Patents Issued in June 9, 2015
  • Patent number: 9050514
    Abstract: The martial arts training dummy is an anthropomorphic mannequin formed of substantially solid resilient material, such as rubber or plastic, and having a specific gravity approximating that of the human body. The limbs at the shoulders, hips, and knees are pivotally attached to their adjacent components, the joints having sufficient friction to hold a set position after adjustment. The training dummy is devoid of external support and, while being incapable of standing erect, it may be positioned on hands and knees or on its back for practicing various ground moves and holds in various martial arts. The upper arms, thighs, and lower trunk are hollow and have springs installed therein. The springs have bending resistances approximately equal to the forces required to break bones of the corresponding areas of the human body. A limb suffering a simulated breakage will return to its original position without damage for continued practice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Abdullah Ayman Abd Alrasoul Mirza
  • Patent number: 9050515
    Abstract: A device training muscles of a golfer to remember how to properly swing a golf club through a set-up position, a turning position without swaying to hit a golf ball, and a follow through position. The device includes a base, an upright portion, and a lateral portion. The base rests on a generally horizontal surface, adjacent to the golfer. The upright portion extends generally vertically upwardly from the base, adjacent to the golfer. The lateral portion extends generally horizontally outwardly from the upright portion, and partially encircles the golfer to train the muscles of the golfer to remember how to properly swing the golf club through the set-up position, the turning position without swaying to hit the golf ball, and the follow-through position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Calvin M. Kimura
  • Patent number: 9050516
    Abstract: A ball tee for batting practice has a base assembly including a base, a post cup pivotally attached to the base, and at least one spring biasing the post cup into an upright position. A post assembly has a lower end inserted into the post cup. The spring causes the post assembly to return to the upright position after the post assembly is struck and deflected by a bat. The base assembly may include a base plate, a spring bracket attached to the base plate, and an axle extending through the spring bracket, through the spring, and through an axle hole in the post cup. The post assembly may have two or more tubes that allow the height of the post assembly to be telescopically adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: PRO PERFORMANCE SPORTS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Allen Holland, Kenneth Ollie Stark
  • Patent number: 9050517
    Abstract: A ski training device includes a frame and two sets of rollers mounted side-by-side on axles on the frame. The two sets of rollers each define a linear roll path and a roll surface. Each roll path has a rearward portion, a central portion, and a forward portion, and the two roll paths are substantially parallel. Each roll surface similarly has a rearward portion, a central portion, and a forward portion, and the rearward and forward portions of each roll surface are higher than their respective central portions when the ski training device is positioned on a flat, level surface. Each roll surface accordingly arcs or slopes upward as one moves forward or rearward along the roll path from its center, thus helping to keep a skier centered over the rollers when training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Bryan P. Oliver
  • Patent number: 9050518
    Abstract: A free standing fight simulation workout machine has a counter area/element comprising a multi-head member having at least eight heads to promote physical fitness, and provide fight training and/or fight simulations. The machine comprises a main support structure including a mounting loop thereon for attaching a first s-hook connected to a first cord. A counter area/element including a top having a u-shaped loop thereon is provided for receiving a second s-shaped hook adapted to be attached to the first cord. A counter area/element is provided. The counter area/element comprises a multi-head member having eight heads. The multi-head member may further comprise a torso portion with arms that are constructed and arranged to provide different punch configurations, including hook punches, straight punches or uppercuts and uppercut type punches, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Clarence V. Hall
  • Patent number: 9050519
    Abstract: A system and method for shot tracking is disclosed herein. The system preferably includes a golf club, a receiver device and a server with a website. The golf club preferably includes an active RFID transponder, a power source and a shock switch. When the golf club strikes a golf ball, the shock switch closes thereby powering the RFID transponder which sends a signal to the receiver device for automatically tracking a golfer's round of golf. The data is then uploaded to the website for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Steve Ehlers, Alan Hocknell
  • Patent number: 9050520
    Abstract: A ball pitching machine includes a tripod, a mounting base, two rotary wheel devices, and a ball holder. The mounting base includes an engaging member rotatably mounted to a pillar of the tripod and a mounting plate pivotably coupled to the engaging member. The rotary wheel devices are mounted on two sides of the mounting plate and each includes a rotary wheel. The ball holder is mounted to the mounting plate and located between the rotary wheel devices. The ball holder of the ball pitching machine is applicable to different-sized rugby balls or soccer balls and can be easily adjusted to any elevation angle. The ball pitching machine allows elevation angles of the mounting base to be adjusted, and also allows elevation angles of the rotary wheels to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Sheng-Hsiao Lu
  • Patent number: 9050521
    Abstract: A cross-country ski includes a cross-country ski having a central area for receiving a ski binding device for fixing a ski boot to the ski. The fixing area includes a space for receiving the binding device and a top bearing surface of the ski which is applied to at least one side of the space for receiving the binding device and on which the boot is directly connectable when the user applies a pressure force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignees: Salomon S.A.S., FISCHER GESELLSCHAFT GMBH
    Inventors: François Girard, François Dufournet, Alois Pieber, Johann Hubinger, Hannes Kogler
  • Patent number: 9050522
    Abstract: A method of managing a card game, a computer implementation thereof, and a card game kit are disclosed. In the method, a plurality of cards are dealt in one or more rounds to a plurality of players, each player receiving one or more cards in each round, with each card bearing a designated value and suit. The values and suits of the cards dealt are recorded in each round. Those values and suits are then revealed to the players during one or more of the rounds to enable the players to wager or withdraw from the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Gary Stephen Shuster
  • Patent number: 9050523
    Abstract: A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, David F. Zucker, Jose A. Suarez, Stephen C. Tulley, Geoffrey M. Gelman
  • Patent number: 9050524
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using images to generate gameplay content are disclosed herein. Specifically, for example, one aspect of the present disclosure involves a method for altering a virtual world generated by a video game system. The method includes obtaining one or more images from sources external to the video game system and processing the one or more images to obtain one or more inputs. The one or more inputs are provided to a gameplay engine to alter an output of the gameplay engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Amy B. Kalson, Chang Hoh Koo, Dana J. Dispenza, Derek T. Dutilly
  • Patent number: 9050525
    Abstract: An information processing program is provided, which is executed by a computer of an information processing apparatus that executes predetermined processing based on acceleration data outputted from an input device including an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration. The information processing program causes the computer to function as data obtaining means, change amount calculation means, and gravity direction calculation means. The data obtaining means repeatedly obtains the acceleration data. The change amount calculation means calculates, by using a history of acceleration indicated by the acceleration data, a change amount of acceleration generated in the input device. The gravity direction calculation means calculates a direction of gravity of the input device by using the acceleration indicated by the acceleration data, based on the change amount of the acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takuhiro Dohta
  • Patent number: 9050526
    Abstract: A remote control for use with a media player coupled to an output device. The media player is configured to receive signals from the remote control, to read and execute information stored on a game medium, and to cause the output device to transmit generated signals. The remote control includes a controller, an input coupled to the controller, a transmitter coupled to the controller, and a receiver coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to selectively operate in a first mode that causes the transmitter to transmit a signal upon user actuation of the input, and a second mode that prevents the transmitter from transmitting signals upon user actuation of the input. Reception of a first generated signal by the receiver causes the controller to operate in the first mode, and reception of a second generated signal by the receiver causes the controller to operate in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter MacIver
  • Patent number: 9050527
    Abstract: A wand-shaped handheld device tethered to a fixed structure in a gaming system by one or more cables wound around reels. The handheld device includes a button on a top thereof as a secondary input means. Motors coupled to the reels wind the cables or apply an opposing force to a pulling force applied to the device. Sensors detect how far the cables are retracted or pulled relative to the fixed structure. Haptic feedback devices impart tactile vibrations that are transmitted along the cable(s) and to the handheld device as the motor is pulling the handheld device toward the fixed structure or a player grasping the device is pulling it away from the fixed structure. Wagering game graphics are coordinated with the movement of the device so that movements or selection of the graphics are affected by inputs made by moving the handheld device or pressing its button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Loose, Christopher W. Chudek, Scott A. Massing, Jesse Smith, Walter E. Smolucha, Craig J. Sylla, Jamie W. Vann
  • Patent number: 9050528
    Abstract: Techniques for controlling motions using motion recognizers generated in advance by users are described. According to embodiment, the motion recognizers created by end users are utilized to control virtual objects displayed in a virtual environment. By manipulating one or more motion sensitive devices, end users could command what the objects to do in the virtual environment. Motion signals from each of the motion sensitive devices are recognized in accordance with the motion recognizers created in advance by the users. One or more of the motion signals are at the same time utilized to tune the motion recognizers or create additional motion recognizers. As a result, the motion recognizers are constantly updated to be more accommodating to the user(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: AiLive Inc.
    Inventors: Yoichiro Kawano, Xiaoyuan Tu, Charles Musick, Jr., William Robert Powers, III, Stuart Reynolds, Dana Wilkinson, Ian Wright, Wei Yen
  • Patent number: 9050529
    Abstract: A force feedback trigger includes an input device comprising a communication subsystem configured to provide bidirectional communication with a computing device. The input device further comprises a force feedback trigger assembly including a user-actuatable trigger configured to pivot about a trigger axis responsive to an applied external force. The input device further comprises a trigger vibrator directly coupled to the force feedback trigger assembly and communicatively coupled to the communication subsystem, the trigger vibrator configured to vibrate the user-actuatable trigger responsive to a vibration signal received from the computing device via the communication subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Grant, Gary Strowe, Eph John Evans, Glen E. Tennison, Vasco Rubio, Loren Reas, Jeffrey Vah
  • Patent number: 9050530
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium for efficiently collecting doobers. A game window may be presented in a graphical user interface on a display device. The game window may include a game character associated with a first player, regions and objects within the regions. The character may move within the regions and interact with the objects. One or more doobers may be presented in the game window, and the doober(s) may be marked as collected by the first player in response to one or more inputs to the graphical user interface by the first player. The doober(s) may be marked as collected if an input moves a cursor within a particular distance from the doober(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Seth John Sivak
  • Patent number: 9050531
    Abstract: In various implementations, a remote transmits a first signal to a currently controlled first content player of a network of content players and a second signal to a proximate content player. If the first player is notified that a second player received the second signal, the first player may command the remote to activate a display associated with the second player. However, if the first player is not notified, the first player may command the remote to activate all known displays. In addition, the first player may also instruct the remote to configure which player the remote controls. In some implementations, the remote stores a table transmitted by a player of the network of players including entries corresponding to players and including commands for associated components. In such implementations, control configuration may include configuring which entry of the table is utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William R. Reams
  • Patent number: 9050532
    Abstract: A game apparatus 10 shoots a virtual space in which a virtual object (player object 74, non player object 75, construction object 76, or the like) is present, with a right virtual camera and a left virtual camera, thereby generating an image for a right eye and an image for a left eye, and outputs the image for a right eye and the image for a left eye to an LCD in a stereoscopically visible manner. At this time, if the player object 74 is close to the virtual cameras, the player object 74 is displayed as a silhouette image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Sakurai, Satoshi Kodaira, Taichi Machino
  • Patent number: 9050533
    Abstract: A communication game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses which are able to wirelessly communicate with each other. Each game apparatus registers identifying information of an opponent obtained by a short-distance wireless communication or by user's manual input in a friend list. Thereafter, the game apparatus connects to the Internet, and inquiries whether it is possible to communicate with an opponent in the friend list over the network. If it is possible to communicate, the game apparatus obtains an address of the opponent to make a network communication. Even if a user makes a short distance wireless communication with a friend to exchange and register the identifying information or registers the friend by hand and then is parted from the friend, the user can safely communicate with the friend across the network without being exposed to unknown players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sasaki, Yosuke Hatayama, Daisuke Nakamura, Yoshitaka Shirota, Masaru Mitsuyoshi, Yutaka Takehisa, Katsuya Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9050534
    Abstract: A user interface for a virtual world controls and allows registering new characters and also registering achievement when the user has carried out a number of different items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Joseph Benjamin Ganetakos, Frank James Caron, Jesse Daniel Scoble, Gord Scott McLeod, John Alexander Larsen, Felix Leung, Karl Joseph Borst
  • Patent number: 9050535
    Abstract: A method of implementing challenges in single-player games starts with a server receiving a challenge from a first mobile device and transmitting the challenge to a second mobile device. The challenge may include a high score or an achievement of a single-player game obtained on the first mobile device. The server may determine that a new high score is obtained on the second mobile device that is equal or greater than the high score included in the challenge or that the achievement is completed on the second mobile device. The server may then transmit a notification to the first mobile device that the challenge has been completed. If the server determines that the new high score is obtained, the notification may include a new challenge from the second mobile device to the first mobile device and the new challenge may include the new high score. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Kurtz, Nathan D. Taylor, Samir Bajaj, Amol Pattekar, Liam A. Weiner, Christina E. Warren
  • Patent number: 9050536
    Abstract: A communication game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses which are able to wirelessly communicate with each other. Each of the game apparatus registers identifying information of an opponent obtained by a short-distance wireless communication or by user's manual input in a friend list. Thereafter, the game apparatus connects to the Internet, and inquires whether it is possible to communicate with an opponent in the friend list over the network. If it is possible to communicate, the game apparatus obtains an address of the opponent to make a network communication. Even if a user makes a short distance wireless communication with a friend to exchange and register the identifying information or registers the friend by hand and then is parted from the friend, the user can safely communicate with the friend across the network without being exposed to unknown players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sasaki, Yosuke Hatayama, Daisuke Nakamura, Yoshitaka Shirota, Masaru Mitsuyoshi, Yutaka Takehisa, Katsuya Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9050537
    Abstract: A method and system to recommend performances based on the performances' excitement-level as determined from events and characteristics associated with the performance and a subscriber's preference is described herein. A subscriber's preference influences the performance type and performance characteristics that are exciting to the subscriber. Recommendations for performances can be sent to the subscriber as a link or direct connection to a location of the online performance. Recommendations of a performance preserve the excitement of the performance by not revealing the score, outcome, or any statistics or commentary that would spoil the natural buildup of excitement from watching the live performance. Performance recommendations may include a start-time and end-time for watching only the exciting portions of the performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: THUUZ, INC.
    Inventors: Warren Joseph Packard, Dan Lythcott-Haims, Robert John Barcklay
  • Patent number: 9050538
    Abstract: An object placement managing unit (44) controls whether or not to change the position or direction of a first object according to a positional relationship between a passive area determined based on the position of the first object, and a judging area determined based on the position of a second object. The object placement managing unit (44) controls whether or not to change the position or direction of the second object according to a positional relationship between an active area determined based on the position of the first object and differing from the passive area, and the judging area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Corporation Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Hajime Sugiyama, Hitoshi Ishikawa, Chihiro Kanno, Tomohisa Kano
  • Patent number: 9050539
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown to allow expanded control capability for devices on and attached to a model railroad layout. Included is the capability for track section occupancy detection for one or more track sections, employing a switched impedance occupancy detection method, simultaneously allowing; transponding location and/or data feedback detection and intelligent power management, and/or autoreversing methods in the same device, and further providing for this encoded detection and power state information to be communicated to a layout control and monitoring system. Additional capability is to display on the local device or remote indicator lights and/or aural alarms any user selectable device state information by employing a recognizable and predefined indication pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Anthony J. Ireland
  • Patent number: 9050540
    Abstract: In one embodiment there is a toy skateboard having two configurations. In the first configuration, a pair of non-motorized truck assemblies are attached to the deck, and the upper surface of the deck has a finger engaging region for a user's fingers to engage and move the skateboard. In the second configuration, the rear non-motorized truck assembly is replaced with a motorized rear truck assembly, wherein the movement of the skateboard is controlled by the processor in response to remote signals. In addition, the processor may detect a back EMF voltage generated by the rotation of a motor caused by a manual manipulation of a wheel controlled by the motor. The processor would have sleep and wake states and would transition between the two when the detected back EMF voltage reaches a pre-determined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: David Anthony Norman, Robert H. Mimlitch, III, Raul Olivera
  • Patent number: 9050541
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Gregory E. Needel, III, Jeffrey Russell Waegelin, Joel Reagan Carter
  • Patent number: 9050542
    Abstract: A slotted rod for a construction toy is comprised of an elongated rod having a body portion with a length that is longer than the thickness. A conventional connector is located at each end of rod for connection to a hub or to another rod for constructing a structure utilizing the construction toy system. The rod includes a plurality of elongated slots arranged around the periphery with each slot extending axially along the length thereof. Each slot is capable of allowing a piece of sheet-like material to pass therethrough. The slots may be formed directly in the body of the rod or in a sleeve that slides over and covers the body portion. In one embodiment, the slot has an opening at one end whereby the sheet-like material can be inserted into the slot by moving it axially into position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Eric Clever
  • Patent number: 9050543
    Abstract: A bubble-producing device includes a container for receiving a quantity of a bubble-forming liquid to a desired liquid level in the container; a bubble-forming loop moveable within the container to a lower position below the desired liquid level so as to be submerged in the liquid when received within the container, or to an upper position emerged from the liquid; and a controlled gas supply system for controlling the introduction of a gas (e.g. air) into the container effective: (a) first to move the bubble-forming loop from its lower position submerged in the bubble-forming liquid, to its upper position emerged from the bubble-forming liquid; and then (b) to discharge gas through the bubble-forming loop and thereby to produce a bubble therein. Embodiments are described wherein the bubbles are produced at a distance to serve as targets for a water gun, and wherein bubbles of different colors are produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Barish
  • Patent number: 9050544
    Abstract: A water and bubble toy includes a water projecting assembly and a bubble generating assembly. Water is stored in a water reservoir located in a rear handle of the toy while bubble solution is stored in a detachable reservoir. The water generating assembly is operated by a lever located toward an upper end of the toy. When the lever is pulled, the lever activates a first pump that expels water from the toy. The bubble generating assembly is operated by a finger trigger that activates an electric motor, which powers a second pump and a fan. The second pump pumps bubble solution to a ring and the bubble solution coats the ring. The fan blows air through the ring and helps generate and propel bubbles from the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Bo Chen
  • Patent number: 9050545
    Abstract: In embodiments, an aqueous solution containing lixiviants and/or other chemicals and/or reagents may be delivered into the well through one or more conduits or pipes. The chemicals in the aqueous solution may further be mixed together and/or with other ingredients. The solution may thereafter be screened and delivered by being pumped to pressures required for delivery of the solution from a perforated well, deep into a heap leach pad to leach, re-leach, and/or rinse extracted components of interest, such as metals for recovery. The delivery method may open or stimulate new fluid pathways or channels by lifting and mobilizing materials in the heap, thereby creating new channels, and allowing fluid to travel substantially horizontally through the heap to interface with inventory metal for recovery. The system may include a mobile platform assembled near or at the vicinity of the injection well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: DIFFERENTIAL ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Seal
  • Patent number: 9050546
    Abstract: A waterproof and salt repellant media for use in a gas turbine intake filter is provided. The media includes a first composite material layer having a polypropylene melt-blown layer and a polypropylene spun-bond layer, and a second composite material layer having a polyester spun-bond material coated with PTFE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: TDC Filter Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Yu Li
  • Patent number: 9050547
    Abstract: Improved screen filter modules, related compartmentalized filtration modules, and related filtration processes, suitable for filtering fluid to eliminate suspended particulate matter, such as living cells or microcarriers anchoring living cells, or to separate particulate matter based on size. The improvement is the presence of a barrier that channels redirected filtrate to the portion of the filter most susceptible to clogging by the particulate matter and induces flow patterns that act against clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Repligen Corporation
    Inventor: Jerry Shevitz
  • Patent number: 9050548
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a housing and filter elements. The housing includes internal chambers between first and second parallel outside surfaces, fluid inlet bores, and fluid outlet bores. Each internal chamber includes a filter element that partitions the internal chamber into an inlet chamber section and an outlet chamber section. The housing establishes a plurality of fluid flow channels from the inlet bores, through the inlet chamber sections, through the filter elements, through the outlet chamber sections and to the outlet bores, respectively. Each fluid channel includes a transverse fluid flow component in the inlet chamber section and the outlet chamber section. The filter assembly may be loaded into a filtering apparatus such that a plurality of separate fluid flow channels is established through the filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Jeremy Fetvedt
  • Patent number: 9050549
    Abstract: A filter arrangement may include a housing having two front walls substantially extended on both sides of a housing center plane and a circumferential wall connecting the front walls. The housing may include an untreated space inlet and a clean space outlet. A filter insert may be arranged between the inlet and the outlet and include two bottom discs that are adjacent to the side walls in the assembled state of the filter insert. The filter insert may include a filter wall extending between and connecting the bottom discs. The filter wall may extend substantially orthogonal to the housing center plane. A lateral disc may define an opening configured to be tightly connected to at least one of the inlet and the outlet. The front walls may be coupled to the bottom discs in the assembled state of the filter insert through interacting profile parts arranged on at least one of the front walls and the bottom discs into a double wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Thilo Rother, Matthias Traub
  • Patent number: 9050550
    Abstract: Multiple designs and methods for aerodynamic separation nozzles and systems for integrating multiple aerodynamic separation nozzles into a single system are disclosed herein. These aerodynamic separation nozzles utilize a combination of aerodynamic forces and separation nozzle structure to induce large centrifugal forces on the gases that in combination with the structure of the nozzle are used to separate heavier constituents of the process gas from lighter constituents. In some embodiments a number of separation nozzles are combined into a single system suitable for dynamic processing of a process gas. In other embodiments the separation nozzles are temperature controlled to condition the incoming gas to a temperature in order to encourage a phase change in certain constituents of the gas to occur within the nozzle to further enhance separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Michael R. Bloom
  • Patent number: 9050551
    Abstract: A method of removing contaminants from a gas stream utilizing a supersonic venturi including a converging section, a throat, and a diverging section is provided. A contaminated gas stream and a scrubbing liquid stream are introduced into the converging section, thereby forming a mixed stream which experiences choked flow upon exiting. The choked mixed stream is introduced into the throat section wherein the scrubbing liquid is contacted with the contaminated gas stream. The contaminated scrubbing liquid stream is removed from the supersonic venture scrubber, and an essentially pure gas stream is removed from the diverging section. A flow modification device may be introduced into the throat section. The flow modification device may be either axially or radially adjustable in order to effect the atomization of the scrubbing liquid and/or the contacting of atomized scrubbing liquid with the contaminated gas stream within the throat section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignees: American Air Liquide, Inc., Lurgi GmbH
    Inventors: Vivek Gautam, Magnus Mortberg, Jan Hagemann, Stefan Walter
  • Patent number: 9050552
    Abstract: A filtration system particularly suited for removing a particulate material from a hot gas includes a housing, a collection system including at least one collection belt, a cleaning system to clean the collected particulate material from the at least one collection belt, and a removal system for removing the collected particulate material from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: Maxwell Lawrence Keeling, Matthew Charles O'Connell, George H. Messick, Jr., Robert E. Maine, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9050553
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a rotary gas separation device, such as a rotary pressure swing adsorption device. The rotary pressure swing device can include, for example, a rotor with a plurality of adsorber elements, a stator with a plurality of conduits, and a rotary valve comprising a seal assembly positioned between the rotor and the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Soheil Alizadeh-Khiavi, Jeffrey Alvaji, Christopher R. McLean
  • Patent number: 9050554
    Abstract: Device for compressing and drying gas includes a multistage compressor with a low pressure stage, a high pressure stage, and a pressure pipe; and an adsorption dryer with a drying zone and a regeneration zone. An intercooler is located between the low pressure stage and high pressure stage, and the device includes a heat exchanger with a main compartment with an inlet part and an outlet part for a first primary fluid. The ends of the tubes of the heat exchanger are connected to a separate inlet compartment and outlet compartment for each series of tubes. A first series of tubes forms a cooling circuit of the intercooler in order to heat up gas from the high pressure stage for the regeneration of the adsorption dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER
    Inventors: Stijn Jozef Rita Johanna Janssens, Uwe Pahner, Christophe Briers
  • Patent number: 9050555
    Abstract: A CO2 recovery system 10A has a CO2 recovery unit 11, a compression unit 12, and a condensed-water supply line 65A that supplies condensed water 64 to an absorbent regenerator 14. The CO2 recovery unit 11 includes a CO2 absorber 13 and the absorbent regenerator 14. The compression unit 12 has a first compressor 61-1 to an nth compressor 61-n that compress CO2 gas 56 emitted from the absorbent regenerator 14, a first separator 63-1 to an nth separator 63-n that reduce moisture in the CO2 gas 56, and a first heat exchanger 66-1 that performs heat exchange between the CO2 gas 56 emitted from the first compressor 61-1 and the condensed water 64 emitted from the first separator 63-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Masaki Iijima
  • Patent number: 9050556
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plasma filtration insert assembly having in one example an outer casing comprising; an air inlet; an air outlet; an electric power input; and electric power connector; a transformer bracket coupled to the outer casing; at least one step-up transformer attached to the transformer bracket. The insert in electric communication with the electric power connector; a plurality of substantially parallel dielectric tubes in electric communication with the transformer; at least one grounded plate positioned between each dielectric tube with a air gap there between, and; wherein there is no fluid path between the air inlet and the air outlet except by passing between one of the dielectric tubes and one of the grounded plate. In one form, each grounded plate is v-shaped in cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Johannes Schieven
  • Patent number: 9050557
    Abstract: A process for removing sulfur dioxide from a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas utilizes a bubble tower and overcomes process control difficulties associated with known processes. Solvent is fed to the bubble tower, loaded with sulfur dioxide and maintained at desired temperature and pressure. Hydrogen sulfide-containing gas is bubbled through the solvent, causing chemical reaction between the sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide to yield water and elemental sulfur. Elemental sulfur is collected and ultimately discharged from the bottom of the bubble tower, and hydrogen sulfide-depleted gas is discharged from the top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Dennis Leppin, Ajay Makkuni, Timothy Tamale
  • Patent number: 9050558
    Abstract: A biotrickling filter for treating waste gas including a waste gas inlet, packing layers, a spray pipe, a spray liquid storage tank, and a waste gas outlet. The waste gas passes through a first packing layer after passing through the waste gas inlet and then passes through a second packing layer after changing the flow direction at the bottom of the first packing layer; the flow directions of the waste gas in the first packing layer and the second packing layer are opposite to form a cross-flow structure; the two different flow directions of the waste gas form a cross-flow unit, and two or more cross-flow units form the biotrickling filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventors: Hongqiang Ren, Yonggang Wu, Lili Ding
  • Patent number: 9050559
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system and method treats exhaust gasses produced by an internal combustion process or a similar process. The aftertreatment system includes an aftertreatment module having a sleeve extending between a first end and a second end. One or more aftertreatment bricks are axially inserted into a sleeve opening disposed in the first end of the sleeve. To prevent the aftertreatment bricks from unintentionally exiting the sleeve, a captive ring is disposed around the first end of the sleeve as a loose fitting collar. The captive ring is restrained on the sleeve by a circumferential bead protruding about the first end. The captive ring can couple with a retention ring placed adjacent the first end. When coupled to the captive ring, a portion of the retention ring extends partially across and blocks the sleeve opening, preventing the aftertreatment brick from exiting the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Denis, Thomas W. Manning, Ian Aguirre, Rick E. Jeffs, Nagaraju Manchikanti
  • Patent number: 9050560
    Abstract: A mixture of surfactants from alkylene oxide adducts with different degrees of alkoxylation is used in a urea solution to be added to an exhaust stream for reduction of nitrous gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA
    Inventors: Günther Wasow, Ernst Olav Strutz
  • Patent number: 9050561
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system includes a reductant delivery system configured to introduce a reductant solution to an exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas treatment system. A selective catalyst reduction device is configured to chemically react with the reductant solution to induce a NOx conversion that reduces a level of NOx in the exhaust gas. A reductant quality sensor is configured to generate an electrical signal indicating a quality of the reductant solution. The exhaust gas treatment system further includes a rationality diagnostic control module configured to rationalize the reductant quality sensor based on a comparison between the quality of the reductant solution and the NOx conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Justin Adam Shetney, Min Sun, John A. Catalogna
  • Patent number: 9050562
    Abstract: A method of making a gas separation membrane by providing a plating vessel with a volume of plating solution of gas-selective metal ions into which is placed a porous support. The plating solution is circulated over a surface of the porous support while maintaining conditions within the plating vessel so as to promote the electroless deposition. The circulation rate of the plating solution is such as to enhance the metal deposition onto the surface of the porous support in the formation of the gas separation membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: John Charles Saukaitis
  • Patent number: 9050563
    Abstract: A filtering device uses a filtration unit for filtering raw water, and the filtration unit has a depth filter forming a filtration membrane thereof and a housing accommodating the depth filter. The housing includes a raw water inlet port for supplying the raw water to the depth filter, a filtrate water outlet port, a gas-supplying port for supplying compressed air into the filtration unit to clean the depth filter, and a drain port for discharging the compressed air together with the raw water. A pore diameter of the filtration membrane is designed within a range of 1 to 25 ?m. The filtering device includes a filtrate water supplying passage connected to the filtrate water outlet port, a discharge passage connected to the drain port, a communication passage for communicating filtrate water supplying passage with the discharge passage, and a motor valve for opening and closing the communication passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: KURARAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keido Inoue