Patents Issued in December 20, 2016
  • Patent number: 9523518
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device includes a flow channel coupling member which constitutes at least one of a branching portion and a joining portion of a third refrigerant passage and a branching portion and a joining portion of a bypass passage. One of three refrigerant ports of the flow channel coupling member is directly connected to one of two refrigerant ports of a first switching device or a second switching device, and a sealing mechanism preventing a refrigerant leakage is provided in a connecting portion between the refrigerant port of the flow channel coupling member and the refrigerant port of the first switching device or the second switching device. The flow channel coupling member is fixed to one of the switching devices at a position different from a position of the sealing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, DENSO AIR SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiichi Kitamura, Shiho Hashimoto, Mitsuyoshi Tanaka, Junichi Ono
  • Patent number: 9523519
    Abstract: A magnetocaloric heat generator (1) which comprises at least one magnetocaloric unit (21) provided with at least one magnetocaloric material (3) in thermal contact with a heat transfer fluid (F) and at least one magnetic unit (41) capable of subjecting the magnetocaloric material (3) to a variable magnetic field. This generator (1) is characterized in that each unit (21, 41) has a modular configuration and comprises at least one fitting form (E1, E2, E3) which facilitates assembly with another unit (41, 21), along a same median axis (M), which is provided with a complementary fitting form (E1, E2, E3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: COOLTECH APPLICATIONS, S.A.S.
    Inventor: Christian Muller
  • Patent number: 9523520
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus uses R32, a refrigerant mixture containing R32 and HFO1234yf in which R32 has a mass percentage of 40% or higher, or a refrigerant mixture containing R32 and HFO1234ze in which R32 has a mass percentage of 15% or higher, as a heat-source refrigerant. The air-conditioning apparatus includes a low-pressure shell-structure compressor, a first flow switching valve, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, first flow control devices, and plural use-side heat exchangers connected by refrigerant pipes, forming a refrigeration cycle. The compressor includes a compression chamber within a sealed container including an opening extending between inside and outside of the sealed container. The air-conditioning apparatus can perform only a heating at the use-side heat exchangers, only a cooling at the use-side heat exchangers, and a mixed cooling and heating in a mixed fashion at the use-side heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naofumi Takenaka, Shinichi Wakamoto, Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Katsuhiro Ishimura
  • Patent number: 9523521
    Abstract: In a dehumidification-air heating mode, a refrigerant circuit is configured such that a refrigerant outlet side of an exterior heat exchanger communicates with a heating side refrigerant suction port of a heating side ejector as a refrigerant decompression means, and that a refrigerant inlet side of an interior evaporator communicates with an outlet side of a heating side diffuser of the heating side ejector. A refrigerant evaporation temperature in the exterior heat exchanger is set lower than that of the interior evaporator by a pressurizing effect of the heating side ejector. Thus, the amount of heat absorption by the refrigerant at the exterior heat exchanger is increased to improve the heating capacity of the air in an interior condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryoko Awa, Haruyuki Nishijima, Yoshiaki Takano, Etsuhisa Yamada, Satoshi Itoh, Kenta Kayano
  • Patent number: 9523522
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a refrigeration device includes: walls substantially forming a liquid-impermeable container configured to hold phase change material internal to a refrigeration device; at least one active refrigeration unit including a set of evaporator coils positioned within an interior of the liquid-impermeable container; walls substantially forming a storage region; and a heat transfer system including a first group of vapor-impermeable structures with a hollow interior connected to form a condenser in thermal contact with the walls substantially forming a liquid-impermeable container, a second group of vapor-impermeable structures with a hollow interior connected to form an evaporator in thermal contact with the walls substantially forming a storage region, and a connector with a hollow interior affixed to both the condenser and the evaporator, the connector forming a liquid and vapor flow path between the hollow interior of the condenser and the hollow interior of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, William Gates, Jennifer Ezu Hu, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Fridrik Larusson, Shieng Liu, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Brian L. Pal, Nels R. Peterson, David Keith Piech, Maurizio Vecchione, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood, David J. Yager
  • Patent number: 9523523
    Abstract: A system for managing fluid level in an HVAC system includes a spill over tank for an evaporator of the HVAC system. The spill over tank may be configured to receive a refrigerant directed out of the evaporator. The spill over tank may be configured to include an outlet directing refrigerant into the spill over tank, out of the spill over tank and flowing back to a compressor of the HVAC system. The spill over tank may be equipped with a refrigerant level sensor measuring a refrigerant level in the spill over tank. The measured refrigerant level in the spill over tank may be used to control and/or maintain a refrigerant level in the evaporator, and/or to control a return refrigerant flow into the compressor of the HVAC system so as to manage an oil return to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Lee L. Sibik, Benjamin E. Dingel, Harry Kenneth Ring
  • Patent number: 9523524
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus that employs a refrigerant compressor has an expansion device coupled between an evaporator and a condenser. A first heat exchanger has (a) a main passage coupled between the evaporator and the inlet of the compressor, and (b) a complementary passage. This first heat exchanger may be a serpentine pipe inside a tank. A second heat exchanger has (a) a principal passage coupled between the condenser and the outlet of the compressor, and (b) an auxiliary passage. This second heat exchanger may be an inner and outer pair of coaxial pipes. The complementary passage of the first heat exchanger is coupled between a fluid pump and the auxiliary passage of the second heat exchanger. The auxiliary passage of the second heat exchanger is coupled between the fluid pump and the complementary passage of the first heat exchanger. A controller can operate the fluid pump based on measured parameters such as outside ambient temperature or compressor outlet pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventors: Gary Giubilo, Gary Giubilo, II
  • Patent number: 9523525
    Abstract: A refrigerating device includes a refrigerant circuit, a temperature detecting unit, a protection control section, and a determination temperature modifying section. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor to compress a refrigerant. The temperature detecting section detects a temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor on an outside of the compressor. The protection control section performs protection control of the compressor in a case where a detection temperature detected by the temperature detecting section exceeds a determination temperature. The determination temperature modifying section modifies the determination temperature according to at least one of information on an outside air temperature and information on a type of the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akinori Nakai, Daisuke Toyoda
  • Patent number: 9523526
    Abstract: An ice making apparatus is provided for making ice of the nugget-forming type from ice shavings that are compacted, wherein inlet water is provided to a freezing chamber having a rotatable auger therein, for flow of the inlet water and water squeezed from ice leaving the freezing chamber at the discharge end thereof along the auger, for flow of water through the freezing chamber, to a water reservoir at an opposite end of the freezing chamber, whereby ice flow through the freezing chamber is in one direction, and water flow through the freezing chamber is in an opposite direction. Dissolved minerals are thereby substantially removed from the ice being discharged from the freezing chamber, and are conveyed from a zone of lesser water volume to a zone of higher water volume where they are more substantially dispersed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Follett Corporation
    Inventors: Roger P. Brunner, Thomas H. Scarince
  • Patent number: 9523527
    Abstract: A hollow ice-making forming mold comprises an inner membrane (1) which is in a fixed shape after charging air and an outer membrane (2) which is in a fixed shape after liquid injection and is disposed outside the inner membrane (1); a base plate (3) is arranged at the bottom of the outer membrane (2); the bottoms of the inner and outer membranes are hermetically connected with the base plate (3) respectively, wherein an airtight air chamber (5) is formed between the inner membrane (1) and the base plate (3), and a cavity (6) for pouring cooling liquid is formed between the inner membrane (1) and the outer membrane (2); an air filling and water injecting member (4) is provided at the top of the inner membrane (1); a top part of the outer membrane (2) is connected with an upper part of the air filling and water injecting member (4) by a detachable way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventors: Shihua Zhen, Deqin Xu
  • Patent number: 9523528
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided including an ice making assembly. The ice making assembly includes a storage container that has a discharge zone including a crushing assembly for selectively crushing formed ice before dispensing the ice through the dispenser of the refrigerator. The crushing assembly includes both rotating and fixed crushing blades, and including crushing teeth for crushing the formed ice cubes therebetween. A diverter wedge may be positioned at or formed integrally with the fixed crushing blades such that the diverter wedge closes any gap between the rotating blades and the wall of the discharge zone. The diverter wedge can include a sloped portion to move any smaller or differently-shaped cubes from the outer edge of the discharge zone to between the crushing blades such that it is ensured that the cubes are crushed before being dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Jerold M. Visin
  • Patent number: 9523529
    Abstract: In a refrigeration apparatus, a main surface of a printed wiring board has a heavy electric region, which is a region in the lower part of the printed wiring board where a heavy electric component group is disposed, and a light electric region, which is a region positioned above the heavy electric region, where a light electric component group is disposed. A refrigerant jacket contacts a power device which is disposed in the heavy electric region. A liquid pipe of the refrigerant pipe includes a portion that extends upwards towards the refrigerant jacket, and a cooling portion contacts the refrigerant jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiko Oguri, Junichi Teraki, Masanobu Kita, Hiroshi Doumae, Motonobu Ikeda, Masahide Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9523530
    Abstract: A refrigerator including a cabinet having a bottom mounted freezer container, a separate bearing on left and right sides of the refrigerator cabinet adapted to support the container for movement in and out of a freezer compartment of the cabinet, the container bearings being disposed outside of a freezer liner forming the freezer compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Dubina, Thomas McMahan
  • Patent number: 9523531
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a storage chamber having an opening; a drawer type door to open or close the opening; a display positioned at the drawer type door; a first connector provided at a sidewall of the storage chamber; a second connector provided at the drawer type door and being electrically connected to the display; a first frame coupled to an inner wall of the storage chamber, the first frame to cover the first connector; a second frame coupled to the drawer type door, the second frame to support a storage box; and a wire electrically connected between the first connector and the second connector. The first frame has a first accommodating part to accommodate one portion of the wire and the second frame has a second accommodating part to accommodate another portion of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Myung Han, Jae Hoon Lim, Gi Joong Jeong, Woo Yeol Yoo, Jong Eun Chae, Sun keun Lee
  • Patent number: 9523532
    Abstract: A glycol pan chiller is combined with a gas range system to allow for convenient cooking and chilled food storage. A disclosed glycol pan chiller system comprises a first food cooling area 110 cooled by glycol contained within a glycol void area 130, the void area defined within an inner liner 160. Under normal conditions, the glycol will remain stationary within the inner liner and will be chilled by a Freon line 140 contained within the glycol void area. A second food cooling area is cooled by use of glycol or other fluid contained within the glycol void area. The second food cooling area does not require the use of a separate Freon cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventor: Hector Delgadillo
  • Patent number: 9523533
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage chamber; a first storage unit formed in the storage chamber, left and right side walls of the first storage unit having first roller supporting surfaces; and a second storage unit having first roller members mounted to a front region of the second storage unit on left and right sides thereof, the first roller members being seated on the first roller supporting surfaces of the first storage unit, a protrusion extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the second storage unit, and second roller members provided on both sides of the second storage unit to move along guide surfaces provided on an interior of the storage chamber. A lateral surface of the protrusion is configured to extend into and contact an interior surface of the first storage unit to prevent the first roller members from laterally leaving the first roller supporting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeong Man Nam, Gi Joong Jeong
  • Patent number: 9523534
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring and controlling a refrigerated medical storage unit. The system may include a control station. The control station may receive temperature information from the refrigerated medical storage unit and may cause at least a portion of the temperature information to be stored. The control station may determine whether the temperature is outside a predefined range and may causes an alarm to be generated when the temperature is outside the predefined range. The control station may receive user authentication information from a user, and upon verification of the user authentication information, send unlock instructions to the refrigerated medical storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Omnicell, Inc.
    Inventors: Akbar Paydar, Stanley Kim, Andrew Chai
  • Patent number: 9523535
    Abstract: A method for making a soil remediation product using dehydrated and decontaminated manure and a method for providing a time release of nutrients and water to turf and plants in the soil. Further, a method form making a soil remediation product using vulcanized rice hulls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventors: Jack Devin Christison, Frank Joseph Marx, Stephanie Marie Marx
  • Patent number: 9523536
    Abstract: A washing drying rack includes a plurality of securing hangers disposed at set intervals either transversely or longitudinally on a drying rack frame; a plurality of free-moving hangers which are formed below the fixed hangers in a number corresponding therewith, are link-connected with the corresponding fixed hangers, and perform a swinging motion using the fixed hangers as pivot shafts; and a drive means which generates power for the free-moving-hanger swinging motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Yoon Su Baek
  • Patent number: 9523537
    Abstract: A system includes an intercooler configured to receive an airflow from a first compressor, to transfer heat from the airflow to a working fluid, and to provide the airflow to a second compressor. The system also includes an evaporative chiller configured to receive the working fluid from the intercooler, to chill the working fluid via evaporative cooling within an ambient air environment, and to provide the working fluid to the intercooler. In addition, the system includes a desiccant system configured to reduce a humidity of ambient air within the evaporative chiller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James K. Prochaska, Narendra Digamber Joshi, Balachandar Naidu, Daniel Kaftori
  • Patent number: 9523538
    Abstract: The invention provides high-efficiency heat transfer devices and apparatuses. In one embodiment, the invention includes a vessel capable of containing the heat transfer medium, a conduit extending through a wall of the vessel, the conduit having a first surface for contacting the heat transfer medium and a second surface for contacting a fluid within the conduit, a helical member residing around and along a length of the first surface of the conduit capable of angularly directing a flow of the heat transfer medium along the first surface of the conduit; and a plurality of fins helically arranged adjacent the helical member, each fin extending through a wall of the conduit and being capable of directing at least a portion of the heat transfer medium to an area within a radius of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventors: John E. Okonski, Jr., John E. Okonski, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9523539
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a latent heat storage member which is able to more reliably contribute to a daily peak shift of energy consumption, and a building material provided with the latent heat storage member. A latent heat storage member 20 which is formed by using a material including a latent heat storage material such as paraffin and a gelation agent and is used as a building material, includes an outer side surface 20b arranged on a solar light irradiation side facing the outside, and has a phase change temperature T1 within a temperature range between a lowest temperature Tsmin and a highest temperature Tsmax of the outer side surface 20b in the daytime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ide, Yuka Utsumi, Yasuyuki Umenaka, Tomohisa Miyatani, Takashi Yamashita, Akio Miyata, Kazuhiro Deguchi
  • Patent number: 9523540
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a pair of header tanks and a plurality of heat exchange tubes. The header tank includes the three tank constituting members having laminated portions. Each of the laminated portions is composed of an outer vertical wall portion, an inner vertical wall portion, and an intermediate vertical wall portion. A fillet is formed between an outer surface of the intermediate vertical wall portion with respect to an air-passing direction and an inner surface of the outer vertical wall portion with respect to the air-passing direction. Another fillet is formed between an inner surface of the intermediate vertical wall portion with respect to the air-passing direction and an outer surface of the inner vertical wall portion with respect to the air-passing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: KEIHIN THERMAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Hirayama, Motoyuki Takagi, Atsuo Ohashi
  • Patent number: 9523541
    Abstract: A cooling fin structure used in a cooler for an electric device includes a plurality of pin fins (71) arranged in a zigzag form in a coolant passage (80). Each of the pin fins (71) has a circular portion (72) having a circular cross-section, and irregularly shaped portions (73) provided contiguously on the upstream and downstream sides of the circular portion (72) as viewed in a direction of flow of the coolant. The irregularly shaped portions (73) have an outer peripheral surface (75) that is formed along a circumference (130) having a center at a center point (101) of the circular portion (72) of a pin fin (71, 71B) that is located adjacent to the pin fin (71, 71A) having the irregularly shaped portions (73), in an oblique direction relative to the direction of flow of the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Masanori Kawaura, Hirohito Matsui, Tadafumi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9523542
    Abstract: Coil assemblies for use in heat exchange applications are made using polymeric tubes, some with heat exchange and water redistribution media integral with the coil assembly and others with a water distribution subassembly integral with the coil assembly. One coil assembly includes at least two generally linear passes that are connected by return bends formed by folding an array of polymeric tubes. The passes have an array of at least two layers of polymeric tubes that pass through alignment holes in tube spacers only along the passes to maintain the tubes in substantially the same relative positional relationship to each other in the passes and in the return bends. Methods are explained for forming the coil assemblies and components, including the tube spacers and tube sheets to connect the coil assembly to inlet and outlet manifolds for the processing fluid flowing internally through the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Brentwood Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy E. Krell, Frank M. Kulick, III, Dean Calton
  • Patent number: 9523543
    Abstract: Provided is a gas operated firearm timing selection system having a barrel, first and second gas blocks, a gas delivery tube, and a selector tube. The barrel has at least first and second longitudinally spaced apart gas port locations. First and second gas blocks each correspond to one of the gas port locations. The gas delivery tube operably extends between the first gas block and an operating system of the firearm. The selector tube operably extends between the gas blocks to convey operating gas from either of the gas port locations and is selectively displaceable between at least a first position and a second position. Each position provides gas flow from only one of the gas port locations such that the timing of operating gas flow to the operating system is changed by selection between first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: AMBIMJB, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Jay Brown
  • Patent number: 9523544
    Abstract: A remote gun charger including a charger member configured to selective couple to, and disengage from, a gun having a charger handle configured to charge the gun. The charger includes a catch configured to be positioned by the charger member to selectively position the charger handle and charge the gun. The catch has a first position configured to selectively engage the charger handle, and a second position configured to disengage from the charger handle and allow the gun to be fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: CONTRACT FABRICATION & DESIGN
    Inventors: David A. Dierks, Jesse L. Davison, M. Damon Serkland, Jarrett O'Hara, Marvin Vale Riggall, Jr., Russell D. Mensch
  • Patent number: 9523545
    Abstract: A weapon loading system includes a handgun that has a slide and a magazine. A panel is provided and the panel may be worn. A holder is hingedly coupled to the panel and the magazine is removably coupled to the holder. The handgun is selectively positioned on the magazine to facilitate loading the magazine into the handgun with one hand. A block is coupled to the panel. The handgun selectively engages the block when the magazine is loaded into the handgun. The block engages the slide such that the slide is racked when the handgun engages the block. Thus, the handgun may be cocked with one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Weller, Michael Weller
  • Patent number: 9523546
    Abstract: Systems and methods herein relate to a safety magazine for blank ammunition or “blanks”. In one illustrative implementation, a specially-shaped follower is utilized to engage and advance the blank ammunition without jamming, i.e., when holding and feeding blank cartridges into the chamber of a firearm. In other implementations, integrated/unitary magazines including such a follower are disclosed, which also prevent jams otherwise common in the field of magazines converted to handle blank rounds of ammunition. According to such implementations, live ammunition or cartridges are prevented from being loaded into the magazine and a specialized follower that prevents the ammunition from jamming is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SafeTacMag, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew A. Harding
  • Patent number: 9523547
    Abstract: A device is provided for repairing erosion damage to a bore of a railgun with metal powder. The bore has a surface contour that extends longitudinally of the railgun. The device includes a housing, a profilometer sensor and a nozzle. The housing has a configuration that conforms to the surface contour and an upstream face on a longitudinal end. The profilometer sensor mounts to the upstream face to measure depth of the erosion and indicate a divot in the bore that involves repair to match the surface contour. The nozzle mounts to the upstream face to spray the metal powder from a reservoir within the housing in response to the divot indicated by the profilometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: The United States Of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Logan M. Compton
  • Patent number: 9523548
    Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, and systems are disclosed for controlling a turret assembly with two or more gimbaled, swivel assembly sub-systems, such as a gimbaled gun and a gimbaled electro-optical sensor. The turret can be automatically slewed in response to one of the swivel assemblies rotating. A user can switch turret modes reflecting a priority between the gimbaled sub-systems system so that one takes priority over the other(s) during a mission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Fox, Bruce E. Exely, Michael C. Mareschal, Thomas D. Linton
  • Patent number: 9523549
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure describe a trigger assembly for a crossbow. The trigger assembly may include a trigger pull weight adjustment mechanism that allows a user to adjust the trigger pull weight of the crossbow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Bear Archery, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Hughes
  • Patent number: 9523550
    Abstract: A projectile launching device such as a paintball gun capable of firing a paintball using a hammer is disclosed. The paintball gun, in one embodiment, includes a bolt, a valve, and a hammer wherein the bolt has an air channel and is able to move within a bolt chamber. The valve, which is situated in a firing control chamber arranged in parallel to the bolt chamber, controls pressurized gas. The hammer, in one aspect, includes a pivot hole capable of hosting a pivot pin which facilitates a swing motion for the hammer. When the hammer swings around the pivot hole, the hammer contacts the valve whereby a portion of the pressurized gas is release. The bolt further includes a hammer reset element which is able to reset the hammer to a ready for firing position during a launch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Real Action Paintball (RAP4), Inc.
    Inventor: Omar Alonso Macy
  • Patent number: 9523551
    Abstract: A tactical rail engaging assembly may include a securing base having opposed first and second lateral walls connected to opposed first and second end walls. A rail-receiving channel may be formed through a surface of the securing base. At least one button may be formed through at least one of the first and second end walls. At least one rail lock may extend between the first and second lateral walls and have at least one surface extending into the rail-receiving channel in an extended state. The button(s) is operatively connected to the rail lock(s). The button(s) is configured to be engaged to move the surface of the rail lock(s) from the extended state to a retracted state in order to allow at least a portion of the tactical rail to move within the rail-receiving channel relative to the securing base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. J. Iannello
  • Patent number: 9523552
    Abstract: An anti-rotational quick disconnect socket system for a firearm is disclosed. The system has an anti-rotational quick disconnect socket (QD socket) and a recess in a housing of a firearm. The recess is shaped to slidingly receive and seat the socket, and has a protrusion extending inwardly from the outer confines of the recess. The socket has a proximal end with a socket entry, a distal end, and a brace extending therebetween. The protrusion is engaged with the first brace to prevent rotation of the socket relative to the recess. The system has a gap between a proximal surface of the first protrusion and a distal surface of the socket entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: MAGPUL INDUSTRIES CORP.
    Inventor: Yehezkel Eitan
  • Patent number: 9523553
    Abstract: An improved device for enabling a user to quickly and securely attach and detach an accessory (e.g., a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) to the Picatinny or tactical rail of a firearm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a locking pin, in mechanical conjunction with a spring and a locking disk, cause a key to engage with a select channel of a Picatinny rail while a forward and rear fence of the present invention engage the rail flanges of said Picatinny rail. The device is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and safe and easy to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew A. Sharron, Andrew Visinski
  • Patent number: 9523554
    Abstract: An accessory mounting interface for a firearm is provided. The accessory mounting interface has a firearm accessory, a first elongated fastener, a second fastener, and an elongated slot in a firearm. The second fastener has two straight edges parallel to each other, and at least one of the two straight edges prevent the second fastener from rotating beyond a closed position once a portion of the second fastener has passed through and at least partially cleared the elongated slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: MAGPUL INDUSTRIES CORP.
    Inventors: Michael T. Mayberry, William Bradley Bennett, Timothy Eric Roberts, Duane Liptak, Brian L. Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9523555
    Abstract: The present invention refers to the field of the accessories for firearms in use by police officers, armies, private surveillance staff, and in particular it refers to the field of the holsters for accommodating handguns. More in detail it concerns a new holster (1) with anti-friction properties thanks to an inner sleeve (3), preferably but not necessarily of the replaceable type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: RADAR LEATHER DIVISION S.R.L.
    Inventor: Paolo Pellegrini
  • Patent number: 9523556
    Abstract: An aiming device including a thermoelectric module, a light source and a sight element. The thermoelectric module generates electricity from a thermal gradient, produced from a user's body heat that is transferred to the module. The electricity powers the light source. The light source illuminates a sight element of a projectile shooting device to enhance visibility of the sight element in a variety of ambient lighting conditions, optionally in low light conditions. The aiming device can be mounted to a projectile shooting device. With the aiming device, a user can selectively illuminate a sight element of a projectile shooting device, with the user's own body heat, to assist aiming the projectile shooting device during a shooting activity. The projectile shooting device can be any type of archery bow and/or firearm. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Grace Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Louis Grace, Jr., Timothy J. Roelens, II
  • Patent number: 9523557
    Abstract: An improved device for enabling a user to quickly and securely attach and detach an accessory (e.g., a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) to the Picatinny or tactical rail of a firearm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a lower portion, an upper portion and a locking mechanism. The device is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and safe and easy to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew A. Sharron, Andrew Visinski
  • Patent number: 9523558
    Abstract: An improved device for enabling a user to quickly and securely attach and detach an accessory (e.g., a scope, light, bayonet, etc.) to the Picatinny or tactical rail of a firearm. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a lower portion, an upper portion and a locking mechanism. The device is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and safe and easy to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew Visinski, Matthew A. Sharron
  • Patent number: 9523559
    Abstract: The invention features a support system which can be attached to a ballistic shield. The system features at least one telescoping or retractable leg which is mounted to the shield to create a standalone shield. The shield is positioned between plates which receive pins that hold the shield in position in the system. The system features a resting platform which provides an area for resting a gun or rifle, for example. A bullet proof screen extends from the bottom area of the shield towards the base of the system and provides additional security to the user when the shield is in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SAM7988 LLC
    Inventor: Alejandro Martin
  • Patent number: 9523560
    Abstract: The decoy method, of the type in which: an ejectable on-board decoy provided with a decoy charge (13) is enclosed inside a streamlined cylindrical body (9) mounted ejectably on the aircraft (1); the streamlined cylindrical body (9) containing the decoy is ejected parallel to the aerodynamic stream of the aircraft; the decoy charge (13) is removed from the streamlined cylindrical body (9) while keeping the decoy charge attached to said body; and the decoy charge removed from the body is operated to render it active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: MBDA FRANCE
    Inventors: Vincent Rafin, Guillaume Le Louarn
  • Patent number: 9523561
    Abstract: A device located in a firearm which allows the destruction of the firearm or the incapacitation of the user, in order to avoid the use of such firearm by illegal organizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventor: Anibal Di Mauro Lorenzi
  • Patent number: 9523562
    Abstract: An aerial vehicle includes an outer surface, an arithmetic unit and a control unit. The arithmetic unit calculates a control command using a control parameter. The control unit controls an attitude of the aerial vehicle or a thrust of the aerial vehicle based on the control command. At least a part of the outer surface of the aerial vehicle is composed of ablation material. The arithmetic unit changes the control parameter in response to an amount of shape change of the aerial vehicle caused by disappearance of the ablation material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Ando, Yoshihiko Ueno, Yoshihiro Sera, Shojiro Furuya
  • Patent number: 9523563
    Abstract: The present invention teaches methods of making ammunition having a polymer cartridge casing overmolding a primer inserts made by joining 2 or more primer sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: TRUE VELOCITY, INC.
    Inventor: Lonnie Burrow
  • Patent number: 9523564
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a method of determining a height of an upper surface of an insert relative to a top deck surface of a cylinder block. The method includes detachably coupling a fixture to the top deck surface of the cylinder block. The method also includes disposing a dial gauge on the top deck surface adjacent to each of a plurality of notches defined in the fixture. The method includes inserting a probe of a dial gauge through each of the plurality of notches to contact each of corresponding portions of the upper surface of the insert. The method also includes determining local heights of the upper surface of the insert relative to the top deck surface at the corresponding portions of the upper surface. The height of upper surface of the insert relative to the top deck surface is determined based on the local heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis J. Graham
  • Patent number: 9523565
    Abstract: A measuring device configured to measure height of a workpiece includes a base, an automatic positioning mechanism and a measuring mechanism. The automatic positioning mechanism includes a positioning block, two clamp modules, and a controlling module. An upper surface of the positioning block configured to hold the work piece is a curve. Each clamp module includes a clamp sliding block. One end of each clamp sliding block includes a trough. The controlling module includes two extending portions, and each extending portion includes a bevel. The two clamp sliding blocks are positioned between the two extending portions and resisted against the two bevels. Thus, the two bevels can move the two clamp sliding blocks. The measuring module includes a positioning sliding block and a measuring sliding block. The measuring sliding block is mounted in a pre-determined distance away from the base to measure the height of the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Bing-Jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 9523566
    Abstract: Electric circuit for estimating the angular position of a rotor of an electric motor, including: a sensing module configured to receive at least one electric signal representative of a drive current of the electric motor and to generate a measurement signal indicative of a switching of the at least one electric signal and a switching index indicative of the type of switching, rising or falling, of the at least one electric signal; and a computing module configured to supply, from the measurement signal and switching index a position signal representative of an angular position of the electric motor rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe D'Angelo, Giovanni Moselli, Virginia Clemente
  • Patent number: 9523567
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for guided installation of an opening sensor. A strength of a magnetic field created by a magnet of an opening sensor at a location of a magnetometer sensor of the opening sensor may be determined. Feedback may be provided to an installer of the opening sensor based on the determined strength of the magnetic field. A function of the opening sensor may be configured based on the determined strength of the magnetic field. The function may be associated with reporting the status of an entry point to which the magnetometer sensor may be affixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Yash Modi, Lawrence Au, Kevin Charles Peterson, Shao-Po Ma