mask is formed over the non-conformal spacer material. The method etches the non-conformal spacer material and protection mask to form a salicidation spacer. Further, a self-aligned silicide contact is formed adjacent the salicidation spacer.
US09029210B2

A semiconductor device includes a III-nitride substrate of a first conductivity type, a first III-nitride epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the III-nitride substrate, and a first III-nitride epitaxial structure coupled to a first portion of a surface of the first III-nitride epitaxial layer. The first III-nitride epitaxial structure has a sidewall. The semiconductor device further includes a second III-nitride epitaxial structure of the first conductivity type coupled to the first III-nitride epitaxial structure, a second III-nitride epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the sidewall of the second III-nitride epitaxial layer and a second portion of the surface of the first III-nitride epitaxial layer, and a third III-nitride epitaxial layer of a second conductivity type coupled to the second III-nitride epitaxial layer. The semiconductor device also includes one or more dielectric structures coupled to a surface of the third III-nitride epitaxial layer.
US09029207B2

A semiconductor device includes a p-type semiconductor layer, n-type column regions formed of columnar thermal donors exhibiting an n-type property, a p-type column region interposed between the n-type column regions, the n-type column regions configured to form a super-junction structure in cooperation with the p-type column region, a channel region formed in the semiconductor layer, a source region formed in the channel region, a gate insulator film formed on the semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode formed on the gate insulator film and opposite to the channel region across the gate insulator film.
US09029189B2

Bicyclic guanidine compounds are described. Metal bicyclic guanidinate and its use in vapor deposition processes to deposit a metal-containing thin film are also described. Methods of making alkaline earth metal N,N′dialkylacetamidinates or bicyclic guanidinates including dissolution of alkaline earth metal into liquid ammonia followed by addition of a solution of an amidine or guanidine ligand in the free base from are provided.
US09029164B2

An improved analytical method for analysis of dianhydrogalactitol preparations provides a method for determining the purity of dianhydrogalactitol and detecting impurities in preparations of dianhydrogalactitol, as well as identifying any such impurities. The method employs high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), in particular, HPLC with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD); the HPLC can be followed by tandem mass spectroscopy. The method can further comprise the step of performing preparative HPLC collection of at least one specific substance peak present in a preparation of dianhydrogalactitol.
US09029163B2

A system and method for creating a plurality of denaturation curves is disclosed. In accordance with certain embodiments, one variable, such as salt content, pH or another parameter, is varied to create a plurality of different buffer solutions. Each is then used to create a denaturation graph. The plurality of denaturation graphs allows analysis of the effect of that variable on protein stability.
US09029159B2

A method of operating the automated sample workcell for processing one or more biological samples is presented. The method comprises receiving one or more biological samples. Each biological sample is contained in a sample tube. Each sample tube is a tube type. If a test order was received for at least one of the biological samples, the test order being indicative of one or more first processing steps, the workcell can automatically execute the one or more first processing steps. If the test order was not received, one or more second processing steps can be determined based on the tube type of the sample tube that contains the at least one biological sample and the one or more second processing steps can then be executed.
US09029153B2

The present invention relates to a method for the reversible immobilization of lytic bacteriophages within their modified bacterial hosts.It relates more particularly to a method for modifying the genome of a lytic bacteriophage by immobilizing said bacteriophage in the host bacterium thereof.
US09029148B2

The invention relates to a process for generating fibroblasts, more particularly, to the culturing of fibroblasts in large numbers and of the heterogenic type. The invention is also directed to the use of fibroblasts in the preparation of heterotypic spheroids and a process for the preparation of such heterotypic spheroids.
US09029140B2

The present invention provides for methods and devices suitable for producing a transplantable cellular suspension of living tissue suitable for grafting to a patient. In applying the method and/or in using the device, donor tissue is harvested, subjected to a cell dissociation treatment, cells suitable for grafting back to a patient are collected and dispersed in a solution that is suitable for immediate dispersion over the recipient graft site.
US09029134B2

Linear vectors derived from bacteriophage of E. coli and host cells suitable for cloning are provided. The linear vectors include a left arm comprising a left telomere and a first selectable marker, a right arm comprising a right telomere and a second selectable marker and a cloning region located between the left arm and the right arm. Optional further components of the vector include transcriptional termination sequences, multiple cloning sites and reporter stuffer regions.
US09029128B2

A DNA intercalator detection system can include a filtration unit and control sample conditioner operably coupled with the filtration unit and an analytic unit operably coupled with the filtration unit and control sample conditioner and having an electronic chemical array (ECA) reaction component. A data processing unit is operably coupled with the analytic unit and configured to compare and determine a difference between electronic data of a test sample and a conditioned control sample from the ECA reaction component. The difference provides an indication of whether or not a DNA intercalator is present in the test sample.
US09029123B2

Methods and compositions are provided wherein microorganisms are used to alter the interface of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon-coated surfaces to increase oil recovery, for improved bioremediation and/or to benefit pipeline maintenance.
US09029116B2

The present invention relates to glucoamylase variants. In particular, the invention relates to variants in the starch binding domain (SBD) of a glucoamylase. The invention also relates to variants having altered properties (e.g., improved thermostability and/or increased specific activity) as compared to a corresponding parent glucoamylase. The present invention also provides enzyme compositions comprising the variant glucoamylases; DNA constructs comprising polynucleotides encoding the variants; and methods of producing the glucoamylase variants in host cells.
US09029115B2

The pharmaceutical use of lipases related to the Thermomyces lanuginosus (Humicola lanuginosa) lipase comprising amino acids 1-269 of SEQ ID NO: 2, optionally in combination with a protease and/or an amylase. Examples of medical indications are: Treatment of digestive disorders, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI), pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, diabetes type I, and/or diabetes type II. The lipases of the invention have, e.g., an improved digestion performance in vitro, an improved activity at a pH in the neutral range, an improved stability at low pH, and are stable against protease-degradation, and/or are stable in the presence of pepsin and bile salts. The invention also relates to methods of determining digestion performance in vitro of lipases, as well as to certain novel variants of the lipase of T. lanuginosus.
US09029112B2

The present disclosure relates to engineered ketoreductase polypeptides and uses thereof for the preparation of α-chloroalcohols from α-chloroketones. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase polypeptides and host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase polypeptides.
US09029109B2

A system and method include delivering cells of interest to multiple traps via a channel connecting the traps, maintaining a vortex flow in the traps to trap the cells of interest in the traps, providing first molecules of interest to the traps, and providing an electric field across the traps to perform electroporation of the first molecules of interest into the cells of interest in the traps.
US09029104B2

The present invention provides a method for producing an L-amino acid belonging to the glutamate family, using a coryneform bacterium which has been modified so that expression of one or more gene(s) of the NCgl_2067-NCgl_2065 operon in said bacterium is/are attenuated.
US09029102B2

A process is provided for the preparation of a highly pure albumin solution the process comprising subjecting albumin (preferably expressed and secreted by transformed yeast) to a series of chromatographic steps. Preferably, the process comprises the steps of positive mode cation exchange chromatography, positive mode anion exchange chromatography, positive mode affinity chromatography, negative mode affinity chromatography (preferably using immobilized aminophenylboronic acid), negative mode cation exchange chromatography, and negative or positive mode anion exchange chromatography. A process for reducing the level of nickel in an albumin solution is also disclosed, as is a recombinant albumin coding sequence comprising two or more in-frame translation stop codons. Also disclosed is a process for producing recombinant albumin, the process comprising culturing a fungal cell expressing a is recombinant albumin coding sequence, wherein the cell has a reduced capacity of mannosylation of the recombinantly-expressed albumin.
US09029100B2

A process is provided for capturing or concentrating microorganisms for detection or assay. The process includes providing an adsorption buffer-modified inorganic concentration agent, providing a sample including at least one microorganism strain, and contacting the adsorption buffer-modified inorganic concentration agent with the sample such that at least a portion of the at least one microorganism strain is bound to or captured by the adsorption buffer-modified inorganic concentration agent. The adsorption buffer-modified inorganic concentration agent is prepared by a process including contacting at least one inorganic concentration agent with at least one cation-containing salt solution, so as to wet at least a portion of the inorganic concentration agent, and drying the resulting wet inorganic concentration agent.
US09029096B2

The present invention relates to a method and assay useful for determining the sensitivity of the cells of a subject to genetic damage from electromagnetic radiation. The assay may comprise a substrate suitable for mounting a sample of lymphocytes from a subject and an electromagnetic radiation source.
US09029086B2

A method for detecting analyte in a sample comprises: (a) contacting said sample with at least one set comprising a cassette oligonucleotide and first, second, third and fourth proximity probes, which probes each comprise an analyte-binding domain and a nucleic acid domain and can simultaneously bind to the analyte, the nucleic acid domains of said first and third proximity probes being complementary in a first overlap region and the nucleic acid domains of said second and fourth proximity probes being complementary in a second overlap region; and said cassette oligonucleotide being complementary to the nucleic acid domain of said third proximity probe in a third overlap region and to the nucleic acid domains of said fourth proximity probe in a fourth overlap region; (b) allowing the overlap regions of said proximity probes and said cassette oligonucleotide to hybridise; and (c) detecting said hybridisation. A kit is for performing the method.
US09029075B2

A pattern is printed by forming a photoresist layer on a wafer, forming a protective film thereon, exposure, and development. The protective film is formed from a composition comprising a copolymer of hydroxystyrene with acenaphthylene and/or vinylnaphthalene and a mixture of an alcohol solvent and an ether or aromatic solvent.
US09029072B2

Provided is a liquid crystal display manufacturing method that is capable of improving the aperture ratio while suppressing unevenness in the display. The present invention is a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display provided with an array substrate including an insulating layer, a source bus line and a pixel electrode, in which the source bus line and pixel electrode are provided on the insulating layer, and the source bus line includes a lower layer and an upper layer layered onto the lower layer. This manufacturing method includes a first photolithography step for using a first photomask to pattern the first conductive film, and, after the first photolithography step, a second photolithography step for using a second photomask to pattern at least a second conductive film and forming the source bus line and the pixel electrode. In the first photolithography step, the first conductive film is removed in at least an opening region without being removed at least in the region where the lower layer is formed, and the lower layer and upper layer are formed of the first conductive film and a second conductive film, respectively.
US09029069B2

A resist underlayer film-forming composition includes a polymer including a structural unit shown by a formula (1), and having a polystyrene-reduced weight average molecular weight of from 3000 to 10000, and a solvent. Each of R3 to R8 independently represents a group shown by a formula (2), a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, or a glycidyl ether group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, wherein at least one of R3 to R8 represents the group shown by the formula (2).
US09029067B2

A resist pattern-insolubilizing resin composition is used in a resist pattern-forming method. The resist pattern-insolubilizing resin composition includes solvent and a resin. The resin includes a first repeating unit that includes a hydroxyl group in its side chain and at least one of a second repeating unit derived from a monomer shown by a following formula (1-1) and a third repeating unit derived from a monomer shown by a following formula (1-2), wherein for example, R1 represents a hydrogen atom, A represents a methylene group, R2 represents a group shown by a following formula (2-1) or a group shown by a following formula (2-2), R3 represents a methylene group, R4 represents a hydrogen atom, and n is 0 or 1, wherein each of R34 represents at least one of a hydrogen atom and a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.
US09029055B2

A magnetic toner which has superior charging stability and charging uniformity, maintains stable developing performance without any dependence on service environments and may less cause any decrease in image density and any image defects such as fog and ghost, the magnetic toner has magnetic toner particles, each of the magnetic toner particles has magnetic toner base particle containing a binder resin and a magnetic material, and an inorganic fine powder, (a) the magnetic toner having, at a frequency of 100 kHz and a temperature of 30° C., a dielectric loss factor (∈″) of 2.5×10−1 pF/m or more and 7.0×10−1 pF/m or less and a dielectric dissipation factor (tan δL) of 3.0×10−2 or less, (b) the magnetic toner having, in a dielectric dissipation factor (tan δ) thereof at a frequency of 100 kHz, a maximum value (tan δH) within the temperature range of 60° C. to 140° C.; and the tan δH and the tan δL satisfying (tan δH−tan δL)≦3.0×10−2.
US09029049B2

Various embodiments provide a method for processing a carrier, the method including changing the three-dimensional structure of a mask layer arranged over the carrier so that at least two mask layer regions are formed having different mask layer thicknesses; and applying an ion implantation process to the at least two mask layer regions to form at least two implanted regions in the carrier having different implantation depth profiles.
US09029036B2

Systems and methods to control compressor recirculation of a reactant in a fuel cell system. A recirculation valve flow setpoint value for a gas flow to the recirculation valve is calculated based on a received cathode flow setpoint. A value corresponding to a predicted recirculation valve position is generated, and can be used as a control command for changing the position of the recirculation valve to reduce the valve response time during operational transients of the fuel cell system.
US09029034B2

A PEM fuel system includes a fuel cell stack comprising one or more PEM fuel cells and fan configured to provide process air to supply oxidizer to and cool the fuel cell stack. The system has an air duct coupled to the fan and the fuel cell stack, and an electrical service load coupled to the fuel cell stack for receiving electrical power generated from reactions within the fuel cell stack. The system further includes as auxiliary electrical load coupled to the fuel cell stack and located within the air duct to reduce potentials across the fuel cell stack. The air duct is configured to direct the flow of air to the fuel cell stack and auxiliary electrical load to provide cooling air to the fuel cell stack and auxiliary electrical load.
US09029026B2

A battery (10) is disclosed having a negative or anodic half cell (12) and a cathodic or positive half cell (13). The positive and negative half cells are encased within a fabric within a non-conductive housing (14). The housing includes holes (18) which allow the passage of ambient air. The anodic material (20) is preferably a transition metal bronze such as Na0.9W0.75Ti0.25O3. The positive half cell is made of a cathodic material (25) in the form of powder which is encased a fabric (26). The cathodic material is preferably Na0.9W0.75P0.25O3.325. The battery also includes an electrical conductor (31) in electrical contact with the positive half cell and the negative half cell. The electrical conductor includes a switch (35) which may be opened and closed to couple the half cells together to produce an electric current through a load (36).
US09029024B2

Disclosed are a nonaqueous electrolytic solution of an electrolyte salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent, which contains a sulfonate compound having a specific structure in an amount of from 0.01 to 10% by mass of the nonaqueous electrolytic solution, and an electrochemical device containing the nonaqueous electrolytic solution. The nonaqueous electrolytic solution is excellent in the effect of improving the storage property of primary batteries and improving the cycle property of secondary batteries in use thereof at high temperatures and the low-temperature property thereof after high-temperature cycles.
US09029021B2

A method of charging and discharging a battery that includes an anode. The anode includes silicon and is capable of inserting and extracting lithium. At the time of charge, the potential of the anode vs. lithium metal as a reference potential is 0.04 V or more. At the time of discharge, the potential of the anode vs. lithium metal as a reference potential is 1.4 V or less.
US09029016B2

Provided are a negative active material, a method of preparing the same, and a lithium battery including the negative active material. The negative active material includes a carbonaceous core that has a sulfur content of about 10 ppm to 900 ppm; and an amorphous carbon layer continuously formed on a surface of the carbonaceous core, wherein the carbonaceous core has a crystalloid plate structure, and a crystallite size measured from a full width at half maximum of the peak with respect to the surface (002) of about 10 nm to about 45 nm in an X-ray diffraction spectrum of the carbonaceous core. The lithium battery including a negative electrode including the negative active material has improved capacity characteristics and ring lifetime characteristics.
US09029015B2

An electrochemical energy storage device includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode. The anode includes a capacitive material as a majority component, and further includes an electrochemically active material as a minority component, such that an operating potential of the anode is configured according to a reaction potential of the electrochemically active material.
US09029004B2

A battery module including: a plurality of rechargeable batteries including a first terminal and a second terminal; and a connecting member electrically connecting rechargeable batteries of the plurality of rechargeable batteries through the first and second terminals, the connecting member including an access protrusion protruded toward the first terminal, and the first terminal includes a pressurizer configured to press the access protrusion toward a part of the first terminal.
US09028993B2

A secondary battery including an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a separator, and a second electrode plate; a case, the case accommodating the electrode assembly; a first current collector and a second current collector electrically connected to the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate of the electrode assembly, respectively; and a short inducing member disposed between the first current collector and the second current collector, the short inducing member being configured to electrically short-circuit the first current collector and the second current collector when a shape of the case is changed.
US09028987B2

A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes an integrated circuit that senses a voltage of a battery cell and outputs a control signal; a charge switch that is electrically coupled to the integrated circuit and interrupts a charge path according to the control signal output from the integrated circuit; at least one first lead electrically coupled to the integrated circuit; a second lead electrically coupled to the charge switch; and a sealing portion that seals the integrated circuit, charge switch, the at least one first lead and the second lead.
US09028980B2

The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent element which comprises two or more hole injection/transport layers each formed by a wet film formation method using a composition containing, as a hole-injecting/transporting compound, an arylamine polymer compound that has a repeating unit having a triarylamine structure therein, in which when the number of atoms present on the path which is the smallest in the number of atoms present thereon, of the paths which each connect the nonaromatic tertiary nitrogen atoms contained in any two triarylamine structures present in each polymer compound, is taken as N: the minimum number of atoms between nitrogen atoms in the compound, then the N in each hole injection/transport layer is in a specific state.
US09028979B2

The present invention relates to electroluminescent devices, comprising a compound of the formula (I) as a component of the transporting/injecting and/or electron blocking layer. The compounds of formula (I) may function alone, or in combination with dopants to provide improved efficiency, driving voltage and/or lifetime of electroluminescent devices.
US09028971B2

The present invention relates to a paper coating latex comprising 0.001-10 weight part of cyclo-oligosaccharide compound to 100 weight part of styrene-butadiene latex and a paper coating composition containing the same, and according to the present invention, latex petrochemical odors generated during the coating processes by non-reacted monomers and volatile organic compounds remaining in the latex can be eliminated without reducing polymerization productivity and latex stability.
US09028969B2

A composite article includes a substrate and a protective coating on at least a portion of the substrate. The protective coating includes reinforcement particles dispersed within an elastomeric matrix that is modified with a silicon-containing modifier selected from polysilsesquioxane, polyhedral oligomeric silicate and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS).
US09028968B2

Coating composition comprising the reaction product of a tetra-alkoxyorthosilicate or a partially condensed oligomer thereof and an epoxy resin containing hydroxyl groups, said coating composition having a solids content of at least 70 vol % and/or a volatile organic content (VOC) not exceeding 250 g/l. This coating composition gives fast curing at ambient and sub-ambient temperatures and an extended pot life.
US09028966B2

A method for producing silicone fine particles is provided. The particle comprises a spherical fine silicone elastomer particle and polyorganosilsesquioxane particles attached to the surface of the spherical fine silicone elastomer particle. The polyorganosilsesquioxane particle has a particle size of 200 to 2,000 nm which is smaller than the spherical fine silicone elastomer particle. The method comprises the steps of adding an organotrialkoxysilane to water for hydrolysis, and adding spherical fine silicone elastomer particles having a volume average particle size of 0.5 to 100 μm, an anionic surfactant, and an alkaline substance to the organotrialkoxysilane hydrolysate and allowing the mixture to stand to thereby promote condensation of the organotrialkoxysilane hydrolysate so that the polyorganosilsesquioxane is deposited on the surface of the spherical fine silicone elastomer particles.
US09028960B2

A wear resistant coating suitable to be deposited on cutting tool inserts for chip forming metal machining, includes at least two layers with different grain size, but with essentially the same composition. The coating is deposited by Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD).
US09028958B2

An embodiment of a superhydrophilic nanostructure includes nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are formed into porous clusters. The porous clusters are formed into aggregate clusters. An embodiment of an article of manufacture includes the superhydrophilic nanostructure on a substrate. An embodiment of a method of fabricating a superhydrophilic nanostructure includes applying a solution that includes nanoparticles to a substrate. The substrate is heated to form aggregate clusters of porous clusters of the nanoparticles.
US09028949B2

There are provided a substrate for printed wiring excellent in light transmission property, heat resistance, mechanical strength and resistance to thermal coloration; a printed wiring laminate; and a resin composition used to produce the substrate and the laminate. The substrate for printed wiring comprises an aromatic polyether-typed polymer having a glass transition temperature, as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC, heating rate: 20° C./minute), of from 230° C. to 350° C.
US09028948B2

An abrasive article includes an elongated body, a bonding layer including a metal overlying a surface of the elongated body, and a coating layer including a polymer material overlying the boding layer. The abrasive article further includes abrasive grains contained within the bonding layer and coating layer, and wherein the bonding layer comprises an average thickness (tbl) at least about 40% of the average grit size of the abrasive grains.
US09028944B2

A stitched fabric including a barrier layer configured to inhibit fluid flow and a yarn stitched through and forming stitch holes in the barrier layer. The yarn and the barrier layer are free from contact by another layer on either side of the barrier layer. As such, the stitched fabric may be employed as a wearable fabric for a garment without the need for, for example, a separate face layer and a separate interior layer.
US09028940B2

A sheet roll comprises two glass films and a coupling portion, wherein end portions of the glass films are coupled together via the coupling portion and the coupled glass films are rolled into a roll shape. The coupling portion is a sheet-like coupling member formed of a resin film and placed on the end portions of the two glass films in a rolling direction so as to span therebetween. The sheet-like coupling member includes wide joint portions joined respectively to the end portions of the two glass films, and a necked portion which is narrower than the wide joint portions and is formed at a middle portion of the sheet-like coupling member in the rolling direction.
US09028919B2

Processes for preparation of an epitaxial graphene surface to make it suitable for deposition of high-κ oxide-based dielectric compounds such as Al2O3, HfO2, TaO5, or TiO2 are provided. A first process combines ex situ wet chemistry conditioning of an epitaxially grown graphene sample with an in situ pulsing sequence in the ALD reactor. A second process combines ex situ dry chemistry conditioning of the epitaxially grown graphene sample with the in situ pulsing sequence.
US09028917B2

A method for forming a cobalt-containing thin film by a vapor deposition process is provided. The method comprises using at least one precursor corresponding in structure to Formula (I); wherein R1 and R2 are independently C2-C8-alkyl; x is zero, 1 or 2; and y is zero or 1; wherein both x and y can not be zero simultaneously.
US09028915B2

A method for forming a photoresist layer on a semiconductor device is disclosed. An exemplary includes providing a wafer. The method further includes spinning the wafer during a first cycle at a first speed, while a pre-wet material is dispensed over the wafer and spinning the wafer during the first cycle at a second speed, while the pre-wet material continues to be dispensed over the wafer. The method further includes spinning the wafer during a second cycle at the first speed, while the pre-wet material continues to be dispensed over the wafer and spinning the wafer during the second cycle at the second speed, while the pre-wet material continues to be dispensed over the wafer. The method further includes spinning the wafer at a third speed, while a photoresist material is dispensed over the wafer including the pre-wet material.
US09028909B2

A magnetoresistive element includes a magnetoresistive film including a magnetization pinned layer, a magnetization free layer, an intermediate layer arranged between the magnetization pinned layer and the magnetization free layer, a cap layer arranged on the magnetization pinned layer or on the magnetization free layer, and a functional layer arranged in the magnetization pinned layer, in the magnetization free layer, in the interface between the magnetization pinned layer and the intermediate layer, in the interface between the intermediate layer and the magnetization free layer, or in the interface between the magnetization pinned layer or the magnetization free layer and the cap layer, and a pair of electrodes which pass a current perpendicularly to a plane of the magnetoresistive film, in which the functional layer is formed of a layer including nitrogen and a metal material containing 5 atomic % or more of Fe.
US09028907B2

The invention relates to a method for coating of a medical implant that can be used to apply a calcium salt to the surface of a medical implant easily and without expensive coating equipment and little expenditure of time.Accordingly, a method is provided that includes(i) providing a medical implant that includes at least one surface to be coated;(ii) providing a body that includes at least one calcium salt with a Mohs hardness of no more than 5.5 on at least one of its surfaces; and(iii) rubbing said body having the calcium salt-containing surface onto the at least one medical implant surface to be coated in order to coat said surface of the medical implant with the at least one calcium salt.
US09028902B2

The components of the dough recipe are mixed in a dough mixing apparatus (2). The resulting dough is divided into portions, each of which is aerated to produce aerated dough. Mixing and aerating are performed by separate devices. Aeration is performed at a pressure no less than 0.3 MPa, and the pressure is then reduced to atmospheric at a controlled rate of 0.02-0.2 MPa/s. The lowering of pressure to atmospheric occurs either before or after the removal of the aeration device (6) from the dough. The aeration process is performed in baking molds (1), or in intermediate vessels (16), and the dough is subsequently transferred to the molds (1). The transfer occurs either into the molds (1) under atmospheric pressure, after lowering the pressure in the intermediate vessels (16) to atmospheric, or into the molds (1) under increased pressure, where the pressure is decreased to atmospheric after the transfer is completed. The claimed invention simplifies and increases the accuracy of dividing the dough into portions of a specified weight, enhances the quality of the aerated dough, reduces energy consumption and increases production efficiency.
US09028898B2

The present disclosure is related to illustrative embodiments of an apparatus and method for maintaining carbonation of sparkling beverages, such as sparkling wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages such as sodas and coffee. A transparent, shatter-resistant, height-adjustable carbonation enclosure is used to contain an opened bottle of a sparkling beverage. An air-tight carbonation cap with a built-in one-way valve is used to re-carbonate the beverage inside the bottle using a pressurized gas source. The base of the carbonation enclosure includes a platform that may be used to adjust the effective height of the enclosure to fit the height of the bottle and provide an air-tight interface between an opening of the bottle and the carbonation cap. The carbonation enclosure further includes a number of openings to open air to prevent pressurization of the carbonation enclosure. Another illustrative embodiment includes a safety enclosure for multiple bottles pressurized directly by conical nozzles.
US09028892B2

Disclosed are compositions and corresponding methods of their use that include jaboticaba fruit pulp and/or cashew fruit pulp or extracts thereof.
US09028890B2

The invention relates to improving sexual fitness or wellness of both sexes, the male sexual enhancement, the treatment of sexual dysfunction and the health of the sexual vascular system of both sexes with ingredients that consist in a source of proanthocyanidins, a source of arginine, rose hip extracts and/or Quercus robur extracts. The source of proanthocyanidins may be a botanical extract and the source of arginine may be from arginine aspartate.
US09028860B2

A partially microcellular, selectively hydrophilic composite as a self-standing construct or a component of a device for ocular delivery of at least one bioactive agent, the composite comprising a highly hydrophilic microcellular foam adjoined with a flexible hydrophobic barrier polymeric film.
US09028854B2

A pesticidal composition comprising 4-phenoxyphenyl 2-(2-pyridyloxy)propyl ether; a hydrophobic organic solvent capable of dissolving 0.1-fold by weight of 4-phenoxyphenyl 2-(2-pyridyloxy)propyl ether at 0° C.; polyvinyl alcohol; a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated castor oil, alkoxylated hydrogenated castor oil and alkoxylated hydrogenated castor oil fatty acid ester; and water, is excellent in storage stability.
US09028847B2

A sodium alginate crosslinked slow-released moxifloxacin microsphere, the preparation method of the microsphere, a vascular target embolus containing the microsphere and the use of the microsphere in preparing the vascular target embolus. The microsphere contains moxifloxacin, a drug carrier, a adsorbent, a reinforcing agent and a solidifying agent, wherein the drug carrier is sodium alginate, the adsorbent is albumin prepared from human plasma or bovine serum albumin, the reinforcing agent is gelatin or hyaluronic acid, and the solidifying agent is a divalent metal cation chosen from calcium salt or barium salt.
US09028845B2

The invention provides immunomodulatory compounds and methods for immunomodulation of individuals using the immunomodulatory compounds.
US09028840B2

The present invention discloses an ex vivo method for producing a preparation containing CD4+ T cells specific for EBV structural antigens for use in the prophylaxis and treatment of patients with a reduced T cell activity in order to prevent or treat growth of EBV infected B cells.
US09028836B2

An immunogenic composition containing a glycan conjugate including a carrier protein, and a glycan including Globo H, an immunogenic fragment thereof, or stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA-4), wherein the glycan is conjugated with the carrier protein through a linker.
US09028829B2

Systems and methods for magnetic targeting of therapeutic particles are provided. Therapeutic particles comprise one or more magnetic or magnetizable materials and at least one therapeutic agent. Therapeutic particles are specifically targeted using uniform magnetic fields capable of magnetizing magnetizable materials, and can be targeted to particular locations in the body, or can be targeted for capture, containment, and removal. Therapeutic particles can comprise antioxidant enzymes, and can be targeted to cells to protect the cells from oxidative damage.
US09028824B2

The present disclosure provides isolated binding molecules that bind to the human OX40R, nucleic acid molecules encoding an amino acid sequence of the binding molecules, vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules, host cells containing the vectors, methods of making the binding molecules, pharmaceutical compositions containing the binding molecules, and methods of using the binding molecules or compositions.
US09028823B2

The present invention provides binding molecules that specifically bind to GITR, e.g., human GITR (hGITR), on T cells and dendritic cells. Binding molecules of the invention are characterized by binding to hGITR with high affinity, in the presence of a stimulating agent, e.g., CD3, are agonistic, and abrogate the suppression of Teff cells by Treg cells. Various aspects of the invention relate to binding molecules, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, as well as nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors and host cells for making such binding molecules. Methods of using a binding molecule of the invention to detect human GITR or to modulate human GITR activity, either in vitro or in vivo, are also encompassed by the invention.
US09028820B2

The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies directed to a particular part of tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor (TrkB) and hybridoma cell lines producing these. Fragments of these antibodies, in particular fragments representing complementarity determining regions (CDRs), and proteins comprising these, are useful in a method of treating cancer, pain, anorexia, anorexia nervosa and/or cachexia.
US09028816B2

The present invention relates to polypeptides and polypeptide constructs comprising at least one single domain antibody directed against vWF, vWF A1 domain, A1 domain of activated vWF, vWF A3 domain, homologues of said polypeptides, and/or functional portions of said polypeptides, for the treatment for conditions which require a modulation of platelet-mediated aggregation.
US09028812B2

The invention is directed to modified T cells, methods of making and using isolated, modified T cells, and methods of using these isolated, modified T cells to address diseases and disorders. In one embodiment, this invention broadly relates to TCR-deficient T cells, isolated populations thereof, and compositions comprising the same. In another embodiment of the invention, these TCR-deficient T cells are designed to express a functional non-TCR receptor. The invention also pertains to methods of making said TCR-deficient T cells, and methods of reducing or ameliorating, or preventing or treating, diseases and disorders using said TCR-deficient T cells, populations thereof, or compositions comprising the same.
US09028811B2

The present invention provides for compositions and methods for modulating hematopoetic stem cell populations by using HCS modulators, which are agents that either increase HSC numbers or decrease HSC numbers as desired by a particular indication. For example, HSC modulators found to increase HSC numbers include prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and agents that stimulate the PGE2 pathway. Conversely, HSC modulators that prevent PGE2 synthesis decrease HSC numbers. HCS modulators may be used in vitro, in vivo, or ex vivo.
US09028809B2

Embodiments of the present invention generally disclose methods, compositions and uses for generating and expressing enterobacterial-associated peptides. In some embodiments, enterobacterial-associated peptides include, but are not limited to plague-associated peptides. In certain embodiments, methods generally relate to making and using compositions of constructs including, but not limited to, attenuated or modified vaccinia virus vectors expressing enterobacterial-associated peptides. In other embodiments, vaccine compositions are reported of use in a subject.
US09028787B2

Methods for preventing or reducing the formation of scale in a wet-process phosphoric acid production process by intermixing a water-soluble functional organic reagent with a phosphoric acid at one or more step of the phosphoric acid production process in an amount sufficient to prevent or reduce at least one species of scale are provided.
US09028786B2

To provide a technique for simply and easily producing a high-purity difluorophosphate and provide a production process of an electrolytic solution using the obtained difluorophosphate, an electrolytic solution and a secondary battery.A process for producing a difluorophosphate, comprising the following step (1) or (2): (1) reacting (A) at least one member selected from the group consisting of oxoacids, oxoacid anhydrides and oxyhalides of phosphorus with (B) a hexafluorophosphate in the presence of hydrogen fluoride, or (2) reacting at least one halide selected from the group consisting of alkali metal halides, alkaline earth metal halides, aluminum halides and onium halides with difluorophosphoric acid in the presence of a hexafluorophosphate. Also, a nonaqueous electrolytic solution containing the obtained difluorophosphate, and a nonaqueous electrolytic secondary battery containing the nonaqueous electrolytic solution.
US09028781B2

A renewable energy storage system that stores renewable energy, includes: an electrical power generator that converts renewable energy into electrical power; an electrical storage device that stores the electrical power; a hydrogen production device that produces hydrogen using the electrical power from the electrical power generator and/or the electrical power stored in the electrical storage device; a hydrogenation device that adds the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device to the unsaturated hydrocarbon; a saturated hydrocarbon storage device that stores the saturated hydrocarbon produced by the addition of the hydrogen to the unsaturated hydrocarbon; an unsaturated hydrocarbon storage device that stores the unsaturated hydrocarbon; and an unsaturated hydrocarbon supply controller that controls the supply of unsaturated hydrocarbon stored in the unsaturated hydrocarbon storage device to the hydrogenation device.
US09028772B2

A method may involve forming one or more photoresist layers over a sensor located on a structure, such that the sensor is covered by the one or more photoresist layers. The sensor is configured to detect an analyte. The method may involve forming a first polymer layer. Further, the method may involve positioning the structure on the first polymer layer. Still further, the method may involve forming a second polymer layer over the first polymer layer and the structure, such that the structure is fully enclosed by the first polymer layer, the second polymer layer, and the one or more photoresist layers. The method may also involve removing the one or more photoresist layers to form a channel through the second polymer layer, wherein the sensor is configured to receive the analyte via the channel.
US09028757B2

A method for analysis of an object dyed with fluorescent coloring agents. Separately fluorescing visible molecules or nanoparticles are periodically formed in different object parts, the laser produces the oscillation thereof which is sufficient for recording the non-overlapping images of the molecules or nanoparticles and for decoloring already recorded fluorescent molecules, wherein tens of thousands of pictures of recorded individual molecule or nanoparticle images, in the form of stains having a diameter on the order of a fluorescent light wavelength multiplied by a microscope amplification, are processed by a computer for searching the coordinates of the stain centers and building the object image according to millions of calculated stain center co-ordinates corresponding to the co-ordinates of the individual fluorescent molecules or nanoparticles. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images are provided for proteins, nucleic acids and lipids with different coloring agents.
US09028749B2

Disclosed are apparatus and method for decontaminating and sterilizing chemical and biological agents, which can efficiently decontaminate and sterilize high precision electronic devices, communication devices, computers or inside of vehicles and air planes contaminated with chemical and biological agent by using mixture of non-thermal atmospheric pressure air plasma and oxidizing peroxide vapor. The apparatus according to the present invention comprises a decontamination and sterilization chamber 10; a first fluid supplying line L1 and a second fluid supplying line L2, which are installed in the form of closed circuit between the inlet 11 and outlet 12 of the decontamination and sterilization chamber 10; a peroxide vapor supplier which is installed on the first fluid supplying line; and a non-thermal atmospheric pressure air plasma reactor 70 which is installed on the second fluid supplying line L2.
US09028746B2

Provided a build-up welding material which contains C: 0.2 to 1.5 mass %, Si: 0.5 to 2 mass %, Mn: 0.5 to 2 mass %, Cr: 20 to 40 mass %, Mo: 2 to 6 mass %, Ni: 0.5 to 6 mass %, V: 1 to 5 mass % and W: 0.5 to 5 mass %, with the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities.
US09028745B2

Various embodiments of the invention provide a low nickel austenitic stainless steel alloy composition including about 0.6% to about 0.8% by weight carbon; about 16% to about 18% by weight chromium; about 4.5% to about 5.5% by weight nickel; about 2.0% to about 5.0% by weight manganese; about 0.8% to about 1.2% by weight tungsten; about 0.8% to about 1.2% by weight molybdenum; about 0.65% to about 0.85% by weight niobium; about 0.3% to about 1.0% by weight silicon; balance iron and unavoidable impurities, wherein percentages are based on the overall weight of the composition. The invention further provides articles, such as turbine housings, prepared using the inventive alloys.
US09028743B2

There is provided a bustle pipe arrangement of a shaft furnace, in particular for feeding hot gas into the shaft furnace such as e.g. a blast furnace, wherein the bustle pipe arrangement comprises a circumferential bustle pipe arranged along the outer casing of the shaft furnace, at a certain distance therefrom. The arrangement further comprises a plurality of first support arms connecting the bustle pipe to the outer casing of the shaft furnace on a first level; and a plurality of second support arms connecting the bustle pipe to the outer casing of the shaft furnace on a second level, the first level being separate from the second level. The first and second support arms are configured to support the circumferential bustle pipe. First blow channels are arranged through the first support arms for fluidly connecting the bustle pipe to the interior of the shaft furnace.
US09028740B2

A method for preparing by solvent phase inversion spinning a hollow fiber membrane suitable for dialysis. The membrane includes at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer. An outer surface of the membrane is characterized by pores having sizes in the range of 0.5-3 μm, with the density of the pores on the outer surface of the membrane being in the range of 10,000 to 150,000 pores per mm2. The method includes dissolving the at least one hydrophobic polymer and the at least one hydrophilic polymer in at least one solvent to form a polymer solution, extruding the thus-formed polymer solution through an outer ring slit of a nozzle with two concentric openings, extruding a center fluid through the inner opening of the nozzle, and wishing said membrane. The polymer solution coming out through the outer slit opening on the outside of the precipitating fiber is exposed to a humid steam/air mixture including a solvent content of between 0.5 and 10% by weight related to the water content.
US09028739B2

An apparatus includes a first operating machine arranged for processing objects, a second operating machine positioned downstream of the first operating machine and arranged for further processing the objects, an accumulating arrangement interposed between the first operating machine and the second operating machine and arranged for receiving the objects, and a command and control arrangement arranged for detecting a parameter indicating the quantity of the objects contained in the accumulating arrangement and regulating the operation of the second operating machine on the basis of the parameter. A method includes dispensing synthetic plastics in a pasty state, compression-molding the plastics to obtain a perform, blowing the perform to obtain a container, and filling the container with a product. Each step maintains its own regulated temperature so that the dispensing temperature is greater than the blowing temperature and the blowing temperature is greater than the filling temperature.
US09028735B2

The invention is directed to a processes for manufacturing golf balls having multi-layered covers including a very thin outermost thermoplastic cover layer and a thermoset uniformly contoured inner cover layer having a uniform thickness.
US09028734B2

A process for producing, from PCR polyolefin feedstock, pellets which are suitable for molding into useful articles suitable for food contact and other applications wherein feedstock fragrances are not desirable.
US09028729B2

Sulfur (or sulphur) spray nozzles disposed with a tank spray liquid molten sulfur into the cooling liquid in the tank. Solid sulfur seeds are formed in the cooling liquid and settle in the tank. The tank may be a spiral dewaterer tank that has a screw conveyor at the bottom of the tank that moves the seeds to a granulating drum for enlargement into sulfur granules. The tank may also he used to capture and remove sulfur dust from a slurry of sulfur dust and water recycled from the granulating drum. The sulfur dust in the cooling tank may be captured by contact with molten sulfur droplets streaming down the cooling liquid column such that the dust particles become incorporated into the droplet, thereby being converted to seed. The granulating drum may be equipped with two or more sets of segmented lifting flights. The sets of flights may not be in alignment. The flights may be spaced apart from the inside surface of the drum with segmented rib members. The rib members may allow for the movement of sulfur seeds and granules between the nights and the inside surface of the drum as the drum rotates.
US09028722B2

A method is provided for modifying a surface of a solid conducting material, which includes applying a potential difference between this surface and a surface of another conducting solid material positioned facing it, and wherein, simultaneously, the surface (S) is put into contact with a liquid medium comprising in solution triarylamines (I): while subjecting these triarylamines (I) to electromagnetic radiation, at least partly converting them at into triarylammonium radicals. Also provided is a conducting device which includes two conducting metal materials, the surfaces of which, (S) and (S′) respectively, are electrically interconnected through an organic material comprising conducting fibrillar organic supramolecular species comprising an association of triarylamines of formula (I).
US09028719B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a phosphor that is combined with a blue LED to achieve white light at a low color temperature as if singly, has a broad fluorescence spectrum for excellent color rendering properties, has a high luminous efficiency, is thermally and chemically stable like conventional nitride-based phosphors, and has a small decrease in luminance at high temperatures. Another object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting device using such a phosphor. The present invention relates to a β-sialon that is expressed by the general formula, Si6-zAlzOzN8-z:Eu (0
US09028717B2

The use of glow-in-the-dark materials, such as phosphors or long-persistent glow materials which incorporate the use of rare earth elements (i.e. “glow materials”); wherein the glow crystal sizes are 0.5 mm to 10.0 mm in size and to be contained or placed in various forms such as solutions, polymer matrixes both rigid and non-rigid, containers, or flexible vacuum pouches or combinations of same wherein the concentration and size of such glow particles create a light source not heretofore achieved by prior art.
US09028715B2

A composition adapted for use in the manufacture of an organic light-emissive device by passing the composition through one or more openings under pressure to deposit the composition, the composition comprising: a semi-conductive organic host material; a luminescent metal complex; and a first solvent, wherein the first solvent has a structure: where X, X′ independently comprise O, S or N and R, R′ independently comprise an aromatic or aliphatic group.
US09028698B2

A mechanical particle filter comprises a membrane having a plurality of pores. At least one partial region of the surface of the membrane, that is accessible for the medium to be filtered, includes a carbon material having a diamond structure.
US09028677B2

In various aspects, the invention provides for processing a hydrocarbon feed having hydrocarbon and emulsified aqueous components demulsifying into hydrocarbon and aqueous phases over an initial demulsification time, with an active agent to form a treated feed. The active agent has an active agent solubility in the hydrocarbon component and in the aqueous component, the aqueous component has an aqueous component solubility in the hydrocarbon component. The active agent solubility in the hydrocarbon component is greater than the aqueous component solubility in the hydrocarbon component. The active agent solubility in the aqueous component is greater than the active agent solubility in the hydrocarbon component. The active agent solubility in the aqueous component is greater than the active agent solubility in the hydrocarbon component. A treated demulsified hydrocarbon phase separates from the active agent and the aqueous component in a modified demulsification time that is shorter than the initial demulsification time.
US09028676B2

Integrating a biomass pyrolysis and upgrading process into a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The process uses conventional FCC feed and a mixture of a solvent and biomass to produce upgraded fuel products. A slurry stream composed of solid biomass particles and a solvent is fed into an FCC riser through a slurry pump to achieve biomass pyrolysis and in situ pyrolysis oil upgrading. The catalytic cracking of the conventional petroleum feed also occurs in the riser.
US09028674B2

A process for upgrading residuum hydrocarbons including: feeding pitch, hydrogen, and a partially spent catalyst recovered from a hydrocracking reactor to an ebullated bed pitch hydrocracking reactor; contacting the pitch, hydrogen, and the catalyst in the ebullated bed pitch hydrocracking reactor at reaction conditions of temperature and pressure sufficient to convert at least a portion of the pitch to distillate hydrocarbons; and separating the distillate hydrocarbons from the catalyst. In some embodiments, the process may include selecting the ebullated bed pitch hydrocracking reactor reaction conditions to be at or below the level where sediment formation would otherwise become excessive and prevent continuity of operations.
US09028664B2

A device for isoelectric focusing. The device comprises a focusing container configured to contain an electrolyte solution and having a longitudinal axis and at least one electrolysis unit mounted in a close proximity to the longitudinal axis. Each electrolysis unit injects an ion flow into the focusing container so as to create a pH gradient having a plurality of steps in the electrolyte solution, along the longitudinal axis. Each step has a substantially uniform pH level and the pH gradient is defined by at least one pH ramp between every two sequential steps of the plurality of steps.
US09028658B2

A Mn-containing copper alloy sputtering target is provided. The target generates a small number of particles and is used to form diffusion inhibiting films and seed films of interconnects of semiconductor devices simultaneously. The target is a Mn-containing copper alloy sputtering target that generates few particles, comprising a copper alloy containing 0.6 to 30 mass % of Mn with the balance consisting of copper and impurities, wherein the impurities are controlled to include a total of 40 ppm or less of metallic impurities, 10 ppm or less of oxygen, 5 ppm or less of nitrogen, 5 ppm or less of hydrogen, and 10 ppm or less of carbon.
US09028657B2

Apparatus and methods for electroplating are described. Apparatus described herein include anode supports including positioning mechanisms that maintain a consistent distance between the surface of the wafer and the surface of a consumable anode during plating. Greater uniformity control is achieved.
US09028656B2

A method for whitening teeth is disclosed. The method includes supplying a liquid sufficient to at least partially submerge a portion of a tooth; positioning a plasma device adjacent to the submerged portion of the tooth; supplying ionizable media to the plasma device; and igniting the ionizable media at the plasma device sufficient to form a plasma effluent in the presence of the liquid at the distal portion, whereby the plasma effluent reacts with the liquid to form at least one reactive species that interacts selectively with foreign matter disposed on the tooth.
US09028647B2

An adhesive of the invention is used for polarizing plate to provide a transparent protective film on at least one side of a polarizer and comprises a resin solution comprising a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin, a crosslinking agent and a colloidal metal compound with an average particle size of 1 nm to 100 nm, wherein 200 parts by weight or less of the colloidal metal compound is added to 100 parts by weight of the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin. The adhesive for polarizing plate can reduce the occurrence of knicks.
US09028630B2

In the invention, at least a tire outer circumferential side portion of a tread portion is formed of a non-conductive rubber layer. The non-conductive rubber layer is formed by winding and laminating a non-conductive rubber ribbon along a tire circumferential direction. A conductive layer is provided on an outer circumference of the non-conductive rubber ribbon, and the conductive layer continuously and spirally extends along the tire circumferential direction, and is exposed on a tread surface from a bottom surface of the non-conductive rubber layer toward a tire outer circumferential side. Accordingly, an electricity generated in a vehicle body is discharged to a road through the conductive layer. Since the conductive layer is scattered within the non-conductive rubber layer and exposure on the tread surface is preferably secured, it is possible to achieve an excellent conductivity.
US09028626B2

A method of manufacturing a high-strength galvanized steel sheet includes hot-rolling a slab to form a steel sheet; during continuous annealing, heating the steel sheet to a temperature of 750° C. to 900° C. at an average heating rate of at least 10° C./s at a temperature of 500° C. to an A1 transformation point; holding that temperature for at least 10 seconds; cooling the steel sheet from 750° C. to a temperature of (Ms point—100° C.) to (Ms point—200° C.) at an average cooling rate of at least 10° C./s; reheating the steel sheet to a temperature of 350° C. to 600° C.; holding that temperature for 10 to 600 seconds; and galvanizing the steel sheet.
US09028619B2

A system and method for securing tokens to be cleaned includes a tray with a curved surface defining a channel extending along a first direction and spacers projecting from the curved surface into the channel. The spacers are disposed at regular intervals along the first direction. The curved surface also has at least one opening. The tokens may be inserted into the channel between adjacent spacers and the tray holding the tokens can be submerged into a cleaning liquid. Identical trays containing tokens can also be stacked and together submerged into the cleaning liquid. The tray holding the tokens can be placed on a drying surface that has a drainage hole, and wetness remaining on the tokens can be sucked through the hole in the channel and the drainage hole by a vacuum or blown through the hole in the channel and drainage hole by an air blower.
US09028614B2

When processing such as SiC epitaxial growth is performed at an ultrahigh temperature of 1500° C. to 1700° C., a film-forming gas can be decreased to heat-resistant temperature of a manifold and film quality uniformity can be improved. A substrate processing apparatus includes a reaction chamber for processing a plurality of substrates, a boat for holding the plurality of substrates, a gas supply nozzle for supplying a film-forming gas to the plurality of substrates, an exhaust port for exhausting the film-forming gas supplied into the reaction chamber, a heat exchange part which defines a second flow path narrower than a first flow path defined by an inner wall of the reaction chamber and the boat, and a gas discharge part installed under the lowermost substrate of the plurality of substrates.
US09028601B2

An ink composition of the invention is an ink composition to be ejected by an ink jet system and includes silver particles and water. When a composition A formed of components of the ink composition other than the water is held in an atmosphere at an ambient temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity (RH) of 50%, the equilibrium moisture content of the component A is in a range of 2 to 7.8 percent by mass.
US09028598B2

In a case where DPF regeneration is restarted after an engine is automatically restarted from interruption of the DPF regeneration, DPF regeneration control is corrected so as to suppress temperature rise due to the DPF regeneration in consideration of an increment in oxygen concentration in exhaust gas which is caused due to the interruption of the DPF regeneration. Specifically, restart of the DPF regeneration is prohibited during a predetermined prohibition time ΔT1 from a time t1 at which the engine is automatically restarted, and a post injection amount of fuel is corrected to the side of reduction.
US09028583B2

A process for producing refractory metal alloy powders includes the steps of blending at least one powder with at least one solvent and at least one binder to form a slurry; forming a plurality of agglomerates from the slurry; screening the plurality of agglomerates; sintering the plurality of agglomerates; and melting said plurality of agglomerates to form a plurality of homogenous, densified powder particles.
US09028577B2

A mobile network is adapted to provide a first mobile telephony service to a first group of subscribers and a second mobile telephony service to a second group of subscribers. The mobile network includes a home location register; at least one switching equipment cooperating with the home location register for providing the first mobile telephony service to the first group of subscribers; at least one adapter node cooperating with the home location register and with the switching equipment for providing the second mobile telephony service to the second group of subscribers.
US09028563B2

The present invention relates to a hair dye composition, and more particularly, to a foam-type hair dye composition comprising: a first agent including a dye and an alkaline agent and a second agent including an oxidant; and a nonionic viscosity increasing agent of a PEG-aliphatic acid ester or a PPG-aliphatic acid ester in one or both of the first agent and the second agent, thereby largely improving dyeing properties without dripping after the composition is coated on hair.
US09028562B2

The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for dyeing keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising: a) one or more fatty substances; b) one or more surfactants; c) one or more oxidation bases; d) one or more couplers based on 2-hydroxynaphthalene derivatives or particular phenol derivatives, acylaminophenol derivatives or quinoline derivatives; f) one or more basifying agents; e) optionally one or more chemical oxidizing agents; and the fatty substance content representing in total at least 25% by weight relative to the total weight of the formulation. The present invention also relates to a process using this composition, and to a multi-compartment device that is suitable for performing the said process.
US09028560B2

A terminal device is described which is attachable to the end of a prosthesis on an arm and there serves as an attachment site for a variety of tools or implements designed to mate with the terminal device. A locking ring mechanism is also described herein. The terminal device comprises a first main part in operable and pivotal combination with a second main part, the combined main parts providing on one end a device for attaching to the end of an a prosthesis, and on the other a device for attaching a variety of implements, the said device for implement attachment providing articulation capabilities that allow positioning of the implements in a variety of positions relative to the position of the arm prosthesis. Among the implements which can be attached are for example: cutting tools (such as saws, files, knives, scrapers, and awls); various wrenches (such as open end wrenches, closed end wrenches, ratchet wrenches, adjustable wrenches, Allen wrenches, and pipe wrenches); and a variety of other implements such as spoons, scoops, spatulas, planes, brushes, sports equipment (e.g., fishing rods), and stirring devices.
US09028559B2

A vertical suspension system for a prosthetic foot includes a first member operatively coupleable to an amputee's residual leg. The suspension system can also include a second member coupleable to a prosthetic foot. One or more upper leaf springs and one or more lower leaf springs extend between and are attached to the first and second members such that at least one of the ends of each leaf spring is rotationally fixed to the first or second members, where the upper an lower leaf springs are spaced apart from each other.
US09028548B2

A prosthesis replaces all or a portion of a natural facet joint on a vertebral body. The prosthesis has a prosthesis body accommodating fixation to the vertebral body at or near a pedicle and without support by a lamina. The prosthesis body has a fastening element installed within the vertebral body at or near a pedicle. The prosthesis further has an artificial facet joint structure carried by the prosthesis body at a location spaced from the fastening element. The artificial facet joint structure is adapted and configured to replace all or a portion of a natural facet joint.
US09028527B2

The present invention provides a device for occluding an anatomical aperture, such as a septal defect or patent foramen ovale (PFO). The occluder includes two sides connected by an intermediate joint. Each of the sides includes at least one elongate element, which is arranged to form non-overlapping loops. Each loop has at least one radially-extending segment that is adjacent to a radially-extending segment of another loop. In at least some embodiments, at least one pair of adjacent radially-extending segments is connected. In some embodiments, at least one of the sides includes a tissue scaffold. When the occluder is deployed in vivo, the two sides are disposed on opposite sides of the septal tissue surrounding the aperture, thereby exerting a compressive force on the septal tissue that is distributed along both the outer periphery of the occluder and the radially-extending segments.
US09028525B2

Retrievable vena cava filters for the temporary or permanent prevention of Pulmonary embolism (PE) are disclosed. A filter in accordance with the present invention has a tube-within-tube structure with overlapping semi-spheres. The semi-spheres comprise a plurality of expandable legs. The first tube may have a first set of expandable legs and a plurality of slots allowing for deployment of a second or third set of expandable legs on the second tube. The filter of the present invention may be retrieved by a catheter and snare. The third set of expandable legs conveys the vector force from the closing of the first set to the second set to cause it to collapse.
US09028514B2

An exemplary surgical probe and methods of making the same are disclosed. An exemplary surgical probe may include a tubular body and a scissor assembly received at least partially within the body. The scissor assembly may include a first blade fixed to the tubular body that includes a body portion and an end portion. The scissor assembly may further include a second blade that is configured to move longitudinally within the tubular body. The body portions of the first and second blades may each define respective cross sections normal to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body. The cross sections may each define centrally disposed edges adjacent one another, and the cross sections may each be asymmetrical about a line substantially parallel to the centrally disposed edges.
US09028509B2

An insertion device includes an elongate member and a stylet. The elongate member has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and defines a lumen therethrough. The stylet has a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and is slidably coupled to the elongate member. The stylet is configured to move from a first position to a second position with respect to the elongate member. The distal end portion of the stylet is configured to removably couple a mesh carrier thereto. A portion of the distal end portion of the stylet is disposed outside of the lumen of the elongate member when the stylet is in its first position and is disposed within the lumen when the stylet is in its second position.
US09028507B2

Provided herein is an instrument and method useful to incise in to the skin to a precise depth and at a specific angle with respect to the surface of the skin of a patient, for the extraction of individual follicular groups or individual follicular units. An instrument according to the invention precisely limits the depth of incision, and creates a circular incision around a hair, follicular unit, or follicular cluster in a manner such that no damage occurs to any of the hair shafts.
US09028506B2

An amnion insertion device has been developed for an emergency cervical cerclarge operation to push back the bulged amnion into the uterus. The present invention is configured with a dilation balloon that forms at the front end portion of the air injection tube for stably supporting a support. Once the dilation balloon is inflated the inflated state will prevent deflation or sliding backwards during the cervical cerclarge operation while the bulged amnion is being pushed back into the uterus to facilitate the operation. Because the external tube and air injection tube have integrally formed a dual-tube configuration, a surgeon on duty can entirely grip the amnion insertion device by one hand, and will have the other hand free to stitch up the cervix.
US09028503B2

A drill guide comprising: a body comprising a hole extending therethrough for guiding a drill; and an alignment tool, the alignment tool being operable to connect the body to an intramedullary rod, such that the orientation of the body is fixable with respect to the intramedullary rod in an anteroposterior plane and in a transverse plane.
US09028502B2

An orthopedic prosthetic impactor used for the implantation of double mobility cup implants is described. The impactor consists of a drive train, a C-shaped housing, and a prosthetic cup engaging subassembly. The subassembly comprises an impaction plate, a primary cup contacting member, a secondary cup contacting member and a wedging assembly. The primary and secondary cup contacting members, contactable with an interior surface of the prosthetic cup implant. When activated by the drive train, the wedging assembly moves in a proximal direction towards the impaction plate, positioning the wedging assembly in a contactable relationship with the primary and secondary members thereby preventing the members and a connected prosthetic implant cup from moving during implantation.
US09028499B2

Methods are described for treating a target tissue with a radioisotope. Some methods include determining a distance between a target tissue and a surface of a matrix material to be positioned adjacent the target tissue and, based on the determined distance, determining an activity to be mixed with the matrix material to obtain a desired activity concentration. Some methods further include mixing the radioisotope with the matrix material. In some embodiments, the matrix material is a bone cement, and the target tissue is a tumor in a bone. The radioisotope may be a beta-emitting radioisotope mixed in the cement at a concentration to form a radioactive cement.
US09028495B2

A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a proximal structural member and a proximal drive member that is selectively movable with respect to the proximal structural member. A modular end effector is removably coupled to the elongated shaft, and has a distal structural member and a distal drive member that is operatively coupled to a pair of jaw members. A separable joint is defined between the elongated shaft and the end effector. The separable joint includes laterally prominent and laterally indented portions of each of the proximal and distal structural members and of each of the proximal and distal drive members. The structural members are interlocked to resist longitudinal separation and permit lateral separation. The drive members are movable relative to structural members to move the separable joint to a locked configuration wherein the drive members prohibit lateral separation of the structural members.
US09028493B2

A method of performing surgery includes the steps of providing a forceps having a housing including a shaft that extends therefrom and at least one handle moveable relative to the housing and providing an end effector assembly configured to selectively engage a distal end of the shaft. The method also includes the steps of inserting the forceps through a first opening formed in a body; inserting the end effector assembly through a second opening formed in the body; engaging the end effector assembly with the distal end of the shaft in vivo; and actuating the end effector assembly by moving the handle relative to the housing. The method may also include the steps of providing a coupling at the distal end of the shaft, and engaging, via the coupling, the distal end of the shaft with the end effector assembly.
US09028481B2

An electrosurgical generator includes an RF output stage, a DC blocking capacitor, a measuring circuit, and a sensor circuit. The RF output stage generates electrosurgical energy for application to an active electrode. The DC blocking capacitor is electrically coupled between the RF output stage and the active electrode. The measuring circuit is coupled to the DC blocking capacitor and measures the voltage across the DC blocking capacitor. The sensor circuit determines the current of the electrosurgical energy as a function of the voltage across the DC blocking capacitor.
US09028462B2

A garment comprises a laminate. The laminate comprises a first layer colored a first color, and a second layer colored a second color different than the first color. The laminate includes a folded flap in the waist region, thereby defining an integral, outwardly visible waistband having a waistband lower edge. The first layer and the second layer are coterminous at the waistband lower edge and the folded flap is an outwardly folded flap. The first layer is an inner layer and the second layer is an outer layer, and the outwardly visible waistband is colored the first color. The distinction between the first color and second color in conjunction with the fold creates a visible waistband effect.
US09028461B2

A pull-on wear article having a front portion that is adapted to be worn around the front side of a wearer, a crotch portion that is adapted to be worn along the wearer's crotch region, and a rear portion that is adapted to be worn around the wearer's rear side, which is formed into a pants form by bonding lateral side edges of the front portion and lateral side edges of the rear portion, wherein the front portion and the rear portion are each constituted by an outer cover in which an inner layer material and an outer layer material are laminated, the outer cover has plural single layer areas that are formed of the inner layer material or the outer layer material at intervals in the direction of length of the outer cover, and the laminate areas where the inner layer material and outer layer material are laminated have elasticity in the waist-surrounding direction of the outer cover.
US09028460B2

The present invention is a solution for continence problems. A supporting structure can be in the form of a modified jock strap or biker's shorts. It includes a male version and a unisex version. The male version comprises a urine-collecting bag having a top opening to receive the genitalia of the user, whereas the unisex version comprises a breathable pad configured to be positioned in a crotch area of the user. Both versions utilize micro channels for guiding urine away from the user.
US09028454B2

A drive mechanism suitable for use in drug delivery devices is disclosed. The drive mechanism may be used with injector-type drug delivery devices, such as those permitting a user to set the delivery dose. The drive mechanism may include a housing, a dose dial sleeve, and a drive sleeve. A clutch is configured to permit rotation of the drive sleeve and the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are coupled through the clutch. Conversely, when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are in a de-coupled state, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is permitted and rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented. In the de-coupled state, axial movement of the drive sleeve transfers force in a longitudinal direction for actuation of a drug delivery device.
US09028450B2

Disclosed are a syringe capable of measuring an inner temperature of a patient body and a method of manufacturing the same. In the syringe, a different metal from that of a syringe needle is deposited on an inclined surface of a tip portion of the syringe needle to form a thermocouple junction with the metal of the syringe needle, whereby the region causing pain in a patient body can be diagnosed while allowing administration of medicine thereto, thereby enabling efficient treatment and significantly reducing potential harm due to drug abuse.
US09028448B2

The present disclosure relates to a valve or seal of the type adapted to allow the introduction of an instrument or object therethrough. In particular, the valve disclosed herein is adapted to maintain a substantially fluid-tight seal with a surgical instrument and is used during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The valve disclosed herein incorporates one or more bladder members adapted to retain a fluid therein that are associated by one or more interstitial members.
US09028445B2

Apparatus and methods for cooling liquid coolant, such as nitrous oxide, to be delivered to a cryo-ablation device such as a balloon catheter. A hose or conduit in fluid communication with the ablation device includes an outer member and inner tubes. A first inner tube disposed within a lumen of the outer member carries liquid coolant to the ablation device. Another inner tube also disposed within the lumen carries liquid coolant and terminates within the lumen such that gaseous coolant derived from liquid coolant flowing through the second inner tube flows within the lumen to cool or chill the first inner tube and liquid coolant carried by the first inner tube to the ablation device.
US09028444B2

The instant invention provides for a pivoting ring that can be used as a seal for an inflatable member. The pivoting ring seal offers a mechanical action which acts to tighten with increasing inflation and/or expansion of an inflatable member. As the inflatable member increases in pressure and/or size, one side of the ring is lifted and pivots around a fulcrum in the middle of the ring seal causing the opposite side of the ring seal to decrease in diameter. The pivot ring causes the opposite part of the seal to tighten about an inner member allowing for a higher-pressure seal. In addition to a higher pressure seal, the working length of the inflatable member can be adjusted by moving the ring along the length of the inflatable member.
US09028434B2

An ultrasound operation apparatus comprises: an ultrasound transducer; a driving section that drives the ultrasound transducer by a drive signal; a probe having a proximal end section provided with the ultrasound transducer and a distal end section to which ultrasound oscillation is transmitted, the probe performing a treatment on a living tissue using ultrasound oscillation at the distal end section; a detecting section that detects, from a drive signal, a physical quantity which varies due to cavitation generated by ultrasound oscillation of the distal end section; and an output control section that controls an output of the driving section in accordance with the detected physical quantity.
US09028429B2

An acoustic sensor is configured to provide accurate and robust measurement of bodily sounds under a variety of conditions, such as in noisy environments or in situations in which stress, strain, or movement may be imparted onto a sensor with respect to a patient. Embodiments of the sensor provide a conformable electrical shielding, as well as improved acoustic and mechanical coupling between the sensor and the measurement site.
US09028425B2

An extravascular system is disclosed. The system includes a body, a septum, a septum activator, and a blood sampling device. The body has and inner lumen extending therethrough. The septum is disposed within the inner lumen. The septum activator is disposed within the inner lumen proximal the septum. The septum activator has an inner passage extending therethrough. The blood sampling device has a tube that is longer than a length of the septum activator and has a width less than or equal to a width of the inner passage of the septum activator. An interior of the tube is in fluid communication with a reservoir within the blood sampling device. A vent is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The vent passes air but not blood therethrough.
US09028423B2

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining the occurrence of a closed or open apnea. Respiratory air flow from a patient is measured to give an air flow signal. The determination of an apnea is performed by applying an oscillatory pressure waveform of known frequency to a patient's airway, calculating a complex quantity representing a patient admittance (12) and comparing its value with ranges (14,16) indicative of open or closed apneas. The method distinguishes open from closed apneas even when the model used to calculate admittance is not based on details of the respiratory apparatus. In addition the patient admittance may be compared with admittance during normal breathing to avoid having to characterize the airway.
US09028421B2

A blood flow image diagnosis device which diagnoses a blood flow map by separating, on the basis of a plurality of blood flow maps covering a specified time including one or more cardiac beats, a blood flow of a surface layer blood vessel observed in a surface layer in an observation region of a body tissue from a background blood flow of a peripheral background region. The device distinguishably displays a first blood flow map of the surface layer blood vessel and a second blood flow map of the background blood flow. The device calculates and compares information on a blood flow including blood flow value, blood flow waveform, or blood vessel diameter in the first and second blood flow maps, and displays the calculated information.
US09028405B2

A system includes a processor; a cellular, WiFi, or Bluetooth transceiver coupled to the processor; an accelerometer or a motion sensor coupled to the processor; and a sensor coupled to the processor to sense mood, wherein text, image, sound, or video is rendered in response to the sensed mood.
US09028404B2

A physiological monitoring system includes a sensor subsystem worn by a person including at least a one sensor. A dock is associated with the sensor subsystem and includes a first connector component electrically connected to the sensor. A portable transmitting unit is received in the dock and includes a transmitter and a connector component removeably mateable with the dock connector component to route sensor data to the transmitter.
US09028402B2

A surgical access apparatus includes a liner base and an access housing for positioning outside the body. The liner base includes an inner member adapted for insertion through an opening within body tissue for positioning within the body; a sleeve member connected to the inner member and dimensioned to extend from the inner member through the opening within the body tissue, and a plurality of tensioning elements connected to the inner member and associated with the sleeve member to impart a tensioning effect on the sleeve member. The access housing includes a first element and a second element. The second element is operatively connected to the tensioning elements and adapted for rotational movement relative to the first member to cause the tensioning elements to displace the inner member toward the access housing and to cause the sleeve member to engage and retract tissue defining the opening within the body.
US09028401B1

Everting balloon systems and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. The systems can be configured to access and dilate body lumen and cavities. For example, the systems can be used to dilate the cervix and access the uterine cavity. The systems can also be used to occlude the cervix. The systems can also be used to occlude the urethra.
US09028393B2

A transseptal cannula having a flexible cannula body, a left atrial anchor coupled to the distal end of the flexible cannula body, and a right atrial anchor operable to be attached to the left atrial anchor in vivo. The left and right atrial anchors are implanted and deployed separately. Delivery of the transseptal cannula to a heart tissue can include a low profile coaxial balloon catheter comprising a tube body including an inner member and an outer member surrounding the inner member and thereby creating an inflation channel between the inner and outer members, a hub coupled to the proximal portion of the tube body and including a fluid space in fluid communication with the inflation channel; and a balloon coupled to the distal portion of the tube body, wherein the balloon is in fluid communication with the inflation channel. The hub of the coaxial balloon catheter is constructed with a low profile so that other surgical devices can be directed over the coaxial hub without deflating and removing the balloon.
US09028389B2

A separation cone (30) is mounted into the interior chamber of a centrifugal separator rotor (10), which comprises a cover (14) releasably connected to a base (16), in order to provide a frusto-conical wall subdividing the chamber into upper and lower regions. This slows the passage of fluid from the upper to the lower region, which takes place via openings (24) and/or via a gap between the inner rim (32) of the cone (30) and the axial inlet tube (12). The separation cone (30) is connected to the cover (14) by a releasable snap fit arrangement, such as by deflectable tabs (38) around the periphery of the separation cone (30) engaging into a groove (15) around the interior surface adjacent a lower edge of the cover (14). This allows there to be a predetermined sequence of servicing operations and ensures that the separation cone (30) will reliably stay with the cover (14) when the cover is removed.
US09028371B2

A hand exerciser device that includes a body having a thumb opening and a plurality of finger openings spaced apart from the thumb opening. Between the finger openings and the thumb opening, there is provided at least one and preferably a corresponding number of projections, which can be independently depressed and manipulated by the fingers.
US09028366B2

A hybrid vehicle in which at least two shift ranges can be selected for a single running direction includes an engine, a motor generator, an EHC raising the temperature of a catalyst for cleaning up an exhaust gas from the engine, and an ECU. While the vehicle is running, if the engine is stopped and, of the two shift ranges, a shift range where larger decelerating force is produced by regenerative braking of the motor generator has been selected, the ECU causes the EHC to raise the temperature of the catalyst using electric power generated by the motor generator.
US09028362B2

A kinetic hybrid device and method for a vehicle may include a planetary gear system configured as a continuously variable transmission comprised of three or four ports. The kinetic hybrid device and method may include a flywheel connected to a first port of the system, a final drive connected to a second port of the system, and the variator for the flywheel connected to a third or fourth port of the system. The prime mover and/or other power sources may share a port with the flywheel, but do not share a port with the final drive.
US09028361B2

A planetary gear unit (21) of a gearbox of a wind turbine comprising a sun gear (27), planet gears (25, 25′), a ring gear (24), a planet carrier (29) and an outer casing (31); the ring gear (24) being mounted on the outer casing (31); the planet carrier (29) comprising a bogie plate (35) where planet gears (25, 25′) are rotatably mounted on planet shafts (41); the planet carrier (29) comprising a main body (51) and a backplate (53) which can be joined/disjoined to the main body (51) for facilitating the assembly/disassembly of the planetary gear unit (21); the planet carrier (29) being rotatably mounted on said outer casing (31) by means of a first bearing (72) in contact with said main body (51) at the rotor side and by means of a second bearing (73) in contact with said backplate (53) at the generator side.
US09028358B2

An axle assembly having an axle housing assembly having a carrier housing and first and second end caps that are mounted to the carrier housing. The first end cap cooperates with the carrier housing to define a differential cavity for receipt of a differential assembly, while the second end cap cooperates with the carrier housing to define a clutch cavity for receipt of a clutch. A spindle drivingly couples a first output of the differential with an input of the clutch member. A first output member is coupled for rotation with a second output of the differential and a second output member is coupled for rotation with an output of the clutch. The spindle is received through a tubular portion of carrier housing.
US09028355B2

A control apparatus for an automatic transmission including three frictional engagement elements is configured to set engagement pressures of first and second frictional engagement elements at the time when a predetermined shift speed is established such that a torque capacity of a third frictional engagement element becomes smaller than torque capacities of the first and second frictional engagement elements in the case where an engagement pressure is generated in the third frictional engagement element at the time when the predetermined shift speed is established.
US09028352B2

The pulley device for a belt or chain tensioning idler or runner roller comprises a pulley (12), a roller bearing (14), a spacer (18) for the mounting of the rolling bearing (14) and being capable of pressing against an element external to the device, a fastening screw (20) immobilized axially relative to the spacer (18), and at least one retaining ring (22) which is elastic radially and which is mounted inside a groove (60) made on the fastening screw (20), a portion of the ring (22) protruding radially into a recess (52) of the spacer (18).
US09028350B2

A chain belt-type continuously variable transmission in which ratchet-type chain belts are wound on driving and driven pulley devices, each of which has a variable diameter, in order to control the shift ratio. Driving belt supports are disposed in a driving pulley device so as to radially contract and expand. Driven belt supports are disposed in a driven pulley device so as to radially contract and expand. Teeth in the front portions of the driving belt supports and the driven belt supports and teeth in the rear portions of the driving belt supports and the driven belt supports are oriented in opposite directions. Front and rear ratchet gears formed on the driving belt supports and the front and rear ratchet gears formed on the driven belt supports are oriented in opposite directions and are arranged in alternating positions without being formed at corresponding positions in a line.
US09028349B2

A rear deploying mechanical broadhead arrowhead is provided and includes a broadhead body having a body opening and a body length, wherein the broadhead body defines a body cavity and includes a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots traverses a portion of the body length and is disposed such that each of the plurality of slots is on an opposing side of the broadhead body. A blade system is also provided and includes minor blades and deployable blades, wherein the deployable blades are movable relative to the minor blades. The blade system is movably disposed within the body cavity such that the plurality of minor blades and plurality of deployable blades are protruding from the plurality of slots. A broadhead base having a base head securely associated with the body opening to be partially disposed within the body cavity to enclose the body cavity.
US09028342B2

A golf club includes a shaft and a club head for a metal wood type club. The club head includes a ball striking face, a heel, a toe, a rear, a crown and a sole. The sole includes a forward sole surface and a rearward sole surface. The substantially horizontally-oriented forward sole surface extends rearwardly from the ball striking face to a rearward edge. The substantially horizontally-oriented rearward sole surface extends forwardly from the rear of the club head. The rearward sole surface extends over and is offset in a height direction from the rearward edge. A cavity may be located above the forward sole surface, the cavity having a rearward facing opening located below the rearward sole surface. A projection may extend rearwardly from the rearward edge beneath the rearward sole surface, the projection having sides that extend in a generally breadthwise direction.
US09028341B2

A golf club head is described having a club head body having an external surface with a heel portion, a toe portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, and a front opening. The golf club head also includes a face insert support structure located at the front opening. The support structure includes a rear support member. The rear support member includes a support portion interior surface contour defining an apex point and an undercut distance in an undercut region within at least one major or minor plane. A non-undercut region is located in at least one major or minor plane intersecting the crown to face transition region.
US09028339B2

Hybrid golf club heads and hybrid golf clubs are described herein. The hybrid golf club head includes a body member having a hitting surface, a top surface, a toe end, a heel end, and a sole surface extending between the toe end and the heel end. The hybrid golf club head also includes a shaft attachment portion extending from the heel end upwardly and rearwardly therefrom away from the toe end, where the shaft attachment portion defines a shaft axis. The hitting surface is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the shaft axis. The hybrid golf club head includes a first Length B of the top surface near the shaft attachment portion and a second Length A of the top surface near the toe end, where the ratio of B to A is in a range from about 0.428 to about 0.75.
US09028337B2

Enables coupling or retrofitting a golf club with active motion capture electronics that are battery powered, passive or active shot count components, for example a passive RFID, and/or a visual marker on the cap for use with visual motion capture cameras. Does not require modifying the golf club. Electronics package and battery can be easily removed and replaced, without any tools. May utilize a weight that is removed when inserting the electronic package, wherein the weight element may have the same weight as an electronics package, for no net change or minimal change in club weight. May be implemented with a shaft enclosure and expander that may be coupled with a screw aligned along an axis parallel to the axis of the golf club shaft. May utilize non-permanently and/or friction coupling between the mount and golf club shaft. Cap may include a visual marker and/or logo.
US09028332B2

A cap acting as a grease retention feature and venting system allows crash optimization of a propeller shaft with a plunging constant velocity joint. The cap is located between a constant velocity joint and a tube of the propeller shaft system. The cap includes: a rim sealed against the inner diameter of the constant velocity joint, an interior vent chamber, a vent hole facing the interior components of the constant velocity joint and leading to the vent chamber, and an annular radial groove along the entire circumference connected to the vent chamber. The outer race has a hole perpendicular to the joint axis to complete venting to the atmosphere. In the event of a vehicle crash, the constant velocity internal joint components contact the device, causing the device to dislodge from its fixed position, contact the friction weld curls and fracture at a determined load.
US09028329B2

A wager gaming machine may be configured not only to provide wagering games, but also to communicate with one or more hosts that can provide information and/or services pertaining to local wager gaming events, including but not limited to local tournaments, local restaurants, local messages (e.g., messages from other players in the gaming establishment), local social events, local sporting events, local dating opportunities, etc. Other hosts may provide information and/or services pertaining to business or finance (e.g., stock quotes), sports, news, weather, etc. Processes for conveying audio, video, etc., from host devices may be separate from processes used to control wager game presentations. At least some such processes may be able to output an associated “skin” on a video system of the wager gaming machine. These processes may involve providing one or more “widgets.”
US09028306B2

A method of controlling the ventilation system for an energy source in a fuel cell vehicle is disclosed, which includes an HVAC system, a fluid reserve, and a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), capable of controlling a temperature of the RESS to militate against damage to or a shortened life of the battery, while maximizing vehicle durability, efficiency, performance, and passenger comfort.
US09028299B2

A fully symmetric cutter grinding machine with 5-axis includes a grinding machine base and a pillar, sliding rails are vertically arranged on an inside of the pillar, the sliding rails are provided with a grinding wheel head bracket, the grinding wheel head bracket comprises torque motors vertically provided, a lower part of the torque motor is connected to a horizontally provided spindle by means of a bearing of a rotation table, grinding wheels rotating around an axis of the spindle are symmetrically provided at two sides of the spindle, the grinding wheel head bracket further comprises a big rotatable pulley provided at an upper part of the grinding wheel head bracket and driven to rotate by spindle motors, the big pulley is connected to a spindle pulley by a wide synchronous belt.
US09028292B2

A toy figure is provided that incorporates an articulated armature, the armature including a torso member and multiple limbs, where each limb may be the same or different, and each limb includes at least one limb segment. Each limb segment includes two longitudinal primary plates that intersect approximately orthogonally, and a plurality of substantially parallel secondary plates that intersect with and are approximately orthogonal to both primary plates. The outer edges of the primary and secondary plates of each limb segment substantially define a shape and a volume for that limb portion of the toy figure. The articulated armature is surrounded by a resilient body material to simulate flesh.
US09028291B2

An image capturing toy may include a toy vehicle that may include at least one wheel and a camera, the camera including a camera lens and/or a housing that may include a first aperture and a wheel chock configured to inhibit displacement of a wheel. The housing may be moveable from an open position in which the toy vehicle may be placed in and removed from the housing, to a closed position in which the housing releasably encases the toy vehicle such that the camera lens is accessible through the first aperture and the wheel chock engages the at least one wheel.
US09028279B2

An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of first contacts arranged in a side-by-side manner, and a resilient contact retained in the housing. The housing defines a mating face, a blocking face and a mating cavity disposed between the mating face and the blocking face. Each first contact defines a first contacting portion projecting into the mating cavity. The resilient contact defines a blocking piece abutting against the blocking face, a retaining leg extending out of the mating cavity, and latching arms extending into the mating cavity from the blocking piece. The latching arms can be easily released from a mating connector so as to realize a better retaining effect.
US09028273B2

An electrical connector assembly for providing an environmental shield includes a bushing adapter configured to sealingly engage a bushing assembly accommodating a first electrical conductor. The bushing adapter further includes a first bore extending longitudinally therethrough to receive the first electrical conductor. An end fitting includes a second bore extending longitudinally therethrough to receive a second electrical conductor, and the end fitting is configured to sealingly engage the bushing adapter such that the first and second bores cooperate to define a main bore. A flowable dielectric material occupies substantially all empty space within the main bore, and at least one fill hole is in fluid communication with the main bore and configured to receive the flowable dielectric material. A method of assembling the electrical connector assembly is also provided.
US09028271B2

The present invention is a diagnostic, intermediate connector for electrically coupling a first external apparatus having a male Deutsch connector and a second external apparatus having a female Deutsch connector. The diagnostic connector includes a male and female plug assemblies having electrical inlets, embedded circuit with LEDs, and having a portion generally shaped as Deutsch connector. Light emitting diodes visually indicate a complete circuit with coupled external apparatus.
US09028267B2

In a power shutoff device, an operation lever is provided to be rotatable between a first position where a receiving connector and the plug connector are separated and a second position where the receiving connector and the plug connector are fitted. The operation lever is slidable in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction at the second position. A fitting detecting connector includes a fitting detecting receiving connector accommodating a pair of fitting detecting terminals in a pipe body penetrating and protruding from a side wall of a housing of the receiving connector, and a fitting detecting plug connector accommodating a conductive member electrically connecting the fitting detecting terminals in a pipe body. The fitting detecting plug connector is provided at a distal end part of the operation lever so as to be fitted to the fitting detecting receiving connector when the operation lever slides at the second position.
US09028265B2

A lever mechanism for connector fitting 1 includes a hold part 2 for holding a connector housing 4, and a handle part 3. When the handle part 3 is rotated and the connector housing 4 is thereby inserted into the connector housing 5, an engaging projection 24 is caused to retreat from the inner surface of a side plate 21 toward the connector housing 4, thereby removing the holding of the connector housing 4 by the hold part 2.
US09028260B2

In one embodiment, an apparatus may receive metadata that is associated with content. The metadata includes event descriptors that describe events included in the content. The apparatus may generate a question based on at least one of the event descriptors.
US09028255B2

A computer-implemented method for enabling a child to learn to read, including maintaining a data store with information that characterizes the reading capabilities of children, receiving a stream of sensor data from one or more input devices, the sensor data representing the speech of a person speaking, the person being either an adult or a child, or a sequence of scenes, identifying a meaningful utterance or a meaningful scene from the stream of sensor data, representing the meaningful utterance or meaningful scene in written text using words and grammar appropriate to the reading level of the child, based on information stored in the data store, providing the output text to a display device for presentation to the child, and receiving user feedback.
US09028246B2

The present invention relates to a residual gas burner (13) for a fuel cell system (1) having to educt gas feeds (11, 12) for feeding an educt gas each to a combustion chamber (14) of the residual gas burner (13). An improved operation of the residual gas burner (13) is obtained when the educt gas feeds (11, 12) each comprise outlet openings (22, 27), wherein the outlet openings (22, 27) face the combustion chamber (14) and the outlet openings (22, 27) of one of the educt gas feeds (11, 12) face a first bottom surface (29) of the other educt gas feed (11, 12).In addition, the invention relates to a fuel cell system (1) having such a residual gas burner (13).
US09028237B2

An injection molding machine includes an ejector unit configured to eject a molding product from a mold. The ejector unit includes a support provided on a platen to which the mold is attached, a slidable base configured to slide relative to the support, a transmission mechanism supported by the support and configured to convert an input into an output corresponding to the distance between the support and the slidable base and transmit the output to the slidable base, a drive source configured to cause the transmission mechanism to operate, an ejection member configured to move together with the slidable base, and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position of the slidable base relative to the ejection member.
US09028235B2

A method and apparatus for moving along a tube extrusion line. An extruded tube is pushed through the extrusion line, by means of pressure generated by an extruder, to a withdrawal unit that takes over further driving of the tube. In a first-moving along phase, in which the tube has not yet passed a sealing of a calibration cooling unit relative to the atmosphere, the latter is under atmospheric pressure. In a second phase, in which the tube has passed the sealing, the calibration and cooling unit is placed under underpressure. In the first phase, the tube is supported either by internal overpressure or by a mechanical inner guide. A support cylinder extends axially from a casing head of the extruder and extends coaxially into a calibration sleeve in a first section of the calibration and cooling unit. A support plate is disposed between the casing head and an inlet of the calibration sleeve and provides external support for a tube exiting the casing head.
US09028232B2

An internal gear pump for a slip-controlled hydraulic vehicle braking system includes a pinion, a ring gear, and a filler piece (sickle). The filler piece has an inner part extending in a curved manner in the peripheral direction and an outer part extending in a curved manner in the peripheral direction. The inner part and the outer part are interconnected in a hinged manner on the suction-sided ends. A leg spring is arranged between the inner and outer parts and is configured to separate the inner and outer parts and press against the tops of the teeth of the pinion and the tops of the teeth of the ring gear of the internal gear pump.
US09028230B2

A three stage vacuum pump has three stages of fixed scrolls and orbiting scrolls that operate simultaneously. A motor drives the second orbiting scroll within the third fixed scroll upon three equally spaced idlers. One idler then transmits rotation and torque into the second stage. The second orbiting scroll has involutes upon both surfaces to engage the second fixed scroll inwardly and the first fixed scroll outwardly. The first fixed scroll has fins upon its back that extend into the atmosphere to transfer heat to air cool the pump. This pump also has a fan accelerating heat transfer. The pump operates the scrolls directly from a motor or from a motor and magnetic coupling so that the atmosphere does not infiltrate the pump.
US09028229B2

Deliquefication systems with an upper pumping section for discharging fluid pumped to it by a lower pumping section; in one aspect, for providing liquid from a wellbore to the upper section for removal of the liquid from the wellbore; and, in one aspect, such systems for dewatering a gas well. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
US09028228B2

A pump may include a rotatable pumping part, a drive shaft, and a coupling for transmitting rotational movement of the drive shaft to the pumping part. The coupling may include a first part which is connected to the pumping part and a second part which is connected to the drive shaft, the first part having an electrically conductive material and the second part having an element for generating a magnetic field. The second part may be moveable relative to the first part to vary the degree of interaction between a magnetic field generated by the element and the electrically conductive material. Movement of the second part relative to the first part may be caused, at least in part, by a fluid controlled actuator having a piston moveable within a cylinder which is substantially non-rotating, such that the drive shaft and the second part are rotatable relative to the cylinder.
US09028219B2

A turbomachine including securing means that extend between the pressure wall and the suction surface and which includes an energy absorbing portion for absorbing energy after impact to the blade by a foreign object. The energy absorbing portion has a catch that provides the blade with an improved resistance to bursting.
US09028214B2

The present invention relates to a control system for a wind turbine, comprising an electrical device that is arranged for being used during normal operation of a wind turbine and a power source that is arranged to be used as an emergency power supply to a blade pitch motor, wherein the blade pitch motor is arranged to test at least one property of said power source. The invention also relates to a method for testing a power source.
US09028211B2

A lighting and heating assembly is provided. The lighting and heating assembly is configured for mounting to an existing ceiling fan. The lighting and heating assembly includes a lighting assembly for distributing light and a heating assembly for providing heat to the air circulated by the ceiling fan. The lighting assembly is attachable to the ceiling fan and has the heating assembly detachably connected thereto, which allows the lighting assembly to be used without the heating assembly. Additionally, the lighting and heating assembly is adjustable such that the lighting assembly and/or heating assembly are repositionable at desired locations in relation to one another and the air flow generated by the ceiling fan.
US09028201B2

An off axis hydraulic pump for an automatic motor vehicle transmission includes an integrated chain and sprocket assembly. A first, chain drive sprocket is mounted on a shaft driven by an input to a torque converter and a second, driven chain sprocket is attached to a stub shaft which drives the pump. A multi-link chain encircles the sprockets and transfers drive torque from the torque converter input to the stub shaft. The first, chain drive sprocket is retained on the input shaft by a retainer cap which includes seals between both the shaft and a torque converter housing. The second, driven chain sprocket is retained on the stub shaft by a snap ring or similar component.
US09028200B2

A gas turbine engine includes a shaft defining an axis of rotation. An outer turbine rotor directly drives the shaft and includes an outer set of blades. An inner turbine rotor has an inner set of blades interspersed with the outer set of blades. The inner turbine rotor is configured to rotate in an opposite direction about the axis of rotation from the outer turbine rotor. A splitter gear system couples the inner turbine rotor to the shaft and is configured to rotate the inner set of blades at a faster speed than the outer set of blades.
US09028194B2

An apparatus such as a shuttle bin includes an upper frame, a lower frame hingeably connected to the upper frame, a storage body operatively connected to the upper frame for storing material and a roller assembly operatively connected to the upper frame. The roller assembly is adapted to draw the storage body taut to unload the material stored in the storage body as the upper frame hinges away from the lower frame. The storage body may be formed of a pliable material such as a mesh or canvas.
US09028178B2

Material removal tool (100), such as for forming surfaces of valve seats, includes an integral or separable reduced diameter circumferential insert housing (106) including a plurality of inserts (120) bonded thereto. The plurality of inserts (120) include cutting surfaces (122) at different axial and radial positions relative to the axis (112) of the material removal tool (100). Cutting surfaces (122) at different axial and radial positions are arranged at different angles to the axis (112), and at least one cutting surface (122) on at least one insert is at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the axis (112). Cutting surfaces (122) can be located on one insert-type or different insert-types and can have different combinations of cutting surfaces (122). When arranged circumferentially on the insert housing (106), a N-effective material removal tool (100) is formed. Methods of machining using the N-effective material removal tool (100) is also disclosed.
US09028172B2

An articulating band saw apparatus provides a frame that includes a vertically extending section having upper and lower end portions. An elevator moves between the upper and lower end portions of the frame. A first hydraulic actuator is supported on the elevator for movement therewith. A first arm provides arm end portions, the first arm supported by the first hydraulic actuator. An end of the first arm supporting a second hydraulic actuator that is spaced away from the first hydraulic actuator. The second hydraulic actuator supports a second arm. An endless band type saw is mounted on the free end of the second arm generally opposite the second actuator. The band saw is movable by articulation of the first and second actuators and resulting movement of the first and second arms. In one embodiment, the band saw is a diamond wire saw.
US09028171B1

A geothermal pyrolysis system is configured to convert a slurry into a petroleum material. The geothermal pyrolysis system comprises an input well configured to receive the slurry from a mixer. Piping that is mechanically coupled to the input well and extending downward to a point where the earth has an ambient temperature exceeds three hundred degrees Fahrenheit and can transform the slurry into the petroleum material. An extraction well is mechanically coupled to the piping configured to extract the petroleum material from the piping. A separator is mechanically coupled to the extraction well which separates the petroleum material into carbon char, water, oil and gas.
US09028165B2

A tolerance ring can include a generally cylindrical body that can include a side wall. The sidewall can define a top and a bottom. Further, the sidewall can include a plurality of wave structures that can extend from the sidewall, a plurality of unformed sections, and a gap that can extend along the entire length of the body. Each unformed section can be located between a pair of adjacent wave structures. Further, the gap can establish a split in the body. The tolerance ring can also include at least one hole intersecting at least one of the wave structures to establish a perforated wave structure.
US09028150B2

A thrust sliding bearing includes a synthetic resin-made bearing body having a hollow cylindrical portion, an annular collar portion, an annular protruding portion, a tubular projecting portion, an engaging projecting portion, and an annular projecting portion; an annular cover having a disk portion, a tubular portion, and an engaging projecting portion; an annular metal plate having an outer disk portion and an inner disk portion; and a thrust sliding bearing which is interposed between the bearing body and an annular lower surface of the outer disk portion of the annular metal plate and renders the annular metal plate rotatable with respect to the bearing body in a direction about an axis of the bearing body.
US09028148B2

A motion guide device including a track shaft having a rolling surface; a moving member movable along the track shaft; a first seal member in sliding contact with a surface of the track shaft to close a gap between the track shaft and the moving member; and a second seal member provided along the rolling surface of the track shaft and closes the gap between the track shaft and the moving member. The second seal member includes: a fixing substrate locked to the moving member; and a seal portion fixed to the fixing substrate along the rolling surface of the track shaft and includes a seal lip portion in sliding contact with the surface of the track shaft and an extended seal portion in close contact with the first seal member while being compressed by the first seal member when the first seal member is fixed to the moving member.
US09028138B2

An electronic device includes a heat source, a heat-absorbing cold point, a thermally insulating material for insulating the heat source from the cold point with a conductivity at a use-temperature of electronic device, that is below a thermal-conductivity threshold, and a thermal bridge having first and second ends connected by pads to the heat source and the cold point, and a thermal switch. The thermal bridge extends between the two ends and switches reversibly between conductive and non-conductive states. It includes material of variable thermal conductivity capable of switching over, in response to an addition of energy, between a conductive phase and a resistive phase, and a control module for causing the thermal switch to switch between the conductive state and the resistive state.
US09028137B2

The invention relates to a device for thermal adaptation, comprising at least one surface element arranged to assume a determined thermal distribution, said surface element comprising a first heat conducting layer, a second heat conducting layer, said first and second heat conducting layers being mutually thermally isolated by means of an intermediate insulation layer, wherein at least one thermoelectric element is arranged to generate a predetermined temperature gradient to a portion of said first layer. The invention also relates to an object such as a craft.
US09028131B2

The present invention discloses a high intensity ultrasonic treatment method and apparatus that is used in conjunction with an existing commercial dough or batter mixer to enhance the rheological, aeration and textural properties of the dough or batter. This change in properties is a result of the phenomenon of acoustic cavitation induced in the dough or batter by treatment with high intensity ultrasonic waves. The present invention discloses a mixing bowl (20) of an existing mixer system that is preloaded with dough or batter, the bowl (20) is located at the center of an ultrasonic bath tank (101) filled with a working fluid. The effect of ultra-sonic waves with power levels above 1 kW can be observed over the entire or partial mixing period of the dough or batter. The ultra-sonic waves of the present invention are generated by a plurality of ultrasonic wave generators (104A, 104B) and piezoelectric transducers (1) mounted on a stainless steel tank (101). The electrical energy received in each transducer (1) will be converted into appropriate mechanical expansion and contractions in the piezoelectric ceramics of the transducer (1) thus leading to pressure waves being transmitted to the dough or batter to be mixed. The generation and transmission of high intensity ultrasonic waves to the dough or batter affects its rheological, aeration and textural properties.
US09028119B2

According to another aspect of the present invention, a light system for use in a rearview mirror assembly is provided and includes a light source and a first optical element. Said first optical element has a collection optic configured to direct light received from said light source, a reflector optic in optical communication with said collection optic and configured to reflect light from said collection optic, a plurality of light steering areas configured to steer light propagating in said first optical element, and a light spreading optic configured to spread light exiting said first optical element. A second optical element is in optical communication with said first optical element and is configured to diffuse light received from said first optical element to illuminate an indicia.
US09028112B2

A lighting device includes a first and second housing; the first housing has an inner threading and a first protrusion. The lighting device includes a second housing having an outer threading and a second protrusion. A user advances one protrusion over the other in order to activate the lighting device. The lighting device also includes an arm that is part of the first housing and a post that is part of the second housing. The arm and post prevent the first housing from rotating to a point where the threading of the housings release. The arm may be flexed inwards to prevent allow for the release of the first housing.
US09028111B2

A lens module for LED light sources including: a lens body; and an LED light source received in a recess of the lens body. By the conditions of Z1>Z2 and Z3>Y1, and with the shape of light incident surface and the position of LED light source, a light deflection effect is achieved. This allows light emitted from the LED light source to be refracted by the light incident surface and then emitted by the light exiting surface, generating an excellent light deflection effect, thereby increasing illumination in width at the road or public squares and increasing utilization rate of the LED light source.
US09028110B2

An optical device for providing a visual warning indication is disclosed. The optical device includes a high intensity localized light source such as a laser diode and a diffuser for modifying a beam intensity distribution of the emitted light from the high intensity localized light source to generate diffused light. The device further includes a collimator for collimating the diffused light from the diffuser to provide collimated light for emission from an output aperture to provide the visual warning indication. The beam intensity distribution of the emitted light is modified by the diffuser to generate a substantially uniform intensity distribution of the collimated light over the entire output aperture.
US09028104B2

The invention discloses an LED projection lamp, which comprises a heat sink, a lamp cup, an LED module, a lens, a first heat conduction component, a fastening device and a second heat conduction component, wherein the heat sink is cylindrical and provided with a trumpet-shaped inner cavity on the front and a cylindrical inner cavity at the rear; the lamp cup is arranged inside the trumpet-shaped inner cavity; the LED module is disposed on a small opening portion of the lamp cup; the lens is used by the LED module for light transmission; the first heat conduction component comprises a plurality of U-shaped first heat pipes; the fastening device is sleeved at the rear end of the cylindrical inner cavity; the second heat conduction component comprises a plurality of U-shaped second heat pipes.
US09028089B2

An illumination device includes a light source unit having a light emitting panel, and a mounting unit attached to a non-light-emission surface of the light source unit and provided with a circuit board for controlling energization of the light emitting panel. The mounting unit includes a connection terminal to which an external conductor for electrically interconnecting the circuit board and an external device is connected. The connection terminal is arranged inward of an outer peripheral end of a surface of the mounting unit to which the light source unit is attached. A clearance for passing the external conductor therethrough is formed between the light source unit and the mounting unit in a state that the external conductor is connected to the connection terminal and the mounting unit is attached to the light source unit.
US09028084B2

A refrigerator with an ultraviolet LED may be provided that includes: a base disposed on a first member and a second member which are placed within the refrigerator and have one surfaces having facing directions crossing each other; a first fixing member disposed between the base and the first member; a second fixing member disposed between the base and the second member; and an ultraviolet LED being disposed on the top surface of the base and emitting light toward the interior space of the refrigerator.
US09028082B2

A light source module including: a cover unit having a pipe structure with one open end or two open ends; a cap unit coupled to the one open end or two open ends of the cover unit; a light source unit including a light emitting device, the light source unit mounted on the cap unit and covered by the cover unit; and a wavelength conversion unit disposed in an internal space of the cover unit and coupled to the light source unit while covering the light emitting device, the wavelength conversion unit converting a wavelength of light emitted from the light emitting device to allow the wavelength-converted light to be emitted through the cover unit.
US09028080B2

Foreign matter is effectively ejected from between a sliding portion and protruding portions. In a mirror surface angle adjustment device of a vehicle door mirror device, while a mirror holder is rotated and an angle of a mirror surface of a mirror is adjusted, a sliding portion of the mirror holder slides on protruding portions of the case. The protruding portions extend to be directed toward a rotating direction of the mirror holder. Therefore, when the sliding portion slides on the protruding portions, foreign matter is easily ejected from between the sliding portion and the protruding portions to sideward of the protruding portions, and foreign matter can be effectively ejected from between the sliding portion and the protruding portions. Therefore, the sliding portion can slide smoothly against the protruding portions, and the rotating of the mirror holder can be made stable.
US09028077B2

A projector includes a housing, an image projection unit, and a plurality of connection ports including a power connection port. The housing has a top face, and a first face and a second face adjacent to each other, and a light projection port on the top face. The image projection unit includes an optical system to project light corresponding to image data, via the light projection port disposed on the top face, in an upward oblique direction with respect to the first face. The plurality of connection ports is disposed on the second face. The power connection port is disposed at a position in the second face closest to the first face side.
US09028070B2

Provided is a light-emitting element having high luminance and high directivity and emitting light in a controlled polarization state. The light-emitting element comprises substrate 3 and light emitting part 10 disposed on substrate 3 for emitting light in which light intensity of a polarization component in first direction x parallel to substrate 3 is higher than light intensities of polarization components in other directions. Light emitting part 10 includes active layer 12 for generating light and a plurality of structural bodies 14a disposed on a light-emitting side of light emitting part 10 with respect to active layer 12 and arrayed two-dimensionally along a surface substantially parallel to active layer 12. Each of structural bodies 14a has width w1 along first direction x and width w2 along second direction y perpendicular to first direction x, width w1 along first direction x and width w2 along second direction y being different from each other in a cross section parallel to active layer 12. Structural bodies 14a are arrayed periodically at first pitch p1 along first direction x and arrayed periodically at second pitch p2, which is different from first pitch p1, along second direction y.
US09028065B2

A ophthalmologic method and apparatus for processing a captured image of a tear film lipid layer on a cornea of a patient's eye to be examined and for classifying types of dry eye of the patient's eye. The captured image of the tear film lipid layer is processed to measure a movement speed of the tear film lipid layer at the time of opening of the patient's eyelid. The captured image of the tear film lipid layer is further processed to measure a time until the tear film lipid layer is broken up after the patient's eyelid has been opened and a break up region is detected. The type of dry eye of the patient's eye is classified based on the two measurement results.
US09028061B2

An adjustable nose pad structure comprises a main body and two adjustable members. The main body includes two adjustable portions having portions defining an open slot and a groove. The open slot has two opposite sidewalls, and a plurality of first recesses and second recesses. Each adjustable member is disposed in each adjustable portion. Each adjustable portion includes a pivotable portion and a connecting body. The connecting body has two opposite sidewalls respectively having a first convex protrusion and a second convex protrusion. One first convex protrusion is removably engaged to one of the first recesses, and one second convex protrusion is removably engaged to one of the second recesses. Thus, users can adjust the nose pads via adjusting the adjustable member until the nose pads are in position to properly fit the shape of user's nose.
US09028059B2

An ink-jet recording apparatus includes: a base member; a conveyor unit for conveying a sheet in a first direction; and a recording unit for ejecting ink when opposed to a sheet in a second direction. The base member includes: a first side base portion; a second side base portion; a center base portion located between the first side base portion and the second side base portion in a third direction; first and second side walls extending in the first direction and projecting in the second direction from opposite edge portions of the center base portion in the third direction; and a main board connecting the first side wall and the second side wall and configured to support the conveyor unit and the recording unit. The main board is greater in stiffness than the first side wall and the second side wall.
US09028055B2

The nonaqueous ink composition for ink jet printing contains a compound represented by General Formula (1) below, and a heterocyclic compound selected from lactones and lactams. (In Formula (1), R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R2 and R3 represent a methyl group or an ethyl group.)
US09028040B2

A liquid ejection apparatus including: a liquid ejection head and ejection openings; a tank; an air communication device; a supply channel; a return channel; a supply device; an adjusting device; and a controller, wherein the controller performs a liquid circulation control by controlling: the adjusting device such that a channel resistance value of the return channel is less than a predetermined maximum value; and the supply device to supply the liquid into the inside channel, wherein, when the liquid is circulated by the liquid circulation control, the controller starts a liquid discharge control for discharging the liquid by making the channel resistance value larger than that in the liquid circulation control, and wherein the controller controls the air communication device such that an inside of the tank is interrupted from the ambient air in at least a part of a period of the liquid circulation control.
US09028031B2

A printhead system to reduce peak energy usage may include a printhead including a plurality of primitives including nozzles. A printhead control module may control the printhead to increase printed pixel resolution and to reduce peak pixel fill density for print media. The printhead control module may further control the printhead such that all the nozzles with a same address generally disposed in a column do not fire at the same time.
US09028025B2

An ink jet head includes a plurality of nozzles and a piezoelectric member provided with driving channels for storing ink. Each of the driving channels communicates a respective one of the nozzles. Dummy channels are alternately arranged with the driving channels. First side walls between the driving and dummy channels include a first driving channel side surface and a first dummy side surface. Second side walls between the driving channels and the dummy channels include a second driving channel side surface and a second dummy channel side surface. When a voltage is applied to electrodes on the first dummy channel side surfaces, the corresponding first side wall is deformed. When a voltage is applied to electrodes on the second dummy channel side surfaces, the second side wall is deformed.
US09028024B2

The invention relates to a new control method for controlling the printing of a binary continuous inkjet printer provided with a printhead (20) with a set of deflection electrodes (8a, 8b; 9a, 9b) shared by all of the nozzles of the head, at least one pair of electrodes (8, 9) supplied in phase opposition relative to each other, and actuators (6) to which pulses are sent to form a distance Lbr from the plane of the nozzles (11), from the break of a jet discharged by a nozzle (3) in communication with a stimulation chamber (2) to which said actuator is mechanically coupled, drops not able to be electrically charged or jet segment subjected to the electrostatic influence of the deflection electrodes.According to the invention, the pulses are controlled so as to minimize the total electrical charge taken on by the ink jet segments inside a volume of influence of the electrodes.
US09028021B2

An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head, a carriage with the recording head mounted thereon, a main tank, a sub-tank configured to be supplied with ink from the main tank via a tube, a supply tube configured to connect the recording head and the sub-tank, a supply unit connected to the supply tube and configured to supply ink from the main tank to the sub-tank, and a control unit configured to control acceleration of the carriage and to control the supply unit, wherein, when an empty volume in the sub-tank is greater than or equal to an ink volume in the main tank, the supply unit is controlled to supply ink to the sub-tank.
US09028014B2

A system for electrical braking of a vehicle comprises a power bus coupled to a first driver associated with a first electromechanical actuator (EMA). The power bus is also coupled to a second driver associated with a second EMA, and the first EMA and the second EMA are associated with a wheel of the vehicle. The power bus provides braking power to the first EMA via the first driver and to the second EMA via the second driver. A normal braking command interface provides a first braking signal to the first driver and a second braking signal to the second driver. An emergency/park brake interface bypasses the normal braking command interface and sends a first emergency/park braking signal to the first driver and a second emergency/park braking signal to the second driver. A sensor measures a current at a single location of the power bus that is proportional to a braking force exerted on the wheel.
US09028004B2

The present invention provides a vehicle seat which includes a seat frame, a seat cushion receiving member stretched across the seat frame, and a seat cushion placed on the seat cushion receiving member. In the vehicle seat, the seat cushion has such dimensions as to cover the seat frame as viewed in plan, and a lower surface of the seat cushion has a raised portion in a region covering the seat frame, and the raised portion is raised so as not to contact the seat frame.
US09027997B2

A chair assembly includes a base structure, a seat support structure movably coupled to the base structure, an upwardly-extending back support structure movably coupled to the base structure, wherein the back support structure is adapted to move between an upright and reclined positions, wherein the back support structure is operably coupled to the seat support structure, a flexible shell structure defining a forwardly-facing surface forming a lumbar support, wherein the flexible shell is movably coupled to the seat support structure, and a resilient member generating a variable compressive force acting on the flexible shell structure in a manner that tends to cause a curvature of the back support structure to increase, and wherein the compressive force decreases as the back support structure moves from the upright position to the reclined position.
US09027996B2

A safety seat includes a seat and a height adjusting component that is separably disposed under the seat, and that includes opposite first and second portions, heights of which are different. The safety seat is usable in one of a first height mode and a second height mode. In the first height mode, the first portion is disposed over the second portion, and in the second height mode, the first portion is disposed under the second portion.
US09027995B2

A system for storing a cover for a motorcycle comprises a storage case mounted to a motorcycle, wherein the storage case includes a main housing and a lid, and a storage pouch defining an inner cavity and at least one opening, wherein the storage pouch is configured to be mounted to the lid of the storage case. The system further comprises a cover that is stowable in the inner cavity of the storage pouch in a stowed mode of operation and configured to extend around at least a portion of the motorcycle in a deployed mode of operation, a mounting bracket mountable to an inner surface of the lid of the storage case, and a retaining member including a first portion mountable to the mounting bracket and a second portion mountable to the main housing of the storage case.
US09027993B2

A vehicle seat comprises: a vehicle body side member; a seat cushion having left and right side frames; left and right front links provided respectively between front end sides of the left and right side frames and the vehicle body side member, the left and right front links configure a portion of a lifter mechanism that moves the seat cushion, and one end side of the respective left and right front links is coupled to the vehicle body side member so as to be rotatable about an axis along the seat left-right direction; and a coupling member coupling together front end sides of the left and right side frames along the seat left-right direction, that is rotatable with respect to the left and right side frames about an axis along the seat left-right direction, and that is joined to other end side of the respective left and right front links.
US09027961B2

An air belt having mesh webbing sufficiently strong and sufficiently expandable in the circumferential direction of a bag-shaped belt and an air belt apparatus including the air belt are provided. An air belt includes a folded member being a bag-shaped belt folded in a band shape and mesh webbing covering the folded member of the bag-shaped belt. The mesh webbing hardly expands in the longitudinal direction of the air belt, and is flexibly expandable in the circumferential direction of the bag-shaped belt. The mesh webbing is made of a raschel-knitted material. The knitted material is arranged such that the extending direction of knot portions of yarn threads and corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the air belt.
US09027957B2

A side airbag apparatus includes an airbag that can form a plurality of chambers with a single inflator and protects an occupant from an impact on a side door by deploying the airbag between the occupant and the side door. The chambers of the airbag includes a vehicle sidewall chamber that can be deployed around a shoulder region of the occupant and a compartment chamber that is disposed closer to the inner side of an occupant compartment in the vehicle width direction than the vehicle sidewall chamber and can be deployed around a chest region of the occupant.
US09027956B2

An object is to prevent an airbag from bursting out toward an occupant and to inflate and deploy the airbag in a stable manner. An inner bag (30A) inflates with gas supplied from an inflator (3). An outer bag (20) inflates with the gas supplied through a flow port (31) in the inner bag (30A). A connecting member (7) is disposed in the inner bag (30A) and connects an inner surface of the inner bag (30A) and a front surface of the outer bag (20). As the outer bag (20) inflates, the connecting member (7) is drawn out of the inflated inner bag (30A), moving the front surface of the outer bag (20) in the occupant direction.
US09027955B2

First support portions 71 and 72 positioned on a predetermined straight line L2 approximately perpendicular to a broken line of a hinge portion is set in a support portion 70 that supports a back plate 27 with respect to a back face side of a door portion 36. Second and third support portions 73 and 74 positioned in line symmetry with respect to the straight line L2, are set in the support portion 70. It is possible to receive the centrifugal force, which is applied to the back plate 27 due to the expansion of the door portion 36, with good balance by the first to third support portions 71, 72, 73, and 74. An emblem 24 can be reliably fixed to the door portion 36 with preventing a fixing pin 31 from being excessively locked into a through hole 33 more than necessary.
US09027949B2

A tractor-trailer vehicle system and method comprising a safety sensor disposed on a fifth wheel assembly to indicate an unlocked position of the fifth wheel assembly. The safety sensor is configured to transmit a signal, either hard wired or wireless, to a valve controller which maintains a valve in the brake line to a trailer parking brake in a closed position based on the unlocked position of the fifth wheel. When the fifth wheel locking mechanism is in an unlocked position, the valve is maintained in a “no go” closed position so that the trailer parking brake remains engaged. The methods include steps to both operate the system and to assemble the fifth wheel safety system.
US09027944B2

A folding scooter has an unfolded position, suitable for riding the scooter, and a folded position, suitable for storing the scooter. The folding scooter includes a folding mechanism that has a spring-loaded pin.
US09027937B2

An electronically adjustable damper system includes at least one electronically adjustable damper. The electronically adjustable damper includes at least one electronically controlled valve, whereby, the damper is electronically adjustable. The electronically adjustable damper system also includes a controller for adjusting each of the electronically adjustable dampers independently via the electronically controlled valves, and a remote electronic device. The electronically adjustable damper system allows a user to tune the dampers by allowing a user to adjust the electronically adjustable damper system to different applications and functions for various users, conditions, or both.
US09027931B2

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seal mechanism, including: a plate spring having a main body portion which has a curved shape and a pair of hook portions which are formed by bending the main body portion; and a seal member having a seal surface and a pair of projecting portions which are formed on an opposite side of the seal surface to catch the hook portions.
US09027928B2

A seal assembly is for sealing between a housing and a rotary shaft includes an annular sealing member coupled with the housing and having inner and outer circumferential surfaces and a plurality of projections extending radially from the outer surface and spaced circumferentially about a central axis. Each projection has first and second axial ends and the plurality of projections define first and second projections. An annular biasing member is disposed about the sealing member outer surface and exerts an inwardly directed force on the sealing member. The biasing member has first and second ends and is arranged on the sealing member with the biasing member first end contacting the second end of each first projection and the biasing member second end contacting the first end of each second projection. As such, the biasing member extends axially and circumferentially between the first and second projections.
US09027922B2

A system and method are provided improving stack integrity for a set of image receiving media substrates at an output of a compiler in an image forming device by supplementing a compiler shelf with a pair of augers having a unique planar lead-in for a top surface of the augers. The vertical compiler components reduce a “stepped” configuration of conventional compiler systems to keep a bottom sheet substantially “flat” thereby reducing a tendency for the bottom sheet to disadvantageously shift during in-set alignment processing. The large flat surface at the top of the augers effectively extends the plane of the lead edge shelf. A larger contact area with the sheets/sets of image receiving media substrates, along with the flatter shape of the sets, results in a more stable stack with a lesser tendency of individual sheets to migrate away from a registration edge.
US09027913B2

A spring clamp includes a first body which comprises a gripping portion and a clamping portion, a second body which comprises a gripping portion and a clamping portion, a first pivot element which pivotally connects the first body and the second body, and a locking mechanism which comprises at least a pair of friction pair components. The first friction pair component is arranged on the first body, and includes a first friction pair element; and the second friction pair component is arranged on the second body, and includes a second friction pair element. The first and second friction pair elements rub against each other to effect the locking function. The rubbing of the friction pair elements occurs mainly in the plane perpendicular to the first pivot element axis.
US09027907B2

A butterfly valve including a valve body having a passage, a valve shaft assembly, a valve plate, and a tube that is friction fit inside the passage is provided. The valve shaft assembly includes a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. The first and second shaft portions are in opposing spaced relation with the valve plate disposed therebetween. The valve plate has a flange such that when the butterfly valve is in the closed position a seal is formed with the tube, which is disposed within the fluid flow passage. The valve plate has lip extending from a portion of the valve plate that is radially outward from the circumference of the tube. The lip acts to reduce flow induced torque experienced while the valve plate is actuated from the closed to the open position.
US09027905B2

A fluid control valve includes an inflow channel for introducing fluid, an outflow channel for discharging the fluid, a valve seat, a valve body for blocking/allowing communication between the inflow channel and the outflow channel in association with a movement thereof into contact with or away from the valve seat, and a solenoid configured to apply a magnetic force to the valve body, the magnetic force being generated in response to supply of electric power to the solenoid. The inflow channel is formed through the core of the solenoid so that the core and the fluid comes into contact with each other in the inflow channel.
US09027903B2

Power-efficient actuator apparatus and methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the actuator assembly utilizes a shape memory alloy (SMA) filament driven by an electronic power source to induce movement in the underlying assembly to actuate a load (e.g., water valve). In addition, a circuit board is included which allows the actuator assembly to be readily incorporated or retrofit into a wide range of systems such that the signal characteristics of the supply line can, among other applications, be conditioned in order to protect the SMA filament. Furthermore, the circuit board can also readily be adapted for use with “green” power sources such as photovoltaic systems and the like. Methods for manufacturing and utilizing the aforementioned actuator assembly are also disclosed.
US09027902B2

A transport securing device of an aircraft gas turbine includes a securing element, which at its two end areas is each provided with a first and a second connecting element, with the first connecting element being designed to be suitable for fastening to a front suspension device and the second connecting element being designed to be suitable for fastening to a rear suspension device of an aircraft gas turbine.
US09027898B1

The present general inventive concept teaches a shoring apparatus with roller bearing to facilitate ease of use and inhibit undue wear on the apparatus. The apparatus is expandable and retractable and is releasably secured via a tightening assembly. In some embodiments, the tightening assembly includes a nut, at least one flat washer, a roller bearing, at least two split rings, and a rotator. The tightening assembly—featuring the roller bearing—serves to decrease friction, increase safety, and enhance both ease of positioning and ease of stabilization with respect to the shoring apparatus.
US09027885B2

A nitrogen gas system for an aircraft is provided and operable in warm-up and normal modes. The system includes an air separation module (ASM), a line to transport nitrogen enriched air (NEA) from the ASM to a fuel distribution system and a diverter valve disposed on the line and configured to divert the NEA away from the fuel distribution system during warm-up operations.
US09027884B2

The invention relates to a method for making a nacelle element (2) that includes the steps of: (A) forming an array of heating resistors on a substrate using a photolithographic method; (B) applying a web (50, 52) of composite materials onto the array obtained in step (A); (C) applying an inner skin (12) onto the de-icing assembly (13) thus obtained. The invention also relates to a nacelle including such an element (2).
US09027880B2

A device for creating an individually delimited zone of a passenger cabin in a mode of transport for at least one passenger seat includes a modular cabin element that has been attached in a positionally variable manner to stationary guide rails of the passenger seat by way of quick-release fasteners. Associated with this cabin element is an extendable and affixable privacy screen roller blind that forms a flexible dividing element, which privacy screen roller blind extends from the underside of the hatrack or the PSU panel or the ceiling arrangement, and in the lateral region in addition the sidewall lining of the passenger cabin, to the modular cabin element, and by way of which privacy screen roller blind an individually delimited zone can be implemented.
US09027879B1

A method and apparatus for a composite helicopter comprising a rotary wing parent vehicle with various modular cabins detachable therefrom to facilitate various configuration aircraft platforms, dual operation and modular economy.
US09027874B1

A top cap assembly is provided for mounting tendon to a balloon that has a balloon envelope. The assembly includes a plate structure having a plurality of junction portions disposed at an apex of the balloon envelope and a plurality of tendon pairs. Each tendon pair includes first and second tendon members attached to the balloon envelope. The first tendon member is arranged to cross over the plate structure. The second tendon member is arranged to engage the first length tendon member at a given one of the junction portions of the doubler plate. A fastener member is attached to each tendon pair of the plurality of tendon pairs. The fastener member is used for securing the first and second tendon members of a given tendon pair together in order to support lift gas carried by the balloon envelope.
US09027870B2

A web rewinding apparatus having a mandrel cupping assembly for releaseably engaging unsupported ends of a plurality of mandrels is disclosed. Each of the plurality of mandrels extends generally parallel to the web winding turret assembly axis. Each of the mandrels is driven in a closed mandrel path about the web winding turret assembly axis. The mandrel cupping assembly comprises a cupping arm turret having a cupping arm turret central axis, a mandrel cup cooperatively associated with each mandrel of the plurality of mandrels, at least three motion limiting devices disposed upon the cupping arms, and a first actuator.
US09027868B2

A coiled roll container including a base having opposed one and other sides and an outlet slot through which an edge of the coil roll extends. A pair of elastic cords each having opposed one and other ends is provided with the one end fixed at one side of the base and the other end releasably attached to the other side of the base. The elastic cords are for looping over the coiled roll to secure the coiled roll in place. The container also includes a cord locking mechanism at the other side of the base for receiving and securing the elastic cords about the coil roll.
US09027866B2

A webbing take-up device that is both capable of promoting reductions in size and weight and capable of excellently maintaining coupling strength between a pawl member and a ring portion. A clutch plate and a lock ring of this webbing take-up device are coupled by plural teeth provided at the clutch plate meshing with plural teeth provided at the lock ring. This lock ring is specified to have a lower material strength than the clutch plate. A tooth height H2 of the plural teeth of the lock ring is specified to be lower than a tooth height of the plural teeth of the clutch plate. Thus, when the lock ring and the clutch plate mesh, tooth tips of the plural teeth of the clutch plate come into contact with tooth bottoms of the plural teeth of the lock ring.
US09027839B2

A portable data carrier (2) and a method for its production, including an apparatus (4) for storing and processing data, an antenna (6) for transmitting energy and information which is connected to the apparatus (4), as well as a plastic surrounding the apparatus (4) and the antenna (6), where the plastic of the portable data carrier is transparent or partially transparent and the antenna (6) has at least one security feature.
US09027836B1

A barcode reader comprising a plurality of illumination systems and first and second lens assemblies may also comprise fiducial offset data that is representative of fiducial offsets. The fiducial offsets may be offsets between locations of a plurality of fiducial points within a plurality of calibration image frames captured at different calibration distances. Each calibration image frame may comprise first and second calibration images. The barcode reader may (i) select a feature that is present in a first barcode image captured via the first lens assembly and a second barcode image captured via the second lens assembly, (ii) determine a feature offset that indicates an offset between a first location of the feature within the first barcode image and a second location of the feature within the second barcode image, and (iii) estimate a barcode distance based on the feature offset and the fiducial offset data.
US09027835B2

A graphical code reader may include means for capturing an image frame in accordance with a rolling shutter technique, and means for changing illumination while the image frame is being captured in order to perform glare correction. The graphical code reader may also include means for detecting characteristics of glare in a previously captured image frame.
US09027834B2

Provided is a card reader capable of increasing visibility over the prior art for a location into which a card is actually inserted. A card reader is provided with a main body frame constituting a card passage through which an inserted card passes, and a light source for illuminating the interior of the card passage. With this card reader, the light source is illuminating the interior of the card passage through which the card passes, and therefore, it is possible to brighten the interior of the card passage through which the card passes. Therefore, it is possible to brighten the location into which the card is actually inserted so that it is easier to visually confirm the location into which the card is actually inserted.
US09027825B2

Container assemblies can include a first container and a second container, where the second container extends into and is supported by the first container. The first container and the second container can each include a flange around the periphery of an access opening. The flange of the second container is configured to provide support for the second container via engagement with the flange of the first container. In some instances, the second container can extend into and be supported by the first container through engagement of the flange of the second container with the flange of the first container such that a side panel of the first container is not in contact with a corresponding side panel of the second container. The container assembly can also include a lid for retaining the second container in the first container and/or for sealing to the first container and/or the second container.
US09027819B2

Devices for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue include a sheath and a staple push rod. The sheath has a distal end configured to be pressed against the target tissue. The staple push rod is disposed within at least a portion of the sheath and is slidable relative thereto. The staple push rod includes a pair of stakes. Each stake is dimensioned to abut a surface of a staple to apply pushing forces thereto. The stakes are biased to assume a bow-like shape such that an intermediate portion of a staple extends tautly between the first stake and the second stake when the stakes are extending beyond the distal end of the tubular member. Methods for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue are also disclosed.
US09027817B2

A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.
US09027814B2

A holster for a mobile device case having a first predetermined configuration and a second predetermined configuration. The holster includes a base sized to releasably affix the mobile device case independent of whether the mobile device case is in the first predetermined configuration or the second predetermined configuration.
US09027813B2

The invention provides improved backpack and waist bag carrying systems in which a waist bag rotates through a lower compartment of a backpack to allow the bearer of the backpack to access the contents of the receiver of the waist bag by rotating the waist bag to the front of the bearer's torso. One or more doors are provided in one aspect to secure the receiver of the waist bag in the lower compartment of the backpack but permit the egress of the receiver through the opening covered by the door, which may be tensioned away from the opening by a tensioning element when the free end of the door is released.
US09027811B1

A holster for securing a handgun to a wearer's body by way of a belt. The holster includes a body member having a central body portion which has an endless elastic loop member extending therearound. The body member has a first belt opening at one side of the central body portion and a second belt opening at the other side of the central body portion.
US09027802B2

A fireproof unit for a sliding closure at the spout of a container containing metal melt, including a fireproof adapter block that can be placed on the container spout, a fireproof bottom plate connected thereto, to which bottom plate a slidable fireproof sliding plate can be connected, wherein the sliding plate allows the sliding closure to be opened or closed. In addition to the first bottom plate connected to the adapter block, a second bottom plate adjoins the adapter block. The second bottom plate can be slid in under the adapter block to replace the first bottom plate. The adapter block has a length in the direction of the second bottom plate such that the adapter block is in sliding contact with the second bottom plate at the lower sliding surface of the adapter block.
US09027801B2

An elongate collapsible feeder element for use in metal casting and a feeder system with attached feeder element and feeder sleeve. The feeder element has an A end and an opposite B end measured along the height, and a C end and an opposite D end measured along the length. The A end is for mounting on a mold pattern or swing plate and the opposite B end is for receiving a feeder sleeve. A bore is between the A and B ends defined by a sidewall having a stepped collapsible portion. The feeder element is compressible in use to reduce the distance between the A and B ends. The bore is offset from the centre of the feeder element along the length towards the C end and a second sidewall region is non-planar, contiguous with a third sidewall region and located between the bore axis and the D end.
US09027798B2

A pouring adaptor assembly compatible with multiple bucket lid types includes a pouring tube and a threaded adaptor. The pouring tube includes an opening and an angled proximate end for steadily pouring a liquid. The threaded adaptor includes an inner thread and an outer thread, the two threads for connecting to bucket lid openings of varying widths. The pouring tube includes a tapered lower ridge for snap connecting to a bucket lid having a non-threaded opening.
US09027793B2

A product includes a container including a neck, and a fitment having a portion coupled to the neck of the container via an interference fit.
US09027792B2

The present invention provides an easy to use, convenient, compact, energy efficient, labor efficient, cost-effective, fast, safe, neat, electricity-independent, self-contained, portable beer dispensing device and system that uses CO2 or other acceptable gas to maintain the freshness of beer, presents a ready height and arrangement for dispensing chilled fresh beer, and can be used in a variety of professional, casual, indoor and/or outdoor settings. The present invention chills beer before it is dispensed but after it has been removed from the keg. The present invention incorporates use of a gas tank to propel beer from the keg, through the beer dispensing device and system so that the beer inside the keg will not go flat. The present invention offers a convenient arrangement of its components that simplifies its use, transport, set up, and break down. The present invention also provides a space efficient arrangement for dispensing chilled, draft beer.
US09027789B2

Automated systems and methods for priming a fluid chamber of a fluid dispensing valve with fluid from a fluid material source that includes a vacuum source, a valve priming station, a vacuum switch, and a controller. The valve priming station has a boot, a vacuum chamber, and a vacuum channel in the boot. The vacuum channel connects with the vacuum source via the vacuum chamber. The boot sealingly engages a valve nozzle of the fluid dispensing valve so that the vacuum chamber connects the vacuum source with the fluid chamber. The vacuum switch couples with the vacuum channel via the vacuum chamber and has an opened and closed position based upon a vacuum level in the vacuum chamber. The controller is electrically connected with the vacuum source and vacuum switch and controls priming of the fluid dispensing valve based upon whether the vacuum switch is opened or closed.
US09027785B1

A tank holding device, comprising a base plate and a cylinder containment portion. The cylinder containment portion being fixedly coupled to the base plate. There is at least one drain hole which is located at the joining of the cylinder containment portion and the base plate. The drain hole is angled upward and inward. The drain hole forms an outwardly and downwardly draining trough.
US09027783B2

A container including a sidewall having a top and bottom ends, a base attached to or proximate the bottom end defining a cavity bounded by the sidewall and by the base, and the base including at least a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness, such that the second thickness is less than the first thickness. A method for controlling deformation in a container including the steps of manufacturing the container as described above, filling the container with a substance, sealing the container at a top end thereof, inverting the container such that the container rests on its top end, allowing the substance to undergo a volume reduction resulting in a vacuum pressure within the container, wherein when subjected to the vacuum pressure, the base deforms at the second portion due to the second thickness being less than the first thickness.
US09027779B2

A trash can for hanging and retaining standard kitchen trash bags in a sanitary and energy efficient manner. Novel trash bag support brackets are suspended spatially within the trash can to allow a user to stretch the mouth of a trash bag thereabout without touching any other surface. The trash bag opens from the front, allowing a user to hang the trash bag without bending or stooping. Foot pedals control three different lid positions. A combination false bottom/catch pan tilts backwards to collect and contain any solid or liquid waste. An integral pedal-to-lid linkage shield affixed to the back of the false floor doubles as a handle to lift the false bottom/catch pan out from the trash can for cleaning.
US09027778B1

A receptacle configurable for the removal of air or atmosphere from a container while preventing solids and liquids from entering a means for removing the air. The receptacle comprising a container, a first standoff and an air-permeable support.
US09027774B2

A drinking cup lid is disclosed. The drinking cup lid includes a body with a deck and an annular wall that depends downwards. The annular wall is adapted to insert into a drinking cup. A first gasket and a second gasket extend outward from the annular wall and are configured for sealing engagement with the drinking cup. A closure is pivotally attached to the annular wall and configured and arranged to pivot between a closed position, sealing the drinking cup closed, and an open position, opening the drinking cup.
US09027767B2

A rack shelving unit includes front and rear beams, and one or more tie bars extending between the front and rear beams to form a shelf frame with the front and rear beams which can support a shelf. The tie bar can include flexible sidewalls that can flex laterally away from each other as the shelf is loaded to increase the compressive force of a compression retainer coupling the tie bar to the front and rear beams.
US09027764B2

A moisture-permeable separating membrane material includes a porous fluororesin membrane, a continuous moisture-permeable resin layer formed on the surface of the porous fluororesin membrane, and a textile layer for reinforcing the porous fluororesin membrane and the continuous moisture-permeable resin layer. The textile layer contains a flame retardant in the inside of each fiber and the surface of each fiber has been treated with a flame retardant. The moisture-permeable separating membrane material makes it possible to improve flame retardancy without deteriorating heat exchange characteristics.
US09027752B2

A product is mounted on a support pad and suspended on the pad by wrapping a stretch wrapping film around the combination of the pad and product. The borders of the pad extend beyond the borders of the product so the package containing the product can be stood on edge, but the edge of the product is spaced away from the surface on which the package is stood. The borders of the pad also include notches on the top and bottom of the pad that receive the stretch wrapping film away from the borders of the pad and closer to the product. Thus the product, secured to the pad, is suspended away from that surface. Multiple packages can be packed into a shipping container and the loaded container can be lifted and transported by a lift truck with lifting forks received in passageways formed in the container by notches in the bottom edges of the support pads. The pads and containers are made of die-cut corrugated fiberboard material although other material could be used.
US09027730B2

Systems, computer program products, and methods useful for handling or managing microplates are provided.
US09027727B2

A coupling system and method for a powered component on a vehicle includes a powered component, a rotating member mechanically driven by an engine on the vehicle and a radial coupling between the powered component and the rotating member for mechanically powering the powered component.
US09027726B2

It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact torque transmission device. The torque transmission device includes an input-side member, an output-side member, a clutch and a pressing mechanism. The clutch is configured to transmit or cut torque between the input-side member and the output-side member. The pressing mechanism includes a pressing member for pressing the clutch, and a pressing device. The pressing device is a device for pressing the pressing member, and is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the clutch.
US09027725B2

The present invention discloses a driving device for a belt axle of a winch, which addresses the problems existing in conventional winches, for example the driving devices being out of work attributing to wearing of the unidirectional teeth on the fixed base and rotary body of the winch. The rotary cylinder of the driving device of the invention is provided with insertion holes into which a crow bar can be inserted. The fixed base is fixedly connected with the belt axle of the winch. The rotary cylinder is covered on the fixed base and fixed thereto in the axial direction. A unidirectional mechanism is located between the rotary cylinder and the belt axle to be engaged by unidirectional teeth. As the shift element and shift plates can be conveniently removed, the worn shift plates or shift element can be conveniently replaced after being used for a long period.
US09027719B2

A rotary member that displaces a valve member in an axial direction in accordance with a rotation operation is supported on an adjuster case coaxially with the valve member. A detent mechanism is constituted by a fluid chamber that applies a fluid pressure to the rotary member in a direction for separating from the valve member, a pressure-applying member fixed to the rotary member, and a pressure-receiving member that is fixed to the adjuster to support the pressure-applying member against a pressure of the fluid chamber. By forming an engagement portion that engages with the pressure-applying member in the pressure-receiving member, a dimension of the rotary member of the adjuster and an operation input can be suppressed to be small.
US09027717B2

A cam assisted centrifugal brake or clutch system provides increased mechanical advantage to improve the output torque relative to prior art devices such as leading brake shoes. The brake or clutch engagement is cammed radially outwardly to engage a brake housing in one direction and guided to a disengaged position in the other direction. Centrifugal forces retain the brake in the disengaged position. Embodiments of the present invention are applied as a backspin braking system that is incorporated into a drive head for a progressing cavity pump drive system.
US09027701B2

A protective enclosure for an electronic device can include a waveguide to direct and enhance sound waves emanating from a speaker of an electronic device when installed in the protective enclosure. The waveguide can include a first end and a second end. The first end of the waveguide can be located proximate the speaker of the electronic device. The waveguide can increase in cross-sectional area between the first end and the second end.
US09027699B2

A speaker diaphragm contains a material obtained by adding a cycloolefin polymer resin to a carbon fiber-reinforced liquid crystal polymer. The speaker diaphragm having high sound velocity, a speaker, and a production method of the speaker diaphragm can thereby be obtained.
US09027692B2

An electric saddled vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a drive-wheel, a drum brake that brakes drive-wheel, and a swing unit that is swingably supported by vehicle body frame. The swing unit includes a drive motor configured separately from drive-wheel and a speed-reducing-mechanism that transmits power from the drive motor to the drive-wheel and has a wheel-drive-portion. The drive motor and speed-reducing-mechanism are arranged on a first-side, the drum brake is arranged on a second-side, and the wheel-drive-portion is arranged so that a distance of the wheel-drive-portion to a first-end-surface of the drive-wheel is shorter than a distance of the wheel-drive-portion to a center of vehicle in the left-right-direction, and a brake drum of the drum brake is arranged at position where the brake drum overlaps a second-end-surface of the drive-wheel in plan view.
US09027691B2

A driving unit for use in an electric assist bicycle includes a rotation detection device in addition to a torque detection device such that the detection resolution of the rotation detection device is increased. The driving unit includes a housing, a crankshaft, a torque detection device, a rotating member, and a rotation detection device. The rotating member includes a connecting shaft and an output shaft. The connecting shaft is located at one of the ends of the rotating member disposed along its axis, and is coupled with the crankshaft in the housing. The output shaft is located at the other one of the ends of the rotating member disposed along its axis. The rotation detection device includes a detected portion and a detector. The detected portion is provided on the rotating member, and located around the central axis of the crankshaft in the housing.
US09027687B2

A first blowing section is arranged inside a cab body on a right side, and blows cool air or warm air. A second blowing section is arranged inside a cab body on a left side, and blows cool air or warm air. An inlet, a first vent, and a second vent are formed in a box body of a distribution box. The inlet opens toward the left side and introduces cool air or warm air from an air-conditioning unit. The first vent opens toward the right side. The second vent opens downward. A first duct, which is connected to the first vent, supplies the first blowing section with cool air or warm air. A second duct, which is connected to the second vent and extends beneath a seat, supplies the second blowing section with cool air or warm air.
US09027685B2

Latch assemblies and children's products that include the latch assemblies are disclosed herein. The children's products may include a children's ride-on vehicle. The children's ride-on vehicle may include a vehicle body, a plurality of wheels, and a hinged assembly that is coupled to the vehicle body. The hinged assembly may include a base member, a hinged member, and a latch assembly that is configured to selectively retain the hinged assembly in a closed orientation. The latch assembly may include a female member, a male member that is configured to be selectively interconnected with the female member, and a guide structure. The guide structure may be configured to direct the male member and the female member into an aligned orientation from which the male member may be received within the female member.
US09027684B2

A vehicular battery mounting structure (10) includes a floor panel (14), a battery frame (30) arranged below the floor panel (14), and a bracket (40) provided on both left and right sides of a vehicle, interposed between the floor panel (14) and the battery frame (30). The bracket (40) includes a bottom wall portion (42), an inside flange portion (48) that is on an inside in a vehicle width direction, and an outside flange portion (50) that is on an outside in the vehicle width direction. A shape of the bracket is a generally hat-shape opening upward in the sectional view taken along the vehicle width direction. The battery frame (30) is indirectly or directly fixed to the bottom wall portion (42). The inside and outside flange portions (48, 50) are joined to the floor panel (14) such that a joint strength between the outside flange portion (50) and the floor panel (14) is greater than a joint strength between the inside flange portion (48) and the floor panel (14).
US09027674B2

A blank may include a tang section, a base section, and an angled section with a recess. The tang section may have an outer surface with an outer diameter. The base section may have an outer surface with a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the tang section. The angled section may lie between the tang section and the base section and may have an outer surface that transitions in diameter from the outer diameter of the tang section to the outer diameter of the base section. The recess in the angled section may be shaped to engage a tip of a former.
US09027671B2

Apparatus and method for automated drilling of a borehole in a subsurface formation. In one embodiment, a method includes selecting at least one control variable. A drilling performance objective having a value that is influenced by drilling of the borehole using the at least one control variable is defined. A first interval of the borehole is drilled maintaining the at least one control variable at a first value. A second interval of the borehole is drilled maintaining the at least one control variable at a second value. A third interval of the borehole is drilled maintaining the at least one control variable at a third value. The third value is selected based on a comparison of the values of the drilling performance objective while drilling the first interval and second interval to a predetermined optimal value of the drilling performance objective.
US09027670B2

A method for managing a drilling operation, including generating, by a first sensor and a second sensor of a bottom hole assembly (BHA), a first time based data log and a second time based data log, respectively, representing a borehole parameter along a drilling trajectory, determining, by a computer processor of the BHA and during the drilling operation, a time shift by comparing the first time based data log and the second time based data log, where offsetting the first and second time based data logs by the time shift maximizes a correlation factor of the first and second time based data logs, and determining, within a pre-determined time period from generating the first and second time based data logs, a drilling speed based on the time shift and a pre-determined distance between the first sensor and the second sensor.
US09027667B2

This invention provides a structure for gunpowder charge for charging gunpowders of different rates in combined fracturing perforation devices. The structure for gunpowder charge is convenient to mount and transport. In one embodiment, said structure for gunpowder charge comprises an inner gunpowder box located between adjacent perforating charges in the charge frame of a perforation device, and an outer gunpowder box attached to the outer wall of the charge frame, wherein said outer gunpowder box comprises one or two box units (2 or 4) with at least one claw at the inner side of said box unit, said claw can be locked into a groove or installation hole of the charge frame, and wherein said inner gunpowder box and said outer gunpowder box are charged with gunpowders of different burning rates.
US09027663B2

A linkage arrangement (10) is provided for moveably connecting an attachment (6) to a work machine (8). The linkage arrangement (10) includes linkage group (12) having an upper arm (14) with a machine pivot point (20) for connecting to the work machine (8) and an attachment pivot point (22) for connecting to the attachment (6). The linkage group (12) further has a lower arm (16) with a machine pivot point (24) for connecting to the work machine (8) and an attachment pivot point (26) for connecting to the attachment (6). An actuator (30) extends between the upper and lower arms (14, 16), whereby during normal operation an increase in the length of the actuator (30) results in the attachment (6) being lowered relative to the work machine (8).
US09027657B2

A wireline cable includes an electrically conductive cable core for transmitting electrical power, an inner armor layer disposed around the cable core, and an outer armor layer disposed around the inner armor layer, wherein a torque on the cable is balanced by providing the outer armor layer with a predetermined amount of coverage less than an entire circumference of the inner armor layer, or by providing the outer armor layer and the inner armor layer with a substantially zero lay angle.
US09027656B2

A tool is provided for installing a mandrel in a wellhead assembly. The tool includes an assembly having multiple independently translatable and rotatable members. The tool includes an inner member disposed in an inner sleeve. The inner member may be disposed in a first position and second position, such that in the first position the inner sleeve freely rotates and in the second position rotation of the inner sleeve causes rotation of the inner member. An outer sleeve is disposed over the inner sleeve and may be coupled to a hold down ring. The inner member may be coupled to mandrel. The tool may be inserted into a wellhead assembly and the outer rotated to engage the hold down ring, the inner and outer sleeve may be translated axially to allow rotation of the inner member to disengage the tool from the mandrel.
US09027650B2

An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed. The apparatus includes a downhole device and an actuation device that includes: a housing including an annular chamber configured to house a first fluid therein and a piston in the annular chamber that divides the annular chamber into a first section and a second section. The piston is to a biasing member. A control unit enables movement of the first fluid from the first section to the second section to supply a second fluid under pressure to the tool to move the tool into an active position and from the second section to the first section to stop the supply of the second fluid to the tool to cause the tool to move into an inactive position.
US09027639B2

Disclosed are sand control screens and completion assemblies that receive, retain, and protect control lines during installation and operation thereof. One disclosed completion assembly includes a base pipe, at least one screen jacket positioned around the base pipe and operable to prevent an influx of particulate matter of a predetermined size therethrough, a control line housing arranged uphole from the at least one screen jacket and having a fiber optic splicing block disposed therein, the at least one fiber optic splicing block being communicably coupled to a control line that extends uphole from the control line housing, and one or more hydraulic conduits arranged longitudinally between the at least one screen jacket and the base pipe and extending from the control line housing.
US09027633B2

Nanoparticle-enhanced phase change materials (NEPCM) including nanoparticles dispersed with a base phase change material and that exhibit enhanced thermal conductivity in comparison to the base phase change material.
US09027620B2

A tire containing a pair of beads, at least one carcass ply extending from one bead to the other bead forming a pair of sidewall areas of the tire and a tread area of the tire, and at least one layer of a knit fabric in the sidewall area of the tire, where the knit fabric has a warp and weft direction and is a double cord stitch knit fabric. A method of making the fabric and tire are also disclosed.
US09027612B2

Provided is a pneumatic tire whose braking performance on ice and partial-wear resistance can be improved. Sipes 11X provided in a rib 5 on a tire equatorial plane TE are formed in such a three-dimensional shape that the amount at which the rib 5 collapses due to an external force is smaller in the tire rotational direction than in a direction opposite to the tire rotational direction. In each block 10 in each shoulder region 1S, sipes 11Ma in a block tread-in side portion 10A are each formed in such a three-dimensional shape that the amount at which the block 10, if entirely provided with the sipes 11Ma, collapses due to an external force will be smaller in the tire rotational direction than in the direction opposite to the tire rotational direction. Sipes 11Mb in a block kick-out side portion 10B are each formed in such a three-dimensional shape that the amount at which the block 10, if entirely provided with the sipes 11Mb, collapses due to an external force will be smaller in the direction opposite to the tire rotational direction than in the tire rotational direction.
US09027611B2

A tire has a circumferential tread, the tread including shoulder tread regions configured for off-road performance separated by and interlocking with a center tread region configured for on-road performance. The shoulder tread regions are defined by a repeating pattern of two or more distinct shoulder tread elements and the center tread region is defined by a repeating pattern of two or more distinct center tread elements. The shoulder tread elements each have a ground contacting surface area greater than a ground contacting surface area of the center tread elements. The center tread elements extend at a relatively greater angle of inclination with respect to an equatorial centerplane of the tire and the shoulder tread elements extend at a relatively lesser angle of inclination with respect to the centerplane. The center tread elements and the shoulder tread elements are irregular and asymmetrical about a longitudinal central axis and a transverse central axis and, together, total five or more (three in the center tread region and two in the shoulder tread region) tread blocks of mutually distinctive geometric shape.
US09027608B2

A vehicle-carried air compressor device includes a case installed with an air compressor therein, a tire repairing container containing a liquid adhesive, and a flexible linking tube. An air inlet coupler of the tire repairing container is connected with an air outlet manifold of the air compressor. An end of the flexible linking tube is coupled to an adhesive outlet coupler of the tire repairing container, and the other end of the flexible linking tube is provided with a protection adapter for coupling to a tire nipple. Before the protection adapter is connected with the tire nipple, the other end of the flexible linking tube is closed by the protection adapter, so that the liquid adhesive in the tire repairing container will not shoot out suddenly because of improper handling.
US09027607B2

The present invention relates to a pre-stressed insulated tubing, including an inner tube (3) and an outer tube (2) nested outside of the inner tube (3), and a closed ring cavity is formed between the inner tube (3) and the outer tube (2), wherein an insulated casing (4) is arranged in the closed ring cavity. The pre-stressed insulated tubing of the present invention features high vacuum degree, high thermal insulation level and long working life, and the insulated casing is reusable for cost saving.
US09027599B2

Pressure relief/drainage valve for a concrete pumper having a valve body with an axially extending passageway through which concrete flowing in a pumping line passes, an outlet port in a side wall of the passageway, and a valve member which prevents concrete from passing through the port when the valve is a closed position and permits concrete to discharge through the outlet port when the valve is in an open position.
US09027597B2

An operating device includes: an operating portion provided in a casing so as to be swingable; hydraulic pilot valves and configured to operate by causing the operating portion to swing; and damper portions configured to generate resistance force with respect to a swing operation of the operating portion when the operating portion is caused to swing. Each of the damper portions is configured to generate friction torque in such a manner that a plurality of swing friction plates configured to swing in accordance with the operating portion is pressed by a pressing spring in a direction perpendicular to a swing direction of the operating portion against a plurality of fixed friction plates configured to be prevented from swinging.
US09027592B2

A valve comprises a support including an exhaust gas passage opening, a plug able to move by tilting between a plugging position and a release position of the passage opening, and an elastic strip for returning the plug to its plugging position. The elastic strip has a first end fastened to the support and a second end bearing on the plug. The second end is able to slide on the plug between a first position, in which the plug is in the plugging position, and a second position, in which the plug is in the release position. The plug includes a stop forming a hard spot that cooperates with the second end of the elastic strip when the elastic strip is in the first position, so that this stop forms an obstacle for movement of the second end of the elastic strip from the first position to the second position.
US09027588B2

A pressure control device according to an embodiment includes a solenoid portion for regulating a gate opening of a valve through a first shaft portion connected to the valve, a micrometer for regulating the gate opening through the first shaft portion and a second shaft portion having an axial direction which is parallel with that of the first shaft portion when the second shaft portion is connected to the first shaft portion, and a switching portion. The switching portion switches to cause the solenoid portion to regulate the gate opening or to cause the micrometer to regulate the gate opening.
US09027583B2

A supersonic inlet having a cowl lip configured to capture the conic shock and exhibit a zero or substantially zero cowl angle is disclosed herein. The inlet may be configured to employ a relaxed isentropic compression surface and an internal bypass. The nacelle bypass may prevent flow distortions, introduced by the capture of the conic shock, from reaching the turbomachinery, thereby allowing the cowl angle to be reduced to zero or substantially zero. Such a cowl angle may reduce the inlet's contribution to the overall sonic boom signature for a supersonic aircraft while allowing for an increase in engine pressure recovery and a subsequent improvement in generated thrust by the engine.
US09027581B2

Systems and methods provide pneumatic control of a slam shut valve system.
US09027569B2

A device and method for braiding hair or other flexible filaments is disclosed herein. The device comprises controller and a motor whereby the device may be used to intertwine strands of the flexible filament in a desired pattern. A user interface that allows the user to select a variety of pattern modules for operating the device.
US09027568B2

A hairpiece or wig is formed of a substrate having at least two layers or sets of fibers. The hairpiece has a wig cap section which forming the core of the hairpiece to be placed on the head of an individual. The wig cap may be formed of a plurality of selectively-deformable rings adapted to adjustably conform to a head of an individual. A mesh section of the wig cap may adorn the portion of the wig cap corresponding to the forehead of the individual. The mesh section may have opposing parting areas on the left and right anterior portions of wig cap formed by recesses extending into the deformable ring portion of the wig cap. Hair strands extending from each parting area may have different shades and/or colors from one another and/or any hair strands extending from the deformable ring portion of the wig cap.
US09027563B2

A device for occluding body lumens such as fallopian tubes which has an occluder element which has a lumen and a fixation element located in the lumen of the occluder element. The fixation element has at least one looped wire which has a proximal region which is biased radially outwardly and be constrained prior to deployment of the device.
US09027561B2

A tracheostomy tube assembly has a flange arrangement (2) movable along the shaft (1) of the assembly and lockable at different positions. The flange arrangement has a gel-filled member (22) with a flexible conformable surface (26) providing substantially the entire surface contacting the skin. The flange has aperture (28) through which a tape can be extended for use in securing the assembly with the patient's neck. The gel-filled member (122) may be provided separately for use on existing tube assemblies.
US09027550B2

A method and apparatus is provided to separate Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) utilizing standard whole blood harvesting techniques and separating the solution via centrifugation preparation. A pump is provided to pump PRP/Stem Cell solution from a centrifugation reservoir in to a nebulizer to aerosolize the PRP/Stem Cell solution in the nebulizer with oxygen. A patient will then inhale the aerosolized or vaporized PRP/Stem Cell solution into their respiratory system. Removal of any waste PRP/Stem Cell solution is provided by trapping the PRP/Stem Cells and any other biological matter other in a HEPA filter and allowing exhaled gasses to safely exit the from the Semi-Rebreathing Chamber.
US09027547B2

A nebulizer which is a metered dose inhaler for use in administering medicaments with an associated does counter, which can, by way of a guide track or inclined plane and an associated guide element, cause an axial movement occurring on actuation of the nebulizer to be partly converted into a rotary movement for driving a counting ring, which can count both complete and incomplete actuations.
US09027539B2

The present invention intends to perform control for detecting a change in air-fuel ratio with high accuracy by an exhaust gas sensor in an internal combustion engine having a turbocharger with a wastegate valve. A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention includes: a turbocharger; a wastegate through which an exhaust gas passes while bypassing a turbine; a wastegate valve for opening/closing the wastegate; an exhaust gas sensor provided in an exhaust passage on the downstream side from the turbine and the wastegate valve; and air-fuel ratio change detection controlling means for executing air-fuel ratio change detection control to change an air-fuel ratio on the upstream side from the turbine and the wastegate valve and detect a change in the air-fuel ratio by the exhaust gas sensor. The air-fuel ratio change detection controlling means executes the air-fuel ratio change detection control when the opening degree of the wastegate valve is less than a predetermined value.
US09027533B2

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a fuel system in a hybrid vehicle. Before canister purging is stopped by closing a purge valve, a canister vent valve is closed to hold fuel tank vacuum. Then, during a subsequent canister purge, the purge valve is opened before opening the vent valve, allowing canister purge to initiate under fuel tank vacuum conditions.
US09027531B2

A method of operating an engine including varying a level of ignition energy provided to the engine during an engine start is provided. For example, the ignition energy level may be varied responsive to the amount of alcohol in fuel delivered to the engine in order to improve cold engine starting with higher alcohol fuels.
US09027522B2

Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may provide a camshaft having a central oil passage and a radial passage to supply oil from the central passage to a bearing surface. The camshaft may include a filter disposed within the central passage which may allow oil to pass through the radial passage to the bearing surface, and which may prevent particles larger than a predetermined size to pass to the bearing surface.
US09027520B2

A slide cam unit with a cam region is provided with an adjusting device having an actuator for adjusting the slide cam unit to different axial positions via slide grooves on the circumference of the slide cam unit. The adjusting device is arranged in a stationary manner and a device for fastening the slide cam unit in the different axial positions is provided. The cam region and the slide groove region of the slide cam unit are designed as separate cam and slide groove components which are fastened to each other with a positive-fit connection and fixed in place to each other by their support on the base shaft.
US09027519B2

In an electrically-driven valve timing control apparatus employing a housing and a cover member axially opposed to each other, a cylindrical-hollow motor output shaft is installed in the housing, and configured to rotate relative to the housing by electricity-feeding to the electric motor, and also configured such that lubricating oil is supplied into the motor output shaft. A plug is fitted to the inner periphery of an axial opening end of the motor output shaft for suppressing a leakage of lubricating oil from the motor output shaft to the outside. One of two opposing faces of the cover member and the plug is formed with a protruding portion configured to prevent the plug's slipping out of the axial opening end. A part of the inside face of the cover member, opposed to the plug, is formed integral with the protruding portion partially disposed within the axial opening end.
US09027502B2

A rowing shoe retaining system includes a plate mountable to a sole of a shoe and a receiver mountable to a footboard of a rowing boat. The receiver removably retains the plate, thereby removably retaining the shoe.
US09027498B2

A watercraft body includes a hull made of an aluminum-based material and a separately fabricated superstructure that is mounted on the hull via adjoining flange plates. To fabricate the hull, frame elements are spot-welded onto the inner surface of initially-flat hull plates or plank elements, which are then curved according to the required hull contour and assembled onto the flange plate. The frame elements are screwed together via gusset plates and transverse beams to form transverse frames, and then longitudinal seams between plank elements are continuously welded from the outside. Additionally, the longitudinal seams may be welded from the inside, for example by temporarily removing gusset plates to allow continuous access to the longitudinal seams. Additionally, stand-offs may form a spacing gap between the frame elements and the plank elements, and an adhesive may fill this spacing gap to adhesively bond the framework to the hull plating.
US09027497B1

An equipment complex for deploying and recovering marine geophysical seismic or electric-survey bottom stations is mounted on a ship. The complex includes—a powered capstan, —rotatable turntables and rolls, —load-bearing units connected to the bottom stations by various fasten means and capable of winding onto the capstan and turntables, a work platform supporting a bottom station placed thereon, —an indicator for registration of the bottom stations' coordinates, mounted on the platform, —a limit switch mounted on the platform, switching ON when the bottom station is placed on the work platform, and OFF when it's removed therefrom providing for operation of the indicator. The complex may include floating buoys, damping loads, and halyards for deploying the stations. Methods for deploying and recovering the bottom stations using the equipment complex are described. Some recovering methods contemplate winding the load-bearing units onto the capstan, while switching the turntables for each subsequent load-bearing unit.
US09027484B2

A front arrangement for a rail vehicle comprising a crash element with a forward facing crash surface, and a windshield washer device which, in turn, comprises a drive device and a front window wiper device drivable by said drive device. The crash element includes at least one impact absorbing element. The windshield washer device is fastened to the crash element for the vehicle, and is movable relative to a support of the front arrangement and thus, movable relative to the load-bearing construction of the vehicle so as to move backward during the occurrence of the impact forces and to enable absorption of the acting impact energy by the impact absorbing element.
US09027482B2

There is provided an economical vehicle vibration suppression device capable of efficiently reducing a vortex with a smaller number of devices and controlling the speed of movement in a vehicle longitudinal direction of the vortex.The vehicle vibration suppression device includes a pair of ducts, a pressure control device, and a control unit. The ducts, below a floor surface of a vehicle body, are mounted adjacent to at least a pair of bogies on which the vehicle body is mounted. The ducts are arranged in a direction perpendicular to a traveling direction of the vehicle body and mounted so as to penetrate through both side surfaces of the vehicle body. The pressure control device is mounted within each of the ducts and has openings, one of the openings serving as an intake port and the other opening serving as a discharge port. The pressure control device generates a pressure difference in each of the ducts. The control unit controls start and stop of suction performed by the pressure control device while determining a side surface of the vehicle to be subjected to the suction by the pressure control device on the basis of current distance information of the railway vehicle during currently traveling. The control unit suppresses vibration by driving the pressure control device and sucking a vortex caused by turbulence of air flow generated at a portion of the bogie when the railway vehicle passes through the tunnel.
US09027481B2

An expansion tube of a detonating pyrotechnic rupture piece is open next to pre-established rupture zones and, inside said open expansion tube there is disposed a sealed bladder which contains a pyrotechnic fuse.
US09027475B2

A method for successive printing of a first print job and a second print job on the same web using at least one printing group of the rotary press to print the first print job and the second print job is provided. The printing group includes at least a plate cylinder, a plate, a blanket cylinder and a blanket. Between the first print job and the second print job, a plate-changing stage occurs in which the blanket is held away from the web and the plates of the plate cylinder are changed. According to one aspect of the invention, between the first print job and the second print job, the web is kept traveling through the rotary press.
US09027473B2

A printing device 300 for printing elements in the form of sheets 10, includes a platen press 310 which hot stamps to affix to each sheet 10 with a colored or metallized film from at least one stamping strip 320. A transport device 340 introduces each sheet 10 one after the other into the platen press 310 by pulling the sheet 10 by its front edge. The printing device 300 further includes a device 360 able to partially restrain each sheet 10 by its rear portion during the phase of introducing the sheet 10 into the platen press 310.
US09027469B2

In a method for controlling a cooking process of a cooking item contained in a cooking container, the sound of the cooking process is detected by means of at least one acoustic sensor and the course of the sound is directly analyzed for determining of a temperature and in particular the boiling point of the cooking item.
US09027455B1

A mine clearing system and method remotely deploys line hose from a remotely controlled two-wheeled vehicle. The wheels are connected together via a central hub shaft. Individual battery operated hub motors on each wheel communicate to a central controller inside the hub shaft. The power source for the motors is contained within the hub shaft, with battery recharge ports located on the hub shaft. The line hose is wrapped around the central hub shaft. An operator uses a remote control console in communication with the central controller to independently control each wheel of the vehicle. A camera can hang from a hub shaft bearing on the outside of one wheel so as to be gravitationally stabilized during vehicle movement. The camera can broadcast signals to a display at the remote control console. Explosive slurry is pumped into the line hose and detonated.
US09027453B2

A blast treatment method capable of more reliably treating an object to be treated which is accommodated in an outer container is provided. The blast treatment method includes: a step for spacing a plurality of blasting explosives (20) from one another at positions on the outer side surface of an outer container (60) in a direction surrounding a central axis (C2) of the outer container (60) and arranging the blasting explosives (20) in such a manner as to extend approximately parallel to the central axis (C2); a step for installing the outer container (60) within a chamber (90); and a step for detonating the blasting explosives (20) within the chamber to perform blast treatment of an object (10) to be treated with the detonation energy, wherein the blasting explosives (20) are detonated at the blast timing at which fragments of the outer container (60) or shock waves, which are generated in the vicinity of the blasting explosives (20) by the detonation energy of the blasting explosives (20), collide with or propagate to a bombshell (10) in less time difference than that in the case in which the plurality of blasting explosives (20) are detonated at the same time.
US09027451B2

Embodiments herein provide a drive link having a conditioning portion to be used in conjunction with one or more dresser links of a saw chain to condition a sharpening element. The dresser links may include left and right dresser links configured to contact the sharpening element in first and second contact regions which may not overlap, leaving a gap. The conditioning portion of the drive link may contact the sharpening element in a third contact region that includes at least a portion of the gap between the first and second contact regions.
US09027450B1

A work piece cutting apparatus including a base, a work table, a support post defining a void for a work piece being worked on to pass at least partially through the void, a cutting device, and attachment assembly for securing the cutting device to the support post. Another embodiment of the above apparatus includes a work table being movable to angle orientations relative to the base, and a locking mechanism for locking the work table into angle orientations. A further embodiment is an apparatus adapted for receiving a cutting device. The apparatus includes a base, a work table, and a tool dock base located about the work table. The tool dock base is adapted for receiving a cutting device. Another embodiment of the above apparatus includes a work table being movable to angle orientations relative to the base, and a locking mechanism for locking the work table into angle orientations.
US09027440B2

A transmission, for a motor vehicle with an auxiliary drive (EM), having a first housing part (2a), a second housing part, a transmission shaft (GW), an auxiliary drive shaft which can be driven by the auxiliary drive (EM), a lay shaft (VW) that is positioned axially parallel to the transmission shaft (GW) and coaxial to the auxiliary drive shaft. The lay shaft (VW) is connected, via a spur wheel stage (Z22, Z23) with the transmission shaft (GW), and the lay shaft (VW) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner with the auxiliary drive shaft and is supported on both sides of the spur wheel stage (Z22, Z23) in a bearing device (9).
US09027432B2

A motor cover (80) includes an edge portion (84) located outside an inner side surface of a frame cover (20) with the motor cover (80) being disposed inside a housing chamber (12), configured to push the frame cover (20) wider when the frame cover (20) is mounted onto a frame (10), and configured to be pressed by the frame cover (20) from an opened surface of the frame (10) with the frame cover (20) being mounted on the frame (10).
US09027430B2

A shift drum structure for a drum-type transmission in which a shift fork moving on a shift fork shaft in an axial direction while guided by a guide groove in response to a turn of a shift drum, changes speeds by sliding a shifter member on a transmission driving shaft pivotally supporting a transmission gear, the shift drum. The shift drum includes a cylindrical drum main body and drum spindles projecting outward from drum end walls on the respective two sides of the drum main body, and the guide groove formed in an outer peripheral surface of the drum main body in a circumferential direction, wherein in the shift drum, a work groove is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the drum main body from one end surface to an opposite end surface of the drum main body, or to the guide groove near the opposite end surface.
US09027428B2

A non-contact sensor includes a substrate having a groove, two pattern coils arranged on opposite sides of the groove, a detected object connected to the shift lever and moved in cooperation with the shift lever along the groove, and a signal processing circuit that calculates a movement amount of the shift lever based on an output value provided from the pattern coils.
US09027423B1

The linear-to-rotary actuator includes an elongated drive member constrained to linear movement, and a rotary member constrained to rotary movement. The elongated drive member has a coupling end and an engaging member that projects from the coupling end. The rotary member has a track defining an Archimedean spiral. The track is adapted to receive the engaging member. The engaging member is constrained to slide in the track such that linear movement of the elongated member effects rotation of the rotary member. The track may be a slot, a groove, or other guide. Alternatively, instead of a track defined directly in the rotary member, the actuator may include a linking member (such as a disk or rectangular bracket) attached to the rotary member, the linking member having a track defining an Archimedean spiral defined therein, the engaging member being slidable in the track to convert linear motion into rotary motion.
US09027421B2

A liquid-metering device comprising a droplet generator including a reservoir and, connected to the latter, a displacement space which is modifiable by an electromechanical transducer and which has an outlet opening and, upon excitation of the transducer, shoots a liquid droplet from a cold area into a heatable area through or counter to a gas stream generated by a gas source. To make the device suitable for automatic and quasi-continuous liquid metering in process analysis, a heatable evaporation chamber is provided through which the liquid to be metered flows via valves, and, between the evaporation chamber and the reservoir, a condensate chamber is connected via further valves. The condensate chamber and the reservoir are connected via additional valves and a pressure regulator to the gas source.
US09027420B1

A swab for obtaining a biological surface sample has a shaft extending from a first side of a cap. A first test tube can be coupled to the first side of the cap in a detachable watertight fit, to enclose the swab. A second tube can be coupled to a second side of the cap in a manually detachable watertight fit. The first tube or the swab can include a collection solution; the second tube can be used as a handle to extend the reach of the swab when the first tube is detached; and the second tube can contain an enrichment broth and/or developer solution for the collected sample.
US09027419B2

A pipette with a displacement unit, a drive unit, means for the detachable connection that detachably connects together the upper housing part and the lower housing part, an ejection device, an end stop, a decoupling device and coupled to the drive device, a lower stop body that upon decoupling of the drive element from the drive device by the decoupling device strikes the actuating end of the ejection extension in order, with further shifting of the actuating element in the actuating direction, to shift downward the ejection extension and the ejection slide.
US09027418B2

A magnetic flowmeter for sensing process fluid flow is provided. The flowmeter includes a tube configured to receive the process fluid flow therethrough. A plurality of electrodes is disposed to contact process fluid. At least one electromagnetic coil is disposed proximate the tube. Flowmeter electronics are configured to drive a current through at least one electromagnetic coil and to sense a signal developed across a plurality of electrodes disposed to contact process fluid. A flexible circuit module is disposed proximate the tube, and has at least one flexible circuit containing a plurality of electrical traces electrically coupled to the flowmeter electronics. The at least one electromagnetic coil includes a first coil in the flexible circuit module that is coupled to the electrical traces.
US09027417B2

A force sensor that detects external force includes a sheath, a pressure member configured to be provided on the sheath, a sensor unit configured to detect force applied to the pressure member, and a slip ring unit configured to supply power or transmit signals through a contact between a brush and a ring. The sensor unit and the slip ring unit are stored in the sheath, and power is supplied or signals are transmitted between the slip ring unit and the sensor unit.
US09027410B2

Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for pressure measurement of fluids including vehicular fluids. The pressure sensor includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor for pressure measurement. The MEMS sensor is attached to a glass tube which is compressively sealed to a mounting frame that is attachable to a pressure port of a fluid-containing enclosure. Techniques disclosed herein provide an hermetic seal between the tube and the mounting frame and a rigid seal between the MEMS sensor to a pressure sensor while decoupling thermal expansion stress from the MEMS sensor. With such decoupling techniques, pressure sensing reliability and accuracy can be improved because thermal expansion stress is decoupled from the MEMS sensor. Such techniques provide an accurate, durable, and cost-effective pressure sensor.
US09027402B2

An acceleration-sensing device having error correction includes a stator having at least one conductor affixed to a surface and a proof mass having a first conductor affixed at a first location relative to the at least one conductor affixed to a surface of the stator. The proof mass includes a second conductor affixed at a second location relative to the at least one conductor affixed to a surface of the stator, wherein an excitation signal applied to the first conductor of the proof mass brings about a force on the proof mass in the plane of motion of the proof mass that is substantially equally opposed by a force resulting from an excitation signal applied to the second conductor of the proof mass in the plane of motion of the proof mass.
US09027397B2

A tire pressure sensor includes a sensor device providing a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole in different angles and adapted for detecting the pressure of a tire at a wheel rim, an air valve mountable in a through hole at the wheel rim to guide the air pressure of the tire into the sensor device for sensing, and a fastener for selectively fastening the air valve to the first mounting hole or second mounting hole of the sensor device subject to the type of the wheel rim.
US09027394B2

An injector test stand for fuel injectors includes: a holder for fixing a fuel injector an injection chamber which is positionable relative to the fuel injector, and a variable injector mounting which includes a rotatable insert having at least one adjustable clamping jaw is accommodated in the holder.
US09027393B2

An estimation device for a cylinder intake air amount in an internal combustion engine is obtained which can estimate an amount of air actually sucked into a cylinder with a high degree of accuracy by using a physical model of an intake system. A volumetric efficiency corresponding value is calculated based on an exhaust efficiency (a linear function of intake pipe internal pressure) which is an index indicating an amount of residual gas which is an exhaust gas after combustion remaining in the cylinder without being discharged from the interior of the cylinder to an exhaust pipe, and an intake efficiency (a linear function of intake pipe internal pressure) which is an index indicating an amount of air coming into the cylinder from an intake pipe excluding the residual gas, whereby the estimation is carried out to a high degree of accuracy with a small number of adaptation constants.
US09027386B2

A hydrogen sensor includes a support having a first temperature sensor, a heating element and an evaluation unit. The hydrogen sensor furthermore includes a mass flow reduction apparatus by which a gas mass flow over the first temperature sensor and the heating element is reduced. The evaluation unit determines a hydrogen concentration in a gas or gas mixture based on a first temperature detected by the first temperature sensor. A detection method for hydrogen concentration having the hydrogen sensor and a motor vehicle having a fuel cell drive having the hydrogen sensor.
US09027383B2

This is directed to systems, processes, machines, and other means that simulate blast waves from explosive events. The invention can make waveforms tailored to a user's preference to accurately model a variety of explosive events by utilizing a driver section and a transition section that have divergent geometries.
US09027376B2

An apparatus and method are described for automatically inserting angle plates into duct work and for seaming the duct work.
US09027375B2

An apparatus for shot peening blade mounting areas on a disc of a rotor includes a peening nozzle unit which streams shot peening media along a longitudinal axis. The unit includes a nozzle outlet which extends at least partially in a circumferential direction of the unit, and a deflection arrangement with a deflection area for the media. The deflection area is at least partially cone or half-hyperboloid shaped, such that the media passes the nozzle outlet over an angle range in circumferential direction after being deflected by the deflection arrangement. A method for shot peening the blade mounting areas positions the unit in a slot profile of a blade mounting area, and guides the unit along the contour of the slot profile with the nozzle outlet facing the contour of the slot profile to approximately uniformly peen the contour of the slot profile.
US09027374B2

A method of processing an alloy workpiece to reduce thermal cracking may comprise spraying a metallic coating material onto at least a portion of a surface of the alloy workpiece to form a surface coating metallurgically bonded to the alloy workpiece. The surface coating may be more ductile than the alloy workpiece and reduces heat loss from the alloy workpiece.
US09027370B2

A fluid additive dispenser is provided. The fluid additive dispenser includes a fluid additive collector that is disposed below containers configured for receipt of fluid additives. The fluid additive collector receives fluid additives from the containers and directs the fluid additives to a spout. By directing the fluid additives to the spout, spilling and leaking of the fluid additives can be reduced, e.g., during operation of a washing machine appliance.
US09027368B2

A laundry machine having a steam generator is disclosed. An embodiment of a laundry machine comprises a drum, a steam generator, and a controller. The steam generator may include a heat-variable heater. The heater may be operated in one setting among a plurality of heat settings.
US09027362B2

Provided is a turbo compressor that includes: a compressor unit compressing a gas; a motor driving the compressor unit; and a motor casing accommodating the motor. In the turbo compressor, the motor casing includes: a body portion which is molded in a cylindrical shape; an annular diameter reduced portion which is connected to at least one end portion of the body portion in the rotation axis direction of the motor and of which the diameter is reduced as it moves away from the body portion; and a flat portion which is connected to the central end portion of the diameter reduced portion and is molded in a planar shape.
US09027358B2

A vehicle heat pump system includes a compressor, a first valve coupled to an outlet of the compressor, a cooling circuit between the first valve and the inlet of the compressor, a heating circuit between the first valve and the inlet of the compressor and a controller. The heating circuit includes a heating circuit evaporator and a second valve between the heating circuit evaporator and the inlet of the compressor. The controller is configured to operate the first valve to switch between a cooling mode and a heating mode, cycle the second valve opened and closed in the heating mode, such that when closed, the compressor draws refrigerant out of the cooling circuit and refrigerant pressure builds up within the heating circuit, and maintain the second valve open upon the controller determining that sufficient refrigerant has been drawn out of the cooling circuit during the cycling of the second valve.
US09027353B2

A gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor in fluid communication with the compressor section, a turbine section in fluid communication with the combustor, a fan section configured to be driven by the turbine section via a geared architecture, and a buffer system that communicates buffer air to a portion of the gas turbine engine. The buffer system includes a first circuit configured to selectively mix a first bleed air supply having a first pressure and a second bleed air supply having a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure to provide a first buffer supply air having an intermediate pressure compared to the first pressure and the second pressure.
US09027350B2

A gas turbine engine including a combustor with a combustion liner having inner and outer walls is disclosed herein. The gas turbine engine further includes a swirler system adapted to receive a fuel injector and a flow splitter operable to bifurcate an airflow exiting the swirler system into a first bifurcated flow and a second bifurcated flow. A shroud is positioned downstream of the flow splitter and is configured to deflect the first bifurcated flow in a first direction radially inward and the second bifurcated flow in a second direction radially outward. The second bifurcated flow cools both of the inner and outer walls of the combustor liner.
US09027349B2

A combustor of the prior art that defines the outlet position and direction of an air hole and suppresses adhesion of flame to an air hole outlet can reduce a discharge amount of NOx by increasing a distance over which fuel and air are mixed with each other. However, such a combustor is not sufficiently discussed for measures to suppress the occurrence of combustion oscillation resulting from the variation of a flame surface.A combustor 2 according to the present invention includes a combustion chamber 5 to which fuel and air are supplied; air holes 32 adapted to supply air to the combustion chamber 5; fuel nozzles 25 adapted to supply gaseous fuel to the air holes 32; and orifices 24 adapted to allow the gaseous fuel supplied to the air holes 32 to cause a pressure drop.
US09027343B2

A method for supplying vacuum in an engine is disclosed. The method includes controlling a throttle valve positioned upstream of a supercharger arranged in series with and upstream of a turbocharger to draw a fluid from a vacuum line positioned intermediate the throttle valve and a supercharger inlet.
US09027332B2

An exhaust treatment system may include a burner, a flame sensor assembly and a control module. The flame sensor assembly may be at least partially disposed within the burner and may include an insulator and an electric heating element in heat transfer relation with the insulator. The control module may be in communication with the flame sensor assembly. The control module may determine whether a flame is present in a combustion chamber based on feedback from the flame sensor assembly. The control module may detect contamination on the insulator based on feedback from the flame sensor assembly. The control module may operate the heating element in a first mode in response to detection of a contamination in which the control module causes electrical power to be applied to the heating element to raise a temperature of the heating element to burn contamination off of the insulator.
US09027327B2

A method for regenerating an exhaust gas purification unit arranged in an internal combustion engine system includes setting a predefined minimum engine speed such that the exhaust gas mass flow exceeds a predefined flow value during the regeneration process. An internal combustion engine system including an exhaust gas purification unit adapted to be operated according to the method is also provided.
US09027319B1

A nut tree pickup and debris separator comprising three separate but serially interconnected stages, each including optimized structural and functional features for nut harvesting. The first stage includes a rotary pickup brush and an endless conveyor. The conveyor is constructed from a plurality of parallel bars with flights therebetween, the rods being arranged in spaced relation to retain nuts and pass debris. The second stage comprises an inclined rotating drum whose sidewall includes a plurality of elongated apertures passing therethrough, sized to retain nuts and pass debris. An inner side of the sidewall has a helical flight, sized, configured, and arranged to convey and tumble nuts and debris through the drum, with debris falling through the apertures. The third stage includes vertically offset, tandem conveyors and a cleaning fan to remove any remaining debris from the nuts as the stream falls from the end of one conveyor onto the other.
US09027317B2

A reel mower grass catcher carrier includes a bail having side rods under the left and right sides of a grass catcher, a front link having an inverted U-shape and having connected to the left and right side rods and a central portion extending forwardly in front of the grass catcher, and a hanger extending forwardly over the grass catcher and connected to the central portion of the front link. The grass catcher can be installed or removed from the side of the carrier while the bail, front link and hanger stay connected together.
US09027315B2

A packing device according to an embodiment includes a supply station, a right end effector, a left end effector, a right arm unit, a left arm unit, and a forming station. A cardboard box in a flat state is placed on the supply station. The cardboard box developed three-dimensionally is placed on the forming station. The right arm unit includes the right end effector provided with a suction unit. The left arm unit includes the left end effector provided with a suction unit. The packing device performs an operation of developing the cardboard box and an operation of moving the cardboard box to the forming station by using the right arm unit and the left arm unit while sucking both side surfaces of the cardboard box placed on the supply station by using the suction units.
US09027314B2

Provided herein is a liquid-filled, non-reclosable tetrahedral or pillow-shaped packaging container having a longitudinal fin seal and a pair of transverse seals. In the case of tetrahedral packages, the transverse seals are perpendicular to one another. Also provided herein is an apparatus for the formation of such fin seals as part of a continuous packaging and filling operation. A third aspect of the apparatus of the present disclosure is the development of a heated jaw that exhibits consistent heating across the jaw face. Yet another feature of the apparatus of the present disclosure is provided in a modified, closed-loop electrical system for real-time monitoring and adjustment of the temperatures of the heated jaws, as they are moving.