Patents Issued in March 22, 2016
  • Patent number: 9291406
    Abstract: A heat absorbing device including a structure including plural individual cells delimited by an envelope made of a material that has good thermal conductivity and includes at least one phase-change material, the cells being stacked on top of one another from an end surface so that the structure extends in a direction of thermal flux, the flux being made up of two notable periodic thermal events, the structure including two different sizes of cells. The sizes of the cells are determined as a function of frequency of the thermal events of the thermal flux and a distribution of a number of cells of each size is determined as a function of amplitudes of each event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventor: Jerome Gavillet
  • Patent number: 9291407
    Abstract: A micro-channel heat exchanger includes an inlet manifold fluidly connected with an outlet manifold by a plurality of generally parallel tubes, further defining a plurality of generally parallel micro-channels therethrough. Refrigerant is introduced to the heat exchanger through a distributor tube disposed within the inlet manifold. The distributor tube includes a plurality of non-circular openings disposed along the length thereof which act as an outlet for refrigerant flow into the inlet manifold and eventually into and through the tubes and micro-channels. The openings are preferably slots arranged along the length of the distributor tube at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the distributor tube and oriented within the inlet manifold for a general direction of refrigerant flow at an angle relative to the general direction of refrigerant flow through the tubes. Alternative shapes for the openings are also considered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: Sanhua (Hangzhou) Micro Channel Heat Exchanger Co., Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Liu Huazhao, Jiang Jianlong, Lin-Jie Huang
  • Patent number: 9291408
    Abstract: Methods of preventing overheating of computer equipment in a cabinet when a supply coolant to a cooler in the cabinet fails. An example embodiment is a data center that includes a plurality of cabinets and at least two main coolant supply lines. The cabinets are configured to house computer equipment and the main coolant supply lines provide coolant to the plurality of cabinets. Moreover, each cabinet includes a cooler and each of these coolers includes at least two radiators which receive coolant from different main coolant supply lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9291409
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for controlling the gas temperature of gas flowing between compression stages so that the temperature of the gas always remains above the dew-point and hydrate temperature of the gas. The invention also allows for controlling inner stage compression temperatures that can be part of a new compressor assembly or retrofitted to compressors already installed and operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventors: Rodney T. Heath, Forrest D. Heath, Gary Heath
  • Patent number: 9291410
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling device (2) for cooling combustion gases from a rocket motor (1) in an antitank weapon. The cooling device (2) comprises a coolant reservoir (3, 21) containing a coolant (4). The coolant reservoir (3, 21) is arranged such that the coolant (4) is transferred from the coolant reservoir (3, 21) to the combustion gases in the gas outlets (6) of the rocket motor (1) in response to a pressure increase in the rocket motor (1). The coolant reservoir (3, 21) constitutes an integral part of the rocket motor (1) and is connected to the combustion chamber (7) by at least two gas inlets (8) for pressurization of the coolant (4). The coolant reservoir is furthermore connected to the rocket motor nozzle (9) by at least two coolant outlets (10) for transfer of coolant (4) from the coolant reservoir (3, 21) to the rocket motor nozzle (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SAAB AB
    Inventor: Lars Nilsson
  • Patent number: 9291411
    Abstract: A firearm with tilting barrel-receiver assembly. In one embodiment, the firearm includes a frame and a barrel-receiver assembly pivotably mounted to the frame. The barrel-receiver assembly is movable between an open position and a closed position. A latching mechanism may include a slide plate configured to selectively engage the frame. The latching mechanism is movable between a locked position wherein the barrel-receiver assembly is held in the closed position by the slide plate and an unlocked position wherein the barrel-receiver assembly is movable to the tilted open position. The slide plate may be spring biased into the locked position. An actuator button cooperates with the slide plate for moving the latching mechanism between the locked and unlocked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Amir Zonshine
  • Patent number: 9291412
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a monolithic extended bolt release (EBR) for a rifle includes a rifle mount including a pin aperture for securing the EBR to the rifle case/housing, a bolt stop plate integrally formed with the rifle mount for stopping the rifle bolt, and an extension arm integrally formed with the rifle mount and bolt stop plate. The extension arm includes a vertical straight arm extending from the rifle-mounting part to a trigger opening when the EBR is mounted on a rifle, and a horizontal straight arm connected to the vertical straight arm and passing through the trigger opening. A right-handed rifle user can release the bolt by pressing with finger(s) on the EBR on the right of the rifle, pivoting the EBR about the mounting pin, lowering a bolt stop plate of the EBR and allowing release of the bolt and reloading of the rifle. The EBR design displays superior reliability over extended periods of use in harsh conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Phase 5 Weapon Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Montes
  • Patent number: 9291413
    Abstract: A wing and rider for firearms having a wing assembly. The wing assembly has an exterior face and an interior face defined by a top edge, a bottom edge, and first and second lateral edges. Protruding from the interior face is an insert shaped to fit into an opening of a firearm slide. The exterior face has a first predetermined width defined by the first and second lateral edges. Extending from the first and second lateral edges are first and second sidewalls having gripping means. The firearm slide has third and fourth sidewalls that define a second predetermined width. The first predetermined width is greater than the second predetermined width. The gripping means includes ridges, channels, protrusions, hatched sections, grooves, or any combination thereof. The wing and rider for firearms may further have a rider assembly configured and shaped to secure the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Arthur J. Viani
  • Patent number: 9291414
    Abstract: A buttstock assembly configured to work in conjunction with a compact buffer assembly consisting of a buffer tube, spring and bolt carrier with an integral buffer is provided. The buttstock assembly, buffer tube and bolt carrier are configured to work with AR15/M16 type firearms and their derivatives. By incorporating the buffer onto the bolt carrier, which is used in conjunction with a buffer tube of reduced length, the overall length of the host firearm is reduced by approximately 3.2 inches. No permanent modification need be made to the host firearm in order to utilize the compact buffer assembly and buttstock assembly disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: LWRC International LLC
    Inventor: Jesus S. Gomez
  • Patent number: 9291415
    Abstract: An adjustable gas key for use with a firearm is provided. The adjustable gas key includes a base portion and a tube portion coupled to the base portion. An inlet tube extends through the tube portion and an outlet tube angled from the inlet tube exits through a bottom side of the base portion. The adjustable gas key includes an inner volume located at a junction of the inlet tube and the outlet tube. The adjustable gas key also includes an adjustment device operatively coupled to the adjustable gas key, wherein the adjustment device adjusts a size of the inner volume. The adjustable gas key is operatively coupled to a bolt carrier of the firearm, wherein adjustment of the size of the inner volume adjusts the force of action of the bolt carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: David L. Beaty
  • Patent number: 9291416
    Abstract: The invention relates to a blocking device for firearms, wherein a locking unit is mounted on the firearm, wherein the locking unit comprises at least one blocking mechanism and at least one activation element, wherein the activation element is coupled to the triggering mechanism of the firearm in such a manner that in a locked position or locked mode of the activation element the triggering mechanism is blocked for triggering a shot, and in an active position or active mode of the activation element the triggering mechanism can be released, wherein the activation element can be brought into the active position or active mode only by using an unlocking element blocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Gerald Würkner
  • Patent number: 9291417
    Abstract: A suppressor to diminish the volume of noise from firing a firearm provides a suppressor body shape with tapered ends. The shape of the suppressor forms a partial wave-form to accommodate the wave-forms of the ignition gasses as they expand inside the chamber. Providing a chamber with a partial wave-form shaped interior space facilitates rapid dissipation of the expansion energy of the ignition gasses to quickly quell noise produced by such expansion. Perforated baffles housed in the interior chamber of the suppressor disrupt the fluid flow as the ignition gasses proceed through the chamber, which further dissipates the energy of the gasses. A fluid discharge port evacuates fluid from the primary chamber of the suppressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Jesse Gregory James
  • Patent number: 9291418
    Abstract: A gun standoff device may include an elongated body having crenulations at a first end and an attachment mechanism at a second end. The crenulations at the first end may provide a plurality of radially disposed teeth about the circumference of the first end. The attachment mechanism may allow attachment of the elongated body to a gun barrel, a gun magazine, or other gun component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Frank Edward McNitt
  • Patent number: 9291419
    Abstract: A novel cleaning patch system comprising a novel patch grip for cleaning firearm barrels is disclosed. A patch grip includes an arbor and a plug. The arbor includes a base, a stem extending from the base, and an elongate crest connected to the stem. The plug includes an elongate passage therethrough that generally matches the dimensions of the elongate crest. The plug further comprises relatively recessed and/or protruding structures on the face of the plug adjacent the elongate passage that engage the crest of the arbor and prevent inadvertent rotation of the plug on the arbor during firearm cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: The Otis Patent Trust
    Inventor: Kel Shipman
  • Patent number: 9291420
    Abstract: A simulated weapon or firearm is provided that is formed with a mechanical operating or firing mechanism similar to that of an actual firearm. The firing mechanism is formed with components found in an actual firearm that are interconnected with components of an electronic mechanism that can monitor and control the mechanical operation of the simulated firearm. This allows for the mechanical operating mechanism to function in a manner similar to that of an actual firearm, while the electronic mechanism can introduce various mechanical failures that do not otherwise occur in the electronics-only operating mechanisms of prior simulated firearms. In addition, the operational cycles of the mechanical and electronic mechanisms are synchronized to provide a highly realistic feel to the simulated weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick A. Jensen, Jared R. Orvis
  • Patent number: 9291421
    Abstract: A shooting crossbow includes two cams, two pulleys, a bow string, two cables, a string latch housing, a bow riser, a mainframe barrel and two limbs. The bow riser is enjoined with the barrel. The first and second limbs extend from the bow riser. First and second cams are pivotally retained on first and second limbs. The first and second cams retain a bowstring. The cams and pulleys retain first and second cables. The two pulleys are retained on the barrel. The mainframe barrel combines elements of an AR style butt stock mounting tube, and flight deck elements of a crossbow barrel extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: James J. Kempf
  • Patent number: 9291422
    Abstract: A compound archery bow having a reverse-pivot cable guard, wherein the cable guard has a first cantilever member connected to a riser at a proximal end and extending away from the riser at a distal end and a second cantilever member attached to the distal end of the first cantilever member and extending back toward the riser. The proximal end of the second cantilever member retains a bow cable such that when the bow is drawn, the second cantilever member flexes toward the plane of arrow flight and the bowstring and away from the riser. This design may reduce stresses on the cable guard, reverse torque on the riser, and improve cable life, among other benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HOYT ARCHERY, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Gold, Dan'l J. Anselmo, Gideon S. Jolley
  • Patent number: 9291423
    Abstract: The invention is directed toward a heated grip for a firearm. The heated firearm grip comprises a grip body, an electrically resistive heating element, and a power source. The grip body is shaped as a pistol style firearm grip, has a hollow internal cavity, and has a hinged lower lid located on the bottom of the grip body. The power source is located within the hollow internal cavity of the grip body and is electrically connected to the electrically resistive heating element. The grip body is interchangeable with the factory installed grip of a firearm. The electrically resistive heating element may be embedded in a polyurethane sleeve surrounding the external surface of the grip body. The electrically resistive heating element may also be located within the hollow internal cavity of the grip body or molded into the body of the grip body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Jimi Leslie
  • Patent number: 9291424
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for improving situational awareness for a user of a firearm are disclosed. An example camera system for a firearm includes a camera assembly, display panel, a mounting fixture, and switching mechanism. An example camera assembly includes a plurality of cameras fixedly oriented in a plurality of different directions. An example mounting fixture is secured to the camera assembly and configured to be removably attached to a firearm. An example switch is configured to select between the plurality of cameras to cause an image from the selected camera to be displayed on the display panel. An example method includes activating a firearm-mounted camera system, receiving a switch input from a user selecting a camera, generating an image of a portion of an environment with the selected camera, and displaying the image on a display panel to alert the user to conditions in the portion of the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Arman Christian Tagarro
  • Patent number: 9291425
    Abstract: A weapon sling that provides a “shoulder carry” loop used for shoulder carrying a weapon and a “shooting” loop used to stabilize the user's support arm in a “supported” shooting position. The sling uses a three point connection design and includes three interconnected strap members: a front shoulder strap, rear shoulder strap, and a sliding shooting strap. The free ends of the front and rear shoulder straps are adjustably connected by an adjustable slide, which forms the shoulder loop. The free end of the shooting strap is connected to slide along a portion of the length of the front shoulder strap, which forms the shooting loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Patrol Incident Gear, LLC.
    Inventors: Simon L. Golob, Julie A. Golob
  • Patent number: 9291426
    Abstract: A carrying device for wearing a holster component, preferably for the concealed placement of law-enforcement equipment placed in a holster component inside the trouser-leg, wherein a slit opening is formed in the trousers to provide access to the equipment, such a way that inside the trouser-leg (3), positioned in a way to be accessible through the slit opening (4), there is a carrying component (5) suitable for wearing the holster component (2), which is fastened to the trousers' waistband (6), at a given distance from it, by holding components (7), furthermore the carrying component (5) is equipped with thigh-fasteners (8), and there are joining components (9) placed on the holster component (2) and on the carrying component (5) for the purpose of joining together the holster component (2) and the carrying component (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Tamás Györfi
  • Patent number: 9291427
    Abstract: A scope includes a scope assembly and a head lighting arrangement. The scope assembly includes a tubular scope body having an objective end and an opposed sight end to define a scope axis, an objective lens and an eyepiece lens supported at the objective end and the sight end of the scope body respectively for generating a scope reticle, and an attachment base extended from a bottom side of the scope body for detachably mounting the scope body on the firearm to parallelly align the scope axis with a barrel axis of the firearm. The head lighting arrangement includes a plurality of illumination elements formed at a rim of the objective end of the scope body for generating navigation light at a direction aligned with the scope axis of the scope body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: NcSTAR, Inc.
    Inventors: Carson Cheng, Richard Thomas, Jason Michael Cheng
  • Patent number: 9291428
    Abstract: A set for and method of positioning and aligning a disruptor for the deactivation of a target and including a firing axis, a firing direction in terms of position and orientation relative to the target. The method including disposing a laser, adapted to emit beams along an aiming line, at a distance from the target such that the aiming line of the laser is coaxial with the firing direction. The disruptor is interposed between the laser and the target and positioned and oriented to make the firing axis thereof coaxial with the aiming line, by means of a flat mirror mounted at the rear of the disruptor and disposed perpendicularly to the axis of the disruptor. The mirror reflects a beam to the laser that is coaxial with the aiming line and emitted by the laser onto a mark on the mirror and centered on the firing axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventor: Marc Rabec Le Gloahec
  • Patent number: 9291429
    Abstract: A multimode shared aperture seeker incorporating a dual-mode diffuser and methods of operation thereof. According to one example, a non-gimbaled multimode seeker includes an IIR seeker including an FPA and an optical system that receives infrared radiation via a system optical aperture and focuses the infrared radiation onto the FPA, and a SAL seeker including a SAL detector positioned in an optical path between the system optical aperture and the FPA and configured to detect laser radiation received via the system optical aperture. The SAL detector is substantially transparent to the infrared radiation. The multimode seeker further includes a dual-mode diffuser positioned in the optical path between the system optical aperture and the optical system. The diffuser is configured to spread the laser radiation to broaden a linear field of view of the SAL seeker, and to transmit the infrared radiation substantially undiffracted to the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Ronald L. Roncone
  • Patent number: 9291430
    Abstract: An accessory device for attachment to a firearm may include a device body having a light source and a biasing member extending from the device body through an aperture of a rail clip. The biasing member has a distal end shaped for insertion into a firearm slot, and the device body has an anti-rotation feature that prevents the body from rotating about the biasing member with respect to the rail clip when the distal end is inserted in the firearm slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED TACTICAL SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Robert Campbell Clark
  • Patent number: 9291431
    Abstract: The invention relates to a blast-proof chamber (1, 20, 30, 60, 70) for improved handling and transport of a detonation-dangerous object, wherein the said blast-proof chamber (1, 20, 30, 60, 70) comprises an outer chamber (2, 21, 32, 61, 71) comprising an inner storage chamber (3, 22, 33, 62, 72) for storage of the detonation-dangerous object. A characteristic feature of the invention is that the inner storage chamber (3, 22, 33, 62, 72) is arranged movably in the outer chamber (2, 21, 32, 61, 71) between an open and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Dynasafe International AB
    Inventor: Johnny Ohlson
  • Patent number: 9291432
    Abstract: A gas producing device comprising a ferroelectric (FEG) or ferromagnetic (FMG) generator material wrapped by a conductor, wherein the conductor is in contact with a dielectric material. A ferroelectric or ferromagnetic generator material is polarized or magnetized. When a shock wave impacts the FEG or FMG, the polarization or magnetization of the material is rapidly destroyed. The rapid destruction of the magnet by breaking it into small pieces causes the magnetic field to go to zero very quickly. When the field changes quickly it induces a high current through the wrapped conductor or coil. When the current passes through the conductor in contact with the dielectric material it generates heat and vaporizes the dielectric material creating a high pressure gas. A reactive armor may comprise the gas producing device, wherein the high pressure gas moves one or more armor plates to defeat an anti-armor threat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventor: Michael L. Fisher
  • Patent number: 9291433
    Abstract: A composite assembly useful for resisting the penetration of projectiles. The composite assembly comprises a plurality of ballistic fabric layers and a plurality of distinct films. The plurality of distinct films is adjacent the plurality of ballistic fabric layers. Each distinct film of the plurality of distinct films comprises thermoplastic polymer. Each distinct film of the plurality of distinct films has an elongational strength index of at least 800 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen F. Compton, Richard M. Dayrit, William P. Roberts, Nathanael Miranda
  • Patent number: 9291434
    Abstract: A method of controlling the shape and direction of an explosion may include embedding a plurality of detonators in an explosive, and arranging the detonators in the explosive to produce a shaped explosion of the explosive in a pre-set direction and having a pre-set intensity when triggered in a selected sequence; sensing a direction of an incoming threat relative to a protected region, calculating an intercept vector for the incoming threat, and sending a signal in response thereto by a sensor; receiving information from the sensor pertaining to the intercept vector and determining a sequential firing pattern for the detonators in response to the information from the sensor by a firing sequence calculator connected to trigger the detonators; and activating the firing sequence calculator to trigger the detonators in the sequential firing pattern to generate a counteracting force substantially along the intercept vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian J. Tillotson, Jeffrey Evan Hanneman
  • Patent number: 9291435
    Abstract: An improved shaped charge apparatus and method of manufacturing is provided including a composite wave shaper, a main charge, and a metal liner. An exemplary embodiment's wave shaper can be adapted to manipulate a shock front so that an interaction of the main charge and the metal liner occurs lower along the liner's profile such that the apparatus restricts an initial elongation of a resulting jet. An embodiment can have a thickness of the metal liner sufficient to provide a mass necessary to generate a first size diameter aperture in a target material. An embodiment an also provide a combination of the liner thickness and shock interaction point resulting in the jet having an improved length to diameter ratio among other advantages. An embodiment of the invention can also provide other advantages such as an explosive to mass ratio of less than 3 or 2 to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Eric Scheid, Kevin Hovden, Michael Murphy
  • Patent number: 9291436
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of simulated explosive materials and Threat Screening Kits and simulated IED Circuit Kits including simulated explosive materials. The simulated explosive materials are configured to produce an output signal consistent with the presence of an actual explosive material when scanned in an X-ray scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: DSA DETECTION LLC
    Inventors: Abiy Eshetu, Timothy B. Burton, John D. Howell, Mathew F. Rutter, Timothy James Winnett
  • Patent number: 9291437
    Abstract: A warhead system, method and apparatus. A warhead includes a liner having a longitudinal axis that runs down the center of the liner. The liner includes a liner pattern and a liner shape. The liner shape is selected and a radial distance from the longitudinal axis is selected. The liner pattern is warped as a function of the selected distance and the shape of the liner to reduce the effects of spoking in the post-detonation fragmentation pattern at the selected distance. The liner is then formed as a function of the warped liner pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ORBITAL ATK, INC.
    Inventors: Gabriel Bonnstetter, Kenneth Fink, Jake Carroll, Richard Truitt
  • Patent number: 9291438
    Abstract: A system includes a catamaran configured for use in a body of water and having twin hulls, the catamaran comprising an opening between the twin hulls, the opening having a size and shape substantially the same as a payload module. The system also includes the payload module removably coupled to the catamaran in the opening between the twin hulls. The system further includes a common interface coupled to the payload module and the catamaran, the common interface configured to exchange utilities between the payload module and the catamaran.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Erik F. Item
  • Patent number: 9291439
    Abstract: A rock-fracturing mining explosive element; said explosive element subjected to an initial spreading against a target surface on impact of said explosive element with said target surface; said explosive element so constructed as to control the rate of spreading and compression against said surface prior to detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED EXPLOSIVES TECHNOLOGY PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Chris Murray, Steven Richard Courtley, Ron Gilbert, Craig Brown
  • Patent number: 9291440
    Abstract: Ballistic resistant composite articles having improved resistance to backface deformation. The composite articles incorporate one or more vacuum panels that mitigate or eliminate shock wave energy resulting from a projectile impact to minimize transient compression of materials behind the armor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Henry Gerard Ardiff, Lori L. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9291441
    Abstract: A device for measuring the depth of concrete comprising an elongated spine, a stepped blade attached at the distal end of the spine and having a plurality of bi-lateral steps having a predetermined width and height tapering toward the distal end of the spine, a depth probe slidably mounted longitudinally within an internal channel of the spine and including an indicator; and a scale aligned with the indicator. The depth probe may have a pointed or beveled distal tip which is useful for penetrating concrete or other aggregate materials. The stepped blade is provided into concrete and comes in contact with the top of the rebar grid, with the steps measuring the depth of the concrete cover over the rebar. The depth probe is plunged into the concrete until the tip reaches the bottom. The scale measures the distance between a distal tip of the depth probe and the leading edge of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: H. Houston Spear, IV
  • Patent number: 9291442
    Abstract: A contour measuring apparatus includes: an arm including a stylus in a distal end and being swingable with respect to a cabinet; an attitude change mechanism configured to change an attitude of the arm within a swing range; a stopper configured to make contact with the arm when the arm moves nearer to an installation part of an object to be measured within the swing range; and a controller configured to operate the attitude change mechanism based on a power-off command and return the arm to a mechanical limit position in which the arm makes contact with the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hidaka, Mitsuhisa Nakano, Hideki Kai
  • Patent number: 9291443
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a radar level gauge system comprising PLL circuitry for generating an output signal. The PLL circuitry is configured to indicate a lock state of the PLL circuitry; and signal modifying circuitry is connected to the PLL circuitry for receiving the output signal and for modifying at least one property of the output signal for forming the transmit signal. The signal modifying circuitry is arranged and configured to receive a PLL status signal indicative of the lock state of the PLL circuitry, and to modify the at least one property of the output signal in response to the PLL status signal indicating that the PLL circuitry is in a locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Rosemount Tank Radar AB
    Inventors: Mikael Kleman, Anders Jirskog
  • Patent number: 9291444
    Abstract: Provided is an inexpensive, high performance, compact, and energy saving light reflection mechanism comprising a first moving portion having a reflecting surface on the front surface, a supporting portion which supports the first moving portion, a first beam and a translating beam which couple the first moving portion and the supporting portion in the form of cantilever beam above and below the supporting portion, and a drive portion which moves the first moving portion, wherein a large amplitude can be obtained by small energy when the first moving portion is forced into resonance vibration in the direction perpendicular to the first reflecting surface. Also provided is an optical interferometer and a spectral analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinya Matsuda, Satoru Hirose
  • Patent number: 9291445
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomographic apparatus which obtains a tomographic image of an object based on light obtained by combining return light from the object irradiated with measurement light through a first lens and reference light corresponding to the measurement light, the apparatus comprises a scanning unit provided on an optical path of the measurement light and configured to scan the measurement light on the object; a second lens disposed between the scanning unit and the object; an optical path branching unit disposed between the first lens and the second lens and configured to make the optical path of the measurement light branch off to an observation optical path for observation of the object; a dividing unit that splits light emitted from a light source into the measurement light and the reference light; and a focus lens disposed between the dividing and scanning units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirofumi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9291446
    Abstract: The invention lies in the field of optical metrology and related to optical coherence tomography (OCT). In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the depth-dependent adaptation of the dynamic range of an OCT system to the profile of the backscattered power to be measured. The dynamic range of the measuring method can therefore be decoupled from the dynamic range of the analog/digital converter used. The invention is used, in particular, in the characterization of strongly scattering or strongly absorbing biological or technical samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FÜR TECHNOLOGIE
    Inventors: Simon Schneider, Christian Koos, Wolfgang Freude, Juerg Leuthold
  • Patent number: 9291447
    Abstract: A method for manually controlling the motion of a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is disclosed. The method may include providing at least one guide element motion tracking sensor; defining a guide element active tracking volume relative to one of the guide element tracking sensor and a portion of the CMM; placing a guide element in the active motion tracking volume; tracking the position of the guide element; and moving a measurement probe of the CMM in response to the tracked position (e.g., to follow the position changes). The method may further include detecting a tracking motion activation trigger indicator or condition, and operating the CMM to move the measurement probe portion of the CMM according to the tracking motion after the tracking motion activation trigger indicator or condition is detected and according to the condition that the guide element is located in the active tracking volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Jon David Bumgardner
  • Patent number: 9291448
    Abstract: A detection device includes an irradiation unit that irradiates a medium with first irradiation light, a first optical system that has a first incident surface and changes the first irradiation light into second irradiation light, a second optical system that has a second incident surface and changes the first irradiation light into third irradiation light, and a light receiving unit that is provided in a traveling direction of reflection light of the second irradiation light and the third irradiation light, which are specularly reflected by the medium, and receives the reflection light of the second irradiation light and the third irradiation light, which are specularly reflected by the medium, so as to detect a positional deviation amount of an image formed on the medium and detect a density deviation amount of the image formed on the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Ogata, Naoya Yamasaki, Gen Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9291449
    Abstract: Technology for detecting a change in a configuration position of one or more elements in an illumination system is described. A light source generates an illumination signal, and an element of the system directs a portion of the light of the signal back to a light detector. In one example, the portion of light is reflected back to the light detector. By monitoring an output signal of the light detector based on the directed light, control circuitry can detect that a position of an element of the system has changed. In one example, an off-the-shelf integrated circuit laser diode package including a monitor photodiode can be used with a reflective element. In one example, the reflective element is a tilted optical element. Changes can be detected in the configuration of one or more optical elements of the illumination system which are outside the laser diode package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Scott McEldowney, Dawson Yee
  • Patent number: 9291450
    Abstract: An image with a wide visual field can be captured without causing deterioration in measurement accuracy. There are provided: a stage on which an object is placed; a display unit for displaying a height image or an observation image; a measurement unit for performing measurement on the height image; an image connecting unit configured to, by moving the stage and capturing a different region, acquire a plurality of height images, and connect the obtained plurality of height images and observation images to generate a connected image; a measurement error region display unit configured to superimpose and display a measurement error region, on an image of the object; and a measurement-image imaging condition setting unit for adjusting an imaging condition for a striped image required for generation of the height image to reduce the measurement error region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventor: Shinya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9291451
    Abstract: A method for measuring the centricity of a conductor in an insulating casing, in which the string formed by the conductor with its insulating casing is moved along a conveying direction. A device for measuring the centricity of a conductor in an insulating casing includes an inductive measuring apparatus, first and second optical measuring apparatus and an evaluation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SIKORA AG
    Inventors: Harald Sikora, Klaus Bremer
  • Patent number: 9291452
    Abstract: An undulation detection device includes a two-dimensional sensor configured to emit a sensing wave for distance measurement in a plurality of directions forming different lateral and vertical angles and to measure respective distances to objects from which the sensing wave is reflected, and a processor performs detecting an undulation of the measurement surface or an obstacle placed on the measurement surface from which the sensing wave is reflected, on the basis of a difference among the distances in the different directions, the difference being measured by the two-dimensional sensor, and outputting an undulation detection report, when an in-plane size of the undulation of the measurement surface or the obstacle placed on the measurement surface is equal to or more than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Kouichirou Kasama
  • Patent number: 9291453
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system configured to display current surf information to a user on a device worn by the user, track physical surfing activity of the user across multiple surf sessions, and/or alert the user when current surf conditions match previously highly rated surf conditions and/or any user selected criteria based on surf/weather forecast data. The system may comprise a first device (a watch) worn by the user, a second device (the user's smartphone) associated with the user but physically separate and unconnected from the first device, external resources, and/or other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: NIXON, INC.
    Inventors: Tyson White, Joe Babcock, Nick Everist
  • Patent number: 9291454
    Abstract: In a stake-out marker for staking out buildings and the like with a foot plate (10) and a carrier plate (16) carrying a reflection element (22) the carrier plate (16) can be adjusted relative to the foot plate (10) between a transport position in which the carrier plate (16) lies substantially parallel to the foot plate (10) and a work position in which the carrier plate (16) stands vertically to the foot plate (10). The foot plate (10) has at least one perforation (48, 50, 56) with a first edge (52) running parallel to the carrier plate (16), standing in its work position, in the reference plane (20) of the reflection element (22), and with a second edge lying vertically to the first edge in a plane running vertically to the foot plate (10) through the center of the reflection element (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Georg Rothbucher
  • Patent number: 9291455
    Abstract: A method for operating and/or measuring a micromechanical device. The device has a first and second seismic mass which are movable by oscillation relative to a substrate; a first drive device for deflecting the first seismic mass and a second drive device for deflecting the second seismic mass, parallel to a drive direction in a first orientation; a third drive device for deflecting the first seismic mass, and a fourth drive device for deflecting the second seismic mass in parallel to the drive direction and according to a second orientation opposite from the first orientation; a first detection device for detecting drive motion of the first seismic mass; and a second detection device for detecting drive motion of the second seismic mass. A first and a second detection signal are generated by the first and second detection devices, the first detection signal being evaluated separately from the second detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Christoph Gauger, Patrick Wellner