Patents Assigned to Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • Publication number: 20100213886
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy-saving system for three-phase induction motors and is based on the principle of variable voltage control at constant speed. It is composed of a microprocessor, exampling circuit, sensing circuit, acquiring circuit, firing circuit, and AC to AC converter. The system is to automatically adjust the voltage to the induction motor with the variation in the motor load, in order to obtain high operating power factor and efficiency. The system will result in considerable energy-savings when a three-phase induction motor runs under constant light-load or variable-load with low duty ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Eric Ka Wai Cheng, Xiangdang Xue
  • Patent number: 7780979
    Abstract: This invention involves fabric-supported chitosan modified temperature responsive PNIPAAm/PU hydrogel and the use thereof in preparation of facial mask. The merit of this invention is the hydrogel formed can reversibly swell and deswell near body temperature; the incorporation of PU can suppress the syneresis of PNIPAAm at an elevated temperature; Grafting of PNIPAAm and PU onto the surface of cellulose fabrics can enhance the mechanical strength of hydrogel; Coupling of chitosan to the surface of hydrogel can not only improve the handle and skin affinity, but also render the facial mask antibacterial; The hydrogel is capable of loading a variety of nutrients (or other functional components), which can release at body temperature; the hydrogel facial mask can be reusable with repeated rinsing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Jinlian Hu, Wenguang Liu, Baohua Liu
  • Patent number: 7781987
    Abstract: A system for automatically controlling power supply to a lamp (101) of a vehicle, the system comprising: a detection module (20) to detect whether the vehicle is stationary or non-stationary; a controller (102) to receive a signal (25) having a first value transmitted by the detection module (20) when the vehicle is detected as stationary, and the controller (102) to receive a signal (25) having a second value transmitted by the detection module (20) when the vehicle is detected as non-stationary, wherein if the signal (20) having the first value is received by the controller (102), the controller (102) reduces the power supply to the lamp (101) from a first power level to a lower second power level in order to reduce energy consumption of the lamp (101), and if the signal (25) having the second value is received by the controller (102), the controller (102) restores the power supply to the lamp (101) from the lower second power level to the first power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Eric Ka Wai Cheng, Bangalore Prabhakar Divakar, Dao Hong Wang
  • Patent number: 7775333
    Abstract: An magnetorheological damper useful in structural vibration control has a damper body and a moveable portion relative to the damper body. The damper includes an magnetorheological material contained within the damper body for resisting movement of the moveable portion. Rheology changes can be generated in the magnetorheological material owing to changes in a magnetic field, to which the magnetorheological material is exposed. The damper further includes at least a sensor embedded in the damper for monitoring an external force exerted on the damper, and for generating a signal to control the magnetic field and hence the resulting yield force and rheological damping of the damper in response to a variance in the external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Siu Wing Or, Yiqing Ni, Yuanfeng Duan
  • Publication number: 20100198777
    Abstract: A sequence online analytical processing (S-OLAP) system 50 for analysing an event database (41) storing events (12), the system (50) comprising: an S-OLAP engine (53) to compute an S-cuboid (49) for a query on the event database (41); a sequence query engine (54) to form part of the S-cuboid (49) by performing the steps of: selection, clustering, sequence formation and sequence grouping; a cuboid repository (52) to store computed S-cuboids (49) and to be searched by the S-OLAP engine (53) for an S-cuboid query to determine whether an S-cuboid has previously been computed; and a sequence cache (56) to cache constructed sequence groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicants: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Eric Chi Lik LO, Benjamin Chi Ming Kao, Wai-Shing Ho, Chun-Kit Chui, Sau-Dan Lee
  • Patent number: 7765880
    Abstract: A force sensor includes a polymeric substrate including a cavity with a tilt plane, at least two metal piezoresistors on the tilt plane, and a contact pad connected to the metal piezoresistors. The tilt plane may include a measured interface of from 15° to 75°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Ching-Hsiang Cheng, Chen Chao
  • Patent number: 7767711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic green tea derived polyphenolic compounds, their modes of syntheses, and their use in inhibiting proteasomal activity and in treating cancers. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions useful in methods of inhibiting proteasomes and of treating cancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignees: University of South Florida, McGill University, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Q. Ping Dou, Tak-Hang Chan, David M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100190006
    Abstract: Amphiphilic, magnetic composite particles are comprised of cores and shells. The core contains both hydrophobic vinylic graft copolymer, hydrophobic vinylic homopolymer and magnetic nanoparticles, and the shell to which the hydrophobic vinylic polymer is grafted is a hydrophilic, nitrogen-containing polymer. Typically, the composite particles are made by a process which involves generating radicals on nitrogen atoms of the water-soluble polymer, and then initiating free-radical copolymerization of said vinylic monomer(s) and vinylic-coated magnetic nanoparticles, whereby vinylic polymer(s) undergo(es) phase separation and the vinylic coated magnetic nanoparticles are encapsulated within the vinylic polymer to form a composite latex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Pei Li, Kin Man Ho
  • Patent number: 7765225
    Abstract: A method of searching a plurality of semi-structured and/or unstructured documents comprising the steps of: providing a search interface having a search term input window, a search initiation button and a plurality search result display window, the search interface further including one or more search term clarification buttons; providing a plurality of documents having one or more search identifier terms associated therewith; inputting a search term into the search term input window and initiating a search; searching for documents related the search term, and displaying documents identified by the search in the search result display windows, wherein each search result display window displays search results related to a particular identifier term, and wherein further the search identifier term assigned to each search result display window is dependent upon the results of prior searches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventor: Luk Wing Pong Robert
  • Publication number: 20100171067
    Abstract: A temperature-regulating fiber may include a spun phase change polymeric material that may include a plurality of phase change polymer blocks. The fiber may have a fixity ratio of at least 80% and a recovery ratio of at least 74%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Jinlian HU, Qinghao Meng
  • Publication number: 20100173985
    Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic green tea derived polyphenolic compounds, their modes of syntheses, and their use in inhibiting proteasomal activity and in treating cancers. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions useful in methods of inhibiting proteasomes and of treating cancers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicants: University of South Florida, McGill University, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Q. Ping Dou, Tak-Hang Chan, David M. Smith
  • Patent number: 7751985
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for controllably producing silk particles including the steps of designing a particle size, setting parameters to create the particle size except one unknown parameter, calculating the unknown parameter using algorithm, dissolving a silk peptide in a solvent, adding a cleavage agent, and hydrolyzing the peptide to produce the particle in the desired size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Yi Li, Lok Yuen Lo, Jun Yan Hu
  • Publication number: 20100139192
    Abstract: A truss includes a first cap, a second cap, a core member, at least two struts, and a fastening member securing the struts to the core member between the first cap and the second cap. The struts are rotatably attached to the core member between the first cap and the second cap of an angle between 15° and 180°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yat Chiu Ng, Kam Piu Chu, Hon Wah Wai
  • Publication number: 20100140820
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a polymer optical fiber preform may include pre-polymerizing a monomeric reactant mixture, filling the mixture into a mould, and polymerizing the mixture into an optical fiber preform. The method may also include removing the mould from the preform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Hwa-Yaw Tam, Gui Yao Zhou, Chi Fung Pun
  • Patent number: 7730775
    Abstract: A transplanar liquid transport tester for fabrics, comprising a liquid reservoir; a liquid-permeable support member having a first surface for supporting a fabric test sample, and a second surface for interfacing with liquid in the liquid reservoir; and means for maintaining a constant hydrostatic pressure in the liquid reservoir at the second surface of the support member for replenishing liquid through the support member to the first surface during testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Jintu Fan, Xiaoming Qian
  • Patent number: 7729567
    Abstract: The present invention relates a fiber optic transducer (FOT) and methods for measuring the pressure and temperature of a flowing fluid using such FOT, wherein such FOT contains a fiber optic having fiber Bragg gratings. The fiber Bragg gratings are measured during a flowing fluid to determine the difference in the change in wavelength exhibited by a reflected optical signal from the gratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Hang-yin Ling, Yong-ping Zheng, Kin-tak Lau, Pou-man Lam
  • Patent number: 7722283
    Abstract: A bollard with connecting mechanism for connecting railings, comprising: a bollard body which is provided with at least two receiving parts concave inwardly on each of opposite surfaces thereof; at least two connectors, each of which includes a base and an ear extending from the base and having a connecting hole thereon for connecting the railing; wherein the base is accommodated in the receiving part, and the ear is selectively accommodated in the receiving part or exposed out of the receiving part according to whether railings need to be connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventor: Kin Wai Michael Siu
  • Patent number: 7718831
    Abstract: Method of asymmetrically hydrosilylating substrates using catalysts having a ligand of the compound of the formula (I) wherein R is optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; R? is hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl; and R? is hydrogen, halogen, optionally substituted alkyl, hydroxy, amino (e.g., primary, secondary or tertiary), alkenyl; or an enantiomer thereof; or an enantiomeric mixture thereof with a transition metal. Particularly suitable reactions include the asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Albert S Chan, Jianxin Ji, Jing Wu
  • Patent number: 7713900
    Abstract: The present invention provides bipyrimidinyl diphosphine compounds of the formula wherein R is optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; R? and R? are independently optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; or an enantiomer thereof; or an enantiomeric mixture thereof. The compounds of the formula (I) are chiral atropisomeric bipyrimidinyl diphosphine compounds and, thus, may be employed as ligands to generate chiral transition metal catalysts which may be applied in a variety of asymmetric reactions, e.g., in palladium catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions. The compounds of the present invention are easily accessible in high enantiomeric purity according to the methods disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Albert S Chan, Gang Chen, Rongwei Guo, Jing Wu
  • Patent number: 7714117
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward biomarkers that identify characteristics of algae. The invention is further directed toward biomarkers that serve to identify algae species and strains of algae species as well as detect the presence of algal toxins. Additional embodiments feature methods utilizing algal biomarkers and polypeptides that can serve as biomarkers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Samuel Chun-Lap Lo, Leo Lai Chan, Ivor John Hodgkiss