Patents Issued in October 4, 2016
  • Patent number: 9457972
    Abstract: A medium processing device including a holding section that includes an opening forming a medium insertion port, and that holds a medium inserted through the insertion port, a medium press section that is capable of moving between a first end side wall and a second end side wall of the holding section, and that presses the medium inserted through the insertion port against the second end side wall of the holding section, and an opening-out section that spans between the medium press section and the first end side wall of the holding section, and that opens out in a medium non-holding area between the medium press section and the first end side wall of the holding section accompanying movement of the medium press section from the first end side to the second end side of the holding section in order to press the medium inserted into a medium holding area between the medium press section and the second end side wall of the holding section against the second end side wall of the holding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuusuke Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9457973
    Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a separation roller having a circumferential surface that contacts a first sheet to be fed first among stacked sheets and picks up the first sheet and one or more second sheets adjacent to the first sheet, a separation arm that is closer to the circumferential surface of the separation roller downstream in a feeding direction and configured to apply higher frictional resistance to the second sheets than the first sheet to feed the first sheet ahead of the second sheets, and a guide member including a guide portion that has a lower-friction surface than the separation arm and extends from the separation arm with a distal end thereof in contact with or close to the circumferential surface of the separation roller. The guide portion guides the first and second sheets along the circumferential surface of the separation roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Osakabe, Takayuki Akimatsu
  • Patent number: 9457974
    Abstract: Imaging apparatus and methods for bindery systems are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a platform and a separator coupled to the platform. The separator to receive a signature assembly, the separator includes an end to engage the signature assembly to separate a first page from the signature assembly, a first guide to direct the first page toward the platform and a second guide to direct a second page of the signature assembly toward a side of the platform. The apparatus includes a printer positioned above the platform. The printer is to image the first page when the first page is disposed on the platform. The apparatus includes a pump fluidly coupled through the platform to draw the first page toward the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY
    Inventors: Ty Daniel Wyble, Todd Tracy Rose
  • Patent number: 9457975
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes: a motor; a driving body rotated by the motor; a rotary encoder including a disk and a sensor; a detector detecting a rotation position and a rotation velocity of the disk based on a signal outputted from the sensor; and a controller. The disk is fixed to the driving body in a state of being eccentric to a rotational axis of the driving body, and the sensor reads a scale of the disk and outputs a pulse signal depending on rotation of the disk. The controller generates velocity data indicating a locus of the rotation velocity with respect to the rotation position; specifies a position-phase relation between the rotation position of the disk and a rotation phase of the driving body; and controls at least one of the rotation of the driving body and displacement of an object being displaced by action from the driving body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichi Iesaki
  • Patent number: 9457976
    Abstract: Apparatus for causing paper webs to tear off within rewinding machines, the web (2) being provided, at regular intervals, with transverse perforation which subdivide the web into sheets joined to each other but able to be separated in correspondence of said perforation lines, the apparatus comprising a device to cause the tearing of the web (2) upon the passage of a perforation line (p) which separates the last sheet of a log (RO) in the course of formation from the first sheet of the next log to be formed, characterized in that the tearing device is a pneumatic type device (SP) able to direct a jet of compressed air toward the line (p).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventor: Fabio Perini
  • Patent number: 9457977
    Abstract: A gear unit 40 includes: a sprocket 32 including pins 31 provided on a periphery thereof and a final gear 42; and one or more transmission gears disposed between a drive motor 33 and the final gear 42. The pins 31 engage with feed holes provided at equal pitches in a carrier tape. A sensor 48 which detects an angle is provided to face a transmission gear, of the one or more transmission gears, of which a rotation ratio to the final gear 42 is 1:N (N is a positive integer).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: PANASONIC CORPORATION, NIDEC COPAL ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Kawaguchi, Shigekazu Yoneyama, Tatsuo Yamamura, Kazunori Kanai, Yuuki Nakada, Kiyoshi Tanaka, Toshiaki Numata
  • Patent number: 9457978
    Abstract: The delivery system has a supply device having a supply port for supplying an article; a receiving device having a receiving port that is able to receive the article that is supplied from the supply port; and a detection unit that is capable of detecting: a first state in which the supply device and the receiving device are joined by the supply port engaging with the receiving port; a second state in which the supply device and the receiving device are close together and there is a space between the supply port and the receiving port; and a third state in which the supply device and the receiving device are separated and the space between the device is wider than in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Koda, Kazuhiko Onuki, Masaharu Shimakawa
  • Patent number: 9457979
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a banknote pressing device, including a banknote blocking mechanism (10), and a left banknote pressing plate (20) and a right banknote pressing plate (30), wherein the left banknote pressing plate (20) includes a movable A end (21) and a B end (22), the right banknote pressing plate (30) includes a movable C end (31) of the right banknote pressing plate and a D end (32) of the right banknote pressing plate, the movable A end (21) of the left banknote pressing plate (20) and the movable C end (31) of the right banknote pressing plate (30) can be synchronously opened, closed and swung with the B end (22) and the D end (32)-as rotating centers, respectively, and a spring (51) and a banknote stacking plate (41) are further arranged below the left banknote pressing plate (20) and the right banknote pressing plate (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SHENZHEN BROADZONE INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lanzhong Hou, Chengwu Gu
  • Patent number: 9457980
    Abstract: A sheet stacking device for forming a stack of subsequent sheets includes a rotatably arranged flipping element and a closed-loop shaped friction element. The flipping element includes a slot at its circumferential edge for accepting at least a portion of a sheet. In a first rotation zone, the flipping element is able to accept the sheet into the slot and, in a second rotation zone, the sheet is conveyed out of the slot onto the top of the stack of subsequent sheets. The friction element is moveably arranged on the flipping element, and is controllable to move into a first radial position and a second radial position. In the first radial position, the friction element does not apply a frictional force to a sheet in the transport path and in the second radial position, the friction element does apply a frictional force to a sheet in the transport path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: OCE-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Herman Kuypers, Stan H. L. A. Rutten
  • Patent number: 9457981
    Abstract: An image scanner system and method with document sorting capability that includes the ability to sort based on image content is described. A processor instructs drive motors and rollers of the transport system moving the document along a transport path within the scanner to stop movement, such that document is stopped at a position after it is imaged to provide time for the processor to analyze the image content and make a sorting decision. The transport system is then restarted and the document is delivered to a paper path switching mechanism to provide the physical sort. Based on the processing, the switching mechanism is positioned such that the document will follow a transport path into a desired output tray. The system may reverse the transport system to back up the document before being restarted in order to allow for paper path switching of longer documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Kodak Alaris Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Westcott, Randall Maysick
  • Patent number: 9457982
    Abstract: A material dispenser having a dispensing member configured to dispense a line of the material along a path in a downstream direction, and a cutting member having a cutting edge extending generally downstream with respect to the path. The cutting member having a convex shape across the path, such that the cutting edge engages and sequentially initiates cuts through the line of material when the line of material is pulled against the cutting member, thereby minimize cutting forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: PREGIS INNOVATIVE PACKAGING LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Patent number: 9457983
    Abstract: A dispenser dispenses portions of a roll of a double-sided sticky adhesive tape where at least one sticky side is covered by a liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: tesa SE
    Inventor: Peter Himmelsbach
  • Patent number: 9457984
    Abstract: While a winding member is making one rotation, an optical fiber is once skewed relative to the circumferential direction and further shifted by a desired length in the width direction of a circumferential surface. In this state, the winding member winds up the optical fiber. This operation is performed in the same direction every rotation when the winding member rotates (N?1) times. Next, in the N-th rotation of the winding member, a guide member performs the guide to the optical fiber to skew reversely to the direction of shifting in the (N?1) rotations of the winding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki Takagi
  • Patent number: 9457985
    Abstract: A technique for maintaining tension on fiber drawn from a spindle includes incorporating a permanent magnet brake into a spindle and controlling tension of fiber paid out from the spindle by rotating an adjustment plate of the permanent magnet brake with a motor. In some examples, a motor (e.g., a stepper motor) is coupled to the adjusting plate of the permanent magnet motor through a set of gears, a timing belt, or a similar transmission medium. Mechanical advantage afforded through gear reduction allows a very small motor to control a large amount of braking torque. Motor control may be accomplished for multiple spindles with little power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: James L. Gallagher, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 9457986
    Abstract: A control device (1) for a hydraulic elevator drive (11) with a first and second control valve (21, 22) for controlling the volume flow of a working fluid wherein the flow is detected (610) and compared (52) with a reference value (51) and a pilot (3) with a first and second pilot valve (31, 32) to control the first and second control valve in which the pilot has an actuator (4) and a coupler (33) that can activate and decouple each pilot valve. A hydraulic drive system (16) for an elevator having the control device and a method for retrofitting such a drive system. The control device is simple in design and operation and provides for cost advantages and an increased reliability. The hydraulic drive system with the control device permits an overall improvement in the starting quality of an elevator by automatic compensation of drive-side and output-side interference variables and load-induced fluctuations in the working fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventors: Roland Bisig, Esad Ibrisimbegovic
  • Patent number: 9457987
    Abstract: An elevator system including a braking system, and a method of retrofitting an elevator for such braking system is disclosed. The braking system may comprise a first brake having a first magnetic brake coil, the first brake movable between a disengaged and an engaged position, a second brake having a second magnetic brake coil, the second brake movable between a disengaged and an engaged position, and a brake control device having a brake power source. The brake control device may be electrically connected to the first and second brakes and may be configured to selectively delay or sequence the movement of the first brake and the second brake to the engaged position with residual current from the brake coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Joseph L. Della Porta
  • Patent number: 9457988
    Abstract: A braking system and method for an apparatus or vehicle moved along a pathway by an apparatus drive mechanism, for halting the movement of the apparatus or vehicle in the event that the drive mechanism loses power or malfunctions. A conveyance system includes a pathway, an moving apparatus moving along the pathway, the apparatus drive mechanism, a brake rail along the pathway having along one edge a multiplicity of regularly spaced teeth with gaps between successive teeth, and a brake device mounted securely to the apparatus. The brake device includes a rotatably driven rotor having outer helical threads for running the gaps in the brake rail with successive turns of the driven rotor without touching the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Federal Equipment Company
    Inventors: Paul Anderson, Thomas R Aultz, Timothy J. Beitz, Scott Kim Thompson
  • Patent number: 9457989
    Abstract: An elevator cage is movable along at least two guide rails and the elevator cage is equipped with a braking system. The elevator braking device has a brake housing and a force store. The brake housing is mounted to be displaceable between a first position and a second position. The force store acts on the brake housing and pushes the brake housing in the direction of a second position. In addition, the elevator braking device includes an actuator which can act on the brake housing and keep the brake housing in a first position. The actuator in its first setting can hold the brake housing in the first position against the force of the force store. In a second setting the actuator enables pushing of the brake housing into the second position. A brake element is thereby brought into contact with the brake rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Daniel Meierhans, Faruk Osmanbasic, Marcus Junig, Michael Geisshusler, Nicolas Gremaud, Josef A. Muff
  • Patent number: 9457990
    Abstract: A safety brake device at a load receiving means of an elevator installation comprises brake equipment which co-operates with a guide rail of the load receiving means. The brake equipment includes a cam disc, which is rotatable about a cam disc axis and which for activation of the safety brake device is set into a rotation through an activation rotational angle, wherein the cam disc is so designed that the cam disc as a consequence of rotation through the activation rotational angle comes into contact with the guide rail, whereby the guide rail moving relative to the safety brake device when the load receiving means is travelling rotates the cam disc into a position in which the brake equipment and thus the safety brake device produce an intended braking action relative to the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Faruk Osmanbasic, Miriam Heini, Quirin Kollros, Simon Barmettler
  • Patent number: 9457991
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a traction sheave elevator and a rope that contains metal as a load-bearing material, such as the suspension rope of an elevator, which rope comprises at least one or more strands laid from metal wires and which rope is lubricated with a lubricant. Another object is the use of the aforementioned lubricant for lubricating the rope. The lubricant comprises at least oil and thickener, which thickener in the lubricant comprises at least 10% or more of the mass of the lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Raimo Pelto-Huikko, Sakari Korvenranta, Jarmo Myllynen, Heli Torenius
  • Patent number: 9457992
    Abstract: A device, in particular a stair lift, for conveying a person from a first level to a second level, comprising a rail (2) which extends between the first and the second level, a frame (3) which is provided with engaging means designed to engage the rail (2) in such a manner that the frame (3) can be moved along the rail (2), driving means designed to cause the frame (3) to move along the rail (2), and a support (5), in particular a chair, on which the person can be seated, which stair lift is furthermore provided with control means designed to activate the driving means, wherein the control means comprise at least a touch-sensitive surface (9), which surface extends or may extend in such a manner that a person can rest his or her hand, or a part thereof, on the surface so as to activate the driving means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Otto Ooms B.V.
    Inventor: Andre Ooms
  • Patent number: 9457993
    Abstract: An elevator includes a hoisting machine, hoisting roping, an elevator hoistway, and an elevator car arranged to move in the elevator hoistway, and possibly a counterweight. The elevator car includes an interior, which is bounded by at least a roof of the elevator car, and a frame structure, which includes one or more parallel, horizontal, elongated roof beams in connection with the roof of the elevator car, preferably two parallel, horizontal, elongated roof beams, and which elevator includes one or more luminaires for lighting the interior of the elevator car. The structure of each of the one or more luminaires, preferably at least the light source and/or reflective surface of each of the one or more luminaires, is mainly by the side of the one or more roof beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tuuli Somma, Andrea Fasoli, Timo Manner, Matti Räsänen, Osmo Björni, Paula Bello, Juha Mielonen, Razvan Albu, Natarajan Nithil Karimpanackal
  • Patent number: 9457994
    Abstract: An exemplary method of assembling an elevator machine frame includes situating at least a portion of a motor in a desired position, placing an elevator frame support plate against the portion of the motor, connecting a plurality of support rods to the support plate and connecting another support plate to the support rods such that the support plates are spaced from each other and in a desired alignment with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Zbigniew Piech, Stephen R. Nichols, Patricia L. Driesch, Pawel Witczak, Benjamin J. Watson
  • Patent number: 9457995
    Abstract: Guide rail for an escalator of a moving walkway, comprising at least one planar base surface with a guide surface for rollers, particularly for guide rollers of a step belt or plate belt of an escalator or a moving walkway, and at least one guide strip with a guide flank for lateral guidance of these rollers, wherein the guide strip is a separate component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Christoph Makovec, Jürg Burri, Michael Matheisl, Thomas Illedits, Thomas Novacek, Uwe Hauer, Wolfgang Neszmerak
  • Patent number: 9457996
    Abstract: A balustrade support for an escalator or moving walk is located in a deflection area of the balustrade handrail. The support has a mounting region for mounting a handrail deflection wheel, a first fixing section for mounting the support to a framework of the escalator or moving walk, and a second fixing section for mounting the support to the balustrade. The rigidity of the support's mounting region for the deflection wheel is increased by the mounting of the support to the framework as well as to the balustrade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Gerald Winkler, Günther Horvath, Günther Niedermayer, Michael Matheisl
  • Patent number: 9457997
    Abstract: Counterweight fixing device (1) for a crane, which is comparatively easy to install and can also be used in particular for cranes with a derricking jib, in which the derricking jib is rigidly connected to the mast (3), and at the same time provides a safe design without generating a high noise level during operation. The core principle of the design of the counterweight fixing device (1) is that the counterweight blocks (4) are simply suspended on a carrier bar (2), but the generation of noise is kept to a low level due to the suppression of the freedom of movement of the counterweight blocks (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Wolffkran Holding AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Dorzbach, Johannes Kleinknecht, Jochen Ziegler
  • Patent number: 9457998
    Abstract: In certain embodiments of the invention, devices for locking a spring assembly on a tandem-axle vehicle are provided. Some embodiments relate to methods of locking a spring assembly on a tandem-axle vehicle. In some embodiments, devices for locking a spring assembly on a tandem-axle vehicle, such devices comprising: a block having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of side surfaces between the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein the top surface may or may not be parallel to the bottom surface, wherein the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface is between about 2 and about 25 cm, and wherein the top surface is angled between 5 and 45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface; wherein the block is adapted to be inserted between a first leaf spring and a frame of a vehicle to lock the vehicle's spring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventor: Kevin Easterly
  • Patent number: 9457999
    Abstract: A pallet picking adapter (100) is adapted for use with a forklift truck (102). The pallet picking adapter (100) includes a bulkhead (130) attached to a frame of the forklift truck (102). The adapter (100) further comprises a deck system (178) having a pair of deck assemblies (180). The deck assemblies (180) can be stored with the bulkhead (130) in the vertical, upright position. For use, the deck assemblies (180) can be individually lowered so as to rest upon forks (120, 122) of the truck (102). In these operable positions, the deck assemblies (180) can be utilized to transport CooLift pallets (320, 322). When the deck assemblies (180) are in the stored, upright position, the adapter 100 can be utilized to transport conventional pallets of standards sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Magline, Inc.
    Inventors: John Belotti, Mark A. Romo, Greg Ecker, James Gage, Christopher J Guoan, Stuart J Shellenbarger
  • Patent number: 9458000
    Abstract: A pallet truck adapter having side by side shoes for fitting over pallet supporting tines, in which the shoes are of different heights. This facilitates locating one pallet on the higher shoe, lifting it slightly off of the supporting surface, and then moving to and lifting another pallet on the lower shoe. The adjacent pallets can then be moved together and off loaded at different locations, unloading the pallet on the lower shoe first, and the pallet on the higher shoe thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Magline, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Richard, John C. Belotti
  • Patent number: 9458001
    Abstract: A powered pallet truck with a selectable effective reduced turning radius, and an intermediate roller assembly for mounting on the powered pallet truck, are provided. The intermediate roller assembly can include a base, a linear actuator pivotably connected at a base end to the base, a linkage pivotably connected to the base, and at least one roller having an axis pivotably connected to an actuating end of the linear actuator and to the linkage, the at least one roller thus being movable between a retracted and an engagement position. The assembly can be mounted to the underside of a pallet truck fork having a load wheel. A turning radius effectively defined by a drive wheel of the pallet truck and the intermediate roller, or a turning radius effectively defined by the drive wheel and the load wheel, can be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: RYDER MATERIAL HANDLING LLC
    Inventors: Mark Keen, Michael Novak, Thomas Ryder
  • Patent number: 9458002
    Abstract: A bottle cap adapter for supplying liquids, particularly viscous liquids, comprising: a body part; and a vent tube comprising a first opening and a second opening, the first opening being configured to be put inside a bottle in the vicinity of the bottom of the bottle, wherein the body part further comprises a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being perpendicular to the vent tube and the second surface being parallel to or tilted to the first surface, e.g., by an angle of 0° to 40°, wherein the body part further comprises a channel from the first surface to the second surface, wherein at least one part of the channel comprises a connector extending to the second surface, the connector being complementary to a connector of the bottle, wherein the body part is further configured to be coupled to a bottle supply system, and wherein the vent tube is at least partially located in the channel of the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SUSS MicroTec Lithography GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Treichel, Suayib Kartal, Kader Mekias, Aaron Foley, Greg George
  • Patent number: 9458003
    Abstract: A multi-port cap adapter for a liquid dispensing system is disclosed including a liquid container which supplies liquid to a draw-off mechanism. A cap is removably mounted on the container for selectively closing the outlet opening thereof with the cap having an opening formed therein. A top housing is positioned on the cap with a portion thereof extending downwardly into the cap. The top housing includes take-off members which extend to a draw-off mechanism such as a mixing machine, etc. A flexible, low-profile valve is associated with each of the take-off members. Each of the valves includes a dome-shaped diaphragm having a normally closed slit formed therein. When sufficient vacuum pressure is subjected to the take-off member, the associated valve opens to permit liquid to flow from the container through the valve and outwardly from the associated take-off member to the draw-off mechanism associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventor: Rodney Laible
  • Patent number: 9458004
    Abstract: A fueling nozzle for dispensing a gaseous fuel to a vehicle includes a main body having a conduit formed therein and configured to permit the gaseous fuel to flow therethrough. The conduit terminates at a dispensing end of the main body. The dispensing end of the main body forms an interface with a fuel inlet of the vehicle during a fueling operation. The fueling nozzle further includes a sensor disposed at the dispensing end of the main body adjacent the conduit. The sensor is configured to detect a leakage of the gaseous fuel during the fueling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jörg Schulze
  • Patent number: 9458005
    Abstract: This invention relates to an overfill prevention system for preventing the overfilling of tanks when filling up large tanks from a fuel distribution truck. The system operates by monitoring and automatically controlling the filling process by use of a power take off switch assembly that is connected electronically to a secondary overfill prevention system that is also connected to a signal probe located in the tank that is being filled. In operation, once fuel contacts the signal probe, a communicator signal is sent from the signal probe to a secondary overfill prevention system, which interrupts a looping electrical current through a fuel shut off sensor assembly to a power take off switch assembly along a connecting cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Western Transportation, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Horner
  • Patent number: 9458006
    Abstract: A non-pressurized fluid level shutoff system for a fuel tank includes a fuel receiver having a flow control valve that opens in a direction opposite a direction of fuel flow, and that cannot be manually overridden. A fuel sensor funnels fuel through a fuel jet outlet orifice to form a stream of fuel across a cutout section, and a supplemental peripheral port connected between an outlet orifice mixing chamber and the interior of the tank is oriented perpendicular to the stream of fuel across the cutout section, to interfere with the stream of fuel when the sensor is submerged in fuel in the tank, to further reduce any residual fluid flow signal when the sensor is fully submerged, allowing the flow control valve in the receiver to close completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ADEL WIGGINS GROUP
    Inventor: Christopher Quang
  • Patent number: 9458007
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device that satisfies the need for a youth/small person stirrup attachment for an adult sized saddle to accommodate needs of a youth/small person saddle without the expense of a uniquely sized saddle for the child. The attachment has: a middle portion for support of a child/youth; a front portion of the attachment coupled to an adult saddle horn; a stretchable strap coupled on a first end to a rear portion of the attachment; a second end of the stretchable strap coupled to a rear portion of the adult saddle; a bottom portion of has attachment having a friction layer between the attachment and a top layer of the adult saddle; and a pair of stirrups with each stirrup coupled to a side of the middle area of the attachment by a stirrup adjustment portion. Such an attachment enhances the safety and comfort of said child/youth while riding a horse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventor: Bradley W. Rehmeyer
  • Patent number: 9458008
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) die includes a substrate having a first substrate layer, a second substrate layer, and an insulator layer interposed between the first and second substrate layers. A structure is formed in the first substrate layer and includes a platform upon which a MEMS device resides. Fabrication methodology entails forming the MEMS device on a front side of the first substrate layer of the substrate, forming openings extending through the second substrate layer from a back side of the second substrate layer to the insulator layer, and forming a trench in the first substrate layer extending from the front side to the insulator layer. The trench is laterally offset from the openings. The trench surrounds the MEMS device to produce the structure in the first substrate layer on which the MEMS device resides. The insulator layer is removed underlying the structure to suspend the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad S. Dawson, Fengyuan Li, Ruben B. Montez, Colin B. Stevens
  • Patent number: 9458009
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a sacrificial layer over a first surface of a workpiece having the first surface and an opposite second surface. A membrane is formed over the sacrificial layer. A through hole is etched through the workpiece from the second surface to expose a surface of the sacrificial layer. At least a portion of the sacrificial layer is removed from the second surface to form a cavity under the membrane. The cavity is aligned with the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Alfons Dehe, Carsten Ahrens, Stefan Barzen, Wolfgang Friza
  • Patent number: 9458010
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device forms anchors for one or more layers of material. The method includes depositing a first layer of material on a substrate, applying a mask over the first layer of material to mask nanoparticle-sized areas of the first material, removing portions of the first layer of material to form a first set of recesses around the nanoparticle-sized areas of the first material, depositing a second layer of material in the recesses and over the nanoparticle-sized areas so that a second set of recesses is formed in a top surface of the second layer of material, and forming a component of the semiconductor device over the second layer of material. Material of a bottom surface of the component is included in the second set of recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruben B. Montez, Robert F. Steimle
  • Patent number: 9458011
    Abstract: Self-supported MEMS structure and method for its formation are disclosed. An exemplary method includes forming a polymer layer over a MEMS plate over a substrate, forming a trench over the MEMS plate, forming an oxide liner in the trench on sidewalls of the trench, forming a metal liner over the oxide liner in the trench, and depositing a metallic filler in the trench to form a via. The method further includes removing the polymer layer such that the via and the MEMS plate form the self-supported MEMS structure, where the oxide liner provides mechanical rigidity for the metallic filler of the via. An exemplary structure formed by the disclosed method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Newport Fab, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Howard, Michael J. DeBar, Jeff Rose, Arjun Kar-Roy
  • Patent number: 9458012
    Abstract: A method includes applying a compressive force against MEMS structures at a front side of a MEMS wafer using a protective material covering at least a portion of the front side of the MEMS wafer. The method further includes concurrently dicing through the protective material and the MEMS wafer from the front side to produce a plurality of MEMS dies, each of which includes at least one of the MEMS structures. The protective material is secured over the front side of the MEMS wafer to apply pressure to the protective material, and thereby impart the compressive force against the MEMS structures to largely limit movement of the MEMS structures during dicing. A tack-free surface of the protective material enables its removal following dicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Magnus, Vijay Sarihan
  • Patent number: 9458013
    Abstract: Process for the production of a H2-containing product in a hydrogen production facility comprising a catalytic steam-hydrocarbon reformer and a pressure swing adsorption unit. The process comprises a catalytic steam-hydrocarbon reformer shutdown mode, a pressure swing adsorption unit shutdown mode, a pressure swing adsorption unit maintenance state, a pressure swing adsorption unit startup mode, and a catalytic steam-hydrocarbon reformer startup mode. The pressure swing adsorption unit startup mode comprises purging the adsorption beds with N2, then purging the adsorption beds with H2, and then adjusting the pressure of the H2 in the adsorption beds to within defined target pressure ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Sicinski, Christopher H. Wood, Bryan Clair Hoke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9458014
    Abstract: A method and system for capturing and isolating carbon dioxide and hydrogen gases from a high temperature synthesis gas stream containing a substantial amount of CO and sulfur compounds for use as a “clean” supplemental fuel, comprising the steps of reducing the temperature of the high temperature synthesis gas stream, removing substantially all of the sulfur compounds present in the synthesis gas, converting a first portion of CO to carbon dioxide in a first high temperature water-gas shift reaction, converting a second portion of CO to carbon dioxide using a second low temperature water-gas shift reaction, converting a third portion of CO to carbon dioxide using a third low temperature water-gas shift reaction and then separating out substantially all hydrogen present in the treated synthesis gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: General Electronic Company
    Inventors: Thirumala Reddy Nagarjuna Reddy, Ashok Kumar Anand, Mahendhra Muthuramalingam
  • Patent number: 9458015
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for preparing an alkali metal sulfide, from at least one oxygenated alkali metal compound comprising at least one step a) involving reacting said oxygenated alkali compound(s) with at least one sulfur compound of formula (I): in which: R represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical, containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms; n is equal to 0, 1 or 2; x is equal to 0 or to a whole number having a value of between 1 and 10, preferably x is a whole number equal to 1, 2, 3 or 4; R? represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl radical, containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms or, only if n=x=0, a hydrogen atom; or indeed R and R? can form, together and with the sulfur atom(s) bearing them, a sulfur heterocycle containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and optionally one or a plurality of heteroatoms chosen from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Arkema France
    Inventors: Paul Guillaume Schmitt, Georges Fremy
  • Patent number: 9458016
    Abstract: Provided is an olivine-type lithium iron phosphate composed of secondary particles having a mean particle diameter (D50) of 5 to 100 ?m, formed by aggregation of primary particles having a mean particle diameter (D50) of 50 to 550 nm, wherein the primary and secondary particles have a composition represented by Formula I below and the secondary particles have a porosity of 15 to 40%: Li1+aFe1?xMx(PO4?b)Xb (I) wherein M is selected from Al, Mg, Ni, Co, Mn, Ti, Ga, Cu, V, Nb, Zr, Ce, In, Zn, Y and combinations thereof; X is selected from F, S, N and combinations thereof; ?0.5?a?+0.5; 0?x?0.5; and 0?b?0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Sanghoon Choy, Yong Tae Lee, Hong-Kyu Park, Soo Min Park, Ji Eun Lee
  • Patent number: 9458017
    Abstract: Provided herein are carbon nanotubes conformally coated with diamond nanocrystals or silicon carbide, or both, methods of their preparation, methods of their use and compositions and materials comprising the conformally coated carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA MADRE Y MAESTRA
    Inventor: Fabrice Piazza
  • Patent number: 9458018
    Abstract: Catalyst support means for producing a fluid catalyst; a reduction basin that pretreats an active metal of the obtained fluid catalyst in a reducing atmosphere; a fluid bed reactor which is supplied with a reduction-treated fluid catalyst having undergone the reduction, for producing a nanocarbon material; and a moisture application basin for supplying a slight amount of moisture to a source gas to be supplied to the aforementioned fluid bed reactor are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Sugiyama, Kiyoshi Tatsuhara, Ikumasa Koshiro, Atsushi Tanaka, Yasushi Mori, Takashi Kurisaki
  • Patent number: 9458019
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing graphite layers, comprising the step of heating at least one monolayer with low-molecular weight aromatics and/or low-molecular weight heteroaromatics crosslinked in the lateral direction under vacuum or inert gas to a temperature of >800 K, and to graphite layers which are obtainable by this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Universität Bielefeld
    Inventors: Armin Gölzhäuser, Andrey Turchanin
  • Patent number: 9458020
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of forming a graphene layer involving: heating a support layer in a reaction chamber; and forming the graphene layer on a surface of the support layer by: a) during a first time period, introducing into the reaction chamber an organic compound gas to cause a formation of carbon atoms on the surface; b) during a second time period after the first time period, reducing a rate of introduction of the organic compound gas into the reaction chamber and introducing into the reaction chamber a further gas, wherein the further gas is a carbon etching gas; and repeating a) and b) one or more times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Vincent Bouchiat, Johann Coraux, Zheng Han
  • Patent number: 9458021
    Abstract: The present patent application discloses a novel sol-gel process to synthesize a nano-porous solid carbon material—suitable for use in electrodes in energy storage applications—from a combination of liquid reagents that undergo a polymerization reaction to form a matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Farad Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Shantanu Mitra