Patents Issued in September 20, 2016
  • Patent number: 9446909
    Abstract: A one-piece container gripper for suspending containers from a container region beneath a container mouth has segments, a locking portion, and a spring portion. On a front side of the container gripper, the segments define a container mount between them. The spring portion exerts a closing force pre-stressing the segments, thus urging the container mount to close. The segments can be moved apart against a spring-exerted closing force to open the gripper. The locking portion, which is integral with the container gripper, moves resiliently between a position that locks the gripper and a position that unlocks it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Igor Singur
  • Patent number: 9446910
    Abstract: A substrate transfer robot includes a hand to approach a substrate storage on which a substrate is placed, and to hold the substrate. An arm moves the hand. A controller controls a position and orientation of the hand. When in plan view, a substrate holding center at a time when the hand is holding the substrate is adjacent to the substrate storage and is at an access start position at a predetermined distance from the substrate storage, the substrate holding center reaches a substrate placement position in the substrate storage with a hand center line inclined toward an access straight line and with the hand holding center overlapping the access straight line. The hand center line is oriented from a base to a distal end of the hand. The access straight line is perpendicular to a front surface of the substrate storage and associated with the hand approaching the substrate storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kimura, Daisuke Shin
  • Patent number: 9446911
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring receptacles between a plurality of receptacle-receiving structures disposed at different locations adjacent a transport track. The apparatus includes a receptacle carrier operatively engaged with the transport track and adapted to carry a receptacle and translate along the transport track. The receptacle carrier is further adapted to selectively stop at a transfer station with respect to any of the receptacles-receiving structures. The receptacle carrier includes a receptacle moving mechanism adapted to move a receptacle with respect to the receptacle carrier to move a receptacle into and/or out of the receptacle carrier. The apparatus further includes a transfer position locating system to automatically determine a location of a transfer position of the receptacle carrier with respect to each of the receptacle-receiving structures, thereby enabling the receptacle carrier to transfer a receptacle between the receptacle carrier and the receptacle-receiving structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stefan Habrich, Norbert D. Hagen, Olaf Hörger, Byron J. Knight, David Opalsky, Jason F. Rhubottom, Heiko Sayer, Harald Thahedl
  • Patent number: 9446912
    Abstract: A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: CYTONOME/ST, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Bernard Bunner
  • Patent number: 9446913
    Abstract: A powder conveyance device and a char recovery apparatus are each provided with: an inclination part serving as a powder discharge line which can convey char at a predetermined tilt angle by allowing the char to fall by gravity; a first porous plate having a predetermined opening ratio and being disposed along the inclination part; a second porous plate having a higher opening ratio than the first porous plate and being disposed along the inclination part at a position above the first porous plate; and an assist gas feed device for feeding assist gas to the inclination part through both the first porous plate and the second porous plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Soda, Haruto Shinoda, Yasunari Shibata, Yoshinori Koyama
  • Patent number: 9446914
    Abstract: A tubular or cylindrical unit that creates a vortex effect with externally supplied pressurized fluid injected angularly within a transport structure is provided. Such a unit is utilized to either accelerate the vacuum and/or air conveyance of liquids, solid aggregates, and gases, reduce the energy required for such materials transport processes, or both. Such a result is achieved through the introduction of pressurized fluid via a plurality of injectors situated evenly around the circumference of the subject tube, pipe, and/or cylinder, and angled uniformly for an even pressure injection of fluid within the conveyance component thereof. In effect, through such injection of pressurized fluid, the overall transport system may be operated at significantly reduced cost while increasing the efficiency of overall vacuum and air conveyance systems simultaneously. The method of utilization of such a device is also encompassed within this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: James A. Scruggs
  • Patent number: 9446915
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the separating efficiency of a separating device of a pneumatic material conveying system, such as of a waste conveying system, in which the material to be transported, is separated from the transporting air, and/or for preventing blocking of the output aperture for the transporting air of the separating device. The transporting air and the material coming with it are initially brought into a rotating movement in the chamber space of the separating device. The transporting air is deflected in the chamber space of the separating device, and is conducted into the output channel. The flow of transporting air is acted upon in the chamber space of the separating device or in the output channel by bringing about a guiding effect for the transporting air in the opposite direction with respect to its direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: MARICAP OY
    Inventor: Göran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 9446916
    Abstract: A loading apparatus of a silo includes a pneumatic filling circuit connecting the silo to a tanker for transporting a granular or powdery material and a filtering device suitable to filter the compressed transport gas coming out of the silo. A recovery device of at least part of the energy contained in the compressed transport gas of the granular or powdery material is arranged between the tanker and the silo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: WAM INDUSTRIALE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Vainer Marchesini, Luca Golinelli
  • Patent number: 9446917
    Abstract: A palletizing device (10) comprising a lower plane (15) able to supportingly receive a pallet (5) and a loading device (100) vertically mobile above the lower plane (15) and comprising an upper platform (110), superposed in plan view on the lower plane (15) and provided with variable-configuration support means (112) and activating means able to cyclically move the support means (112) between a closed configuration, in which the define a support for a first layer of products (4) to be palletized, and an open configuration, in which they remove the support in order to release the first layer of products (4) downwards, in which the loading device (100) comprises a storing platform (120) defining a support for a second layer of products (4) to be palletized and flanked to the upper platform (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: A.C.M.I.— SOCIETA' PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Giorgio Oppici, Giacomo Magri
  • Patent number: 9446918
    Abstract: The method for steering a vehicle for loading and unloading a container includes a driver manually driving the vehicle within a handling area outside the limits of a station specifically dedicated to the loading and unloading of a standardized container, and parking the vehicle in a waiting area. Once parked, the vehicle is handled by automatic steering which automatically actuates at least the control of the path thereof and steers in the reverse direction until the vehicle is positioned within the station. The method includes carrying out the loading or unloading of the container, and steering the vehicle manually or automatically in the forward direction until positioned within the waiting area before giving up the automatic steering so that the driver can manually move the vehicle in the forward direction outside the waiting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Batterie Mobile
    Inventors: Stephane Hecky, Simon Klein
  • Patent number: 9446919
    Abstract: A push-pull latch assembly for a detachable media pick mechanism. The latch assembly comprises a handle that is slidably and axially insertable into a handle base which is mounted to the pick mechanism housing. The handle base includes a pair of cantilevered, opposed latched arms having opposed catches for engagement with a groove positioned adjacent to a free end of a cantilevered drive shaft for the pick mechanism. The handle includes triangular rails having inner and outer ramps used to separate the opposed latch arms. The outer ramp separates the latch arms when the handle is inserted into the handle base. The inner ramp separates the latch arms during removal of the pick mechanism from the drive shaft. An axial pushing force engages the latch assembly to the groove and an axial pulling force disengages the latch assembly from the groove allowing for pick assembly removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Angel Macuha Alagos, Generoso Tebordo De La Cerna
  • Patent number: 9446920
    Abstract: A slider moving in a sliding direction between first and second positions shifts a second path-defining member, relative to a first path-defining member, between first and second states. A pair of movable members each disposed on a corresponding side of a slider in a width direction is movable individually in the sliding direction to shift between third and fourth states. The movable members, when both in the third state, position the slider to the first position and, when both in the fourth state, position the slider to the second position. Each movable member supports a corresponding widthwise end of the slider immovably in the sliding direction and movably in the width direction. A support frame supporting the second path-defining member supports a widthwise central portion of the slider movably in the sliding direction and rotatably on a plane parallel to the sliding direction and the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shota Iijima, Masao Mimoto
  • Patent number: 9446921
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus including: a first aligner to push lateral edges of a sheet inward across a width direction of the sheet conveyed from an upstream side for alignment of the sheet, the width direction being orthogonal to a moving direction of the sheet; a second aligner to abut a front edge of the sheet conveyed from the upstream side for a predetermined period of time for alignment of the sheet; a first aligner driver to drive the first aligner; a second aligner driver to drive the second aligner; and a controller to control operations of the first aligner driver and the second aligner driver, wherein the controller activates or inactivates the first aligner driver and the second aligner driver depending on a predetermined parameter on the conveyed sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Ryosuke Habara
  • Patent number: 9446922
    Abstract: A sheet transporting apparatus is provided, including a transport mechanism provided with a roller, a motor, a controller, and a measuring input unit, wherein a transport route has a curved area for inverting the sheet, and the controller is constructed such that the control on the motor is executed by a closed loop control system by using a measured value of an control output at an initial stage of the transport of a sheet from a tray, and the control on the motor is switched from the control performed by the closed loop control system to control performed by an open loop control system on condition that a preset phenomenon arises after the sheet is taken out of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Samoto, Kenta Horade, Mitsuhiro Nozaki, Hirotaka Aoki
  • Patent number: 9446923
    Abstract: Provided is a sheet conveying apparatus including: a pair of rollers which includes an upper roller and a lower roller and conveys a sheet in a nipping manner; a driving unit which independently drives the upper roller and the lower roller; a conveying unit which is disposed at the upstream of the pair of rollers in the sheet conveying direction and conveys the sheet to the pair of rollers; an overlapping unit which is provided between the pair of rollers and the conveying unit and overlaps a subsequent sheet on a precedent sheet in the conveying direction; and a control unit which controls the driving unit, wherein the control unit controls the driving unit so that: the upper roller and the lower roller are driven before a leading end of the precedent sheet conveyed by the conveying unit reaches the pair of rollers and the driving of the upper roller and the lower roller is stopped before a tail end of the precedent sheet passes the pair of rollers; the pair of rollers is driven again before a leading end of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yoshida, Hiroharu Tsuji, Tomooku Koyama, Takuya Keino, Junichi Ochi
  • Patent number: 9446924
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for ensuring a controlled supply source of web material 34 to be dispensed through at least one dispenser 2, 4, 6 or 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: San Jamar, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Omdoll
  • Patent number: 9446925
    Abstract: The medium processing apparatus comprises a stacking surface on which a medium is stacked, first and second transfer rollers for transferring the medium to be stacked onto the stacking surface, a sheet roller for hitting the medium transferred by the first and second transfer rollers, and a rotation shaft to which the sheet roller is connected. The sheet roller comprises a body part connected to the rotation shaft and a contact part extending from the body part, and at least one portion of the body part of the sheet roller is disposed above the stacking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: LG CNS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sumin Lee
  • Patent number: 9446926
    Abstract: A drawer defines a chamber to receive a media sheet from a system. A moving element is to engage the media sheet as the media sheet is output from the system. The moving element is to slide the media sheet to a target position in the drawer, and the moving element is to disengage from the media sheet once the particular media sheet has reached the target position. A retaining element is to engage the media sheet as the media sheet slides into the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: David Chanclón Fernández, Ricardo Sanchis Estruch, Joan Sanjuán Mercadal, Emilio Löpez Matos, Ignacio De Olazábal Zugasti, Gianni Cessel, Xavier Alonso Becerro
  • Patent number: 9446927
    Abstract: There is described method of processing printed sheets (100), especially sheets of printed securities, into individual documents (150), such as banknotes, each printed sheet (100) comprising an array of imprints arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KBA-NOTASYS SA
    Inventor: Johannes Georg Schaede
  • Patent number: 9446928
    Abstract: A payout device is provided, wherein the payout device includes a carton, an elongated rotatable member and a support assembly. The carton has a plurality of panels enclosing an interior compartment. At least one panel has an opening providing an egress for elongated flexible material stored within the interior compartment. The elongated member is rotatably supported in a substantially horizontal direction within the carton by the support assembly. The support assembly has a slot with a generally teardrop shape. The teardrop shape has a larger diameter end and a smaller diameter end such that a portion of the rotatable member is slidable therebetween. The larger diameter end is sized to allow the rotatable member to rotate, and the smaller diameter end has a size smaller than the circumference of the rotatable member. The slot is positioned on the carton with the larger diameter end being elevated and closer to the opening than the smaller diameter end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Brian Meachum, Daniel D. Dunar
  • Patent number: 9446929
    Abstract: Provided is a steel strip stabilizing apparatus which dampens vibrations of a plated steel strip in a non-contact manner or corrects the shape of the plated steel strip. The steel strip stabilizing apparatus comprises: a plurality of steel strip damping means arranged on at least one side of a steel strip undergoing processing in a direction there towards so as to damp vibrations in the steel strip; and a damping means moving unit connected to the steel strip damping means to move at least a portion of each of the steel strip damping means in a widthwise direction with regard to the steel strip corresponding to the width of the steel strip. According to the present invention, (unit) damping means are movable in the widthwise direction with regard to the steel strip, thus improving the vibration damping properties, the steel strip curvature correcting properties and the plated quality of the steel strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: POSCO
    Inventors: Tae-In Jang, Yong-Hun Kweon, Jung-Kuk Kim, Chang-Woon Jee
  • Patent number: 9446930
    Abstract: Disclosed is an emergency stop device with an attached hand brake system. The emergency stop device with the attached hand brake system comprises: brake units which are equipped on both sides of a car and control the movements of the car by selectively interfering with guide rails; an operation unit which is connected with the brake units and manually grants braking power to the braking units; and an interlocking unit which interlocks the brake units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Gumyoung General Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gum Gee Lee
  • Patent number: 9446931
    Abstract: An elevator may include: an elevator car; a traction sheave that includes grooves; a hoisting machine configured to drive the traction sheave; and/or hoisting ropes configured to interact with the traction sheave to move the elevator car. An overall contact between the traction sheave and hoisting ropes may exceed a contact angle of 180°. A diameter of the traction sheave may be less than 320 mm. Each hoisting rope may include steel wires twisted together to form strands. The strands of each hoisting rope may be twisted together to form the hoisting rope. A thickness of each hoisting rope may be less than 8 mm. An average of wire thicknesses of the steel wires may be greater than or equal to 0.1 mm and less than or equal to 0.4 mm. A strength of the steel wires may be greater than 2,300 N/mm2 and less than 3,000 N/mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Jorma Mustalahti, Esko Aulanko
  • Patent number: 9446932
    Abstract: The invention provides a pole lifting apparatus. The pole lifting apparatus including a base section having a base plate; one or more mast sections connected to the base section and extendable in an axial manner therewith, wherein an uppermost mast section of the one or more mast sections comprises a pulley mounted at its uppermost end; and a hoist secured to the base section and having a wire rope operably associated with the one or more mast sections and pulley for use in a pole lifting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Wahoo Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Lee Nobles
  • Patent number: 9446933
    Abstract: A traffic barrier lifter mountable on a boom and having a gearbox with a first and a second rotating axis; a pair of opposing arms directly mounted to the first and second rotating axis and a rotator capable of rotating the lifter relative to the boom, wherein the gearbox is capable of moving the pair of opposing arms from an open position to a closed position such that the arms can clamp onto a traffic barrier. The rotator being capable of rotating the arms and traffic barrier relative to the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Vacuworx Global, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Solomon, Justin Hendricks
  • Patent number: 9446934
    Abstract: The present invention provides a detecting and monitoring device of the hook angle and its crane; a preferred embodiment thereof is to lengthen the two side-fenders of a movable pulley of the crane raising pulley assembly by equal amounts so that a platform can be fixed on the vacant space between the inner sides of the lengthened fenders. The platform is installed in such a way that the platform surface is a horizontal plane when the hook deviation angle is 0 degree. An angle measuring instrument is disposed on the platform surface and used to detect hook angle in real-time. The hook angle is shown in crane operator's cab by a wireless transmitter to control the crane, eliminate the hook angle deviation, and provide the basis of the vertical lifting. The embodiment can be applied to stand-alone lifting, double machine hoisting, or main and auxiliary machine hoisting. The device can be suitably installed on mobile cranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Handing Lin
  • Patent number: 9446935
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the crane safety of a crane with a variable support base and with a monitoring unit, wherein several safety criteria are monitored during crane operation, in that, for each criterion which is dependent on at least one parameter relating to the crane configuration and/or crane movement during crane operation, an admissible specific limit value is calculated during crane operation, and monitored for compliance. In addition, the invention relates to a method for operating a crane with a monitoring unit which calculates an admissible bearing load dependent on one or more modifiable parameters, during the operation of the crane, and a sensor system which detects the current modifiable parameters during crane operation, and makes them available to the monitoring unit, wherein one or more sensor values are modified before the calculation of the admissible bearing load, in order to determine the admissible bearing load for one or more future parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Oliver Ruoss
  • Patent number: 9446936
    Abstract: A pneumatically operated opener device includes a holding unit, an air valve unit, an air injection unit, and a mounting member. The holding unit includes a hollow grip and a high pressure nitrogen bottle. The air valve unit includes a valve seat and a compressed nozzle module. The air injection unit includes a hollow air duct, a hollow push rod, and an air injecting needle. The mounting member has a through hole and a hollow slot, and the hollow push rod of the air injection unit is extended through the through hole of the mounting member. Thus, the cork is pushed upward by the thrust force of nitrogen from the high pressure nitrogen bottle and is detached from the wine bottle smoothly so that the cork will not be broken and will not produce chips during the opening process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventors: Wei-Tung Kao, Chih-Lin Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9446937
    Abstract: A functional device includes: a substrate; and a movable section configured to be held by the substrate and to be movable along a first direction in a surface of the substrate, in which the movable section includes a plurality of first shaft portions with relatively high rigidity, the plurality of first shaft portions are arranged side by side to extend along the first direction and to be line-symmetric to one another, and protrusions configured to brake the movable section are provided on substantially extended lines of the first shaft portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Akiba, Mitsuo Hashimoto, Munekatsu Fukuyama
  • Patent number: 9446938
    Abstract: A capacitance type physical quantity sensor includes: a first substrate; and a second substrate bonded to the first substrate through an insulating film. The second substrate includes first and second groove portions at a place of the second substrate facing an end portion of the first and second support units formed on the first substrate on a side opposite to the movable unit. A part of the end portion of the first support unit protrudes over the first groove portion. A part of the end portion of the second support unit protrudes over the second groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuo Yoshioka, Shinya Asai, Jyunya Nishida
  • Patent number: 9446939
    Abstract: A functional element includes a first electrode section, a second electrode section, a first wiring line connected to the first electrode section, and a second wiring line connected to the second electrode section, the first wiring line is provided with at least one first intersecting section intersecting with a wiring line other than the second wiring line, the second wiring line includes at least one second intersecting section intersecting with a wiring line other than the first wiring line, and a difference between a number of the first intersecting sections and a number of the second intersecting sections satisfies a condition one of equal to and lower than 50% with respect to larger one of the number of the first intersecting sections and the number of the second intersecting sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9446940
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) die includes a substrate having a recess formed therein and a cantilevered platform structure. The cantilevered platform structure has a platform and an arm extending from the platform, wherein the platform and arm are suspended over the recess. The arm is fixed to the substrate and is a sole attachment point of the platform to the substrate. A MEMS device resides on the platform. Fabrication methodology entails forming the recess in the substrate, with the recess extending inwardly from a surface of the substrate, and attaching a structural layer over the recess and over the surface of the substrate. The MEMS device is formed on the structural layer and the structural layer is removed around a perimeter of the platform and the arm to form the cantilevered platform structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad S. Dawson, Stephen R. Hooper
  • Patent number: 9446941
    Abstract: MEMS packages, modules, and methods of fabrication are described. In an embodiment, a MEMS package includes a MEMS die and an IC die mounted on a front side of a surface mount substrate, and a molding compound encapsulating the IC die and the MEMS die on the front side of the surface mount substrate. In an embodiment, a landing pad arrangement on a back side of the surface mount substrate forms and anchor plane area for bonding the surface mount substrate to a module substrate that is not directly beneath the MEMS die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tongbi Jiang, Jie-Hua Zhao, Peter G. Hartwell
  • Patent number: 9446942
    Abstract: An electronic part includes a bottom portion of a cavity that has an oscillation device, a ceiling portion so disposed that it faces the bottom portion via the cavity and having holes, a shielding portion that is disposed in the cavity and between the bottom portion of the cavity and the ceiling portion and covers the holes in a plan view viewed in the direction in which the bottom portion of the cavity and the ceiling portion are arranged, and sealing portions that are connected to both the ceiling portion and the shielding portion via the holes and seal the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Kinugawa
  • Patent number: 9446943
    Abstract: A wafer-level packaging, comprising: a first semiconductor body integrating a MEMS structure; a second semiconductor body, including a surface electrical-contact region and an ASIC coupled to the MEMS structure and to said electrical-contact region; a first coating layer, made of resin, which englobes and protects the first body, the second body, and the electrical-contact region; at least one first conductive through via, which extends through the first coating layer in an area corresponding, and electrically coupled, to the first electrical-contact region; an electrical-contact pad, which extends over the first coating layer, electrically coupled to the first conductive through via; a third semiconductor body, integrating an electronic circuit, glued on the first coating layer; a second coating layer, made of resin, which englobes and protects the third body; at least one second conductive through via, which extends completely through the second coating layer in an area corresponding, and electrically coupl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Malta) Ltd
    Inventors: Kevin Formosa, Luca Maggi
  • Patent number: 9446944
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a sensor apparatus is provided. The sensor apparatus includes a sensor device having a plurality of electrical contacts; a housing having a plurality of sidewalls; and a metal carrier structure, which extends into the housing in a manner passing through two mutually opposite sidewalls from the plurality of sidewalls. The metal carrier structure is embodied in a resilient fashion at least in the direction of a sidewall through which the metal carrier structure extends. The sensor device having the plurality of electrical contacts is mounted in a resilient fashion on the metal carrier structure and is electrically conductively connected to the metal carrier structure by the plurality of contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Georg Ernst, Horst Theuss
  • Patent number: 9446945
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) includes a first IC and a second IC. The first IC includes a MEMS device and a first bonding structure. The second IC includes a second bonding structure. The first and second bonding structures are bonded together to couple the first IC to the second IC. A conformal barrier layer is disposed over a surface of the second IC nearest the first IC. An etch isolation structure is arranged beneath the surface of the second IC and encloses a sacrificial region which is arranged on either side of the second bonding structure and which is arranged in the second IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Heng Tsai, Yi-Hsien Chang, Chun-Ren Cheng, Chun-Wen Cheng, Tzu-Heng Wu, Wei-Cheng Shen
  • Patent number: 9446946
    Abstract: A method for the fabrication of thin-film transistors together with micromechanical components, other active electrical components or both on an amorphous or polycrystalline substrate includes disposing the thin-film transistors and the other components on different areas of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Universitaet Stuttgart
    Inventors: Patrick Schalberger, Norbert Fruehauf, Marcus Herrmann
  • Patent number: 9446947
    Abstract: A MEMS device is formed by forming a sacrificial layer over a substrate and forming a first metal layer over the sacrificial layer. Subsequently, the first metal layer is exposed to an oxidizing ambient which oxidizes a surface layer of the first metal layer where exposed to the oxidizing ambient, to form a native oxide layer of the first metal layer. A second metal layer is subsequently formed over the native oxide layer of the first metal layer. The sacrificial layer is subsequently removed, forming a released metal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Earl Vedere Atnip, Raul Enrique Barreto, Kelly J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9446948
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a MEMS device provides a device substrate, forms a plurality of trenches in/on the substrate, and forms a sacrificial material on the substrate (e.g., growing or depositing the sacrificial material) to form a plurality of etch channels. Each trench defines one etch channel, and each etch channel forms an interior configured to channel etchant. The method also bonds a handle substrate to the sacrificial material of the device substrate, and removes at least a portion of the sacrificial material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Kieran Nunan
  • Patent number: 9446949
    Abstract: The present invention provides vicinal surfaces of polycrystalline materials and a method for their preparation. The method includes the deposition of a polycrystalline material on a substrate followed by removing the material from the substrate so as to expose a vicinal surface having stepped terraces. The step of removing the material from the substrate may be preceded by annealing. The vicinal surfaces are useful for a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Technion Research and Development Foundatin Ltd.
    Inventors: Boaz Pokroy, Shirly Borukhin
  • Patent number: 9446950
    Abstract: A method and system for constructing structures by self-assembly of objects. The method and system include providing a first object having a first selected shape and providing a second object having a second selected shape, the shape of the first and second objects interacting to form an alignment which has only a simple stable state arising from minimization of interaction energy for the single stable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventors: Paul Michael Chaikin, Tycho Sleator, Remi Dreyfus, Daniel Sleator
  • Patent number: 9446951
    Abstract: Highly-ordered nanostructure arrays and methods of preparation of the highly-ordered nanostructure arrays for adsorption of pollutants are disclosed. The highly-ordered nanostructure arrays can be vertically aligned metal oxide nanotube arrays having metal-deposited carbon nanotubes within the nanostructures. The metal-deposited carbon nanotubes within the nanostructures increase the adsorption of the pollutants, as discussed in greater detail below. The highly-ordered nanostructure arrays can be included in various filters, such as cigarette filters, to adsorb carcinogens and pollutants from the tobacco smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventors: Alimorad Rashidi, Kheirollah Jafari Jozani, Mahnaz Pourkhalil, Mahdi Mohajeri, Hamzeh Ghorbani, Maryam Rashtchi
  • Patent number: 9446952
    Abstract: A process for generating aqueous chlorine dioxide solutions includes adding a solid phase alkali metal chlorite, a solid phase acid, and a solid phase oxidizing agent to an aqueous solution, wherein the solid phase acid ahs a pKa less than 4. Also disclosed are compositions for producing chlorine dioxide solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: NALCO Company
    Inventor: Felice DiMascio
  • Patent number: 9446953
    Abstract: Metal and semiconductor nanoshells, particularly transition metal nanoshells, are fabricated using dendrimer molecules. Metallic colloids, metallic ions or semiconductors are attached to amine groups on the dendrimer surface in stabilized solution for the surface seeding method and the surface seedless method, respectively. Subsequently, the process is repeated with additional metallic ions or semiconductor, a stabilizer, and NaBH4 to increase the wall thickness of the metallic or semiconductor lining on the dendrimer surface. Metallic or semiconductor ions are automatically reduced on the metallic or semiconductor nanoparticles causing the formation of hollow metallic or semiconductor nanoparticles. The void size of the formed hollow nanoparticles depends on the dendrimer generation. The thickness of the metallic or semiconductor thin film around the dendrimer depends on the repetition times and the size of initial metallic or semiconductor seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Jae-Woo Kim, Sang H. Choi, Sr., Peter T. Lillehei, Sang-Hyon Chu, Yeonjoon Park, Glen C. King, James R. Elliott
  • Patent number: 9446954
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing trisilylamine and polysilazanes in the liquid phase, in which ammonia is introduced in a superstoichiometric amount relative to 5 monochlorosilane which is present in an inert solvent. Here, a reaction in which trisilylamine and polysilazanes are formed proceeds. TSA is subsequently separated off in gaseous form from the product mixture. The TSA obtained is purified by filtration and distillation and obtained in high or very high purity. The bottom product mixture is conveyed from the reactor through a filter unit in which solid ammonium chloride is separated off to give a liquid mixture of polysilazanes and solvent. This is fed to a further distillation to recover solvent. As a result of the NH3 being introduced in a superstoichiometric amount relative to monochlorosilane, monochlorosilane is completely reacted in the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Carl-Friedrich Hoppe, Christian Goetz, Goswin Uehlenbruck, Hartwig Rauleder
  • Patent number: 9446955
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a continuous lignin fiber from softwood and/or hardwood alkali lignin. The lignin fiber can be further treated to obtain structural carbon fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: INNVENTIA AB
    Inventors: Elisabeth Sjholm, Goran Gellerstedt, Rickard Drougge, Ida Norberg, Ylva Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 9446956
    Abstract: A method of purifying a nanodiamond powder includes preparing the nanodiamond powder, heating the nanodiamond powder at between 450° C. and 470° C. in an atmosphere including oxygen, performing a hydrochloric acid treatment on the heated nanodiamond powder, and performing a hydrofluoric acid treatment on the nanodiamond powder obtained after performing the hydrochloric acid treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona, Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Palash Gangopadhyay, Robert A. Norwood, Alexander Ashton Miles, Jun Kato, Shabnam Virji, Mamoru Miyawaki
  • Patent number: 9446957
    Abstract: Polycrystalline silicon rods produced by the Siemens process produce a higher yield of CZ crystals when the process parameters are modified in a second stage of deposition such that an outer layer of larger crystallites having a mean swize >20 ?m is produced. Harvesting of these polycrystalline rods and conventional rods by enclosing them in a plastic bag or sheath prior to removal from the reactor also surprisingly increase the yield of CZ crystals grown from a melt containing the sheathed rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: WACKER CHEMIE AG
    Inventors: Mikhail Sofin, Erich Dornberger, Reiner Pech
  • Patent number: 9446958
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a condensed phase batch process for synthesis of trisilylamine (TSA). An improved synthesis process that incorporates a solvent to help promote a condensed-phase reaction between ammonia gas (or liquid) and liquified monochlorosilane (MCS) in good yields is described. This process facilitates the removal of the byproduct waste with little to no reactor down time, substantial reduction of down-stream solids contamination and high-purity product from first-pass distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Cole J. Ritter, III, Matthew Damien Stephens