Patents Issued in March 14, 2017
  • Patent number: 9592431
    Abstract: An exemplary gaming system, in one implementation, provides active interaction between one or more players and the gaming system. Such an exemplary gaming system includes a receptacle with one or more holes to receive first gaming objects thrown at it. Chambers attached to a rigid member on the receptacle receive and store second gaming objects that are later released into one or more different spatial directions. An intermediate surface operably connected to a mechanical or an electrical triggering mechanism is included in the receptacle. When the first gaming object falls into the receptacle and hits the intermediate surface, the intermediate surface causes activation of the triggering mechanism to directly or indirectly propel the second gaming objects, through the chambers, into one or more different spatial directions. A hand or foot lever allows players to reset the triggering mechanism for the next game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Anthony Ali
  • Patent number: 9592432
    Abstract: An exemplary gaming system, in one implementation, provides active interaction between one or more players and the gaming system. Such an exemplary gaming system includes a receptacle with one or more holes to receive first gaming objects thrown at it. Chambers attached to a rigid member on the receptacle receive and store second gaming objects that are later released into one or more different spatial directions. An intermediate surface operably connected to a mechanical or an electrical triggering mechanism is included in the receptacle. When the first gaming object falls into the receptacle and hits the intermediate surface, the intermediate surface causes activation of the triggering mechanism to directly or indirectly propel the second gaming objects, through the chambers, into one or more different spatial directions. A hand or foot lever allows players to reset the triggering mechanism for the next game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Anthony Ali
  • Patent number: 9592433
    Abstract: Nozzle orifice shapes and configurations associated with regulating and directing a flowing body of water over a water attraction riding surface for performing board-riding maneuvers is described. The nozzle orifice shapes and configurations according to the present invention includes shapes and configurations allowing for a flow of water over a ride surface which may include complex shapes which do not lend themselves to use with existing nozzle technologies. The present invention also includes nozzle arrays which may be made up of two or more nozzles arranged substantially adjacent or within close proximity to one another to create beneficial flow characteristics for performing board riding maneuvers on a complexly shaped riding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Pacific Surf Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Alleshouse, Yong L Yeh
  • Patent number: 9592434
    Abstract: A side-by-side pair of platforms, each equipped with a foot-pad, are coupled in a manner to form a vehicle, and are supported (a) at the rear by a truck-mount under each platform, integrated with a shared axle assembly fitted at its ends with a pair of rear wheels, located at opposite sides of the vehicle, and (b) at the front by a tilt-turn mount system including at least one front wheel, typically a caster-mounted roller, accomplishing dual-platform tilt-turning in response to the user's body movements simulating superior snow-skiing techniques, thus enabling sustained self-propulsion by user body movements and providing recreation, training and practice for skiers of all ages and skill levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Mark A. Slagter
  • Patent number: 9592435
    Abstract: An attachable golfing aid is operable to provide a reference for a golfer during a swing. The attachable golfing aid includes an attachable component that is attachable to a body of the golfer or a shirt of the golfer. The attachable golfing aid also includes an outwardly extending visual aid that extends outwardly from the shoulder of the golfer when the attachable component is attached to the body of the golfer or the shirt of the golfer wherein the outwardly extending visual aid is configured to indicate an alignment and/or position of the golfer's shoulder before, during, and/or after a swing of the golfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FIGHTING GOLF LLC
    Inventor: Tiffany Faucette
  • Patent number: 9592436
    Abstract: An integrated golf club and analysis system that measures and analyze the performance characteristics of both: 1) a free golf swing without impact with a golf ball and 2) a golf swing with ball impact analysis. Free swing analysis provides critical information needed to analyze swing style so that dynamics swing characteristics optimization can be evaluated throughout the entire swing without ball impact, while impact analysis provides critical information on ball impact location on the club face, however, they cannot be measured simultaneously since ball impact eliminates the ability to identify the swing metric peaks such as velocity if it were to occur after ball impact. To achieve both, an integrated electronics golf club head comprises multiple types of sensors for measuring club head motion, impact and spatial location information with a weight and balance of a regulation golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Golf Impact, LLC
    Inventor: Roger Davenport
  • Patent number: 9592437
    Abstract: Systems and methods to practice putting are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a framework, actuators mounted to the framework, a control system, a computing device, and an artificial green. The control system is coupled to the actuators and controls actuation of the actuators. The computing device includes a display for viewing mapped green profiles and is configured to communicate with the control system. The artificial green includes a putting surface with a cup defined therein, wherein the artificial green is positioned over the actuators. With this arrangement, a user can select a putting region, after which, the computing device can translate and transfer the mapped data of the putting region to the controllers to actuate the actuators to, therefore, adjust the putting surface of the artificial green to correspond to the mapped green profile of an actual green.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: DERON, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey G. Flammer
  • Patent number: 9592438
    Abstract: A binding system is mounted atop a rider-support surface of the board. The binding system comprises: a pair of rails locatable on opposing sides of a generally flattened foot-receiving surface for the rider's foot, each rail comprising a central portion mountable to the recreational board, a toe-side leg which extends from the central portion toward a toe-side of the recreational board and a heel-side leg which extends from the central portion toward a heel-side of the recreational board. Each rail is moveably coupled to a corresponding stand-off flange of a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: JF Pelchat Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Pelchat
  • Patent number: 9592439
    Abstract: A game and method for playing a game are provided which simulates car racing. The game is played by placing a number of position marking indicators onto a playing surface representing a race track having a pit row, a forward slide, a backward slide, a number of special instruction squares and a start/finish line. Each player takes turns moving their position marking indicators on the playing surface according to a roll of a pair of dice. Players landing on special instruction squares, slides, or card pickup locations will follow the instructions given the board or card. Gameplay is varied by allowing the players to draft other cars, and through special modifiers such as rubbing and roll cards. The game is won by the first player to complete the race by crossing the start/finish after a set number of laps and after visiting pit row at least one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: LuAnn VanBuskirk, Vince K. VanBuskirk
  • Patent number: 9592440
    Abstract: An approach to facilitating battle-attribute-based arrangement of map areas is provided. Battle-related records that indicate battle attribute values associated with users of a game space may be maintained. Responsive to the battle attribute values associated with individual ones of the users corresponding to the battle attribute values associated with other ones of the users, generation of one or more secondary maps having secondary areas associated with the individual users that are arranged together with secondary areas associated with the other users may be initiated. For example, the secondary area associated with a first user and the secondary area associated with a second user may be arranged together in one of the secondary maps responsive to a first battle attribute value associated with the first user corresponding to a second battle attribute value associated with the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Sellers
  • Patent number: 9592441
    Abstract: A computer device has user interface configured to display user actuatable game elements and to detect user input when a user engages with a game element; and a processor configured to receive a detected user input and on detecting a match game condition to control the user interface to remove at least three game elements from the display and to provide on the user interface replacement user actuatable game elements, wherein the manner of providing each replacement game element has a graphical representation governed by a tile associated with each game element, wherein each tile has a selectable physics which controls at least one of (i) the direction in which it moves to replenish a vacancy left by the removed user game elements; and (ii) the speed at which it moves to replenish the vacancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Magnus Hansson, Niclas Alftberg, Tobias Nyblom, Rikard Jaksch
  • Patent number: 9592442
    Abstract: Communication methods, systems, servers, and client devices in a user-interactive system are provided herein. In an exemplary method, a communication interface can be started via a first user-interactive client by a first user to communicate with one or more communication tools via a communication backend server. The first user-interactive client can obtain and display a plurality of second user IDs of second users. The first user-interactive client can receive one or more second user IDs selected by the first user to add to a communication group. The first user-interactive client can send to the communication backend server a message for joining the communication group containing the one or more second user IDs. After receiving an accepting message from the communication backend server, during a user-interactive operation, the first user-interactive client can communicate with a second client corresponding to a user ID contained in the accepting message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Feng Feng, Yuxun Zhou, Jinglin Ma, Chen Wang, Zhidan Ma, Yuanxue Zhao, Lanqi Song, Ansong Yao
  • Patent number: 9592443
    Abstract: A data store for a modular assembly system is described. The data store comprises a number of records, each record relating to a physical module in the modular assembly system and comprising a module ID, an owner ID for the module and one or more properties fields. The properties field(s) define any property of the module and different records may define different properties. At least one of the fields in each data record (e.g. the module ID or owner ID) is verified by an authentication service. A user assembles two or more modules into a coherent physical whole object to act as a user input device to an interactive software experience. The data store communicates with the interactive software experience and causes a change in behavior of the interactive software experience in response to a check of the data records for each of the modules in the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Nicolas Villar, Haiyan Zhang, James William Scott, Greg Saul, Alexandra Keeley Bunting, Lee Jason Schuneman, Philip Robert Harrison
  • Patent number: 9592444
    Abstract: A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which computer game graphics for a casual, social game are shown on a display of a computing device, where the casual, social game is downloaded as an app to a smartphone and/or tablet computer and can be accessed or played using a social network application or environment; and in which one or more of the processors are programmed such that: a notification is automatically generated if a player is stuck at a level for more than a defined time or after more than a defined number of attempts to pass that level, the notification alerting friends of the player so that they can assist him or her.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KING.COM LTD.
    Inventors: Sebastian Knutsson, Lars Jornow
  • Patent number: 9592445
    Abstract: Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various “ghost data” packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Darren C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9592446
    Abstract: Play information storing play information about an electronic game is transmitted to a client. In response to access from the client, the game effectiveness of the electronic game for a user having accessed from the client is determined. When the game effectiveness for the user holds true, an operation of the electronic game by the user is allowed. When the game effectiveness for the user does not hold true, an operation of the electronic game by the user is not allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: DENA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori Bono, Takashi Ninjouji
  • Patent number: 9592447
    Abstract: A video game device calculates a difference vector extending from a predetermined reference position on the screen to an input position. Moreover, the video game device calculates movement parameter data used for moving, with respect to a fixed point in the virtual space uniquely determined based on a position of the controlled object, the point of sight to a position that is determined by a direction in the virtual space based on a direction of the difference vector and a distance in the virtual space based on a magnitude of the difference vector. The point of sight is moved based on the movement parameter data. The video game device produces an image based on a virtual camera, which has been moved according to the movement of the point of sight, and displays the image on the screen of a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daiki Iwamoto, Masahiro Nitta
  • Patent number: 9592448
    Abstract: A translation system can translate a request having multiple fields to a physical address using the fields as indexes to a multi-dimensional graph. A field or portion of a field can represent a location along an axis. When combined together, the fields can represent a point in n-space, where n is the number of axes. In some embodiments, a nearest neighbor calculation can be sufficient along an axis. Therefore, a point in n-space defined by the fields can be translated along an axis until a nearest neighbor entry is determined. When the entry is determined, the entry can be accessed to determine a correct response to the translation request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Skyera, LLC
    Inventors: Radoslav Danilak, Ladislav Steffko, Qi Wu
  • Patent number: 9592449
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gaming system comprising a display and a game controller, the game controller being arranged to identify a player from received player identification data, receive associated player game data of the identified player, and control the display of one or more characteristics of, or associated with, an avatar such that the player is provided with a graphical representation of the player game data. A method of gaming is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Samuel Barbalet, Peter Jude Mastera, Lattamore Osburn, Mark Hripko, Steven Rood
  • Patent number: 9592450
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may receive gaming data from one or more gaming tables. The systems and methods may obtain gaming data from one or more gaming tables via a network interface based on at least one of a searching structure and a search algorithm. The systems and methods may compare betting criterion to the gaming data. The systems and methods may initiate at least one of a wager based on a comparison of the betting criterion to the gaming data and a display of data related to a search result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Fresh Ideal Global Limited
    Inventor: Jay Chun
  • Patent number: 9592451
    Abstract: The present invention relates to directed communication between avatars in a virtual environment controlled by end-users from outside the virtual environment. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes: determining a relative location of a first avatar and a second avatar in a virtual environment, wherein at least one end-user of the first avatar and the second avatar wears a headset configured to track head movements thereof, wherein the head movements of the end-user translate to their avatar and influence volume of voice communication from their avatar; adjusting aspects of a voice communication between the first avatar and the second avatar based on the relative location and the track head movements; referring to a list of avatars whose audio characteristics are to be portrayed differently in a voice communication; and further adjusting the audio characteristics of one of the first avatar and the second avatar in accordance with the list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rick A. Hamilton, II, John P. Karidis, Brian M. O'Connell, Clifford A. Pickover, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 9592452
    Abstract: A device generally directed to a combination computing device and input device. The computing device provides a plurality of sides. The input device providing a structural bridge, and a pair of control modules. The pair of control modules confine the computing device on at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides. The pair of control modules adaptively and snugly accommodate the width of the computing device, and alternatively, adaptively and snugly accommodate a width of a second computing device, the second computing device having a width greater than the width of the computing device. The structural bridge secures the pair of control modules one to the other, and adaptively and snugly accommodate the length of the computing device and alternatively, adaptively and snugly accommodate a length of the second computing device, the second computing device having a length greater than the length of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Wikipad, Inc.
    Inventors: Fraser Townley, Lee Chin Feng, Wang Hsin Chou, Daniel P. Dooley
  • Patent number: 9592453
    Abstract: A device directed to a combination computing and input device. The computing device providing a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the computing device. The input device communicates with the computing device and provides a pair of control modules adjacent to and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides of the computing device. The input device further provides a structural bridge securing the pair of control modules one to the other. The structural bridge adaptively and snugly accommodate the length of the computing device. A first of the pair of control modules features a retention mechanism communicating with the structural bridge. The retention mechanism adaptively secures the structural bridge such that the pair of control modules snugly accommodate the length of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Wikipad, Inc.
    Inventors: Fraser Townley, Daniel P. Dooley
  • Patent number: 9592454
    Abstract: An interactive amusement attraction capable of sensing ride vehicle or user interaction or position. The attraction can track user performance and/or location, through use of a ride vehicle or without, and can include a slide for supporting water and a sensor connected with the slide for sensing an interactive element. The tags or interactive element may be passive (e.g., sensed by the sensor merely when within a predetermined proximity) or may require user manipulation (e.g., a button to be pressed when within a predetermined proximity of the sensor). Various lighting elements may be connected or embedded in the slide and may be controlled to illuminate with various colors. These lighting elements, such as LED light strips, can be used to indicate the presence of a sensor and/or that a sensor has been successfully or unsuccessfully interacted with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Whitewater West Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Denise Chapman Weston, Aaron Mendelson
  • Patent number: 9592455
    Abstract: A toy head assembly with facial features that can be adjusted by touching the facial features with enough force to alter their shape and/or position. Within the toy head assembly is a head base that is surrounded, in part, by a face that is made of an elastomeric material. Facial features on the face are supported, in part, by posable elements that lay under the elastomeric material of the face. Each posable element extends from the interior head base at a different ball and socket joint. Each posable element also has a post that extends from the ball and socket joint. The post contacts the interior surface of the face, wherein movement of a post alters a point of contact between the post and the face within the contact area. Changes in the point of contact cause changes in the contours of the face. This alters the facial features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: Simeon E. Tiefel, Keith Scheffler
  • Patent number: 9592456
    Abstract: Compositions and methods used in the modification of crystallization of aluminum hydroxide from liquor in an aluminum hydroxide production process, such as the Bayer process. More particularly, crystal growth modifier compositions comprising a component of crude corn oil derived from a bioethanol production process and/or a component of biodiesel and methods of using such compositions to modify particle size and distribution of precipitated alumina trihydrate in a precipitation liquor crystallization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Jianjun Liu, Kevin O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9592457
    Abstract: An oil extraction device is provided. The oil extraction device includes an evaporation chamber having a top end and a bottom end. The top end is sealed and the bottom end includes a collection bowl. A filter cartridge is disposed within the evaporation chamber and includes a top end, a bottom end, and an internal cavity formed to secure a plant product within. The bottom end of the filter cartridge includes a filter and a drip cap with an opening leading into the collection bowl. The present invention further includes a solvent canister securing a solvent within. A delivery line leads from the solvent canister into the top end of the filter cartridge and a circulation line leads from the top end of the evaporation chamber to the solvent canister. A pump may be used to vacuum the solvent through the lines. The solvent may travel from the solvent canister into the filter cartridge traveling through the opening at the bottom and turning into a vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Edwin Pajarillo Dabao
  • Patent number: 9592458
    Abstract: A method of making an ion exchange foam is described. The method includes forming an aqueous phase by suspending an ion exchange resin in an aqueous solvent. An organic phase is formed by mixing at least a divinylbenzene, a monomer, and a surfactant. The formed aqueous phase is mixed with the formed organic phase to form an emulsion. The emulsion is polymerized to form the ion exchange foam. The ion exchange foam can be used with a plurality of sample vials in an autosampler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: DIONEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher A. Pohl, Rosanne W. Slingsby, Jing Hong
  • Patent number: 9592459
    Abstract: An oil filter includes a casing (2) having a cylinder portion formed with an opening in one end thereof and a threaded portion formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion, and a cap (6) threadably engaging with the threaded portion to contain a filter element between the casing (2) and the cap (6). The cap (6) includes a flange abutted on an open end surface of the cylinder portion of the casing (2) and allowing the cap (6) to be positioned by the casing (2), and a recess fittably receiving a sealing member for obstructing oil flow between the cap (6) and the casing (2). The cap (6) is formed with a facilitating portion that allows at least a part of the sealing member to move onto a radial end surface of the flange when the sealing member is mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the cap (6) at a place between the flange and the recess and the cap (6) is positioned by the casing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masatoshi Hiyoshi
  • Patent number: 9592460
    Abstract: A filter cartridge including an improved endplate configured to enable a user to remove the filter cartridge from a shell without the use of external tools. The filter cartridge includes a filter media, a first endplate coupled to a first end of the filter media, and a second endplate coupled to a second end of the filter media. The second endplate includes at least one tab formed therein along an outer peripheral surface thereof. Each tab defines a pocket formed therein, via which the user may grasp the endplate and thereby remove the filter cartridge from the shell by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudhindra Palaxha Arakeri, Hariprasad Mohan Bhalerao, Tanmay Puranik
  • Patent number: 9592461
    Abstract: The invention concerns a filter element (1), in particular of a fuel filter for motor vehicles. The filter element (1) is received in a filter housing (2) and comprises a filter body (3) with a filter material (5) that is arranged in folds (4). Between two folds (4) a heater installation space is provided and configured to receive a heating element (6) for the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Andre Roesgen, Guenter Jokschas
  • Patent number: 9592462
    Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus for cooling and/or heating engine lubricant, fuel, and engine oil is provided which includes a heat-transferring jacket. The heat transferring jacket includes a body having a plurality of fins. The body further includes an air-intake inlet, a plurality of air-exhaust outlets formed along the first lateral terminus and the second lateral terminus, and a means for securing the body to an oil filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Ron Heidebrink
  • Patent number: 9592463
    Abstract: A filter retention system for releasably retaining a filter cartridge in an operable position within air supply and air exhaust systems is comprised of a filter cartridge, filter retainers, mounting frame with integral sealing knife edge and filter alignment brackets. The filter retainers allow for installation and removal of the filter cartridge without the use of tools. The retention system automatically aligns filter cartridges such that an airtight seal is created between the sealant containing groove in the filter cartridge and the sealing knife edge of the retention system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: AIR SYSTEM COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew Brent McLaurin
  • Patent number: 9592464
    Abstract: This invention pertains to interchangeable, disposable, air filtration pads, which work in conjunction with its double-sided flexible magnetic gaskets and mats. This system works both for return and supply side of the HVAC system. This multi-adaptable double-sided magnetic mat system is easily attachable and removable and compatible to current factory vent plates, and HVAC systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Xavier Rex Prax
  • Patent number: 9592465
    Abstract: A filter material for an air filter may include a substrate layer on an inflow side and a fine-fiber layer on an outflow side relative to a flow direction. The filter material may include a connection region arranged between the substrate layer and the fine-fiber layer. The substrate layer, connection region and fine-fiber layer may include pores having an aggregate degressive pore size with respect to the flow direction. A combined thickness of the substrate layer, connection region and fine-fiber layer may be at least 0.35 mm. The substrate layer may include a cellulose material and have an impregnation of resin disposed along the inflow side. The resin may amount to approximately 22% by mass of the substrate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Disson, Bernd Neubauer, Birgit Renz, Markus Steppe
  • Patent number: 9592466
    Abstract: The invention is directed to replacement media advancing air filter in air handling units with a flow channel. The filter having a housing and an exposure slot with filter media storage area that has an unexposed pleated, folded filter media portion stored therein. The filter media portion being folded and stacked in and compactly held at least in part within the storage area. A motor is coupled to a power supply and in communication with a controller. The motor moves a movement member that moves a portion of the filter media from a stored state in the storage area into the exposure slot and is exposed to the air in the air flow channel creating an exposed portion of the filter media. The exposed portion is collected within a containment area as a further portion of media is moved into the exposure slot to replace the exposed portion therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Challen Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9592467
    Abstract: Fouling rate inhibition for a hydrogenation reactor. A hydrocarbon hydrogenation method comprises passing a liquid feedstream through a magnetic field to separate magnetically susceptible particles, and introducing the magnetically lean stream into a fixed catalyst bed under hydrogenation conditions to saturate carbon-carbon double bonds in the hydrocarbon. Also, a hydrogenation reactor system comprises a magnetic conditioning zone, an inlet flow path to introduce a magnetically lean stream from the magnetic conditioning zone into a fixed catalyst bed and an outlet flow path from an outlet end of the catalyst bed to withdraw reactor effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Pellette, Kirk C. Nadler, Jeffrey M. Sharp, II
  • Patent number: 9592468
    Abstract: The invention is a distributor tray for a column (1) for heating and/or material exchange between a gas (G) and a liquid (L). At least one wall (6) defines compartments (8) on one of the surfaces of the tray. The walls are perforated (7) to allow part of the liquid to flow between compartments (8). Each compartment has a passage providing flow of the liquid through the tray and for a passage providing flow of the gas through the tray. The invention also relates to a gas/liquid contact column, a gas treatment unit, a CO2 capture unit, a distillation unit, and an offshore floating barge including the distributor tray. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Yacine Haroun, Ludovic Raynal, Pascal Alix
  • Patent number: 9592469
    Abstract: The present invention refers to an oxygen separation device (12, 14) for a pressure swing adsorption system. In order to provide at least one of improved maintenance behavior, longer lifetime and improved energy consumption, the oxygen separation device (12, 14) comprises a gas inlet (18, 22) at a primary side for guiding a flow of oxygen comprising gas into the oxygen separation device (12, 14) and a gas outlet (28, 30) at a secondary side for guiding a flow of oxygen enriched gas out of the oxygen separation device (12, 14), an oxygen separation membrane (78) comprising an oxygen separation sorbent being capable of separating oxygen from an oxygen comprising gas by sorbing at least one component of the oxygen comprising gas apart from oxygen, and a support structure (80) for supporting the oxygen separation membrane (78), wherein the support structure (80) comprises a plurality of support bars (82) being fixed to the oxygen separation membrane (78).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Mareike Klee, Rainer Hilbig, Robert William Murdoch, Achim Gerhard Rolf Koerber, Wilhelmus Cornelis Keur, Paul Van Der Sluis
  • Patent number: 9592470
    Abstract: Materials which react with (“scavenge”) sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans, are used to limit sulfur-induced corrosion. Filters and protective coatings including these materials, described broadly as polyhexahydrotriazines (PHT) and polyhemiaminals (PHA), are disclosed. Methods of using these materials to prevent corrosion are described. PHT and PHA materials have excellent thermal and mechanical properties for many applications as coatings and filtration media. Specifically, PHT and PHA materials react with sulfur compounds in such a manner as to incorporate sulfur atoms into the polymeric matrix, thus sequestering the sulfur atoms and allowing removal from fluids such as crude oil, natural gas, hydrocarbon combustion exhaust gases, sulfur polluted air and water. A coating PHT or PHA material on a component to be protected similarly reacts with sulfur compounds prior to sulfur being able to penetrate to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dylan J. Boday, Jeannette M. Garcia, James L. Hedrick, Rudy J. Wojtecki
  • Patent number: 9592471
    Abstract: A method for recycling waste water containing slurry from a semiconductor treatment process; including: Filtration in which waste water containing the fresh slurry is continuously introduced into a circulation tank, during which time the mixed waste water is continuously extracted from the circulation tank, the extracted waste water is guided through an ultrafilter device and is concentrated by removing the fluid to form concentrated waste water and the concentrated waste water is introduced into the circulation tank and mixed with the contents of the circulation tank; and concentration in which the addition of fresh waste water to the circulation tank is essentially stopped when the mixed waste water is continuously extracted from the circulation tank, said extracted mixed water waster being introduced through the ultrafilter device and is concentrated by removing the fluid to form concentrated waste water and the concentrated waste water is introduced into the circulation tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HIGHQ-FACTORY GMBH
    Inventor: Franz Brummer
  • Patent number: 9592472
    Abstract: An electrically-driven separation apparatus can be utilized to desalinate seawater and/or brackish water to provide irrigation water having a desired sodium adsorption ratio (SAR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 9592473
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for separating and recycling a perfluorinated or perfluor compound, and more particularly, to a system for separating and recycling a perfluorinated compound, which is developed to prevent damage of separation membranes and degradation of the separation efficiency of through the application of a constant pressure to respective separation membranes when the perfluoro compound passes through a plurality of separation membranes in a process of effectively separating, removing and recycling the perfluoro compound including sulfur hexafluoride primarily generated in a semiconductor manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FINETECH. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Young-Seok Roh
  • Patent number: 9592474
    Abstract: The present invention is an integral multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer made by cocasting or sequentially casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel Tkacik, Philip Goddard, Willem Kools, Nitin Satav
  • Patent number: 9592475
    Abstract: A method of forming a filter with uniform pore sizes includes synthesizing a moiety so as to form a plurality of like platelets having a precisely sized pore extending therethrough, distributing the plurality of like platelets about a membrane having apertures therethrough, and bonding the plurality of platelets around the apertures to form precisely sized pores through the membrane. A filtration membrane is also disclosed which provides a porous membrane having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and a plurality of platelets, wherein each platelet has a pore therethrough. The platelets are positioned over or in the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Randall M. Stoltenberg, Peter V. Bedworth
  • Patent number: 9592476
    Abstract: Disclosed are membranes formed from self-assembling block copolymers, for example, a diblock copolymer of the formula (I): wherein R1-R4, n, and m are as described herein, which find use in preparing nanoporous membranes. Embodiments of the membranes contain the block copolymer that self-assembles into a cylindrical morphology. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such membrane which involves hybrid casting a polymer solution containing the block copolymer to obtain a thin film, followed by evaporation of some of the solvent from the thin film, and coagulating the resulting this film in a bath containing a nonsolvent or poor solvent for the block copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Khaled Abdel-Hakim Helmy Aamer, David Lukas Grzenia
  • Patent number: 9592477
    Abstract: Disclosed are membranes formed from self-assembling diblock copolymers of the formula (I): wherein R1-R4, n, and m are as described herein, which find use in preparing porous membranes. Embodiments of the membranes contain the diblock copolymer that self-assembles into a cylindrical morphology. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such a membrane which involves hybrid casting a polymer solution containing the diblock copolymer to obtain a thin film, followed by evaporation of some of the solvent from the thin film, and coagulating the resulting this film in a bath containing a nonsolvent or poor solvent for the diblock copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Khaled Abdel-Hakim Helmy Aamer, David Lukas Grzenia
  • Patent number: 9592478
    Abstract: A liquid aerator includes a porous diffuser; a stem connected to the porous diffuser; and a manual air pump accepting an end of the stem, the manual air pump configured such that the aerator can be set onto a supporting structure with the stem and the porous diffuser extending upwardly from the manual air pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Robert W. Connors
  • Patent number: 9592479
    Abstract: A system for mixing fracturing gel includes a dry gel mixing chamber having a bladed impeller carried to rotate in the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber has a dry gel inlet and hydrating fluid inlet. A valve is fluidically coupled to the hydrating fluid inlet to automatically maintain a specified flow condition of hydrating fluid into the mixing chamber over multiple different values of the flow condition to the hydrating fluid inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan Chapman Lucas
  • Patent number: 9592480
    Abstract: An inner premix tube for a fuel injector of a gas turbine engine includes a transition end, a tip end, and a premix tube inner surface. The transition end includes an annular disk portion with an annular disk shape and a redirection portion extending radially inward and axially from the annular disk portion. The transition end also includes a plurality of wipe passages extending through the transition end. The tip end includes a cylindrical portion with a hollow right circular cylinder shape. The premix tube inner surface is a radially outer surface including the redirection portion outer surface and the cylindrical portion outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald James Cramb, James Scott Piper, Sean Kelly Spivey, Michael John Ramotowski, Matthew Mayer