US09163793B2
A combination lamp and flashlight assembly including a frame; a headlamp attachment and a charging attachment carried by the frame; a cable electrically coupling the headlamp attachment and the charging attachment; a headlamp head; and a battery pack, wherein the assembly is changeable between a headlamp configuration, where the headlamp head is mechanically and electrically coupled to the headlamp attachment and the battery pack is mechanically and electrically coupled to the charging attachment, and a handheld flashlight configuration, where the headlamp head is mechanically and electrically coupled to the battery pack to form a handheld flashlight. The assembly is also changeable to a cycle lamp configuration, where the headlamp head is mechanically and electrically coupled to a headlamp attachment of a handle bar mount to form a cycle lamp and the battery pack is mechanically and electrically coupled to a charging attachment of a cycle tube mount.
US09163791B2
In a light emitting device (10) includes a light source (11) which emits near-ultraviolet laser light and a fluorescent member (12) which includes a fluorescent body (13) that is excited by the light emitted from the light source (11) so as to emit light, the fluorescent member (12) includes a substrate (16) which is formed with a highly heat conductive member and a fluorescent body layer (14) in which particles (13d) of the fluorescent body (13) are deposited on the substrate (16).
US09163790B2
An illumination device and a light-emission module suppressing a change in color temperature when light emitted from a light-emission unit passes through an optical member. The illumination device has a lighting apparatus that includes: a first light-emission part emitting light of a daylight color temperature; a second light-emission part emitting light of an incandescent lamp color temperature; and the optical member, which is disposed on an optical path of the light emitted from the light-emission parts. A correlated color temperature of the light emitted from the second light-emission part is set to 2238 K. Due to this, in a spectrum of the light emitted from the second light-emission part, a maximum intensity within a wavelength range from 400 nm to 500 nm is no greater than one-tenth of a maximum intensity within a wavelength range from 300 nm to 800 nm.
US09163789B2
The present invention provides an attachment base for a lighting unit of a decorative lighting string comprising an upper base member inserted with an LED lamp and mounted onto an lower base member; the upper base member comprising locking hooks extended downward from two lateral sides of a bottom portion thereon; the lower base member comprising buckle holes adjacent to a bottom portion on two lateral sides corresponding to the locking hooks; characterized in that inner bottom surfaces of rear of the two buckle holes on the lower base member comprise blocking plate; a distance between the blocking plate and the buckle hole is slightly greater than a thickness of the locking hook. With such blocking plates, once the locking hooks are secured onto the buckle hole, the locking hooks abut the blocking plate to prevent the looking hook to disengage from the buckle hole under external forces.
US09163786B2
An energy capturing system includes a first chamber, a second chamber, a spacer element, a pressurization device, an energy capturing device and a pressure stabilizing device. The first chamber and the second chamber are adapted to contain a liquid. The spacer element is located between the first chamber and the second chamber. The second chamber is connected with the first chamber via an opening of the spacer element. Two ends of the pressurization device are connected with the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively. The energy capturing device is located on the opening. The pressure stabilizing device is connected with the first chamber.
US09163785B2
Embodiments of the disclosure may include a fluid dispensing system. The system may include a first tank configured to contain a first fluid and a second tank configured to contain a second fluid. The system may also include a plurality of conduits fluidly connecting the first and second tanks, wherein the first fluid in the first tank is configured to be gravity-fed or pressure-fed to the second tank. The system may also include a conditioning system fluidly connected to the second tank. The conditioning system may include at least one conduit fluidly coupled to a lower region of the second tank. The conditioning system may also include a heat exchanger. In addition, the conditioning system may include at least one conduit fluidly coupled to an upper region of the second tank. The conditioning system may be capable of a first configuration that returns fluid from the heat exchanger to a lower region of the second tank, and a second configuration that returns fluid from the heat exchanger to an upper region of the second tank.
US09163774B2
A support structure is provided that can comprise a central support member and leveling devices arranged in a deployed configuration where the leveling devices are radially offset from the central support member. In one embodiment of the support structure, each of the leveling devices can comprise an actuator assembly for fine positioning of a support plane of the support structure. The actuator assembly can communicate with a control system, and in one example the control system is operatively configured to monitor the position of the support plane, providing feedback in the form of a control that operates the actuator to adjust the orientation of the support plane.
US09163773B2
Insulation for a cryogenic component is described. The insulation includes an inner portion formed of a multi-layer insulating material comprising alternating layers of metalized polymer film and polymer netting. An outer supporting mesh surrounds the inner portion and is formed of stainless steel. The insulation is particularly suitable for insulating cryogenic components that move during operation since the supporting mesh acts to support the inner portion against damage caused by forces resulting from motion of the cryogenic component.
US09163768B2
A return fuel cooling system for LPI vehicle having an engine and a bombe connected to each other through a fuel supply line and a fuel return line in the LPI vehicle using LPG fuel to cool high-temperature LPG fuel returning from the engine to the bombe, may include a heat exchanger mounted on the fuel return line, a bypass line connecting upstream and downstream of the fuel return line, wherein the heat exchanger may be interposed between the upstream and the downstream of the fuel return line to make the LPG fuel returning to the bombe bypass the heat exchanger and supply the LPG fuel to the bombe, and a valve included at a portion in which the fuel return line and the bypass line is connected, and selectively opening or closing the fuel return line connected with the heat exchanger according to a temperature of the bombe.
US09163766B2
A device for connecting interchangeable pneumatic tools to manipulators is provided. The device includes a body, fixable to a manipulator, provided with a plurality of seats for accommodating pins for engaging a tool, ducts for feeding a working fluid to the tool, where the ducts extend in the device body, an engaging mechanism which can be activated for constraining and releasing, respectively, the tool to/from the device, and means for closing the ducts. For safety purposes the device is arranged such that the activation of the engaging mechanism for unlocking the tool is always achievable upon the reaching of the complete closing of the ducts by the respective closing means. This way a quick depressurization of the tool is prevented from occurring at the separation from the device, this latter circumstance being conventionally dangerous for the tool replacement operator.
US09163765B2
A coupling device for connecting a first coupling housing (12) and a second coupling housing (20) is provided. The first coupling housing (12) comprises a guiding element (101; 201; 301a-e; 401b,c; 501b-d) extending from the first coupling housing (12) and having a free end (102; 202; P) at a distance (h) from the first coupling housing central axis (a-a). The second coupling housing (20) comprises a receptacle (123; 223; 323; 423; 523) for the guiding element and pull-in means (8) for pulling the guiding element into the receptacle, said pull-in means (8) being connected to the guiding element free end (102; 202; P). The invention allows the first coupling housing to be pulled towards the receptacle at an angle which is not coincident with the central axis (a-a), and when the guiding element is in place inside the receptacle, the first coupling housing central axis (a-a) and the central axis (b-b) of the second coupling housing are aligned and coincident, and the two housings are rotationally aligned.
US09163763B2
This invention concerns an arrangement (3) that is comprised as a component (4.2) of an airtransport channel where the air-transport channel component (4.2) comprises two tubular sub-elements, a first sub-element (7) and a second sub-element (8), where the second element (8) has a diameter that is somewhat larger than that of the first element (7), which allows the first element (7) to be inserted into the second element (8) such that the two elements (7, 8) can be displaced relative to each other in a telescopic manner. The arrangement (3) is characterised in that it comprises a glide sleeve (11) that is arranged between the first element (7) and the second element (8), that the glide sleeve (11) comprises a first part (12) that retains the glide sleeve (11) at the second element (8), that the glide sleeve (11) comprises a second part (13) that makes contact with the first element (7) under a force (F) that can be adjusted and that is united with the first part (12), and that all parts of the second part (13) are located in front of the first end (8.1) of the second element. The invention concerns also a ventilation arm (2) and a ventilation system (1).
US09163761B2
An automotive engine cooling pipe apparatus for fluid-conducting installation within an engine block of an engine comprising a front tube having a proximal portion configured for at least partially slidably and sealably engaging a front sealing ring seated within a front opening of the engine block, a rear tube telescopically engaged with the front tube and having a distal portion configured for at least partially slidably seating within a rear opening of the engine block, whereby expansion of the cooling pipe apparatus within the engine block seats the proximal and distal portions of the front and rear tubes within the respective front and rear openings of the engine block and so provides sliding and rotational resistance thereby stabilizing the installation of the cooling pipe apparatus within the engine block.
US09163759B2
A compression nut including a retaining tooth for use with a fluid coupling.
US09163754B2
A resin-made fuel inlet pipe that has a light weight, excellent impact resistance, and causes no fuel leakage includes at least one resin layer comprising a resin composition containing (A) a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or a linear short-chain branched polyethylene; (B) a polyethylene polymerized with a metallocene-based catalyst; and (C) a carbon black. A weight mixing ratio ((A)/(B)) is in a range of from 10/90 to 90/10; a content of component (C) is in a range of from 0.1 to 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of a total of components (A) and (B); a tissue (Y) comprising component (B) is inserted between linear crystalline tissues (X) comprising component (A) to expand an interval between the tissues (X); and component (C) is dispersed in the tissue (Y).
US09163752B2
A mounting device for mounting a cable or a line on a structural component of an aircraft or spacecraft. The mounting device comprises at least two parts, one of these parts being configured as an attachment part and being provided to be attached to the structural component. The other part is configured as a receiving part and is provided to receive a portion of the cable or of the line. Both parts can be coupled together by means of at least a first ball-and-socket joint. This coupling is configured such that the two parts can be brought into a plurality of spatial positions relative to one another. Also provided is an aircraft or spacecraft, in particular an aircraft, which has a structural component and a cable or a line which is mounted on the structural component by a mounting device of this type.
US09163738B1
Described herein is an improved externally mounted pressure relief valve that is especially adapted for rail tank cars or other large closed containers that contain or transport fluids, including liquids and gases. The pressure relief valve comprises a plurality of spring assemblies, and each spring assembly contains a pre-determined number of spring leaves. Each spring assembly is coiled upon a corresponding spring drum, and each spring drum is penetrated by a corresponding spring drum bolt. The spring assemblies are preferably aligned in at least two horizontal planes that are parallel to each other and normal to the vertical length of a spring block. The spring block and sealing disk are mounted vertically over the valve seat and within the confines of vertically extending spring brackets.
US09163737B2
A check valve is provided for use with variable frequency drives and other applications. In one aspect, the check valve provides a poppet guided by a poppet guide in at least two locations to ensure stability between fully open and fully closed positions. In another aspect, the check valve includes a poppet guide adapted to receive a poppet in a stem receiving channel, the stem receiving channel including guide vanes engaging the poppet and auxiliary channels for self cleaning. The check valve may also include a valve seal. In one embodiment, the valve seal is an o-ring received by a poppet head, based of the poppet guide and valve seat. The valve seat and/or the base may include expansion channels to receive a portion of the valve seat during compression when the check valve is in a closed position.
US09163736B2
A device for preventing a primary relief valve in a mud system from opening at a pressure lower than a nominal opening pressure includes a flow restrictor between a mud pump of the mud system and the primary relief valve. In addition, the device includes a cavity between the flow restrictor and the primary relief valve.
US09163733B2
The invention relates to a fluid valve comprising: a body (50) defining a fluid flow duct (60), and a flap (1) that can move between a closed position preventing the fluid from flowing through the duct and an open position allowing the fluid to flow through the duct. According to the invention, the valve also comprises a joint (2) having at least one opening for the passage of the fluid, and the aforementioned flap can close the opening(s) (5) in the joint when in the closed position.
US09163732B2
A magnetic fluid seal includes a pole ring having an inner diameter, a rotatable shaft having an outer diameter, the rotatable shaft configured to extend along the inner diameter of the pole ring between an atmosphere side and vacuum side, at least one magnet coupled to the pole ring, the at least one magnet configured to emit a magnetic field having a strength and a shape, and grooves formed on either the inner diameter of the pole ring or the outer diameter of the shaft, the grooves capable of containing ferromagnetic fluid. The ferromagnetic fluid contained the grooves varies so as to improve the performance of the magnetic fluid seal.
US09163727B2
A sealing member for water cutoff is stuck to a door inner panel of an automobile for joining a door hole seal. The sealing member for water cutoff is long in length and at least a part thereof is curved when used. The sealing member for water cutoff comprises: a body part made of vulcanized sponge rubber, which is extrusion molded and having softness and elastic restoring force for reverting to an original shape when an external force once applied is unloaded; and adhesive layers formed by applying adhesive on surfaces of the body part.
US09163726B2
The present invention refers to a piston ring, particularly for use in the piston channel of an internal combustion engine or a compressor, comprising at least a substantially ring-shaped metallic base (2) having at least a first region (20), at least a second region (21) and at least a gap (22), the first region (20) being positioned in a way substantially opposite to the gap (22), the ring comprising at least a nitrided layer (3) in the second region (21) and comprising at least reduction of the nitrided layer (3) in the first region (20), whereas the reduced nitrided layer (3) is at least partially blocked in the first region (20) due to the previous application of an intermediate layer (4).
US09163724B1
A hydraulic drive unit for use in a vehicle or other application incorporates a motor connected to a pump through a porting system and an output shaft driven by the motor. A mechanical brake is used to brake the motor, while a valve provides a hydraulic brake for preventing flow between the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic pump. A brake actuator is connected to both the mechanical brake and the hydraulic brake, whereby actuation of the brake actuator causes both the mechanical brake and the hydraulic brake to be actuated.
US09163711B2
An automated manual transmission apparatus for a vehicle, may include a shifting unit having a plurality of stages between an input shaft and an output shaft and selectively cutting power to the input shaft and the output shaft when shifting between the stages, and a continuous transmission mechanism that may be disposed between the output shaft and a power supply that supplies the power to the input shaft of the shifting unit, wherein the continuous transmission mechanism selectively transmits the power from the power supply to the output shaft with a continuous transmission gear ratio.
US09163707B2
A method for controlling the speed of the self-propelled transmission assembly for a walk-behind lawn mower is provided. The speed control mechanism is also configured to control the relative output speed of the transmission assembly. The speed control mechanism includes a speed engagement assembly and a speed adjustment assembly, wherein the speed engagement assembly includes a pair of rotatable levers for causing the transmission assembly to actuate between a disengaged position and an engaged position and the speed adjustment assembly includes a rotatable knob for causing the relative output speed of the transmission assembly to the wheels of the lawn mower to increase or decrease.
US09163706B2
A sprocket box for increasing the gas mileage of a vehicle with an automatic transmission is positioned between the back of an engine block and the torque converter. The sprocket box is fed the rotational motion from the engine and doubles the rotational motion being fed into the torque converter in order to increase the fluid pressure felt within the torque converter. Thus, the sprocket box is used to increase the fuel economy of the vehicle. The rotation motion from the engine is transferred and modified by the sprocket box by using an input assembly of sprockets and a roller chain and by using an output sprocket of more sprockets and another roller chain.
US09163702B2
A shifting device for a transmission unit, in particular for a vehicle which is operated by muscle force is disclosed. The shifting device has a first partial transmission and a second partial transmission, which are connected in series for power transmission. The selecting devices of the first partial transmission are designed as selectable free-running clutches and the second partial transmission has a plurality of selectable gear stages. During shifting from a highest stage of the gear stages of the first partial transmission to a lowest stage of the gear stages of the first partial transmission, the free-running clutches of the two gear stages are actuated simultaneously, and a load change between the corresponding free-running clutches allows a shifting operation of the second partial transmission to a higher stage of the gear stages.
US09163698B2
A protective guide has a long shape and internally holds long members including at least one of flexible cables and ducts. The protective guide includes a flexible curved strip-shaped base and a plurality of flexible sectioning members. The base is made of a synthetic resin, formed into a long plate and has a longitudinal direction. The sectioning members are also made of a synthetic resin, permitted to uprise from both ends of the base and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, the both ends being opposed to each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The sectioning members cooperatively define a space for accommodating the long members along the base. The base has a cross section inwardly curved toward the space, as viewed in the longitudinal direction.
US09163690B2
A hydraulic shock absorber having a plurality of tubes (outer and inner tubes), which constitute a multiple-walled cylinder to be inserted inside a damper tube, held and secured between a rod guide and a support piece under a compressive load applied to all of the tubes. In the hydraulic shock absorber (10), a contact surface (P), where an end surface of the inner tube (13B), of the tubes (13A, 13B) of the cylinder (13), is in contact with a seating surface (201) of a rod guide (21) in the axial direction, is formed intermittently at a plurality of circumferential positions on the end surface of the inner tube 13B in the state where the tubes (13A, 13B) of the cylinder (13) are held and secured.
US09163684B2
Disclosed is a disc brake including a carrier on which a pair of pad plates are movably installed and a caliper housing, which is slidably installed on the carrier and is provided with a cylinder having a piston mounted so as to move forward and backward by a hydraulic braking pressure, the disc brake including: an adjuster installed in the piston to prevent the pad plates from moving away from a disc and to maintain the pad plates at a constant distance from the disc; a push rod installed in the cylinder, a front portion thereof being screw-coupled to the adjuster and a rear portion thereof being provided with a flange extending toward an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder; a ramp unit into which the rear portion of the push rod is inserted and which is installed in the cylinder and compresses the push rod toward the piston in cooperation with a parking cable to prevent rotation of the push rod; a spring case having an end portion of one side thereof fixed to the cylinder and forming a predetermined accommodation space between the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder and the push rod; a first elastic member and a second elastic member arranged in series with each other in the accommodation space of the spring case to provide elastic force to the push rod; and a support plate supported by an end portion of the ramp unit and interposed between the first elastic member and the second elastic member.
US09163678B2
A bi-directional wedge clutch, including: an outer race; first and second inner hubs; a wedge plate, radially located between the outer race and the inner hubs; and an axially displaceable activation hub engaged with the inner hubs and arranged to: for a free-wheel mode, rotate at least one of the inner hubs in a first rotational direction, with respect to the other of the inner hubs, such that the wedge plate is free of contact with the outer race; and for a locking mode, rotate the at least one of the inner hubs in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, with respect to the other of the inner hubs, to non-rotatably connect the wedge plate with the outer race and the inner hubs.
US09163677B2
The lock-up device includes a piston, a drive plate, a plurality of radial outer side torsion springs, a float member, a driven plate, a plurality of radial inner side torsion springs and an intermediate member. The float member is rotatable relative to the drive plate and causes the radial outer side torsion springs to act in series. The intermediate member is rotatable relative to the drive plate and the driven plate, and transmits torque from the radial outer side torsion springs to the radial inner side torsion springs.
US09163670B2
A rolling bearing includes: a first raceway member having a first annular raceway surface; a second raceway member having a second annular raceway surface opposing the first raceway surface; a plurality of rolling elements arranged between the first raceway surface and the second raceway surface so as to roll; and a guide member formed integrally with or separately from the second raceway surface. The guide member including: an annular guide surface arranged at a position different form the second raceway surface in an axial direction; a plurality of flow paths which are separately provided in the axial direction and in which compressed air for supplying lubricating oil flows; and discharge openings which spray the compressed air to a guided surface. An annular cage that holds the plurality of rolling elements at given intervals in a circumferential direction and has the guided surface which opposes the guide surface such that the guided surface can slidably contact the guide surface.
US09163669B2
To provide a sliding member that improves seizure resistance by restraining any exposure of the porous layer and improves abrasion resistance and load resistance.The sliding member 1 constitutes a bearing having a cylindrical shape, an inner circumferential surface of which is a sliding layer 5 with an axis. In the sliding member 1, a porous layer 3 made of alloy material is formed on a surface of a metal base 2 and this porous layer 3 is covered by resin material 4 so that the sliding layer 5 is formed. In the sliding member 1, a particle size of metal powder 30 forming the porous layer 3 is within a range of 15 through 60 μm, preferably, about 25 through 45 μm. Further, in the sliding member 1, a thickness of the porous layer 3 is within a range of 0.06 through 0.1 mm and a thickness of the sliding layer 5 is within a range of 0.08 through 0.16 mm The thickness of the sliding layer 5 is set to be thicker on average than the thickness of the porous layer 3 so that the porous layer 3 is not exposed.
US09163666B2
An axial passive magnet bearing system utilizes the friction-less characteristic of non-contact type permanent magnet bearing to minimize the disadvantages induced by frictions. For example, both the energy and material loses of the mechanical bearing. Two permanents magnet are made of permanent magnet materials and positioned over two opposite surfaces of two mechanical structures, where mechanical bearing(s) is located therebetween. Hence, the magnetic force between the two magnets can improve some disadvantages among the two mechanical structures and the mechanical bearings, such as friction and energy loss.
US09163660B1
Bearing assemblies, apparatuses, and motor assemblies using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each of the superhard bearing elements may include a bearing surface. The bearing assembly may also include a support ring structure having a support ring that carries the superhard bearing elements. The support ring structure may include at least one erosion resistant region exhibiting a higher erosion resistance than another region of the support ring.
US09163657B2
A remote manipulator of a tool has a body provided with a fixed jaw and a slide provided with a mobile jaw able to be displaced linearly, actuators located at a distance and coupled to the tool via a cable integral with a side of the slide and sliding inside a flexible sheath having one end integral with the body. The actuators have two arms each associated respectively to a handle and able to be separated angularly from each other by rotation about an axis by a value such that the distance between their free ends is at least equal to the maximum linear displacement of the slide bearing the mobile jaw, when the two handles are brought close to one another.
US09163648B2
A rotary actuator includes a housing defining an arcuate chamber including a cavity, a fluid port in fluid communication with the cavity, and an open end. A rotor assembly includes an output shaft and a rotor arm extending outward. An arcuate-shaped piston is disposed in said housing for reciprocal movement in the arcuate chamber through the open end, wherein a seal, the cavity, and the piston define a pressure chamber, and a portion of the piston contacts the first rotor arm. A central actuation assembly includes a central mounting point formed in an external surface of the output shaft, said central mounting point proximal to the longitudinal midpoint of the shaft, and an actuation arm removably attached at a proximal end to the central mounting point, said actuation arm adapted at a distal end for attachment to an external mounting feature of a member to be actuated.
US09163647B2
A compact force multiplying actuator 10 and its associated valve 20 are disclosed. The actuator 10 and valve 20 include piston heads 31 and 32 and force multiplying load beams 52 and 53. Belleville springs 81 and 82 are disposed axially between the piston heads 31, 32 and the load beams 52, 53. The Belleville springs 81 and 82 act through an output member 71 to retain a valve member 88 in a closed position. When pneumatic pressure is applied against the piston heads 31 and 32, movement of the piston heads 31 and 32 is transferred through a force transfer member 45 and through the force multiplying load beams 52 and 53 to move the output member 71 against the bias of the Belleville springs 81 and 82 to allow the valve member 88 to open.
US09163646B2
A valve device (14) of a hydraulic system (1) for actuating at least one shifting element (2) of a transmission. The valve device comprising a pilot-controlled control valve device (3) with a valve slide (9) and, functionally connected with this is, an also pilot-controlled switching valve device (4) which is also formed with a valve slide (7). The valve slides (7, 9) are arranged to move longitudinally in a common bore (15) of a valve housing (16) and are positioned coaxially with one another, and an inner valve slide (7) is arranged to move longitudinally at least partially within the outer valve slide (9).
US09163635B2
An electric water pump includes a housing, a propelling mechanism disposed in the housing, and a driving mechanism for driving a driving shaft of the propelling mechanism. The driving shaft has a fluid passage in fluid communication with an impeller chamber and a cooling chamber in the housing. The propelling mechanism further includes a spiral rod disposed in the fluid passage and co-rotatable with the driving shaft, and an impeller disposed in the impeller chamber. During operation of the propelling mechanism, the impeller drives flow of a fluid, and the spiral rod co-rotates with the driving shaft to change the rate of the fluid flowing through the driving shaft.
US09163620B2
A compressor including a hollow housing having a suction chamber, a discharge chamber, and a crank chamber formed therein. A first fluid flow path provided within the compressor facilitates a flow of the working fluid from the crank chamber to the suction chamber. A second fluid flow path provided within the compressor facilitates a flow of a mixture of the working fluid and a lubricating fluid from the crank chamber to the suction chamber, wherein the second fluid flow path is selectively opened and closed by an annular sleeve.
US09163619B2
A valve actuator control system for use with a valve actuator may include two pump assemblies, two control valve assemblies, two transducers, a fluid reservoir, and a controller assembly. The controller assembly may actuate the pump assemblies to direct fluid from the fluid reservoir to the valve actuator, and may actuate the control valve assemblies to direct fluid from the valve actuator to the fluid reservoir. A method of actuating a valve actuator using a valve actuator control system may comprise sending a signal to the valve actuator control system, injecting pressurized fluid from a fluid reservoir of the valve actuator control system into a first chamber of the valve actuator, discharging pressurized fluid from a second chamber of the valve actuator into the fluid reservoir, and actuating the valve actuator from a first position to a second position.
US09163616B2
High pressure gas vessels can have a sensitivity to temperature of the compressed gas. Over-temperature conditions in particular may cause decreased durability and/or vessel damage, including gas leakage to the environment. Articles of manufacture, methods, and systems are provided for over-temperature protection using a passive device. The passive closing device does not require electrical power and no controller, sensors, or wiring is needed. This affords cost savings in comparison to other systems. Pressure vessels using the passive closing device can protect themselves, independent of the compressed gas fueling station configuration.
US09163615B2
A tubular device including a tubular having a continuous wall and a substantially constant inner radial dimension and an outer surface that varies in radial dimensions configured to lessen a reduction in a longitudinal dimension of the tubular in response to radial expansion of the tubular in comparison to a reduction in the longitudinal dimension of a constantly-dimensioned-inner-and-outer-radially-surfaced-tubular made of a same material as the tubular.
US09163609B2
A boomerang wind blade includes a blade body having a protruding front edge and a recess rear edge. Both sides of the center of the blade body are two wing parts bent at an angle. The wing shape of one wing part is round at the front edge and tapering towards the rear edge. The wing shape of the other wing part is round at the rear edge and tapering towards the front edge. The device with a boomerang wind blade has a shaft fixed to the center of the two wing parts of the blade body to rotate as the blade body is driven by wind. The device also has at least one generator coupled with the shaft to generate electrical power.
US09163608B2
A wind turbine apparatus includes a shaft carrying a plurality of rotor wheels fixed at axially spaced intervals. Each rotor wheel includes buckets at the periphery thereof. First and second generally cylindrical housing are disposed in concentric relationship to define a blind annular chamber surrounding the rotor wheels that directs ambient winds to through the inner wall of the inner cylindrical housing to the periphery of the respective rotor wheels. One extremity of the blind annular chamber is open for receiving ambient air flow and a second axial extremity proximate is closed, whereby axial airflow into the annular chamber is substantially directed in a radial direction toward the buckets carried on the rotor wheels to cause rotation of the shaft.
US09163606B2
Disclosed is a hydro-electric energy system comprised of an inner and outer tube designed to contain and distribute water such that failing water powers hydro-electric turbines located in the inner tube. The system may be located in a body of water taking in and distributing the surrounding water, or on and utilizes natural or/constructed/water sources. A number of different pump types are utilized at the bottom of the inner tube to maintain water levels and water flow within the system. In certain embodiments the pumps are driven by pressure and gravitational forces. In other embodiments supplemental power sources drive the pumps either power generated from the system's turbines or power sources external to the system.
US09163605B2
A method for controlling the surface temperature of any glow plug in an internal combustion engine. A glow plug control device carries out an initialization at the installed and connected glow plug to adapt the temperature model to the behavior of the connected glow plug before the engine is started. Upon initialization, the glow plug is acted on by at least two different voltages and the resistances of the glow plug with these voltages are measured. A resistance gradient is calculated therefrom and the temperature model is adapted to the behavior of the connected glow plug. During the control process during operation of the engine, the momentary surface temperature of the glow plug is estimated by a model temperature, which is established using the temperature model. The effective voltage acting on the glow plug is changed in accordance with the deviation of the model temperature from a target temperature.
US09163599B2
A starting device for at least one combustion engine, in particular cable pull starting device for at least one two-stroke or four-stroke engine, with at least one cable sheave or cable drum rotatably mounted in a housing, which for generating a driving fork for a crankshaft can be put into rotary motion by means of at least one starter handle or pulling handle via at least one force transmission means, in particular via a starter cable or pulling cable and is connected to at least one driving member, in particular to at least one pawl driver via at least one elastic coupling element, by means of which the driving torque can be transmitted to the crankshaft, the coupling link having two ends, wherein an end is in engagement with the driving member and another end with the cable sheave or the cable drum.
US09163597B2
A nozzle assembly for a fuel injector capable of withstanding high-pressures includes a nozzle chamber defined by a high-pressure containment sleeve, a tip component defining a nozzle outlet, and an injector stack component. A leakage path is defined between an injector body casing and an outer wall surface of the high-pressure containment sleeve and a needle valve member that opens and closes the nozzle outlet is out of contact with the high-pressure containment sleeve. The high-pressure containment sleeve has a hollow, cylindrical shape and has an inner wall exposed to fluid pressure inside the nozzle chamber that is free of stress concentrating surface features associated with heart shaped cavities in the prior art.
US09163592B2
A vapor gas discharging apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), which includes a vapor line disposed between a canister and a fuel tank, wherein a purge line may be connected to the canister for transferring vapor gas from the canister to an engine, may include a discharging nipple formed to the canister and employed to supply air to the canister, an air supply line connected to the discharging nipple of the canister for supplying the air to the discharging nipple, a two-way valve connected to an end of an exhaust pipe and an end of the air supply line, and controlled for selectively communicating air flow between the air supply line and the exhaust pipe or between the air supply line and the outside of the air supply line, and a conduction member disposed in the air supply line between the two-way valve and the discharging nipple.
US09163588B2
Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.
US09163584B2
The present invention provides a plasma arc torch that can be used for lean combustion. The plasma arc torch includes a cylindrical vessel, an electrode housing connected to the first end of the cylindrical vessel such that a first electrode is (a) aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and (b) extends into the cylindrical vessel, a linear actuator connected to the first electrode to adjust a position of the first electrode, a hollow electrode nozzle connected to the second end of the cylindrical vessel such that the center line of the hollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and wherein the tangential inlet and the tangential outlet create a vortex within the cylindrical vessel, and the first electrode and the hollow electrode nozzle create a plasma that discharges through the hollow electrode nozzle.
US09163579B2
A piston and method of construction are provided. The piston includes a piston body having an upper combustion surface configured for direct exposure to combustion gases within a cylinder bore with an undercrown surface located beneath the upper combustion surface. The piston body also includes a ring belt region configured for receipt of at least one piston ring adjacent the upper combustion surface with a cooling gallery configured radially inwardly and in substantial radial alignment with the ring belt region. The piston further includes a non-stick material contained in or bonded to at least one of the undercrown surface and at least a portion of the cooling gallery, wherein the non-stick material inhibits the build-up of carbon deposits thereon.
US09163575B2
Various systems and methods are described for an engine system with an exhaust gas recirculation system and catalyzing and non-catalyzing intake oxygen sensors. In one example, the catalyzing oxygen sensor is utilized to measure and control exhaust gas recirculation while fuel vapor purge is measured and controlled based on the catalyzing and non-catalyzing sensors.
US09163574B2
A sensor characteristic correction device is configured to detect a characteristic of a first sensor arranged upstream of a catalyst 6 in an exhaust passage 4 of an internal combustion engine 2, and a characteristic of a second sensor that is an air-fuel sensor 12 arranged downstream of the catalyst 6, to calculate a first air-fuel ratio based on the characteristic of the first sensor, and calculates a second air-fuel ratio based on the characteristic of the second sensor, to detect, when the catalyst 6 is in an inactive state after start-up of the internal combustion engine 2, a difference between the first characteristic and the second characteristic or a difference between the first air-fuel ratio and the second air-fuel ratio, and to correct the responsiveness of the first or the second sensor in accordance with the difference.
US09163572B2
In a method for determining a pressure at the output of an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine system of a vehicle, a mass flow through the internal combustion engine system and an ambient pressure at a fresh air supply of the internal combustion engine system are detected. The pressure at the output of the exhaust gas system is determined as a function of the mass flow, the ambient pressure and throttling of the mass flow through the internal combustion engine system.
US09163568B2
A cylinder deactivation system comprises a fuel injection module and a cold start control module. The fuel injection module injects a desired amount of fuel into a cylinder of an engine during engine cranking. The cold start control module maintains an intake valve and an exhaust valve associated with the cylinder in respective closed positions while the desired amount of fuel is injected when at least one of an air temperature and a coolant temperature is less than a predetermined cold start temperature.
US09163567B2
When a computer determines that an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal are simultaneously stepped based on the signals from the accelerator position sensor and a brake switch, the first switch is turned off so that the accelerator sensor signal which will be transmitted into the computer is compulsorily made zero. A throttle-position command value which will be transmitted from the computer into a throttle actuator is reduced to a value corresponding to the idling state. If an engine output is not reduced, the computer turns off a second switch so that a throttle actuator is de-energized. A throttle valve is compulsorily brought into a position corresponding to an idling state by a biasing force of a throttle return spring.
US09163566B2
A valve actuation mechanism includes rockers moved by a camshaft, each rocker being adapted to exert a valve opening force on at least a portion of a valve opening actuator of each cylinder, via an activation piston, housed in a bore of the rocker and movable with respect to the rocker under action of a fluid pressure raise in a chamber fluidly linked to the bore, from a first position to a second position, in which a cam follower of the rocker reads at least one auxiliary cam sector of a cam of the camshaft so as to perform an engine operating function. Each rocker includes a reset valve adapted to reduce fluid pressure in the chamber. The valve actuation mechanism includes, for each rocker, a reset cam profile adapted to open the reset valve when the activation piston has to be moved from its second position to its first position, and each reset valve includes a cam follower adapted to drive the reset valve as a function of the movement of the reset profile.
US09163561B2
A system for improved emissions performance of a power plant generally includes an exhaust gas recirculation system having an exhaust gas compressor disposed downstream from the combustor, a condensation collection system at least partially disposed upstream from the exhaust gas compressor, and a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the exhaust gas compressor and the condensation collection system, where the mixing chamber is in fluid communication with the combustor.
US09163546B2
In a power generation facility, there are provided a plurality of diesel engines, a plurality of turbochargers driven by exhaust gas from the diesel engines, a plurality of power generators connected to the plurality of turbochargers, a plurality of converters for converting AC power generated by the plurality of power generators to DC power, one inverter for converting the DC power outputted from the plurality of converters to AC power, and a main controller for controlling the converters in accordance with the AC power from the inverter, by which stable electric power can be generated.
US09163544B2
A unit for recovering thermal energy from exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine including an inlet, an outlet, a heat exchanger arranged downstream of the inlet and upstream of the outlet, and a valve capable of being switched between a recovery position. The exhaust gas flows from the inlet through the heat exchanger to the outlet, and a bypass position, in which the exhaust gas flows from the inlet through a bypass to the outlet. The valve includes separate first and second valve bodies and associated separate first and second valve seats arranged upstream and downstream of the heat exchanger, respectively. The first and second valve bodies are adapted to be switched only simultaneously from the recovery position to the bypass position and vice versa.
US09163543B2
Embodiments for controlling exhaust oxygen concentration are provided. In one example, an engine method comprises operating the engine with lean combustion, and when exhaust oxygen concentration is below a threshold, injecting air into an exhaust passage between a first emission control device and an SCR device. In this way, excess emissions may be converted while operating with lean combustion.
US09163540B2
An exhaust gas control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a NOx purification catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine and carrying a first catalyst metal on a first catalyst carrier, an oxidation catalyst disposed in the downstream exhaust passage of the NOx purification catalyst and carrying second catalyst metals including a base metal on a second catalyst carrier, an air introduction apparatus introducing air into an upstream of the oxidation catalyst, and a temperature detector detecting a temperature of the oxidation catalyst. When an oxidation catalyst temperature is a predetermined temperature or lower, an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas into the oxidation catalyst is controlled to a more fuel lean ratio than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. When the oxidation catalyst temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature, the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas into the oxidation catalyst is controlled to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.
US09163537B2
An exhaust gas treatment system includes a particulate filter to collect particulate matter from exhaust gas flowing therethrough. The particulate filter realizes a pressure thereacross in response to the exhaust gas flow. A delta pressure sensor determines a first pressure upstream from the particulate filter and a second pressure downstream from the particulate filter. A delta pressure module is in electrical communication with the delta pressure sensor. The delta pressure module determines a pressure differential value based on a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure and generates a diagnostic signal based on a plurality of the pressure differential values and a predetermined time period.
US09163529B2
A boiler system includes a boiler group provided with a plurality of boilers and a controller for controlling a combustion state of the boiler group. The boiler group has a varied steam flow set to indicate reserve power corresponding to expected increase of a steam flow due to a sudden variation of a required load, and an increase minimum load factor set to indicate a load factor for output of a steam flow corresponding to the required load only from the combusting boilers with no increase of the number of combusted boilers. The controller increases the number of the combusted boilers when a total reserve steam flow of the combusting boilers is not more than the varied steam flow and the load factor of each of the combusting boilers is not lower than the increase minimum load factor.
US09163517B2
An airfoil for a turbine engine includes pressure and suction sides that extend in a radial direction from a 0% span position at an inner flow path location to a 100% span position at an airfoil tip. The airfoil has a relationship between a stacking offset and a span position that is at least a third order polynomial curve that includes at least one positive and negative slope. The positive slope crosses an initial axial stacking offset that corresponds to the 0% span position at a zero-crossing position. A first axial stacking offset X1 is provided from the zero-crossing position to a negative-most value on the curve. A second axial stacking offset X2 is provided from the zero-crossing position to a positive-most value on the curve. A ratio of the second to first axial stacking offset X2/X1 is between 1.5 and 2.0 or less than 1.4.
US09163516B2
A fluid movement system that includes an impeller having a blade with a leading edge blade tip angle determined as a function of an increase in mass flow rate due to reinjection of flow from a flow stability device located proximate to the leading edge tip of the blade. In an exemplary method, the leading edge blade tip angle can be determined based on selecting a blade incidence level based on a mass flow gain versus flow coefficient curve. Blade leading edge tip angles determined in accordance with a method of the present invention are typically greater than blade leading edge tip angles determined using traditional methods. The greater blade leading edge tip angles can lead to more robust blades designs.
US09163509B2
A gerotor device includes a rotor having outwardly extending teeth and a stator having inwardly extending teeth. The inwardly extending teeth are formed by rollers each of which is received in a respective roller pocket in the stator. Each roller pocket has a maximum pocket width measured perpendicular to a pocket centerline. Each roller pocket defines a roller bearing surface having a first side that follows a first radius and a second side on an opposite side of the centerline that follows a second radius. Each radius is greater than ½ the maximum pocket width. Each roller pocket has an edge pocket width between a first pocket edge where the pocket transitions to a generally cylindrical section in the stator and a second pocket edge on an opposite side of the centerline. The edge pocket width is less than the maximum pocket width.
US09163499B2
A new approach is disclosed for measuring the pressure of tight gas reservoirs, using information obtain from continuous injection prior to hydraulic fracture stimulation. The technique can be obtained utilizing either bottom-hole or surface pressure gauges and properly instrumented surface injection pumps. The analysis is completed by plotting injection and rate data in a specialized form from terms arranged in Darcy's radial flow equation to obtain a curve or trend. The key component to proper application of this technique is to obtain both baseline and one or more calibration data sets. These calibration data sets are obtained by either increasing or decreasing the injection pressure and/or rate from the baseline data. Initial reservoir pressure is assumed, but the calibration data indicates if the guess was too high or low. Accurate estimates of reservoir pressure may be obtained in a few iterations.
US09163477B2
An insert for a downhole plug for use in a wellbore. The insert can include a body having a bore formed at least partially therethrough. One or more threads can be disposed on an outer surface of the body and adapted to threadably engage an inner surface of the plug proximate a first end of the plug. One or more shearable threads can be disposed on an inner surface of the body. The one or more shearable threads can be adapted to threadably engage a setting tool that enters the plug through the first end thereof and to deform to release the setting tool when exposed to a predetermined force that is less than a force required to deform the one or more threads disposed on the outer surface of the body. At least one impediment can be disposed within the body.
US09163473B2
An RCD can include a housing assembly which contains a bearing assembly and an annular seal which rotates and seals off an annulus between a tubular string and an RCD body, a remotely operable clamp device which selectively permits and prevents relative displacement between the housing assembly and the body, and a remotely operable safety latch which selectively permits and prevents unclamping of the clamp device. A method of remotely operating an RCD clamp device can include remotely operating a safety latch which selectively permits and prevents unclamping of the clamp device, and remotely operating the clamp device while the safety latch is in an unlatched position, thereby unclamping a bearing housing assembly from the RCD body. Another RCD can include a remotely operable clamp device which selectively permits access to an RCD body interior, and a remotely operable safety latch which selectively prevents unclamping of the clamp device.
US09163470B2
A multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head comprises a launcher body comprising at least one launching chamber and a device chamber, the launching chamber sized to receive one or more activation devices therein, the launching chamber in fluid communication with a power source for launching the activation device into the device chamber. The launching system may further comprise a pressure sensor, a pressure-relief device or a flow-measurement device, or combinations thereof.
US09163465B2
Method and apparatus for extending the horizontal distance through which wells can be drilled. A horizontal tubular is used to convey a drillstring from a drilling rig toward a target location and a mud return line and pump on the surface is used to pump drilling mud returning from the bit back to the drilling rig.
US09163462B2
A substructure of a drilling rig is positioned above a first wellbore at a first wellbore location, a drilling rig mast is pivotably attached to the substructure and raised from a first mast position wherein an upper end of the drilling rig mast is oriented in a first direction toward a first side of the substructure to a first raised drilling position, after which a first drilling operation is performed on the first wellbore. The substructure is moved to a second wellbore location and positioned above a second wellbore, the drilling rig mast is pivotably attached to the substructure and raised from a second mast position wherein an upper end of the drilling rig mast is oriented in a second direction toward a second side of the substructure to a second raised drilling position, after which a second drilling operation is performed on the second wellbore.
US09163461B2
Earth-boring rotary drill bits may include a bit body attached to a shank assembly at a joint. The joint may be configured to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference at the joint. The joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit. Methods for attaching a shank assembly to a bit body of an earth-boring rotary drill bit include configuring a joint to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference. The joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference.
US09163460B2
A wellbore conditioning system is disclosed. The system comprises at least one shaft and at least two eccentric unilateral reamers, wherein the unilateral reamers are positioned at a predetermined distance from each other and the unilateral reamers are positioned at a predetermined rotational angle from each other.
US09163457B2
In an oil-sealed bearing assembly in the bearing section of a mud motor, in which a mandrel is rotatably disposed within a cylindrical housing, a cylindrical sleeve is disposed coaxially and rotatably around the mandrel, with the sleeve being non-rotatably mounted to an inner surface of the housing, thereby forming an annular piston chamber forming part of a generally annular oil reservoir. The sleeve provides radial support to the mandrel along the length of the piston chamber by virtue of the flexural stiffness of the sleeve. The mandrel rotates within the sleeve, with a radial bearing being provided between the sleeve and the mandrel. An annular piston is axially movable within the piston chamber in response to variations in the volume of oil in the reservoir. The piston slides within the piston chamber without rotation relative to either the housing or the sleeve.
US09163443B2
A linear center rail structure for a sliding door includes a linear center rail, a roller part, a base, and an arm. The linear center rail is disposed on a side outer panel of a vehicle. The roller part is guided by the center rail, slid along the center rail, and has hinge holes formed at an end portion thereof. The base is fixed to a sliding door panel and has slots formed in a pop-up direction of the sliding door panel. The arm has one end at which a first hinge shaft rotatably coupled to the hinge holes of the roller part is disposed and the other end at which a second hinge shaft fitted into the slots of the base to thereby be slidably and rotatably coupled to the base is disposed.
US09163429B2
An image forming apparatus includes a drawer unit configured to be drawn out from a body of the image forming apparatus. The drawer unit includes a carriage path for carrying a recording medium, a lock unit configured to lock the drawer unit in the body, a driving unit configured to drive the lock unit, the driving unit including at least a driving source, and a drawer unit cover configured to cover at least the drawer unit. The drawer unit cover is a part of an outer cover of the body arranged on a side in a drawing direction of the drawer unit. The drawer unit cover is attached to the drawer unit so that the drawer unit cover is removed from the drawer unit in a state where the drawer unit is attached to the body.
US09163413B2
An attachment strip for attaching lath to a wall and a system for attaching lath to a wall with increased water resistive characteristics. The attachment strip has protruding teeth on an attachment plate that holds the lath in place, and a mounting plate that secures the lath furring strip against the wall and framing. In addition, since attachment strip, instead of the lath directly, is secured to the sheathing, fewer mounting devices are needed compared to when a lath is directly secured to a sheathing, where substantially more mounting devices would be needed. Thus in this arrangement, fewer penetrations are created when installing the lath. Additional water resistive features, such insulation layers, and a drainage space surrounded by two water resistive barriers, create space that not only increases insulation, but protects the inner layers of a wall from damage.
US09163410B2
A roofing laminate includes a roofing membrane, preferably a white roofing membrane, which is covered with a protective sheet. The protective sheet is tinted so that it has a coloration distinguishable from the roofing. The roofing laminate is applied to a roof surface and the release liner protects the outer surface of the membrane from scrapes and dirt during installation. Once the roof is installed the protective sheets are removed from all of the membrane sheets, exposing a clean surface.
US09163409B2
A thermal shingle sealing apparatus for use in cool weather installations of thermally-activated shingles, the apparatus comprising a heat source having a fuel source, a burner, an ignition means adapted to light fuel from the fuel source to produce heat, and a controller adapted to regulate the heat produced; a heat disperser including an enclosure defining a cavity therein adapted to disperse heat from the heat source onto shingles; a chassis having a frame, and at least one wheel, whereby, the apparatus is placed on a roof atop the asphalt shingles and heat is applied to the shingles to activate the sealant, thereby bonding the shingles to one another in the cool temperatures providing nearly instant wind protection to the building owner in lieu of waiting for heat activation from the sun sufficiently to activate sealant.
US09163405B2
A wedge for a concrete post-tension reinforcement anchorage system is shaped such that the compressive force on the tendon after tensioning of the anchorage system is substantially evenly distributed over a length of the outer surface of the tendon that is engaged by the internal surface of the wedge. The external surface of the wedge may have a first section with a first taper angle and a second section with a second taper angle, the second taper angle being larger than the first taper angle. The internal surface of the wedge may have a first section with a first taper angle and a second section with a second taper angle, the second taper angle being greater than the first taper angle. An anchor with a bore with two taper angles and tooth profiles of threading patterns on the internal surface of the wedge are also disclosed.
US09163404B2
A truss comprising a top chord, a bottom chord, a plurality of exterior braces, and a plurality of interior braces, wherein the top chord further comprises a plurality of welding slots arrangements, each of the welding slots arrangements including pilot holes and welding slots, wherein the welding slots arrangement is used to securely attach one of the interior braces and the exterior braces to the top chord.
US09163402B2
A suspended architectural structure includes a plurality of fin support members configured to couple with one or more architectural structures, e.g. ceiling structure. A plurality of flexible fins, with each flexible fin including a plurality of attachment points that is configured to be coupled to the plurality of fin support members. The plurality of fin support members includes a rib frame and a plurality of lateral rib members. The flexible fins are coupled to the ribs by the attachment points using removable pins.
US09163392B2
A reinforcement rib for an overhead structure comprises a pair of sidewalls and a top wall that bridges one end of each sidewall. A lower flange extends outwardly from an opposite end of each sidewall. Each lower flange is adapted to be secured to the overhead structure.
US09163391B2
A modular connector element has a hook, a catch, and fittings for connection to an end of a hollow log for assembly into a wall or building superstructure. In assembling three such connector elements in a sequence conforming a corner between two structural walls, the hook of the middle connector element makes a click connection with a catch formed on a second such connector element positioned on one side of the middle connector element, and the catch of the middle connector element makes a click connection with a hook formed on a third such connector element positioned on the side of the middle connector element opposite the second connector element. The connector elements with their respective logs are thus rapidly, securely and manually click-locked together to erect walls and building superstructures.
US09163384B2
A system for automated control of a machine having a ground engaging work implement includes an implement load sensor system. A controller determines a change in terrain based at least in part upon a change in the load on the ground engaging work implement. If the change in terrain exceeds a threshold, the controller generates an alert command signal. A method is also provided.
US09163381B2
A wheel loader includes: a floor for a driving operation; an operator's seat for an operator to be seated; and a trainer's seat for a trainer to be seated, the operator's seat and the trainer's seat being provided in parallel to each other. A footrest of the wheel loader includes an operator's footrest and a trainer's footrest respectively having placement surfaces on which adjacent feet of the seated operator and trainer are respectively placed. The operator's footrest and the trainer's footrest are integrated with each other.
US09163375B2
A synthetic ground cover system for erosion control to be placed atop the ground, including a synthetic grass which comprises a composite of one or more geo-textiles tufted with synthetic yarns. The synthetic ground cover also includes a sand/soil infill ballast applied to the synthetic grass and a binding agent applied to the sand/soil infill to stabilize the sand/soil infill against high velocity water shear forces.
US09163371B1
A snow removal system utilizes a towing frame having a towing device such as a winch or winch crank. A towing line extends in a straight line path directly from the towing device to a uniquely shaped snow shovel having dual, concave shaped blades. Actuation of the towing device pulls the snow shovel towards the towing frame, causing snow on the ground surface to accumulate on and slide off and to the side of the blades.
US09163364B2
A composite surface material comprising a permeable substrate and a permeable surface layer bonded to the substrate so that the material is permeable.
US09163360B2
The invention concerns a method for the aluminothermic welding of rails, comprising the steps of: triggering an aluminothermic reaction in a crucible (2), casting the metal derived from said reaction into the mold (1), so as to fill the molding cavity starting from the foot of the rail, after filling of the molding cavity, triggering a second aluminothermic reaction above the rail head, and casting the metal derived from said reaction into said molding cavity in the region of the rail head. The invention also concerns a mold (1) adapted to fit over the two rail ends to form a molding cavity (10), comprising a crucible (4) arranged above the region of the rail head so that it is fed with molten metal from the molding cavity (10) via a secondary channel (42).
US09163347B2
Disclosed herein are a door lock control device and method of a washing machine which sense opening or closing of a door using a door lock switch. Since the door is locked or unlocked and the closing or opening of the door is sensed using one door lock switch without adding a separate switch to sense the closing or opening of the door, cost may be decreased.
US09163342B2
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a mineral fiber-containing composite and the novel mineral fiber-containing element produced by that method. The invention also relates to an apparatus suitable for carrying out the method of the invention.
US09163333B2
A method for making a graft layer is provided. The graft layer has at least two layers with different porosities. The two layers are applied by electrospinning. The parameters of the electrospinning may be varied when applying the first and second layers in order to achieve different porosities of the first and second layers.
US09163323B2
A vibration feeding device includes a mounting seat, a vibration feeding mechanism, and a pressing mechanism. The vibration feeding mechanism includes a driving member, a rotating shaft, a rotation wheel, and at least one adjusting member. The rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the driving member. The rotation wheel is non-rotatably sleeved on the rotating shaft. The at least one adjusting member is fixed between the rotating shaft and the rotation wheel to adjust an eccentricity of the rotation wheel. The vibration feeding mechanism is mounted on the mounting seat. The pressing mechanism is connected to the rotation wheel of the vibration feeding mechanism and is driven by the vibration to adjustably move close to and then away from a workpiece.
US09163321B2
A method for making a gasket (32) for an internal combustion engine (20) includes forming a generally annual stopper (38) on a metallic gasket body (40) through the process of electrochemical deposition. An electrolytic cell is completed with the gasket body (40) forming a cathode. The stopper (38) is formed with a contoured compression surface (42) by selectively varying the electrical energy delivered to selected electrodes (70) over time. Electrolyte (48) rich with metallic ions is pumped at high speed through the inter-electrode gap. A PC controller (82) switches selected electrodes (70) ON at certain times, for certain durations, which cause metallic ions in the electrolyte (48) to reduce or deposit onto the gasket body (40), which are built in columns or layers into a three-dimensional formation approximating the target surface profile (106) for the compression surface (42). The subject method for building a three-dimensional formation can be applied to work parts other than cylinder head gaskets (32).
US09163320B2
An electrolytic cell is provided. The cell includes a housing having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet outlet, an anode and a cathode positioned within the housing and defining a reaction chamber therebetween, and a liquid flow path, from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet, which passes through the reaction chamber. A transition duct is positioned at the liquid outlet and has a duct inlet, a duct outlet and a transition section along which internal side walls of the transition section converge along the liquid flow path to define a smooth transition from a first cross-sectional area to a second cross-sectional area of the transition duct. The first cross-sectional area is at least two times greater than the second cross sectional area.
US09163317B2
A method for producing a diffusion layer of an electrochemical device, including: superimposition of multiple unidirectional webs of carbon filaments, filaments of each web positioned parallel with, and next to, one another; needle punching of the webs, breaking a proportion of the filaments such that broken portions of the filaments are tangled with other filaments of the webs; and cutting a proportion of the multiple unidirectional webs, the carbon filaments forming one electrically conducting outer surface of the diffusion layer. The needle punching is accomplished all the way through the multiple unidirectional webs, and/or through two principal opposite faces of the multiple unidirectional webs, and/or with an impact density against the multiple unidirectional webs of between approximately 100 and 300 impacts/cm2.
US09163314B2
The present invention relates to a CMP slurry composition for polishing tungsten comprising a abrasive and a polishing chemical, wherein the abrasive comprises colloidal silica dispersed in ultra-pure water, and the polishing chemical comprises hydrogen peroxide, ammonium persulfate and iron nitrate. The slurry composition is not discolored and has good etching selectivity, so as to be applied to a CMP process.
US09163309B2
Generation of byproducts is inhibited in a buffer space even in a single-wafer-type apparatus using the buffer space. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes (a) loading a substrate into a process chamber; (b) supplying a first-element-containing gas via a buffer chamber of a shower head to the substrate placed in the process chamber; (c) supplying a second-element-containing gas to the substrate via the buffer chamber; and (d) performing an exhaust process between (b) and (c), wherein (d) includes: exhausting an atmosphere of the buffer chamber; and exhausting an atmosphere of the process chamber after exhausting the atmosphere of the buffer chamber.
US09163308B2
Light reactive deposition uses an intense light beam to form particles that are directly coated onto a substrate surface. In some embodiments, a coating apparatus comprising a noncircular reactant inlet, optical elements forming a light path, a first substrate, and a motor connected to the apparatus. The reactant inlet defines a reactant stream path. The light path intersects the reactant stream path at a reaction zone with a product stream path continuing from the reaction zone. The substrate intersects the product stream path. Also, operation of the motor moves the first substrate relative to the product stream. Various broad methods are described for using light driven chemical reactions to produce efficiently highly uniform coatings.
US09163307B2
Disclosed are simple, efficient, and scalable methods of patterning polymeric or metallic microstructures on planar or non-planar surfaces. The methods utilize initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) technology. Also disclosed are patterned articles produced by these methods, and methods of using the articles.
US09163306B2
A patterning slit sheet frame assembly includes a patterning slit sheet having a pattern, a patterning slit sheet frame supporting the patterning slit sheet, and a tensile force application unit that applies a tensile force to the patterning slit sheet after the patterning slit sheet is disposed on the patterning slit sheet frame.
US09163298B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for condensing vapor phase compounds or elements, typically metals such as magnesium, obtained by reduction processes.
US09163292B2
This invention relates to compositions and processes for improving the carbonatation clarification of sugar liquors and syrups. The improved processes involve adding compositions to a sugar liquor directly in the carbonated liquor holding tank (after the final carbonatation saturator), upstream of the carbonated liquor holding tank but downstream of the final stage Carbonatation saturator, before filtration of the carbonated liquor, or at any stage in the sugar purification process. The compositions provided in this invention are mixed intimately into the sugar liquors or syrups, and allowed sufficient time to react to impart an improvement in the clarified liquor obtained therefrom. Compositions can include combinations of one or more of a particulate sulfur reagent, particulate phosphorous reagent, particulate aluminum reagent, silica reagent, particulate carbonaceous reagent, particulate filter aid, a polymer decolorant, and particulate ammonium reagent.
US09163290B2
A method for in vitro detection of the presence of a C-terminal truncation mutation of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface (S) gene encoding a small S protein in an isolated nucleic acid sample is disclosed. An in vitro diagnostic kit for use in the aforementioned method is also disclosed.
US09163289B2
A method is described for the real-time detection of HIV-1 gene target DNA in a sample, including obtaining HIV-1 specific cDNA by reverse transcription, amplifying a portion of the cDNA, and detecting the amplicons so produced using probe labeled with a detectable marker.
US09163286B2
The present invention provides methods to obtain dry compositions of reaction compounds that maintain the biological activity of the compounds upon re-solubilization after a certain storage time. Preferably, the dry composition comprises a polymerase, and the dry composition is usable for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification after re-solubilization.
US09163284B2
Some aspects of this disclosure provide strategies, methods, and reagents for determining nuclease target site preferences and specificity of site-specific endonucleases. Some methods provided herein utilize a novel “one-cut” strategy for screening a library of concatemers comprising repeat units of candidate nuclease target sites and constant insert regions to identify library members that can been cut by a nuclease of interest via sequencing of an intact target site adjacent and identical to a cut target site.
US09163274B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a means for efficiently obtaining mammalian embryos having high conception rates. A first aspect of the present invention is a method for selecting a mammalian embryo prepared by in vitro culture from a fertilized egg, comprising a step of selecting an embryo using two or more of the following indicators: the time from fertilization to the completion of first cleavage; the morphology at a stage after first cleavage and before second cleavage; the morphology at a stage after third cleavage and before fourth cleavage; and the amount of oxygen consumed at the early blastocyst stage, the blastocyst stage, or the expanded blastocyst stage.
US09163263B2
Identification of isoprene synthase variants with improved properties for the production of isoprene
The invention provides for compositions and methods for producing isoprene using isoprene synthase variants with improved properties.
US09163259B2
The present invention relates to viral vectors that are capable of delivering a heterologous gene to the retina and in particular delivering RLBP1 to RPE and Müller cells of the retina. The invention also relates nucleic acids useful for producing viral vectors, compositions comprising the viral vectors and uses of the compositions and viral vectors. The invention also relates to methods of delivering and/or expressing a heterologous gene to the retina, improving the rate of dark adaption in a subject and treating RLBP1-associated retinal dystrophy.
US09163257B2
A process for high expression of protein of interest using an expression vector. The process comprises at least the following regulatory elements: a) a CMV promoter, or its functional variants, b) an intron, c) TPL or its functional variants, d) VA genes or functional variants, and e) a bovine growth hormone polyadenylation sequence or functional variants.
US09163252B2
The present application discloses a chimeric gene comprising a promoter region consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 from nucleotide 1 to nucleotide 1437 operably linked to a nucleic acid coding for an expression product of interest, and a transcription termination and polyadenylation sequence. Also disclosed herein are a vector, a transgenic plant cell, a transgenic plant and a seed comprising such a chimeric gene. Methods disclosed herein relate to the production of a transgenic plant, growing cotton, producing a seed, effecting fiber-preferential expression of a product in cotton and of altering fiber properties in a cotton plant using the chimeric gene described.
US09163248B2
The present invention provides targeted lentiviral vectors that are psuedotyped with mutated Sindbis envelopes. For example, mutations in the Sindbis E2 protein are used to alter viral titer, specificity, specificity index, tropism, and susceptibility to host immune response. Typically, one or more of the E1, E2, or E3 proteins can be mutated at one or more amino acid positions. The psuedotyped, targeted lentiviral vectors of the invention are used to transduce heterologous genes into a cell and can be used for in vivo and ex vivo therapeutic applications, as well as for diagnostic and research tool applications.
US09163244B2
The present disclosure relates to oligodeoxynucleotides that suppress an immune response. Methods are disclosed for preventing or treating an immune-mediated disorder, such as, but not limited to, an autoimmune disease, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a suppressive oligodeoxynucleotide. Also disclosed are methods of suppressing an immune response in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a suppressive oligodeoxynucleotide.
US09163241B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for delivery of siRNA to specific cells or tissue. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for cell type-specific delivery of anti-HIV siRNAs via fusion to an anti-gp120 aptamer.
US09163239B2
Provided herein are oligomeric compounds with conjugate groups targeting apoplipoprotein C-III (ApoCIII). In certain embodiments, the ApoCIII targeting oligomeric compounds are conjugated to N-Acetylgalactosamine. Also disclosed herein are conjugated oligomeric compounds targeting ApoCIII for use in decreasing ApoCIII to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases, disorders or conditions related to ApoCIII. Certain diseases, disorders or conditions related to ApoCIII include inflammatory, cardiovascular and/or metabolic diseases, disorders or conditions. The conjugated oligomeric compounds disclosed herein can be used to treat such diseases, disorders or conditions in an individual in need thereof.
US09163232B2
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a recombinant polyclonal protein composition, in particular a recombinant polyclonal antibody composition. The method comprises obtaining a collection of cells transfected with a library of variant nucleic acid sequences, wherein each call in the collection is transfected with and capable of expressing one member of the library, which encodes a distinct member of a polyclonal protein that binds a particular antigen and which is located at the same single site in the genome of individual cells in said collection, wherein said nucleic acid sequence is not naturally associated with said cell in the collection. The cells are cultured under suitable conditions for expression of the polyclonal protein, which is obtained from the cells or culture supernatant. The present method is suitable for manufacturing recombinant polyclonal antibodies, thereby making available a superior replacement of plasma-derived therapeutic immunoglobulin products.
US09163222B2
Modified amino acid sequences of OAS1 proteins in non-human primates, and genes related thereto, are provided.
US09163218B2
The present invention relates to a method for increasing the efficiency of inducing pluripotent stem cells by utilizing genes Jhdm1a that modify histone. By utilizing Jhdm1a, and a stem cell inducing factor, the present invention increases the efficiency of inducing pluripotent stem cells and increases the quality of induced pluripotent stem cells. The stem cell inducing factor is a combination of Oct4 and Klf4, or a combination of Sox2, Oct4, and Klf4, or a combination of Oct4 and Sox2, and Oct4 alone. The method further comprises exposing the cells to vitamin C, which further increases the efficiency of inducing pluripotent stem cells as compared with the case where no vitamin C is used. By using less stem cell reducing factors, the method of the present invention reduces the potential carcinogenicity, obtains a high inducing efficiency, and provides high-quality induced pluripotent stem cells capable of germ-line transmission.
US09163208B2
Novel bioreactor systems, adapted to provide continuous batch incubation of microbes, especially bacteria, are provided. Bioreactor bags are preloaded with inert microbes prior to being shipped to the user. The inert microbes may be substantially dry or in other inert forms, and are stored in soluble containers within the bioreactor bags. Multiple sterile, preloaded, disposable bioreactor bags are used in a self-contained housing. The bags are automatically incubated in the housing and dispensed, preferably into an irrigation system. The system provides serial batch production of useful microbes for a week or more, without further supervision or intervention. Methods of manufacture, methods of use, methods of sales, and methods of farming are also provided.
US09163201B2
A composition comprising abrasive particles derived from inorganic-based foam, wherein said abrasive particles are non-spherical having a form factor from 0.1 to 0.6 and a solidity from 0.3 to 0.9, and wherein said abrasive particles comprise one or more inorganic materials and have a MOHs hardness of from 1 to 4.
US09163200B2
The present invention relates to a liquid, cleaning and/or cleansing composition comprising abrasive cleaning particles.
US09163189B2
Balanced unleaded fuel compositions exhibiting: a pump octane rating of greater than 93; a T50 (maximum) of 104.4° C. (220° F.) and a T90 (maximum) of 165.6° C. (330° F.), as required under the CARB Phase 3 model; and, producing a higher average torque and/or higher average power output than commercially available fuels stated to meet the CARB Phase 3 model.
US09163183B2
The present disclosure is directed to a method and system of removing solubilized metals from a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor product. The FT reactor product is contacted with a chelating agent to form metal complexes. The FT reactor product containing metal complexes are subjected to centrifugal separation to form a heavy phase and a light phase containing less than 500 wppb solubilized metals.
US09163181B2
Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for deoxygenating a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. In one example, a method comprises the steps of separating a low-oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil effluent into a low-oxygen-pyoil organic phase stream and an aqueous phase stream. Phenolic compounds are removed from the aqueous phase stream to form a phenolic-rich diluent recycle stream. A biomass-derived pyrolysis oil stream is diluted and heated with the phenolic-rich diluent recycle stream to form a heated diluted pyoil feed stream. The heated diluted pyoil feed stream is contacted with a deoxygenating catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to deoxygenate the heated diluted pyoil feed stream.
US09163175B2
β-SiAlON represented by a general formula Si6-zAlzOzN8-z with Eu dissolved therein, whose spin density corresponding to absorption g=2.00±0.02 at 25° C. obtained by the electron spin resonance method is equal to or lower than 6.0×1016 spins/g. A method of manufacturing the β-SiAlON includes: a mixing step of mixing β-SiAlON materials; a baking step of baking the β-SiAlON having undergone the mixing step; a heating step of increasing the ambient temperature of the materials having undergone the mixing step from 1500° C. to a baking temperature of the baking step at a rate equal to or lower than 2° C./min.; an annealing step of annealing the β-SiAlON having undergone the baking step; and an acid treatment step of acid-treating the β-SiAlON having undergone the annealing step. The objective of the present invention is to provide β-SiAlON capable of achieving high luminescent efficiency, a method of manufacturing the β-SiAlON, and a light-emitting device using the β-SiAlON.
US09163170B2
Disclosed is an impact resistant adhesive composition including silica and core-shell polymer particles. The impact resistant adhesive composition includes: (a) a first component including an epoxy resin and a polymeric dispersant, or an epoxy resin-polymeric dispersant prepolymer; (b) a second component including silica and core-shell polymer particles having a particle diameter of 20 to 250 nm; and (c) a third component including a curing agent and an additive mixture. The polymeric dispersant is a flexible polyether monoamine or polyether diamine which includes a mixed form of a lipophilic alkyl oxide chain and a hydrophilic ethylene oxide chain in the main chain, and has a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 4,000.
US09163163B2
A multilayer film is provided. The multilayer film includes a barrier layer and an adhesive layer underlying the barrier layer. The adhesive layer contains a block copolymer that can phase separate into two or more different domains. The multilayer film has good gas and moisture barrier properties and is highly flexible. Therefore, the multilayer film can be effectively used in manufacturing encapsulation structures for electronic devices. In addition, the multilayer film is suitable for use as a substrate for a device. Further provided are a method for producing the multilayer film and an encapsulation structure including the multilayer film.
US09163161B2
Provided is a polyurethane aqueous dispersion characterized in having practical utility in terms of processing suitability when a formed film is produced by salt coagulation method, and characterized in that a formed film obtained from the same has practical utility in terms of resistance against ethanol water. A polyurethane aqueous dispersion for a formed film, the formed film being obtained by using the polyurethane aqueous dispersion and a coagulant liquid in combination, is obtained by: neutralizing an isocyanate group-terminated prepolymer obtained by reaction of a polyisocyanate (A) composed of diphenylmethane diisocyanate and alicyclic diisocyanate, a random copolymer (B) of ethylene oxide and tetrahydrofuran, a polyol (C) having a number average molecular weight of 1000 to 5000, a polyhydric alcohol-based chain extender (D) having a number average molecular weight of 400 or less, and a diol compound (E) having a carboxyl group; and dispersing the obtained neutralized substance in water, and thereafter causing a chain extension reaction using an amine-based chain extender (F).
US09163144B2
The invention provides a silicone resin composition for producing a silicone laminated substrate by being impregnated in a glass cloth and cured therein, comprising: (A) an organopolysiloxane with a 3-dimensional network structure composed of an R1SiO1.5 unit and an R2SiO1.5 unit and a T unit represented by an RSiO1.5 unit; (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane composed of an R1SiO1.5 unit, an R12SiO unit and an R1aHbSiO(4-a-b)/2 unit; (C) a platinum group metal catalyst; and (D) a filler. There can be a silicone resin composition having a high glass transition temperature, a silicone laminated substrate excellent in properties such as heat resistance and weatherability having low thermal expansion coefficient and suppressed warp and deformation, a method for producing the same and an LED device.
US09163142B2
Biocomposite compositions and compositions, which include dried distillers solubles, and which can be used in making biocomposite compositions are described. Methods for preparing the compositions are also described.
US09163135B2
A composition includes an elastomer and a ketoximo silane or a ketoxime additive. The ketoximo silane corresponds to Formula I: where D is selected from a C1 to C60 hydrocarbyl group, or when A is 0 or 1 a hydrogen, or the structure in Formula III; and wherein n and j are independently 1, 2, or 3, m and q are independently 0 or 1, z and t are independently 0 or 1 and (n+m+z) is equal to 3 and (j+q+t) is equal to 3; A is 0 or greater than or equal to 1; R1 and R2 are independently Ci to C60 divalent organic groups and may optionally include O, N S, Si, and/or P heteroatoms with the proviso that when A is 0 either of R1 and R2 may be a chemical bond; R3, R4, R8 and R9 are independently a hydrogen, or a C1 to C60 hydrocarbyl or alkoxy group optionally including O, N, S, Si and/or P; R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen or C1 to C60 hydrocarbyl groups and may optionally include O, N S, Si, and/or P heteroatoms, and may optionally be bonded together to form a cyclic ring; R10 and R11 are independently hydrogen or C1 to C60 hydrocarbyl groups and may optionally include O, N S, Si, and/or P heteroatoms, and may optionally be bonded together to form a cyclic ring.
US09163124B2
A system and method for producing solid pellets from a slurry HDC pitch is disclosed which utilizes a polymer additive that is mixed with the pitch to increase the softening point of the solid pellets.
US09163122B1
Disclosed are self-assembling block copolymers including diblock copolymers of the formula (I): wherein R1 is C1-C22 alkyl, R2 is C6-C20 aryl or heteroaryl, one of R3 and R4 is C6-C14 aryl and the other is C1-C22 alkoxy, n and m are independently 2 to about 2000. The copolymers find use in preparing nanoporous membranes. Embodiments of the membranes contain the diblock copolymer in a self-assembled nanostructure of cylindrical morphology. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such copolymers.
US09163117B2
Provided is a polyamide resin having excellent color tone and elastic modulus, excellent gas barrier properties and low water absorption. The polyamide resin comprises a diamine structural unit and a dicarboxylic acid structural unit, wherein 70 mol % or more of the diamine structural unit is derived from xylylenediamine (A-1) and/or bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane (A-2) and 50 mol % or more of the dicarboxylic acid structural unit is derived from sebacic acid (B), characterized in that it has a sulfur atom concentration of 1 to 200 ppm by mass.
US09163106B2
A straight-chain unsaturated hydrocarbon group having equal to or more than 10 carbon atoms is bonded to at least one or more of meta positions of all of phenol structure units.
US09163101B2
The present invention is directed to a rubber composition comprising: a functionalized elastomer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising a multidentate ligand capable of complexing with a metal ion; and a metal ion.The invention is further directed to a pneumatic tire comprising the rubber composition.
US09163099B2
This invention relates to polybutadiene modified polymer polyols which comprise one or more base polyols, at least one preformed stabilizer, one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and polybutadiene, in the presence of at least one free radical polymerization catalyst, and optionally, one or more chain transfer agents. The polybutadiene present in these polybutadiene modified polymer polyols may be carried into the polymer polyol through the preformed stabilizer, by a polybutadiene containing component that is added separately from the preformed stabilizer to the polymer polyol, or a combination thereof, with the total amount of polybutadiene ranging from 0.03 to 1.0% by weight of polybutadiene, based on 100% by weight of the polymer polyol. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing these polybutadiene modified polymer polyols, to foams prepared from these polybutadiene modified polymer polyols, and to processes for producing foams from these polybutadiene modified polymer polyols.
US09163094B2
The invention, in some aspects relates to synthetic, light-activated fusion proteins and their encoding polynucleotide molecules. In some aspects the invention additionally includes expression of the light-activated fusion proteins in cells and their use in methods such as therapeutic methods and candidate compound screening methods.
US09163089B2
The present invention relates to a cell for producing a secreted protein comprising a polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a fast cycling cdc42 mutant and a polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a secreted protein. It also relates to a method for producing said cell and to a method for producing a secreted protein using said cell.
US09163088B2
The invention provides novel antigens, MPD5, PV13, and PV65, which belongs to the group of cryptic antigens without conventional genomic structure and is encoded by a cryptic open reading frame located in the 3′untranslated region (3′UTR) of myotrophin mRNA. The antigens elicit IgG antibody responses in a subset of PV patients, as well as patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and prostate cancer. The translation of MPD5, PV13 and PV65 was mediated by a novel internal ribosome entry site (IRES) upstream of the open reading frame. Eliciting anti-tumor immune response against MPD5, PV13 and/or PV65 antigen in patients with myeloproliferative diseases is a novel immunotherapy.
US09163087B2
Described herein are novel compositions comprising bispecific and multispecific polypeptide agents, and methods using these agents for targeting cells, such as functionally exhausted or unresponsive immune cells, that co-express the inhibitory receptors PD-1 and TIM-3. These compositions and methods are useful for the treatment of chronic immune conditions, such as persistent infections or cancer.
US09163057B2
The present invention provides a method of myocardial perfusion imaging using reduced doses of (1-{9-[(4S,2R,3R,5R)3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]-6-aminopurin-2-yl}pyrazol-4-yl)-N-methylcarboxamide.
US09163055B2
This disclosure relates to prodrugs of uridine diphosphate (UDP) derivatives, compositions comprising therapeutically effective amounts of those prodrugs of the UDP derivatives and methods of using those prodrugs or compositions in treating disorders that are responsive to ligands, such as agonists, of P2Y6 receptor, e.g., neuronal disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease) and traumatic CNS injury, pain, Down Syndrome (DS), glaucoma, and inflammatory conditions.
US09163050B2
Disclosed is a process for the production of d-mannose from fermented palm oil kernel meal using a continuous SMB separation process. The process is useful for providing a simplified processing route to providing high purity d-mannose. The SMB process and the SMB cycle was operated to provide a high purity mannose stream comprising d-mannose, salts, and color agents, a primary raffinate comprising glucose, other sugars and salts, and a secondary raffinate consisting essentially of the mobile phase desorbent. In the SMB cycle, the secondary raffinate was recycled to the SMB process as the mobile phase desorbent without further desalination. The highly pure mannose stream was further treated to remove color agents and salts prior to subsequent steps of precipitation or crystallization and drying. D-mannose is useful as a food additive, as a sweetener, as a texturizer, as a stabilizer, or as a humectant.
US09163049B2
The invention relates to a medicament comprising at least one reducing alkyl-sugar monomer having a hydroxyl function which is substituted by an alkoxy radical at C2-C40, said medicament being preferably intended to regulate inflammatory mechanisms. The reducing sugar is preferably selected from the group containing rhamnose, fucose and glucose. The invention also relates to a cosmetic treatment method involving the topical application of a composition comprising at least one reducing alkyl-sugar monomer having a hydroxyl function which is substituted by an alkoxy radical at C2-C40.
US09163044B2
Provided herein are novel carbon-monoxide releasing molecules (CO-RMs) of the Formula (I): and esters, amides, salts, solvates and hydrates thereof; wherein R1 and R2 are as described herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of their preparation, and their use in the treatment of liver disease and inflammation.
US09163042B2
The invention relates to prodrug compounds of formula I: wherein R2, R3, R5, R7 and X are as defined herein. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders, including pain. The compounds of formula I possess advantageous solubility and physicochemical properties.
US09163041B2
Generally, the present invention relates to improvements in metal utilization in supported, metal-containing catalysts. For example, the present invention relates to methods for directing and/or controlling metal deposition onto surfaces of porous substrates. The present invention also relates to methods for preparing catalysts in which a first metal is deposited onto a support (e.g., a porous carbon support) to provide one or more regions of a first metal at the surface of the support, and a second metal is deposited at the surface of the one or more regions of the first metal. The invention further relates to use of catalysts prepared as detailed herein in catalytic oxidation reactions, such as oxidation of a substrate selected from the group consisting of N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid or a salt thereof, formaldehyde, and/or formic acid.
US09163038B2
The present invention relates to novel and concise process for the construction of chiral 3-substituted tetrahyroquinoline derivatives based on proline catalyzed asymmetric α-functionalization of aldehyde, followed by in situ reductive cyclization of nitro group under catalytic hydrogenation condition with high optical purities. Further the invention relates to conversion of derived chiral 3-substituted tetrahydroquinoline derivatives into therapeutic agents namely (−)-sumanirole (96% ee) and 1-[(S)-3-(di-methylamino)-3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxy-quinolin-1(2H)-yl]propanone[(S)-903] (92% ee).
US09163036B2
The invention describes a crystallized hybrid solid with an organic-inorganic matrix, of a three-dimensional structure, containing an inorganic network of aluminum-based metal centers that are connected to one another by organic ligands that consist of the entity —O2C—C6H3—N3—CO2—. Said solid is called MIL-53-Al—N3 and has an X-ray diffraction diagram as given below.
US09163029B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) its salts, isomers or prodrugs thereof useful in the treatment of viral infections, in particular respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing the compounds and intermediates used in their preparation.
US09163015B2
Pyrazolopyridine, pyrazolopyrazine, pyrazolopyrimidine, pyrazolothiophene and pyrazolothiazole compounds which are useful as allosteric potentiators/positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGluR4); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of using the compounds, for example, in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders or other disease state associated with glutamate dysfunction.
US09163014B2
A crystal of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt having peaks at 2θ of 9.1°, 10.3°, 13.8°, 17.7°, 18.3°, 24.0°, 27.4°, 31.2° and 39.5° (±0.2° for each) in powder X-ray diffractometry using Cu Kα radiation, or a crystal of pyrroloquinoline quinone trisodium salt having peaks at 2θ of 6.6°, 11.4°, 13.0°, 22.6°, 26.9°, 27.9°, 37.0°, 38.9° and 43.4° (±0.2° for each) in powder X-ray diffractometry using Cu Kα radiation.
US09163001B2
The present invention provides calcium sensing receptor modulators (CaSR). In particular, the compounds described herein are useful for treating, managing, and/or lessening the severity of diseases, disorders, syndromes and/or conditions associated with the modulation of calcium sensing receptors (CaSR). The invention also provides herein the pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for treating, managing, and/or lessening the severity of diseases, disorders, syndromes and/or conditions associated with the modulation of CaSR. The invention also relates to process for the preparation of the compounds of the invention.
US09163000B2
Compounds of the formula 1 wherein, R is hydrogen, alkyl or substituted alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl, are useful intermediates in the synthesis of fragrance ingredients such as Ambrox 2
US09162990B2
Provided is a novel heterocyclic compound which can be used in a light-emitting layer of a light-emitting element as a host material in which a light-emitting material is dispersed, i.e., a heterocyclic compound represented by a general formula (G1). Any one of R1 to R10 represents a substituent represented by a general formula (G1-1); another one of R1 to R10 represents hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted biphenyl group, or a substituent represented by a general formula (G1-2); and the others separately represent hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted biphenyl group.
US09162983B2
The present invention relates to organophosphate-inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivators with central nervous system (CNS) bioavailability and their associated methods of preparation including their use for treatment of exposure to AChE inhibitors such as an organophosphate (OP) insecticides and nerve agents.
US09162977B2
Provided herein are self-assembling compounds that can form ion channels in lipid bilayers or cell membranes and ion-channel-forming compositions comprising the self-assembling compounds. Also provided are methods of making and using the ion channels formed from a plurality of molecules of the self-assembling compounds. Further, provided are methods of treating or preventing conditions and diseases that are related to the dysfunction of ion channels, including chloride channels.
US09162972B2
A method for production of hydroxycarboxylic acid amide compounds, including performing amide condensation between an α- or β-hydroxycarboxylic acid compound and an amine compound in the presence as a catalyst of an alkylboronic acid represented by R3B(OH)2 (wherein R3 is a primary alkyl group) or an arylboronic acid compound to produce a hydroxycarboxylic acid amide compound, the arylboronic acid compound being represented by Formula (1): (in Formula (1), —(CH2)nNR1R2 is bonded at an ortho position or a para position, n is 1 or 2, R1 is a tertiary alkyl group, R2 is a secondary or tertiary alkyl group, and —NR1R2 may be a ring).
US09162965B2
The present invention relates to an industrial process for producing a lactic ester containing in total at least seven carbon atoms, from a fermentation liquor containing ammonium lactate in order to avoid the inherent production of gypsum, with a high yield and according to which the loss of lactic ester in the form of lactamide is limited as much as possible.
US09162950B2
Provided is a method for efficiently producing high-purity hydrogenated biphenol based on a simple method that can be industrially utilized using easily-available biphenol as a starting material. The method for producing hydrogenated biphenol according to the present invention is a method for producing hydrogenated biphenol by hydrogenating biphenol represented by the following formula (1): to obtain hydrogenated biphenol represented by the following formula (2): the method including: a reaction step of hydrogenating the biphenol represented by formula (1); and a purification step of washing or crystallizing a reaction product obtained from the reaction step using an aromatic hydrocarbon.
US09162949B2
A method for the production of aliphatic alcohols and/or their ethers, comprising the step of reacting a substrate of the general formula (I): in which m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 and n is 1 or 2; R1 is hydrogen, a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl rest, a primary alkanol rest, an aryl rest or one of the following radicals: and R2 is hydrogen or —CH2OH; with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst system, wherein the hydrogenation catalyst system comprises: a hydrogenation catalyst comprising Re, Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd and/or Pt; and an acidic additive selected from the group of organoperfluorocarboxylic acids, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, sulfonic acid and/or organic compounds comprising sulfonic acid groups, phosphoric acid groups and/or phosphonic acid groups; with the proviso that the acidic additive is a liquid and/or at least partially dissolved in the substrate (I) during the reaction of (I) with hydrogen in the case that R2 is CH2OH.
US09162945B2
Provided is a process for preparing 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, wherein at least one chlorine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of chloropropane represented by formula (1): CX3CHClCH2Cl, wherein each X is the same or different and each represents Cl or F, chloropropene represented by formula (2): CClY2CCl═CH2, wherein each Y is the same or different and each represents Cl or F, and chloropropene represented by formula (3): CZ2═CClCH2Cl, wherein each Z is the same or different and each represents Cl or F, is used as a starting compound, and said at least one chlorine-containing compound is reacted with hydrogen fluoride while being heated in a gaseous state in the presence of 50 ppm or more of water relative to the chlorine-containing compound. The process of the present invention makes it possible to produce 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233xf) in a manner that is easily conducted, economically advantageous, and suitable for industrial scale production.
US09162939B2
The present invention provides cycloparaphenylene compounds, their macrocyclic precursors, and methods for making the compounds. The cycloparaphenylene compounds can be used to prepare armchair carbon nanotubes.
US09162938B2
A process for converting triacylglycerides-containing oils into crude oil precursors and/or distillate hydrocarbon fuels is disclosed. The process may include: reacting a triacylglycerides-containing oil-water-hydrogen mixture at a temperature in the range from about 250° C. to about 525° C. and a pressure greater than about 75 bar to convert at least a portion of the triacylglycerides and recovering a reaction effluent comprising water and one or more of isoolefins, isoparaffins, cycloolefins, cycloparaffins, and aromatics; hydrotreating the reaction effluent to form a hydrotreated effluent.
US09162935B2
A Fischer Tropsch (“FT”) unit includes at least one FT reactor tube. The FT reactor tube is configured to convert syngas into one or more hydrocarbon products. Inside the tube is a nano-sized catalyst particles dispersed in a micro-fibrous substrate. The FT reactor tube may be positioned within a cooling block that may be made of aluminum or another metal. The cooling block includes an aperture, wherein the FT reactor tube is housed within the aperture. At least one cooling channel is located on the cooling block. The cooling channel houses at least one cooling tube that is designed to dissipate the heat produced by the FT reaction.
US09162928B2
A sintered ferrite magnet comprising (a) a ferrite phase having a hexagonal M-type magnetoplumbite structure comprising Ca, an element R which is at least one of rare earth elements and indispensably includes La, an element A which is Ba and/or Sr, Fe, and Co as indispensable elements, the composition of metal elements of Ca, R, A, Fe and Co being represented by the general formula of Ca1-x-yRxAyFe2n-zCoz, wherein the atomic ratios (1-x-y), x, y and z of these elements and the molar ratio n meet the relations of 0.3≦(1-x-y) ≦0.65, 0.2≦x≦0.65, 0≦y≦0.2, 0.03≦z≦0.65, and 4≦n≦7, and (b) a grain boundary phase indispensably containing Si, the amount of Si being more than 1% by mass and 1.8% or less by mass (calculated as SiO2) based on the entire sintered ferrite magnet, and its production method.
US09162924B2
A novel mortar mix and mortar formed therewith. The mortar contains sand, lime, cement and microtubes in a mixture thereof. The microtubes assist in wicking moisture directly through a wet mortar compound formed by adding water to the mortar mix. Wicking moisture directly through the mortar decreases the reliance on a continuous, unobstructed cavity behind the masonry wall, as well as prevent cracking from water's freeze-thaw cycle. It also allows water to pass through the mortar in a similar manner as the masonry, creating two in-sync cycles, rather then two disparate cycles for water flow. In various embodiments, the microtubes could be composed of cellulose, fabricated polymer or graphite.
US09162919B2
Described herein are alkali-free, boroalumino silicate glasses exhibiting desirable physical and chemical properties for use as substrates in flat panel display devices, such as, active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs) and active matrix organic light emitting diode displays (AMOLEDs). In accordance with certain of its aspects, the glasses possess good dimensional stability as a function of temperature.
US09162917B2
An amplifying optical fiber includes an inner core, an inner cladding, a depressed trench, and an outer cladding (e.g., an outer optical cladding). Typically, the inner core includes a main matrix (e.g., silica-based) doped with at least one rare earth element. The depressed trench typically has a volume integral V13 of between about −2200×10−3 μm2 and −1600×10−3 μm2. Exemplary embodiments of the amplifying optical fiber are suitable for use in a compact configuration and high power applications.
US09162911B2
A desalination system (100) having an intake unit (110) providing seawater to a pre-treatment unit (120) connected to a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination unit (130) and a post treatment unit (150). The desalination system (100) is configured to operate without any external addition of chemicals to simplify logistics and regulation concerns. The units of the system are configured to prevent biofouling, scaling and corrosion by mechanical and biological means including high flow speeds, biological flocculation of colloids, and making the water entering the RO units inhospitable to bacteria and other organisms that cause biofouling, hence preventing their settlement and removing them with the brine. Recovery rate is lowered and energy is recovered to increase the energetic efficiency and minerals that are added to the product water are taken from the brine.
US09162910B2
A fluid treatment system includes a fluid source, at least one anaerobic reactor vessel, and at least one aerobic reactor vessel. The anaerobic reactor vessel contains retaining a set of retaining structures that are at least partially coated with an anaerobic biofilm. The aerobic reactor vessel contains an aerobic biofilm. When fluid from the fluid source is exposed to the anaerobic biofilm, the anaerobic biofilm removes one or more metal substances from the fluid. When the fluid is exposed to the aerobic biofilm, the aerobic biofilm may cause organic materials in the fluid to metabolize. The system also may include a precipitation reactor that separates divalent metals from the fluid, a settling facility that forms a slurry comprising separated metals, and a neutralization reactor that modifies the fluid to a substantially neutral pH.
US09162908B2
A separator device for removing particles from suspension in a fluid comprising: a housing, having a central axis extending between first and second opposing ends; an inlet and an outlet provided in an end of the housing; a separation chamber for separating solid particles from the fluid, including obstruction means to slow the flow of fluid within the chamber.
US09162907B2
An ion exchanger according to a non-limiting embodiment may include an open cell polymer support and a microporous polymer matrix charged within the open cell polymer support. The microporous polymer matrix includes an ion conductive polymer. The ion conductive polymer may be obtained by polymerizing monomers having at least one ion exchange functional group and at least one cross-linkable functional group with a cross-linking agent having at least two cross-linkable functional groups.
US09162896B2
In one embodiment, a method for producing a graphene-containing composition is provided, the method comprising: (i) mixing a graphene oxide with a medium to form a mixture; and (ii) heating the mixture to a temperature above about 40° C., whereby a graphene-containing composition is formed from the mixture. Composites of polymers with disperse functionalized graphene sheets and the applications thereof are also described.
US09162895B2
A method for manufacturing a graphene powder capable of minimizing aggregation of graphene particles and a graphene powder manufactured using the same are disclosed. The method includes preparing a graphene solution in which graphene particles are dispersed in a solvent, aggregating the graphene particles, separating the aggregated graphene particles from the solvent, and drying the graphene particles.
US09162892B2
A carbon nanotube array suitable for use in labeling is provided. The carbon nanotube array includes at least two different isotope-doped carbon nanotube sub-arrays. Each isotope-doped carbon nanotube sub-array includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes in different isotope-doped carbon nanotube sub-arrays are composed of different kinds of carbon isotopes.
US09162886B2
The invention relates to a process for the production of synthesis gas by the use of autothermal reforming in which tail gas from downstream Fischer-Tropsh synthesis is hydrogenated and then added to the autothermal reforming stage.
US09162875B2
An inertial sensor is described in which a resonant element is driven by control electronics into resonance. The control electronics includes an oscillator. A circuit is provided for matching the frequency of the oscillator with the frequency of the output of the resonant element such that the time to operation from start up of the sensor is minimized and the requirement of frequency matching a given sensor to the control electronics is removed.
US09162873B2
A packaging concept for MEMS components having at least one diaphragm structure formed in the front side of the component is provided, according to which the MEMS component is mounted on a support which at least laterally delimits a cavity adjoining the diaphragm structure. In addition, at least one electrical feedthrough is formed in the support which allows electrical contacting of the MEMS component through the support. To achieve the largest possible rear volume for the diaphragm structure of the MEMS component for a given chip surface area, and also to simplify the processing of the support, according to the invention the electrical feedthroughs are integrated into the wall of the cavity adjoining the diaphragm structure, in that at least one section of such a feedthrough is implemented in the form of an electrically conductive coating of a side wall section of the cavity.
US09162867B2
A process of forming a through-silicon via (TSV) in a die includes forming a movable member in the TSV that can be actuated or that can be a sensor. Action of the movable member in the TSV can result in a logic word being sent from the TSV die to a subsequent die. The TSV die may be embedded in a substrate. The TSV die may also be coupled to a subsequent die.
US09162855B1
A wheel lift system for efficiently lifting and positioning a wheel and tire onto a wheel hub includes a support structure configured having three legs, and a wheel mounted at the end of each leg. A base block is mounted on the support structure, and a gas actuator is mounted on the base block. A wheel carriage is mounted on the air actuator, the air actuator being configured for facilitating vertical lift of the wheel carriage.
US09162847B2
Wire used for beading is coiled on a rotably mounted reel in a dispenser having a reel brake bearing against the reel with the wire passing through a channel as extended to the exterior of the dispenser with the wire frictionally engaging both the walls of the channel and a resilient element pressing against the wire to modulate the force required to withdraw the wire from the dispenser to a value which is high enough to prevent spontaneous unwinding of the wire from around the reel but still allowing easy removal from the dispenser when desired.
US09162842B2
Provided is a medium receiving cassette that includes a medium receiving portion in which a medium is received, a medium support tray which is pivotally provided on the medium receiving portion and of which a state can be switched, in a pivoting manner, between a received state in which the medium support tray is positioned above the medium receiving portion and a medium support surface for supporting the medium is directed downward and an expanded state in which the medium support surface is directed upward and at least a part of the medium support surface is expanded outside the medium receiving portion, and a drawer portion which is drawn out from the medium receiving portion to extend a length of the medium receiving portion in a medium discharging direction.
US09162841B2
An approach is provided to cause an operation comprising one or more of a substrate tamping process, a substrate offset process, and a mechanism actuation process. The approach involves determining an instruction to cause the operation. The approach also involves causing a movement of one or more of a slide element and a shaft based on the instruction. The slide element and the shaft are configured to move in a first direction and a second direction along a length of the shaft. The movement in the first direction and the second direction of one or more of the slide element and the shaft corresponds to the operation.
US09162837B2
The first remaining amount holding unit stores the remaining amount of sheet detected by the remaining amount detection unit before a sheet adding operation to the sheet stacking surface. The second remaining amount holding unit stores the remaining amount of sheet detected by the remaining amount detection unit after the sheet adding operation to the sheet stacking surface. The determination unit determines a sheet adding position based on the respective remaining amount of sheet stored in the first remaining amount holding unit and the second remaining amount holding unit. The feeding speed control unit changes a sheet feeding speed of the pickup roller based on the sheet adding position determined by the determination unit and the sheet remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection unit.
US09162836B2
A driving force transmission device includes a first rotating portion having a first facing portion, and a second rotating portion having a second facing portion. The second rotating portion has an operation range partially overlapping with that of the first facing portion. A cushioning member is provided between the first facing portion and the second facing portion. The cushioning member is deformed by being applied with a pressure. The first rotating portion and the second rotating portion transmit a driving force in a state where the cushioning member is deformed by application of the pressure.
US09162833B2
A medium feeding apparatus includes an apparatus main body, and a medium cassette removably inserted into the apparatus main body. The medium cassette is configured to store a medium. The medium cassette includes a medium positioning unit for determining a position of the medium, and a locking unit that locks a movement of the medium positioning unit when the medium cassette is inserted into the apparatus main body and before the medium cassette reaches a predetermined position in the apparatus main body.
US09162825B2
A machine with a series of three operating stations, of which the first station arranges the full trays in a predetermined pattern while the second station closes the full trays with a film and in which the third station discharges the full trays. The stations are equidistant from each other. A transfer structure has combs that have a length such as to occupy simultaneously two consecutive such stations and that are provided with the teeth that can grasp the trays, lift the groups of trays and then move longitudinally to transfer the groups of trays from one station to the next, then lower the tray to deposit the groups of trays in the new stations.
US09162818B2
Modular conveyor mat (1), comprising a number of rows (2) of modules (3), successive in the conveying direction (P) of the conveyor mat, which modules are provided with a body part (4) from plastic extending transversely to the conveying direction, which is provided with an upper surface (5), and which is provided, viewed in conveying direction, at the front (8) and rear (9) with a series of coupling elements (11) spaced apart with mutual interspaces (10). Coupling elements and interspaces of modules successive in conveying direction interdigitate, and are hingedly coupled with the aid of pins (12). The conveyor mat is provided with reinforcing strips (14) included in the body parts of the modules, spaced apart at a mutual intermediate distance transversely to the conveying direction, which extend in conveying direction between successive hinge pins, and which are provided adjacent their ends (15) with recesses (16) in which the hinge pins successive in conveying direction are received. The reinforcing strips extend at least locally through the upper surface of the modules and form a grid (20) of discharge contacts (18). The reinforcing strips and the hinge pins are manufactured from electrically conductive material, and form an electrically frame for carrying off electrostatic charge.
US09162812B1
An aerosol composition for facilitating drying of oil paintings comprises a solvent system, an acrylic binder, one or more drying agents, one or more anti-skinning agents; a UV absorber, a hindered amine light stabilizer, and a propellant. The aerosol composition is sprayed from an aerosol container onto an oil painting to aid in drying the top surface of the paint.
US09162806B2
The system and method discloses a cleanable connector system for a Bag-In-Box (“BIB”) type package having a valve arrangement that prevents the mixing of product within the bag and in the line. Various embodiments provide a connector system including a valve arrangement having a line-side valve and a bag-side valve, wherein the valve arrangement allows connection to a bag and to a line-side connector while preventing the product within the bag and in the line from mixing. The system improves the user experience by only requiring a relatively weak connection force between the line-side valve and the bag-side valve. The system and method improves the shelf life of products within the bag and reduces the risk of contamination of the bag, the line, and the product within the bag by minimizing the risk of introducing biological and other foreign material into the system when connecting the bag and the line.
US09162804B2
The present invention provides a dispensing cap for attaching to a container, which includes a dispensing chamber having an interior compartment for holding an ingredient to be dispensed into the container. The top end of the dispensing chamber has a flexible diaphragm and an actuator button and the lower end of the dispensing chamber is connected to a frangible membrane. The dispensing chamber includes a threaded bottle cap for attaching the container to the dispensing cap. A piercing shaft includes four rectangular shaped vanes which engage and pierce the center of an s-shaped frangible section of the frangible membrane at the bottom of the dispensing chamber. This causes the s-shaped frangible section of the frangible membrane to rupture and thereby form an opening in the bottom of the interior compartment of the dispensing chamber so that the ingredient housed within the compartment freely passes through the dispensing opening and into the container.
US09162800B2
A device includes a pressure container, a pressure reducer, and a valve. The pressure container contains a liquid container deformable under pressure. The pressure reducer provides a liquid which bears with a first (e.g., lower) pressure against a first connector of the pressure reducer and with a second (e.g., higher) pressure at a second connector of the pressure reducer. The first connector is connectable to the liquid container, and the second connector is accessible from outside the pressure container. Due to the pressure reducer, liquid from the liquid container can be provided with a second pressure at the second connector. The valve adds a gas to at least part of the interior space of the pressure container remaining after receipt of the liquid container, the gas having an overpressure, such that a liquid in the liquid container bears with the first pressure against the first connector.
US09162799B2
In the present application, a storage container is configured to provide a sealed portion for the storage of identification material. The storage container includes a container for holding various elements and a sleeve coupled to the container. The sleeve has an opening to accept the identification material. The sleeve is configured to be selectively sealed such that the interior of the sleeve is isolated from the interior of the container and the exterior of the container.
US09162791B2
A safety brake device for a theatre hoist to prevent the uncontrolled release of a load that is suspended above or below people includes an overrunning clutch and a torque disc. The torque disc only rotates with the overrunning clutch when the load is lowered, but must overcome friction forces applied to the surface of the torque disc to do so. The friction forces are constantly applied to the torque disc by maintaining friction material in contact with the torque disc. The friction material is a non-asbestos, non-metallic composite saturated with a lubricant.
US09162786B2
A flexible, stackable container for storing a quantity of a product may include a sealed package formed from a single sheet of film and retaining the quantity of the product disposed therein, and a lid fitment attached to a first side of the package. The first side of the package may have an outer first surface of the film and outwardly extending first corner seals formed in the film at the edges of the first side and surrounding the first side of the package. The package may also have a second side disposed opposite the first side and outwardly extending second corner seals formed in the film at the edges of the second side and surrounding the second side of the package.
US09162785B2
A method, an installation and a nozzle (1) for suppressing the generation of iron-containing vapor during filling or emptying of a container (2) for an iron-containing metal melt with the aid of CO2 snow, a CO2 snow jet (22) being applied by means of the nozzle (1) dispersing in a substantially planar manner onto a surface of an iron-containing stream (23) which is poured into or out of the container (2). The invention consequently at least partially solves the technical problems outlined in connection with the prior art. In particular, a device is proposed which allows cost-effective and space-saving suppression of the generation of iron-containing vapor during the filling or emptying of a container 2 with the aid of a reduced CO2 snow quantity.
US09162780B2
A method of preparing a sealing surface of a container for application of a seal. A lip of the container may be heated, rinsed, and dried to establish the sealing surface. Then the seal may be applied to the sealing surface.
US09162774B2
A method and apparatus for reducing an intensity of an electrical discharge that occurs within a fluid transport system in an aerospace vehicle. The aerospace vehicle is operated. The fluid transport system in the aerospace vehicle is comprised of materials selected such that the fluid transport system has an electrical configuration. The intensity of the electrical discharge that occurs within the fluid transport system during operation of the aerospace vehicle is reduced to within selected tolerances by the electrical configuration of the fluid transport system.
US09162769B2
An occupancy sensor has three layers. The bottom layer contains two electrodes, and a resistive element between the electrodes. The middle layer is a spacer. The top layer is a third electrode, divided into two parts. When a person sits on the sensor, both parts of the third layer contact the resistive element. This causes current to flow through all of the electrodes. Accordingly, occupancy can be detected by measuring current flow through the electrodes. The device additionally provides heating via the resistive element. The sensor can be arranged in a vehicle seat.
US09162768B2
Seating arrangements for seats configurable between an upright and lie-flat position are presented. A three-seat grouping can include a lower aft-facing seating assembly, an upper seating assembly, and a lower fore-facing seating assembly in which the lower seating assemblies underlap the upper seating assembly when in a lie-flat position. Lower seats can be aligned or angled with respect to an upper seat in a manner that conserves space. A six-seat grouping can include 3-seat groupings in which lower seats are aligned with upper seats, or are angled with respect to them. Support structures can be shared by adjacent seats. A six-seat grouping can be embodied as a hybrid arrangement in which footspace is narrower for a lower opposing seat than for a lower seat facing the same direction as an upper seat. In an example embodiment, footspace can be divided between an upper seat and a lower opposing seat.
US09162767B2
An aircraft passenger seat device comprises an aircraft passenger seat with at least one armrest element which is provided for delimiting a seating area of the aircraft passenger seat, and a seat blocking device which is provided for blocking a seating area of the aircraft passenger seat in a mounted state. The seat blocking device is designed to be connected to the at least one armrest element by a toolless form fit.
US09162764B2
This invention relates to a craft designed to move through or on a surface of a fluid. It is believed to be principally of use in relation to airborne craft and missiles but the theory behind the invention is equally applicable for example to submarines.
US09162761B2
A partially-inflated rigid-structure glider is a portable or collapsible gliding apparatus that a user can transport in a carrying case. The gliding apparatus includes a rigid yet collapsible frame, tension membranes over both on the wings and tail, and inflatable bladder, a pair of drogue brakes, and a left and right steering mechanism. The pair of drogue brakes is located on opposing sides of the gliding apparatus and create drag on its respective side in order to turn the gliding apparatus either left or right. The user can activate either drogue brake with the left and right steering mechanism, which are control lines attached to each drogue brake. The tension membranes are fitted over the frame so that the gliding apparatus has an airfoil shape in order to create lift with the wings and tail while the gliding apparatus is in flight.
US09162756B2
A landing gear (10), including: a bogie beam (12); an axle (14) pivotally connected to the bogie beam (12); a locking member (40) coupled to the axle (14) such that movement of the axle (14) invokes movement of the locking member (40), said movement of the locking member (40) defining a swept volume; and a locking mechanism (60) coupled to the bogie beam (12) and including first (65a) and second glide members, (65a, 65b) the locking mechanism (60) being arranged to move the glide members (65a, 65b) between locking positions, where glide members (65a, 65b) are within the swept volume on opposing sides of the locking member (40) and in which position the locking mechanism (60) is arranged to lock the locking member (40) in a predetermined position, and non-locking positions, where the locking mechanism (60) is arranged permit movement of the locking member (40).
US09162752B2
A system and method to control hovering flight of a rotary aircraft. The system including a lateral speed hold loop, a longitudinal loop, a vertical control loop, and a directional loop. The method includes defining a first flight envelope having a first groundspeed threshold; defining a second flight envelope having a second groundspeed threshold, the second flight envelope being defined within the first envelope; engaging a hover hold with a control law hover hold architecture as the aircraft enters the first flight envelope; and engaging a position hold with a control law position hold architecture as the aircraft enters the second flight envelope.
US09162747B2
The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a sound attenuation panel having a first cellular core structure and a second cellular core structure joined in a junction area (J). The method includes: a) a joining edge of the first cellular core structure is joined to a corresponding joining edge of the second cellular core structure, thereby forming the junction area; b) the first cellular core structure and the second cellular core structure are placed between an inner skin and an outer skin of the panel.In particular, the method further has a step prior to step a), in which one junction reinforcement is inserted between the joining edge of the first cellular core structure and the corresponding joining edge of the second cellular core structure in the junction area.
US09162743B2
Watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts are disclosed. In one aspect, an anchor point is obtained and a watercraft position maintenance routine is actuated to control the watercraft to maintain association with the anchor point. In another aspect, prior aquatic effort data is obtained in association with an anchor point. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data is generated in association with an anchor point. In still another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized for prediction generation. In yet another aspect, current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are utilized to obtain another anchor point for a watercraft.
US09162733B2
A marine aft bulkhead and window system in a fully framed assembly includes a port side glass assembly that is fully retractable below a lowest edge of a window opening, a starboard side glass assembly that is fully retractable below the lowest edge of the window opening, a door glass assembly that is fully retractable below the lowest edge of a door opening, and a door assembly that is fully retractable to port or starboard horizontally.
US09162725B2
A frame unit for a bicycle may include a left frame body in which a part of a head tube, a part of a seat tube, a part of a frame, and a left stay are integrally formed, and a right frame body in which a part of the head tube, a part of the seat tube, a part of the frame, and a right stay are integrally formed, wherein the left frame body and the right frame body may be coupled so as to integrally form the head tube, the seat tube, and the frame, and a seat pipe formed to have a cylinder shape by step-by-step press processing may be inserted into the seat tube and then coupled to the seat tube.
US09162724B2
A scooter having a handlebar assembly that includes a vertical portion supporting a handlebar. The vertical portion includes an opening at its top end and the opening is configured to receive an elongate portion of a toy. The assembly also includes a ring portion at the opening of the vertical portion and the ring portion frictionally engages the elongate portion of the toy. The vertical portion and the ring portion are configured to securely support the elongate portion of the toy.
US09162718B2
In some aspects, an endless track for traction of an off-road vehicle (e.g., an agricultural vehicle, an industrial vehicle, a construction vehicle, or a military vehicle) includes an elastomeric belt-shaped body having an inner surface for facing wheels of the vehicle and a ground-engaging outer surface. The endless track also includes elastomeric lugs, such as drive/guide lugs projecting from the inner surface and/or traction lugs projecting from the ground-engaging outer surface. The elastomeric lug may have a material defining an arrangement of zones of different materials (e.g., different elastomeric materials) to exhibit a desired variation of a material property (e.g., a modulus of elasticity) across the arrangement of zones of different materials. A zone of the elastomeric lug may have a dedicated function, such as a wear indicator zone. An elastomeric drive lug can include an uneven drive surface for engaging a drive member of a drive wheel.
US09162712B2
A vehicle upper-body structure having a pillar reinforcement member which connects an upper portion of a pillar member and a roof reinforcement member to be reinforced, includes at least one latch portion (hook-shaped member) which is latched to the roof reinforcement member when the pillar reinforcement member is deformed by an external load, and the latch portion is provided to pass through the roof reinforcement member as a portion of the pillar reinforcement member. According to the vehicle upper-body structure, when the pillar reinforcement member is deformed by the external load, since the latch portion is latched to the roof reinforcement member, load transmission efficiency from the pillar reinforcement member to the roof reinforcement member can be improved. Moreover, compared to a case where joining is performed at one point, the number of components is not increased.
US09162710B1
In a vehicle rear structure, flange portions disposed on an end portion of a front skeleton that extend in the vehicle width direction along a front edge of an upper back panel are joined to a joined flange portion between a wheel well outer member and a wheel well inner member of a rear wheel well. The joined flange portion is a region whose rigidity is high in a vehicle body side portion. Moreover, the flange portions of the front skeleton are joined to flange portions of the wheel well outer member and the wheel well inner member in a three-layer overlay. Because of this, the rigidity of the joint between the front skeleton and the vehicle body side portion is better than heretofore.
US09162707B2
A motor vehicle column includes an inner shell and an outer shell made from a metal, which are connected to each other in respective flange regions and which enclose a hollow space between them. In the hollow space a reinforcement element having a basic body made from a fiber composite plastic is arranged to strengthen the body component. The reinforcement element includes a metallic insert, which connects the reinforcement element to the inner and/or outer shell.
US09162700B2
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a friction plate assembly is provided. The assembly includes a locking member having a toothed portion, a bolt extending through the locking member, and a friction plate configured for frictional engagement with the locking member. The friction plate receives the bolt therethrough and includes at least one biasing member configured to bias the bolt and the locking member in a first direction. When a predetermined force acts on the at least one biasing member, the friction plate is configured to force the locking member toothed portion into engagement with an object to facilitate preventing movement of the bolt in a second direction.
US09162696B2
An electric assist cart includes: a body frame where a burden can be loaded; a drive wheel provided in the body frame; a control handle by which an operator can input a driving force to the body frame; a torque sensor that detects a driving torque applied to the body frame by pushing and handling the control handle; an electric motor that applies an assisting force to the drive wheel depending on the driving torque detected by the torque sensor; and a controller that computes the assisting force applied to the drive wheel and supplies an electric current to the electric motor depending on the assisting force, wherein the controller has a plurality of modes having different characteristics for a change of a magnitude of the electric current depending on the driving torque, and the electric current can be supplied to the electric motor by switching the mode.
US09162693B2
A mounting structure for a hand truck is described. Embodiments of the present invention include a mounting structure adapted to be secured to a hand truck. Generally, the mounting structure can be implemented to secure a strapping device to the hand truck. The mounting structure can generally include a body, a first member, a second member, and a spring. Typically, the first member can be slidably coupled to the body and the second member can be fixedly coupled to the body. The first member and the second member can include concave faces to interface with a frame of the hand truck. The mounting structure can couple to the hand truck in a variety of locations to ensure that the strapping device is optimally positioned to secure a particular load.
US09162687B2
The present invention relates to a membrane for secondary air suspension of a land or rail vehicle, in particular of heavy truck or passenger wagon type, this secondary suspension incorporating it, such a vehicle which is provided therewith, and the method for manufacturing this membrane.This substantially toroidal membrane (103) comprises two attachment areas (110) and at least one corded layer (106) of fabric and/or metallic threads which is situated between two radially internal (104) and external (105) elastomer layers and which extends between these attachment areas.According to the invention, said at least one corded layer has its or each of its thread(s) individually sheathed by an elastomer sheath compatible with the internal and external layers.
US09162683B2
A method of starting an engine when a starter motor of a hybrid electric vehicle has a failure includes identifying a request for starting the engine in a state where the starter motor has the failure. When the request for starting the engine is made in the state where the starter motor has the failure, a torque or a load of an engine clutch and a pressure of the engine clutch are determined. A torque of a driving motor is set to a smaller torque between a driving motor demanded torque and a torque obtained by subtracting the torque of the engine clutch from a maximum torque of the driving motor. The engine starts with the set torque of the driving motor while controlling the engine clutch.
US09162678B2
A method for controlling a motor vehicle including driven wheels, a mechanism recovering energy generated by braking, and a torque transmission chain transmitting torque from the driven wheels to the energy recovery mechanism, the method including: a) acquiring a braking instruction and dynamic characteristics of the motor vehicle, b) controlling the energy recovery according to a control set point calculated as a function of the braking instructions and the dynamic characteristics acquired in a), and c) controlling the brakes according to a control set point calculated as a function of the braking instruction and the dynamic characteristics acquired in a). In b), the control set point for energy recovery is calculated by a preventive filter that filters the braking instruction to attenuate amplitude thereof around the resonant frequency of the torque transmission chain.
US09162670B2
A vehicle includes an engine and a motor generator generating driving power for running, and an ECU for controlling the engine and the motor generator. If user requested power and a vehicle speed are substantially constant when inertial running control is selected by a user, the ECU causes continuous driving power operation to be performed on the engine in which the engine is driven to continuously generate constant driving power, and causes driving power variation operation to be performed on the motor generator in which the motor generator is alternately switched between a low output state and a high output state in terms of driving power, thereby running the vehicle. As a result, energy efficiency during vehicle running can be improved.
US09162663B2
The present invention provides a method of controlling input torque of a powered vehicle. The vehicle includes a transmission having an input shaft, an output shaft, and a countershaft. The method includes providing input torque to the input shaft, determining a rotational acceleration of the countershaft, and measuring vehicle speed. The method also includes determining a threshold based on the measured vehicle speed. The measured countershaft acceleration is compared to the threshold and the input torque is controlled based on the result of the comparison.
US09162660B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic hydraulic brake device, including: a pedal cylinder configured to generate an oil pressure by a pressure of a pedal; a master cylinder configured to generate the oil pressure by sensing the pedal; wheel cylinders configured to be each mounted at a plurality of wheels and provide a braking force to the wheels; a storage configured to store a fluid; a mixing circuit configured to connect the pedal cylinder to some of the wheel cylinders, and communicate with the storage and the master cylinder; a master circuit configured to connect the master cylinder to the wheel cylinder and communicate with the storage; and a hydraulic compartment configured to connect the mixing circuit to the master circuit and limit a movement of the fluid.
US09162658B2
There is provided a brake control device for a brake device including a basic fluid pressure generating unit which generates a basic fluid pressure according to an operation to a brake operating member, a hydraulic pump which generates a fluid pressure to generate a differential pressure, a pressure regulating valve which regulates the differential pressure, and a friction brake mechanism which applies a fluid pressure obtained by adding the differential pressure to the basic fluid pressure, to a wheel cylinder. The control device includes a regulating unit which regulates the differential pressure according to an operating amount correlated value and which decreases the differential pressure according to an increase of the basic fluid pressure due to an increase of the operating amount correlated value when the vehicle is stopped and the differential pressure is regulated to a value larger than 0 by an operation to the brake operating member.
US09162657B2
An automotive braking system includes a windshield wiper system, a traction wheel, and a non-friction brake system configured to apply a braking force to the traction wheel. The system also includes one or more controllers operatively connected with the windshield wiper system, and configured to, in response to a braking request, command the non-friction brake system to apply the braking force to the traction wheel. The braking force has a magnitude that depends on whether the windshield wiper system is active.
US09162656B2
A roll control system (16) for an automotive vehicle (10) is used to actively detect if one of the plurality of the driven wheels (12) is lifted. The system generates a pressure request to determine if the wheel has lifted. By comparing the change in wheel speed of a driven wheel to a change in wheel speed threshold the wheel lift status can be determined. The wheel speed change threshold may be dependent upon various vehicle operating conditions such as powertrain torque, braking torque and/or longitudinal force on the vehicle.
US09162654B2
The invention concerns a motor vehicle (1), preferably a truck or a lorry, comprising a battery exchange station (2), the battery exchange station (2) comprising at least one battery (3), an actuator element (4) and a connecting element (5) arranged between the battery (3) and the actuator element (4), the actuator element (4) being movable from a first to a second position, such that in the first position the at least one battery (3) is arranged completely under the motor vehicle (1), while in the second position the at least one battery (3) is arranged completely outside, preferably behind, the motor vehicle (1).
US09162653B2
A toolbox device for actuating locking and/or unlocking of a power battery of a drive motor of a motor vehicle, the device including a supporting structure supporting a plurality of separate modules, each including at least one system for gripping a mechanism for locking/unlocking the battery and at least one actuator, a number of actuators being relative to a number of movements to be performed to implement the locking/unlocking the battery.
US09162650B2
A wiper blade assembly for a windshield wiper. In one embodiment, the wiper blade assembly includes a connector mounted on a blade support element. The connector has a receiving portion shaped to receive a first part of the end portion of a wiper arm and further has a securing portion shaped to secure a second part of the end portion of the wiper arm.
US09162631B2
Devices, methods, and systems for storing a plurality of coiled tubes as well as features for storing or securing brazing rods and other similar items. One example such system/device is modular and includes a rack support and bin-like units for retaining and providing easy identification and access to coiled tubing, such as coiled copper tubing of differing diameters. In this example, the bin-like units are attached ladder-like so as to form adjacent, angled receptacles for different diameter tubing coils, such that each coil type is quickly visable and easily retrieved.
US09162624B2
A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element attached at a mirror back plate, which includes a mirror actuator attaching portion established at the back plate by a plastic injection molding operation. A heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate. An indicator associated with a blind spot detection system has a light source that is activatable to emit light. When the mirror assembly is mounted at a side of a vehicle and with the light source activated, light emitted by the light source passes through a light diffuser and through an aperture of the mirror back plate and through a light transmitting portion of the heater pad and through a light-transmitting window of the mirror reflector and exits the mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle.
US09162623B1
A wide view mirror expands the field of view for drivers of commercial trucks and other large vehicles. The wide view mirror comprises a single piece of material formed into a planar surface immediately adjacent to an inner contoured surface and an outer contoured surface. The inner contoured surface is formed with a first arc having a first constant radius of curvature and a first width. The outer contoured surface is formed with a second arc having a second constant radius of curvature and a second width. The second radius is greater than the first radius; and the second width is greater than the first width creating an expanded field of view.
US09162620B2
The present invention relates to a method of determining a position of an obstacle, an apparatus of determining a position of an obstacle, a parking assist method, and a parking assist system, and more particularly, to a technology of determining a position of an obstacle by comparing propagation distances a direct signal and an indirect signal.
US09162617B2
A pivot bin assembly configured to receive luggage and be positioned in the interior of an aircraft. The pivot bin assembly includes an upper housing that includes a strongback and first and second side panels, a bucket that cooperates with the upper housing to define a bin interior, a first pivot mechanism operatively associated with the first side panel and the bucket, and a second pivot mechanism operatively associated with the second side panel and the bucket. The first and second pivot mechanisms are axially aligned along and are rotatable about a pivot axis such that the bucket pivots about the pivot axis with respect to the upper housing between an open position and a closed position.
US09162615B2
A direction indicator circuit for controlling a direction indicator may include: a first terminal for connecting to a supply voltage terminal; a second terminal for connecting to a direction indicator switch and a lighting means; a third terminal for connecting to a capacitor; wherein the direction indicator circuit is designed to provide the lighting means with a current during an on state and with no current during an off state, wherein the duration of the on state and the duration of the off state are determined by a voltage at the capacitor; wherein the direction indicator circuit has a first and a second circuit, wherein the capacitor provides the supply voltage for the first and second circuits during the on state; wherein the current which flows through the first circuit has a negative temperature coefficient, and the current which flows through the second circuit has a positive temperature coefficient.
US09162612B2
A brake testing device include a remote operated control module which is installed on a towing vehicle to remotely actuate the brake and turn signal lights for testing purposes. When installed on a truck with air brakes and a connection to air brakes on a connected trailer, auxiliary valves are installed on the truck brake pneumatic control line and the trailer brake pneumatic control line which are controlled remotely through the control module to test activation of the air brakes on the truck and trailer respectively.
US09162609B2
A vehicle headlight can form a variable light distribution pattern with a simple structure including a favorable fail-safe. The headlight can include a movable mirror facing a light source unit, a static mirror between the movable mirror and the light source unit and a controller to emit light from the light source unit and to scan the light toward the static mirror using the movable mirror having a default position, where receives the light at a position substantially perpendicular thereto. The controller can enable the headlight to provide various light distribution patterns by varying a scanning method and the movable mirror is configured to return the light toward the light source unit even if it fails to operate properly. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide a vehicle headlight that can form various light distribution patterns in accordance with surroundings and can have the simple structure including the favorable fail-safe.
US09162607B2
A vehicular lamp has a light-emitting portion connected in series to an input terminal to which a power supply voltage based on an on-board battery is configured to be applied, and having a plurality of light-emitting elements connected in series, a series connection circuit having a first current limiting resistor and a second current limiting resistor, which is inserted in series between the input terminal and the light-emitting portion, a resistor switching switch connected in parallel to one of the first current limiting resistor and the second current limiting resistor, bypass switches, each of which is connected in parallel to a required one of the light-emitting elements in the light-emitting portion, and a control circuit that turns off the resistor switching switch when at least one of the bypass switches is turned on.
US09162605B2
The ratchet strap binder includes a main frame and a spool mounted for rotation inside the main frame. In one possible implementation, the spool has an outer surface and includes a first strap-receiving passageway extending inside the spool between opposite first and second openings located on the outer surface of the spool, and a second strap-receiving passageway extending inside the spool from a third opening located on the outer surface of the spool to at least the first passageway. Also disclosed is a method of adjusting a strap in length and a ratchet strap binder including an elongated strap passing inside the at least one strap-receiving passageway, the strap forming a loop to adjust the strap in length. The loop can be pulled using a finger-actuated pull tab attached to the loop or be pulled directly by the user's fingers.
US09162600B2
According to the present disclosure, a child restraint includes a juvenile seat and a child-restraint harness coupled to the juvenile seat. The juvenile seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom. The juvenile seat further includes a cupholder coupled to the seat bottom.
US09162592B2
A fitting for a vehicle seat includes a first fitting part, a second fitting part which is rotatable relative to said first fitting part, a peripheral clamping ring which has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and which is connected to the first fitting part and extends over the second fitting part, and an intermediate ring which has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and which is arranged between the peripheral clamping ring and the second fitting part. A ledge is formed on the second fitting part, which ledge has an end surface and a cylindrical supporting surface. The supporting surface has a diameter which is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the second fitting part, and the cylindrical supporting surface directly or indirectly supports the peripheral clamping ring.
US09162586B2
Electric vehicles and, more particularly, a control system for an all-wheel drive electric vehicle. An electric vehicle drive system comprises: first and second electric motors; a torque split unit configured to receive first input that includes at least a total torque request for the first and second electric motors, and respective first and second maximum torques for the first and second electric motors, the torque split unit configured to process the first input without taking into account wheel slip, and to generate at least respective first and second torque requests for the first and second electric motors; and a traction and stability control unit configured to receive second input that includes at least the first and second torque requests, the total torque request, a computed vehicle speed, and respective first and second slip errors relating to the first and second electric motors, the traction and stability control unit configured to process the second input and to generate respective first and second torque commands for the first and second electric motors.
US09162584B2
A charging control apparatus (310) controls wireless charging between one charging apparatus (10) and a vehicle (20) which communicates with the one charging apparatus via a communication relay apparatus (30). The charging control apparatus is provided with: an outputting device (320, 330) for transmitting a first signal which is a signal for designating a signal outputted from the one charging apparatuses, to of the one charging apparatuses; a detecting device (320, 330) for detecting a third signal which is transmitted by wireless communication from the vehicle and which is a signal corresponding to a second signal which is a signal outputted from the one charging apparatus due to the transmitted first signal; and a distinguishing device (310) for correlating the one charging apparatus with the vehicle on the basis of the transmitted first signal and the detected third signal.
US09162583B2
A power control device that controls electric power supplied from an external power supply to a vehicle includes: a switching unit that switches a supply voltage value of the external power supply; and a control unit that generates a signal, indicating an allowable current value of the external power supply, to transmit the signal to the vehicle, and that controls the switching unit to thereby control the supply voltage value, wherein the control unit changes the signal and the supply voltage value on the basis of a given electric power command value.
US09162571B2
A dual drive arrangement has three way power split device such as an epicyclic gearing system converting input rotation from a gearbox or from an electric motor into an output rotation driving a hydraulic pump. A method for controlling the dual drive arrangement driving a hydraulic pump includes setting a minimal flow value to the hydraulic pump, sensing the vehicle speed, processing the sensed vehicle speed where the processing includes comparing the sensed vehicle speed with a reference speed value to thereby determine whether the vehicle operates in a first operational mode I where the speed vehicle is too low to drive the hydraulic pump up to the minimal flow or in a second operational mode II where speed vehicle where the speed vehicle is sufficient to meet at least the minimal flow value, and controlling the operation of the epicyclic gear so that the electric source drives the hydraulic pump when the vehicle runs under the first operational mode I and at least the gearbox drives the hydraulic pump when the vehicle runs under the second operational mode II.
US09162570B2
A multi-speed power transmission device includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts and a planetary gearset. An axially moveable sleeve fixes the first output shaft and the input shaft for rotation when in a first position and the sleeve fixes the sun gear and the input shaft for rotation when in a second position. A hub is axially moveable and free to rotate relative to the first output shaft when in the first position. The hub is fixed for rotation with the first output shaft when in the second position. A cam plate is continuously fixed for rotation with the carrier and urges the hub toward its second position when in a second axial position. The input shaft drives the first output shaft at a reduced speed via the planetary gearset when the sleeve, hub and cam plate are at their second positions.
US09162563B2
The present invention relates to the exhaust gas guiding of a road milling machine. The road milling machine comprises an internal combustion engine, an engine air inlet, via which the engine air flows from the outside to the internal combustion engine, an engine air outlet, via which the engine air is conducted out of the road milling machine, a device for generating a flow movement of the engine air from the engine air inlet to the engine air outlet, and an exhaust system which is implemented for discharging the exhaust gases occurring during operation of the internal combustion engine from the internal combustion engine out of the road milling machine, having an exhaust gas outlet. The engine air is used to cool the exhaust gas.
US09162562B2
An actuator for opening and closing grille shutters includes a drive unit, a wheel driven by the drive unit, and a pair of shafts attached to the wheel and configured for driving the grille shutters to open or close. At least one of the shafts is pivotally coupled to the wheel so that an angle formed between the shafts and the wheel is adjustable.
US09162558B2
A utility vehicle is disclosed having an electric drive. The drivetrain is comprised of batteries, a motor, a transaxle driven by the motor, a rear differential driven by the transaxle, and a prop shaft which is driven by the transaxle and drives a front differential. The batteries are provided in two groups and are supported on the frame of the vehicle.
US09162548B1
A vehicle and a suspension assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. A shock absorber includes a distal end and a proximal end spaced from each other along a central axis. A first spring and a second spring each encircle the shock absorber. The first and second springs align with each other along the central axis between the distal and proximal ends. An actuator includes a movable portion which is movable relative to the shock absorber between a first position wherein the first spring and the second spring are both compressible to define a first total spring rate, and a second position wherein the first spring is incompressible and the second spring is compressible to define a second total spring rate different from the first total spring rate.
US09162530B2
This invention relates to a tire having a rubber tread containing functionalized carbon nanotubes and particulate reinforcement comprised of precipitated silica.
US09162522B1
A keyable brace system for stretched canvases provides for keying-out the stretcher bars of a stretcher frame when needed, using interchangeable brace components that can be used face-up or face-down. The braces are of low profile, suitable even for stretcher frames of nominal ¾ inch depth, about ½ inch at inner side of the stretcher bar. Instead of relying on a tongue at the end of each brace to extend into a groove in the side of the frame's stretcher bar, the brace end and the side of the stretcher bar are both grooved and a tapered key is relied on to engage with both the brace and bar grooves to hold the brace in place.
US09162521B2
A carrier for painting panels includes a box-like container including first and second opposing side walls, front and rear walls, and a floor closing the lower end of the container. A stepped track extends along each of the side walls, each stepped track including at least first and second channels for engaging first edges of first and second panels, respectively. The first and second channels are spaced from the corresponding side wall by first and second distances, respectively. The second distance exceeds the first distance by at least 0.25 inch, and preferably by 0.50 inch or by 1.0 inch. Preferably, each stepped track includes a third channel for engaging an edge of a third panel; the third channel is spaced from the corresponding side wall by a third distance which exceeds the second distance by at least 0.25 inch, preferably by 0.50 inch or by 1.0 inch.
US09162520B2
A facade is formed on an upright supporting surface using a plurality of facade elements formed of plastic material having a flat rear side and a decorative front side protruding from the rear side. The flat rear side of the elements can be abutted directly against the upright supporting surface with the elements in spaced relation with one another and secured thereon using nails from an air driven nailer. Grouting in the form of mortar repair or caulking can be used to fill the gaps between adjacent elements on the supporting surface to complete the appearance of a natural stone facade on a building wall.
US09162510B2
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body; a recording head to discharge droplets onto a recording medium, wherein a mist is generated when droplets are discharged to form an image; a battery, detachably disposed inside the apparatus body, to supply power necessary for operation of the apparatus body; and a connection terminal to connect the battery to the apparatus body and disposed outside a movement of the mist generated when the recording head discharges the droplets.
US09162508B2
An inkjet recording apparatus that performs preliminary discharge operation without a carriage and a recording medium interfering with each other is provided. The inkjet recording apparatus performs, at a center region in a conveyance direction of a recording medium, the preliminary operation at a position according to an edge portion of the recording medium obtained by an optical sensor. Further, the inkjet recording apparatus performs, at a leading edge region and a trailing edge region of a recording medium, the preliminary operation at a position based on input data.
US09162507B2
A printing apparatus includes a first circulation pump which is provided in a channel between a print head and a first storage tank and which supplies ink from a second storage tank to the print head. The printing apparatus further includes a second circulation pump which is provided in a channel between the first storage tank and the second storage tank which supplies ink from the first storage tank to the second storage tank. The printing apparatus further includes a control unit which controls the driving of the first circulation pump and second circulation pump, and a detecting unit which detects the amount of ink stored in the second storage tank. The control unit controls the driving of the second circulation pump on the basis of a detection result by the detecting unit.
US09162505B2
There is provided a printer including: an ink-jet head; a first rotatable body; a first attaching mechanism attaching a printing medium to the first rotatable body; a separating mechanism separating the printing medium from the first rotatable body; and a control mechanism. In the printer, first to forth routes are formed. In transporting the printing medium, the control mechanism causes the printing medium having been subjected to printing on a first surface by the ink-jet head to pass through the first route, next to pass through the second route and the third route at least once, thereafter to separate from the first rotatable body, and further to pass through the fourth route to be reversed.
US09162502B2
An inkjet printer is provided that is configured to store a plurality of pieces of gap information respectively corresponding to a plurality of examined sections discretely arranged along a head moving direction on a recording sheet, each of the plurality of examined sections including a corresponding one portion of top portions and bottom portions on the recording sheet, and calculate interpolation gap information to be interpolated over a whole width in the head moving direction of at least one of a plurality of segments, each of which has a width in the head moving direction defined by two adjacent sections of the plurality of examined sections, based on the stored gap information.
US09162500B2
A recording medium take-up mechanism and a printer prevent a recording medium having been printed from easily twisting when winding the recording medium. A printer includes a platen supporting recording paper that is delivered frontward during printing, a take-up shaft on which the recording paper having been printed is wound, a tension bar configured to impart tension to the recording paper by pressing a portion of the recording paper that is between the platen and the take-up shaft, a support arm supporting the tension bar, and a support shaft pivotably supporting the support arm. A center of the support shaft is positioned inside a contour of the take-up shaft, as viewed in an axial direction of the support shaft.
US09162498B2
An ink jet printing apparatus and an image processing apparatus capable of stably outputting an image with no joint streak even in the case where printing conditions, such as the kind of ink and the kind of printing medium, change in a variety of ways are provided. For this purpose, correction processing is performed on image data corresponding to an eject port group located at one end part of an eject port column in a first printing scan and on image data corresponding to an eject port group located at the other end part in a second printing scan. At this time, the number of eject ports included in a first eject port group and the number of eject ports included in a second eject port group are adjusted in accordance with printing conditions.
US09162496B2
A printing method and apparatus can achieve both of highly reliable detection of a mark and suppression of a sheet consumption amount when a continuous sheet is cut on an image basis after a plurality of images has been printed on the continuous sheet. For this purpose, at the time of arranging a non-image area including a cut mark between two images to be successively printed, the length of the non-image area in a conveyance direction is set on the basis of the length of a precedently conveyed image in the conveyance direction and image data in a rear end part of the image.
US09162493B2
There is provided an ink-jet recording apparatus including: a transporting roller; a driven roller provided opposite the transporting roller to sandwich the recording medium between the driven roller and the transporting roller, while moving in an approaching-departing direction based on a thickness of the recording medium; a first biasing member biasing the driven roller to the transporting roller; a platen; a recording portion configured to jet ink droplets from nozzles; and a cooperative portion moving along with the movement of the driven roller in the approaching-departing direction to move the platen.
US09162490B2
A sheet supply apparatus includes a supply unit capable of loading a plurality of continuous sheets, a reading unit for reading sheet information that a continuous sheet has, and a control unit that, when the continuous sheet is loaded on the supply unit, enables the reading unit to read the sheet information in a first state and provides a notification to prompt an input of the sheet information in a second state, the first state being the state in which the reading of the sheet information by the reading unit is available, the second state being the state in which the reading of the sheet information by the reading unit is unavailable.
US09162485B2
A treatment liquid application device for use in an inkjet printer includes an application roller to apply a treatment liquid to a recording medium before an image is formed on the recording medium, a squeeze roller disposed below the application roller and to make a pressure-contact with the application roller, a treatment liquid supply unit to supply the treatment liquid to a nip part between the application roller and the squeeze roller, and a pressure roller disposed above the application roller and to cause the recording medium to make a pressure-contact with the application roller. When the application roller applies the treatment liquid to the recording medium, a position of the application roller is not restricted in approximate load directions of the squeeze roller and the pressure roller but is restricted in directions other than the approximate load directions.
US09162481B2
A print medium includes a plurality of print areas and a plurality of identification markers. The plurality of print areas are set along a longitudinal direction on a printing surface. The plurality of print areas are a plurality of areas on which printing is to be performed. The plurality of identification markers are intermittently printed along the longitudinal direction on the print medium. Each of the plurality of identification markers includes a set of leading edge information and identification information and is printed in correspondence with a single print area group. The leading edge information is information for setting a leading edge position of the print area in the feed direction. The identification information is information for identifying a type of the print medium. The print area group is formed of a plurality of mutually adjacent print areas among the plurality of print areas.
US09162478B2
An image recording apparatus, including: a first head for ejecting first liquid; a second head for ejecting second liquid; a second-liquid test-pattern recording command section configured to command recording of a test pattern of the second liquid on the recording medium; and an output controller configured to output recording data to the first head and/or the second head. When the second-liquid test-pattern recording command section does not command the recording of the test pattern of the second liquid, the output controller outputs recording data representative of an image to be recorded, to the first head and the second head. When the second-liquid test-pattern recording command section commands the recording of the test pattern of the second liquid, the output controller outputs the recording data representative of the test pattern of the second liquid, not to the first head but to the second head.
US09162477B2
Area information is obtained with respect to a specified color and nozzle position having color unevenness. Then, coordinate information indicating a nozzle position corresponding to the above area information is obtained in a printing head or nozzle array corresponding to an ink color relating to the specified color information. Next, the number of candidate correction values or candidate patches is obtained on the basis of nozzle coordinates obtained corresponding to the area, by referring to a table. In this table, for example, the number of candidate correction values is small at a nozzle position where an effect due to the variations of nozzle ejection characteristics such as a nozzle ejection volume is small and a change direction is constant, and the number of candidate correction values is large at a nozzle position where an effect due to variations of nozzle ejection characteristics is large.
US09162463B2
There is provided a liquid jetting apparatus including: a liquid jetting head including a liquid jetting surface; a wiper including first and second wiping portions; a moving mechanism; a liquid discharge mechanism; and a controller configured to perform: controlling the moving mechanism to cause the first wiping portion to wipe the liquid jetting surface in a state that the first wiping portion is brought into contact with the liquid jetting surface; controlling the moving mechanism to cause the second wiping portion to wipe the liquid jetting surface in a state that the second wiping portion is brought into contact with the liquid jetting surface; and controlling the liquid jetting head to jet the liquid from the nozzles such that the liquid makes a contact with the second wiping portion to clean the second wiping portion.
US09162462B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a wiping method capable of preventing a problem such as color mixing or a discharge failure in a wiping operation during the reciprocating motion of a carriage. According to the embodiment, one or a plurality of orifice arrays out of a plurality of orifice arrays included in a printhead are wiped by making a sheet-like wiping member contact to the orifice surface of the printhead. After that, the wiping member is separated from the orifice surface of the printhead, and the used wiping member is wound. Then, the wiping member is made to contact to the orifice surface of the printhead again, and the next one or more orifice arrays are wiped.
US09162459B2
A liquid ejection head includes a substrate which has an energy-generating element that generates energy to be utilized for ejecting a liquid, and a supply orifice for supplying the liquid to the energy-generating element; and an ejection orifice forming member that has a plurality of ejection orifices through which the liquid is ejected, and at least one beam-like projection which projects toward the substrate and extends along an array direction of the ejection orifices at a position corresponding to the supply orifice. A sectional area perpendicular to the array direction of the ejection orifices at the central part of the beam-like projection in the array direction of the ejection orifices is larger than a sectional area in the direction perpendicular to the array direction of the ejection orifices at both ends of the beam-like projection in the array direction.
US09162458B2
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a support member having a plurality of ribs and supporting the sheet; a head disposed above the support member and ejecting ink to the sheet supported by the support member; and at least one contact portion disposed upstream of the head and configured to come in contact with the sheet so as to make the sheet a waved shape. The support member includes a first support portion comprising at least one first guide portions disposed corresponding to the at least one contact portion, and a plurality of second guide portions disposed corresponding to the plurality of ribs and disposed above the plurality of first guide portions. The support member further comprises a second support portion comprising a third guide portion disposed downstream of the first support portion.
US09162450B2
An image processing apparatus includes an acquiring unit which acquires first image data indicating a first gray-scale value of an image having a first attribute and a second image data indicating a second gray-scale value of an image having a second attribute that is different from the first attribute, a correcting unit which corrects the first gray-scale value and the second gray-scale value acquired by the acquiring unit on basis of information on an ejection characteristic of a discharge head to different extents, the discharge head ejecting liquid to be used for forming the first image and the second image on a recording medium with dots.
US09162446B2
A recording apparatus includes a head unit, which includes a driver, and a recording data transmitter that transfers recording data to the head unit via a signal line. The recording apparatus further includes a switching unit in the head unit that switches a driving signal applied to the driver between conductive and nonconductive states based on the transferred recording data, a partition signal output unit in the recording data transmitter that outputs a partition signal that partitions a data signal of the recording data to the head unit in response to switching by the switching unit, and a data selector in the head unit that selects data to be discarded from the transferred recording data based on the partition signal.
US09162445B2
In a liquid material discharge control method, timing signals generated periodically are used to control discharge timing for discharging a liquid material from a plurality of nozzles onto a workpiece during a scan in which the nozzles and the workpiece are moved relative to each other. The liquid material discharge control method includes calculating a first elapsed time in a relative movement between the nozzles and the workpiece by counting a first prescribed number of outputs of the timing signals that define the discharge timing, comparing the first elapsed time with a first predicted time at which the nozzles are predicted to reach intended discharge positions on the workpiece, and discharging the liquid material from the nozzles onto the workpiece upon the first predicted time having elapsed when the first elapsed time is at least shorter than the first predicted time.
US09162439B2
A printing assembly including a clamping annulus having a tiered circumferential end, an axial end and an oppositely axial end, the clamping annulus's axial and oppositely axial ends having outside diameters, the axial end outside diameter having with respect to said oppositely axial end outside diameter an excess dimension defining a guide sleeve receiving space within the clamping annulus; a matching cylinder annularly overlying the clamping annulus; a plurality of magnet recesses, each recess among the plurality of magnet recesses extending radially into the cylinder, and each recess among the plurality of magnet receiving recesses opening radially outwardly from the cylinder's outer surface; and a multiplicity of magnets, each magnet among the multiplicity of magnets being embedded within one of the recesses among the plurality of magnet receiving recesses.
US09162437B2
A frame assembly for supporting a printing screen, the frame assembly comprising: a frame unit to which a printing screen is in use supported; and a screen loading mechanism for loading a printing screen into and unloading a printing screen from the frame unit, wherein the screen loading mechanism comprises a screen loading member which is movably coupled to the frame unit between a screen-receiving position in which a printing screen can be loaded into or removed from the screen loading member and a loaded position in which the printing screen is loaded into the frame unit, and at least one actuator element which is coupled to the screen loading member and actuatable to move the screen loading member between the screen-receiving and loaded positions.
US09162435B2
Disclosed is a peel-off apparatus comprising: a first holding unit configured to hold a first substrate of a superimposed substrate; a second holding unit configured to hold a second substrate of the superimposed substrate; and a moving unit configured to move a part of outer periphery of the first holding unit to be separated from the second holding unit. The first holding unit includes: a plate type elastic member connected to the moving unit; and a plurality of adsorbing units provided in the elastic member to adsorb the first substrate. An outer periphery adsorbing unit which becomes a peel-off beginning point includes: a pad member whose adsorbing surface of the first substrate is open to form a hollow portion; and a support member fitted into the hollow portion of the pad member having a hardness higher than that of the pad member.
US09162433B2
A flow passage device includes a first base body having a first hole and a second base body having a second hole connected to the first hole to form a flow passage. A first portion formed around the first hole has a specified shape for holding an adhesive. The second base body has a high-wettability surface around the second hole with a low-wettability surface disposed proximate the high-wettability surface, and at least part of the high-wettability surface has a shape matching at least part of the specified shape. The first and second base body are bonded to each other with the adhesive to form the flow passage by aligning the at least part of the first portion with the at least part of the high-wettability surface with positions of the first and the second holes aligned with each other.
US09162432B2
A method of separating a discrete portion from a first web. The discrete portion can be bonded to a second web which may be moving at the same or different speed. The discrete portion can be incorporated into an absorbent article.
US09162430B2
The invention provides a coated substrate comprising at least the following: i) a first layer formed from a first composition that has a melting point, Tm1, and comprising at least one ethylene-based interpolymer; ii) a second layer formed from a second composition comprising the following: a) at least one propylene-based polymer, and b) at least one ethylene-based polymer, and iii) a woven web formed from at least one olefin-based polymer with a melting point of Tm2a and/a or nonwoven web formed from at least one olefin-based polymer with a melting point of Tm2b; and wherein and Tm1 is less than, or equal to, “Tm2a −20° C.”, and/or less than, or equal to, “Tm2b −20° C.” The invention also provides a coated substrate comprising at least the following: i) a first layer is formed from a first composition that has a melting point, Tm1; and ii) a woven web formed from at least one olefin-based polymer with a melting point of Tm2a and/or a nonwoven web formed from at least one olefin-based polymer with a melting point of Tm2b; and wherein and the first composition comprises at least one propylene-based polymer with a MFR from 15 to 35 g/10 min, and wherein Tm1 is less than, or equal to, “Tm2a −20° C.”, and/or less than, or equal to, “Tm2b −20° C.”
US09162416B1
A three-dimensional microlattice structure includes a series of interconnected struts extending along at least three different directions, a series of intermediate nodes defined at intersections between the struts, and a basal plane structure extending laterally between and interconnecting at least two of the nodes. The basal plane structure may be configured to transversely and rotationally constrain the nodes to increase the overall compressive strength and stiffness of the microlattice structure. In one embodiment, the interconnected struts are arranged into an array of ordered unit cells.
US09162412B2
The quality of the briquettes granulated by a briquetting machine is improved. A briquetting machine control device samples the briquette that have been produced to measure an apparent density and a crush strength of the sampled briquette (step S10), and controls each operation set value adjusting unit (4, 6, 7) of the briquetting machine so that the actual measurement values come closer to predefined briquette quality target values (step S20 to step S60).
US09162410B2
A method and device for compressing a gas-phase medium, particularly hydrogen or natural gas, wherein the medium may have a water content up to total saturation with water and wherein the medium is compressed in a single or multiple stages in at least one liquid-filled chamber. The liquid(s) that is/are used are an ionic liquid that is not susceptible to attack by the water contained in the medium to be compressed and/or a liquid with low vapor pressure that is not susceptible to attack by the water contained in the medium to be compressed, and the compressed medium undergoes a water separation stage.
US09162408B2
It is an object to provide a tire for a motorcycle which does not damage a stability in a transition between straight running and cornering but is excellent in various performances. A tire (2) includes a tread (4). The tread (4) is divided into (2N−1) parts (N is a natural number which is equal to or greater than four). The tread (4) is divided into a first region (20) positioned on a center region and a second region (22) to an Nth region in order from the center region toward a shoulder region. The second region (22) to the Nth region make a pair of regions which are symmetrical with respect to an equator plane of the tire. The first region (20) to the Nth region are formed by crosslinked rubber compositions respectively and materials of the respective regions are different from each other. In the first region (20) to the Nth region, a rubber hardness of the region on the adjacent center side is equal to or higher than a rubber hardness of the region on the shoulder side. A rubber hardness of the first region (20) is set to be higher than a rubber hardness of the Nth region.
US09162400B2
A utility truck with arched reinforcing rods incorporated into the base of a plastic truck during molding. The reinforcing rods are held in place in a mold at a predetermined distance above the mold's inner surface by spacers attached to the ends of the rods. Plastic is molded around the rods, with more plastic provided below the rods than above them, so that, when the plastic truck is removed from the mold and allowed to cool, the plastic will contract to a greater extent than the metal rods, causing the base and the reinforcing rods to bow upward, creating a convex arch in the truck's base. The arch provides an inherently strong, bridge-type structure that substantially strengthens the load-bearing capability of the truck, yet requires less reinforcing material than conventional supplemental chassis structures. In another embodiment, caster base mounts are also molded into the bottom of the truck, providing a utility truck with a unitary chassis structure.
US09162394B2
The invention concerns a method for producing three-dimensional objects (3) layer by layer using a powdery material (5) which can be solidified by irradiating it with a high-energy beam.
US09162390B2
Process for fastening an accessory to a hollow body obtained by molding a molten plastic parison, this fastening taking place by snap-riveting with the aid of a tool during the actual molding of the parison, according to which, before carrying out the snap-riveting, the parison is locally deformed so as to surround the snap-riveting zone with a dome, the snap-riveting zone being also in relief (hollow) compared to the rest of the accessory.
US09162386B2
In a molding cycle, one process (intermediate process) is provided between an injection process and a packing process, and conditions for switching from the injection process to the intermediate process and switching from the intermediate process to the packing process are set individually. In the intermediate process, an injection pressure is detected and a target pressure is obtained based on the injection pressure. Pressure control in the intermediate process is performed based on the set target pressure.
US09162384B2
A hot runner nozzle assembly includes a nozzle heater, a hot runner nozzle, a nozzle tip, a nozzle tip seal surrounding the nozzle tip and a connecting element positioned to removably couple the tip seal to the nozzle tip and to create a first contact seal between the nozzle tip and the tip seal and a second annular contact seal between the tip seal and a mold component. The nozzle tip is made or shaped via a sintering process from a metal matrix composite (MMC) material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The tip seal is made or shaped from a ceramic based powder material, having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion. In operation this hot runner nozzle assembly provides an improved heat profile and a reduced leakage at the tip area under a wider operating processing window.
US09162379B2
A resin rotating body 1 is configured by a ring-shaped resin ring 2, and a metallic bush 3 which is fitted to an inner circumferential surface 2a of the resin ring, and projections 3a as rotation preventing means that connects the resin ring and the metallic bush so that the resin ring and the metallic bush do not rotate with respect to each other are provided on an outer circumferential surface of the metallic bush. Projections of the metallic bush are further provided at positions eccentric forward in a press-fitting direction of the metallic bush from a center in the axial direction of the metallic bush.
US09162378B1
A soap consolidation assembly includes a mold that may receive fragments of soap. A housing is provided that may insertably receive the mold. A heating element is coupled to the housing so the heating element may heat the mold. A processor is coupled to the housing and the processor is operationally coupled to the heating element. An actuator is coupled to the housing. The actuator is operationally coupled to the processor so the actuator may selectively actuate the processor.
US09162372B2
The invention is an integral two-layer preform (1) for the production of integrally blow-moulded bag-in-containers (2). The preform has an inner layer (11) and an outer layer (12), wherein the preform forms a two layer container upon blow-moulding, and wherein the thus obtained inner layer of the container releases from the thus obtained outer layer upon introduction of a gas at a point of interface of the two layers. The melting temperature of the inner layer is greater than or equal to the melting temperature of the outer layer.
US09162365B2
The invention relates to a method for cascading and molding an LED filament support based on a support flitch. A plurality of supports may be separated apart from the support flitch as a whole body, thus reducing welded amount and increasing efficiency. The support flitch comprises a group of supports arranged in parallel and numbered as a first support, a second support, a third support, and so on, till an n-th support one after another. According to three different cutting ways, an inner extension section, an outer extension section, an inner connection side, and a middle connection side at the upper side of the support, as well as the inner extension section, the outer extension section, the inner connection side, and the middle connection side at the lower side of the support are cut out respectively, one group or two groups of the cascaded LED filament supports may be obtained.
US09162364B2
The present invention relates to a device for making lacerations in a surface of a product without removing the surface. The device includes a power-driven hand tool; a disc member connectable to the power-driven hand tool, wherein when connected to the power-driven hand tool, the disc member can be rotated by the power-driven hand tool in a circular motion; and a plurality of pointed lacerating elements secured to and extending perpendicular from a face of the disc member, where the plurality of lacerating elements form a pattern on the face, and where when the disc member is rotated in a circular motion by the power-driven hand tool, the lacerating elements lacerate the surface of the product without removing the surface. The present invention also relates to a method for lacerating a surface of a product without removing the surface.
US09162363B2
A cutter with a slider that can be pushed from two directions has a housing, a blade holder, a slider, and a blade. The slider is mounted moveably on the housing, is connected to the blade holder, and has an upper sliding element, a lower sliding element, and a resilient tab engaging at least one tooth formed on the blade holder. The upper sliding element has an L-shaped cross section to form a top wall and a side wall corresponding respectively to a top wall and a side wall of the housing. A guiding recess is defined by the side wall of the upper sliding element to slidably receive a portion of the side wall of the housing that forms an edge of a guiding channel. Accordingly, the cutter is convenient in use.
US09162360B2
A proximity sensing apparatus is provided. The proximity sensing apparatus includes an encoded signal transmission unit, an interference signal transmission unit and a reception unit. The encoded signal transmission unit transmits an encoded signal, and the interference signal transmission unit transmits an interference signal. The interference signal interferes with the encoded signal to generate an interfered signal. The reception unit receives a sensing signal and outputs the sensing signal to a signal processing unit. The sensing signal is either the interfered signal or the encoded signal. The signal processing unit is electrically connected to the reception unit, and determines whether the sensing signal matches the encoded signal. The signal processing unit further outputs a proximity signal when the sensing signal does not match the encoded signal.
US09162350B2
A torque-limiting driver has a handle, a body, a torque-limiting assembly and a work-piece engaging tip. The torque-limiting assembly includes an upper and lower shank that have a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced. The teeth have a vertical face, an inclined face, and a flat peak. There is a spring for applying pressure across the upper and lower shank with multiple washers interposed between the lower shaft and spring. In some instances, there is a round square drive with arched catches having preselected radii to assure operation over certain cycles at selected torque and to reduced nose cone damage and breakage at a predetermined inch pounds of torque.
US09162344B2
A polishing pad conditioning apparatus includes a laser beam generating unit for providing a laser beam, a fluid delivery system for providing a fluid stream and a vacuum line for removing debris. The laser beam may directly impinge on a surface of a polishing pad thereby creating cutting action, while an atomized fluid stream provides cooling and pad debris along with fluid are removed thru the vacuum line. Alternatively, the laser beam may be combined with the atomized fluid stream in a region above the pad surface to substantially impart part of its energy to the fluid stream, generating high energy droplets which provide “cool” cutting action on the pad surface.
US09162337B2
A polishing apparatus includes: a pure water supply line configured to supply deaerated pure water into the polishing apparatus; a gas dissolving unit coupled to the pure water supply line and configured to dissolve a gas in the deaerated pure water to produce gas-dissolved pure water; a gas-dissolved pure water delivery line coupled to the gas dissolving unit and configured to deliver the gas-dissolved pure water; an ultrasonic cleaning unit coupled to the gas-dissolved pure water delivery line and configured to impart an ultrasonic vibration energy to the gas-dissolved pure water, which has been delivered through the gas-dissolved pure water delivery line, and then eject the gas-dissolved pure water onto an object to be cleaned; and a controller configured to control the gas dissolving unit and the ultrasonic cleaning unit.
US09162335B2
An apparatus and method for machining is provided. A mounting assembly for use with a spindle, a CNC machine, an auto changer device and an air supply line, can include a mounting collar and a mounting block. The mounting collar can have a collar body and a collar arm, where the collar body defines a collar opening and one or more grooves circumscribing the collar opening, where the one or more grooves each have a sealing element positioned therein, and wherein the collar arm has a collar inlet, a collar outlet and a collar channel to provide fluid communication between the collar inlet and the collar outlet. The mounting block can be connected to the CNC machine and can have a block inlet connected to the air supply line, a block outlet, and a block channel to provide fluid communication between the block inlet and the block outlet.
US09162324B2
The invention provides a solder paste which has a solidus temperature of 255° C. or above and is improved in the wettability between Bi and Cu or Ag electrode to attain approximately equivalent wettability to those of Pb-containing high-temperature solders even in low-temperature soldering. The solder paste comprises a metal powder component consisting of Bi or a Bi alloy, a solidus temperature lowering metal for Bi, and a solid-phase metal capable of forming an intermetallic compound with the solidus temperature lowering metal, and a flux component.
US09162322B2
A method is provided for producing a pipe from a band which has a layer of a first metal and a layer of a second metal, the layers being metallurgically bonded to one another over the entire length of the band. Along the two longitudinal edges of the band, the first metal is removed from the second metal in strips which run over the entire length of the band. The band is formed into the open-seam pipe with the first metal located on the outside, and the abutting edges of the layer of the second metal are welded to one another forming a pipe which is closed all the way round. In the region of the weld seam, a layer of the first metal is then deposited on the second metal to produce a pipe with a layer of the first metal which is closed all the way round.
US09162314B2
Systems and methods relating to securing a torch assembly and a work lead assembly to a plasma cutting power supply are provided. The present disclosure relates to a system and method that allows the torch assembly and the work lead assembly to be readily replaced by the user since the power supply unit need not be opened or disassembled for removal. The present disclosure provides methods and systems for removably securing both the torch assembly and the work lead assembly to the plasma cutting power supply. In one embodiment, the torch assembly and the work lead assembly may be communicatively coupled to the plasma cutting power supply unit via a single cable and a single connector. The connection between the first connector and the first port may be of the quick disconnectable type. The connection between the second connector and the second port may be of the twist lock type, such as a dinse style connector.
US09162305B2
A method of welding a wear layer onto a parent material, wherein a welding current is applied to a first wire electrode and to at least one second wire electrode. The first wire electrode and at least one second wire electrode are continuously fed to the parent material for producing a common weld pool. Metal powder and welding powder are fed to the weld pool. The wire electrodes are flux-cored wire electrodes, having a core and a covered electrode. The flux-cored wire electrodes have a higher alloy than a weld deposit analysis of the wear layer to be welded on the parent material. The covered electrode of the flux-cored wire electrodes includes an alloy, which has magnetization properties suitable for adhesion of the metal powder.
US09162302B2
By providing a manufacturing method of an electrode for a honeycomb structure forming die including: arranging a plurality of processing electrodes 161 having a shape which is complementary to that of the flow-through cells, at positions corresponding to the plurality of flow-through cells in the one surface 107B of the electrode base body 102B; discharging electricity from the plurality of processing electrodes 161 toward the one surface 107B of the electrode base body 102B to carve the electrode base body 102B, so that a plurality of electrode cells having a shape which is analogous to that of the flow-through cells are formed in the electrode base body 102B; whereby obtaining a honeycomb electrode where a plurality of electrode cells partitioned by electrode partition walls appear on the one surface.
US09162300B2
A method for polishing a ball screw comprising a screw shaft defining a screw axis. The screw shaft is formed with a screw groove. The method comprises the steps of: rotating the screw shaft at a rotational speed about the screw axis; conveying a polishing tape having a polishing portion traveled around an outer peripheral surface of a pressing roller, the press roller being configured to rotate about a rotational axis; guiding the polishing tape such that the polishing portion is traveled around the outer peripheral surface; pressing the polishing portion against the screw groove; tilting the pressing roller such that the rotational axis is aligned with a lead angle; oscillating the pressing roller linearly along the rotational axis; moving the polishing tape at a moving speed in a direction parallel to the screw axis; and synchronizing the rotational speed with the moving speed based on a lead.
US09162299B2
A saw blade (1) serves for sawing hollow profiles and form profiles. The saw blade (1) is especially designed as saw band, and it includes a base body (2) and a plurality of teeth (10). The teeth (10) are formed by protrusions (3) and inserts (4). The teeth (10) are arranged in a group being repeated along the saw blade (1). The group includes at least three unset chamfered teeth (10). The group includes a first tooth (C1) having two chamfers (FC11, FC12) being symmetric to the longitudinal center plane (9) of the saw blade (1), a second tooth (C2) having two chamfers (FC21, FC22) being non-symmetric to the longitudinal center plane (9) and a third tooth (C3) having two chamfers (FC31, FC32) being non-symmetric to the longitudinal center plane (9).
US09162298B2
A laser alignment device for a circular saw includes a base located on a blade guard of the circular saw, and a laser module mounted at the base. The laser module includes a retaining seat pivotally connected to the base, an auxiliary seat mounted at the retaining seat, and a laser beam generator installed in the auxiliary seat. A first adjusting unit includes a first knob and a first eccentric shaft connected to the first knob and coupled to a first elongated slot in the retaining seat for allowing adjustment of the angle of inclination of the laser beam generator by rotating the first knob. A second adjusting unit includes a second knob and a second eccentric shaft connected to the second knob and coupled to a second elongated slot in the auxiliary seat for allowing adjustment of the angular position of the laser beam generator by rotating the second knob.
US09162296B2
A chamfering insert has an elongated shape with a longitudinal insert axis and includes two opposite end portions and a cylindrically shaped insert peripheral surface which extends therebetween. The chamfering insert has a cutting edge, first and second opposite insert abutment surfaces, each of which extends perpendicularly to the insert axis, and an insert anti-rotation surface which extends parallel to the insert axis. The insert anti-rotation and abutment surfaces are located on one side of an imaginary plane, and the cutting edge is located, separately therefrom, on an opposite side of the imaginary plane.
US09162295B2
A rotatable tool for chip removing machining, including a basic body having front and rear ends between which there extends a first geometrical center axis, and a loose top having front and rear ends between which a second geometrical center axis extends. The front end of the basic body includes a jaw, which is delimited by two drivers and an intermediate bottom and in which a part of the loose top is received. A centering pin protrudes axially rearward from the loose top and is inserted in an axial center hole, which mouths in the bottom of the jaw and in which a threaded hole mouths for a screw co-operating with the center pin. The center hole includes a cylindrical support surface, which is concentric with the center axis of the basic body and against which the centering pin of the loose top is pressed by the screw.
US09162288B2
Fine, highly-crystallized metal powder is produced at low cost and high efficiency by a method involving: ejecting raw material powder composed of one or more kinds of thermally decomposable metal compound powders into a reaction vessel through a nozzle together with a carrier gas and producing a metal powder by heating the raw material powder at a temperature T2 which is higher than the decomposition temperature of the raw material powder and not lower than (Tm−200°) C. where Tm is the melting point (° C.) of the metal to be produced, while allowing the raw material powder to pass through the reaction vessel in a state where the raw material powder is dispersed in a gas phase at a concentration of 10 g/liter or less, wherein an ambient temperature T1 of a nozzle opening part is set to a temperature of 400° C. or higher and lower than (Tm−200°) C.
US09162284B2
Nozzle for guiding molten metal flowing from a vessel into a mold, the nozzle having a conduit which is elongate along an axis which is orientated vertically during use. The nozzle has at least one upper inlet and at least two lower outlets with a flow divider disposed therebeween. Opposite sides of the flow divider define a lower wall of each lower outlet, and a recessed channel is provided in each of the opposite sides of the flow divider so as to produce fluid flow which closely follows the shape of the lower outlets.
US09162281B2
The continuous casting device according to the present invention enables at least some of a plurality of hearths (3) to be converted between being hearths (13) used for titanium, which are used during the continuous casting of titanium ingots, and being hearths (23) used for titanium alloy, which are used during the continuous casting of titanium alloy ingots. The number of hearths (23) used for titanium alloy is greater than the number of hearths (13) used for titanium. Also, the total capacity of the hearths (23) used for titanium alloy is greater than the total capacity of the hearths (13) used for titanium. Thus, titanium ingots and titanium alloy ingots can each be continuously cast by means of a single piece of equipment.
US09162277B2
A self-piercing die riveter having an indexable die table on the nose of its frame. The die table has a number of dies disposed thereon. The frame defines a first passage and a second passage in communication with and diverging from the first passage. An actuator for indexing the die table is located on the riveter outside of the nose of the frame and is connected to the die table through either shafts or belts disposed within the first and second passages. The die table has a number of detents that cooperate with a locating arm to hinder indexing of the die table and position the dies in-line with the path of a reciprocating punch.
US09162265B2
A method and apparatus for making a collar to the end of a pipe. The apparatus comprises an attachment clamp surrounding the pipe and a body part, connected by hinging to a pivoting cradle having a forming cone, which can enter the end of the pipe. In the method, the forming cone is moved axially and obliquely to the central axis of the pipe, inside the pipe until it contacts the inner surface of the pipe, the forming cone being loaded with the desired load pressure against the inner surface. The forming cone is then pivoted using a pivoting cradle outwards from the central axis of the pipe, around the inner edge of the attachment clamp, and the forming cone and pipe are simultaneously rotated with respect to each other around the central axis of the pipe until the desired collar has formed.
US09162261B1
A system for controlling silica dust generated during the transfer of frac sand from a storage container through a conveyor system includes a system of conduits having a plurality of inlets for collecting silica dust generated at selected points along the conveyor system. An air system pneumatically coupled to the system of conduits generates a negative pressure at each of the inlets to induce the collection of silica dust at the selected points along the conveyor.
US09162256B2
In order to improve the grinding and classification process, the subsequent dust separation, and to optimize the energy situation of a grinding plant, with the aid of a guiding apparatus and a displacement body, the fine material-fluid low leaving the dynamic classifier part with angular momentum, besides a swirl reduction or swirl elimination, is made uniform in a classifier outlet housing and deflected into a virtually linear flow. The fixed guiding apparatus arranged coaxially with the classifier axis in the classifier outlet housing and the displacement body can be formed as one unit and the guide elements of the guiding apparatus can be arranged on the displacement body and extending into the vicinity of the inner wall of the classifier outlet housing.
US09162247B2
A coating treatment apparatus supplying a coating solution to a front surface of a rotated substrate and diffusing the supplied coating solution to an outer periphery side of the substrate to thereby apply the coating solution on the front surface of the substrate includes: a substrate holding part holding a substrate; a rotation part rotating the substrate held on the substrate holding part; a supply part supplying a coating solution to a front surface of the substrate held on the substrate holding part; and an airflow control plate provided at a predetermined position above the substrate held on the substrate holding part for locally changing an airflow above the substrate rotated by the rotation part at an arbitrary position.
US09162239B2
Mechanical inversion of direction of a rotating control component of a landscape sprinkler device. Such a device, having a switching member with end stops associated therewith in both pivoting directions the control component, against said stops the switching member stops and is actuated, wherein at least one end stop can be adjusted coaxially with respect to a pivoting axis of the control component. The switching member is configured in an elastically resilient manner on the contact region thereof that is positioned at the height of the end stops such that the contact region retreats back from the adjusting path of the end stop in case of an overload, and devices are provided in order to re-establish the contact region at a defined position in the rotation angle region between the two end slops from the retreated position.
US09162238B1
The oscillating pressurized spray tip protection assembly is comprised of a tip guard and a lock plate that lock together via securing means over an oscillating spray tip in order to protect against wear when said spray tip is penetrating ground. The spray tip protection assembly utilizes a material that is strong, and more durable than the spray tip enclosed therein such that the life of the spray tip is increased. The tip guard has a cavity contoured to an exterior surface of the oscillating spray tip with an opening at a front end of the tip guard thereby enabling pressurized water to exit from both the oscillating spray tip as well as the tip guard.
US09162236B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to method and apparatus for providing processing gases to a process chamber with improved uniformity. One embodiment of the present invention provides a gas injection assembly. The gas injection assembly includes an inlet hub, a nozzle having a plurality of injection passages disposed against the inlet hub, and a distribution insert disposed between the nozzle and the inlet hub. The distribution insert has one or more gas distribution passages configured to connect the inlet hub to the plurality of the injection passages the nozzle. Each of the one or more gas distribution passages has one inlet connecting with a plurality of outlets, and distances between the inlet and each of the plurality of outlets are substantially equal.
US09162226B2
A method and system for a folding microfluidic device comprises creating at least one folding line in a material, forming a plurality of layers of a microfluidic device in said material, and folding the material at the fold lines to create a self-aligned multilayered microfluidic device. The material can comprise a carrier material with an adhesive layer on the top and bottom surfaces.
US09162215B2
Methods are provided for producing epoxidation catalysts. The present methods are able to produce catalysts having the desired loading levels of catalytic species at a lower vacuum level (having a higher minimum residual pressure) than previously appreciated by the art, thereby providing equipment cost and time savings.
US09162214B2
Aspects of the invention relate to hydrogenation catalysts, and hydrogenation processes using these catalysts, having particular characteristics, in terms of the amount and type of metal hydrogenation component (or catalytic constituent), as well as the support or substrate. The catalyst compositions, comprising both a noble metal and a lanthanide element on a substantially non-porous substrate, provide advantageous performance characteristics, including conversion, selectivity, and activity stability, as demanded in industrial hydrogenation and selective hydrogenation applications.
US09162212B2
A heterogeneous catalyst system, a method of preparing the catalyst system and a method of forming a biodiesel product via transesterification reactions using the catalyst system is disclosed. The catalyst system according to one aspect of the present disclosure represents a class of supported mixed metal oxides that include at least calcium oxide and another metal oxide deposited on a lanthanum oxide or cerium oxide support. Preferably, the catalysts include CaO—CeO2ZLa2O3 or CaO—La2O3/CeO2. Optionally, the catalyst may further include additional metal oxides, such as CaO—La2O3—GdOxZLa2O3.
US09162198B2
A device for providing a mixture of compressed air and liquid reducing agent includes a first inflow duct for reducing agent, a second inflow duct for compressed air, an outlet duct for the mixture, a mixing point at which compressed air and reducing agent are merged, and a mixing duct which adjoins the mixing point and which connects the mixing point and the outlet duct. The first inflow duct opens into the mixing point in an axial direction. The second inflow duct is connected to the mixing point through at least one injection duct. The at least one injection duct opens into the mixing point in a tangential direction. A method for mixing liquid reducing agent and compressed air to form a mixture and a motor vehicle having the device, are also provided.
US09162191B2
Imidazole-containing polymer membranes are described herein. Methods of their preparation and use are also described herein. The methods of using the membranes include capturing and reducing volatile compounds from gas streams.
US09162187B2
A filter module comprising a pressure pipe and a membrane disposed therein, having connections for a fluid to be fed, preferably untreated water, and for filtrate and retentate to be discharged, characterized by a functional/connection unit which is fastened in one end of the pressure pipe and has an upper part and a lower part, wherein all of the connections are provided on the upper part, and flow ducts which are in communication with the connections pass through the lower part, wherein the pressure pipe and the membrane have provided thereinbetween an open annular space through which the fed fluid flows to the bottom side of the membrane, and wherein the pressure pipe has a closed bottom.
US09162180B1
Systems and method for utilizing a generally unused and sealed off portion of an underground limestone mine, generally which is still elsewhere in use, to become a portion of a pollution mitigation system for the exhaust gases of a limestone kiln or other co-located industrial process.
US09162175B2
A compact configuration for a plurality of swing adsorption beds. The beds are configured within a single vessel such that one or more beds of adsorbent material are position as successive rings about a first, or core, bed of adsorbent material.
US09162170B2
A synthesis reaction system is provided with: a reactor which synthesizes a hydrocarbon compound by a chemical reaction of a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide as main components, and a slurry having solid catalyst particles suspended in liquid; a separator which separates the hydrocarbon compound from the slurry; and a filtering device which filters the hydrocarbon compound extracted from the separator to trap powdered catalyst particles.
US09162167B2
A filter includes a structurally rigid adsorptive filtering medium formed as a sintered porous material chosen to remove targeted contaminant(s). The adsorptive filtering medium forms a hollow chamber sized to receive a mechanical filtering medium which is sized to press outward against the adsorptive filtering medium which supports the mechanical filtering medium thus eliminating a cage and a core to support the mechanical filtering medium and leading to a simplified construction. The fluid enters the filter through substantially the entire face of the adsorptive filtering structure and proceeds through the mechanical filtering medium which is a pleated paper filter. The hollow chamber may be capped at each end such that the caps effectively seal the filter and direct the fluid through the adsorptive filter medium and the mechanical filter medium.
US09162163B2
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for reducing a processing liquid consumed for removing bubbles from a new filter unit, and shortening a start-up time when the filter unit is attached in a processing liquid supply passage. The method includes: filling the processing liquid into a new filter unit, decompressing inside of the filter unit into a first pressure atmosphere in order to remove bubbles from the filter unit, boosting a pressure of the inside of the filter unit, flowing the processing liquid into the filter unit from a primary side of the filter unit, and supplying the processing liquid flowing from the filter unit to an object to be processed through a nozzle thereby performing a liquid processing and quickly removing the bubbles.
US09162155B2
A device for detecting, monitoring and/or controlling racing vehicles on a preferably multi-lane racetrack, having at least one sensor unit which is arranged countersunk under the surface of a carriageway. The at least one sensor unit is mounted on a guide element which can be inserted into a receptacle space under the carriageway in the transverse direction with respect to the carriageway, from the lateral edge of the carriageway. In this context, cables, lines or the like can be pre-assembled in a complete state with the at least one sensor unit and can be inserted under the carriageway from the side together with the guide element, with the result that there is no need for any separate laying of cables or even for a cable connection once the sensor is in position.
US09162148B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique play experience carried out utilizing an interactive “wand” and/or other seemingly magical actuation/tracking device. The wand or other actuation device allows play participants to electronically and “magically” interact with their surrounding play environment(s), thereby giving play participants the realistic illusion of practicing, performing and mastering “real” magic. Optionally, multiple play participants, each provided with a suitable “wand” and/or other actuation/tracking device, may play and interact together, either within or outside one or more compatible play environments, to achieve desired goals, master certain magical spells and/or produce desired seemingly magical effects within the play environment.
US09162135B2
A play tent has a tent body, a roof, and a game device board. The tent body has a ball opening. The roof is connected with the tent body and has a ball end moveable relative to the tent body to correspond to the top of the tent body or the ball opening. The game device board is mounted on the tent body. When the ball end is moved to a position corresponding to the ball opening, a child can pitch a ball towards the game device board, and then the ball rolls to the ball opening, such that the child can pitch the ball again. When the ball end is moved to a position corresponding to the top of the tent body, the child can be engaged in other activities inside the tent body. Therefore, the play tent can provide multiple functions for use.
US09162132B2
Disclosed are a virtual golf simulation apparatus in which any position of a hitting mat, on which a user places a ball, is recognized to easily and accurately find the position of the ball even when a slope is realized with respect to a swing plate and the swing plate is sloped at a predetermined angle, and it is possible to accurately sense when hitting has been performed by the user using a relatively inexpensive sensing device without an additional trigger sensor, thereby reducing costs and improving sensing accuracy and reliability, and a sensing device and method used for the same.
US09162131B1
A visual reference and feedback device for use with a golf club is presented. The visual reference and feedback device includes a clubface reference head and a neck that connects a supporting body to the clubface reference head. The supporting body includes three supporting members having a first supporting member, a second supporting member, and a third supporting member. C-clip fasteners may be formed at distal ends of the first supporting member and second supporting member. A sternum guide may be formed as a rectangular structure at the outer portion of the first supporting member and proximate to the neck of the visual aid and feedback device.
US09162121B2
A golf club putter having a low head center of gravity and a high MOI is disclosed herein. The putter has a metal body comprising a face and a hosel, a low density dampening layer affixed to the body, and a high density rear weight affixed to the dampening layer, and the dampening layer has a first surface that forms an angle with an opposing second surface that is inversely proportional to the distance of the hosel from a heel side of the body.
US09162114B1
A game ball, such as a soccer ball, having a cover comprised of one or more cover panel blanks and one or more reinforcement material blanks, is provided. The cover panel blanks and reinforcement material blanks are bonded together so that the free edges and interior panel boundaries of the cover panel blanks are aligned with the reinforcement material blanks.
US09162108B1
A data processor maintains an electronic exercise program, which defines exercise sessions defining exercise sets for a subject on one or more exercise apparatuses. The data processor makes a selection (306) between an exercise set (320) and a performance test (308). If a set is selected, instructions relating to the set are given. Each repetition is detected, a risk of injury is assessed, and if a threshold is exceeded, instructions for reducing likelihood for injury are given. Repetitions are counted until detection of a last repetition in the set (410). Feedback is given after the last repetition. If a performance test (308) is selected, instructions relating to the test are given. Subject's performance is monitored until termination of the test. After the test, the exercise program (310) is adapted based on the monitored performance data.
US09162107B2
Media components can be ranked based on their influence on athletic performance. A score can be computed for a media component based on an individual's athletic performance during output of that media item in comparison with the individual's athletic performance during the output of different media items, or in the absence of any media items. The score can be used to establish an overall total score for the media component by comparing the score to one or more scores received from other individuals for the same media component. The overall total score can be used to compute a ranking for the media component by comparing the media component's overall total score with the overall total score for one or more other media components.
US09162106B1
An apparatus useful for performing foot and ankle exercises as part of a strengthening or rehabilitation program includes a foot platform positioned between an upper horizontal bar connected through a vertical assembly to a base frame adapted to sit in a stable position on a floor. The foot platform has an upper side to receive the user's foot and a lower side that pivotably engages through a fixed ball joint with the base frame to allow the user of the apparatus to exercise his or her ankle in all six movement directions without moving the leg. Resistance bands connect the foot platform to various points on the apparatus to provide a mechanism for resistance during exercise. The apparatus may be associated with a sensor on the foot platform that senses the position or movement of the foot in use and produces data regarding the exercise that is communicated to the user.
US09162101B2
In one embodiment, an exercise apparatus for exercising an arm includes a lever adapted to attach to a wheel of a wheelchair, a forearm support pivotally mounted to the lever that is adapted to support a forearm of a wheelchair user during exercise, and a resilient member attached to the lever that is adapted to resist movement of the lever by the user.
US09162090B2
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a flexible lumbar wear-pad having an external low-friction high-wear-resistance surface, the lumbar wear-pad configured to be replaceably coupled to the lower back region of a belted fall-protection safety harness. In various embodiments, the lumbar wear-pad may cover a length of the webbing over the hip and lumbar vertebrae regions of a wearer's lower back. In some embodiments a lumbar wear-pad may be field replaceable on a fall-protection safety harness. An exemplary embodiment may have three prominences, a smaller center prominence located near a wearer's lumbar vertebrae and two side prominences located near a wearer's hip bones. In some embodiments, the lumbar wear-pad may be flexible so as to anatomically conform to a wearer's body. Exemplary lumbar wear-pads may provide protection for both a wearer and the wearer's harness during sliding or leaning engagements with vertical surfaces.
US09162086B2
A device for controlling movement of a rope has a main part and a bar assembly. The bar assembly is pivotably connected to a first side portion of the main part for rotation between a first position in which the bar assembly is not in contact a second side portion of the main part and a second position in which the bar notch receives the second side portion. The bar assembly is arranged in the first position to allow a portion of the rope to be arranged within a central opening and at least partly around the bar part. The bar part is arranged in the second position such that the main part and the bar part define first and second opening portions of the central opening and the portion of the rope extends through the first and second opening portions and at least partly around the bar part.
US09162081B2
A beam monitor system having a simple configuration for improving a measurement precision specifying a position and the width. A beam monitor system, comprising collection electrodes that include a plurality of groups each having a plurality of adjacent wire electrodes, and detect an ionized particle beam passing therethrough, a first signal processing device that sets one wire electrode in the groups of the collection electrodes as a typical wire electrode, receives a detection signal output from the typical wire electrode to process the signal and a beam monitor controller that obtains a beam position of the ionized particle beam that has passed through the wire electrodes on the basis of a processed signal from the first signal processing device.
US09162074B2
Methods, systems, and devices for signal analysis in an implanted cardiac monitoring and treatment device such as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In illustrative examples, captured data including detected events is analyzed to identify likely overdetection of cardiac events. In some illustrative examples, when overdetection is identified, data may be modified to correct for overdetection, to reduce the impact of overdetection, or to ignore overdetected data. New methods for organizing the use of morphology and rate analysis in an overall architecture for rhythm classification and cardiac signal analysis are also discussed.
US09162067B1
Embodiments of the present invention relate to implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for monitoring myocardial electro-mechanical stability, and responding to the same. One or more signal indicative of electrical functioning of a patient's heart is obtained, as is one or more signal indicative of mechanical functioning of the patient's heart. The patient's myocardial electrical stability is monitored based on the one or more signal indicative of electrical functioning of the patient's heart, and the patient's myocardial mechanical stability is monitored based on the one or more signal indicative of mechanical functioning of the patient's heart. Based on both the myocardial electrical stability and myocardial mechanical stability, the patient's risk of an adverse cardiac event is monitored. Further, when the patient is at risk of an adverse cardiac event, a response is triggered that is specific to both the myocardial electrical stability and the myocardial mechanical stability. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention.
US09162064B2
A system for treating chronic inflammation may include an implantable microstimulator, a wearable charger, and optionally an external controller. The implantable microstimulator may be implemented as a leadless neurostimulator implantable in communication with a cervical region of a vagus nerve. The microstimulator can address several types of stimulation including regular dose delivery. The wearable charger may be worn around the subject's neck to rapidly (<10 minutes per week) charge an implanted microstimulator. The external controller may be configured as a prescription pad that controls the dosing and activity of the microstimulator.
US09162057B2
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems configured to power at least one device disposed in a living subject, apparatuses configured to be disposed in a living subject and export power stored in an energy-storage device, and related methods of powering at least one device disposed in the living subject.
US09162055B2
A paddle lead assembly for providing electrical stimulation of patient tissue includes a paddle body having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. The paddle body includes a plurality of electrodes disposed into at least four columns extending parallel with the longitudinal axis. The at least four columns include two lateral columns and at least two medial columns disposed therebetween. The electrodes of the at least two medial columns are arranged into rows aligned along the transverse axis. The electrodes of the two lateral columns are each longitudinally offset from the rows of electrodes of the at least two medial columns. An array of terminals are disposed on each of at least one lead body coupled to the paddle body. A plurality of conductive wires couple each of the electrodes to at least one terminal of the terminal arrays.
US09162053B2
Leads having directional electrodes thereon. Also provided are leads having directional electrodes as well as retention ledges to secure the electrodes to the leads. Also provided are leads with directional electrodes where all the electrodes have the same surface area. Methods of manufacturing leads and methods of treating conditions and selectively stimulating regions of the nervous system are also provided.
US09162044B2
A clamp (10) for a flexible tube, in particular an infusion tube, composed of a substantially U-shaped plastic band, the free end (111) of the first branch (11′) of the U being bent over to form the clamp head (11), to the free end (121) of the second branch, or back (12), so that, when closed, the back's free end (121) rests under the head's free end (111), and when opened, the back's free end (121) is at a distance above the head's free end (1110. The clamp has openings (114, 134) for extending a flexible tube and two opposite projections (113, 123) for obturating the flexible tube by compressing it when the clamp is closed. Locking means (112, 122) prevent the head end (111) from moving away from the back end (121) when the clamp (10) is in the closed position.
US09162031B2
An fluid sensor to activate and control various components of an inhalation device. The fluid sensor includes an acoustic element, such as a microphone, positioned within said inhalation device to detect fluid within the device and output signals representative of the frequency, direction and/or amplitude of the fluid. These signals control and activate an electrostatic plate and/or a high frequency vibrator.
US09162028B2
The present invention relates to a syringe for treating facial wrinkles having a syringe cylinder, a needle body detachably mounted at the front end portion of the syringe cylinder and having a syringe needle disposed thereon, and a piston rod disposed inside the syringe cylinder for operating a piston, the syringe including: the syringe cylinder formed of a substantially thin tube having an inside diameter in a range of 2.0 mm to 7.0 mm; and an inflow check valve disposed at one side of the front end portion of the syringe cylinder so as to supply a predetermined quantity of gas to the interior of the syringe cylinder, wherein the predetermined quantity of gas supplied through the inflow check valve to the interior of the syringe cylinder and a predetermined quantity of liquid filled into the syringe cylinder are injected in turn into the dermis of the skin, which is repeatedly carried out.
US09162019B2
A pump includes a housing, a stator supported in the housing, and a rotor assembly including a rotor supported in the housing for rotation relative to the stator about an axis. The stator includes a stator core, a first lamination wound around an axial portion of the stator core, and a second lamination wound around a second axial portion of the stator core. The first and second laminations are spaced from each other along the length of the stator core. The rotor includes a rotor core, a first magnet assembly that extends around an axial portion of the rotor core, and a second magnet assembly that extends around a second axial portion of the rotor core. The first and second magnet assemblies are spaced from each other along the length of the rotor.
US09162017B2
A pump for inducing flow within a vascular system comprises a cannula having a first configuration for deployment within the vascular system and a second configuration for directing the fluid flow within the vascular system, where the second configuration has a greater diameter than the first configuration. An impeller is configured to induce the fluid flow by rotation about an axis. The impeller has a first radius in the first configuration and a second radius in the second configuration, where the second radius is greater than the first radius.
US09162014B2
The invention discloses an insertable medical device for delivering one or more pro-healing agents to a site of deployment of a stent in a blood vessel. The surface of the insertable medical device is coated with nano-carriers that include the one or more pro-healing agents encapsulated with one or more biological agents. The nano-carriers are released when the insertable medical device is expanded at the site. The nano-carriers thus released penetrate tissues at the site resulting in dissolution of the one or more biological agents. Thereafter, the one or more pro-healing agents are released from the nano-carriers at the site. Thus, an in-tissue release of the one or more pro-healing agents at the site is achieved thereby improving endothealization, extracellular matrix formation and healing at the site post deployment of the stent in the blood vessel.
US09162012B2
Osteoinductive compositions and implants having increased biological activities, and methods for their production, are provided. The biological activities that may be increased include, but are not limited to, bone forming; bone healing; osteoinductive activity, osteogenic activity, chondrogenic activity, wound healing activity, neurogenic activity, contraction-inducing activity, mitosis-inducing activity, differentiation-inducing activity, chemotactic activity, angiogenic or vasculogenic activity, and exocytosis or endocytosis-inducing activity. In one embodiment, a method for producing an osteoinductive composition comprises providing partially demineralized bone, treating the partially demineralized bone to disrupt the collagen structure of the bone. In another embodiment, an implantable osteoinductive and osteoconductive composition comprises partially demineralized bone, wherein the collagen structure of the bone has been disrupted, and, optionally, a tissue-derived extract.
US09161994B1
One embodiment of the invention includes a method and system to obtain data for fees and surcharges charged by multiple providers for multiple services based on prior interactions with the service providers, and provide an estimate for fees and surcharges to be charged by one of the service providers for one of the services based on the prior interactions with the service providers. In one embodiment, the fee data is extracted from one of electronic publishing of fees, billings for services rendered, and employee expense reports. In one embodiment, the estimated fees and surcharges include restricted access to a first subset of data to a first predetermined group.
US09161992B2
The present invention is related to fragments of human melanotransferrin (p97). In particular, this invention relates to treatment of diseases through the introduction of the melanotransferrin fragment conjugated to a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a subject.
US09161991B2
A fusion protein comprising domain (a) which is a functional fragment of hTRAIL protein sequence, which fragment begins with an amino acid at a position not lower than hTRAIL95, or a homolog of said functional fragment having at least 70% sequence identity; and domain (b) which is a sequence of an immunostimulating effector peptide, wherein the sequence of domain (b) is attached at the C-terminus or N-terminus of domain (a). The fusion protein can be used for the treatment of cancer diseases.
US09161988B2
The present invention relates to multimeric (e.g., dimeric, trimeric) forms of peptide vectors that are capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) or efficiently entering particular cell types. These multimeric peptide vectors, when conjugated to agents (e.g., therapeutic agents) are capable of transporting the agents across the BBB or into particular cell types. These compounds are therefore particularly useful in the treatment of neurological diseases.
US09161984B2
This invention relates to a topical gel drug product preparation containing a composition comprising an isolated polypeptide having a carboxy-terminal amino acid sequence of an alpha connexin (ACT peptide), peptide stabilizers, excipients, buffering agents, and the like. A formulation and preparation steps are disclosed for the manufacturing of a stable, elegant, and pourable topical gel. The resulting formulation possesses long term stability suitable for aesthetic as well as therapeutic applications including the prevention of scaring and accelerated healing of wounds. Methods for treatment of chronic wounds, including chronic ulcers, are also provided.
US09161983B2
Disclosed herein are glycidol-based polymers, nanoparticles, and methods related thereto useful for drug delivery. 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.
US09161981B2
Disclosed herein is preferably a multi-dose type non-aqueous oily injectable formulation including; an active ingredient (drug) expressing therapeutic effects, which is dissolved, dispersed or suspended in a therapeutically effective amount, in oil. The disclosed non-aqueous oily injectable formulation may include; an oil-affinitive preservative, and a hydrophilic excipient non-phase separable from the oil-affinitive preservative when the excipient is mixed with the oil-affinitive preservative.
US09161974B2
Provided herein are prime-boost regimens and materials used therein. The prime-boost regimens enhance the immune response to a target antigen. The vaccines used for boost are comprised of recombinant attenuated metabolically active Listeria that encodes an expressible antigen that is cross-reactive with the target antigen. In some examples, the immune response is a cellular immune response.
US09161973B2
This invention relates to therapeutic polynucleotide compositions and methods for systemic immune activation which are effective for eliciting both a systemic, non-antigen specific immune response and a strong antigen-specific immune response in mammals. The polynucleotide compositions are particularly effective for protecting mammals from herpes simplex virus (HSV), such as HSV gD2 polypeptides.
US09161972B2
The present invention provides attenuated F. columnare strains that elicit an immune response in an animal, particularly a fish, against virulent F. columnare compositions comprising said strains, methods of vaccination against F. columnare, and kits for use with such methods and compositions. The invention further relates to a stabilization buffer, which allows the attenuated compositions to remain storage stable at ambient temperatures for extended periods of time.
US09161970B2
Improved dermal filler formulation comprising a hyaluronic acid and a botulinum toxin.
US09161967B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods useful for treating structures of the vertebral column, including vertebral bodies. In one embodiment, a method for promoting bone formation in a vertebral body comprising providing a composition comprising a PDGF solution and a biocompatible matrix and applying the composition to at least one vertebral body. Promoting bone formation in a vertebral body, according to some embodiments, can increase bone volume, mass, and/or density leading to an increase in mechanical strength of the vertebral body treated with a composition of the present invention.
US09161966B2
Methods of treating individuals with a glucose metabolism disorder and/or a body weight disorder, and compositions associated therewith, are provided.
US09161963B2
The invention relates to liquid pharmaceutical compositions containing: a) a therapeutically effective dose of a cyclosporin; b) an aqueous carrier liquid; c) a first solubilizing substance selected among the group of phospholipids; and d) a second solubilizing substance selected among the group of non-ionic surfactants. Preferably, the cyclosporin is liposome solubilized. The inventive composition is suitable for oral, parenteral, nasal, mucosal, topical, and particularly pulmonary application in the form of an aerosol.
US09161961B2
The present invention discloses a non-irritating tea tree oil (TTO)-based topical therapeutic composition useful for both veterinary and human dermatology. The composition comprises a homogeneous mixture of TTO, 0.05 to 1.0% (wt/wt); at least one hypertonic composition providing the said TTO-based composition to 1700 to 2500 mOsm/L, 10 to 60% (wt/wt); and inorganic salts, 0.01% to 0.50% (wt/wt) and it is characterized by an effective, rapid & wide spectrum of action while being non-irritant to patient skin.
US09161960B2
A horse feed dietary supplement composition increases the energy and improves the health and coat of a horse and is formed as a partially defatted seed meal composition that may be supplemented to a horse feed. The composition includes a shelf stable, partially defatted supercritical CO2 fluid solvent extracted whole grain flour that is derived from Salvia hispanica L. whole ground seed and that is free of cyanogenic glycosides, vitamin antagonists, and gluten. The flour includes minerals, protein, insoluble fiber and from 1-25% wt/wt of about 3.0-3.3:1 mixture of ALA to LA native seed oil.
US09161959B2
Use of a vegetable drug composition in the manufacturing of a pharmaceutical preparation for the treatment of portal hypertension caused by hepatocirrhosis, said preparation comprises 25-38% of extract of radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, 20-25% of extract of herb Gynostemmae Pentaphylli, 1-6% of alcoholic extract of fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, 19-26% of extract of Cordyceps, 6-8% of extract of pollen Pini, 6-10% of extract of semen Persicae. Said preparation can improve hepatic cell degeneration, necrosis, intraheptic hemorrhage, fiber proliferation, and reduce pressure of portal vein in mammal. A preparation method of said preparation is disclosed.
US09161952B2
Methods for treating a cardiovascular disorder comprising concomitant administration of one or more extracellular matrix (ECM) based compositions directly to damaged or diseased cardiovascular tissue associated with the cardiovascular disorder, and provision of ventricular assistance. In a preferred embodiment, the ECM based compositions include an ECM material derived from a mammalian source.
US09161950B2
A method of treating a subject with elevated levels of peroxynitrite includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of cerium oxide nanoparticles to the subject, wherein the cerium oxide nanoparticles reduce the level of peroxynitrite in the subject.
US09161947B2
The invention relates to the diagnostic and therapeutic uses of a miRNA molecule or an equivalent thereof wherein a source of said miRNA molecule or equivalent thereof comprises at least 80 nucleotides and comprises a motif having at least 98% identity with the motif represented by SEQ ID NO:1 or a source thereof in a disease and condition associated with EMT (Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition).
US09161945B2
A compound, which inhibits SGLT1 (sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1) activity to suppress absorption of glucose or the like, thereby suppressing abnormal glucose tolerance or postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes, is provided. Specifically, a 4-isopropyl-6-methoxyphenyl glucitol compound represented by the following formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, is provided:
US09161933B2
The present invention relates to a solid pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cardiovascular disorders comprising amlodipine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and losartan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which exhibits high dissolution rates of amlodipine and losartan even under a low pH condition and improved storage stability.
US09161928B2
Use of polyunsaturated fatty acid derivatives as medicaments or functional foods. The present invention relates to the use of 1,2-fatty acid derivatives in the treatment or prevention of common diseases whose etiology is based on alterations (of any type) of the cell membrane lipids, for example, changes in levels, in the composition or in the structure of these lipids. In addition, for diseases in which the regulation of lipid composition and of the structure of the membranes (or proteins that interact with membranes) causes the reversion of pathological state.
US09161925B2
The present invention relates to the new therapeutic uses of beta-3 adrenergic receptor agonist derivatives in particular to inhibit apoptosis and treat and/or prevent apoptosis-related diseases and disorders.
US09161922B2
A therapeutic agent for selectively inhibiting amine oxidases associated diseases and conditions in humans includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of propargylamines, polypropargylamines, homopropargylamines, 4-substituted-2-butynylamines, 2- and 3-halloallylamines, pyrroline derivatives, cycloalkenyl branched primary amines, propargyl diamines, homopropargyl amines and diamines, allenyl amines and diamines, chloroallyl diamines, lysyne analogs, β-haloamines, RF-substituted amines, RCi-substituted amines, and R3Si substituted amines.
US09161916B2
The present disclosure teaches unique formulations for topical administration of tetracycline antibiotics, in which the tetracycline antibiotics remain stable.
US09161902B2
Described herein are automatic injectors suitable for administration of a non-sedating antihistamine, and methods of using the automatic injectors. A specific non-sedating antihistamine is cetirizine. The automatic injectors are useful in treating acute urticaria or angioedema associated with an acute allergic reaction including anaphylaxis.
US09161900B2
The present disclosure provides a cosmetic composition which includes at least one of Scutellaria baicalensis essence, licorice essence, and mixture of Scutellaria baicalensis extract and licorice extract as active ingredient and, optionally, further includes at least one of zinc pyrithione, panthenol and thuja semen extract. The cosmetic composition of the present disclosure is capable of inhibiting hair loss and enhancing hair growth by inhibiting binding with the androgen receptor and regulating the hair growth factor so as to induce transition from telogen to anagen and prolong anagen.
US09161896B2
A cosmetic comprising the following components (A), (B), (C) and (D): (A) 0.001 to 50% by weight of an organic acid represented by a general formula (1), wherein R1 denotes a residue derived from a natural sterin having one hydroxy group or a hydrogenated product thereof, or a residue derived from bile acid in which the hydroxyl hydrogen atom is removed; R2 denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms; and M denotes a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkanolammonium having 2 to 9 carbon atoms in total, alkylammonium or alkenylammonium having 1 to 22 carbon atoms in total, a pyridinium substituted with an alkyl group or an alkenyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or a basic amino acid; (B) 0.001 to 20% by weight of a base; (C) 0.0001 to 50% by weight of a ceramide; and (D) water, and comprising, as a component (E), an acid other than the component (A) in a content satisfying a relationship: 0≦(E)/(A)<0.2, and having pH of 6 to 11.
US09161887B2
A method of collecting expressed breast milk for later feeding to an infant includes providing a spout pouch, coupling the spout of the spout pouch to a breast pump, and operating the breast pump to express breast milk into the spout pouch, so that the spout pouch collects the expressed breast milk. A method of feeding a liquid to an infant includes providing the liquid in a spout pouch, and coupling a nipple to the spout of the spout pouch. A nipple for such use includes a connector having an axial bore that is coupled to an orifice in the nipple and the connector forms a liquid tight seal with the spout of the spout pouch. Other systems, methods, and components are also provided.
US09161884B2
A process for providing a predetermined quantity of a particulate material in which the particulate material is deposited on a defined area of a sticky surface of a substrate. The process is suitable for deposition of particulate drug material on a substrate such as a strip form substrate which can then be compacted to provide a delivery device for delivering the predetermined quantity of the particulate material. Such a delivery device, and an apparatus to perform the process, comprise further aspects of the invention.
US09161883B1
An adjustable return fitting, includes a return fitting housing having a housing interior; a water jet adjustment dial rotatably carried by the return fitting housing, the water jet adjustment dial having a dial interior accommodating the return fitting housing; and a peg slot in the dial interior of the dial body, the peg slot disposed in angular relationship to a rotational axis of the water adjustment dial; and a baffle including a baffle stem in the housing interior of the return fitting housing, a baffle tab carried by the baffle stem and a baffle tab peg carried by the baffle stem in offset relationship to the baffle stem, the baffle tab peg engaging the peg slot; and a baffle disk carried by the baffle stem in the housing interior of the return fitting housing.
US09161875B2
A patient support apparatus includes a surgical table and a limb support unit coupled to the surgical table. The limb support unit includes a support platform coupled to the surgical table in a fixed position, a first limb holder coupled to the support platform in a fixed position relative to the support platform, and a second limb holder coupled to the support platform and spaced apart from the first limb holder. The first limb holder includes a multi-axis joint coupled to the support platform in a fixed position and a spar coupled to the multi-axis joint to move relative to the support platform while supporting a patient's limb that has been coupled to the spar.
US09161872B2
A gait rehabilitation machine and a method of using the same for lower-limb rehabilitation. The gait rehabilitation machine includes: a frame; a rear supporting member provided at the frame so that the back side of a human body can lean against the rear supporting member; a thigh supporting member corresponding to a thigh of the human body and pivotally connected to the frame; a shank supporting member corresponding to the corresponding shank of the human body, pivotally connected to the thigh supporting member, and having a pedal to be stepped on by the human body; a knee supporting member corresponding to the corresponding knee of the human body and provided at the thigh supporting member or the shank supporting member; and a transmission device for driving the shank supporting member to move. Thus, a patient can do lower-limb gait rehabilitation exercise without using a suspension system.
US09161871B2
Devices and methods for moving a person having a support base, a linear vertical movement assembly, a linear horizontal movement assembly, and a body support for the person, such that the linear movement assemblies operate independently and can be separately commanded by a user.
US09161866B2
The present invention is an article such as an article to be worn on the lower torso of a wearer, such as pants or diapers. The article has a flexible faeces separation member, such as a faeces trap sheet, which is attached in a particular way such that an effective separation of faeces from skin respectively genitals can be achieved.
US09161858B2
A novel removable lens strip system suitable for use with goggles and helmets is disclosed, wherein lens strips may be easily removed from the goggle lens or helmet shield as the strips become soiled, and thus obstructing the user's vision. More specifically, a guide piece is employed that shields underlying removable lens strips from being inadvertently removed.
US09161846B2
A prosthetic foot with a base spring with a forefoot area and a heel area, a connecting means arranged above the base spring and used to fasten the prosthetic foot to a prosthesis, and a frontal support, at the upper end of which the connecting means is arranged and which, at its lower end, is secured on a torsion element that can twist about the longitudinal axis of the prosthetic foot. The torsion element is designed as a leaf spring arrangement secured to the base spring at one end in the heel area or in the forefoot area.
US09161843B2
A stemless humeral component for replacing the humeral head of a patient's humerus includes a support flange having a number of cantilevered legs extending distally away from a bottom surface thereof. Instruments and methods for surgically installing the stemless humeral component are also disclosed.
US09161834B2
An apparatus and method for delivering a prosthetic device through the vasculature of a patient includes a radially expandable member coupled to the distal end of an elongate shaft. The expandable member has an open frame configuration and an outer mounting surface for mounting the prosthetic device in a collapsed state thereon. The expandable member expands radially outwards from a first configuration to a second configuration to expand a prosthetic device mounted thereon.
US09161830B2
Implant devices for filtering blood flowing through the ostium of an atrial appendage have component structures one or more of which are expandable. Devices with component structures in their unexpanded state have a compact size suitable for intra-cutaneous delivery to an atrial appendage situs. The expandable component structures are expanded in situ to deploy the devices. A device may have sufficiently short axial length so that most or almost all of the device length may fit within the ostium region.
US09161819B2
An adjustable support apparatus used to support a person in a specific position over an extended period of time, and method of using the same. The apparatus has a base, an adjustable plate clamp assembly with upper and lower plates, a pivot within the apertures of the plates and adjustably retained between the plates, and a support member attached to the pivot and adapted to support a load. The adjustable plate clamp assembly has upper and lower plates. The upper plate has a central upper aperture, a first end pivotally attached to the base, and a second end. The lower plate has a central lower aperture, a first end, and a second end pivotally attached to the second end of the upper plate. The first end of the lower plate bears against the base, the plates together form an acute angle, and the apertures are aligned with one another.
US09161815B2
A dermatological laser apparatus for irradiating human tissue with optical pulses includes a laser source (2) producing an optical output, a pulse shaper (4) coupled to the laser source for converting the optical output into optical pulses having desired shapes, and an optical delivery tool (8) coupled to the pulse shaper for applying the optical pulses sequentially to a multiplicity of sites on the human tissue with consecutively irradiated sites being non-adjacent.
US09161813B2
A RF energy console controls RF energy output from a RF generator for sealing blood vessels. The energy console includes a processor that executes routines and a controller feedback circuit that, in combination, control the RF generator. Operation includes a heating stage outputting a RF ramping voltage and determining a decrease in measured current to less than a predetermined % percentage of a maximum measured and stored current value to advance to a sealing stage. Then, the voltage is controlled to maintain an increasing change in impedance until a change in current value approaches a flat curve indicating seal completion, which stops the RF generator output. To reseal or enhance a blood vessel seal, the energy console executes the same routines as in the initial sealing operation.
US09161812B2
A surgical device is disclosed, and includes a pair of finger-mountable annular members, each having an electrode disposed thereon. An optical member is disposed on at least one of the pair of finger-mountable annular members and has a first set of light transmitting properties corresponding to a first set of physical parameters of at least one of the finger-mountable annular members. At least one finger-mountable annular member is configured to transition to a second set of physical parameters being different from the first set of physical parameters. The optical member is configured to transition from a first set of light transmitting properties to a second set of light transmitting properties, the second set of light transmitting properties corresponding to the second set of physical parameters, the second set of light transmitting properties being different from the first set of light transmitting properties.
US09161808B2
An apparatus for endobronchial ablation of a tumor is provided. The apparatus has an ablation catheter and a guide facility to be inserted into the bronchial system, a sheath defining a guide channel for the ablation catheter, a closing apparatus for a bronchial arm, and an aperture allowing airtight insertion of the ablation catheter into a bronchial arm blocked by the closing apparatus. The ablation catheter and/or the guide facility have a suction apparatus for sucking air out of a bronchial arm blocked off by the closing apparatus.
US09161802B2
Methods, apparatus, and systems for treating tissue located beneath a tissue surface with electromagnetic energy delivered from a treatment electrode. The treatment electrode may include a conductive layer and a plurality of openings extending through the conductive layer. The openings may vary in size or area across the conductive layer, and may vary progressively in size or area with location relative to the electrode perimeter.
US09161793B2
A method of repairing bone. In the method, a sleeve and a fastener may be provided, with the fastener projecting from the sleeve and having a trailing section disposed in threaded engagement with the sleeve. A leading section of the fastener may be driven into threaded engagement with bone. The sleeve may be advanced into contact with the bone to apply tension to the fastener and compress the bone. A trailing section of the fastener may be driven out of the sleeve and into threaded engagement with the bone.
US09161788B2
Spinal rod reduction apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided. In various examples, a rod reduction apparatus includes a first threaded member (130, 210, 330) including an engagement feature (138A, 138B, 220, 332, 334) configured to selectively anchor the first threaded member to the implantable screw assembly. A second threaded member (110, 230, 310) is configured to threadably engage with the first threaded member. The second threaded member is axially movable with respect to the first threaded member with rotation of the second threaded member. A spinal rod urging member (120, 240, 320) is axially movable with the second threaded member. The urging member includes a bearing surface (126, 242, 320) that is configured to selectively abut the spinal rod and selectively urge the spinal rod toward the implantable screw assembly with rotation of the second threaded member in a first rotational direction.
US09161786B2
Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In general, the method involves advancing a spinal fixation element in a first, lengthwise orientation along a pathway extending from a minimally invasive percutaneous incision to a spinal anchor site. As the spinal fixation element approaches the spinal anchor site, the fixation element can be manipulated to extend in a second orientation, which is preferably substantially transverse to the first orientation, to position the fixation element in relation to one or more spinal anchors.
US09161781B2
A pedicle screw and rod assembly that has particular application for minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation. The assembly includes pedicle screws having ball-shaped heads that are threaded through pedicles of adjacent vertebra into the vertebral body. The assembly also includes two cannulated posts that extend above a cannulated pedicle screw to allow placement over a K-wire. A head portion accepts the head of the pedicle screw in a secure and multi-axial engagement. The assembly further includes a tube portion that is coupled to the head portion and extends above the patient's skin. The assembly also includes a lordotic slotted rod that is slid down the tube portions to be positioned on top of the head portions of the posts so that the portions are locked within the slot. Bolts are then slid down the tube portions and are threaded to a threaded portion on the portion.
US09161777B2
A device useful for accessing the left atrium is provided. The device comprises an elongated tubular body and a dilating tip. The tubular body has an axis, a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen longitudinally extending therethrough. The dilating tip is slidably mounted on the distal end of the tubular body. The dilating tip comprises a segmented surface that is generally transverse to the axis of the tubular body, and a generally rigid tube extending distally from the segmented surface and having a sharp distal end. Distal movement of the tubular body relative to the dilating tip exerts a force on the segmented surface to thereby open the segmented surface.
US09161775B1
A tunneling tool for implanting a medical device into body tissue is described. The tunneling tool comprises a first leg and a second leg. An intermediate portion of the second leg is shaped to nest a medical device therein. A hub connects the first and second distal leg ends together. A sheath providing a lumen extends from the hub to an open end distal of the first and second legs. The first and second legs are manipulatable to separate the hub and the sheath into two portions, a first split portion connected to the first leg and a second split portion connected to the second leg. When a medical device is nested in the tunneling tool, breaking the tunneling tool apart enables the first and second split portions to be removed from body tissue, leaving the implanted medical device behind.
US09161774B2
A surgical instrument includes a first member having an inner surface defining a first passageway. A second member is disposable within the first passageway and movable relative to the first member. The second member defines a longitudinal axis and extends between a first end and a second end configured to engage tissue. The second end includes a first surface configured for a non-penetrating engagement with the tissue and a second surface including at least two spaced apart cutting members extending axially from the first surface. The cutting members are rotatable to excise a portion of the tissue.
US09161768B2
A shock wave applicator includes a reflector and a shock wave generator disposed in the reflector at a first focal point. The reflector is at least a portion of an ellipsoidal shape having a long and small axis with the first focal point and a second focal point on a long axis, and the reflector terminates at an edge defining a membrane covered-aperture on plane intersecting the small axis and coincident with the second focal point.
US09161767B2
One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using peristalsis to force a polymer plug through a mammalian lumen, thereby removing any calculi and/or calculi fragments present in the lumen. In one embodiment, the method is used as an alternative to conventional lithotripsy. In another embodiment, the method is used in conjunction with lithotripsy, thereby removing the small calculi fragments that result from such procedures.
US09161750B2
Assemblies, devices and methods are provided for suture management associated with surgical procedures for anchoring suture to bone. Suture elements mounted to suture anchors are terminated in suture loops or tags, and associated stop members that in combination with visual coding provide suture identification, prevent accidental unmounting of suture from suture anchors, and reduce the number of suture legs requiring active management during complex arthroscopic repairs. The present invention also provides exemplary drivers that can be used with the various methods and devices disclosed herein, or with other methods and devices known in the art.
US09161745B2
A retractor assembly for positioning tissue during a surgical procedure, having two opposing arms disposed adjacent to one another and sized and configured to be urged substantially laterally away from one another during actuation of the retractor assembly into an open position, and one or more posts, each post being connected to, or integral with, and extending radially outwardly from a respective one of the opposing arms, each of the one or more posts having a length sufficient so that each of the one or more posts will extend through a respective aperture defined by a modular component to be detachably attached to the respective one of the opposing arms. Related methods of positioning tissue during surgery are also described.
US09161741B2
According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a slice image generation unit, a three-dimensional image generation unit, a display unit, a setting unit, an updating unit, and a changing unit. The slice image generation unit generates the data of slice images based on a volume data. The three-dimensional image generation unit generates the data of a three-dimensional image based on the volume data. The display unit displays the slice images and the three-dimensional image. The setting unit sets the vector on the first slice image of the displayed slice images in accordance with an instruction from an operator. The updating unit updates the displayed three-dimensional image based on the vector. The changing unit changes the position of a slice of a remaining slice image of the displayed slice images to a position where the slice intersects the vector and is perpendicular to the slice of the first slice image.
US09161739B2
A beamforming apparatus includes a storage for storing a plurality of basis vectors obtained from a beamforming coefficient of a previously-measured echo signal; a weight calculator for calculating a weight to be applied to an echo signal reflected from a target; and a synthesizer for applying the weight to the echo signal reflected from the target and synthesizing signals to which the weight is applied.
US09161737B2
According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a data acquisition unit configured to scan a region which includes at least part of a heart of an object and acquire ultrasonic data associated with the region, a curve acquisition unit configured to acquire temporal change curves of a wall motion parameter associated with a plurality of regions of the heart by using the ultrasonic data associated with the region to be scanned and a value acquisition unit configured to acquire an index value associated with cardiac wall motion by calculating a difference value of the wall motion parameter of two arbitrary regions, of the plurality of regions of the heart, at each phase in an analysis period by using temporal change curves associated with the two arbitrary regions, calculating a total sum of the difference values in the analysis period, and normalizing the total sum with a predetermined value.
US09161729B2
An apparatus for X-ray photography includes a first X-ray source, a first driving device, and an image detecting device. The first X-ray source has a light emitting end, provided with a block element. The first X-ray source generates an X-ray beam, and the block element is used for constraining a projection field of the X-ray beam, so that the X-ray beam has a first boundary. The X-ray beam is cast onto an object, and the object has a reference center and an imageable area. The first driving device is used for driving the first X-ray source to rotate around the object within an angle range with the reference center of the object as a center, so that when the first X-ray source is located at a first position, the first boundary passes through the reference center.
US09161717B2
At least one embodiment is directed to an insert for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The insert can be temporary or permanent. In one embodiment, the insert is prosthetic component for a single compartment of the knee. The insert comprises a support structure and a support structure respectively having an articular surface and a load bearing surface. The height of the insert is less than 10 millimeters. At least one internal cavity is formed when support structures are coupled together for housing electronic circuitry, sensors, and the power source. The internal cavity is isolated from the external environment and can be hermetically sealed. The exterior surfaces of the support structure and the support structure are sterilized.
US09161708B2
The use of motion capture data for analyzing an individual's performance on certain exercises, and more particularly relates to comparison of movement data for an individual with a database of recorded motions for a population in order to generate a training regimen for the individual, and to monitor the individual's progress when carrying out the training regimen.
US09161707B2
The system of the present invention includes a conductive element, an electronic component, and a partial power source in the form of dissimilar materials. Upon contact with a conducting fluid, a voltage potential is created and the power source is completed, which activates the system. The electronic component controls the conductance between the dissimilar materials to produce a unique current signature. The system can also be associated with food and communicate data about ingestion of food material to a receiver.
US09161699B2
A device (10) for the non-invasive determination of arterial blood pressure of a human or animal body, comprising at least a bioimpedance measuring device (20) having a plurality of electrode pairs (21, 22, 23) for capturing the admittance signals (Y(t)) caused by an impressed alternating current on at least one first section of the body, wherein the captured admittance signals (Y(t)) correspond to a composite signal made of signal components of a pulse admittance (YP(t)), a respiration admittance (YB(t)) as well as a base admittance (Y0(t)), as well as at least one device for the non-invasive measurement of the blood pressure (30), wherein a processor (40) of the device (10), which separates from the admittance measurement signals (Y(t)), which are received by the bioimpedance measuring device (20) from several electrode pairs (21, 22, 23) arranged at a distance from each other on at least one first section of the body, wherein the measurements are carried out multiple times, each time using electrode pairs arranged at different sites of the body and/or at respectively different measuring frequencies, at least the signal components of the pulse admittance (YP(t)) and which determines the arterial blood pressure (PC(t)) from pressure signals (PP(t)) of a second section of the body, which is preferably disposed at a distance from the first section, which signals are received from the blood pressure measuring device for determining a scaling factor (k).
US09161698B2
An apparatus comprises plurality of sensors and a processor. Each sensor provides a sensor signal that includes physiological information and at least one sensor is implantable. The processor includes a physiological change event detection module that detects a physiological change event from a sensor signal and produces an indication of occurrence of one or more detected physiological change events, and a heart failure (HF) detection module. The HF detection module determines, using a first rule, whether the detected physiological change event is indicative of a change in HF status of a subject, determines whether to override the first rule HF determination using a second rules, and declares whether the change in HF status occurred according to the first and second rules.
US09161690B2
There is provided an ophthalmologic apparatus having a tracking function that can select a fundus image that is less affected by eye motion to reduce burdens on an operator/a patient in fundus imaging, wherein the ophthalmologic apparatus picks up a first fundus image (202), extracts a characteristic point as a template from the first fundus image (203), executes pattern matching on a second fundus image (205) to determine presence/absence of eye motion, and decides a tracking template image (207).
US09161675B2
A household appliance includes an information light device that projects light onto a surface to enable a user to determine whether or not the household device is in operation. The information light device may include a light guide. The light guide may be disposed along a side portion of the household appliance.
US09161674B2
A dishwasher appliance is provided with a silverware basket. The silverware basket includes a ramp that is configured for urging the silverware basket away from a door of the appliance when the silverware basket is being detached from the door. The ramp can, e.g., assist a user in removing the silverware basket.
US09161665B2
The present invention is a sanitation seat for assisting urinating and defecating outdoors. The sanitation seat has a top ring comprised of an outer rim around a vacuous region. The outer rim is comprised of at least one “T” coupler and a plurality of curved elements. A leg or legs are detachably connected to the “T” coupler or couplers. If the sanitation seat is to be attached to a tree at least nail passes through the top ring for embedding into a tree, and a tie rope, which beneficially includes a rope attachment, is used to attach the seat to a tree.
US09161662B2
A food processor device for processing foodstuff includes a housing and a food processing container for holding foodstuff during processing. The food processing container is supported by the housing during use of the food processor device. The food processor further includes a user interface for exchanging information, during use, with the user and a food weighing device. The food weighing device includes a food weighing bowl for weighing foodstuff before the foodstuff is entered into the food processing container, and at least one weighing sensor for sensing the weight of the food weighing bowl. During weighing, the food weighing bowl is located above the food processing container. Further, the weighing bowl is suitable for covering the food processing container during food preparation.
US09161657B2
A coffee machine for preparing hot, milk-containing beverages and having a milk supply (15) and a discharge means (8). In order to achieve improved handling, the milk supply (15) is configured for accommodating concentrated milk, and a mixing device (17) is provided for mixing the concentrated milk with water.
US09161649B2
Provided is an electronic curtain moving device. Thus device can comprise: a pulley operably connected to a motor, the pulley having a groove through which a cord of a curtain travels, wherein the pulley can move in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions; a head capable of movement from a first and a second position; Wherein movement of the pulley in the clockwise direction makes the head move to the first position and make contact with the cord, and movement of the pulley in the counter-clockwise direction makes the head move to the second position and make contact with the cord at a different location than contact at the first position.
US09161641B2
A foldable mat is provided. The foldable mat may move from a usable First Position A to a condensed Second Position B. The foldable mat has a plurality of grommets. The grommets are located along the four corners of the mat. The front and the back of the mat have a plurality of protrusions which extend outward and cover substantially the entire top and bottom surface of the mat. A first crease lacking the protrusions extends along the center of the mat parallel to the side of the foldable mat and a second crease lacking the protrusion extends along the center of the mat substantially perpendicular with respect to the first crease. The mat may be folded into a Second Position B and a fastener may secure the foldable mat in the Second Position B by securing the grommets together.
US09161638B2
Door lock merchandising display apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes a support structure including first and second fixtures positioned in a merchandise display region. The fixtures are laterally and rotatably movable relative to the support structure. The apparatus includes merchandise modules that include door locks and are detachably coupled with respective fixtures. Interior and exterior portions of the door locks are displayed on respective sides of the modules. A customer can position the fixtures to selectably simultaneously display the interior and exterior portions of the door locks. The apparatus may also include a customer-accessible inventory storage region and a customer interaction unit configured to receive customer input associated with a particular type of door lock and provide an output to the customer identifying a location of the particular type of door lock in the inventory storage region.
US09161635B2
A first member includes a first fixing portion on which a sheet edge is fixed, a holder continuous with an end of the first fixing portion, a first recess that is defined in the holder and has an opening in a continuous direction of the first fixing portion, and a support portion that is formed opposite the first fixing portion across the opening of the first recess of the holder. A second member includes a second fixing portion on which the other sheet edge is fixed, a held portion continuous with an end of the second fixing portion. When the held portion is inserted into the first recess, the support portion is brought into contact with a surface of the second fixing portion.
US09161634B2
A mattress comprising asymmetrical coil springs with nonlinear spring rates provides comfort to users with different weights. The lower portion of the spring is cylindrical and the upper portion is conical or frustoconical. This arrangement causes the spring to undergo linear compression before undergoing nonlinear compression. The result is a mattress that is sufficiently soft for lighter users and sufficiently firm for heavier users.
US09161629B2
A chair assembly includes a frame, seat, and a back. The frame has two foot frames and two back supports. The foot frame has an upper rod, and an extending supporting rib is formed to the upper rod. The back support has an assembling sheet. The seat has a cut for receiving the upper rod of the foot frame on two lateral sides thereof, and the rear side of the seat also has a cut for receiving the transverse shaft of the frame. The back has two pin holes on two lateral sides of the bottom thereof for receiving the back supports of the frame, and the pin hole has a slot for receiving the assembling sheet of the back support. The seat is fixed to the frame, and the back is fixed to the frame through the assembling sheet of the back support with two fastening components.
US09161622B1
An Air Traffic Control (ATC) console provides improved structural integrity and cable routing. The ATC console includes laterally spaced apart vertical ribs including a strong center box structure and slat wall hooks on opposing flat wings. Front and rear slat wall panels attached to opposite sides of the ribs by horizontal lips on rear surfaces of the slat walls engaging the slat wall hooks. Horizontal openings for cable passage are created by spacing consecutive slat walls apart, and may be staggered to avoid light reaching an operator. Brush grommets may fill the openings in the front slat walls further preventing light from reaching the operator. Cable trays may be position under the horizontal openings and the vertical ribs may include cable pass throughs aligned with the horizontal openings and cable trays allowing cables to be routed laterally between the slat walls.
US09161620B2
A mobile serving cart with adjustable hinges that allows for the production inconsistencies associated with rotational molding. The cart comprises a plurality of door assemblies, each door assembly comprising at least two hinge assemblies, at least one hinge assembly being disposed at the upper portion of the door assembly, and at least one other hinge assembly being disposed at the lower portion of the door assembly. Each hinge assembly comprises at least two door bolts, at least one cart bolt, and a pivot rod. The cart rod is disposed between the at least two door bolts at an orientation that is orthogonal to the at least two door bolts. The hinge assemblies provide a means for the rotationally molded door assemblies and side walls of the cart to be tightly or snuggly coupled together despite the manufacturing inconsistencies inherent to the rotational molding process.
US09161616B1
A portable desk assembly for providing a work surface having an adjustable height includes a pair of stands each movably coupled together. The pair of stands is positionable between a deployed position and a stored position. A panel is coupled to the pair of stands. The panel may provide a work surface. A lock is coupled between the pair of stands. The lock retains the panel at a selected height when the pair of stands is positioned in the deployed position.
US09161614B2
A method of making a cosmetic applicator assembly is described. The cosmetic applicator assembly includes an applicator head comprising an applicator front portion having at least a first surface, a second surface, and a multiplicity of apertures extending between the first surface and the second surface, at least one applicator component protruding from the at one least aperture and attachable to the applicator front portion, and an applicator back portion fixed to the applicator front portion so as to cover the second surface of the applicator front portion.
US09161613B1
A tongue scraper toothbrush system for cleaning teeth and tongue of a user is provided. The tongue scraper toothbrush system comprises a handle having a first end and a second end. A brush head is mounted to the first end of the handle. A tongue scraping device is mounted to the handle. The brush head and the tongue scraping device are alternatingly usable to clean the teeth and tongue of the user.
US09161611B2
A protective case is for use on a tablet mobile device. The tablet mobile device has a front face, rear face and four side faces connecting the front face. The protective case comprises a frame body comprising a bottom portion for supporting the rear face and a holding portion extending from the bottom portion and at least partially bent for lying on the front face; a sealing member comprising an assistant holding portion and for surrounding and holding, in cooperation with the frame body, the tablet mobile device; and a handle member mounted on the frame body and/or the sealing member. The protective case has the advantages of having a simple structure for convenient installation and protecting the exterior of the computer without hiding its display screen. Additionally, the handle member adapts an ergonomic design by using user's arm as support for the computer.
US09161606B1
A makeup application component includes a three-dimensional mask, a transfer layer, and a pigment layer. A surface curve of a first surface of the three-dimensional mask is corresponding to a surface curve of a face of a user. The transfer layer covers the first surface of the three-dimensional mask. The transfer layer is provided with a first surface and a second surface that are opposite each other. The first surface of the transfer layer clings to the first surface of the three-dimensional mask, and the pigment layer is attached to the second surface of the transfer layer.
US09161599B1
A hat case assembly for protecting a hat while traveling includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. A cover is pivotally coupled to the perimeter wall of the housing. The cover is positioned in an open position exposing an interior of the housing or in a closed position covering the interior of the housing. A mount is positioned within the housing and is mounted on an interior surface of the bottom wall. The mount is configured to releasably engage a hat and retain the hat on the bottom wall.
US09161596B2
A security luggage bag having multi layered walls defining a storage volume and at least one of the walls has a reinforcing layer comprised of a fabric with a reinforcing wire strand on a surface of the fabric, the reinforcing strand being fixed to the fabric as with stitching, tape or welds extending lengthwise along the reinforcing strand.
US09161591B2
An article of footwear and insert for an article of footwear are provided with means for provisional instantaneous enhancing cutaneous mechanoreceptors pressure sensation from the plantar surface (sole) of the foot perimeter zone.Such instantaneous stimulation ought to compensate age/illness—related deterioration of plantar cutaneous sensation; it enhances its ability to detect and react to the shifts of the body's Center of Gravity (COG) toward the edges of the feet which, if left uncorrected right away, cause ankle sprain, and/or loss of balance and fall.An insole disclosed is provided with a set of pressure-activated protrusions, which form a narrow strip in close proximity to the perimeter of the insole inside the inner neighborhood of the plantar sole perimeter, and becomes active just when the Center Of Pressure (COP) of the wearer of the footwear is shifting dangerously toward the edges of the feet.
US09161583B2
Methods and devices for attaching hair weaves to a wearer's existing hair are described. A hair extension/weave portion (e.g., a system comprised of a plurality of natural and/or synthetic hair strands) may be attached to an attachment strip member via a base member with a suture, such as a thread or stitch. The attachment strip member may be formed of a flexible material, such that it can conform to the contours of the wearer's head/scalp. Holes may be provided on the attachment strip member so to allow the attachment of one or more clip members thereto. The clip members, having the attachment strip member and hair extension portion attached thereto, may then be inserted into the wearer's existing hair so as to secure the hair extension system thereto. The clip members, and thus the hair extension system, may then be easily removed from the wearer's existing hair when desired.
US09161580B2
The present invention is an article of clothing, such as a glove, formed with a flexible, moldable material section forming one or more of the portions of the article of clothing. The moldable sections utilized in constructing the article of clothing are formed in a molding process which allows for the formation of the sections in a desired shape and/or with various function-enhancing members integrally on the moldable portions. In addition, the molding process for forming the moldable sections can be used to bond the moldable sections to the other non-moldable sections used in the construction of the article of clothing.
US09161579B1
A puncture-resistant glove includes a glove body having a hand portion with an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, a little finger and a thumb and a puncture-resistant area generally covering the hand portion, the thumb and the index finger.
US09161574B2
A post medical procedure garment includes front and rear panels with height adjusting straps that extend over the wearer's shoulders. The front panel includes an outer compression fabric and an inner cup assembly, which is essentially non-compressive. The cup assembly includes individual cups for each breast. An elastic band extends around the bottom portion of the garment. Tensioning structures, such as side flaps extending from the back to the front, can be provided to adjust the circumferential size of the garment. The garment can include releasable closures on the side of the garment to aid in putting on and taking off the garment. A connector can removably attach a fluid storage device to the side flaps or the elastic band. The fluid storage device can hold post-medical procedure drainage fluid.
US09161568B2
A tobacco product is formed by rolling moistened tobacco leaves about a cylindrical form casing and allowing the leaves to dry to form a shell. After the form casing is removed a consumer can fill the shell with crushed tobacco leaves of a favorite blend, thereby eliminating some steps in the making of a “roll-your-own” tobacco product.
US09161550B2
A carcass stabilizer for holding a carcass and preventing swinging motion parallel to a carcass rail has a pair of arms that open widely to grasp a swinging carcass as the carcass moves at a point below the suspension point of the carcass. The arms continuously move with the carcass as a carcass processing operation is performed and also preferably move down during the processing operation to exert a downward pull on the carcass and thereby straighten the centerline of the carcass and more accurately hold it in an aligned position.
US09161547B2
A conveyor oven is disclosed. The conveyor oven includes a housing, a conveyor belt, a first and second doors, and a heat source. The housing includes a cavity and a first and second openings. The conveyor belt is configured to receive and transport food items in and out of the cavity through the first and second openings. The conveyor belt includes a loading section and an unloading section for food. The first and second doors cover first and second openings, respectively, in order to prevent heat within the cavity from escaping through the first and second openings during operation. Configured to provide different cooking times and thermal profiles to various types of food items, the heat source provides heat to the cavity for heating up any food item placed on a portion of the conveyor belt located within the cavity.
US09161542B2
Pesticidal compositions that improve soil residual efficacy of sulfoxaflor are disclosed.
US09161529B2
The present invention generally relates to aqueous compositions containing salts of (S)-(+)-abscisic acid, the surfactant Atlox™ 4913, and the color stabilizers sodium citrate and sodium acetate, methods of their preparation, and methods of their agricultural use.
US09161528B2
The present invention relates to a method for cryopreserving the pulp of a non-exfoliated deciduous tooth, comprising a step of making with a laser a hole into the tooth removed from its physiological seat on the tooth neck. After making the hole, the tooth is contacted with a cryopreserving agent and then cryofrozen. An object of the invention further consists in mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the pulp of a cryopreserved tooth according to the method of the invention.
US09161522B2
A fishing lure configured to have a rocking motion when pulled through water. The fishing lure has a body shaped like an elliptic parabaloid. A hook is mechanically coupled to the body and to an egg sinker wherein the egg sinker is proximate one end of the body. A sealer is configured to cover the body and the hook. The egg sinker causes the body to sink mimicking a fish diving. The body is configured to have the rocking motion when moving mimicking the fish swimming.
US09161515B2
A custom-shaped wireless fence system is provided that contains one or more dogs in a user-defined containment area without the need for a physical fence or underground wire. The system, which is easy to set up and use, includes at least three base units and at least one collar and, preferably, a remote controller. Each of the base units and the at least one collar includes a component for reducing clock speed variation between the base and collar units, preferably to +/−5 ppm, to effectively eliminate communication errors between the base and collar units.
US09161497B2
An autonomously controlled greenhouse cultivation system includes a fuel cell module, an environment detection and control module, and environment set-up devices. The fuel cell module includes input terminals and output terminals. After fuel and air are received through the input terminals, the output terminals supply, respectively, various environmental products, including electrical power, thermal energy, carbon dioxide, and water, which are fed to the environment detection and control module that controls the output of these environmental products and includes detection units and control units to detect and effect feedback control of illumination, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, and water level. Each environment set-up device is arranged inside a greenhouse and is connected to the environment detection and control module to receive the environmental to set up the environment of growth in respect of illumination, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and water supply of irrigation for the plants cultivated in the greenhouse.
US09161495B2
A method is provided for preparing a raw material for functional foods from vernalized, pre-germinated barley or wheat seeds, plumules cultured the vernalized, pre-germinated barley or wheat seeds, or a material resulting from the fermentation of the vernalized, pre-germinated barley or wheat seeds with lactic acid bacteria.
US09161494B2
Bale opener for use in a feeding line of a biomass energy plant, the bale opener (1) comprising at least two disintegration members (2), wherein each disintegration member (2) is rotatable around a respective rotation axis (5) and in the direction of that rotation axis (5) has a first end (3) and a second end (4), an inlet (17) for feeding bales (28) in a feeding direction (33) to the disintegration members (2), an outlet (18) for discharging loosened bale material from the disintegration members (2), a drive system (6) being operable to drive the disintegration members (2) to rotate around their respective rotation axis (5), wherein each disintegration member (2) is provided with a plurality of blades (8) that are radially disposed in a mill-wheel arrangement, the blades (8) extending outwardly from a radially inner edge (9) to a radially outer edge (10) and from a first edge (11) at the first end (3) of the disintegration member (2) to a second edge (12) in a direction towards the second end (4) of the disintegration member (2), and that the inlet (17) is arranged opposite to the first end (3) of the disintegration members (2) so as to feed the bales (28) to a processing region (34) at the first end (3) of the disintegration members (2).
US09161492B2
A header has a middle section disposed on a main frame, at least two side sections adjacent to the middle section, a rear panel extending perpendicularly to the main frame, a flexible finger bar extending across a width of the header and a conveyor device disposed behind the finger bar. The conveyer device is designed on the side sections as a continuous conveyor belt disposed adjacent to the middle section in order to transport crop cut by the finger bar laterally in the direction of the middle section. The side sections are formed as a plurality of supporting arms swivellably disposed on the main frame that support the finger bar. Each side section has a plurality of supporting elements for supporting the conveyor belt. Each of the supporting elements is supported in a bearing point to be displaceable in the axial direction relative to the main frame.
US09161491B2
A portable device and a method for the decorative design of fields and grass surfaces with graphics, texts, logos, reliefs, engraved designs, or patterns is presented. The device is so conceived that at least one guiding element with at least one treatment actuator for applying a design to a surface is guided in a circular motion around a reference point by a drive unit. A circular treatment area results from this rotational movement. Within this treatment area, each point can be reached by the treatment actuator (realized e.g. as a spraying device having at least one nozzle) for the application of the design. The control mechanism of the device ensures that the treatment actuator undertakes the application of the design to the surface either while passing over the point to be treated or after positioning is complete. A template in digitalized form may serve as a basis for the treatment of the surface to which decoration is to be applied.
US09161489B1
An agricultural potassium-fertigation method for emitter-irrigation potassium fertigation feeds a potassium-nutrient feedstock comprised of potassium formate and water to an active emitter-irrigation system discontinuously, at levels of 0.15 to 50 gal./min, during one to six nonconsecutive irrigation days during a crop cycle.
US09161487B1
A horizontal auger garden tilling apparatus and method of use having an outer frame, an inner frame which pivots with the outer frame, and a rotating auger capable of tilling soil to depth which conventional tillers cannot begin to reach. The apparatus is moved and the method of use is performed via attachment with a tractor or other movable carriage which provides enough horizontal force to move the auger through the soil and provides auger rotational power. A trencher attachment prevents auger soil refilling and allows the apparatus and method of use to be utilized and performed in conjunction with trenching operations.
US09167731B2
A high voltage shielding device including a main body having an enclosing outer solid insulating wall, an outer electrode arranged on the solid insulating wall providing a first level of insulation to the outer electrode, and a first inner electrode which is uninsulated or has a coating providing a second level of insulation, which second level of insulation is lower than the first level of insulation. The first inner electrode is oriented relative the outer electrode in such a way that the first inner electrode mainly shields a component of an electric field which is perpendicular to a component of an electric field mainly shielded by the outer electrode.
US09167722B2
The electronic device according to the Present Disclosure is an electronic device provided with a heat-dissipating portion and an electronic component socket that can accommodate, therein, an installable electronic component, wherein the electronic component socket has a thermal connecting portion for connecting thermally to the electronic component, and, when the electronic component is operating, the electronic component and the heat-dissipating portion are connected thermally through the thermal connecting portion.
US09167721B2
A cooling apparatus and method are provided. The cooling apparatus includes a coolant-cooled heat exchanger for facilitating dissipation of heat generated within an electronics rack, and a coolant control apparatus. The coolant control apparatus includes at least one coolant recirculation conduit coupled in fluid communication between a facility coolant supply and return, wherein the facility coolant supply and return facilitate providing facility coolant to the heat exchanger. The control apparatus further includes a coolant pump(s) associated with the recirculation conduit(s) and a controller which monitors a temperature of facility coolant supplied to the heat exchanger, and redirects facility coolant, via the coolant recirculation conduit(s) and coolant pump(s), from the facility coolant return to the facility coolant supply to, at least in part, ensure that facility coolant supplied to the heat exchanger remains above a dew point temperature.
US09167716B2
A divider for a bay of a blade server chassis includes a plurality of posts, a plurality of flex tabs, and a rail. The posts are located along a first side of the divider, and are configured to be inserted within respective holes in a first panel of the bay of the blade server chassis. The flex tabs are located along a second side of the divider, and are placed in physical communication with a second panel of the bay. The flex tabs are configured compress within the divider and away from the second panel to enable the posts to be inserted within in the holes of the first panel, the second side of the divider being opposite to the first side of the divider. The rail is located along a third side of the divider, and is configured to guide a blade server within the bay.
US09167711B2
A mobile apparatus includes a first body, a second body, a rotary adaptor including an accommodation portion to accommodate the second body, rotatably installed on the first body, and to move the second body to a position where the second body is stacked on the first body and a position where the second body is unfolded, first magnets disposed on the accommodation portion, and second magnets disposed on the second body so as to face the first magnets and having different polarity from the first magnets.
US09167702B2
A method of manufacturing a component-built-in wiring substrate which exhibits excellent reliability, through improvement of adhesion between a resin filler and a core substrate, is provided. In some embodiments the method comprises a core substrate preparation step for preparing a core substrate, an accommodation-hole forming step for forming an accommodation hole in the core substrate, and a through-hole forming step for forming through-holes. In a plating-layer forming step, a plating layer is formed on an inner wall surface of the accommodation hole and plating layers are formed on the inner wall surfaces of the through-holes, which become through-hole conductors each having a hollow. In an accommodation step, a component is accommodated in the accommodation hole. In a resin charging step, a resin filler is filled into a gap between component side-surfaces and the inner wall surface of the accommodation hole and into the hollows.
US09167693B2
A method of producing a wired circuit board includes a first step of preparing a metal supporting layer, a second step of forming, on one side of the metal supporting layer in a thickness direction thereof, an insulating layer having a first opening, and a plurality of terminal formation portions, a third step of forming, on one side of the insulating layer in the thickness direction, a conductive layer having a plurality of terminal portions each corresponding to the plurality of terminal formation portions, a fourth step of partially removing the metal supporting layer to form a second opening and at least one reinforcing metal supporting portion placed between the plurality of terminal formation portions, and a fifth step of removing the plurality of terminal formation portions exposed from the second opening to expose both side surfaces of the plurality of terminal portions in the thickness direction.
US09167684B2
A substrate including a fluid reservoir and a connected fluid channel, the fluid reservoir positioned away from a component region of the substrate, the fluid channel configured to extend from the fluid reservoir to guide an electrically conductive fluid from the fluid reservoir at a reservoir end of the fluid channel through the fluid channel to a component end of the fluid channel, the component end extending to the component region of the substrate to enable the formation of an electrical connection to a connector of an electronic component appropriately positioned in the component region, formation of the electrical connection allowing the electronic component to be interconnected to other electronic components using one or more of the fluid reservoir and fluid channel.
US09167683B2
A printed circuit board includes a first layer stack and a second layer stack coupled to the first layer stack. The first layer stack includes a first electrically-insulating layer, a first electrically-conductive layer, and a cut-out area defining a void that extends therethrough. The first electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first electrically-conductive layer is disposed on the first surface of the first electrically-insulating layer. The second layer stack includes a second electrically-insulating layer. The second electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. One or more electrically-conductive traces are disposed on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer. The printed circuit board further includes a device at least partially disposed within the cut-out area. The device is electrically-coupled to one or more of the one or more electrically-conductive traces disposed on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer.
US09167672B2
The invention relates to automatically verifying the possibility of rendering a lighting atmosphere from an abstract description, for example from a lighting atmosphere specified in XML (Extensible Markup Language) independent of a specific lighting infrastructure and of a room layout. A basic idea of the invention is to translate the possibilities of a lighting infrastructure into so called light element templates. A light element template contains an indication of the possibilities of the lighting infrastructure at a certain semantic location, for example in a shop or a home in which the lighting infrastructure is provided. For every type of light effect of a lighting infrastructure, a different light element template may be created. This allows to automatically verify the possibility of rendering a lighting atmosphere from an abstract description in a lighting infrastructure at an early stage of the lighting atmosphere design process.
US09167669B2
A state change device may be electrically connected to a switched receptacle, or to both the switched and unswitched receptacles, of an outlet. The state change device may generate a change of state signal when power is applied to, or removed from, the switched receptacle. The state change device may wirelessly communicate the signal. The state change device may include a load control circuit that may be configured to control the amount of power delivered to an electrical load that is electrically connected to the state change device. The state change device may receive commands directed to the load control circuit. The state change device may be deployed in a load control system and may operate as a control entity, such that the state change device may issue commands to one or more load control devices, responsive to the application or removal of power at the switched receptacle.
US09167665B2
A control unit controls an operation of an electric power conversion unit so that load current that flows through a light source load becomes a constant value, using electric power setting value that is used to determine a size of electric power that is supplied to the light source load and a current detection value that is detected by a current detection resistor (current detection unit), and a load electric power calculation unit obtains load electric power of the light source load using the electric power setting value and a voltage detection value that is detected by a voltage detection unit, and an input electric power estimation unit corrects a circuit loss for the obtained load electric power and estimates input electric power.
US09167655B2
A preferred embodiment relates to controlling the amount of backlight power in an electronic display to account for the temperature in the backlight cavity. Another embodiment relates to a system for controlling the amount of backlight based on both the temperature of the backlight and the amount of ambient light.
US09167651B2
A method and apparatus for providing one or more operating voltages and currents to one or more auxiliary loads by tapping an LED array driven by an LED driver providing a drive voltage to the LED array, and/or supplying an operating voltage to the LED driver itself using such a tap.
US09167646B2
A PWM architecture of a microcontroller is disclosed that includes a fault module for regulating and detecting faults in current sensing or illuminating devices (e.g., LED strings). The fault module is part of a hardware regulation loop of LED voltage and LED current that allows the CPU to be placed in idle mode (“IDLE”) while an LED string is regulated in illumination. The microcontroller includes a PWM generator having a double channels PWM timer with a specific fault mode and an amplified comparator with a voltage reference. The architecture allows tuning of various parameters, including LED peak current, LED voltage supply, LED voltage regulation step and LED dimming value. In IDLE mode, the hardware regulation loop can regulate LED peak current and LED voltage supply without any CPU resource (microcontroller in IDLE mode). The fault module part of the hardware regulation loop can also detect and inform the CPU of: 1) an open LED; 2) a weak battery; and 3) an LED voltage that is under a target value.
US09167644B2
Embodiments described herein provide a LED lighting system and method. A transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding. A plurality of LED strings are coupled to the secondary winding of the transformer. At least one switch is coupled to at least one of the plurality of LED strings. A controller is coupled to the at least one switch and configured to control the operation of the at least one switch such that current flows through the plurality of LED strings in an alternating manner.
US09167640B2
The present disclosure provides an AC-direct-type LED-lighting device including compensation circuit for AC input compensation, including a compensation inductor and first compensation capacitor parallelly connected to one terminal of AC input and a second compensation capacitor connected in series; rectifying unit for rectifying output from second compensation capacitor terminals to obtain direct current; and LED array driven by the rectifying unit output, wherein capacities of the first and second compensation capacitors and the compensation inductor and LED array output voltage are determined to cause 0.9 or larger cosine value of a phase, with respect to the AC input voltage, of resulting current obtained by dividing AC input voltage by sum of (i) parallel value of an equivalent impedance Re of the rectifying unit and LED array and an impedance of the second compensation capacitor and (ii) parallel value of impedances of the compensation inductor and first compensation capacitor.
US09167639B2
A device and method to interface with a Magnetic or Electronic Fluorescent Ballast; evaluate, process, and regulate the incoming power from the Ballast device and output a steady AC power that can be used by LED drivers, LED chips, or set of multiple LED chips in a Tube or Bulb application. This device and method will allow for a non-fluorescent replacement lighting device such as a LED Lighting Tube or Bulb to be used as a universal LED ballast compatible device in a Fluorescent Light Luminaire (fixture) without any electrical wiring modification or removal of the Electronic or Magnetic Ballast.
US09167619B2
A facility for performing employing multiple frequencies in a secure distributed hierarchical convergence network is described. The facility receives a signal in a first frequency, converts the received signal to an internal representation, applies a business rule to the converted signal, and, when the business rule indicates that the signal should be transmitted in a second frequency, causes the internal representation of the signal to be translated to a second frequency and transmitted in the second frequency.
