US09389389B2

Provided is a lens apparatus, including: a lens barrel; a movable optical member arranged in the lens barrel; and an operation ring arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the lens barrel and configured to be rotated about an optical axis when the movable optical member is to be driven in an optical axis direction, the operation ring including a plurality of gears formed about the optical axis, the plurality of gears being mutually rotated at the same cycle when the operation ring is rotated, at least one of the plurality of gears being arranged apart from an electric operation member in the optical axis direction when the operation ring is rotated by the electric operation member.
US09389382B2

A fiber optic ribbon cable includes a jacket having a cavity and a stack of fiber optic ribbons in the cavity. Each of the fiber optic ribbons includes optical fibers arranged side-by-side with one another and bound to one another with a common matrix in bound sections of the respective fiber optic ribbon. Each fiber optic ribbon additionally has loose sections thereof where the optical fibers of the respective fiber optic ribbon are loose and unbound. The bound sections are spaced apart from one another and separated from one another by the loose sections, while matrix of each of the bound sections contiguously extends across each of the optical fibers of the fiber optic ribbon. Bound sections of adjoining fiber optic ribbons of the stack are at least partially non-overlapping one another as arranged in the stack, which facilitates flexibility and compactness of the stack.
US09389381B2

A fiber optic ribbon cable includes a stack of fiber optic ribbons, strength members surrounding the stack, and a jacket defining an exterior of the cable. The jacket forms a cavity through which the stack and the strength members extend. The stack has a bend preference, but the strength members are positioned around the stack or are flexible in bending such that the strength members do not have a bend preference. Furthermore, the jacket is structured such that the jacket does not have a bend preference. The cavity is sized relative to the stack in order to allow the stack to bend and twist within the cavity with respect to the jacket as the cable bends, facilitating movement of the optical fibers of the fiber optic ribbons to low-stress positions within the cavity and decoupling the bend preference of the stack from transfer to the jacket.
US09389372B2

A fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector and a carrier. The connector, defining a longitudinal bore extending through the connector and having a first end region and a second end region, includes a ferrule assembly, having an optical fiber extending through the connector, at least partially disposed in the longitudinal bore at the first end region, a tube, defining a passage and having a first end portion disposed in the longitudinal bore at the second end region and a second end region, and a spring disposed in the bore between the ferrule assembly and the tube. The carrier includes a cable end and a connector end engaged with the connector, a termination region disposed between the connector end and the cable end, a fiber support region disposed between the connector end and the termination region, and a take-up region disposed between the connector end and the fiber support region.
US09389369B2

Disclosed are optical ports and devices having a minimalist footprint. Specifically, the optical ports and devices have a footprint where the optical elements are exposed at a frame of the device. Additionally, a frame of the device provides a portion of the mating surface for engaging a complimentary optical plug during mating with the optical port on the device. This minimalist footprint advantageously allows for a smaller portion of the optical port to be exposed to the environment and subject to damage and/or wear. Further, the optical port provides a clean and sleek optical port on the device with a relatively small surface that may be cleaned or wiped by the user as necessary.
US09389360B2

The present disclosure relates to a backlight module and a liquid crystal display comprising the same. The backlight module comprises a light guide plate, a glue frame, a bent heat dissipating plate, a locating block matching with the heat dissipating plate to fix the glue frame, and a light source lamp arranged on the sidewall at the light-incoming side of the light guide plate of the heat dissipating plate, which faces the light guide plate. The locating block is of a groove-shaped structure comprising a first wall and a second wall. In the assembly process, the locating block is arranged on the top of the sidewall of the heat dissipating plate, on which the light source lamp is provided. The first wall joints the glue frame, and the second wall abuts against the light guide plate. The backlight module according to the present disclosure is able to narrow the frame of the liquid crystal display without leading to other problems.
US09389345B2

An optical element includes: an incident surface irradiated with irradiation light; an emission surface of which at least a part faces a direction opposite to the incident surface; and a metal film having a hole to connect the incident surface and emission surface. The incident surface includes a first surface, disposed around an end of the hole on the incident surface side and having an inner edge connected to an inner surface of the hole, and a second surface disposed around the first surface forming a discontinuous portion between the second surface and an outer edge of the first surface. The distance between the inner and outer edges is determined by a wavelength of surface plasmons such that an intensity of light is increased due to interference between surface plasmons, excited at the inner edge by the irradiation light, and surface plasmons traveling from the discontinuous portion.
US09389343B2

A tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction (TAG) lens and system are provided that permit, in one aspect, dynamic selection of the lens output, including dynamic focusing and imaging. The system may include a TAG lens and at least one of a source and a detector of electromagnetic radiation. A controller may be provided in electrical communication with the lens and at least one of the source and detector and may be configured to provide a driving signal to control the index of refraction and to provide a synchronizing signal to time at least one of the source and the detector relative to the driving signal. Thus, the controller is able to specify that the source irradiates the lens (or detector detects the lens output) when a desired refractive index distribution is present within the lens, e.g. when a desired lens output is present.
US09389342B2

A variable-focus lens system that includes a lens assembly having an electrowetting liquid lens that can be wrapped onto a curved surface such as a lens without distorting a chamber holding the electrowetting liquid lens is provided. The lens assembly includes a container body having a cup, in which the chamber is defined, and supports that extend in different directions from the cup. A flexible base substrate is arranged under the container body. Both the container body and flexible base substrate may be made from a soft polymer material and made using low-temperature fabrication processes. The flexible base substrate may be thinner than the container body and provide a relatively large surface area that engages the curved surface such that the stresses associated with wrapping a micro lens assembly onto the curved surface may be primarily absorbed by the flexible base substrate.
US09389341B2

A method of manufacturing a lens array plate includes: forming a light shielding film on a flat surface of a dielectric substrate; forming a plurality of convex lenses on the flat surface of the dielectric substrate by press molding the dielectric substrate with the light shielding film; and forming a stack of two lens array plates manufactured by press molding. The light shielding film is not formed in a lens formation area in which the convex lens is formed.
US09389340B2

Disclosed are: an optical film which has a moth eye structure; a method for producing the optical film; and a method for controlling the optical characteristics of the optical film. An embodiment discloses an optical film having a moth eye structure that includes a plurality of projections, wherein the plurality of projections include a plurality of slanted projections that are inclined to a film surface and the plurality of slanted projections are inclined in a generally same direction when the film surface is viewed in plan. Also disclosed is a method for producing an optical film having a moth eye structure, including applying a physical force to the moth eye structure. Further specifically disclosed is a method for controlling the optical characteristics of an optical film having a moth eye structure that includes a plurality of projections, the method including applying a physical force to the moth eye structure.
US09389334B2

A radiation generator includes an ion source region, and an acceleration column downstream of the extractor electrode and in fluid communication with the ion source region. The ion source region and the acceleration column contain an ionizable gas. A vacuum pump pumps the ionizable gas from the acceleration column to the ion source region such that a gas pressure in the acceleration column is less than a gas pressure in the ion source region.
US09389332B2

A directional antenna, system and method are provided. The methods include acquiring a plurality of data pairs, each data pair comprising an induced signal at a receiver and a corresponding toolface angle using a tool including at least one antenna assembly, as described herein. It further discloses a method to generate a measurement containing information about the directionality of the formation by calculating areas of an induced signal function approximated by the plurality of data pairs.
US09389331B2

An acoustic navigation system includes a vessel and an interrogation unit towed behind the vessel below the surface of the water, a tail acoustic transponder trailing behind the interrogation unit, and a pair of surface acoustic transponders towed behind the vessel on the surface of the body of water. The interrogation unit generates an acoustic interrogation signal and receives responses from each of the tail acoustic transponder and the surface acoustic transponders from which it triangulates its position. The surface acoustic transponders may further include GPS receivers for receiving positioning information from GPS satellites. Additional acoustic transponders on instruments located on the floor of the body of water respond to the interrogation signal to allow triangulation of the location of the instruments.
US09389330B2

An embodiment of a method of estimating a property of an earth formation includes: disposing an acoustic tool in a borehole in an earth formation, the acoustic tool including an acoustic source and an acoustic receiver, the borehole having an axial direction; transmitting an acoustic signal into the borehole by the acoustic source, the acoustic signal having a selected frequency and transmitted at a propagation angle relative to the axial direction, the propagation angle selected to excite a desired guided flexural wave mode that propagates along a surface of the borehole; detecting an received acoustic signal by the acoustic receiver; calculating, by a processor, an incident angle of the received acoustic signal, the incident angle relative to the axial direction; measuring a shift of the propagation angle based on the incident angle; and estimating a property of the formation based on the shift of the propagation angle.
US09389329B2

An acoustic energy source that amplifies the stroke of electrically reactive elements having a body with an elastomer filled first cavity, a highly incompressible fluid filling a second cavity, and bores intersecting the second cavity that extend radially outward from second cavity. Quill assemblies in the bores each include an electrically reactive element and a tip projecting radially into the second cavity. A dynamic yoke having a lower portion projecting into the second cavity, and a pressure disk projects into the first cavity. A diaphragm on the body and on a side of the dynamic yoke opposite its lower portion. A fluid forms a film between the dynamic yoke, static yoke and quill tips. Applying alternating electricity reciprocates the tips into and out of the second cavity; reciprocates the dynamic yoke and diaphragm to generate the acoustic energy.
US09389324B2

A seismic sensor detects a characteristic of a medium during a seismic survey. The seismic sensor includes a casing; a magnet located inside the casing; a coil assembly located inside the casing, wherein the coil assembly moves relative to the magnet; and a temperature-sensitive device connected to terminals of the coil assembly and configured to improve the damping. The magnet and the coil assembly produce some intrinsic damping and the additional damping introduced by the temperature-sensitive device is selected to counterbalance the temperature-dependent intrinsic damping so that a phase of a recorded seismic signal is compensated for temperature induced magnetic field changes.
US09389316B2

In some implementations, a tightly-coupled elevation-assisted location estimate can be calculated based on digital elevation model (DEM) elevation measurements and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data. The DEM elevation measurements and GNSS data can be provided as input to an estimator (e.g., a Kalman filter) to calculate an estimated geographic location of a mobile device. In some implementations, DEM elevation data can be filtered before being provided to the Kalman filter for estimating the geographic location of the mobile device. The DEM elevation data can be filtered in response to detecting bridge and/or tunnel events that indicate that the DEM elevation data does not accurately represent the actual elevation of the mobile device.
US09389315B2

A detector (110) for determining a position of at least one object (112) is proposed. The detector (110) comprises: at least one transversal optical sensor (130), the transversal optical sensor (130) being adapted to determine a transversal position of at least one light beam (138) traveling from the object (112) to the detector (110), the transversal position being a position in at least one dimension perpendicular to an optical axis (116) of the detector (110), the transversal optical sensor (130) being adapted to generate at least one transversal sensor signal; at least one longitudinal optical sensor (132), wherein the longitudinal optical sensor (132) has at least one sensor region (136), wherein the longitudinal optical sensor (132) is designed to generate at least one longitudinal sensor signal in a manner dependent on an illumination of the sensor region (136) by the light beam (138), wherein the longitudinal sensor signal, given the same total power of the illumination, is dependent on a beam cross-section of the light beam (138) in the sensor region (136); at least one evaluation device (142), wherein the evaluation device (142) is designed to generate at least one item of information on a transversal position of the object (112) by evaluating the transversal sensor signal and to generate at least one item of information on a longitudinal position of the object (112) by evaluating the longitudinal sensor signal.
US09389306B2

A radar apparatus for obtaining a higher range resolution than conventional radar apparatus without increasing the bandwidth comprises a transmitter antenna that transmits a frequency modulated transmit signal having a transmit bandwidth and a receiver antenna that receives a receive signal reflected from said scene in response to the transmission of said transmit signal. A mixer mixes said receive signal with said transmit signal to obtain a mixed receive signal, a sampling unit samples said mixed receive signal to obtain receive signal samples from a period of said receive signal, and a processor processes said receive signal samples by defining a measurement matrix and determines the positions of one or more targets of the scene by applying compressive sensing using said measurement matrix and said receive signal samples. A post-processor groups together receive signal samples having a depth within the same depth bin and belonging to the same target.
US09389305B2

Signals received by an array of sensing elements are processed by first positioning the sensing elements in a uniform grid of L locations, wherein each location to include or not to include a sensing element is selected during a design phase. The sensing elements are selected and grouped into subsets, wherein each subset contains one or more sensing elements, and each sensing element is a member of one or more subsets. The signals in each subset are linearly combined to produce a combined signal, which is then sampled to form an output channel, which can detect objects.
US09389303B2

A method and a system are provided which are able to utilize indirect paths of signals of UWB type to locate a wireless communication node possessed by a body. The present method and system can notably apply to cooperative body networks implementing several wireless nodes able to communicate with one another.
US09389300B2

A mechanism is described for facilitating dynamic client-side triangulation to determine global position of computing devices according to one embodiment of the invention. A method of embodiments of the invention includes detecting, at a computing device, first location information associated with static wireless access points. The method may further include detecting, at the computing device, second location information associated with roaming computing devices broadcasting the second location information relating to their current locations, and dynamically determining a current location of the computing device based on the first and second location information.
US09389294B2

A method for 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with slice-direction distortion correction is provided. One or more selective cross-sections with a thickness along a first axis are excited using a RF pulse with a bandwidth, wherein a selective cross-section is either a selective slice or selective slab. A refocusing pulse is applied to form a spin echo. One or more 2D encoded image signals are acquired with readout along a second axis and phase encoding along a third axis, wherein the data long the phase encoded first and third axes is acquired with an under sampling scheme. Slice-direction distortion is corrected by resolving the position by using phase encoding.
US09389291B2

A method for designing a coil pattern, whereby the production of an error magnetic field and further an eddy current can be suppressed to improve the quality of a cross-sectional image irrespective of cylindrical cross-sectional shape of the main coil and the shield coil. The difference between the initial values of the target magnetic field and the magnetic field vector is set as a difference target magnetic field. An approximate value of the current potential vector that produces the difference target magnetic field is represented by a polynomial of an eigenvector group of the current potential. The coefficient of each of the terms of the polynomial is determined on the basis of the singular value and the eigenvector group of the magnetic field distribution.
US09389289B2

Images of two or more kinds of substances showing different chemical shifts, such as water image and metabolite image, are obtained without extending measurement time. For example, images of two or more kinds of desired substances showing different chemical shifts, such as water image and metabolite image, are obtained by one time of execution of an imaging sequence. In this execution, a pre-pulse is applied so that signals of the substances to be separated shift on the image, and magnetic resonance signals are received with receiver RF coils in a number not smaller than the number of types of the substances to be separated. An image reconstructed from the magnetic resonance signals is separated into images of the individual substances using sensitivity maps of the receiver RF coils. Then, correction is performed for returning the shifted image to the original position. Further, residual signals induced by errors generated in the measurement and the separation processing are eliminated by using spectroscopic images obtained after the separation.
US09389281B2

A solution for compensating a magnetic field sensor to permit detection of a small magnetic field in the presence of a large magnetic field is disclosed. A magnetic field sensor detects the magnetic field which produces an analog signal then encoded by an analog to digital converter (ADC) into a digital stream. A controller operating on the digital stream incorporates additional sensor data to create a compensation signal which is sent to a digital to analog (DAC) converter. This compensation signal then modifies the output of the magnetic field sensor before entering the ADC. Compensation is software controlled, and is thus adaptable to numerous conditions requiring compensation. Apart from being easily tunable, the compensation may respond dynamically to changing conditions. The invention has particular application to airborne electromagnetic surveying where small fields scattered from the Earth are measured in the presence of a large transmitted field.
US09389279B2

A battery cell assembly having a battery cell and a thin profile sensor is provided. The battery cell has a housing and first and second electrical terminals. The thin profile sensor has a flexible plastic sheet, and a microprocessor, a sensing circuit, and a heat generating circuit coupled to the flexible plastic sheet. The flexible plastic sheet is coupled to the battery cell. The microprocessor determines a first voltage value representing an open circuit voltage, and a second voltage value of the battery cell when the battery cell is supplying electrical current through the heat generating circuit. The microprocessor determines a current value when the battery cell is supplying the electrical current through the heat generating circuit, and determines an internal resistance value based on the first voltage value, the second voltage value, and the current value.
US09389278B2

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for estimating a power of a secondary battery comprising a blended cathode material. The apparatus according to the present invention estimates a power of a secondary battery comprising a blended cathode material in which at least a first cathode material and a second cathode material are blended, the apparatus comprising a discharging means for discharging the secondary battery under conditions of a plurality of discharge rates (c-rate) different from each other, a sensor means for measuring a plurality of discharge termination voltages (Vf) corresponding to the conditions of the plurality of discharge rates, and a control means for approximating a correlation between the plurality of discharge rates and the plurality of discharge termination voltages by a two-dimensional linear equation, calculating a maximum discharge rate (Cmax) of the secondary battery corresponding to a minimum discharge voltage (Vmin) using the linear equation, and estimating a maximum power (Pmax) of the secondary battery from the calculated maximum discharge rate.
US09389272B2

Method for detecting an electric are in a photovoltaic device by ultrasound, comprising measuring at least one parameter among the amplitude, the duration and the central frequency, of an electrical signal received by an ultrasound sensor; and comparing the measurement of this at least one parameter of the electrical signal with predefined values in order to determine whether the measurement corresponds to that of an electric arc.
US09389271B2

In a method for detecting disruptions proximate to an underground conduit, at least one signal carrying cable is positioned along a length of the conduit and between the conduit and a ground surface. At least one cable engaging member is connected to spaced apart locations on the at least one signal carrying cable to extend laterally outward of the at least one signal carrying cable. Each of the at least one cable engaging members is configured to transmit a force to the at least one signal carrying cable when impacted by an external force. A monitoring signal is provided to the at least one signal carrying cable, and a reflected monitoring signal is received in response to the supplied monitoring signal. One or more properties of the reflected monitoring signal are compared to one or more corresponding properties of a predicted reflected monitoring signal. An alert is initiated when the one or more properties of the reflected monitoring signal differ from the one or more properties of the predicted reflected monitoring signal by a predetermined amount.
US09389270B1

The present invention provides a method to ensure that distributed resources of a power distribution system remain connected to the circuitry of the power distribution system when a fault occurs at a distributed resource node to assist in identifying the location of the fault by continuing to inject current from the distributed resources into the distribution system, wherein at least one of the distributed resource comprises a controllable voltage source converter.
US09389269B1

The present invention provides a system to ensure that distributed resources of a power distribution system remain connected to the circuitry of the power distribution system when a fault occurs at a distributed resource node to assist in identifying the location of the fault by continuing to inject a direct current (DC) signal from the controllable voltage source converter of at least one DC voltage distributed resource into the distribution system and modulating an alternating current (AC) signal on top of the direct current (DC) signal.
US09389267B1

The present invention provides a system to ensure that distributed resources of a power distribution system remain connected to the circuitry of the power distribution system when a fault occurs at a distributed resource node to assist in identifying the location of the fault by continuing to inject current from the distributed resources into the distribution system, wherein at least one of the distributed resources is a wind turbine.
US09389266B1

The present invention provides a system to ensure that distributed resources of a power distribution system remain connected to the circuitry of the power distribution system when a fault occurs at a distributed resource node to assist in identifying the location of the fault by continuing to inject current from the distributed resources into the distribution system, wherein at least one of the distributed resources is a microturbine.
US09389264B2

An apparatus and method for preventing erroneous detection of a jack is provided. The apparatus includes a detection terminal configured to detect whether a jack plug of an earphone is inserted into the jack, a comparator configured to compare a voltage input from the detection terminal with a predetermined reference voltage and provide a comparison result signal to a baseband module, a resistor with a certain resistance value, being interposed between the detection terminal and the comparator to keep a voltage of a high signal not to be lowered than the predetermined reference voltage when the jack is conducted due to conductive particles flowed into the jack.
US09389252B2

A sampling circuitry for a plurality of electrodes the circuitry comprising a plurality of charge amplifiers and a plurality of modulators, wherein each charge amplifier and each modulator, comprised in the plurality of charge amplifiers and the plurality of modulators, respectively, corresponds to an electrode of the plurality of electrodes, wherein each modulator is capable of generating a residue signal and a rough code corresponding to each sampled electrode of the plurality of electrodes, a multiplexer capable of receiving a plurality of residue signals generated by the plurality of modulators, a residue analog to digital converter capable of receiving a multiplexed residue signal from the multiplexer and outputting a digitized multiplexed residue signal, and a digital summation circuitry capable of receiving the digitized multiplexed residue signal and a plurality of rough codes, comprising each rough code corresponding to each sample electrode, and outputting a plurality of output codes.
US09389247B2

Embodiments relate to magnetic field current sensors having sensor elements for sensing at least two magnetic field components, for example Bx and By. The current in a conductor is estimated by Bx and Bx/By, wherein Bx is the primary measurement and Bx/By is a corrective term used to account for position tolerances between the sensor and the conductor. In other embodiments, the corrective term can be dBx/By, where dBx is a difference in between components sensed at different sensor elements. The particular field components can vary in embodiments; for example, the current can be estimated by By and By/Bx, or dBy/Bx or some other arrangement.
US09389244B2

A scanning probe assembly having a nanometer sensor element defined at a tip apex and its method of fabrication using micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) processing techniques. The assembly comprises a probe body, a cantilever extending outward, and a hollow tip at the end of the cantilever. A first conductive material is disposed on the hollow tip, followed by a dielectric layer thus embedding the conductive layer. A nanometer hole is milled through the tip, first conductor and dielectric materials. A metal sensor element is deposited by means of electrochemical deposition in the through-hole. A second conductor is deposited on a lower layer. The first and second conductors form electrical connections to the sensor element in the tip. The intra-tip metal, in combination with other layers, may form a thermocouple, thermistor, Schottky diode, ultramicroelectrode, or Hall Effect sensor, and used as a precursor to grow spikes such a nanotubes.
US09389240B2

An automatic analyzer adapted to enhance sample/reagent dispensing accuracy, regardless of a difference in sample/reagent dispensing height of a dispensing probe. When the amount of sample in a sample container is small, tip height “h1” of a sample dispensing probe positioned immediately after it has aspirated the sample decreases below tip height “h′” of the sample dispensing probe positioned immediately before it discharges the sample. The sample in this state takes a concave shape at the tip of the sample dispensing probe positioned immediately before it discharges the sample. When the amount of sample in a sample container is large, tip height “h2” of the sample dispensing probe positioned immediately after it has aspirated the sample increases above the tip height “h′” and the sample takes a convex shape at the tip of the sample dispensing probe positioned immediately before it discharges the sample.
US09389237B2

This invention relates to Huntington's disease and more specifically to methods for inhibiting the development of or treating Huntington's disease by administering estrogen, testosterone, precursors thereof or combinations thereof.
US09389231B2

The present invention, in part, relates to an apparatus having a single-use, normally-closed fluidic valve that is initially maintained in the closed position by a valve element bonded to an adhesive coating. The valve is opened using a magnetic force. The valve element includes a magnetic material or metal. In some examples, the valve is opened by bringing a magnet in proximity to the valve element to provide a magnetic force that delaminates the valve element from the adhesive coating. In particular, the apparatus can be useful for on-chip amplification and/or detection of various targets, including biological targets and any amplifiable targets. Such apparatuses and methods are useful for in-field or real-time detection of targets, especially in limited resource settings.
US09389230B2

Secreted proteins as detection markers for insect vector and graft transmitted citrus disease are described. Method and kits for detecting the secreted proteins are provided.
US09389223B2

The invention provides methods for quickly and easily screening mixed cell samples for a pharmacodynamic effect to a drug or test agent.
US09389221B2

The present disclosure provides an automated bioprocessing device, which may comprises a processing machine, one or more removable washing cartridges. The removable washing cartridge may comprise a shell, a sample holder, a washing basin, a waste container, a reagent container, a rotation mechanism, and a poking mechanism. The processing machine may comprise a motor, which may provide power to the inserted removable washing cartridge.
US09389219B2

The disclosure relates to the fields of protein aggregation diseases including cancer. More specifically, it concerns a screening method for identifying compounds that inhibit or disrupt co-aggregation of one or more member proteins of a disease-related protein aggregome, in particular, a tumor-associated protein aggregome. Further, disclosed are agents and compounds identified by the screening method that can be applied to prevent or to treat protein aggregation diseases, such as cancer.
US09389204B2

A method for characterizing ultrasound scatterers in a medium comprising providing ultrasound data representing a region of interest comprising a plurality of scatterers in a medium, the plurality of scatterers including clusters of scatterer sub-units, the scatterers having a physical property value to be estimated and the scatterer sub-units having at least one known physical parameter value; modelling the ultrasound data using an at least second order function of a spatial organization parameter defining the spatial organization of the scatterers; and estimating the physical property value of the scatterers from the modelled ultrasound data and the at least one known physical parameter of the sub-units by a regression of the spatial organization parameter as a function of frequency. A system for characterizing ultrasound scatterers is also included.
US09389202B2

A damage detecting device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first speed generator, a second speed generator, a first waveform shaping section, a second waveform shaping section, and a determining section. The determining section compares a second rectangular wave shaped by the second waveform shaping section and a first rectangular wave shaped by the first waveform shaping section and, if the first rectangular wave is not output while the second rectangular wave is output, determines that a supporting device for an armature shaft is damaged or worn.
US09389200B2

A sensor device according to an embodiment includes a semiconductor substrate including a plurality of channels, the channels connecting a cavity and a measurement electrode, and a counter electrode arranged to be in contact with the cavity, wherein the cavity, the measurement electrode and the counter electrode are arranged to accommodate a drop of a liquid and to allow a voltage to be applied to the drop of liquid.
US09389191B2

A system is provided. The system includes a conveyor apparatus configured for conveying a material and a water content measurement system positioned about the conveyor apparatus for determining water content in the material. A dimension characteristic measurement system for detecting one or more dimension characteristics of the material is provided and a computer device is configured to manipulate data received from the water content measurement system and the dimension characteristic measurement system to determine a water content of the material.
US09389183B2

The present disclosure is directed to fluorogenic schiff base-forming dyes capable of detecting analytes containing aldehyde and ketone groups. The dyes contain nucleophilic hydrazinyl appendages and are capable of binding and detecting analytes in situ.
US09389177B2

A device for analyzing a fluid by evanescence field spectroscopy. The device includes a waveguide, a source of electromagnetic radiation coupled to the waveguide on the entry side, and a detector coupled to the waveguide on the exit side for detecting electromagnetic radiation, wherein the waveguide is arranged in contact with the fluid in at least certain sections between its entry side and its exit side. An electrode arrangement is also provided, which is designed to generate an inhomogeneous electric field in the direct environment of the waveguide, said field exerting a dielectrophoretic force on polarisable particles in the fluid, which moves these particles towards or away from the waveguide. A corresponding method is presented.
US09389176B2

The present invention is directed to a device for predicting amount of coarse flakes, such as metallic aluminum flakes present in a coating composition, such as automotive OEM or refinish paint. The device includes measuring flop of a layer of the coating composition applied over a test substrate by using flop prediction device of the present invention. The process is repeated with varying amounts of one or more different types of coarse flakes added to the composition and the flop vs. amount of coarse flakes present in the coating composition is plotted on a graph and then by using a curve fitting equation, a flake amount prediction curve is obtained. By measuring the flop of a wet layer of a target coating composition, the amount of coarse flakes present in the target coating composition can then be predicted by using the flake amount prediction curve. The device is most useful during the manufacture of coating compositions, such as automotive OEM and refinishes paints.
US09389172B2

Non-invasive THz spectroscopic apparatus and methods are provided for measuring the average diffusion coefficients for a structure such as cork. The methods may be used to image the localized presence of water in the structure to produce time-dependent images of liquid propagation in the structure.
US09389167B2

An analytical instrument may have multiple distinct channels. Such may include one or more illumination sources and sensors. Illumination may be delivered to specific locations of a specimen holder, and returned illumination may be delivered to specific locations of a sensor array. Illumination may first pass a specimen, and a mirror or reflector may then return the illumination past the specimen. Optical splitters may be employed to couple pairs of fiber optics proximate a specimen holder. Such channels may further include a plurality of illumination sources positioned on one side of a specimen holder and a plurality of sensors on the other side. The plurality of sensor may capture image of a specimen and a spectrophotometer may concurrently scan the specimen. A plurality of specimens may be imaged and scanned in a single pass of a plurality of passes. Spherical or ball lenses may be placed in an optical path of the illumination to achieve a desired illumination pattern.
US09389162B2

A device and a method for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample. In an aspect, a mixing portion is configured to receive and mix a first liquid solution of unknown composition with a second liquid solution that includes a suspended particle resulting in a mixed liquid solution, wherein a surface of the suspended particle is functionalized to target an analyte. Furthermore, in an aspect, a surface of a solid substrate is configured to receive and evaporate a drop of the mixed liquid solution, wherein evaporation of the drop in connection with a capillary flow of the mixed liquid solution disperses the suspended particle in a ring pattern. The presence or absence of an analyte in the first liquid solution can be determined by visual inspection of the ring pattern.
US09389151B2

A sample can be collected from an enclosed container by opening a sample collection valve and drawing the sample from the enclosed container. After delivery of the sample out of a fluid flow path, a sanitizing fluid can be directed along the fluid flow path to sanitize the fluid flow path.
US09389150B2

A pipe outer surface inspection apparatus. The apparatus may include a carriage adapted for turning on a pipe to be inspected and includes a pipe inspection head. The apparatus may include at least one of a surface profile gauge, coating thickness gauge, and coating holiday detector. The apparatus may include a pendulum encoder, a cable guard, and/or a magnetic fastener. Associated methods are also disclosed.
US09389148B2

Provided is a power steering sensor assembly which is capable of maintaining a stable coupling between a sensing device and a housing without using a separate auxiliary member, and is mounted in an electric power steering system. The power steering sensor assembly includes a sensing device including a plurality of coupling projections formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof; and a first housing having the sensing device housed therein and including a plurality of coupling grooves formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof, the coupling grooves each having an upper end which is opened. When the sensing device is housed in the first housing, the coupling projections of the sensing device are inserted into the coupling grooves of the first housing, respectively, such that the sensing device is coupled to the first housing without being moved in a radial direction and an axial direction.
US09389137B2

A pipe (50) that makes it possible to channel pressurized air into an aircraft, includes an inner tube (52), an outer tube (54) that is essentially coaxial to the inner tube (52), an insulating material (56) that is inserted between the two tubes (52, 54) and that is made of a heat-insulating and gas-porous material, and a leak detection device (70), characterized in that the leak detection device (70) is arranged at least in part between the inner tube (52) and the outer tube (54) and in that at least at one end (60), the detection device follows a concentric trajectory (84) to the inner tube (52).
US09389124B2

A terahertz electromagnetic wave generator according to the present disclosure includes: a substrate; a thermoelectric material layer which is supported by the substrate and which has a surface; and a pulsed laser light source system which locally heats the thermoelectric material layer with an edge of the surface of the thermoelectric material layer irradiated with pulsed light, thereby generating a terahertz electromagnetic wave from the thermoelectric material layer.
US09389115B2

A two-wire system for monitoring fluid level and temperature including a pair of electrical interconnect wires bridged by a fluid level switch and a thermal sensing element. One of the fluid level switch or the thermal sensing element bypasses the other during a trigger event.
US09389105B2

The present disclosure provides distributed sensor grid, surface, and skin systems and methods that utilize compressive sampling systems and methods for reading and processing the outputs of sensor arrays (serial and/or parallel) such that increased speed can be achieved. These sensor arrays can be functionalized or sensitized in any desired manner and functions are derived from the outputs, as opposed to individual data points. The sensor arrays can be made in the form of a textile, a fiber optic network, a MEMS network, or a CMOS camera, for example. In general, in accordance with the systems and methods of the present disclosure, a Code is applied to a distributed sensor as part of the compressive sampling technique and derives the functions.
US09389097B2

A display system for a vehicle includes a processing unit configured to receive data representative of flight path information and terrain and to supply display commands associated with the flight path information and the terrain; and a display device coupled the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and operable to render a three-dimensional view, including symbology representing the flight path information on the terrain.
US09389094B2

Systems and methods are presented for sequencing locations and events and determining routing and itineraries for the sequence. In some embodiments the system may receive a starting location, a first location, and a second location in a default order. The system may determine a sequence from the starting location for the first location and the second location. The system may generate a route for the sequence with the route having transportation directions between the starting location, the second location, and the first location indicative of the sequence. The system may display the route in a graphical user interface of an application.
US09389084B1

The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for identifying changes to a target site based on aerial images of the target site. For example, systems and methods described herein generate representations of the target site based on aerial photographs provided by an unmanned aerial vehicle. In one or more embodiments, systems and method described herein identify differences between the generated representations in order to detect changes that have occurred at the target site.
US09389083B1

A method and apparatus are provided that aid law enforcement agencies in intercepting a suspect before he or she can go into hiding. The method and apparatus provide for law enforcement agencies to track a person of interest (POI) and to predict an intercept point and/or a destination where the POI may be found, based on situational data and social media content. Further, the method and apparatus provide for determining and adjusting a geofence based on a predicted route and/or destination of a POI and for dispatching public safety officers to the geofence, predicted intercept point, and/or predicted destination to aid in the apprehension of the POI.
US09389080B2

A ring laser gyroscope comprises a laser block that defines an optical closed loop pathway configured to contain a lasing gas. A plurality of mirror structures are respectively mounted on the laser block, with each of the mirror structures having a respective reflective surface that is in optical communication with the optical closed loop pathway. A plurality of electrodes are coupled to the laser block, with the electrodes configured to generate a pair of counter-propagating laser beams from the lasing gas in the optical closed loop pathway. At least one optical sensor is coupled to one of the mirror structures, with the optical sensor in optical communication with the closed loop pathway. A polarizer is in optical communication with the optical sensor. The polarizer is configured to pass laser light having substantially one polarization mode to the optical sensor.
US09389069B2

Compact 3D depth capture systems are based on a 3D system driver/interface, a 3D system camera, and a 3D system projector. The systems are compatible with integration in to mobile electronic devices such as smart phones and tablet computers.
US09389062B2

An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device such as a vehicle window includes a capacitance sensor and a controller. The sensor has a jacket with a cavity, a dielectric element within the cavity, and first and second electrical conductors. The conductors are within the cavity on opposite sides of the dielectric element such that the conductors are separated from one another by a separation distance. The capacitance of the sensor changes in response to an electrically conductive object moving in proximity to at least one of the conductors. The controller is configured to control a translating device as a function of the capacitance of the sensor. The jacket is attachable to a seal configured to receive the translating device.
US09389057B2

Apparatuses, methods, and systems in which video segments of an athletic activity session of a user may be captured by a plurality of video sources and a processing system may determine that each of the video segments correspond to the athletic activity session of the user. The processing system may accordingly generate a video replay of the athletic activity session of the user by piecing together the video segments captured by the video sources. The first portion of the video replay includes a first video segment captured by a first video source and a second portion of the video replay includes a second video segment captured by a second video source different than the first video source.
US09389049B2

A shooting target apparatus which can be used for mounting air-pressurized containers as targets in shooting ranges. When the pressurized container is hit by a projectile, the sound of a small explosion provides an added excitement in the shooting experience. The container can also be partially filled with a fluid or granular material to create an added visual effect of an explosion.
US09389040B2

In at least one embodiment, an archery bow comprises a riser supporting a first limb and a second limb. The first limb supports a first rotatable member that defines a first axis of rotation. The second limb supports a second rotatable member that defines a second axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation move with respect to one another as the bow is drawn from a brace condition to a drawn condition. The bow defines a reference plane that includes the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation, wherein a distance between a predetermined location on the riser and the reference plane is greater in the brace condition than in the drawn condition.
US09389039B2

Systems, apparatus, and methods for adjusting limb placement in an archery bow are provided. The limb may be adjusted laterally and may be rotated around its length to manipulate the position of the distal end of the limb with respect to the riser. The limb may be rotated by posts extending from the limb or limb bolt. The limb may also be rotated by posts or shims positioned in an adjustable dowel installed in the riser or by shims installed in the limb between the limb and the riser.
US09389037B2

There is disclosed a two-stage trigger with a large trigger/sear bearing area and an optimized sear loading angle that provides a lightweight trigger-pull. There is further disclosed a safety that blocks rotation of the trigger.
US09389035B2

A retrofit apparatus is disclosed for a gas-operated reloading firearm having a pressure control unit to operate the firearm in either manual or semi-automatic operation. The pressure control unit is coupled to the reloading unit to reduce a gas flow to the reloading unit in a first configuration and allow the gas flow to the reloading unit in a second configuration. A controller is coupled to the pressure control unit to operate the firearm in the first or second configuration. The firearm operates in a first configuration requiring manual operation until it receives continuous manual actuation to enable the reloading unit in a second configuration.
US09389034B2

A gas regulator for a rifle is provided, the gas regulator having: an elongated member having a first end and a second end; a head portion located at the first end; a pair of openings passing through the elongated member, wherein one of the pair of openings is larger than the other one of the pair of openings; and a recessed area located at the second end.
US09389033B1

A strengthened firearm includes at least one metal/composite material formed into at least one firearm component, and a polymer/composite material combined with the at least one firearm component. The metal/composite material replaces the polymer/composite material in a specific area or component of the firearm that may be weak or tend to fail earlier than other areas or components of a polymer/composite firearm. The method of combining the multiple materials allows for additional strength in the firearm.
US09389018B2

Example dryers and washer-dryers having a closed process air circuit having a drum, a condenser downstream from the drum for dehumidifying warm moist air, and a thermoelectric device having a cold side arranged in the process air circuit downstream from the drum are disclosed. Example thermoelectric devices have a warm side cooled by a fluid which is circulated in a liquid/air heat exchanger arranged in the process air circuit downstream from the condenser. Using the disclosed architectures, appliance design can be simplified without decreasing overall system performance.
US09389016B2

Methods for drying seeds comprising: a) contacting seeds with zeolite particles and allowing said zeolite particles to take up moisture from said seeds; or b) passing an airflow over zeolite particles, thereby allowing said zeolite particles to dry the air in said airflow and passing said dried airflow over the seeds; or c) placing said seeds and zeolite particles in an air-tight container and allowing said zeolite particles to take up the moisture evaporated by said seed.
US09389015B2

Described herein is a method for separating C2+-hydrocarbons or C3+-hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-rich fraction is described, whereby the separation is carried out in a rectification fractionation. The rectification fractionation is provided with at least three heating circuits via which intermediate fractions are drawn off from rectification fractionation, partially evaporated and fed back again to rectification fractionation. In the method, removal of the intermediate fraction circulating in the heating circuit located at the highest temperature level is at least temporarily interrupted. During this interruption, a partial stream of a bottom fraction from the rectification fractionation is partially evaporated against an external medium and is fed as a bottom heating to the rectification fractionation. Also during this interruption, the two additional intermediate fractions, in each case at the temperature level at which the intermediate fraction circulating in the heating circuit located at the next-higher temperature level was partially evaporated, are partially evaporated.
US09389008B2

The invention utilizes concentrated solar energy in a novel air conditioning system which includes storage capabilities. The refrigerant circuit “high” pressure side is comprised of multiple solar concentrators placed between two positive rotary valves. The “low” pressure side is compromised of the evaporator coil with expansion valve. The refrigerant is confined between the two rotary valves. As solar energy is absorbed into the refrigerant, the pressure and temperature rise. The two rotary valves are then caused to rotate. With rotation, the refrigerant is moved through the circuit. The circuit also includes a condenser to give up heat and an evaporator/expansion valve in which temperature drops with the expanding gas. In addition, this system places the evaporator in a water tank. The water is made cold by conduction with the evaporator and serves as a storage medium. All energy absorbed is converted to cold and stored and utilized as required.
US09389001B2

A boiler includes a flue gas duct and heat exchanger pipes in the flue gas duct. The boiler includes a planar silencer plate, which silencer plate includes sound absorbing material, and said first silencer plate being placed downstream of one of said heat exchanger pipes in the flow direction of flue gases in said flue gas duct. Furthermore, a silencer for a flue gas duct with a rectangular cross-section in a boiler, the silencer including at least a first and a second planar silencer plate substantially parallel to the flow direction of flue gases, the silencer plates including sound absorbing material. The first silencer plate is placed at an angle to the second silencer plate, wherein the width of the resonating area of the flue gas duct becomes narrower in two directions transverse to the flow direction of the flue gases.
US09389000B2

Water heater apparatus includes a tank for storing water; a heat exchanger associated with the tank and being operative to receive refrigerant and transfer heat therefrom to the tank, the heat exchanger representatively being a heat conductive tube externally wrapped around the tank in heat conductive contact therewith; air conditioning apparatus operative to utilize refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant circuit portion of the air conditioning apparatus, the refrigerant circuit portion being in fluid communication with the heat exchanger; and a control system operative to selectively cause a portion of the flowing refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger, or cause essentially the entire flow of the refrigerant to bypass the heat exchanger.
US09388999B2

A window security assembly includes a cage structured to have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cage is further structured to have first section slidably coupled to a second section so the cage has an adjustable width. The cage is further structured to have an open side. The cage is positioned in a window such that the open side receives an air conditioner mounted in the window to surround the air conditioner. Each of a plurality of fasteners extends through the cage and engages the window such that the cage prevents an individual from tampering with the air conditioner or entering through the window.
US09388988B2

A gas turbine combustor cap assembly (24) including a pre-mix tube (42, 44) with an upstream flange (60, 62) that aligns and seats the tube against a primary feed plate (66) attached to an upstream end of a support ring (48). The pre-mix tube may have an intermediate flange (64) at an intermediate position on the length of the tube that aligns and seats the tube against an intermediate structural frame (68) attached to the support ring at an intermediate position on the length of the support ring. The combustor cap assembly (24) may have multiple pre-mix tubes, including a central pre-mix tube (44) with upstream (62) and intermediate (64) flanges and a circular array of outer pre-mix tubes (44) with at least an upstream flange (64).
US09388976B2

A combustor including a housing, an injector body, insulation, an air/fuel premix injector, a hot surface igniter, a fuel injector and a burner. The housing forms a main combustion chamber. The injector body is coupled within the housing and the injector body includes an initial combustion chamber. The insulation lines the initial combustion chamber. The air/fuel premix injector is configured and arranged to dispense a flow of air/fuel mixture into the initial combustion chamber. The hot surface igniter is configured and arranged to heat up and ignite the air/fuel mixture in the initial combustion chamber. The fuel injector dispenses a flow of fuel and the burner dispenses a flow of air. The flow of fuel from the fuel injector and the flow of air from the burner are ignited in the main combustion chamber by the ignition of the air/fuel mixture in the initial combustion chamber.
US09388967B2

A light source may comprise a housing, a window mounted in a front plane of the housing, a window length spanning a front plane length, and a linear array of light-emitting elements within the housing. The linear array may be aligned with and emit light through the window, and the linear array may span the window length, wherein first and last light-emitting elements of the linear array are positioned adjacent to widthwise edges of the window, and wherein window sidewalls at the widthwise edges are aligned flush with housing sidewalls.
US09388965B2

A light source device includes an excitation light source that generates excitation light, a phosphor wheel including a phosphor segment that generates fluorescent light by excitation of the excitation light, and a mirror that guides the excitation light from the excitation light source to the phosphor wheel and emits the fluorescent light from the phosphor wheel as illumination light. The phosphor wheel further includes an anisotropic diffusion and reflection unit that diffuses and reflects incident excitation light such that an optical path for the incident excitation light and an optical path for the diffused excitation light after incidence of the excitation light are not overlapped. The mirror includes a first region that reflects the excitation light and transmits the fluorescent light and a second region that transmits the fluorescent light and the diffused excitation light which the anisotropic diffusion and reflection unit has diffused and reflected.
US09388964B2

Provided is an illumination device capable of preventing a reflection sheet in the periphery of a light-emitting element from being raised while minimizing the instability in the fixture of a diffusion lens. The illumination device comprises a light-emitting element, a mounting substrate, a diffusion lens, and a reflection sheet having a through-hole. The diffusing lens includes a lens portion for diffusing light, and a fixed portion to be fixed to the mounting substrate. An engaging portion that sandwiches the reflection sheet between the engaging portion and the mounting substrate is formed in the fixed portion.
US09388956B2

According to one embodiment, a lighting device includes a light source, and at least one light distribution control member configured to control distribution of light from the light source. The light distribution control member includes a base member higher in refractive index than air, and two optical control layers located opposite each other with a predetermined space therebetween on either side of the base member. The two optical control layers each includes a first region and a second region formed in correlative patterns. The light distribution control member is configured to control the light distribution based on a change of an overlap between the first and second regions depending on a direction of transmitted light.
US09388946B1

Embodiments relate to a lighting device that includes a power connector base that includes a threaded electrical contact for connection to an Edison style socket and a pole that is attached to the power connector base that includes or retains a plurality of solid-state light emitters.
US09388945B2

System, including apparatus and methods, for aspirating at least a portion of an emulsion from a well using a tip. In some embodiments, the tip may have a flat end and an inlet surrounded by the flat end. The well may have a floor with one or more surface features that prevent uninterrupted circumferential contact of the flat end of the tip with any region of the floor. In some embodiments, the tip may not have a flat end. In some embodiments, the well may have a port that guides the tip to the floor with the tip slanted with respect to the floor. Methods of making a device that includes the well are also disclosed.
US09388943B2

An ullage tank in a vertical cryogenic storage vessel that can store a liquefied gas is described. The ullage tank includes a hollow member. The ullage tank has at least one opening that allows communication between the ullage tank and an inner vessel of the vertical cryogenic vessel. The hollow member has a first open end and a second open end. The hollow member forms a vertically disposed passage through the ullage tank. The first open end and the second open end are in communication with the inner vessel. Related methods, apparatuses, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
US09388939B2

A multi-media tablet holder is provided and includes a first retention member, a second retention member, a pair of slide pins, at least one extension spring and a handle. The first retention member includes a first retention plate and a first retention rail. The second retention member includes a second retention plate and a second retention rail. The first and second retention rails are sized to receive a thickness of a multi-media tablet. There is also provided a multi-media tablet holder including a retention member, a handle assembly and an articulating mechanism for pivoting and rotating the retention member relative to the handle assembly.
US09388936B2

A device for aiding in storing implements comprising a retractable support adapted to engage a hook. The support being held to an implement via a monolithically formed, or attached, base portion. The device being capable of use with a wide variety of implements and having various forms adaptable for use to aid in hanging implements or for assisting them to stand alone. The support being retractable and capable of being held in various positions via an interference fit.
US09388917B2

Apparatus and methods related to pipeline freespan support are described. For example, some embodiments may contain an upper structure, which contains at least four legs connected to one another by a number of bracing members, and a number of attachment points through which the upper structure can be lifted, and a lower structure, which contains at least four posts that can be connected to, and disconnected from as needed, the four legs of the upper structure, two spaced mud mats on which the posts stand, and at least two horizontal arms that can be attached to the posts, rotate about the posts, connect to and be locked with the posts on the other mud mat, and be lifted to an appropriate height to provide suitable support at the pipeline freespan location.
US09388908B2

A multi-position rotary shear valve assembly having a substantially metallic or ceramic stator device and a substantially metallic or ceramic rotor device. The stator device defines a substantially planar stator face and at least two or more stator channels in fluid communication with the stator face at corresponding stator ports, while the rotor device includes a substantially planar rotor face defining one or more rotor channels. A tribological coating is disposed atop at least one of the rotor face and the stator face, which enables a substantially fluid-tight, selective relative rotation between the rotor face and the stator face, at a rotor-stator interface, between two or more rotor positions.
US09388906B2

A seal assembly for sealing between a first member and a second member of a joint, the first member being able to pivot about an axis of the joint relative to the second member, is disclosed. The seal assembly includes a first ring, a load ring, a first seal ring, and a resilient second seal ring. The first ring is for a first seal cavity of the first member. The load ring is for a second seal cavity of the second member. The first seal ring may have a sealing surface extending in a radial direction. The resilient second seal ring may have an annular seal lip. The first seal ring is held stationary by the first ring in the first seal cavity of the first member, and the second seal ring is forced axially by the load ring into axial sealing engagement with the first seal ring.
US09388900B2

A sliding element, in particular a piston ring or a cylinder liner, comprising at least one a-C:H:Me layer, where Me is germanium and silicon, having a layer thickness of 10-40 μm, is provided.
US09388891B2

A multi-shaft drive device is provided that is capable of obtaining an appropriate backlash in an enmeshed state of an output side bevel gear and an input side bevel gear. An output side bevel gear (35) that is biased in the direction of an input side bevel gear by a coil spring contacts a shaft support bush attached to a wall portion (17) in an enmeshed state with the input side bevel gear. A bias direction stroke end of the output side bevel gear (35) is accordingly restricted. Moreover, the wall portion (17) is provided to a gear holder (15) fixed to a device case (10) that supports the input side bevel gear, thereby enabling the axial direction position of the output side bevel gear (35) to always be positioned at a uniform position to enmesh appropriately with the input side bevel gear.
US09388889B2

A motion guide device includes a ball nut attached onto a shaft and having helical grooves and a returning channel for forming an endless ball guiding passage and for receiving a number of ball bearing elements, two deflecting devices are engaged with the ball nut and each include a deflecting pathway communicative with the helical groove and the returning channel of the ball nut and each include a protrusion engaged with a recess of the ball nut for anchoring the deflecting devices to the ball nut, and the deflecting devices each include a connecting surface directed toward the helical groove of the ball nut for guiding the ball bearing elements to smoothly move between the helical groove of the ball nut and the deflecting pathways of the deflecting devices.
US09388885B2

An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a drive mechanism for translating rotational output from a moveable member of a rotary tool to an interchangeable attachment having a movable member. The drive mechanism includes a rotatable drive shaft sized and shaped for insertion into the rotary member of the rotary tool, a connector adapted to selectively secure the drive mechanism to the interchangeable attachment, a reciprocating drive member adapted to contact the movable member of the interchangeable attachment and to cause the movable member to move, when the interchangeable attachment is secured to the drive mechanism, and a transmission configured to translate rotation of the drive shaft into reciprocating motion of the drive member.
US09388877B2

A pressure shock absorbing apparatus includes: a first cylinder; a second cylinder that is placed outside the first cylinder to form a liquid storage unit; a partitioning member that is disposed in such a manner as to be movable in an axial direction inside the first cylinder to partition a space inside the first cylinder; a throttle mechanism that is disposed in a side portion of the second cylinder, and includes a throttle unit that throttles a flow path cross section of a liquid to discharge the liquid taken in from the first cylinder toward the liquid storage unit while passing the liquid through the throttle unit; and a suppression unit that is held by the throttle mechanism at a liquid discharge point between the throttle mechanism and the liquid storage unit to suppress air bubbles in the liquid in the liquid storage unit.
US09388876B2

The present invention discloses an air spring comprising a piston, a top plate, a clamp ring, a snap ring, and a flexible member which is affixed to the piston and the top plate, wherein the piston, the top plate and the flexible member define a pressurizable chamber, wherein the snap ring is affixed to the clamp ring, wherein the clamp ring affixes an upper portion of the flexible member to the top plate, wherein the clamp ring affixes the snap ring to the top plate, and wherein the top plate is affixed between the snap ring and the flexible member.
US09388868B2

A disc brake whose carrier (11) includes two opposite arms (14F, 14B) each including a C-shaped axial housing (16F, 16B) accommodating a brake pad (12) including two opposite lateral lugs (26F, 26B), each lug (26) accepting a pad spring (40F, 40B) including at least one lower, sliding, branch (42F, 42B) and in which a lamellar element (22F, 22B) is interposed between the lug (26F, 26B) and the C-shaped housing (16F, 16B), this element (22F, 22B) including a lower first sliding flange (24F, 22B) accepting the sliding branch (42F, 22B) of the pad spring (40F, 40B) and an upper second flange (25F, 25B) for bearing vertically in the housing (16), at least one tangential preload spring (60B) for tangentially preloading the pad (12) interposed between an arm (14B) and the pad (12) and constantly urging the pad (12B) in a direction (DF) that is horizontal overall from the back forward.
US09388861B2

A universal joint of the present disclosure includes a first joint yoke and a second joint yoke. A first joint axis is formed at a first angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of a first shaft connected to the first joint yoke and a second joint axis is formed at a second angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of a second shaft connected to the second joint yoke. At least one of the first and second angles of the first and second joint yokes may be an obtuse angle or an acute angle. A connection element is configured to couple the first joint yoke to the second joint yoke via the first and second joint axes.
US09388859B2

An inner ring has a plurality of grooves which are formed on its inner peripheral face and extended from an end thereof in an axial direction. The grooves are extended from both ends in the axial direction of the inner ring inwardly in the axial direction, and closed in a middle part in the axial direction of the inner peripheral face of the inner ring. The grooves are formed in plurality at an equal interval in a circumferential direction.
US09388855B2

A gyratory cone crusher includes a first and a second crushing shell defining a crushing gap. The first crushing shell is arranged to gyrate around a vertical axis, in order to crush material entering the crushing gap, and is vertically supported by a thrust bearing including first and second bearing plates defining a spherical sliding interface. One of the bearing plates has one or more cooling and/or lubricating grooves at the sliding interface, each groove defining a channel, extending from the center of the sliding interface to the periphery thereof. In order to obtain a uniform distribution of grooves, the cooling/lubricating grooves are in the form of one or more spirals extending from the center of the sliding interface to the periphery thereof. The disclosure further relates to a bearing plate and a kit of bearing plates involving such a bearing plate.
US09388847B1

A bottom bracket assembly for bicycle frames aligns crankshaft bearings. The assembly is press fitted into the bottom bracket shell to journal the crankshaft. An elongated, rigid, unibody sleeve comprises a terminal end and a spaced apart leading end which both receive and support a radial contact bearing that is press fitted into a machined bore. Each bore comprises an interference fit zone for bearing retention and a larger, pressure relief zone comprising a channel and an adjacent, buffering slope that compensates for stresses. Dust shields coaxially abut the bearing exteriors. An inner, tubular buttress bushing coaxially occupies the sleeve interior and extends between the spaced apart bearings to brace them. Externally the sleeve has a pair of integral, friction retention contact interfaces separated by a reduced diameter optimization zone. The sleeve terminal end has an integral stop flange that abuts the frame bottom bracket shell contacting the crank arm.
US09388842B2

A screw comprising a drive part, a threaded part, and a retaining ring is disclosed herein. Each of the drive part and the threaded part comprises a plurality of interface surfaces that transmit torque from the drive part to the threaded part and prevent the parts from disengaging from one another during use. Each plurality of interface surfaces forms one or more geometric shapes that create additional friction between the drive and threaded parts, and may further include mating pins and holes to prevent the parts from detaching from one another. The retaining ring, which removably connects the screw to a wrench during assembly of the screw with a receptacle, is disposed within a cavity formed when the drive part is assembled with the threaded part.
US09388834B2

The present teachings relate to an improved rotating connector portion and clip portion for attachment to a secondary item. More specifically, the present teachings relate to a connector portion and clip portion that can be attached to a secondary item, such that the clip portion may be rotated about the secondary item.
US09388833B2

A linear actuator has a housing with a bore extending therethrough. A first portion of the bore extends into the housing from a first end, and a second portion of the bore extends into the housing from a second end of the housing. The second portion of the bore has a rectangular geometry with substantially rounded corners when viewed from the second end. A shaft is in sliding engagement with the first portion of the housing. A piston member is coupled to the shaft and has a rectangular geometry with substantially rounded corners. The piston member is in sliding engagement with a first interior surface of the second portion of the bore via one or more o-rings. An anti-rotation apparatus is associated with one or more of the piston member and the shaft, wherein the anti-rotation member generally prevents a rotation of the shaft with respect to the housing.
US09388830B2

An accumulator includes a bellows housed to freely expand and contract in a shell, a port part having a pressure fluid inflow port formed therein, and a self-sealing member arranged on a tip portion of the bellows to face the port part, in which when a pressure in the fluid chamber is lower than a predetermined pressure relative to an air chamber, the self-sealing member is allowed to abut onto a seal area of the port part to block the pressure fluid inflow port. The self-sealing member includes a resilient member arranged on a surface of a base material part, and an overhanging portion formed on the resilient member and allowed to abut onto the seal area for sealing. The port part includes a seal face having the seal area formed thereon, and a projecting portion arranged on a region other than the seal area on the seal face.
US09388826B2

An exemplary heat dissipating fan includes a frame and an impeller rotatably received in the frame. The frame includes a base and a top cover disposed on the base, the base includes a bottom plate a peripheral sidewall. The sidewall extends between the bottom plate and the top cover, and the base and the top cover cooperatively defines a receiving space. The impeller is rotatably received in the receiving space. The top cover, the bottom cover and the sidewall cooperatively define an air inlet therebetween. The top cover, the bottom plate and the sidewall cooperatively define an outlet therebetween. The air outlet is generally adjacent to and substantially perpendicular to the air inlet.
US09388822B2

A guide ring for a heated impeller pump for dish washers may include a base body in the type of a circumferential ring having a central longitudinal axis and which is configured for arrangement in a pump chamber of the impeller pump. At least one blade may be arranged on a radial outer surface of the base body, which protrudes outwards and which extends longitudinally along the base body over at least a part of the periphery thereof and which has a pitch in relation to the central longitudinal axis. At least on one side of the blade, a protrusion or a thickening may be provided on the outer edge thereof. The latter can form a channel configured to remove air bubbles from the pump chamber.
US09388821B2

A compressor housing is provided with a shroud member, which surrounds a compressor impeller, and a sealing member. The shroud member has a facing surface that is located at a position on a radially outside of the compressor impeller on an inner circumferential surface of the shroud member. The sealing member is provided on the facing surface. The sealing member is formed from a cylindrical material that has free-cutting property to the compressor impeller. The sealing member is press-fitted into the facing surface of the shroud member.
US09388816B2

An object of the present invention is to enhance the capacity of a turbomolecular pump.A turbomolecular pump is a composite-type vacuum pump that combines a blade portion and a thread groove portion. Openings are formed at a joint portion between a rotor blade holding portion that holds rotor blades and a stepped portion that holds a rotor cylinder portion, such that the openings span both the rotor blade holding portion and the stepped portion.Part of the gas that is evacuated by the blade portions is evacuated by a thread groove portion that is formed of the rotor cylinder portion and a stator thread groove, and the rest of the gas is led into the rotor cylinder portion via the openings, and is evacuated by a thread groove portion that is formed of the rotor cylinder portion and another stator thread groove. Stress derived from rotation of a rotor can be withstood when the openings are formed at the joint portion between the rotor blade holding portion and the stepped portion. Moreover, a groove in which a balancer weight is disposed is provided at a clearance portion that lies further on the inlet port side of the other stator thread groove, thereby eliminating the necessity of shortening the length of the other stator thread groove.
US09388807B2

A vane compressor includes a cylinder, a rotor portion, vanes, and a first discharge port allowing a refrigerant in a compression chamber to be discharged therethrough. The vanes are disposed inside the rotor portion and held rotatably about the center of a cylinder inner circumferential surface, partition a space between the cylinder inner circumferential surface and the rotor portion, and form the compression chamber. A second discharge port is disposed at a location having a phase angle smaller than that at the first discharge port, being open to the cylinder inner circumferential surface, and communicating with the compression chamber. The second discharge port includes an opening portion to the compression chamber, the opening portion having a width in the circumferential direction, the width being equal to or smaller than the width of the tip of each of the vanes.
US09388798B2

A heat exchanger module for thermally coupling a first fluid and second fluid is disclosed. The heat exchanger module comprises a plurality of heat exchangers, each of which is fluidically coupled to a common seawater inlet and a common seawater outlet. The heat exchanger module is dimensioned and arranged for integrating with an OTEC system located on an offshore platform that is deployed in a body of water. The heat exchanger module physically and fluidically couples with ports included in pontoons attached to the offshore platform. The ports are individually controllable so that the module can be added or removed from the OTEC system without interrupting operation of other heat exchanger modules integrated with the OTEC system.
US09388788B2

A conveying device for producing energy, including a circulating conveying member of containers, which have a load strand and a return strand, the conveying device being equipped in such a way that the conveying device slides or rolls downward by means of the load strand on a inclined plane having an angle (alpha), wherein the load strand moves the return strand, and a device for drawing power arranged on the conveying member and being moved by the circulating conveying member, the device including a means for removing energy from the device. The method for operating the device is characterized in that, while the conveying member is circulating, the first container running into the load strand (in the area of arrow A) is loaded with a burdening good and the good is discharged shortly before exiting the load strand (at arrow B).
US09388776B2

A control system for a vehicle having a fixed gear transmission and an engine that outputs an actual RPM signal is provided. The control system includes a vehicle bus, a shifting module, a simulated RPM module, and an engine sound enhancement (“ESE”) module. The vehicle bus transmits a signal indicating a plurality of operating conditions of the vehicle. The shifting module receives the signal from the vehicle bus to determine if the operating parameters of the vehicle indicate that a gear shift by the fixed gear transmission is imminent within a predetermined amount of time. The simulated RPM module is in communication with the shifting module for generating a simulated RPM signal if the gear shift is imminent. The simulated RPM signal has a greater increase in engine RPM with respect to time prior to the gear shift compared to the actual RPM signal.
US09388763B2

In an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, having a cylinder housing in the form of a light metal alloy casting with working cylinder sections including cylinder liners which consist of rough-surface iron castings and which are integrally cast into the working cylinder sections with housing webs formed between adjacent liners, the cylinder housing has cooling channels formed in the housing webs between adjacent cylinder liners and the working cylinder sections of the cylinder housing for directly cooling the cylinder liners.
US09388761B2

A method of operating an internal combustion engine with gaseous fuel includes providing fuel to a plurality of cylinders with both central point injection and multipoint injection. Central point injection, which provides good air/fuel mixing, may provide a majority of steady-state fueling, and multipoint injection is used for supplementing the central point injection during steady-state and for providing rapid transient response to load changes.
US09388753B2

A system is provided for controlling power generation. For example, the system may include a drive, an electrical generator coupled to the drive, and a controller coupled to the drive. The controller may include a stabilizing mode responsive to a utility signal representative of a grid destabilizing event.
US09388744B2

In one embodiment, a gas turbine engine control system includes an engine controller configured to control multiple parameters associated with operation of a gas turbine engine system. The gas turbine engine control system also includes multiple remote interface units communicatively coupled to the engine controller. The remote interface unit is configured to receive an input signal from the engine controller indicative of respective target values of at least one parameter, and the remote interface unit is configured to provide closed-loop control of the at least one parameter based on the input signal and feedback signals indicative of respective measured values of the at least one parameter.
US09388743B2

A sealing system is provided for a flanged joint. The sealing system includes a split seal and a spring. The split seal includes a radial outer surface, an axial outer surface, and a chamfered surface inclined with respect to the radial outer surface and the axial outer surface. The spring is disposed in urging contact with the chamfered surface and configured to apply an axial force, and a radial force on the axial outer surface, and the radial outer surface respectively.
US09388738B2

A casing for a can annular gas turbine engine, including: a compressed air section (40) spanning between a last row of compressor blades (26) and a first row of turbine blades (28), the compressed air section (40) having a plurality of openings (50) there through, wherein a single combustor/advanced duct assembly (64) extends through each opening (50); and one top hat (68) associated with each opening (50) configured to enclose the associated combustor/advanced duct assembly (64) and seal the opening (50). A volume enclosed by the compressed air section (40) is not greater than a volume of a frustum (54) defined at an upstream end (56) by an inner diameter of the casing at the last row of compressor blades (26) and at a downstream end (60) by an inner diameter of the casing at the first row of turbine blades (28).
US09388735B2

This invention relates to a ceramic composite that comprises of a mixture of infrared-emitting metal oxides having specific spectral luminance in 3-20 μm (micrometers) wavelength range and an effective amount of pyroelectric material that helps enhance infrared emissions of said oxides in said wavelength range. Said ceramic composite can be deviced to provide an effective means of improving hydrocarbon fuel efficiency in internal combustion engines for better engine performance with increased torque and power, improved fuel economy, and reduced exhaust emissions. Such ceramic composites can also be used in other applications that utilize infrared emissions in said wavelength range.
US09388733B2

Embodiments for controlling boost pressure in a turbocharged engine are provided. In one embodiment, a method for an engine having a throttle comprises, if an inferred throttle inlet pressure (TIP) value is different than a measured TIP value, adjusting a wastegate of a turbocharger based on the inferred TIP value and not based on the measured TIP value, the inferred TIP value based on air flow through the throttle, throttle angle, and manifold absolute pressure (MAP). In this way, boost pressure control may be provided by the inferred TIP value under some conditions.
US09388727B2

The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling regeneration of diesel particulate filter in construction machinery. The regeneration controlling method for the diesel particulate filter of construction machinery according to the present disclosure includes: a first active generation operation of actively regenerating a diesel particulate filter (DPF) according to a predetermined first active regeneration schedule when a quantity of soot inside the DPF within is a predetermined allowance section; and a second active regeneration operation of actively regenerating the diesel particulate filter according to a second active regeneration schedule, which is different from the first active regeneration schedule, according to the quantity of soot when the quantity of soot exceeds the allowance section.
US09388722B2

An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The exhaust gas treatment system includes an electrically heated catalyst (“EHC”) device in fluid communication with an exhaust gas conduit, a generator, a selective catalytic reduction (“SCR”) device, and a control module. The EHC device includes an electric heater and an EHC catalyst that is heated to an EHC light-off temperature. The generator is selectively operable in a target voltage mode to supply a target voltage to the electric heater. The target voltage represents a voltage required by the electric heater in order to maintain the EHC catalyst at a catalyst temperature. The SCR device is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit. The SCR device is located downstream of the EHC device and includes an SCR catalyst that is selectively heated by the EHC device to a SCR light-off temperature.
US09388716B2

A system, for use in accounting for an effect of a long-trip cycle on remaining life of engine oil, being used in a vehicle, using a long-trip rebate value. The system includes a computer processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that is in operative communication with the processor and has instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform various operations. The operations include determining a long-trip time indicating an amount of time that the vehicle was operated recently in the long-trip cycle. The operations further include determining the long-trip rebate according to a rebate function using the determined long-trip time.
US09388715B2

An assembling apparatus of this invention includes a main pallet and a sub pallet detachable from the main pallet, and can convey a cylinder head and parts thereof. The apparatus includes a mechanism disconnecting, from the main pallet, the cylinder head placed on the main pallet and lifting/lowering the cylinder head, a mechanism detaching the sub pallet from the main pallet and lifting/lowering the sub pallet, a mechanism holding the cylinder head lifted to a work operation region, an operation unit extracting a valve retainer from the sub pallet lifted to a part preparation region and assemble it to a cylinder head, and a device arranged between the work operation region and the part preparation region and detaching a pair of cotter pieces.
US09388703B2

A gas turbine engine is provided, which comprises an outlet guide vane provided downstream of a compressor; an outer casing supporting a radially outward part of the outlet guide vane; and an inner diffuser supporting a radially inward part. The outlet guide vane includes a radially inward inner flange; a projecting part projecting radially inward from the inner flange; and an engagement part protruding to one side in an axial direction of the projecting part. The inner diffuser includes a smaller-diameter part having a smaller outer diameter than the other part located upstream. The inner diffuser is provided with an engagement groove extending to one side in the axial direction from an outer peripheral surface of the smaller-diameter part or a region in the vicinity thereof. The engagement part is inserted into the engagement groove with a gap between the engagement part and groove.
US09388690B2

This tunnel excavation method includes a step of excavating three first tunnels that are substantially parallel to each other in a first excavation step. Second tunnels are excavated that intersect the first tunnels in a second excavation step. A boring machine is used that performs excavation in a state in which a gripper pushes against the side wall of the tunnel.
US09388678B2

A method of producing hydrocarbons and a selected metal in situ from a fixed-bed hydrocarbon formation disposed below a ground surface and having a higher permeability zone substantially parallel to, and between a top lower permeability zone and a bottom lower permeability zone. The steps include providing at least one injection well and first and second production wells in the higher permeability zone, injecting a heated thermal-energy carrier fluid (TECF) into the injection well, circulating the carrier fluid through the zone and creating a substantially horizontal situ heating element (ISHE) between the injection well and the production wells for mobilizing the hydrocarbons and the selected metal.
US09388674B2

A system and method for forming a cavern in a formation beyond a cased wellbore utilizes a locator to position a perforating gun in the wellbore for forming axially aligned, spaced-apart perforations through the casing. The locator has a stationary portion, run in and anchored in the wellbore below a zone of interest. The perforating guns have a moveable portion of the locator at a downhole end and are run in and coupled with the stationary portion. Where two or more guns are used to form the perforations, the guns are indexed relative to one another for forming the offset perforations. The guns are tripped from the wellbore and a wash tool having a moveable portion of the locator at a downhole end is run in and coupled in the wellbore. The locator acts to delimit a reciprocation of the wash tool along the space-apart perforations for delivering a non-abrasive fluid therethrough for forming the cavern.
US09388673B2

A technique facilitates a perforation operation. A perforating gun carrier is combined with a pressure enhancement mechanism. The pressure enhancement mechanism provides a controlled increase in pressure within the perforating gun carrier as the perforating gun carrier is delivered into a higher pressure environment. The increase in internal pressure counters the buildup of a pressure differential to the degree desired for a given perforating gun carrier.
US09388672B2

This invention relates to wellbore equipment utilized in conjunction with operations performed in subterranean wells and, in particular, sand control screen assemblies providing secondary flow capabilities. Once sand control screen assembly includes a base pipe having an exterior surface and defining one or more perforations therein, a screen jacket disposed about the exterior surface of the base pipe and having a primary screen axially adjacent a secondary screen, and at least one relief valve configured to open upon experiencing a predetermined fluid pressure, wherein, once opened, the at least one relief valve diverts fluid flow from the primary screen and provides the fluid flow to the secondary screen.
US09388665B2

An actuation method according to one or more embodiments includes axially translating an operator in a first direction in response to applying a tubing pressure to a first side in excess of an annulus pressure acting on a second side, axially translating the operator in a second direction to an actuation position in response to applying an underbalance pressure level to the operator and operating a tool element from a first position to a second position in response to translating the operator to the actuation position.
US09388660B2

A packer can include a mandrel having a longitudinal section, the packer being releasable in response to the section being severed, a slip support and a load transfer device that extends longitudinally across the section, the device being secured to the mandrel on one side of the section, and the device being secured to the member on an opposite side of the section. A method of constructing a releasable packer can include assembling a mandrel, at least one slip, a slip support and a load transfer device, the mandrel having a longitudinal section, and the packer being releasable in response to the section being severed. The assembling can include preventing relative longitudinal displacement between the device and the mandrel on one side of the section while preventing relative longitudinal displacement between the device and the member on an opposite side of the section.
US09388656B2

The present invention provides monitoring means for monitoring the space and volume within a lower annulus. In particular, the monitoring means monitors the space and volume within the lower annulus 52 located between the inner surface of the 22 intermediate casing string 22 and the outer surface of the inner casing string 32. Furthermore, the monitoring means provides the capability to retrieve and/or introduce fluid(s) into the annular space 52. The monitoring means provides a port, specifically a passageway 100, which extends upwardly from the annular space 52 to an outlet located above the hanger 36 for the intermediate casing string 22. The passageway 100 is provided in a sleeve 102. The monitoring means includes a sensor located above the hanger 36 which means that the fluid in the annular space 52 can be monitored without the need for penetrating a casing in the wellhead.
US09388647B2

A pipe handler trailer assists with the handling of very large and heavy pipes that are regularly raised to and lowered from an elevated surfaces. A height adjustment assembly sets the maximum height that a skidway will reach when a lift cylinder is fully extended and lift arms are thereby rotated. Located within lift arms are toothed racks. An adjustment block couples the skidway to lift arms through the racks and also supports locking blocks that have teeth complementary to the teeth on the racks. A lock will vary from firm contact with the inner wall of lift arms to having a gap there between. When the lock engages the inner wall of the lift arm this drives the complementary teeth into secure engagement with the rack teeth, which can then rigidly support heavy load without motion.
US09388646B2

A double curved face gripping die for engaging tubular pipe of varying diameters is comprised of opposing mirror imaged curved die surfaces forming a modified V-shape. Each curve die surface has a double curved contact surface of a desired varying radius, the distal ends of the contact surfaces extending outward limn the pipe to avoid pipe contact. The die incorporates the contact strength and flexibility of a V-shaped gripping d with minimal scratching or gouging of the pipe.
US09388636B2

A method for forming a controllable bend angle in a drill string in a wellbore comprises attaching an upper housing to a drill string. At least, one drive motor is anchored in the upper housing. A middle housing is operably coupled to the at least one drive motor. A lower housing is operably coupled to the at least one drive motor. The at least one drive motor is controllably operated to rotate the middle housing by a first rotation angle with respect to the upper housing, and to rotate the lower housing by a second rotation angle with respect to the upper housing, to generate a desired bend angle between the middle housing and the lower housing at a target toolface orientation between the bend angle and the upper housing.
US09388633B2

The invention refers to a quick-opening door comprising: a flexible canvas secured to a motor-driven drum and provided with vertically aligned arrangements of abutment elements that are guided in vertical uprights of the door; an electric duct secured to one of the sides of the canvas and provided with cables connected to a wireless signal transmitter; a plurality of guiding abutment elements distributed along the sides of the canvas with different spaces there between, disposed either singly or in groups; sensors which are disposed in an abutment passage zone and which capture different sequences of pulses during the passage of the abutment elements, thereby determining the position of the canvas at all times; and a contact-detecting band connected to the transmitter via the electric duct and housed in a bag by means of which the canvas is fitted against the ground.
US09388632B2

A cord lock assembly for a shade assembly is provided. The cord lock assembly may include a spool rotatably attached to a housing, with the housing defining a pull cord channel. A pull cord may be provided that extends through the pull cord channel and wraps at least partially around the spool. The pull cord channel may include a roller configured to interact with the pull cord and a rear wall of the pull cord channel such that it may move between a locked and an unlocked position based at least in part by the angle at which the pull cord is held relative to a plane defined the shade assembly.
US09388631B2

A pet door connects to the door and to the door frame in both a closed and open position with an opening therein to allow the pet to leave and enter the residence at any time. The pet door also prevents the air-conditioned air from leaving the residence and insects and pests from entering while the door is in the open position.
US09388628B2

Vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit configurations with getter structures are provided, as are methods for making the same. Techniques are provided for optimizing (e.g., increasing) the surface area of active getter material, before and/or after activation/flashing, within the constraints of a VIG window unit.
US09388621B2

Disclosed are alternate embodiments of various components of a barrier operator system. and methods of operation, including of the mechanical drive subsystem with segmented and self-locking rail unit, rail mounting supports, belt and chain drive tensioning, and drive assembly carriage and interface; the electronics and software routines for controlled operation of the various barrier operator functions; wall console communications with the barrier operator; encryption and decryption of access codes; establishment and monitoring of travel limits and barrier speed and force profiles; thermal protection of barrier operator drive motors; and establishment and control of communications from the barrier operator to accessories by way of a wireless adapter.
US09388614B2

A parallelism fixing device applied to dual-shaft system for fixing the parallelism of the rotary shafts and facilitating the assembling process. The parallelism fixing device includes a first rotary shaft, a second rotary shaft and a fixing unit, which are assembled with each other. Each of the first and second rotary shafts has a fixed section mounted on an electronic apparatus, a pivoted section assembled with a torque module and a middle section positioned between the fixed section and the pivoted section. The fixing unit is assembled with the middle sections. The fixing unit has a substantially 8-shaped cross section and includes a first chamber, a second chamber and a belly section in connection with the first and second chambers. The middle sections of the first and second rotary shafts are respectively fixedly assembled in the first and second chambers.
US09388597B2

A protective shelter including an enclosure having at least a floor, at least one sidewall coupled to the floor, a door, and a roof coupled to the at least one sidewall. The protective shelter further includes one or more members coupled to the enclosure that support the protective shelter on a substrate and a resilient grouser attached to at least one of the one or more members and in contact with the substrate.
US09388591B2

A port anchor system and method for anchoring and cementing adjacent and often separated leaves (layered structures) of masonry. The method and various embodiments have the capability of being used for anchoring, cleaning and flushing of old mortar, and injecting grout into internal masonry voids, thereby tying and re-cementing or cementing the masonry mass back together. Various embodiments of anchor systems are provided for performing the various methods, more particularly, some of the embodiments describe port anchors which are used to clean and flush the old mortar and then grout fill the void between adjacent masonry leaves while other embodiments are used to grout fill the void.
US09388583B2

A building board for mounting on a support structure including a set of studs. The building board comprising a framing element essentially shaped as a rectangular cuboid including two opposite main sides having relatively large delimitation surfaces and four edge sides having relatively small delimitation surfaces. A first type of snap-in means are arranged along a first edge side and a second type of snap-in means are arranged along a second edge sides opposite to said first edge side. The snap-in means of the first type is, after mounting of the building board against the support structure, configured to receive a snap-in means of the second type of another building board so that this building board is connected to the mounted building board. Either the snap-in means of said first or second type includes a groove for receiving at least one clamping element for fixing and holding the first and the second building boards against a stud of the support structure.
US09388582B1

A re-moistenable adhesive-coated drywall corner trim piece having an elongated semi-rigid core piece with a right and left flange, where the semi-rigid core piece has a centerline along which the flanges meet forming a hinge that can be bent and re-bent to any angle any number of times. The piece can also include a step running longitudinally along each of the flanges that can be located between the centerline and the flange edges so that the flanges change from a thicker portion toward the centerline to a thinner portion toward the edges making the piece boxable (capable of being wet mudded simultaneously on both sides without an intermediate drying step). Flanges can be curved slightly inward for perfect bonding.
US09388580B2

A roof ventilation system for asphalt shingle or composition roofs which include a vent slot located through the roof structure along a roof ridge is provided. An unrollable vent assembly that is installable in one piece is formed from an upper water barrier having first and second vent arrangements connected thereto, and each of the first and second vent arrangements include at least two continuous longitudinal strips of a vent material with a continuous longitudinally extending space therebetween separating the strips. The strips and the longitudinally extending space are positionable on the roof parallel to the ridge so that the first and second vent arrangements are located on each side of the ridge vent slot, respectively. The vent system prevent ingress of moisture and debris, and the upper water barrier extends between the first and second vent arrangements and over the vent slot in the installed position.
US09388568B2

A material for use in building construction (partition, wall, ceiling, floor or door) that exhibits improved acoustical sound proofing and fracture characteristics optimized for efficient installation. The material comprises a laminated structure having as an integral part thereof one or more layers of viscoelastic material which also functions both as a glue and as an energy dissipating layer; and one or more constraining layers, such as gypsum or cement-based panel products modified for easy fracture. In one embodiment, standard paper-faced wallboard, typically gypsum, comprises the external surfaces of the laminated structure with the inner surface of said wallboard being bare with no paper or other material being placed thereon. The resulting structure improves the attenuation of sound transmitted through the structure while also allowing installation of the sound proofing material as efficiently as the installation of standard material when the sound proofing material is used alone or incorporated into a partition assembly.
US09388567B2

An outer wall structure according to the invention includes first to fourth linear water-stopping members, and first to fourth corner water-stopping members. These members include plate portions and seal portions and the like. The plate portions are fixed to a vertical furring strip member, a horizontal furring strip member, and a frame member by means of a first mounting screw. Consequently, the seal portions prevent entry of water between a sash body and the plate portion. With the outer wall structure, the plate portions are fixed to the vertical furring strip member, the horizontal furring strip member, and the frame member at a position spaced apart from the outer face farther than a first width of the flange.
US09388560B2

The present invention is directed to a debris catching and removing apparatus and method. For example, bar screens or grids for collecting and removing trash or debris from storm, waste water, or sewage systems, and mounting systems and methods therefore are provided. These apparatus and method may provide a long-lasting, light-weight, and low-cost debris screen screening solutions for removing trash or debris from, for example, storm, waste water, or sewage systems. The invention may be particularly applicable to small lift stations that use submersible pumps or surface mounted pumps that suction waste water from a wet well.
US09388554B2

Devices, systems and methods for visually indicating the presence of a fire hydrant and the range of gallons per minute water flow associated with the hydrant by using a single-piece fire hydrant cover.
US09388553B2

Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a lock for a ground engaging tool. In one exemplary embodiment, the lock may include an upper portion having a tool interface configured to receive a tool for applying torque about a lock rotation axis, a lower portion including a base located opposite the tool interface along the lock rotation axis, and an insert layer positioned between the upper portion and lower portion. The insert layer may be configured to allow the upper portion to move relative to the lower portion without shearing when torque is applied to the tool interface of the upper portion.
US09388551B2

A control system for a machine equipped with a ripping tool. The control system includes a first operator input for generating a ripping control signal that initiates an auto-ripping mode. A second operator input is provided for generating a speed select signal for changing the transmission output speed of the machine to a selected transmission output speed. The system further includes a controller with a memory. The controller is linked to the first and second operator inputs. The controller is programmed to receive a ripping control signal from the first operator input and to activate the auto-ripping mode or auto-ripping mode and deactivate the auto-shift mode. The controller is also programmed to receive a speed select signal from the second operator input and to deactivate the auto-ripping mode and adjust the power source to the selected transmission output speed.
US09388548B2

A pipe assembly may have one or more pipe segments that are coupled together or coupled to a drive socket by a coupler. The coupler may have a body with a generally tubular shape with an interior surface and an exterior surface. First and second flanges may extend outward from the exterior surface to engage the drive socket, thereby providing enhanced stability and coaxiality. The interior surface may have an upper receiving feature that can receive the bottom end of an overhead pipe segment, and a lower receiving feature that can receive the top end of a subtending pipe segment. The upper receiving feature may have an upper threaded bore with a lead-in portion that facilitates alignment of the overhead pipe segment with the upper threaded bore. The interior surface may also have a stop feature that prevents over-insertion of the top end and/or the bottom end into the coupler.
US09388545B1

A device for raising and lowering a structure comprises a support, an adjustment mechanism, and a sensor mechanism. The support includes a first portion and a second portion configured and arranged to receive at least a portion of the first portion. The structure is operatively connected to the second portion. The adjustment mechanism interconnects the first portion and the second portion and is configured and arranged to move the second portion relative to the first portion thereby moving the structure relative to the first portion. The sensor mechanism is operatively connected to the adjustment mechanism and is configured and arranged to activate the adjustment mechanism under predetermined conditions. The sensor mechanism activates the adjustment mechanism to raise the second portion under a first predetermined condition and lower the second portion under a second predetermined condition.
US09388536B2

The invention relates to a method for forming an artificial grass layer on a substrate, comprising the steps of supplying a pack of flat and deformable artificial grass strips, in which the strips are arranged with their flat faces side-by-side and are connected to each other at mutually offset locations, placing the pack of artificial grass strips on or partially in the substrate, pulling apart the artificial grass strips, thus forming a grid, and at least partially filling at least some of the openings in the grid with a stabilizing material. The invention further relates to a method for forming such a pack of flat and deformable artificial grass strips. And finally, the invention relates to an artificial grass product, comprising a pack of flat and deformable artificial grass strips, each strip comprising a substantially straight lower edge and an upper edge having artificial grass blades protruding therefrom, wherein the strips are arranged with their flat faces in side-by-side relationship and their straight lower edges in substantially the same plane, and are connected to each other at mutually offset locations.
US09388515B2

A heat curable, circular knitted fabric includes reinforcing and meltable resin fibers that can be cured to form a more rigid material form. In one embodiment, the fabric includes a core spun yarn, wherein the core may be made from glass, carbon, basalt, aramid or metal. The wrap surrounding the core may include resin type fibers such as Poly(p-phenylene sulfide) PPS, Polyetherimide (PEI), Polyether ether ketone (PEEK), Polysulfone (PES), Polyphthalamide (PPA), nylon, polyester, or polypropylene.
US09388508B2

A manufacturing apparatus of a SiC single crystal which can suppress the generation of a polycrystal is provided. A jig (41) and a crucible (6) are accommodated in a chamber (1). A SiC solution (8) is housed in the crucible (6). The jig (41) includes a seed shaft (411) and a cover member (412). The seed shaft (411) can move up and down, and a SiC seed crystal (9) is attached to the lower surface thereof. The cover member (412) is attached to the lower end portion of the seed shaft (411). The cover member (412) is a housing which has an opening at its lower end, wherein the lower end portion of the seed shaft (411) is disposed in the cover member (412).
US09388501B2

An electrolytic cathode assembly includes a hollow hanger bar, and a deposition plate including an upper edge attached to the hanger bar. The hanger bar can be formed substantially of copper. At least one supporting element can be configured to support the hanger bar. The supporting element(s) can be internally disposed within the hanger bar, and can extend partially between bar ends of the hanger bar. The supporting element(s) can include first and second supporting elements, with each disposed adjacent to a respective one of the bar ends. The hanger bar can include an overhanging portion, and the supporting element(s) can be at least partially disposed within the overhanging portion. The supporting element(s) can include an inward end that is offset inwardly relative to the plate edges of the deposition plate.
US09388495B2

A method of forming an etching mask structure on an insulating film containing silicon and oxygen includes forming a first silicon film on the insulating film formed on a substrate, forming a reaction blocking layer on a surface layer of the first silicon film, forming a second silicon film on the reaction blocking layer; and forming a tungsten film by replacing silicon of the second silicon film with tungsten by supplying a process gas containing a tungsten compound onto the second silicon film.
US09388490B2

An apparatus for coating a substrate is provided that includes a racetrack-shaped plasma source having two straight portions and at least one terminal turnaround portion connecting said straight portions. A tubular target formed of a target material that forms a component of the coating has an end. The target is in proximity to the plasma source for sputtering of the target material. The target is secured to a tubular backing cathode, with both being rotatable about a central axis. A set of magnets are arranged inside the cathode to move an erosion zone aligned with the terminal turnaround toward the end of the target as the target is utilized to deposit the coating on the substrate. Target utilization of up to 87 weight percent the initial target weight is achieved.
US09388486B2

The present invention refers to a piston ring for internal combustion engine, having an outer surface of a coating of Chromium Nitride (CrN and Cr2N) and Niobium Nitride (NbN and Nb4N3), capable of offering greater resistance to peeling of the coating, also maintaining an excellent level of resistance to wear and tear and scratches to the layer of Chromium Nitride deposited.
US09388480B2

Methods for producing silver nanostructures with improved dimensional control, yield, purity, monodispersity, and scale of synthesis.
US09388478B1

Disclosed are methods for recovering technetium from a highly alkaline solution. The highly alkaline solution can be a liquid waste solution from a nuclear waste processing system. Methods can include combining the solution with a reductant capable of reducing technetium at the high pH of the solution and adding to or forming in the solution an adsorbent capable of adsorbing the precipitated technetium at the high pH of the solution.
US09388469B2

The present invention provides a binding moiety which selectively binds to Sox11 protein and/or mRNA for imaging, diagnosis or prognosis of lymphomas, such as mantle cell lymphomas (MCL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Optionally, the moiety is an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. Advantageously, moiety comprises a further, readily detectable moiety. The invention also provides methods of imaging lymphomas cells as well as methods of diagnosing or prognosing lymphomas in an individual. A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of identifying cells associated with lymphomas, the method comprising analyzing the pattern of gene expression in a sample of cells to be tested and comparing it to the pattern of gene expression in a sample of known lymphomas cells. Preferably, the cells to be tested are identified as lymphoma cells if the expression of Sox11 is upregulated compared to normal B-cells.
US09388459B2

The present invention provides for methods for discriminating between alleles at polymorphic positions in a genome. In general the methods employ allele specific extension of oligonucleotides that are complementary to one of the alleles at the 3′ end of the oligonucleotide. The allele specific oligonucleotides are resistant to proof reading activity from a polymerase and may be extended in an allele specific manner by a DNA polymerase with a functional 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity. The allele specific oligonucleotides may be attached to a solid support such as a chip or a bead.
US09388457B2

Methods are provided for multiplexed amplification of selected targets and analysis of the amplified targets. In preferred aspects the amplification and analysis take place on the same solid support and preferably in a localized area such as a bead or a feature of an array. In preferred aspects the analysis is a determination of sequence at one or more locations in the amplified target. The methods may be used for genotyping, sequencing and analysis of copy number.
US09388455B2

A double-stranded nucleic acid hybridization probe and methods of using the same are described. The probe described is particularly suited for real-time RT-PCR reactions and has high tolerance to mismatches.
US09388449B2

Methods and materials are disclosed for use in an enzyme fragment complementation assay using complementary fragments of β-galactosidase to study the trafficking of proteins in a cell. Compounds that bind to a target peptide have been found to affect protein folding and therefore trafficking. β-Galactosidase fragments, an enzyme donor (ED) and an enzyme acceptor (EA), are fused to a target peptide and to an intracellular compartment protein, wherein the compartment is involved in intracellular trafficking. Contacting the cell with a compound that binds to the target peptide results in enhanced movement of the protein through the cellular trafficking pathway comprised of the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, the plasma membrane, endosomes, etc. Using this approach, compounds that bind to a target peptide and alter its ability to traffic through the normal cellular pathway can be readily detected.
US09388440B2

The present invention provides an enzymatic process for the preparation of (S)-5-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-5-hydroxy-1morpholin-4-yl-pentan-1-one by the reduction of 1-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-5-morpholin-4-yl-pentane-1,5-dione by using a suitable enzyme or by the resolution of (R,S)-5-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-5-hydroxy-1morpholin-4-yl-pentan-1-one by using an enzyme. The present invention also provides process for the preparation of Ezetimibe comprising the steps of a) protecting the compound (S)-5-(4-Fluoro-phenyl)-5-hydroxy-1morpholin-4-yl-pentan-1-one with hydroxy protecting group b) hydrolyzing the obtained compound c) condensing with a chiral auxiliary d) reacting with an protected imine compound e) converting to alkyl ester f) cyclizing and g) deprotecting to obtain Ezetimibe.
US09388435B2

Methods and compositions for the production of dielectric fluids from lipids produced by microorganisms are provided, including oil-bearing microorganisms and methods of low cost cultivation of such microorganisms. Microalgal cells containing exogenous genes encoding, for example, a sucrose transporter, a sucrose invertase, a fructokinase, a polysaccharide-degrading enzyme, a lipid pathway modification enzyme, a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, a desaturase, a fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, and/or an acyl carrier protein are useful in manufacturing dielectric fluids.
US09388434B2

The present invention relates to an engineered bacteria for producing short chain fatty acid with the overexpression of a long chain (>C12) acyl-ACP thioesterases (long-TE) and a short chain (≦C12) acyl-ACP thioesterases (short-TE).
US09388425B2

The present invention relates generally the field of genetics, in particular methods, compositions and systems for controlling the inducible expression of transgenes, while eliminating background expression of transgene expression. The present invention relates to methods of use of the compositions and systems as disclosed herein for controlling the inducible expression of transgenes while eliminating background expression of transgene expression, such as use in, for example, the in generation of transgenic animals, use in therapeutic application and use in assays. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to a system of controlled expression of RNAi molecules which target binding sites in the untranslated regions of transgene, thereby the expression of the transgene is modulated and leakiness is reduced. The compositions and methods of the present invention can be used to for therapy, prophylaxis, research and diagnostics in diseases and disorders which afflict mammalian species, generation of transgenic animals, in the study of biological processes as well as for enhance performance of agricultural crops.
US09388424B2

The soybean variety DLL1335 is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and soybean lint as well as to hybrid soybean plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety DLL1335 with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of DLL1335 and to plants of DLL1335 reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from DLL1335.
US09388423B2

The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for enhancing yield-related traits in plants by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding an importin or a yield-related polypeptide. The present invention also concerns plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding an importin or a yield-related polypeptide, which plants have enhanced yield-related traits relative to corresponding wild type plants or other control plants. The invention also provides constructs useful in the methods of the invention.
US09388421B2

The present invention concerns a method of producing a desired heterologous gene product wherein said heterologous gene product is expressed from a strong promoter, said method comprising expressing said gene using a mutant mRNA leader which comprises one or more mutations which enhance transcription of the gene. The invention also provides a mutant Pm mRNA leader sequence, and a vector and a library comprising the leader sequence. Methods of obtaining an mRNA mutant leader and identifying an mRNA mutant leader are encompassed, along with a vector for selection or identification of an mRNA leader mutant and a use thereof for screening.
US09388419B2

This invention relates to metabolically engineered microorganism strains, such as bacterial strains, in which there is an increased utilization of malonyl-CoA for production of a chemical product, which includes 3-hydroxypropionic acid.
US09388417B2

The present invention relates to a novel customized sRNA that reduces gene expression in prokaryotic cells, a preparation method thereof, and the use thereof, and more particularly to a synthetic sRNA comprising an Hfq binding site, derived from the sRNA of any one of MicC, SgrS and MicF, and a region that base-pairs with the target gene mRNA, and to a preparation method thereof and the use thereof. The synthetic sRNA according to the invention has an advantage in that the degree of inhibition of the target gene can be controlled by regulating the ability of the synthetic sRNA to bind to the mRNA of the target gene. The use of the synthetic sRNA that regulates the expression of the target gene makes it possible to effectively construct a recombinant microorganism without using a conventional gene deletion method and to reduce the expression of the target gene, and thus the synthetic sRNA is useful for the production of recombinant microorganisms. Also, the synthetic sRNA can be quickly applied to various strains, and thus is very suitable for the measurement of metabolic capabilities of strains and the selection of the most suitable strain. In addition, recombinant microorganisms, which are obtained by metabolic flux manipulation using the synthetic sRNA and produce tyrosine or cadaverine with high efficiency, are useful in the drug and industrial fields. In other words, the use of the sRNA according to the present invention can make it easy to select target genes whose expression is to be inhibited for the highly efficient production of metabolites. Accordingly, the synthetic sRNA can be used to construct recombinant strains for efficient production of various metabolites and to establish efficient methods for production of various metabolites, and thus is highly useful.
US09388412B2

The present invention relates to methods, kits and compositions to treat hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases in a subject, in particular, a method of treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease in a subject comprising administering to a subject at least one anti-miR agent to miRNA-425. In some embodiments, an anti-miR agent is a small molecule or an oligonucleotide complementary to at least part of the miR-425 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or an anti-miR complementary to at least part of the miRNA seed sequence AUGACA (SEQ ID NO: 2). Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods, kits and compositions to treat low blood pressure in a subject comprising administering a composition comprising a miR-425 agent to decrease ANP levels in the subject. Other aspects of the present invention relates to assays, methods and systems to identify a subject at risk of hypertension, or identifying a subject suitable to administration of an anti-miR-425 agent for treatment of hypertension, the assay comprising assessing if a subject is homozygous or heterozygous for the major (A) allele of rs5068 SNP, and/or assaying for levels of miR-425 and/or assaying for levels of NT-proANP and/or levels of ANP in the plasma of a subject.
US09388411B2

The present invention refers to inhibitors of microRNAs, particularly of microRNAs miR-212 and/or miR-132 for use in medicine, particularly in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of cardiac disorders, e.g. cardiac hypertrophy-associated or autophagic disorders, and further refers to isolated nucleic acid molecules, particularly microRNAs miR-212 and/or miR-132 and related sequences, for use in medicine, particularly human medicine, more particularly in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disorders involving cardiac atrophy and/or dysfunctional autophagy, e.g. cardiac cachexia.
US09388408B2

The present invention relates to chemical modification motifs for oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotides of the present invention, such as chemically modified antisense oligonucleotides, can have increased in vivo efficacy. The chemically modified oligonucleotides provide advantages in one or more of potency, efficiency of delivery, target specificity, toxicity, and/or stability. The chemically modified oligonucleotides have a specific chemical modification motif or pattern of locked nucleic acids (LNAs). The oligonucleotide (e.g. antisense oligonucleotide) can target RNA, such as miRNA or mRNA. Also provided herein are compositions comprising the chemically modified oligonucleotides and methods of using the chemically modified oligonucleotides as therapeutics for various disorders, including cardiovascular disorders.
US09388404B2

A method for the in vitro diagnosis of colorectal cancer that comprises determining the presence of the protein disulfide isomerase tumor marker in a biological sample taken from a patient suspected of having colorectal cancer using at least one anti-PDI monoclonal antibody directed against a PDI epitope chosen from the epitopes of sequence SEQ ID No.1, SEQ ID No.2, with an aromatic amino acid which is close in the three-dimensional structure of PDI and SEQ ID No.3.
US09388400B2

The present invention relates to a composition having the activity of degrading the cell wall of a Mycobacterium species comprising: (a) a first fusion protein including (i) a domain with a first enzymatic activity, the enzymatic activity being at least one or more of the following: N-acetyl-b-D-muramidase (lysozyme, lytic transglycosylase), N-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminidase, N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase, L-alanoyl-D-glutamate (LD) endopeptidase, c-D-glutamyl-meso-diaminopimelic acid (DL) peptidase, D-Ala-m-DAP (DD) endopeptidase, or m-DAP-m-DAP (LD) endopeptidase, (ii) at least one peptide stretch fused to the N- or C-terminus of the domain with the first enzymatic activity; and (iii) a protein transduction domain (PTD) being at the N- or C-terminus of the first fusion protein; and (b) a second fusion protein including (i) a domain with a second enzymatic activity, the enzymatic activity being at least one or more of the following: lipolytic activity, cutinase, mycolarabinogalactanesterase, or alpha/beta hydrolase; (ii) at least one peptide stretch fused to the N- or C-terminus of the domain of the second enzymatic activity; and (iii) a protein transduction domain (PTD) being at the N- or C-terminus of the second fusion protein for use as a diagnostic agent. Moreover, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding said fusion protein. In addition, the present invention relates to methods for the detection of a Mycobacterium species in a sample and a kit comprising the fusion proteins for conduction the methods for the detection.
US09388396B2

The present invention provides, among other things, chimeric DNA polymerases containing heterologous domains having sequences derived from at least two DNA polymerases that have at least one distinct functional characteristics (e.g., elongation rate, processivity, error rate or fidelity, salt tolerance or resistance) and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention can combine desired functional characteristics (e.g., high processivity; high elongation rate; thermostability; resistance to salt, PCR additives (e.g., PCR enhancers) and other impurities; and high fidelity) of different DNA polymerases in a chimeric polymerase.
US09388389B2

The present inventors developed hepatitis C virus recombinants expressing NS5A from genotype 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a or 7a in the context of a genotype 2a backbone. Additional recombinants express NS5A and the structural proteins (Core, E1 and E2), p7 and NS2 from genotype 1a, 1b, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a or 7a in the genotype 2a backbone. Sequence analysis of the recombinants recovered after viral passage in Huh7.5 cells revealed adaptive mutations in NS5A and/or NS3. The importance of these mutations for improved growth kinetics was shown in reverse genetic studies.
US09388387B2

The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method to increase the expression of markers associated with the pancreatic endocrine lineage.
US09388386B2

The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention provides methods to produce a population of cells, wherein greater than 10% of the cells in the population express markers characteristic of single hormonal pancreatic beta cells.
US09388384B2

Provided is a method for producing mesenchymal stem cells from human pluripotent stem cells, the method including: a) forming embryonic bodies from human pluripotent stem cells; b) attaching the embryonic bodies to a culture dish to induce natural differentiation of the embryonic bodies into mesenchymal stem cells; and c) performing continuous proliferative culturing of the mesenchymal stem cells while still maintaining the identity of the mesenchymal stem cells. Also, provided is a standardized method for inducing differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, which can be broadly applied to all human pluripotent stem cells regardless of a difference in the genetic background thereof. Ultimately, the present invention can continuously mass-produces the mesenchymal stem cells necessary for regenerative medicine and cell therapy by using human pluripotent stem cells, thereby realizing practical uses of cell therapy products, and further the present invention is expected to highly contribute to treatments of incurable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders.
US09388382B2

The present invention is related generally to embryonic-like stem cells isolated from human umbilical cord blood, designated herein as cord blood-stem cells (CB-SC's), which display the characteristics of embryonic stem cells and hematopoietic cells. These cells have the capability of proliferation and are able to differentiate to multiple types of cells. In addition, the CB-SC display low immunogenicity and immune regulation. These cells are, therefore, suitable for use in stem cell-based therapies for the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's disease, diabetes, spinal cord damage, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, stroke and birth defects, and for preventing, treating and/or reducing an autoimmune disease in a mammalian subject.
US09388379B2

A dynamically alterable cell support may be altered at a large scale to induce mechanical removal of adherent cells in culture without the use of a removal solution. For example, adherent cells may be cultured on an elastic support with one or more textured surface regions and removed by expansion/contraction of the support. Mechanical removal of adherent cells may reduce or minimize damage to cell surface markers, cellular morphology, and/or cellular physiology associated with the detachment and resuspension of cultured adherent cells.
US09388378B2

A strain of Candida sake, CAT H430, is provided. The methods of using CAT H430 for producing dicarboxylic acids are also provided.
US09388368B2

The present invention relates generally to cleaning compositions and, more specifically, to cleaning compositions containing a polyetheramine that is suitable for removal of stains from soiled materials.
US09388362B2

A lubricating oil additive composition comprising the reaction product of an (a) an alkylated aromatic ether alcohol, (b) a source of boron, and (c) a hydrocarbyl polyol, having at least two hydroxyl groups.
US09388356B2

High octane unleaded aviation fuel compositions having high aromatics content and CHN content of at least 98 wt %, less than 2 wt % of oxygen content, an adjusted heat of combustion of at least 43.5 MJ/kg, a vapor pressure in the range of 38 to 49 kPa is provided.
US09388354B2

Use of a tertiary hydrocarbyl amine with C1- to C20-hydrocarbyl residues, the overall number of carbon atoms not exceeding 30, as an additive in gasoline for reducing injector nozzle fouling and modifying friction in direct injection spark ignition engines. A fuel additive composition essentially comprising nitrogen-containing dispersants, carrier oils, the above tertiary hydrocarbyl amines and optionally further friction modifiers. A fuel composition comprising a major amount of gasoline and a minor amount of the above fuel additive composition.
US09388353B2

Gasoline blends and methods for producing gasoline blends containing high concentrations of a butanol isomer and having good cold start and warm-up driveability characteristics are disclosed.
US09388349B2

The present invention includes: a char feeding hopper body that feeds separated char toward a coal gasifier; a char communicating tube that communicates with a bottom portion of the char feeding hopper body and extends in a vertical axis direction; fluid gas feeding means that is provided at a bottom portion side of the char feeding hopper body and feeds fluid gas to an inside thereof; a radiation source section that emits γ-rays toward an inside of the char communicating tube in which a level of the char reaches a level H2 which is the same level as a level H1 of the char in the char feeding hopper as a result of feeding of the fluid gas; and a γ-ray detector that is provided along a vertical axis direction of the char communicating tube and detects the emitted γ-rays.
US09388346B2

The present invention relates to methods of removing heteroaromatic sulfides from hydrocarbons (e.g. petroleum products such as gasoline and fuel oils), using polyoxometalate catalysts such as H5PV2Mo10O40 or solvates thereof.
US09388342B2

An electric actuator is provided for operating an unheading valve of a coke drum. The electric actuator includes a driving element comprising a planetary roller screw for actuating the unheading valve. By using a planetary roller screw, rather than hydraulics for the driving element, the electric actuator of the present invention can be used in place of hydraulic actuators while still providing sufficient power and reliability for use with an unheading valves of a coke drum.
US09388338B2

Liquid crystal mixture comprising one or several compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, M1, M2, X, A, and m are defined herein.
US09388335B2

A well treatment fluid comprising a Pickering particle emulsion comprising particles of a first liquid phase dispersed in a continuous second liquid phase, and comprising a plurality of colloidal particles adsorbed to a liquid-liquid interface between the first liquid phase and the second liquid phase. Methods, equipment and/or systems for treating a subterranean formation utilizing such treatment fluids are also disclosed.
US09388329B2

Reinforced articles particularly adapted for use in combination with an adhesive to form reinforced adhesive tape articles that are stretchable as well as hand-tearable along with being highly conformable and cinchable.
US09388325B2

This disclosure deals with novel formulations to create highly durable hydrophobic, superhydrophobic, oleophobic and/or superoleophobic surfaces that can be nearly transparent. The formulations of this invention can be applied by -dip, spray and painting processes.
US09388322B2

The invention provides an ink for use in an ink jet recording process in which an ink is ejected from a recording head by the action of thermal energy, the ink comprising a pigment, a water-soluble polyurethane polymer, a compound represented by a general formula (1) having a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000 or more and 8,500 or less, and a polyethylene oxide alkyl ether, the alkyl group of which has 12 or more carbon atoms, wherein, based on the total mass of the ink, the content (mass %) of the compound represented by the general formula (1) is 0.4 times or more and 10.0 times or less in terms of mass ratio with respect to the content (mass %) of the polyethylene oxide alkyl ether.
US09388320B2

A water dispersible phase change ink composition for printing on ophthalmic lenses including a hydrophilic wax having at least one ethoxyl moiety; a low viscosity wax having at least one hydroxyl group, wherein the low viscosity wax is miscible with the hydrophilic wax; an optional stabilizer; and a colorant. A ink jet printer stick or pellet comprising the water dispersible phase change ink composition.
US09388318B2

The invention provides a single liquid oil and method for fabricating the same, and method for forming a thin film. The single liquid oil includes: 60-80 parts by weight of an waterborne acrylic resin; 3-10 parts by weight of a metal pigment; 0.5-3 parts by weight of an auxiliary agent; 5-12 parts by weight of an organic solvent; and 15-25 parts by weight of water.
US09388311B2

Curable compositions, cured compositions, and methods of forming the same, including an epoxy resin, a curing agent, an amphiphilic toughening agent, and an inorganic nanofiller, wherein the toughening agent forms a second phase having at least one dimension being on the nanometer scale.
US09388310B2

A composition that contains from 30 to 95 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition, of a thermoplastic component and an effective amount of a flow-enhancing component. The effective amount of the flow-enhancing component reduces the viscosity of the composition by at least 10% compared to the viscosity of a composition comprising the thermoplastic component, but not an effective amount of the flow-enhancing component. The thermoplastic component is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonates, polyesters, and combinations thereof. The flow-enhancing component comprises b1) a component selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metalloid oxides, metal alkoxides, metalloid alkoxides, and combinations thereof and b2) a mineral filler component. The weight ratio of component b1) to component b2) ranges from 1:25 to 25:1. A method for enhancing the flow of compositions comprising thermoplastic components is also disclosed.
US09388306B2

In one aspect is a film comprising: (a) within the range of from 50 to 99 wt % linear low density polyethylene based on the weight of the core composition; and (b) within the range of from 1 to 50 wt % propylene-α-olefin copolymer based on the weight of the core composition, wherein the propylene-α-olefin copolymer possesses: (i) a melting temperature (Tm) of less than 105° C., and (ii) a heat of fusion (Hf) of less than 75 J/g; wherein the film is a cast or blown film. The films have excellent strength and elasticity and are ideal for such applications as stretch wrap.
US09388305B2

The thermoplastic elastomer composition includes (A) a polypropylene resin, (B) a non-conjugated diene copolymer having a Mooney viscosity (ML1+4, 125° C.) of 40 to 85 and a molecular weight distribution of 1.5 to 3.0 and whose eluted amount at −15° C. measured by cross-fractionation chromatography is 50% to 99.9% of the overall eluted amount, and (C) an ethylene copolymer having a Mooney viscosity (ML1+4, 125° C.) of 20 to 30 and a density of 0.850 g/cm3 to 0.890 g/cm3. The content of (A) is 40% by weight to 70% by weight. The combined content of (B) and (C) is 30% by weight to 60% by weight. The ratio of the content of (B) to the content of (C) is 1.1 to 20. The composition exhibits good dimension stability during its molding process. A molded article superior in tensile strength, low temperature impact resistance, and rigidity can be obtained from the composition.
US09388297B2

A process for making a phosphorus-containing compound is disclosed. The process comprises contacting a compound of formula (A) wherein RA and RB are selected from optionally substituted aryl, aryloxy, alkyl and alkoxy groups or can be combined to form cyclic structures; and RC is methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, phenyl or benzyl; and a compound of formula (B) wherein R1-R4 are selected from optionally substituted aryl, aryloxy, alkyl and alkoxy groups. The phosphorus-containing compound can then be used as a flame retardants for polymers, especially for epoxy, polyurethane, thermosetting resins and thermoplastic polymers. Such flame retardant-containing polymers can be used to make protective coating formulations and ignition-resistant fabricated articles, such as electrical laminates, polyurethane foams, and various molded and/or foamed thermoplastic products.
US09388295B2

The invention pertains to a process for manufacturing a filled polymeric material comprising a polymeric matrix and filler modified with functional particles in a high energy dry-blending process through collisions of sufficient energy to bound, adhere, or otherwise associate the pigment particles to the filler.
US09388294B2

Provided is an epoxy-amine adduct that offers high reactivity, contributes to better adhesion between a resin and a reinforcing fiber in a fiber-reinforced composite material, and can be easily blended with another component such as a resin. The epoxy-amine adduct has two or more amino groups per molecule and is obtained by a reaction of an epoxy compound (A) having two or more alicyclic epoxy groups per molecule with an amine compound (B) having two or more amino groups per molecule. The epoxy compound (A) is preferably a compound represented by Formula (a):
US09388287B2

The present invention provides a polyimide film having a good transparency and also an excellent thermal resistance so that it is useful in a transparent conductive film, TFT substrate, a flexible printing circuit substrate, and the like.
US09388277B2

In one aspect, the present disclosure encompasses polymerization systems for the copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides comprising 1) a catalyst including a metal coordination compound having a permanent ligand set and at least one ligand that is a polymerization initiator, and 2) a chain transfer agent having one or more sites capable of initiating copolymerization of epoxides and CO2, wherein the chain transfer agent contains one or more masked hydroxyl groups. In a second aspect, the present disclosure encompasses methods for the synthesis of polycarbonate polyols using the inventive polymerization systems. In a third aspect, the present disclosure encompasses polycarbonate polyol compositions characterized in that the polymer chains have a high percentage of —OH end groups, a high percentage of carbonate linkages, and substantially all polycarbonate chains having hydroxyl end groups have no embedded chain transfer agent.
US09388273B2

The invention provides a novel platform for minimal- or non-flammable polymers, which is based purely on hydrocarbon systems and does not need additives of any kind A key feature is that the hydrocarbons disclosed herein are characterized by degradation mechanisms that produce few flammable volatiles. For example, 2,4,4′,6-tetrahydroxydeoxybenzoin is employed as a multifunctional cross-linker in conjunction with bis-epoxydeoxybenzoin, affording new resins that combine excellent physical and mechanical properties with low flammability.
US09388270B2

The present invention provides sizing compositions and methods of using the same for glass fibers used in reinforced polymeric composites produced by reactive processing techniques.
US09388267B2

A photocurable elastomer composition comprising: (A) a liquid polymer having a number average molecular weight of 5,000 or more, and mainly containing —[CH2C(CH3)2]— units; (B) a (meth)acrylate monomer; and (C) a photo polymerization initiator, the mass ratio ((A):(B)) between the component (A) and the component (B) being 10:90 to 39:61.
US09388266B2

The invention provides a fluoro-containing ether monomer for fabricating contact lenses represented by following formula (I): In formula (I), R10 is fluoroalkyl group (CxFyHz, wherein x is an integer of 2-20, y is an integer of 5-30, and y+z=2x−1), R11 is oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur; R12 is C1-C3 alkylene; n is an integer of 3-40.
US09388263B2

Provided is a copolymer having excellent calcium ion trapping ability, calcium carbonate dispersing capacity, and gel resistance. A (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer contains, as essential structural units, a structural unit (a) derived from a monomer represented by the following formula (1) in an amount of 2% by mole or more and 9% by mole or less, and a structural unit (b) derived from a (meth)acrylic acid (salt) in an amount of 91% by mole or more and 98% by mole or less, relative to 100% by mole of structural units derived from all monomers, wherein the copolymer contains a sulfonic acid (salt) group at least one end of the main chain and has a weight average molecular weight of 7000 to 100000, wherein R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and X and Y each independently represent a hydroxyl group or a sulfonic acid (salt) group (at least one of X and Y represents a sulfonic acid (salt) group).
US09388254B2

The invention provides a polymerization process comprising polymerizing a reaction mixture comprising one or more monomer types, at least one catalyst, and at least one solvent, to form a polymer dispersion, and wherein the at least one catalyst is soluble in the at least one solvent, and wherein the polymer forms a dispersed phase in the solvent, and wherein the at least one solvent is a hydrocarbon. The invention provides a composition comprising an ethylene-based polymer comprising at least the following properties: a) a weight average molecular weight (Mw(abs)) greater than, or equal to, 60,000 g/mole; and b) a molecular weight distribution (Mw(abs)/Mn(abs)) greater than, or equal to, 2.3.
US09388253B2

Catalyst compounds for water-based two-component coating compositions include: I) an organo-metal catalyst for a curing reaction between isocyanate groups and functional groups reactive towards isocyanate groups and II) an oligomeric or polymeric binder compound having a glass transition temperature Tg of ≧20° C., measured by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) at a heating rate of 10 K/min. The glass transition temperature Tg of binder compound II) is above the temperature at which a water-based two-component coating composition comprising the catalyst compound is applied, preferably is at least 10° C., more preferred at least 20° C., above the temperature at which the two-component coating composition is applied.
US09388251B2

A biorefining method of processing a lignocellulosic biomass to separate lignin and hemicellulose from cellulose includes the steps of (a) reacting the biomass in an aqueous slurry having a pH less than 7, comprising a transition metal catalyst, hydrogen peroxide; and (b) separating a solid cellulose fraction from dissolved lignin and hemicellulose fractions. The method may also be used to treat cellulose and produce microcrystalline or nanocrystalline cellulose. The transition metal catalyst may be a nanoparticulate catalyst including multivalent iron, iron oxides and iron hydroxides. The nanoparticulate catalyst may be formed by oxidizing a highly reduced solution of iron, such as groundwater that has not been exposed to oxygen.
US09388250B2

Soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) is implicated in proliferation of keratinocytes. Inhibitors of sAC are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of psoriasis and other hyperproliferative skin disorders. Assays to identify such compounds are also described.
US09388249B2

The present invention relates to an isolated antibody against HER1, an isolated antibody against CD147, an isolated antibody against CD73, and an isolated antibody against EpCAM; reagents and compositions including said antibodies; and uses of said reagents, compositions, and antibodies. The present invention also relates to nucleic acids and vectors expressing said antibodies. The invention further relates to transformants comprising said nucleic acids or vectors.
US09388236B2

Compositions suitable for reducing symptoms of an allergic response to environmental allergens comprising molecules that specifically inhibit the ability of the allergen to bind to mast cells in an animal predisposed to having an allergic response to the allergen and methods for reducing such symptoms comprising contacting a source of the environmental allergen with such compositions. Kits, packages, medicaments, and means of communicating about the compositions and methods are also provided.
US09388234B2

The present invention provides a new class of peptides related to rapid replication and high human mortality, and their use in diagnosing, preventing and treating disease including vaccines and therapeutics for emerging viral diseases and methods of identifying the new class of peptides and related structures.
US09388233B2

The invention relates to transgenic animals lacking endogenous Ig and capable of producing transgenic antibodies, as well as methods of making the same. The invention further relates to methods for producing transgenic antibodies in such animals, and transgenic antibodies so produced.
US09388232B2

Provided are peptides, compositions thereof, and methods for treating or preventing dyslipidemia, a cardiovascular disease, endothelial dysfunction, a macrovascular disorder, or a microvascular disorder.
US09388231B2

Provided herein are multifunctional heteromultimer proteins. In specific embodiments is a heteromultimer comprising: at least two polypeptide constructs, each polypeptide construct comprising at least one cargo polypeptide attached to a transporter polypeptide, said transporter polypeptides derived from a monomeric native protein such that said monomeric constructs associate to form the heteromultimer and said transporter polypeptides associate to form a quasi-native structure of the monomeric native protein or analog thereof. These therapeutically novel molecules encompass heteromultimers comprising constructs that function as scaffolds for the conjugation or fusion of therapeutic molecular entities (cargo polypeptides) resulting in the creation of bispecific or multivalent molecular species. Provided herein is a method for creation of bispecific or multivalent molecular species.
US09388228B2

An insulin analogue comprises a B-chain polypeptide incorporating a halogenated phenylalanine at position B24, B25 or B26. The halogenated phenylalanine may be ortho-monofluoro-phenylalanine, ortho-monobromo-phenylalanine, ortho-monochloro-phenylalanine, or para-monochloro-phenylalanine. The analogue may be of a mammalian insulin, such as human insulin. A nucleic acid encodes such an insulin analogue. The halogenated insulin analogues retain significant activity. A method of treating a patient comprises administering a physiologically effective amount of the insulin analogue or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof to a patient. Halogen substitution-based stabilization of insulin may enhance the treatment of diabetes mellitus in regions of the developing world lacking refrigeration.
US09388222B2

The invention provides a Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) comprising an amino acid sequence having a substitution of one or more B-cell and/or T-cell epitopes. The invention further provides related chimeric molecules, as well as related nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions. Methods of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal, methods of inhibiting the growth of a target cell, methods of producing the PE, and methods of producing the chimeric molecule are further provided by the invention.
US09388220B2

The invention is directed to immunogenic compositions and methods for their use in the formulation and administration of therapeutic and prophylactic pharmaceutical agents. In particular, the invention provides immunogenic compositions and methods for preventing, treating, and/or ameliorating the symptoms of one or more microbial infections, including, for example, influenza.
US09388210B2

The present disclosure is generally directed to neuroactive 17(20)-Z-vinylcyano-substituted compound of Formula (I) and (II), as referenced herein, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for use as, for example, an anesthetic, and/or in the treatment of disorders relating to GABA function and activity. The present disclosure is further directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds.
US09388205B2

The present invention relates to a novel nickel complex and its derivatives, which mimic the active site of Ni-containing superoxide dismutase (NiSOD). The five-coordinate Ni(II) and Ni(III) complexes or their derivatives, and six-coordinate derivatives have the following structures of formula (I) and (II): The nickel complexes and their derivatives of the invention act as anti-oxidants or free radical scavengers. The invented nickel complexes can be used in the preparation of medicines, health foods or cosmetics for human, animals and plants, or can be used in environmental or soil protection.
US09388203B2

The present disclosure provides for processes and intermediates in the large-scale manufacture of the compound of formula (I) or hydrates thereof.
US09388195B2

Provided is a compound useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of cancer.The present invention relates to a compound represented by formula (I): wherein each symbol in the formula is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof or a prodrug thereof, which is useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of cancer.
US09388189B2

New pyrrolotriazinone derivatives having the chemical structure of Formula (I) are disclosed; as well as process for theft preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and their use in therapy as inhibitors of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinases (PI3Ks).
US09388181B2

The present invention relates to organic molecules capable of modulating tyrosine kinase signal transduction in order to regulate, modulate and/or inhibit abnormal cell proliferation.
US09388170B2

The present invention is directed to novel quinazolines, their derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and hydrates thereof. The compounds and compositions of the present invention have protein kinases inhibitory activities and are expected to be useful for the treatment of protein kinases mediated diseases and conditions.
US09388167B2

The present invention provides a process for preparing a compound of formula: (Formula XI and XII) (XI) (XII) wherein X, Y, Z, A, B and E are as defined herein, by reacting a compound of formula: (Formula XIII) (XIII) with a compound of formula: (Formula XIV and XV) (XIV) (XV) respectively, in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, a ligand suitable for use with 15 the catalyst and a reducing agent. The invention also provides novel intermediates.
US09388163B2

The present disclosure provides methods for identifying therapeutic agents that are multifunctional radical quenchers. It also provides compounds of formula: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of using these compounds in a variety of applications, such as treatment or suppression of diseases associated with decreased mitochondrial function resulting in diminished ATP production and/or oxidative stress and/or lipid peroxidation.
US09388152B2

A method for synthesizing 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) from furan-2,5-dialdehyde (DFF). The method is industrially applicable due to the simplicity and availability of the reagents used, and due to the experimental conditions on which the method is based: the method requires low temperatures and enables a reaction under atmospheric pressure, the reaction times being relatively short. Furthermore, the method does not lead to the formation of salts that need to be treated downstream from the method, and the catalytic ratio relative to the initial product is particularly low.
US09388150B2

The present invention relates to a method for preparing 5-acetoxymethylfurfural, comprising a step of synthesizing 5-acetoxymethylfurfural by reacting 5-halomethyl furfural with alkylammonium acetate. The present invention can provide a method for preparing 5-acetoxymethylfurfural which is economic and has high reaction efficiency even without using an additional base.
US09388143B2

Provided herein are various polymorph forms of N-(3-{[(2Z)-3-[(2-chloro-5-methoxyphenyl)amino]quinoxalin-2(1H)-ylidene]sulfamoyl}phenyl)-2-methylalaninamide.
US09388134B2

A method for treatment of a cardiovascular or renal condition or disease with a specific combination, linked pro-drug or a compound of an angiotensin receptor antagonist and a NEPi.
US09388118B2

A continuous process for preparing (meth)acrylates of C10-alcohol mixtures by reaction of glacial (meth)acrylic acid with an isomer mixture of C10-alcohols composed of 2-propylheptanol as the main isomer and at least one of the C10-alcohols 2-propyl-4-methylhexanol, 2-propyl-5-methylhexanol, 2-isopropylheptanol, 2-isopropyl-4-methylhexanol, 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanol and/or 2-propyl-4,4-dimethylpentanol, and the use of a diester of dicarboxylic acids which have been esterified with N-oxyl-containing compounds as polymerization inhibitors in such a process.
US09388117B2

The object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing α-fluoroacrylic acid ester at a high starting material conversion, high selectivity, and high yield. The present invention provides a process for producing the compound represented by the formula (1) wherein R represents alkyl optionally substituted with one or more fluorine atoms, the process comprising step A of reacting a compound represented by the formula (2) wherein X represents a bromine atom or a chlorine atom with an alcohol represented by the formula (3) wherein the symbol is as defined above, and carbon monoxide in the presence of a transition metal catalyst and a base to thereby obtain the compound represented by the formula (1).
US09388114B2

Compositions comprising an alkyl 3-hydroxybutyrate and one or more additional components are provided. The compositions of the present invention may include at least one alkyl 3-hydroxybutyrate having at least 3 and not more than 5 carbon atoms, along with one or more additional components including, for example, alkyl butyrates, alkyl acetates, alkyl alcohols, and dimers and/or trimers of the alkyl 3-hydroxybutyrate. Such compositions may be products of, for example, the hydrogenation of an acetoacetate-containing composition.
US09388113B2

The present invention relates to pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts of sitagliptin, in particular anti-oxidant acid addition salts of sitagliptin and a process for its preparation. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition using the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts of sitagliptin.
US09388112B2

This invention provides bisphenol derivatives having a structure of formula 1. Said compounds are modulators of the androgen receptor activity and are useful in the treatment of various diseases, including prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, acne, ovarian cysts, polycystic ovarian disease, age-related macular degeneration, precocious puberty, hirsutism and hair loss.
US09388110B2

Systems and methods for liquid-phase oxidation of an aromatic feedstock containing at least one oxidizable aromatic compound may incorporate an oxidation reactor, a separation apparatus in fluidic communication with the oxidation reactor, a solids treatment unit, and a product recovery unit in fluidic communication with the separation apparatus. The oxidation reactor may conduct liquid-phase oxidation of the oxidizable aromatic compound in the aromatic feedstock in the presence of a manganate salt to form a slurry containing liquid product and solid manganese dioxide. The separation apparatus may accept the slurry from the oxidation reactor and separate the liquid component from the solid component. The solids treatment unit accepts the solid component from the separation apparatus, treats the solid component with a basic liquid to oxidize the manganese dioxide in the solid component and form a regenerated manganate salt, which may be recycled back to the oxidation reactor.
US09388104B2

Provided are methods of preparing a monodisperse oligo (ethylene glycol) reagent composition.
US09388102B2

In a process for producing phenol, cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with an oxygen-containing compound in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising a cyclic imide under oxidation conditions effective to produce a product comprising cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide and unreacted cyclic imide catalyst. Without removing all the unreacted cyclic imide catalyst, at least a portion of the product is contacted with an acidic molecular sieve under conditions effective to adsorb at least a portion of the unreacted cyclic imide and to convert at least part of the cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide in the product portion into phenol and cyclohexanone.
US09388099B2

This invention provides a process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, the process comprising: (1) a first reaction step of reacting hydrogen fluoride with at least one chlorine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a chloropropane represented by Formula (1): CClX2CHClCH2Cl, wherein each X is the same or different and is CI or F, a chloropropene represented by Formula (2): CClY2CCl═CH2, wherein each Y is the same or different and is CI or F, and a chloropropene represented by Formula (3): CZ2═CClCH2Cl, wherein each Z is the same or different and is CI or F in a gas phase in the absence of a catalyst while heating; and (2) a second reaction step of reacting hydrogen fluoride with a reaction product obtained in the first reaction step in a gas phase in the presence of a fluorination catalyst while heating. According to the process of this invention, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) can be obtained with high selectivity, and catalyst deterioration can be suppressed.
US09388097B2

A method for treating a substrate prior to a metathesis reaction includes treating the substrate with a first agent configured to mitigate potentially adverse effects of one or more contaminants in the substrate on a catalyst used to catalyze the metathesis reaction. The treating reduces a level of the one or more contaminants by an amount sufficient to enable the metathesis reaction to proceed at a substrate-to-catalyst molar ratio of at least about 7,500 to 1. Methods for metathesizing substrates are described.
US09388096B2

A producing method of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in which reaction products including monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are produced by bringing an oil feedstock and an aromatic production catalyst into contact with each other, the oil feedstock having a 10 volume % distillation temperature of more than or equal to 140° C. and a 90 volume % distillation temperature of less than or equal to 380° C., the method including the steps of: introducing the oil feedstock into a fluidized-bed reaction apparatus housing the aromatic production catalyst; bringing the oil feedstock and the aromatic production catalyst into contact with each other in the fluidized-bed reaction apparatus; and introducing steam into the fluidized-bed reaction apparatus based on the introducing amount of the oil feedstock per hour.
US09388086B2

In accordance with the present embodiment, a method for making an optical ceramic comprises depositing a plurality of thin layers of powder. The powder comprises a first optical material powder having a first dopant level, and a second optical material powder. The first and second optical material powders are deposited for each layer based on the first dopant level and according to data associated with a three-dimensional (3D) compositional profile design of an optical ceramic. The method further comprises binding the first and second optical material powders of each thin layer to each other and each thin layer with an adjacent layer such that a green state optical ceramic is produced based on the 3D compositional profile design. The method further comprises densifying the green state optical ceramic to obtain the optical ceramic.
US09388078B2

Powder compositions that can be used with traditional 3D printing technology and methods for producing 3D printed building materials that have comparable compressive strength to standard concrete and tensile strength up to 70% greater than standard concrete.
US09388077B2

The invention concerns a process for the preparation of a hardening accelerator composition by reaction of a water-soluble calcium compound with a water-soluble silicate compound, said reaction being carried out in the presence of an aqueous solution which contains a water-soluble comb polymer suitable as a plasticizer for hydraulic binders, wherein the water-soluble comb polymer is present as a copolymer which is produced by free radical polymerization in the presence of a phosphorylated monomer and a (meth)acrylic acid ester based polyether macromonomer.
US09388076B2

Disclosed herein are fiber reinforced cement composite materials incorporating a 3-mode fiber blend that includes cellulose pulp and synthetic fibers in a ratio selected to provide the composite material with improved water absorption characteristics and the same or improved mechanical properties as compared to equivalent composite materials reinforced with predominantly or all cellulose fibers. Also disclosed herein are fiber blends comprised of a combination of cellulose fibers and polypropylene fibers adapted to reinforce cementitious composite articles manufactured by the Hatschek process and autoclave cured.
US09388064B2

A tempered glass of the present invention having a compression stress layer is characterized in that a β-OH value is 0.01 to 0.5/mm. Here, the “β-OH value” is a value obtained from the following equation by measuring the transmittance of glass by FT-IR. β-OH value=(1/X)log 10(T1/T2) X: thickness of glass (mm) T1: transmittance (%) at a reference wavelength of 3,846 cm−1 T2: minimum transmittance (%) at a hydroxyl group absorption wavelength of around 3,600 cm−1.
US09388063B2

This invention provides a manufacturing method of a molded glass object in which generation of defects such as dents and wrinkles due to catching of ambient gas between a molten glass drop and an upper mold is restrained in the case of manufacturing a molded glass object by press-molding of a dropped molten glass drop, and a manufacturing method of an upper mold for the manufacturing method of a molded grass object. A molten glass drop is press-molded by use of an upper mold having been subjected to a roughening treatment to roughen the surface on the molding surface to compress the molten glass drop.
US09388057B2

A ultra-violet liquid processing device comprises a liquid processor, a lamp holder, a latching mechanism provided within the lamp holder, and a lamp holder fixed cover provided with a lock hole therein. The latching mechanism comprises a locking dog able to extend from or retract into the lamp holder and a water nozzle blocker. When the lamp holder is pressed on the liquid processor and connected with the liquid processor by lamp holder fixed cover, the locking dog projects from the lamp holder and enter into the lock hole of the lamp holder fixed cover, so that the lamp holder fixed cover is locked and cannot move. By means of the lamp holder fixed cover being locked by the latching mechanism and not able to be moved, the ultra-violet liquid processing device is sealed reliably by means of the substantial structure.
US09388056B2

Apparatus for sewage treatment, comprising: at least one tank (13), at least one inlet branch (14) to the tank (13), at least one outlet branch (15) from the tank (13), at least one microwave generator (9a) able to subject the sewage present internally of the tank (13) to at least one temperature raising treatment, at least a cooling circuit (19) of the microwave generator (9a), at least one blowing device (9b) connected to the tank (13). Blowing device (9b) is connected to an outlet (26) of the cooling circuit (19) and sending the heated gases arriving therefrom into the tank (13).
US09388046B2

This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt %, 80 wt %, 90 wt %, 95 wt %, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.
US09388044B2

A method of producing stable disinfectant for use as a biocidal composition. The method comprises: providing reagents, asynchronously feeding the reagents into a wide space, and allowing all the reagents to come into contact and mix with each other. The reagents comprise: a) an amine source in concentrated form, b) an oxidizing halogen compound in concentrated form, and c) a diluent. The use of asynchronous feeding and a wide space results in a dynamic biocide regimen. This regimen results in a changing environment that infestations have difficulty adapting to. This method also imparts superior results due to the avoidance of channeling effects which would otherwise weaken the effects of the biocide.
US09388036B2

A container retaining system for a filler having an upstand portion, a container retaining assembly and a suspension assembly. The retaining assembly including a plate member having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least one opening extends through the plate member which is spaced apart from an outer portion extending outwardly sufficient so as to be capable of interfacing with a filler valve of a filler. The suspension assembly includes at least one strut tower. The strut tower extends through the at least one opening of the plate member. A biasing member biasing the plate member relative to the strut tower and the upstand portion in a first resting orientation. Overcoming the biasing member rotates the plate member relative to the upstand portion and the at least one strut tower. The plate member is configured to pivot relative to the strut tower into a deflected orientation.
US09388032B2

An apparatus for sealing containers with one of a sealing cap and a screw cap includes an ejector having a function element that returns an ejecting element from an ejection position to an initial position. The function element is formed as a magnetic element.
US09388031B2

A closing tool for a closing machine for placing a closure on a container, where a holding force is applied to the closure by means of a gripping device. In order to obtain a universal embodiment for the closing tool the gripping device is provided with a magnetic actuator, such as with permanent magnets, for applying the holding force.
US09388021B2

Disclosed embodiments relate to an attachment and an apparatus for lifting heavy loads by a lifting device in the form of a sling or strap. The attachment can be produced inexpensively and has a sufficient load bearing capacity with a low material requirement. The attachment comprises a contact part, which has a contact section with a length, measured in the longitudinal direction of the attachment, which corresponds to at least the width of the lifting device, the contact section having a contact surface on which, during practical use, the lifting device rests, and two attachment sections of which in each case one is integrally formed on one of the ends of the contact section and which are provided for attaching a hoist for coupling the attachment to a lifting apparatus.
US09388018B2

The invention concerns an arrangement in the supply of rope to the speed limiter of an elevator. The arrangement comprises at least a braking device for braking the rope being supplied to the speed limiter. As new rope is being fed to the speed limiter, the new rope has been fitted to run via the braking device and under a diverting pulley in the lower part of the elevator shaft and passed further from the diverting pulley over an upper speed limiter pulley to act on the safety gear of the elevator.
US09388010B2

A printing apparatus comprises a feeding roller, a conveyance roller, a printing unit configured to print the printing sheet, a conveyance control unit configured to control conveyance of printing sheets so that a trailing edge of a preceding sheet and a leading edge of a succeeding sheet overlap each other, and a determination unit configured to determine whether to convey the succeeding sheet to a position facing the printing unit while keeping an overlap state between the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet, wherein if a non-printing area of the succeeding sheet cannot be detected before a printing operation of a last row of the preceding sheet, the conveyance control unit controls to convey the preceding sheet while feeding of the succeeding sheet stops, and to convey only the succeeding sheet to the position facing the printing unit.
US09388008B2

The present invention relates to a process for producing a base material for obtaining therefrom ring-shaped disks for use in a disk roll including a rotating shaft and the ring-shaped disks fitted thereon by insertion, whereby the peripheral surface of the disks serves as a conveying surface, the process including molding a raw slurry material into a platy shape and drying the plate, the raw slurry material containing inorganic fibers which have a wet volume of 300 mL/5 g or larger and which are amorphous or have a degree of crystallinity of 50% or lower.
US09387994B2

A machine for cutting flat glass sheets has a fixed frame for supporting a worktable, which can be lifted, with rotation device, for loading and unloading sheets or sheet portions, and a movable bridge capable of performing a translational motion with respect to the worktable which supports a cutting head capable of moving on the bridge. The movable bridge slides on rails associated with a fixed frame and the rotation device for the liftable worktable has at least one lifting arm, which is fixed to the movable worktable and pivoted to the fixed frame, the lifting arm being contoured so as to extend around and not affect, during its rotation, the rails for the movable bridge, a portion of the rails extending so as to affect the region of rotation of the lifting arm.
US09387992B2

A gripping head (1) comprises a supporting element (11), e.g. a horizontal plate, adapted to rotate about a first rotation axis (&alpha,-) with which two or more grippers (12) are pivotally associated, so that each gripper is adapted to rotate about a symmetry axis (β) thereof, said rotation axes being parallel to each other, and being the rotation motion of each gripper independent from the others. Therefore, each gripper is adapted to rotate about a symmetry axis (β) thereof and revolve about the rotation axis (α) of the supporting element with which they are pivotally associated. A preferred plant, comprising said gripping head (1), comprises a belt conveyor and a mechanical limb (2) with which said gripping head (1) is pivotally associated.
US09387988B2

The present disclosure provides systems, methods and assemblies comprising one or more tapered feed rolls. Tapered feed rolls may be used to change the rate and direction of workpiece travel along a processing line while retaining the workpieces in sequential order. Routing workpiece flow with tapered feed rolls may allow the workpieces to be tracked along one or more processing lines, and may reduce the operational space required for workpiece processing.
US09387981B2

A collapsible transport container 302 comprising: a base 304; a roof 310; a side wall 306 rotatable relative to the base 304; and a linkage 311 operably connecting the wall 306 to the roof 310, the connecting linkage 311 comprising a first rigid link 316 rotatably connected at one end to the wall 306 and a second rigid link 318 rotatably connected to the other end of the first rigid link 316 and rotatably connected to the roof 310.
US09387971B2

A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish defining an opening into the container, a lower portion including a base defining a standing surface, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one substantially transversely-oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion. The pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. The standing surface defines a standing plane, and the entire pressure panel is located between the standing plane and the upper portion of the container when the pressure panel is in the outwardly-inclined position.
US09387968B2

A carrier for holding a plurality of articles. The carrier includes a plurality of panels including at least a bottom panel. A retention tab can be for engaging at least a portion of an article of the plurality of articles and can be foldably connected to at least the bottom panel adjacent an opening in at least the bottom panel. The retention tab can include a distal portion foldably connected to a first proximal portion along a first fold line and to a second proximal portion along a second fold line. The first fold line can be spaced apart from the second fold line. The distal portion can be generally spaced apart from the bottom panel for engaging at least a bottom portion of the at least one article, and each of the first and second proximal portions can extend from the bottom panel to the distal portion.
US09387962B2

The present disclosure relates to a container for holding a granular product or powdered material, such as infant formula. More specifically the disclosure is directed to a container including a closure having a collar and lid for resealably securing the open end of the container. The container may include a tub having a continuous groove located in the upper portion of the tub and a collar having a continuous tub mating surface extending about the entire perimeter of the collar for engaging the continuous groove of the tub, thereby securing the collar to the tub. The collar may also include a lid.
US09387961B2

A lid for a drinking cup enables drinking while inhibiting splashing and spilling. The lid features a dispensing well formed in a drinking spout. The dispensing well includes a plurality of openings in a sidewall proximate a spout front wall. All direct liquid paths out of the cup are substantially blocked. A plurality of baffles around the openings direct beverage flow in a plurality of channels before the beverage reaches the dispensing well. Beverage splashes larger than the channels are deflected or broken up, before passing through. The placement of the openings directs splashed liquid away from the user. A plurality of vent holes is provided to allow air to enter the cup as beverage is consumed. Vent holes located near the dispensing well can be blocked during drinking when the cup is full and the beverage is hot, but unblocked as the beverage cools and is consumed.
US09387954B2

A shelving base bracket is an apparatus that is used to support and transport shelving units. The apparatus includes a crossbar which is used as a structural link between a first L-shaped brace and a second L-shaped brace. The first L-shaped brace and the second L-shaped brace act as legs which support the weight of shelves mounted onto the shelving base bracket. The first L-shaped brace and the second L-shaped brace are both made of a proximal panel and a distal panel. The proximal panel and the distal panel meet at an angle allowing the shelving base bracket to be free-standing. The apparatus also includes a first support-receiving socket and a second support-receiving socket, which connect to the first L-shaped brace and the second L-shaped brace, respectively. The first support-receiving socket and the second support-receiving socket allow for vertical shelving supports to be mounted onto the shelving base bracket.
US09387947B2

A carriage for conveyance of a coil of ferromagnetic metal includes a base portion having a carrier supporting, a suspension mechanism, and a cradle portion, supported relative to the base portion by the suspension mechanism, the cradle portion having a magnetic saddle for engaging the coil of ferromagnetic metal.
US09387942B2

A propulsion system for the orbital control of a satellite with terrestrial orbit travelling with a speed of displacement along an axis V tangential to the orbit comprises two propulsion assemblies, fixed to the satellite facing one another with respect to the plane of the orbit, each of the propulsion assemblies comprising two propulsion modules; each of the propulsion modules successively comprising: a motorized link for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis V, an offset arm, and a platen supporting a propulsion unit able to deliver a thrust oriented along an axis perpendicular to the axis V; the two propulsion modules of each propulsion assembly being linked to the satellite on either side and substantially at equal distances from a plane perpendicular to the axis V passing through a centre of mass of the satellite.
US09387929B2

The invention is to an optionally piloted aircraft that can takeoff and land conventionally or vertically, and can convert between the two. The aircraft is immune to one or more engine failures during vertical flight through multiple engines and the use of a virtual nozzle. Aerodynamic controls are similarly redundant. Hovering flight is enabled with a novel stabilization system. Long range efficient cruise is achieved by turning off some engines in flight and sealing them into an aerodynamic fairing to achieve low drag. The resulting aircraft is capable of CTOL and VTOL, and is capable of converting between the two modes while in the air or on the ground. The aircraft can also be easily taxied on the ground in the conventional manner. Automatic controls considerably reduce the amount of training a pilot needs to fly and land the aircraft in either VTOL or CTOL mode.
US09387924B2

A method of servicing a shock strut of a landing gear includes partially filling the shock strut with fresh oil and pressurizing the chamber with gas. The pressurizing is to a pressure level that compensates for expected gas pressure loss due to gas entrainment in the oil during operation of the shock strut. The method can be performed without weight on wheels, with weight on wheels and a constant strut stroke, or weight on wheels and a constant pressure.
US09387922B2

An aircraft lifting surface with a main supporting structure comprising upper and lower faces defining its aerodynamic profile, front and rear faces oriented towards, respectively, the leading and trailing edges, a first set of transverse ribs extended from the front face to the rear face and a second set of transverse ribs crossing the front face and/or the rear face. The integration of leading and trailing edge ribs in the main supporting structure allows a weight and cost reduction of aircraft lifting surfaces. A manufacturing method of said main supporting structure is also disclosed.
US09387921B1

The self closing aircraft door includes two overlapping door panels and is attached to an outer skin of the aircraft by a plurality of suction cups. Each of the door panels comprises a net material at least partially surrounded by a flexible frame. Each of the panels also includes essentially parallel connecting rods comprising a plurality of magnetic and non-magnetic segments. The door is structured so that in the closed position, the magnetic segments in the connecting rods of the two panels join and thereby create a physical barrier to insects which might otherwise enter the aircraft cabin.
US09387897B2

A smart horn in the form of a combination dual tone, high decibel bicycle horn and beacon light is disclosed. In one embodiment, the smart horn includes a horn for producing sound, a light source for producing light and a housing in which the horn and light source are included. The housing includes light ports and sound ports. The sound ports surround the light ports.
US09387896B1

An example method may include i) determining, by a robot having at least one foot, a representation of a coefficient of friction between the foot and a ground surface; ii) determining, by the robot, a representation of a gradient of the ground surface; iii) based on the determined representations of the coefficient of friction and the gradient, determining a threshold orientation for a target ground reaction force on the foot of the robot during a step; iv) determining the target ground reaction force, where the target ground reaction force comprises a magnitude and an orientation; v) determining an adjusted ground reaction force by adjusting the orientation of the target ground reaction force to be within the determined threshold orientation; and vi) causing the foot of the robot to apply a force on the ground surface equal to and opposing the adjusted ground reaction force during the step.
US09387891B2

A device for a slidable assembly may include a support channel, defined by first, second, and third support sides and including a primary support bearing and a tertiary support bearing, and a slide channel, defined by first, second, and third slide sides and including a primary slide bearing and a tertiary slide bearing. In an assembled state, the slide channel may fit around the support channel such that the primary support bearing contacts the first slide side and the primary slide bearing contacts the first support side such that the first slide channel is configured to slide longitudinally with respect to the first support channel, and the tertiary support bearing contacts the first slide channel and the tertiary slide bearing contacts the first support channel to restrict lateral transition of the first slide channel with respect to the first support channel.
US09387884B2

A method for forming a vehicle body, comprising: forming a rigid tub; mating the rigid tub to a first mold for a superstructure of the vehicle body; and subsequently rigidifying material in the first mold while part of that material is in contact with the tub to thereby form the superstructure of the vehicle body integral with the tub.
US09387882B2

The present description relates to an apparatus and method for fault tolerant trajectory generation of a left-right independent active front steering vehicle that calculates a driving optimal route of a vehicle considering turning radius increase of a vehicle that is generated due to fault management because of a fault generated on any one of steering device between a left or right steering device of a vehicle and turning possible level of a surrounding road.
US09387877B2

[Problem]An object of the present invention is to provide an electric power steering apparatus that does not give uncomfortable feeling to a driver by detecting that the driver steers a steering wheel in an automatic steering mode by means of a steering torque from a torque sensor and switching to a manual steering mode by a capacity (an integrated value) corresponding to the occurring torque magnitude.[Means for solving the problem]The present invention comprises a steering angle control section that calculates a motor current command value 2, a torque integral judging section that outputs a steering torque judging signal by integrating a steering torque, which is compared with a threshold, and a switching section that inputs the motor current command value 1 and the motor current command value 2, and is switched in accordance with a switching signal or the steering torque judging signal; the torque integral judging section comprises a torque value comparing section, an integral calculating section and a switch judging section; and the switching section is switched depending on a switching command of an automatic steering mode and a manual steering mode or the steering torque judging signal.
US09387868B2

The Ski Porter provides a convenient and practical way for snow skiers to transport their skis, boots and poles when they are not skiing. The Ski Porter attaches using the boot binding and utilizes two (2) wheels for easy transport.
US09387867B2

A fusion sensor arrangement includes a first sensor configured to detect the presence of an object along a wayside of a guideway, wherein the first sensor is sensitive to a first electromagnetic spectrum. The fusion sensor arrangement further includes a second sensor configured to detect the presence of the object along the wayside of the guideway, wherein the second sensor is sensitive to a second electromagnetic spectrum different from the first electromagnetic spectrum. The fusion sensor arrangement further includes a data fusion center connected to the first sensor and to the second sensor, wherein the data fusion center is configured to receive first sensor information from the first sensor and second sensor information from the second sensor, and to resolve a conflict between the first sensor information and the second sensor information.
US09387863B2

A rail vehicle system includes a set of cars for transporting passengers. The set has two end cars, at least one driveless central car and at least one central car constructed as a traction car having at least one drive unit. In order to achieve greater flexibility in assembling a rail vehicle system, in particular with regard to improved scalability of traction power, the traction car includes a power supply unit for the drive unit and has at least one voltage transformation unit and a power converter unit.
US09387861B1

An input control system, method, and apparatus for adjusting an input control value of a motor or engine by damping the acceleration curve. In certain aspects, the damping may gradually increase until the input control optimization system detects a change in the behavior of the vehicle operator, for example, in the form of a conscious or unconscious increase in aggressive use of the accelerator pedal. When such behavior is detected, the input control optimization system reverses the damping and begins to restore gradually the original acceleration curve until aggressive pedal use by the operator is no longer detected.
US09387852B2

A method for adjusting the spatial position of the roll axis of a motor vehicle includes: a) defining a desired spatial position of the roll axis; b) determining a transverse acceleration of the motor vehicle; c) defining a desired transverse tilt of the motor vehicle and determining a desired transverse offset of the motor vehicle as a function of the transverse acceleration, so that the roll axis is moved into the desired position when the desired transverse tilt and the desired transverse offset are adjusted; d) adjusting a first actuator of an active chassis system of the motor vehicle, so that the motor vehicle assumes the desired transverse tilt determined in step c); and adjusting a second actuator to influence the transverse movement of the motor vehicle, so that the motor vehicle assumes the desired transverse offset determined in step c).
US09387838B2

A vehicle braking apparatus, system and method is provided including electromagnetic signals emitted from an electromagnetic loop positioned on or under a roadway, wherein the signals emitted from the electromagnetic loop correspond to the status of a traffic control zone. The braking apparatus receives signals emitted by the loop and interprets the signals to facilitate remotely directed operation of a brake. A manual actuator is also configured to operate the brake and override remote braking directives.
US09387833B1

Systems and methods are provided involving a rotatable power transfer device configured with a first brake system and a second brake system. During a first of the methods, rotation of the power transfer device is braked using the first brake system. The first brake system may be actuatable by a first user interface; e.g., a brake pedal. The second brake system may be actuatable by a second user interface; e.g., a brake pedal.
US09387827B2

The invention relates to a wiper blade device comprising a wiper strip unit (12) which has a wind-deflector element (16), a wiper lip (18) and a wiper strip element (14) which comprises a longitudinal guide channel (24) for a support element (20). According to the invention, the wiper strip element (14), in a mounted state, forms an interlocking connection with the wind-deflector element (16).
US09387826B2

Wiper blade for a surface of double curvature type, the said wiper blade including a flexible longitudinal wiper and means for exerting a bearing force at at least one point of the said wiper along a direction Z mainly normal to the surface, also including a longitudinal 15 part, attached to the wiper at several points, and means to vary over time and in at least one segment of the longitudinal rod the rigidity in bending of this longitudinal rod in a plane XZ normal to the surface between previously chosen values. The longitudinal part is a metallic blade where the inertias on the two axes of its section are very different.
US09387824B2

A system and method for a vehicle includes a user identification subsystem operable to detect an individual proximate to the vehicle and a display subsystem operable to generate output for display on a vehicle window in response to detection the. The system and method distinguish between authenticated and non-authenticated vehicle users and, in the event of a non-authenticated user, display the image on the display along with an optional printed and/or audible warning. If both an authenticated and non-authenticated user are identified, the system displays both images along with an optional warning. The images along with the vehicle coordinates and date and time information can be transmitted remotely from the vehicle to a pre-defined contact list. The system and method allow for a camera mode to enable an authenticated user to use the image sensor on the vehicle to take a photograph or video.
US09387817B2

A motor vehicle used sealed transmission cable, including at least one or more transmission cables, and a sealing component. The cable has a first connector and a second connector set at two ends of a transmission line. The sealing component has a first sealing component. The central axis of the first sealing component is set with a lashing eye for the setting and positioning of the first connector, and is extended to a first skirt section in an axial direction at the outer circumferential surface, which forms the interior of the first socket mouth. The first buckling part is set at the inner peripheral surface of the first socket mouth in a radial direction. Additionally, inside the first skirt section, a projection part is connected in an axial direction for passing through of all transmission lines. Inside of the projection section, cladding pipe is set for piercing and cladding of all transmission lines.
US09387815B2

A multi-panel cover includes end panels that connect first and second lateral panels. The lateral panels seat against the tailgate assembly of a truck body and are maintained in position by magnets incorporated into a lateral panel along the edges and between the side panels to form a pocket to collect debris that may otherwise escape through or around the tailgate of the vehicle. A peripheral sealing material such as an elastic cord or hook and loop seal may be positioned around the tailgate gap to augment sealing.
US09387814B1

A vehicle recording device featuring a cylindrical housing having a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion. A video camera, a microphone, and a speaker are each disposed upon a front face of the second cylindrical portion. A play button and a communication port is disposed upon a back face of the first cylindrical portion. A CPU is disposed within the housing. Each of the video camera, the microphone, the speaker, the play button, and the communication port are in operational communication. A concealment cap having an inner cavity is configured to fit each of the front face and a first portion of a second outer perimeter within the inner cavity, forming a closed configuration. The concealment cap has at least one obround cutout configured to reflect a sound wave into the inner cavity of the cap.
US09387813B1

Disclosed herein, in one example, is a device for aggregating networks in a vehicle and serving data, including video data, from those networks to a computer for integrating information from various systems in a vehicle, processing that information, and presenting the information to a user in a suitable format. The device for aggregating networks, in another example, is specific to a vehicle and serving data, including video data, from those networks to computers.
US09387811B2

Method and arrangement for providing and controlling operation of a dual sided opening roof mount cargo box for a carrying vehicle. A dual sided opening roof mount cargo box is provided and which has a lid portion releasably hinge-connected at two lateral sides to a bottom portion of the cargo box for alternate pivotation at each of the two lateral sides between open and closed configurations. The bottom portion is adapted to be mounted to a carrying vehicle and the lid portion is manufactured from a semi-flexible material sufficiently pliable to permit two opposite end regions thereof to be at different relative distances from the bottom portion of the cargo box during transition between the open and closed configurations. A pair of spring-biased struts are also provided, each operatively interposed between the lid portion and the bottom portion of the cargo box, and one each of the pair of spring-biased struts being located at the two opposite end regions of the cargo box. An expansively directed force is imposed on the lid portion, utilizing the pair of spring-biased struts, across a substantial entirety of travel of the lid portion during operator induced movement from the closed configuration to the open configuration and thereby assisting the operator to smoothly open the cargo box.
US09387809B2

A console assembly includes an outer frame having a bin aperture defined therein, wherein an arcuate back wall extends from the bin aperture to within the outer frame. A rotatable bin is disposed in the bin aperture and includes an interior volume accessible through a rim. The rotatable bin is rotationally operable within the bin aperture between a closed position and an open position, wherein at least a portion of the rotatable bin is rotated through the bin aperture and the interior volume of the rotatable bin is accessible from above. A biasing mechanism extends from the arcuate back wall to the rear wall of the rotatable bin. The biasing mechanism includes a constant force spring that biases the rotatable bin toward the open position. A latch/release mechanism retains the rotatable bin in the closed position against a biasing force of the biasing mechanism.
US09387788B1

A combination trailer is provided that includes a dump trailer having a bottom surface, a front portion, a back portion, a first side panel, and a second side panel with an upper wall section and a lower wall section. The upper wall section is movable between an open and closed position such that the height of the second side panel is adjustable. An enclosure system is also included in the combination trailer to selectively cover an open top of the dump trailer.
US09387785B2

An example of the present description relates to a vehicle seat comprising a back rest support comprising a head rest arrangement. The head rest arrangement comprises a displaceable head cushion which is displaceable between a first and a second position along a Z-axis. The head rest arrangement further comprises a passenger protection part adapted to protect a passenger from injury during a collision. The displaceable head cushion is displaceably arranged with respect to the passenger protection part. The present description provides for comfort and safety for passengers in a vehicle for both front passengers and hack passengers.
US09387753B2

A drive arrangement for a hybrid-drive motor vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and at least one electrical machine which, via a speed-change gearbox having a plurality of gear ratios, provide, alternately or together, an output drive to at least one axle differential of the motor vehicle. The internal combustion engine can be uncoupled by a disconnecting clutch. The gearbox is divided into two sub-gearboxes, with the internal combustion engine being connected for drive to the first sub-gearbox such as not to be able to be uncoupled. The electrical machine is arranged, in the path along which force is transmitted, downstream of the disconnecting clutch arranged at the output of the first sub-gearbox but upstream of the second sub-gearbox. The output of the second sub-gearbox provides an output drive to the axle differential.
US09387752B2

A hybrid transmission providing multiple modes of operation in a compact arrangement is provided and includes first and second planetary gear sets and first and second electric machines. An electric machine shaft directly couples the first planetary gear set to the second planetary gear set and the second electric machine to the second planetary gear set. The second electric machine is selectively directly coupled to an output shaft via a first clutch mechanism, and indirectly coupled to the output shaft via the second planetary gear set and a drive shaft, which extends parallel to the electric machine shaft and external to the second electric machine. A second clutch mechanism selectively couples the first electric machine to a carrier of the second planetary gear set and a third clutch mechanism selectively couples a ring gear of the second planetary gear set to a hybrid drive unit housing.
US09387751B2

A frame structure of an electric vehicle including right and left drive wheels is capable of being simplified while communalizing components and achieving an efficient arrangement of a running gear and electrical components. An electric vehicle includes a running gear including an electromotor and a speed reduction gear, and a running gear support frame provided to surround the running gear. The speed reduction gear is arranged in the right-to-left center of a vehicle body. The electromotor is configured in such a manner that an axis direction is arranged along a vehicle right-to-left direction so that the electromotor extends to one side in a right-to-left direction of the speed reduction gear and is arranged between the speed reduction gear and a left lower side frame of the running gear support frame.
US09387741B2

An elastomeric article and elastomeric thermal barrier system includes an elastomeric article that is at least partially formed from an elastomeric material susceptible to thermal degradation upon exposure to an external thermal energy source. An elastomeric thermal barrier extends around and along at least a portion of the elastomeric article. The elastomeric thermal barrier is spaced apart from the elastomeric article to form a thermal break. The elastomeric thermal barrier is at least partially formed from an elastomeric material having a thermal property that is different from the thermal property of the elastomeric article and is operative to provide at least one of reduced absorption, reduced conductivity, increased reflectance and reduced emissivity to reduce thermal energy transfer into the elastomeric article from the external thermal energy source. A gas spring and thermal barrier system and/or assembly and a suspension system are also included.
US09387734B1

A monitoring system includes sensors, clocks, global positioning systems (GPS) receiver, display screens and a controller circuitry. The controller circuitry is configured to analyze the collected signals, the time information, and the route information to identify at least one trigger factor based on a tire characteristic; determine whether the identified at least one triggering factor exceeds an triggering threshold based on the collected signals and information; derive when the identified triggering factor exceeds the triggering threshold, an triggering priority indicating an order in which the triggering factors are processed based on the collected signals and route information; trigger a tire monitoring procedure based on the collected information, the triggering threshold and the triggering priority; and display at the display screen, results of the tire monitoring procedure to provide a visual indication of the tire characteristic that caused the triggers factor to exceed the triggering threshold.
US09387730B2

In a tire, protrusions are disposed at intervals in the tire circumferential direction in at least one tire side portion, extending in an elongated manner from the inner side to the outer side in the tire radial direction including the maximum tire width position, the extension direction of each of the protrusions is inclined with respect to the tire radial direction, and the each of the protrusions adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction is disposed with the opposite orientation of the inclination with respect to the tire radial direction.
US09387718B2

A security element includes a coating of a material which has an optically variable effect, in particular a color-tilt effect, and cutouts which are identifiable in transmitted light. The security element comprises a carrier substrate and a partial layer having cutouts. The partial layer is made of an opaque coating having light-absorbing properties on the side that faces the coating made of the material having an optically variable effect and having a metallic coloration on the side that faces away from the coating made of the material having an optically variable effect. The partial opaque coating consists of a light-absorbing metallic layer.
US09387715B2

In order to prevent protruded parts formed on an oriented film print pattern of a printing plate for flexographic printing from being lost, a linear bank is formed on the periphery of one side of the oriented film print pattern where wiping work is started. The bank prevents the protruded part in the oriented film print pattern from being lost by the wiping work. The protruded parts are formed in a matrix in order to retain an oriented film liquid in the oriented film print pattern. Thickness irregularity of the oriented film due to presence of the bank is reduced by making the diameters of the protruded parts smaller in a peripheral region than in a central region of the oriented film print pattern and forming a space between the peripheral-side protruded parts and the bank.
US09387713B2

A removable print element assembly can be installed on and removed from a hand stamp without the user's fingers ever being in close proximity to the print element (die). The removable print element assembly can be installed on and removed from a hand printer without the need for a friction fit fastener or mechanical linking device. The removable print element assembly is provided for a hand printer with a support element capable of magnetic engagement. The removable print element assembly comprises a print carrier having a surface for removable magnetic engagement with the support element of the hand printer, a removal actuator, and a print element (die) affixed to the print carrier. The surface for removable magnetic engagement with the hand printer is a magnetic. The surface for removable magnetic engagement with the hand printer is the surface of a magnet fixed to the print carrier.
US09387708B2

A printing apparatus and a roll paper transportation device which reduces the space needed to accommodate a roll paper buffer mechanism unit and paper detection unit, and to reduce poor electrical contact in the contact part of the paper detection unit. The roll paper transportation device has a paper detection unit for detecting the presence of roll paper. The paper detection unit itself comprises a detection lever that pivots rotationally when in contact with the roll paper, a cam formed integrally with the detection lever and having a curved surface that is concentric to the rotary axis of the detection lever, and a switch lever that contacts the curved surface of the cam.
US09387707B2

A paper tape printer includes a receipt printer and a scissor cutter for cutting off a receipt from a paper tape. The scissor cutter includes: a moving blade having a fixed range of motion; and an adjustable stationary blade, which is stationary during a cutting operation and is moveable laterally relative to the moving blade to allow the paper tape to be selectively (i) fully cut when the stationary blade is positioned for a full cut of the paper tape, or (ii) partially cut, when the stationary blade is repositioned laterally to a partial cut position relative to the moving blade, which enables a partial cut of the paper tape. If a full cut is desired, the stationary blade is positioned against the full width of the paper tape. For a partial cut, the stationary blade is positioned against only a portion of the width of the paper tape.
US09387703B2

An image recording apparatus includes: a sensor configured to detect a state of an object and outputs a detection value; a drive unit configured to be able to move the sensor in a direction in which the sensor approaches the object and in a direction in which the sensor is away from the object; and a control unit configured to execute calibration for setting a positional relationship between the sensor and the object based on the detection value of the sensor while causing the drive unit to change the positional relationship between the sensor and the object.
US09387702B2

It is disclosed a printer comprising an opening through which one or more sheets to be treated could be introduced therein and further comprising a paper board for supporting said one or more sheets to be treated, wherein said paper board comprises at least one root and at least a free end, wherein said at least one free end is movable with respect to said at least one root when it is subject to a vertical load.
US09387697B2

A liquid discharge apparatus includes a support that supports a medium; a head that discharges liquid to the medium transported onto the support; and a drying portion that dries the liquid that has landed on the medium. The liquid discharge apparatus has a heated area and a non-heated area. The drying portion is disposed in the heated area, and the support and the head are disposed in the non-heated area.
US09387696B2

A printing apparatus includes a plasma processing unit that processes a surface of a processing object by using plasma; a recording unit that forms a first-color image on the surface of the processing object by inkjet recording, the surface being plasma-processed by the plasma processing unit, and forms a second-color image to be superimposed on the first-color image by the inkjet recording; and an adjusting unit that adjusts a plasma energy amount that is to be applied to the processing object according to the second-color image.
US09387692B2

A machine for the decoration of tridimensional products, including a basement, means for supporting the product to be decorated associated to the basement and a unit for decorating the product associated to the basement. The decoration unit includes a moveable arm rotatably associated to the basement, a plurality of print heads of the ink-jet type, provided with at least one head with ejector nozzles, sliding along the moveable arm. Each of the print heads is moveable from a non-operating position, in which it is spaced from the product, to an operating position in which it is in proximity of the surface of the product, to obtain a decoration.
US09387689B2

An optical scanning device includes a light source, a deflector, a scanning optical system, a BD sensor, and a half-silvered mirror. The light source emits a light beam. The deflector deflects a light beam emitted from the light source. The scanning optical system includes a scan lens and causes the deflected light beam to form an image on a photosensitive surface. The BD sensor detects a light beam. The half-silvered mirror splits the light beam into a first beam and a second beam. The first beam passes through the scan lens to enter the photosensitive surface. The second beam enters the BD sensor.
US09387684B2

An object is to prevent the occurrence of contact failure between a cartridge equipped with a recording medium and an ink jet recording apparatus. A bottle body is crushed to reduce the volume thereof when an ink or solvent is sucked out of the bottle body. A bottle has a neck and a mouth. The neck is rigid. The ROM unit records therein an ink or solvent type, a serial number, the capacity of the bottle, and the amount of remaining ink or solvent. The ROM unit has first and second arms, and freely movably attached to the neck by the first and second arms. A positioning hole is formed on a ROM holder body which houses therein a recording medium. The positioning hole positions the ROM holder body in cooperation with a positioning pin of a reservoir.
US09387680B2

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that includes a nozzle formation surface on which a plurality of nozzles which eject a liquid are formed to be lined up in one direction to form nozzle columns, a belt-shaped member that is brought into contact with the nozzle formation surface, and a belt-shaped member contact portion that brings the belt-shaped member into contact with the nozzle formation surface in both a first contact state where the belt-shaped member is brought into contact with a partial area of the nozzle formation surface and a second contact state where the belt-shaped member is in contact with an area corresponding to the nozzle column in a direction along the nozzle column on the nozzle formation surface.
US09387675B2

A liquid discharge head includes a substrate, a heat resistor layer, and a side wall member that forms a side wall of a pressure chamber. The heat resistor layer has a heat effect portion configured to foam liquid in an interior of the pressure chamber to discharge liquid from a discharge port. The heat effect portion is apart from the substrate, at least part of a surface of the heat resistor layer is covered with a covering layer in the interior of the pressure chamber, and the covering layer extends from the interior of the pressure chamber to a position coming into contact with the side wall of the side wall member.
US09387673B2

A liquid ejecting head includes a piezoelectric element having a first electrode on a vibration plate, a piezoelectric layer on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the piezoelectric material layer. The piezoelectric layer has functional portions sandwiched between the first and second electrodes; the second electrode configures a common electrode provided continuously across a plurality of the functional portions; the piezoelectric layer extends to an outer side of an end of the first electrode; the vibration plate has a first region opposing the first electrode, a second region opposing an area of the piezoelectric layer extending further toward an outer side than the first electrode, and a third region further toward the outer side than the piezoelectric layer; the second region has a thickness substantially equal to or greater than the thickness of the first region; and the third region is thinner than the first region.
US09387662B2

Provided is an intaglio printing press including: a gravure printing device, which performs gravure printing on one surface of a sheet of paper; dryers, which dry the one surface of the sheet of paper, on which gravure printing is performed by the gravure printing device; an intaglio printing device, which performs intaglio printing on the sheet of paper having been dried by the dryers; and a printing surface switching device, which transfers the sheet of paper from the gravure printing device to the intaglio printing device in a manner that a surface of the sheet of paper on which the intaglio printing device performs intaglio printing is switched between any one of the one surface and the other surface of the sheet of paper.
US09387660B2

Ablation-type printing plates having increased shelf-life are produced using a melamine resin free of water prior to use. A representative production sequence includes providing a substrate having an oleophilic surface; coating, over the substrate, an oleophilic resin composition having (A) a resin phase consisting essentially of a melamine resin substantially free of water and a resole resin, the resole resin being present in an amount ranging from 0% to 28% by weight of dry film, (B) a near-IR absorber dispersed within the resin phase, and (C) a sulfonic acid catalyst dispersed within the resin phase and being present in an amount ranging from 0.7% to 1.6% by weight of dry film; curing the resin composition to produce a dry film; following resin curing, coating an oleophobic polymer composition over the cured resin composition; and curing the oleophobic polymer composition.
US09387655B2

A method of joining two articles through a nano-enhanced joining medium is described. Nanomaterials are applied to the surfaces of sheets made of the joining medium via casting or spraying. Said sheets with nanomaterial coatings are then placed between the joining surfaces of the articles, and then application of pressure and heating is used to form a nano-engineered structural joint at the interface of said articles. The distinctly high specific surface area of nanomaterials and the energetic preference of their functionalized surfaces for bonding facilitate the joining process. Nano-engineered structural joints complement high strength levels with desired toughness and the compliance needed for accommodating deformation (e.g. thermal expansion) mismatches of joined articles without generating high stress levels near their interface. The limited quantity (per unit joint surface area) of nanomaterials utilized in nano-engineered joints benefits their economic viability.
US09387651B2

A laminate structure having a first glass layer, a second glass layer, and at least one polymer interlayer intermediate the first and second glass layers. The first glass layer is comprised of a thin, chemically strengthened glass having a surface compressive stress of between about 250 MPa and about 350 MPa and a depth of layer (DOL) of compressive stress greater than about 60 μm. The second glass layer can also be comprised of a thin, chemically strengthened glass having a surface compressive stress of between about 250 MPa and about 350 MPa and a depth of layer (DOL) of compressive stress greater than about 60 μm.
US09387645B2

A vehicle interior panel includes a decorative skin and a polymer coating provided to increase material thickness at a desired portion of the decorative skin The polymer coating may be formed by a thermal spraying process in which a polymeric material is heated and deposited along an inner side of the decorative skin The decorative skin may be thermoformed from a uniformly thick sheet of thermoplastic material so that it includes a reduced thickness portion after forming. The polymeric material can be deposited along the reduced thickness portion to form the polymer coating, thereby restoring integrity or providing enhanced integrity to the decorative skin to aid subsequent material processes such as sewing or foam backfilling.
US09387643B2

A sheet processing apparatus comprises a pressing member configured to press a fold line portion of a folded sheet bundle; and moving unit configured to move a position of pressing by the pressing member in a direction of a fold line of the folded sheet bundle, wherein the moving unit is configured to stand by at a pressing start position in which the pressing member is in a non-pressing state, before the folded sheet bundle is conveyed to the pressing member.
US09387635B2

Particular embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatus for deforming a tire sidewall. Such methods include the step of providing a tire having at least one sidewall connected to a corresponding bead. A further step includes constraining at least one of the sidewall and bead from moving laterally toward the other. Yet another step of such methods includes engaging the sidewall with an inclined member. Another step of such methods includes moving at lest one of the sidewall and bead in a lateral direction away from the other until the sidewall is laterally deformed into a laterally deformed configuration.
US09387632B2

A method for manufacturing a cylindrical part from composite material, and a molding device to implement the method, the method including: installation of a fibrous structure on a horizontal mandrel; formation of an annular enclosure for molding around the fibrous structure and the mandrel; supply of the enclosure with resin via a first axial end, while keeping a second axial end of the enclosure at a pressure lower than a supply pressure of the resin. The second end includes at least two sectors of vents in a form of ring sectors, each being independently kept at a pressure lower than the supply pressure.
US09387628B2

Method and tooling apparatus for forming a composite charge into a stringer having an I-shaped cross-section. A substantially flat composite charge is placed on a die set and pressed formed into a die set cavity to form a stringer hat. A stringer base is formed by press forming the composite charge against the die set. The die set is used to compress the stringer hat into a stringer web having a bulb on one end thereof. A stringer cap is formed by press forming the bulb within a recess in the die set.
US09387625B2

Crosslinked, melt-shaped articles are manufactured by a process that does not require the use of post-shaping external heat or moisture, the process comprising the steps of: A. Forming a crosslinkable mixture of a 1. Organopolysiloxane containing one or more functional end groups; and 2. Silane-grafted or silane-copolymerized polyolefin; and B. Melt-shaping and partially crosslinking the mixture; and C. Cooling and continuing crosslinking the melt-shaped article. Crosslinking is promoted by the addition of a catalyst to the mixture before or during melt-shaping or to the melt-shaped article.
US09387622B2

A hot pressing apparatus includes a positioning template having a forming region for placing a workpiece, a hot pressing template, a plurality of positioning blocks, and a lifting mechanism. A plurality of holes is formed in the forming region along a periphery of the forming region. The positioning blocks are movably disposed outside the forming region along the periphery of the forming region for positioning the workpiece in the forming region. The hot pressing template is movable between a hot pressing position and a releasing position for hot pressing the workpiece located in the forming region cooperatively with the positioning template when moving to the hot pressing position. The lifting mechanism includes a plurality of pillars movably disposed in the holes respectively and a driving device for driving each pillar to extend out from the corresponding hole so as to lift the workpiece.
US09387621B2

A conveyance receiver for a honeycomb formed body is a conveyance receiver where a pillar, clayey honeycomb formed body extruded from a die is placed with its central axis set horizontally and moves on a conveyance path to convey the honeycomb formed body to a next process, and the conveyance receiver includes a concaved surface concaved to both end faces parallel to a surface perpendicular to the central axis of the honeycomb formed body to be placed, and that is a surface in contact with a side surface of the honeycomb formed body to be conveyed; and a receiver main body constituted of a plurality of members, and coupling means that couples the members to one another, and the receiver main body at least has a first member at the one end face side and a second member at the other end face side as the members.
US09387619B2

A method for additive delivery during a plastics processing is disclosed. The method includes establishing a network of components in a control loop that uses a feedback method to drive at least one pump, thus enabling continuous, robust proportioning of additive in a difficult to control environment. The feedback method includes sending at least one signal from at least one sensor associated with a plastics melting machine to a controller, sending one or more signals from the controller to the at least one pump, monitoring the pressure in the at least one pump and sensing the position of an injection nozzle valve, and sending one or more signals to the injection nozzle valve instructing the valve to open or close.
US09387613B2

A semiconductor package formation arrangement includes a mold housing with an interior cavity having top, bottom and first and second end sides. A gate for transferring liquefied molding material extends to the first end side. A lead frame having a top surface, a rear surface opposite the top surface and a mold flow modifier forms a first cavity section between the top surface and the top side and a second cavity section between the rear surface and the bottom side. A topology of the lead frame causes liquefied molding material to fill the first and second cavity sections at different rates. The mold flow modifier extends away from the lead frame so as to compensate for the difference between the first and second rates.
US09387612B2

Methods and apparatus for applying internal features or complex mechanical structures to a surface of a metal part are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for creating an assembly that includes a substrate and a molded piece involves obtaining the substrate, and forming at least one binding feature on a surface of the substrate. The method also includes molding on a surface of the binding feature and the surface of the substrate. Molding on the surface of the binding feature and the surface of the substrate mechanically binds the molded piece to the substrate.
US09387609B2

A method of producing a composite component, in which a hollow section is expanded, at least in regions, by internal high pressure. In a first step a region of the hollow section is expanded until it comes to lie against an edge region of a cavity of a combined hydroforming and injection mold. In a second step the cavity is filled with an injection molding compound. In a third step the hollow section, at least in regions, is expanded further, which increases the internal high pressure.
US09387604B2

In order to make a structure of a composite material including elongated hollow shapes, such as hollow shapes associated with stiffeners of a stiffened panel, the invention comprises making cores including a bladder made of an elastomer material. The invention relates to a method for making such extractable cores in order to obtain cores having a very important length, and allowing the use of said cores for the industrial production of composite parts. The bladder is a cylindrical bladder that is conformed in a core mould, wherein the core itself does not have to be cylindrical, before being filled with a granular material and submitted to a negative pressure in order to impart a stable shape to the core by compaction of the granular material.
US09387595B2

An exemplary folding knife has a handle including an inner liner portion and an outer panel. The inner liner portion includes a locking member that is operable to move between an unlocked position and a locked position. The folding knife includes a blade having a tang portion pivotally connected to the handle. The blade is operable to pivot relative to the handle about a pivot axis extending through the tang portion between a closed position and an open position. The tang portion engages the locking member when the blade is in the open position and the locking member is in the locked position. The folding knife also includes a lever member pivotally mounted to the locking member. The lever member is operable to block the locking member from moving from the locked position to the unlocked position when the blade is open.
US09387584B2

An industrial robot may include a hand having an object-mounting section; an arm structured to hold the hand at the front side thereof; a main body section structured to hold the base end of the arm; and a covering member structured to cover at least the top surface of the object-mounting section. The radiant heat reflectance at the covering member may be higher than that at the object-mounting section. The heat conductivity of the covering member may be lower than that of the object-mounting section. The specific gravity of the object-mounting section may be smaller than that of the covering member.
US09387582B2

A magnetic holding device having an elongated body which extends between a tip and a locking head. A saddle is connected to the elongated body. Said saddle having a magnet connected thereto. In operation the elongated body is wrapped around the body of a hand tool and the tip is passed through an opening in the locking head. The elongated body is passed through the locking head until the magnetic holding device is tightened over the hand tool. Once in place the magnetic holding device holds the hand tool in a convenient place near where the hand tool is being used by connecting the magnet to any metal object. In this way the magnetic holding device provides the advantage of reducing the potential for lost or misplaced hand tools by allowing for easy organization and placement of hand tools during use.
US09387579B2

An adjustable tool handle for holding a tool during use provides an improved handling of tools during use of tools that are difficult to use on their own, specifically L-shaped hexagonal and round wrenches. The adjustable tool handle includes a tool handle body with a handle and an adjustable opening for receiving a tool. In order to place a tool within the tool handle, a user opens the tool handle and places the tool within the handle. After the tool is placed within the handle the tool is held in place by a holding component. The tool handle is also usable with a removable ratcheting mechanism. When the ratcheting mechanism is attached to the tool handle, the ratcheting mechanism couples with a plurality of bits or sockets of different sizes and different types.
US09387578B2

An improved handle arrangement is provided for a power tool, such as a sander. The sander may include: a housing; a primary handle extending in a rearward direction away from an upper rear portion of the housing; a secondary handle positioned at an upper front portion of the housing, where the secondary handle is formed as a knob protruding in a forward direction which is opposite the rearward direction; a platen coupled to a lower portion of the housing; and a motor assembly disposed within the housing. A groove may be formed into an exterior surface of the housing along an intermediate portion of the housing, such that the intermediate portion extends between the primary handle and the secondary handle and the groove extends from a top surface of the housing towards a lower portion portion of the housing along opposing side surfaces of the housing.
US09387569B2

A single and multiple abrasive structure support system has a multiple support structure which facilitates use of snail lock and Frankfurt shoe adaptive support with a stepped surface which enables the snail lock adapter to enabling support of an abrasive structure beyond and at a distance clearance from Frankfurt shoe rails. The single abrasive structure support includes a snail lock. Both single and multiple abrasive structure support systems incorporate a pair of plates for absorbing force and energy, especially resulting from uneven surfaces being textured, such as stone.
US09387563B2

A machine tool has a cover body with a window, the window including two spaced window plates defining an airtight space therebetween. The space is brought to a pressure other than atmospheric. An indicator is coupled to the cover body and has an indicator portion that is displaced in response to pressure in the space. The indicating portion is visually observable from outside the machine tool, so that the airtightness of the window may be determined by visually observing the position of the indicating portion.
US09387562B2

An assembly device for a writing head unit includes a head holder; a writing head; an imaging unit to image the writing head temporarily mounted on the head holder; an adjuster to adjust relative positions of the head holder and the writing head using the image of the writing head imaged by the imaging unit; and an optical unit to focus images of reference marks indicating a reference position of the writing head disposed in a direction different from the writing head, and the writing head on the same viewing field. The adjuster adjusts the writing head using the images of the writing head and the reference marks imaged simultaneously by the imaging unit.
US09387559B2

An automatic system for automatically mounting door hinges to upper and lower seats on pillars of a vehicle body conveyed by a conveying unit may include i) a first aligning unit automatically aligning a plurality of door hinges, ii) a first gripper disposed on one side of a mounting frame fixed to an arm of a first handling robot, and taking out the door hinges from the hinge box, iii) a second aligning unit loading the door hinges, and arranging the door hinges into position at a predetermined mounting angle, iv) a second gripper disposed on the other side of the mounting frame, and unloading the door hinges aligned by the second aligning unit, v) a mounting jig clamping and setting the door hinges into seats on the vehicle body, and vi) a bolt runner bolting the door hinges set in the seats on the vehicle body.
US09387539B2

A gripper for use in combination with a pin has a body having an axially open cavity in which the pin is engageable. Jaws in the cavity are radially displaceable between an inner holding position bearing radially inwardly on and gripping the pin and an outer release position in which the pin can be removed axially from the cavity. An actuating element in the body is engageable with the jaws and shiftable between end positions corresponding to the inner and outer positions of the jaws. An actuator connected to the actuating element can move it from one of the end positions into the other of the end positions. An externally accessible connecting or operating member on the chuck body is connected through an emergency release with the jaws for moving the jaws into the outer release position as the result of connection to or operation of the member.
US09387535B2

The invention is an apparatus and method for safely depressurizing milling vials. The invention utilizes a machinist vise in communication with a pneumatic air cylinder mounted in a jig inside glove box enclosure. The invention utilizes a method for safely depressurizing milling vials. The milling vials are placed into the machinist vise inside the enclosure. The ram of the pneumatic air cylinder is placed on top of the milling vial and the pneumatic air cylinder is pressed firmly against the cap of the milling vial. Next, the air inside the enclosure is evacuated of atmosphere after which the pressure is slowly released from the pneumatic air cylinder. During this stage of the method the operator is a safe distance from the enclosure. As pressure is removed from the pneumatic air cylinder the ram is retracted and the cap of milling vial is removed.
US09387533B1

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, and/or composition of matter configured for and/or resulting from, and/or a method for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, investment casting a product in a mold, the product comprising at least one wall, the mold comprising a core, an inner primary shell, and an outer secondary shell.
US09387531B1

A riveting device comprises an inner guide sleeve having a push rod thereinside; an outer guide sleeve sleeving the inner guide sleeve; a hold ring disposed inside and tightly pressed against the outer guide sleeve; and a driver. The screw body of a screw is inserted through the outer guide sleeve and hold ring and screwed into a river nut. The screw head is disposed inside the inner guide sleeve and tightly pressed against the hold ring by the push rod. The driver is combined with the inner guide sleeve and drives the inner guide sleeve, push rod, outer guide sleeve, hold ring, screw and rivet nut to move jointly and rivet the rivet nut. The present invention is characterized in using the push rod, hold ring and outer guide sleeve to secure the screw and exemption from the limitation by the size or shape of the screw head.
US09387529B2

A draw press includes a carriage moveable toward a work piece and an upper die movably secured to the carriage. The upper die is movable with respect to the carriage to draw the work piece. A method for drawing a metal part is also disclosed.
US09387526B2

A roller leveler includes: a leveling roll unit having a plurality of leveling rolls configured to rotate so as to pass a plate while sandwiching and pressing the plate; a pushing cylinder provided at each of an entrance side and a discharge side of the leveling roll unit, at which the plate enters and is discharged, respectively, and configured to press the plate via the leveling rolls; and a driving mechanism configured to rotate the leveling rolls to pass the plate. At least one of the plurality of leveling rolls has a stepped structure, including a lateral center portion with a large diameter, corresponding to a center portion of the plate with respect to a plate width direction, and lateral end portions with a small diameter, corresponding to edge portions of the plate with respect to the plate width direction.
US09387520B2

Disclosed are a liquid processing apparatus and a cleaning method which may perform cleaning on a portion which is not in the vicinity of a drain section in an exhaust route. The liquid processing apparatus includes an exhaust section provided in vicinity of the drain section, which is configured to exhaust a surrounding atmosphere of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit; an exhaust route forming member configured to form an exhaust route reaching the exhaust section; and a first cleaning unit configured to supply a cleaning liquid to the exhaust route forming member at the exhaust route side.
US09387517B2

A shaker for separating solids from a drilling fluid includes a top screening deck (130), a flow-back pan (160) positioned beneath the top screening deck (130) for receiving an initially separated drilling fluid from the top screening deck. The flow-back pan (160) is divided into a plurality of channels (A, B, C, D). The shaker further includes a fluid distribution box (210), which includes a plurality of conduits (A, B, C, D). Each channel (A, B, C, D) of the flow-back pan (160) corresponds to one of the plurality of conduits (A, B, C, D) in the fluid distribution box (210) and each channel communicates a stream of the initially separated drilling fluid to the corresponding conduit. The shaker further includes a middle screening deck (140) and a bottom screening deck (150). Each conduit (A, B, C, D) routes the stream of initially separated drilling fluid to a corresponding one of the middle screening deck (140) and the bottom screening deck (150).
US09387497B2

A liquid discharge apparatus includes a discharge portion capable of discharging a liquid, a carriage movable along scanning directions between a first position and a second position, a tube that is connected to the discharge portion and that supplies the liquid to the discharge portion, a frame provided at such a position as to be able to contact the tube, and a tube support portion that is provided between the frame and the carriage and that has a supporting surface capable of supporting the tube. The carriage includes an inclined portion that is inclined so as to move the tube toward the supporting surface when the carriage moves along the scanning directions while the tube is not supported by the supporting surface.
US09387495B2

A shower device, such as a hand shower, includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, the housing defining a first flow path and a second flow path between the inlet and the outlet, a first flow regulator positioned in the first flow path and limiting a flow of water therethrough to a first flow rate, and a second flow regulator upstream of the first flow regulator and limiting a flow of water therethrough to a second flow rate, the first flow path and the second flow path passing through the second flow regulator. A valve may be positioned in the second flow path and biased to close the second flow path and an actuator may be coupled to the valve and operable to open the valve, the actuator being positioned on the housing flush with or recessed from the housing surface.
US09387489B2

The present invention includes methods, devices and systems for isolating nanoparticulates, including nucleic acids, from biological samples. In various aspects, the methods, devices and systems may allow for a rapid procedure that requires a minimal amount of material and/or results in high purity isolation of biological components from complex fluids such as blood or environmental samples.
US09387488B2

Methods, structures, devices and systems are disclosed for rapid enrichment and mass transport of biomolecules (e.g., such as proteins) or other small molecules and particles using electrodeless dielectrophoresis (eDEP). In one aspect, a device to aggregate molecules includes a substrate that is electrically insulating, an electrically insulative material formed on the substrate and structured to form a channel to carry an electrically conducting fluid containing particles, a constriction structure formed of the electrically insulative material and located in the channel to narrow a channel dimension and forming an opening with a size in the nanometer range, and a circuit coupled to the substrate to apply an ac electric field and a dc bias electric field along the channel, in which the constriction structure is structured to magnify the applied ac electric field to produce forces that operate collectively to aggregate the particles.
US09387477B2

A fluid handling device includes a substrate, a film and a conductive layer. The substrate includes a through hole or a recess. The film includes first, second and third regions. The conductive layer is disposed on one surface of the film across the first, second and third regions. The first region of the film is bonded to one surface of the substrate such that one of openings of the through hole or an opening of the recess is closed to form a housing part, and that a part of the conductive layer is exposed to the inside of the housing part. The second region of the film is bent such that the conductive layer is located on an outside. The third region of the film is bonded to the first region of the film such that the conductive layer is exposed to the exterior.
US09387476B2

A flow cell including inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with each other through a flow channel that extends therebetween. The flow channel includes a diffuser region and a field region that is located downstream from the diffuser region. The field region of the flow channel directs fluid along reaction sites where desired reactions occur. The fluid flows through the diffuser region in a first flow direction and through the field region in a second flow direction. The first and second flow directions being substantially perpendicular.
US09387470B2

The invention relates to novel bimetallic and trimetallic catalysts, their manufacture and use in both steam reforming and oxidative steam reforming of liquid fuels such as jet fuels, diesel fuels and gasoline to produce synthesis gas and/or hydrogen for fuel cell applications. The invention further relates to manufacture of synthesis gas and/or hydrogen gas for chemicals synthesis and fuel processing. The catalysts have high sulfur tolerance and carbon resistance when used in steam reforming and/or oxidative steam reforming of heavy hydrocarbon fuels.
US09387452B2

This invention relates generally to novel methods and novel devices for the continuous manufacture of nanoparticles, microparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s). The nanoparticles (and/or micron-sized particles) comprise a variety of possible compositions, sizes and shapes. The particles (e.g., nanoparticles) are caused to be present (e.g., created and/or the liquid is predisposed to their presence (e.g., conditioned)) in a liquid (e.g., water) by, for example, preferably utilizing at least one adjustable plasma (e.g., created by at least one AC and/or DC power source), which plasma communicates with at least a portion of a surface of the liquid. At least one subsequent and/or substantially simultaneous adjustable electrochemical processing technique is also preferred. Multiple adjustable plasmas and/or adjustable electrochemical processing techniques are preferred. The continuous process causes at least one liquid to flow into, through and out of at least one trough member, such liquid being processed, conditioned and/or effected in said trough member(s). Results include constituents formed in the liquid including micron-sized particles and/or nanoparticles (e.g., metallic-based nanoparticles) of novel size, shape, composition, zeta potential and properties present in a liquid.
US09387446B2

Disclosed are methods for making emulsions and emulsions, that in some embodiments can be considered to be Pickering emulsions.
US09387438B2

An engine exhaust after-treatment system including an exhaust passage including a plurality of legs, with an exhaust control valve being positioned at an inlet of each of the legs that is configured to control an amount of exhaust that enters each leg. A desulfurization treatment component is located within each of the legs. An alkaline reagent tank provides an alkaline reagent to the desulfurization treatment component, and a reagent control valve is disposed between the alkaline reagent tank and the desulfurization treatment component. The reagent control valve is configured to control an amount of alkaline reagent that enters the desulfurization component. A controller may be communication with each of the exhaust control valves and reagent control valves, wherein the controller is configured to control the exhaust control valves independently of the reagent control valves.
US09387435B2

Disclosed are methods for the on-site manufacture of aqueous-based mercury sorbent compositions prepared using a process water. The sorbent compositions may be aqueous-based materials manufactured from a silica containing precursor, a metal species, and a sulfur-based species, in the presence of a process waters, such as a process water from a coal-fired power plant.
US09387434B2

Disclosed herein are methods for the on-site manufacture of aqueous-based mercury sorbent compositions prepared using a process water. The sorbent compositions may be aqueous-based materials manufactured from a silica containing precursor, a metal species, and a sulfur-based species, in the presence of a process waters, such as a process water from a coal-fired power plant.
US09387421B1

A screening apparatus that includes a strainer element used for the purpose of retaining particulate while permitting the passage of a liquid through the strainer element, a support structure for the strainer element to enable rotation of the strainer element between opposed 180 degree positions, and a control member coupled with the strainer element for controlling the rotation of the strainer element. The strainer element, in both opposed positions thereof impedes any particulate while permitting the passage of a liquid. The control member is constructed so that, in a first state thereof, the rotation of the strainer element is periodically controlled to rotate the strainer element between said opposed 180 degree positions, and in a second state thereof, inhibits rotation of the strainer element.
US09387420B2

A screen device includes a foam body having a passageway that extends longitudinally through the foam body, the foam body has an open cell structure such that at least two surfaces of the foam body are in fluidic communication with one another through the foam body.
US09387404B2

A game system including a plurality of mobile game apparatuses, and a mobile game apparatus that can communicate with another game apparatus that exists within a communicable range by use of a radio communications unit. When a communicated state is established, exchanging conditions for exchanging game data are received and transmitted, and in a case the exchange conditions are coincident with each other, the game data are exchanged.
US09387401B2

A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which computer game graphics for a casual, social game are shown on a display of a computing device and in which one or more of the processors are programmed to show: a virtual path or other virtual world that indicates the level reached by the player and some of that player's social network friends; a score board that displays the score of a player once he has completed a level successfully, together with the highest scores of some of its social network friends' for that level; and in which each level of the game can be failed and, if the processor determines that the player is running out of moves or time, then the processor causes the game to automatically display a message offering extra moves and/or time for the player to purchase, to carry on playing the game, or other in-game assistance.
US09387399B2

A switching section switches an operation subject of a user among a plurality of game characters. A first control section causes the game character that is set as the operation subject of the user among the plurality of game characters to behave based on a direction acquired based on an operation state of a first operation member. A second control section causes the game character that is not set as the operation subject of the user among the plurality of game characters to behave based on an operation of a computer. A selection section selects any one of the game characters controlled by the second control section based on a direction acquired based on an operation state of a second operation member. The switching section switches the operation subject of the user to the game character selected by the selection section.
US09387394B1

Systems and method for creating content in a virtual environment based on sound include components and operations that analyze audio data to identify specific sound qualities or characteristics, such as a specific frequency, period, wavelength, note, key, amplitude or the like that are present in the sound. For an identified sound quality or characteristic, the systems and methods may determine a corresponding or associated virtual content, (or an aspect of the virtual content), and generate that virtual content or that aspect of the virtual content in the virtual environment. The virtual content may be persistent among users and instantiations of the virtual environment. Examples of the virtual content that may be generated include an object, an action, a change to existing content and a real-time change command. Examples of the virtual environments that may include the generated content include a video game, a desktop, and an animated movie.
US09387392B1

A recommendation system for recommending electronic gaming machines to a plurality of players is described. The recommendation system including a database holding information on each player's history with electronic gaming machines played by the player, the history including information on play time and bet size. An analytics engine analyzes the information in the database and to generate a list of player recommendations personalized for each player based on that player's history. A player interface is provided that is accessible by each player, wherein the player interface allows the player to interact with the recommendation system and to see the personalized recommendations.
US09387391B2

Systems and methods for scoring familiarity are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises selecting a topic by a first user, presenting items associated with the topic to the first user, ranking a first set of the items by the first user, presenting the items to a second user, ranking a second set of the items by the second user, and scoring the second ranking relative to the first ranking.
US09387389B2

A gaming system allows a game manager to manage and run a multiplayer game and adjudicate all player characters with the ability to control the game and game play for all players from a centralized command facility in real-time. Interactive cards can be used that relate to investigated objects. The cards include information relating to the usage of the discovered objects as well as provide a method whereby the cards can interact based on predetermined orientation(s). Furthermore, an object discovery and investigation methodology is outlined that provides characters with a roadmap for determining the consequences of interaction with an object.
US09387388B2

Embodiments relate to a motorized skateboard. Embodiments allow users to utilize a power supply, such as a rechargeable battery pack, that is remote with respect to the skateboard. Embodiments can have the battery mounted on, under, partially or wholly enclosed within, and/or integral with the skateboard deck. Embodiments can have a removable and interchangeable motor mount, which attaches to the hanger to align the motor with the drive train. The drive wheel adaptor (hub) allows the user to modify standard skateboard wheels to use as drive wheels for the electric skateboard. The strength of the bond between the drive hub and the wheel enables the skateboard to utilize more torque without failure. Embodiments can allow users to have wiring connections at the front and/or back of the skateboard deck. Board-integrated wiring techniques can also be utilized. The electronics can be attached using brackets that fit the industry standard bolt pattern.
US09387386B2

The present invention relates generally to a training method and apparatus for improving performance.
US09387378B2

A golf club shaft which satisfies strength and is lightweight is provided by the present invention. This golf club shaft comprises one or more fiber-reinforced resin layers, and is characterized by satisfying the following relationship (1), wherein x [mm] is the displacement in a cantilever bending test, M [g] is the mass of the golf club shaft, and L [mm] is the length thereof, and by satisfying the following strength standard values [1]-[4]: M×(L/1168)<49.66 e−0.0015x (relationship 1); [1] the three-point bending strength at T-90 (the position 90 mm apart from the smaller-diameter end) is 800 N or higher; [2] the three-point bending strength at T-175 (the position 175 mm apart from the smaller-diameter end) is 400 N or higher; [3] the three-point bending strength at T-525 (the position 525 mm apart from the smaller-diameter end) is 400 N or higher; and [4] the three-point bending strength at B-175 (the position 175 mm apart from the larger-diameter end) is 400 N or higher.
US09387376B1

A golf club head comprising a channel or a pair of parallel rails and a slidable weight assembly that can be removably fixed at any point within the channel or to the rails is disclosed herein. The slidable weight assembly preferably comprises a weight portion and base that can be turned 45 to 90 degrees to reversibly fix the slidable weight assembly within the channel or to the rails.
US09387369B2

A golf club includes a club head, and a shaft. The club head includes a hosel formed into a tubular body having a top end and a shaft insertion hole extending downwardly from the top end. The shaft includes a shaft main body and a reinforcing member. The shaft main body is formed into a tubular shape having a tip end, and an internal surface surrounding cavity therein. The reinforcing member has a specific gravity of not more than 2.0 and is fixed in the cavity of the shaft main body. The reinforcing member includes a first portion fitting the internal surface of the shaft main body. The first portion includes an uppermost edge positioned upwardly with respect to the top end of the hosel, and a lowermost edge positioned between the top end of the hosel and the tip end of the shaft main body.
US09387352B2

A system for extinguishing and/or inerting, including an extinguishing-agent tank, a conveyor device for an extinguishing agent, a pipeline, and nozzles. A synthetic liquid extinguishing agent (12) is stored at low pressure of up to 3 bar relative to 21° C. in the extinguishing-agent tank (1) and at least one incidence sensor detects fire signals and reports them to a fire detection panel and/or control panel (9) which activates the conveyor device (4) that conveys the synthetic liquid extinguishing agent by means of a pipeline (5) to nozzles (6), and the liquid extinguishing agents transitions into the gas phase after leaving the nozzles (6). The system represents a more cost-effective system that requires less technical efforts in comparison to previous systems having synthetic liquid extinguishing agents.
US09387350B2

There is provided a full body harness comprising a chest strap, an abdomen strap and a damping unit between the chest strap and the abdomen strap. The damping unit is adapted in the event of a fall to limit the maximum loading acting on the wearer of the harness. The damping unit has a connection for connection to an external runner.
US09387347B2

Systems, methods, and related computer program products for image-guided radiation treatment (IGRT) are described. Provided according to one preferred embodiment is an IGRT apparatus including a barrel-style rotatable gantry structure that provides high mechanical stability, versatility in radiation delivery, and versatility in target tracking. Methods for treatment radiation delivery using the IGRT apparatus include conical non-coplanar rotational arc therapy and cono-helical non-coplanar rotational arc therapy. A radiation treatment head (MV source) and a treatment guidance imaging system including a kV imaging source are mounted to and rotatable with a common barrel-style rotatable gantry structure, or alternatively the MV and kV sources are mounted to separate barrel-style rotatable gantry structures independently rotatable around a common axis of rotation. Methods for intra-fraction target tracking in a gantry-style IGRT system based on comparisons between a pre-acquired planning image and intrafraction x-ray tomosynthesis images and/or intrafraction cone beam CT (CBCT) images are also described.
US09387337B2

There is provided an energy delivery device comprising a storage device, a discharge circuit and a disarm circuit. The discharge circuit comprises a switch electrically connected to the storage device, and is selectively operable to deliver energy from the storage device to a load, e.g., a patient needing defibrillation, preferably in a multiphasic waveform. The disarm circuit comprises the switch. Preferably, the discharge circuit comprises an H-bridge circuit. There are also provided delivery devices: which comprise a shoot-through elimination circuit; which include housing elements which, when assembled, cause electrical connection between respective components; which include a housing having a small volume and an energy storage device having a large capacitance; which comprise a shunt circuit which, when activated, prevents switching of a switch. There are also provided methods of assembly and disassembly of an energy delivery unit and methods of delivering energy to a load.
US09387334B2

A system for an electrical neurostimulator coupled to a plurality of electrodes. The system comprises a user-controlled input device configured for generating directional control signals. The system further comprises control circuitry configured for sequentially defining a plurality of different ideal bipole/tripole configurations relative to the plurality of electrodes in response to the directional control signals, generating a plurality of stimulation parameter sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of ideal bipole/tripole configurations, each stimulation parameter set defining relative amplitude values for the plurality of electrodes that emulate the respective ideal bipole/tripole configuration, and instructing the electrical neurostimulator to convey electrical energy to the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the plurality of stimulation parameter sets.
US09387333B2

An identifier apparatus 10 for acquiring a signature signal frequency 12 from an implantable medical device 11 that is internally implanted in a patient. The apparatus 10 identifies the type of implantable medical device 11 and the device manufacturer by the unique signature signal frequency 12 of the manufacturer and device. The apparatus 10 aids healthcare providers with quick and exact knowledge of a patients implanted device.
US09387328B2

A system for an neurostimulator coupled to electrodes. The system comprises a input device configured for generating directional control signals, and memory storing ideal multipole configurations. The system further comprises control circuitry configured for defining the ideal multipole configurations relative to the electrodes in response to the directional control signals, determining a spatial relationship between at least one of the defined ideal multipole configurations and the maximum extent of the electrodes, modifying the defined ideal multipole configurations based on the determined spatial relationship, such that the modified ideal multipole configurations are spatially within the maximum extent of the electrodes, generating stimulation parameter sets respectively corresponding to the modified ideal multipole configurations, each stimulation parameter set defining relative amplitude values for the electrodes that emulate the respective modified ideal multipole configuration, and instructing the neurostimulator to convey electrical energy to the electrodes in accordance with the stimulation parameter sets.
US09387326B2

A method and neurostimulation system of providing therapy to a patient is provided. A plurality of electrodes are placed in contact with tissue of a patient, a conditioning pulse is conveyed from the plurality of electrodes in one of a monopolar manner and a multipolar manner, and a stimulation pulse is conveyed from the plurality of electrodes in a different one of the monopolar manner and the multipolar manner. As one example, the sub-threshold conditioning pulse may be a depolarizing pulse conveyed from the plurality of electrodes to render a first region of the tissue less excitable to stimulation, and the stimulation pulse may be conveyed from the plurality of electrodes to stimulate a second different region of the tissue.
US09387321B2

The present invention is a visual prosthesis for the restoration of sight in patients with lost or degraded visual function. The visual prosthesis includes an implantable portion which stimulates visual neural tissue according to stimulation patterns sent by a programmable video processing unit. The video processing unit controls stimulation patterns including programmable wave forms to provide monopolar, bipolar, and multipolar wave forms.
US09387318B2

A stimulation apparatus includes a stimulation lead (102), a multiplexer (114), a stimulation signal generator (116), and a signal detector (120). The stimulation lead (102) includes a plurality of stimulation electrodes (112) disposed in an array about a distal portion of the lead body (110). The arrangement of the electrodes (112) facilitates the controlled steering of stimulating electrical field (118) in three dimensions. Four dimensional field steering may also be provided.
US09387303B2

A system for the management of medical tubing, the system includes a tube holder adapted for receiving and retaining medical tubes, and a clip adapted to be engaged with a substrate, in which the tube holder may be releasably engaged with the clip.
US09387301B2

A pad assembly for use with a gas delivery mask for delivering a flow of gas to an airway of a patient is described. The pad assembly includes an outer casing and a support element. The outer cashing has a housing portion and a mounting portion. The housing portion has a first wall and a second wall defining a hollow cavity therebetween. The first wall is structured to engage a portion of the patient, and the mounting portion is structured to couple the outer casing to the patient interface device. The support element is disposed substantially within the cavity of the outer casing.
US09387296B1

A system is disclosed for delivering gas during a laparoscopic surgical procedure performed within a patient's abdominal cavity which includes a gas delivery device having a housing with a port for receiving pressurized insufflation gas from a gas source, a pump assembly for circulating gas throughout the system, and a separate gas conditioning unit configured for operative association with the gas delivery device.
US09387289B2

An infusion pump for administering controlled doses of a fluid comprises: a receptacle (2) for storing the fluid (6), the receptacle having an outlet (8) for dispensing the fluid; a plunger (12); a propulsion mechanism (14) which urges the plunger (12) in a direction to pressurise the fluid (6) and dispense it through the outlet (8); and a retaining member (16) which acts on the plunger (12) to control or prevent travel of the plunger (12); characterised in that the retaining member (16) is operably connected to a stepper motor (24) via a worm (22) and worm-wheel (18) drive.
US09387284B2

A system for assisting blood flow in a patient includes an implantable pump system for assisting in blood flow from the heart and an implantable control system for communicative connection with the implantable pump system. The control system includes a pacemaker system that is operative to control heart rate and the pump system interdependently to achieve a determined level of blood flow assist. The control system is adapted to increase the heart rate of the patient to above a normal heart rate for the patient under the present conditions of the patient via the pacemaker while controlling the pump system to achieve the determined level of blood flow assist based upon the increased heart rate and a level of assist provided by the pump system.
US09387273B2

Liquid activated ink formulations comprising a liquid activated dye, a hydrochromic ionic compound, an opacifier, and a solvent.
US09387272B2

A contact lens storage case of limited life and predetermined usage to further the safe and effective use of contact lenses by ensuring patient compliance through both limiting case use over a set period of time and discouraging reuse and topping-off of the disinfecting and storage solution. Generally, the self-destruction consists of the case developing a leak in a pre-determined fashion as a result of the change in properties of a material in a limited area of the case following exposure of the case to the storage solution.
US09387266B2

It is intended to provide a novel amino acid organic compound which can be used as a labeling precursor compound for radioactive halogen-labeled amino acid compounds including [18F]FACBC, and which prevents methanol from remaining in the radioactive halogen-labeled amino acid compounds produced therefrom. The novel amino acid organic compound is a compound represented by the following formula: wherein n is an integer of 0 or of 1 to 4; R1 is an ethyl, 1-propyl or isopropyl substituent; X is a halogen substituent or a group represented by —OR2; R2 is a straight-chain or branched-chain haloalkylsulfonic acid substituent with one to 10 carbon atoms, trialkylstannyl substituent with 3 to 12 carbon atoms, fluorosulfonic acid substituent or aromatic sulfonic acid substituent; and R3 is a protective group.
US09387263B2

Described is a transgenic mouse with two transgenes, each of which transgene comprises a DNA sequence encoding a dominant negative form of RbAp48 protein, wherein the expression of the dominant negative form of RbAp48 is spatially restricted to the forebrain by a CaM Kinase IIa promoter and wherein the expression of the dominant negative form of RbAp48 is controlled by tetracycline-controlled transcriptional activation. Also provided are methods for evaluating in the transgenic mouse the potential therapeutic effect of an agent for slowing, inhibiting or preventing age-related memory decline in a mammalian subject.
US09387262B2

The present invention is related to a lipid composition comprising at least a first lipid component, at least a first helper lipid, and a shielding compound which is removable from the lipid composition under in vivo conditions.
US09387258B2

A compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, or conjugates thereof, selected from the group consisting of formula wherein: (a) R10 is H, and R11 is OH, ORA, where RA is saturated C1-4 alkyl; (b) R10 and R11 form a nitrogen-carbon double bond between the nitrogen and carbon atoms to which they are bound; or (c) R10 is H and R11 is S02M, where z is 2 or 3 and M is a monovalent pharmaceutically acceptable cation, or both M together are a divalent pharmaceutically acceptable cation.
US09387256B2

Methods and compositions related to targeting agents to tumor tissue are described.
US09387252B2

Pharmaceutical compositions of a low-solubility drug and lower alkanoate-, phthalate- and trimellitate esters of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and lower alkanoate- and succinate esters of cellulose and methyl cellulose are disclosed that provide enhanced concentrations of the drug in a use environment.
US09387247B2

The present invention provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human monoclonal antibodies, that specifically bind to PD-1 with high affinity. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of the invention, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of the invention are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for detecting PD-1, as well as methods for treating various diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases, using anti-PD-1 antibodies. The present invention further provides methods for using a combination immunotherapy, such as the combination of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies, to treat hyperproliferative disease, such as cancer. The invention also provides methods for altering adverse events related to treatment with such antibodies individually.
US09387240B2

The present invention relates, in general, to attenuated negative-strand RNA viruses having an impaired ability to antagonize the cellular interferon (IFN) response, and the use of such attenuated viruses in vaccine and pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also relates to the development and use of IFN-deficient systems for selection of such attenuated viruses.In particular, the invention relates to attenuated influenza viruses having modifications to the NS1 gene that diminish or eliminate the ability of the NS1 gene product to antagonize the cellular IFN response. The mutant viruses replicate in vivo but demonstrate reduced pathogenicity, and therefore are well suited for live virus vaccines, and pharmaceutical formulations.
US09387238B2

Peptide vaccines against cancer are described herein. In particular, the present invention describes epitope peptides derived from CDCA1 that elicit CTLs. The present invention also provides established CTLs that specifically recognize HLA-A24 positive target cells pulsed with the peptides. Antigen-presenting cells and exosomes that present any of the peptides, as well as methods for inducing antigen-presenting cells are also provided. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical agents containing the CDCA1 polypeptides or polynucleotides encoding thereof, as well as exosomes and antigen-presenting cells as active ingredients. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for treating and/or prophylaxis of (i.e., preventing) cancers (tumors), and/or prevention of postoperative recurrence thereof, as well as methods for inducing CTLs, methods for inducing anti-tumor immunity, using the CDCA1 polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, exosomes or antigen-presenting cells presenting the polypeptides, or the pharmaceutical agents of the present invention. The cancers to be targeted include, but are not limited to, breast cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
US09387234B2

A method is provided for increasing trafficking of endothelial progenitor cells to an ischemic myocardium in a subject's heart comprising administering to the subject's heart an amount of Stromal-Derived Factor-1 (SDF-1).
US09387232B2

The present invention relates to SorCS1-like agents, including SorCS1, nucleic acid molecule encoding expression of SorCS1 and fragments thereof, as well as vectors containing said nucleic acid and to cells expressing SorCS1 and said fragments, for the treatment of obesity.
US09387228B2

To provide a pharmaceutical product or food which has an excellent fat-accumulation-inhibiting activity and/or fat-metabolism-improving activity and which is effective for inhibition or improvement of obesity, fatty liver, etc. The present invention provides an agent for preventing or ameliorating obesity containing, as an active ingredient, cells of a lactic acid bacterium belonging to the genus Pediococcus, a cell culture thereof, or an extract of any of these.
US09387222B2

The present invention relates to methods for the treatment of hepatic disorders in a subject in need thereof. More specifically, the methods of the invention are based on the administration, preferably, systemic administration, of a therapeutically effective amount of at least one biocompatible alginate biomaterial, any modification thereof and any combination thereof. The invention further provides methods for sustaining serum albumin levels, and/or reducing serum AST and ALT, in subjects suffering from hepatic disorder. Still further, the invention provides methods for reducing apoptosis and inducing cell proliferation in a damaged liver tissue of a subject suffering of hepatic disorder, using the alginate biomaterial described by the invention.
US09387218B2

The invention relates to the treatment of an inflammatory or immune disorder with a pharmaceutical composition including methylsulphonylmethane, glucosamine and glycine or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or derivatives of these compounds.
US09387217B2

The present disclosure relates, inter alia, to compositions and methods for treating viral diseases and cancer. There are disclosed lipophilic antiviral and anticancer acyclic nucleoside phosphonate diesters, preparation thereof, and methods of using the compounds to treat viral diseases and cancer.
US09387215B2

Methods and feed compositions for increasing health of agricultural animals include administering a cationic cholesterol additive through the diet of the animal, such as through solid feed or drinking water of the animals. The method includes feeding an animal a diet comprised of a cationic cholesterol additive, such as a compound with a sterol backbone and a plurality of cationic groups attached thereto. The feed composition may include a solid or liquid feed component and a cationic cholesterol additive. The methods and compositions are useful for animals raised in confined feed operations, such as cattle, swine, horses, sheep, or poultry, and can reduce harmful bacteria in the digestive tract, increase beneficial bacteria flora, improve feed conversion efficiency, reduce morbity and/or mortality, and/or yield harvested meat having reduced content of harmful bacteria.
US09387213B2

Pharmaceutical compositions including a Myc inhibitor are provided. Also provided are methods for treating cancer including administration of compounds that inhibit oncoprotein Myc.
US09387211B2

The invention relates to methods and kits for the treatment of, prevention of, and lowering the chances of developing Cushing's Disease and/or hypercortisolism by the administration of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, such as gefitinib.
US09387210B2

Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating or preventing muscle diseases or the symptoms thereof. The compositions typically include and the methods typically utilize phosphodiesterase type 5A inhibitors.
US09387203B2

The present application relates to novel substituted aminoindane- and aminotetralinecarboxylic acids, to processes for preparation thereof, to the use thereof for treatment and/or prevention of diseases, and to the use thereof for production of medicaments for treatment and/or prevention of diseases, especially for treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary diseases.
US09387194B2

Embodiments provide methods for using ascorbate for the stimulation of production of elastic fibers by cells.
US09387193B2

Disclosed is a composition comprising scirpusin A and scirpusin B and anti-obesity potential thereof. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting adipogenesis using a composition comprising scirpusin A and scirpusin B. The present invention also disclosed methods of therapeutically managing obesity in mammals using a composition comprising scirpusin A and scirpusin B. Still further, the present invention also relates to a method of obtaining compositions comprising A. scirpusin A and scirpusin B and B. piceatannol and its dimers scirpusin A and scirpusin B through bioactivity guided fractionation of the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus.
US09387192B2

The present invention relates to a combined preparation comprising at least one rocaglamide derivative and at least one apoptosis inducing agent, preferably from the group of substances comprising agents inducing the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, antiproliferative agents and agents which induce apoptosis in T-cells by activation induced cell death (AICD) for the treatment of cancer.
US09387185B2

The present invention relates to physically-chemically and pharmacokinetically enhanced Nω-hydroxy-L-arginine (NOHA) derivatives and a method for producing the NOHA derivatives having enhanced physical-chemical and pharmacokinetic properties according to the invention.
US09387184B2

This invention relates to the use of pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective combination of Tesofensine and Metoprolol for preventing the cardiovascular side effects of Tesofensine, while leaving the robust inhibitory efficacy on food intake and body weight loss unaffected.
US09387176B2

The present invention relates to a method for spray-drying of protein solutions and the spray-dried protein product. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing such spray-dried protein, to methods of treating diabetes and hyperglycaemia using the spray-dried protein of the invention and to the use of such spray-dried protein in the treatment of diabetes and hyperglycaemia.
US09387174B2

Disclosed in certain embodiments is a controlled release oral dosage form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a drug susceptible to abuse together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients; the dosage form further including a gelling agent in an effective amount to impart a viscosity unsuitable for administration selected from the group consisting of parenteral and nasal administration to a solubilized mixture formed when the dosage form is crushed and mixed with from about 0.5 to about 10 ml of an aqueous liquid; the dosage form providing a therapeutic effect for at least about 12 hours when orally administered to a human patient.
US09387170B2

A liposome containing a regulatory cell ligand such as α-galactosyl ceramide or β-galactosyl ceramide is employed as the active ingredient of a drug for preventing or treating immune diseases etc.
US09387168B2

A chewing gum with a liquid-fill composition and a surrounding gum region, with one or both containing active ingredients, such as herbal, medicinal and/or mineral elements or combinations thereof, present in an amount of at least about 0.05 mg.
US09387161B2

A method for simultaneously moisturizing and/or blurring the appearance of skin defects, or reducing pore size, or treating skin with a multi-benefit composition.
US09387159B2

The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for transdermal delivery, treatment of skin, and improving the appearance of skin. In some cases, the composition may include nitric oxide and/or peptides. The nitric oxide and/or peptide may be present within a first phase comprising a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present in liposomes, micelles, or other vesicles containing nitric oxide, peptides, or both. The composition can take the form of a gel, a cream, a lotion, an ointment, a solution, a solid “stick,” etc., that can be rubbed or sprayed onto the skin. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such compositions, methods of promoting such compositions, kits including such compositions, or the like.
US09387158B2

The present invention relates to use of whey protein micelles as a cosmetic agent or abrasive agents, and in particular to the use of such micelles in cosmetic compositions as well as to a method for obtaining such compositions.
US09387156B2

Computer-based systems and computer-implemented methods are described for monitoring medication events for an individual. Computer-based systems include systems for monitoring medication events relating to an individual, including: circuitry for analyzing data for an identifier of a first medication event for an individual; circuitry for analyzing the data for at least one attribute of an individual; circuitry for analyzing the data for at least one attribute relating to a medication during the first medication event; circuitry for analyzing the data for at least one feature of visual information and at least one feature of non-visual information relating to the individual during the first medication event; circuitry for analyzing the received data for a time associated with the first medication event; circuitry for determining a compliance likelihood for the first medication event based on the analyses of the received data; and circuitry for indicating the determined compliance likelihood.
US09387154B2

A medication container comprises a body portion and a grid coupled to the body portion. The grid and the tray each comprise a corresponding number of wells configured to contain medication. The tray is configured to be inserted into and removed from the body portion, above the grid. The tray may be configured to be connected to and disconnected from the grid, when the tray is inserted into the body portion. The wells of the grid may be configured to be manually loaded with medication by a user and the wells of the tray may be configured to be received by the user loaded with medication in accordance with a medication regimen. The first wells may be integral with the grid and the second wells may be integral with the tray.
US09387153B1

Apparatus and methods relating to a metered pill dispensing system are disclosed herein. A preloaded cartridge having multiple compartments containing dispensable contents, such as pills, is inserted into a cassette. The cassette has an actuatable member, such as a film or a belt, wrapped around it. The actuatable member has apertures through which the contents of the preloaded cartridge may pass. The actuatable member may be controlled to meter the dispensing of the contents.
US09387151B2

A syringe fill system is described, which is useful for filling syringes for dental anesthetic applications. The system incorporates capability for “push-pull”, “pull-push”, “push-push”, and “pull-pull” modes of operation, for loading syringes with compositions comprising multiple fluid components. A syringe fillable by such syringe fill systems is described, providing haptic and audible feedback to a user, to aid in administering precise amounts of therapeutic compositions. Also disclosed are cassette assemblies for use in such syringe fill systems. Such cassette assemblies may be formed of plastic and elastomeric materials of construction, as disposable or single-use components of the syringe fill system.
US09387145B2

A care support apparatus includes a lateral pair of leg links held by a main body. The leg links include first links provided with first wheels at respective one ends of the first links, and second links provided with second wheels at respective one ends of the second links and rotatably coupled to the first links. The second links are rotated to allow the first wheels to approach or leave the second wheels, respectively, to change the height of a main body from a ground surface to support a care receiver.
US09387144B2

A crutch includes: a handgrip (2) extending along a first axis (AA1); a forearm support (3), provided with a stem (3b) which extends along a second axis (AA2) and is connected to a rear end (2a) of the handgrip (2); a support pole (4), extending along a third axis (AA3) and connected to a front end (2a) of the handgrip (2); and adjusting members (5), configured to adjust an angular position of at least one of the support pole (4) and the forearm support (3) with respect to the handgrip (2).
US09387135B2

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a novel absorbent article that prevents excessive compression of an absorbent body caused by deformation of the absorbent article, and rewetting associated with said compression. In order to solve such a problem, a sanitary napkin (1) is provided with a liquid-permeable top sheet (2), a liquid-impermeable back sheet (3), and an absorbent body (4) disposed between the top sheet (2) and the back sheet (3), wherein: an extensible area (21) having an extensible bellows-like section (210), and a flexible area (22) surrounding the extensible area (21) are formed in a waste supply area (20) of the top sheet (2).
US09387131B2

Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize waste and improve quality and production in web processing operations. A first non-elastomeric layer is bonded with an elastomeric layer, and to a second non-elastomeric layer. The apparatus and methods provide defect detection in the elastomeric layer and triggers an unthreading/rethreading sequence. Web defect detection may be provided by way of at least one visual inspection station. If defects are detected in the elastic layer, the resulting products may be culled.
US09387128B1

A breastfeeding assistance device configured to be shaped into a variety of configurations, or forms. The device being self-sustainable in any selected configuration including a configuration that compresses a breast to assist with breastfeeding while allowing at least one hand free.
US09387127B2

A device for the protection of skin lesions of various kinds, in particular lesions following biopsy interventions, comprising: a first sheet having a central opening; a spacing element on the first sheet, made of a non-rigid material soaked with substances having bacteriostatic, bactericidal, germicidal or fungicidal activity, and having a central opening of smaller size than the central opening in the first sheet, and the center of which is essentially coincident with the center of the opening in the first sheet, so that part of the spacing element comes into contact with the skin in an area surrounding the lesion; and a second sheet, made with a material having micro-porosity preferably lower than 0.5 μm, placed over the spacing element so as to close the top of the central opening in said spacing element and to form, when the device is in contact with the skin, a closed chamber.
US09387123B2

A system and method for treating ophthalmic target tissue, including a light source for generating a beam of light, a beam delivery system that includes a scanner for generating patterns, and a controller for controlling the light source and delivery system to create a dosimetry pattern of the light beam on the ophthalmic target tissue. One or more dosage parameters of the light beam vary within the dosimetry pattern, to create varying exposures on the target tissue. A visualization device observes lesions formed on the ophthalmic target tissue by the dosimetry pattern. The controller selects dosage parameters for the treatment beam based upon the lesions resulting from the dosimetry pattern, either automatically or in response to user input, so that a desired clinical effect is achieved by selecting the character of the lesions as determined by the dosimetry pattern lesions.
US09387121B2

An ophthalmic irrigator-aspirator has a handpiece with aspiration and irrigation openings through its distal end. A tip component connects to the handpiece and has an aspiration cannula. A flexible sleeve has an annular hub for watertight connection to the handpiece or a base portion of the tip. The sleeve has an intermediate portion that forms a channel for an irrigation fluid along the exterior of the cannula to an irrigation port in the sleeve. The distal end portion of the sleeve is sized for a watertight connection over the distal portion of the cannula. Such distal end portion of the sleeve has an aspiration port in communication with the cannula aspiration port. The sleeve proximate, intermediate, and distal portions are integral with each other and are formed of a resilient material that allows the sleeve to be tightly fitted on the handpiece or tip base portion and the cannula.
US09387108B2

A night splint for a user's foot having a frame member and a toe retainer that is releasably connected to the frame member. The toe retainer is configured to dorsiflex at least one toe of the user to allow for a dynamic stretch of the plantar fascia and to provide a low load stretch of the Achilles tendon, plantar fascia tendon, deep flexor muscles and calf muscles to relieve symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
US09387105B2

Various aspects describe treatment of the vasculature of a patient with an expandable implant. The implant is surrounded and constrained by one or more constraining sleeves. One or more of these sleeves may include an end profile with a desired shape, and constrain the expandable implant in a configuration having a diameter less than the diameter of an unconstrained diameter of the expandable implant.
US09387103B2

A stent delivery catheter including a catheter tubing defining a lumen therethrough, a balloon disposed near a distal end of the catheter tubing and moving between deflated and inflated states, and proximal and distal balloon control bands concentrically arranged around respective proximal and distal end portions of the balloon. The proximal balloon control band has a proximal end located proximally of a proximal end of the balloon and a distal end located adjacent a proximal end of a received unexpanded stent. The distal balloon control band has a proximal end located adjacent a distal end of the received unexpanded stent and a distal end located distally of a distal end of the balloon. The balloon control bands each have a diametric cross-section larger than the balloon in an uninflated state and the unexpanded stent received over the balloon to impede axial movement of the unexpanded stent off of the balloon.
US09387100B2

This invention concerns expandable intraluminal medical devices for use within a body passageway or duct, wherein the devices exhibit differing degrees of flexibility around the circumference of the device.
US09387096B2

Methods and systems are used for monitoring a global position or location of a prosthetic or orthotic device and to provide feedback control of the device. Certain methods may employ remote transmitting devices and receivers to recognize when a prosthetic or orthotic device user is in a moving vehicle and, therefore, initiate automatic shut-off, driving mode, or relaxed mode. Other methods may employ remote transmitting devices and receivers to identify the global position of the prosthetic or orthotic device, compare the global position to a stored terrain mapped database and output feedback control instructions and/or alerts to the prosthetic or orthotic device based at least in part on the stored terrain mapping information.
US09387093B2

An intervertebral implant is provided comprising a single piece hollow body with an upper wall configured to engage a first vertebral end plate and a lower wall configured to engage a second vertebral end plate, with two opposite sidewalls connecting the upper wall and the lower wall, respectively, and with a load transmitting part configured to transmit load between the upper wall and the lower wall; wherein the body is configured to assume a compressed condition in which a distance between the upper wall and the lower wall defines a first height (h1) of the implant and an expanded condition in which the distance between the upper wall and the lower wall defines a second height (h2) of the implant that is greater than the first height (h1); and wherein the implant is made of a material that exhibits shape memory properties.
US09387090B2

The present invention involves a system and methods for assembling and implanting a vertebral body implant. The vertebral body implant includes, but is not necessarily limited to, an expandable core body and endplates that can be attached at both ends. Endplates of various shapes, sizes and angles are attachable to the expandable core so that a suitable vertebral body implant can be implanted between vertebrae.
US09387076B2

Medical devices and delivery systems for delivering medical devices to a target location within a subject. In some embodiments the medical devices can be locked in a fully deployed and locked configuration. In some embodiments the delivery systems are configured with a single actuator to control the movement of multiple components of the delivery system. In some embodiments the actuator controls the independent and dependent movement of multiple components of the delivery system.
US09387075B2

A method for implanting a heart valve includes advancing an elongate outer member from a first delivery catheter to form a loop around native valve leaflets and/or chords of a native valve without substantially occluding the native valve. The method further includes partially deploying from a second delivery catheter a radially self-expandable tubular body having a valve disposed within a lumen of the tubular body, and a preformed groove disposed at an outer surface of the tubular body. The preformed groove extends at least partially around the tubular body, and has a circumferential opening facing radially outward of the tubular body. When the tubular body is partially deployed, the native valve is substantially occluded. Additionally, the method includes moving the loop into the preformed groove after partially deploying the tubular body. The native valve is no longer substantially occluded after fully deploying the tubular body from the second delivery catheter.
US09387071B2

A prosthesis is provided for implantation at a native semilunar valve of a native valve complex, the native valve complex having three semilunar sinuses and three native commissures. The prosthesis includes a valve prosthesis support, which comprises a support structure comprising exactly three engagement arms that meet one another at three respective junctures. The engagement arms are shaped so as define three peak complexes at the three respective junctures, and three trough complexes, each of which is between two of the peak complexes. Upon implantation of the prosthesis, each of the engagement arms is at least partially disposed within a respective one of the semilunar sinuses, such that each of the peak complexes is disposed distal to and in rotational alignment with a respective one of the native commissures, and each of the trough complexes is disposed at least partially within the respective one of the semilunar sinuses.
US09387068B2

A self-sealing shell useful as a component of a soft fluid-filled prosthetic implant is provided. The shell is at least partly constructed of a wall made of a colloid of an elastomeric polymer matrix and particles of a water-swellable material distributed therein.
US09387064B2

The invention relates to a valvulotome (1) guided by guidewire/catheter comprising a guidewire (2), a first inner tube (3) accommodating the guidewire (2), an expandable basket (5) with cutting elements (7), with said basket (5) being the distal end of a second tube (4) through which the first inner tube (3) extends, a catheter tube (8) through which the second inner tube (4) extends, said catheter tube being suited to accommodate and guide the expandable basket (5) in non-expanded state, a sleeve (6) that forms the distal end of the first tube (3) and functions as limiting element for the distal end of the basket (5) and through which the guidewire (2) has been passed.
US09387063B2

A blood filter delivery system for delivering a filter into a vein includes an introducer and a push rod with a spline member disposed along the push rod. The spline member has a main body, and first and second boss portions spaced apart along the longitudinal axis to provide a gap for retaining anchor member of the filter during delivery via the introducer.
US09387062B2

A vascular filter system and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the filter system comprises a dispensing needle releasably attached to a filter dispenser which stores a length of filter wire. The filter wire dispenser has a guide tube which guides the filter wire into the needle and then into a vein during surgical implantation. The filter wire is configured to coil into a predetermined shape as it is deployed from the needle. The shape of the filter wire captures blood clots in the blood stream. Once the filter wire is deployed, the needle may be removed and a portion of the filter wire may be left protruding from the patient's skin surface to allow the filter wire to be secured by a fixation device. A syringe may be used to draw blood to confirm that the needle is properly positioned within a vein before the filter wire is deployed.
US09387060B2

A holder for safely securing a gauze pad for use in a post-surgical area in the intraoral cavity of a patient in order to allow a blood clot to form in safe, hygienic and sanitary conditions. The holder provides a holding cavity wherein the gauze pad is secured and held. It also requires a handle section that allows the external control of the gauze pad by the patient. Embodiments having holding sections with different ergonomic shapes according to the particular position of the intraoral surgical area requiring placement of the gauze pad are described.
US09387058B2

The present invention is a disguised holder or case that appears to be a lipstick application dispenser but has there within a dental scaler concealed in a faux lipstick tube. The device is designed to fool an observer into believing that the user is applying lipstick rather than picking at or removing food between teeth and therefore can be used by a person in public places.
US09387055B2

A set of orthodontic appliances is releasably connected to wall portions of a bonding tray that is used in an indirect bonding procedure. A quantity of dental sealant is applied to wall portions of the tray, and is subsequently transferred to enamel surfaces of the patient s teeth when the bonding tray is placed in position over one of the patient s dental arches. The dental sealant tends to reduce the formation of plaque in regions of the patient s tooth surfaces adjacent the orthodontic appliances.
US09387054B2

Provided herein is a retraction device for retracting soft tissue from the dental surfaces in the oral cavity of a patient. The retraction device is comprised of a topology conformable structure, where the topology conformable structure is adaptable to be delivered to the oral cavity in a constrained shape. The device can then undergo a conformation change in the oral cavity, where the device transforms into its unconstrained shape. The unconstrained shape of the device creates a useable working field in the oral cavity. The useable working field can provide increased accessibility to and/or visibility within the oral cavity. Also provided herein are methods for using the device and kits.
US09387052B2

An application device with a cylindrical basic body for storing a squeezable dental material having a piston positioned inside the basic body and axially displaceable towards the basic body. A piston rod serves to displace the piston in the squeezing direction, which piston rod partially reaches into the piston and is axially displaceable towards the latter. The piston is provided with an elastic resetting device at its front end area positioned in the direction towards the dental material. The elastic resetting device can be biased in the squeezing direction, and returns back to its relaxed position after the end of each axial movement of the piston in the squeezing direction and release of the pressure exerted on the piston rod for this purpose.
US09387035B2

Medical devices, systems, and methods for treating patients with tissue ablation include catheter systems having bi-modal steering mechanisms, which are capable of both linear and loop ablation. In other words, the catheter system may have two different steering modes: two-dimensional and three-dimensional. In the first and second steering modes, the steering actuator may cause one or more portions of the catheter shaft to bend in different planes. A steerable ablation catheter may include treatment elements such as electrodes at its distal end and along the catheter shaft, each of which may map, pace, and ablate.
US09387034B2

A high-frequency knife conduit line and opening hole opening communicate allowing fluid to flow between a rod-shaped electrode outer peripheral surface and the opening hole inner peripheral surface. The guide hole is smaller than the opening and is further toward a radial inner side than the opening outer edge and further toward a radial outer side than the rod-shaped electrode. The fluid is released from the opening to the outside of the sheath over the whole circumference of the rod-shaped electrode on the radial outer side while an electrode portion protrudes toward the sheath distal end portion separating a larger-diameter portion from a supporting member. The fluid is injected to the larger-diameter portion front through the guide hole as the opening hole and the guide hole communicate while the electrode portion is pulled back toward the sheath proximal end portion so that the larger-diameter portion abuts against the supporting member.
US09387023B2

A system and method of angularly stable fixation of an implant on a bone includes the steps of making at least one hole in the bone by means of a bone drill. An implant is placed on the bone in a desired position and joining the implant with the bone, such that the implant is prevented from rotation about its attachment point. A system is provided for use in the above described method. The system comprises a bone drill, an implant and a sonotrode for angularly stable fixation of the implant on the bone. The system can further comprise a joining element to join the implant with the bone.
US09387018B2

A surgical instrument includes a first member extending between a first end and a second end. A second member extends between a first end and a second end. A third member is connected to the first end of the first member to relatively translate the second ends. The third member includes a part and a locking element engageable with the part. The part is disposable in a first locking orientation, a second locking orientation and a non-locking orientation. Systems and methods of use are disclosed.
US09387009B2

Directional sequential and blunt stimulating dilation systems (10) and related methods for accessing a patient's spine (2) though the patient's psoas muscle (4) include sequential directional dilators (30, 40) or a blunt stimulating dilator (100, 100′) with at least one channel formed therein. Neural elements or nerves (9) of the psoas muscle are preferably mapped using a stimulating probe (20). The stimulating probe is inserted through the psoas muscle toward the patient's spine. The directional sequential dilators may be inserted to dilate the tissue on any side of the stimulating probe without significantly impacting tissue on the opposite side of the stimulating probe, which may be located, proximate the neural elements. The dilators are rendered directional by having bores (35, 45), by means of which they can be inserted over each other and over the probe, which are offset from their longitudinal axes (31, 41).
US09386998B2

Methods and devices for performing knee arthroplasty including but not limited to bicruciate retaining knee arthroplasty are provided. Methods and devices for preparing a proximal tibia for a tibial implant are also provided. These methods and devices, in at least some embodiments and uses, facilitate decreasing the complexity of knee arthroplasty procedures such as bicruciate retaining procedures while maintaining, if not improving on, the safety, accuracy and/or effectiveness of such procedures.
US09386992B2

Each of the clip units 13 includes a clip body 35 having a pair of arm parts 41 that can ligate the biological tissue and a fastening ring 37 that accommodates the clip body 35, and the plurality of clip units 13 are disposed in series within the distal end of the outer sheath member 19. Each of the fastening rings 37 includes a connecting mechanism 85 consisted by a locking member 87 that connects the adjacent fastening rings 37 each other and a fitting support 101, the manipulation wire 23 engaged with the locking member 87 is pulled to release the connection of the fastening rings 37 by the connecting mechanism 87.
US09386984B2

A retainer for use with a fastener cartridge that is locked to the fastener cartridge until the fastener cartridge is inserted into a fastener cartridge channel of a surgical fastener. The retainer can include one or more deflectable tabs that engage the fastener cartridge. The one or more tabs can be displaced when the fastener cartridge is fully installed in the fastener cartridge channel such that the tabs disengage from the fastener cartridge, enabling a user to remove the retainer. In certain embodiments, tabs can extend from a body of the retainer and can engage exterior portions of a fastener cartridge. The tabs can be displaced outwardly by the fastener cartridge channel. In certain embodiments, tabs can extend from one or more movable portions that engage a slot in the fastener cartridge. The tabs can be displaced inwardly when the movable portions are deflected by the fastener cartridge channel.
US09386979B2

An endoscopic tissue suturing device may include a suturing head configured to capture tissue at a tissue capture region. A needle can move through the region to place stitches in the tissue. A control handle includes an actuator coupled to the needle. The control handle supports a suture spool about an axis of rotation. The axis of the spool may be parallel to the direction of movement of the actuator. The spool surface may be tapered at an angle relative to the axis of rotation. A spool end wall may be configured to urge the spool in an axial direction. The handle may provide external access to a portion of the suture. A cover may be provided to cover the spool. The cover may be rotatably supported on the handle independent of the spool. Suture material may be wound onto the spool by rotating the cover.
US09386974B2

Less invasive surgical techniques for performing brain surgery are disclosed in which a dilating obturator and cannula assembly is inserted into brain tissue until the obturator tip and cannula are adjacent to the target tissue. The obturator is removed and surgery is performed through the cannula. In preferred embodiments the obturator and cannula are placed using image guidance techniques and systems to coordinate placement with pre-operative surgical planning. A stylet with associated image guidance may be inserted prior to insertion of the obturator and cannula assembly to guide insertion of the obturator and cannula assembly. Surgery preferably is performed using an endoscope partially inserted into the cannula with an image of the target tissue projected onto a monitor. Dilating obturator structures having a rounded or semi-spherical tip and/or an optical window for visualizing brain tissue during expansion are contemplated.
US09386965B2

An ultrasound imaging system combines successive images of a time series to produce high-resolution ultrasound. A piecewise registration process and deemphasizing of high-frequency spatial components may be used to aid in the combination process. A high-definition image may be obtained with or separately from this process by combining different images obtained with different ultrasound frequencies. The images are weighted to accentuate the contribution of high-frequency ultrasound data at the leading edge of imaged structure.
US09386961B2

An acoustic monitoring system has an acoustic front-end, a first signal path from the acoustic front-end directly to an audio transducer and a second signal path from the acoustic front-end to an acoustic data processor via an analog-to-digital converter. The acoustic front-end receives an acoustic sensor signal responsive to body sounds in a person. The audio transducer provides continuous audio of the body sounds. The acoustic data processor provides audio of the body sounds upon user demand.
US09386957B2

A method for automatically determining the best effective reconstruction gap, the method including scanning a phantom to collect image data of the phantom, using a plurality of different gap values to reconstruct image of the phantom respectively, based on the image data, thus obtaining a plurality of images respectively associated with different gap values, selecting the best image from the plurality of images, and automatically determining the gap value associated with the best image, and save it as the best effective reconstruction gap.
US09386955B2

An effective meal average (EMA) value is presented, followed by two or more of the individual values that make up the EMA, to provide improved feedback data for clinical decisions by patients who need to alter their dose of insulin. The EMA can comprise a measure of the variability of its constituent values, encompass values that occur at specified times such as 1 hour before and after a specified meal time, and be calculated over a limited number of days previous to the calculation (e.g., 3 days) and have a minimum number of values that must be obtained within the time and date ranges. An algorithm can exclude any given reading from the average (e.g., post-prandial or control solution readings). Patients can use 1 to 8 EMA on any given date range (e.g., preferably 4, that is, breakfast, lunch, supper and bedtime snack).
US09386951B2

Disclosed embodiments include a method and an apparatus for monitoring sleep apnea severity that comprise: (a) analyzing an oxygen saturation signal to extract a plurality of time-domain and frequency-domain metrics; (b) calculating an oxygen saturation-based Apnea Hyponea Index (AHI) by employing a predetermined functional mapping between said metrics and polysomnography (PSG)-based AHI; and (c) displaying an oxygen saturation-based AHI to enable a specialist to monitor sleep apnea severity without requiring PSG. According to a particular embodiment, the oxygen saturation signal is nocturnal oxygen saturation and the functional mapping is a multilinear regression model (MLR) or a multilayer perceptron network (MLP).
US09386948B2

Bodily fluid sample transport systems, devices, and method are provided. In at least one embodiment described herein, methods are provided for the physical transport of small volumes of bodily fluid in liquid form from one location to another location. By way of nonlimiting example, the samples are collected in liquid form at a collection site, transported in liquid form, and arrive at an analysis site in liquid form. In many embodiments, the liquid form during transport is not held in a porous matrix, wicking material, webbing, or similar material that prevents sample for being extracted in liquid form at the destination site. In one embodiment, small volume of sample in each sample vessel is in the range of about 1 ml to about 1 microliter.