Patents Issued in March 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9598247
    Abstract: Conveying systems and methods are provided that selectively controls gas-propelling devices to move objects over the conveyer table at different speeds and in different directions. The systems and methods include a conveyer table having of an array of gas-propelling devices that propel gas from a surface of the table. Each of the of gas-propelling devices can have layers arranged in a stack and a through-hole in the stack and the table. The surfaces of each of the layers are exposed in the interior of the through hole and a heating/cooling device selectively heats and/or cools the layers to generate thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GAME CHANGERS, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew D. Zonenberg, Jason Sanchez, Piotr A. Garbuz
  • Patent number: 9598248
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for loading material comprising: a housing defining a loading conduit and a return conduit wherein the loading conduit and return conduit are operatively connected at a first location configured for material intake and a second location configured for material output; a loading mechanism operative within the housing, said loading mechanism including an endless belt having a plurality of loading devices anchored thereto, the loading mechanism configured to travel within the loading conduit from the first location to the second location and subsequently within the return conduit from the second location to the first location, said loading mechanism picking up material at the material intake and expelling material at the material output; and a drive system operatively connected with the loading mechanism, the drive system configured to provide power to the loading mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Loewen Welding & Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventor: Wayne Raiche
  • Patent number: 9598249
    Abstract: A truck dumper including a material receiving hopper, a tilt table configured to dump a load from the truck or truck trailer into the material receiving hopper. The invention includes a stilling shed positioned above the material receiving hopper and at least one curtain baffle suspended below the roof of the stilling shed. The curtain baffles are positioned such that there is a gap located near the roof and an upper margin of the at least one curtain baffle through which air can flow. The invention further includes an air exhaust structure configured to exhaust dust laden air from the interior of the stilling shed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Air-Cure Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael R. Harris
  • Patent number: 9598250
    Abstract: Each of a pair of barrier platforms is carried by a pair of carrier stanchions, one disposed to each opposite side of a loading bay in a warehouse environment for a flatbed trailer carrying pallets that must be loaded and unloaded by forklift trucks. Each pair of carrier stanchions also supports a motor that can be operated to raise and to lower, as desired, one of the pair of barrier platforms that in the lowered position provides fall protection for the forklift trucks that service the flatbed trailer. Each barrier platform includes a forklift rub rail and carriages that are configured to cooperate with the carrier stanchions to resiliently absorb impacts from collisions with the forklift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAM CARBIS ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald D. Willard
  • Patent number: 9598251
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a post-processing device, a first magnetic body, and a second magnetic body. The apparatus main body includes an ejecting part configured to eject a sheet toward an ejecting space. The post-processing device is configured to be slidable between an attached position and a detached position. The post-processing device includes a post-processing part and a movable guide. The movable guide is movable between an ordinary position and an opening position. The first magnetic body magnetically attracts the second magnetic body so as to hold the movable guide at the opening position, in a state where the post-processing device is shifted to the detached position. The first magnetic body separates from the second magnetic body and releases magnetic attraction to the second magnetic body when the post-processing device slides from the detached position to the attached position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiko Miyazaki, Yasunori Ueno
  • Patent number: 9598252
    Abstract: Sheet media jams are detected along a media transport path by one or more vibration sensors that capture mechanical movements of components along the path that interact with the sheet media for driving or guiding the sheet media along the transport path. The detected vibrations during the advancing of the sheets are analyzed for distinguishing between detected vibrations associated with normal handling of the sheets and detected vibrations associated with abnormal handling of the sheets. An error condition can be signaled to a control system in response to distinguishing the detected vibrations associated with the abnormal handling of the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KODAK ALARIS INC.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Middleton, Bruce A. Link, Daniel P. Phinney
  • Patent number: 9598253
    Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a feeding roller configured to feed a printing sheet, a conveyance roller configured to convey the printing sheet, a printing unit configured to print on the printing sheet, a conveyance control unit configured to control conveyance of printing sheets so that a trailing edge of a preceding sheet and a leading edge of a succeeding sheet overlap each other, an acquisition unit configured to acquire, before completion of a printing operation of the preceding sheet, information of a leading edge position of the succeeding sheet, and a determination unit configured to determine whether to convey the succeeding sheet to a position facing the printing unit while keeping an overlap state between the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet in accordance with the leading edge position of the succeeding sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Saito, Noriyuki Sugiyama, Yasuyuki Asai, Syunichi Kunihiro
  • Patent number: 9598254
    Abstract: A roll type material feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding a workpiece such as a strip-like sheet material, to a stamping machine or similar machine. The apparatus includes a frame, a first driven feed roll, a second feed roll, a first drive motor arranged to rotate in driving engagement with the first driven feed roll, a first rotary position sensor arranged to rotate in driving engagement with the first drive motor, and a second drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: VAMCO INTERNATIONAL, INC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Gentile, Vaughn H. Martin, Bryan P. Gentile
  • Patent number: 9598255
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for disposing a material such as waste vinyl, which is configured to collect and dispose of the material on a constant quantity basis. The apparatus includes a receiving part which receives a material supplied from an outside; a supply part, provided at an end of the receiving part, through which the material is supplied to the receiving part; a door part provided at another end of the receiving part and configured to be opened to the outside; and a fixing part formed at a location adjacent to the door part and maintaining the receiving part in a closed state until an internal pressure of the receiving part reaches a predetermined pressure level, wherein the door part is opened to discharge the material to the outside if the internal pressure of the receiving part exceeds the predetermined pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hanwha Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyung-Soo Choi
  • Patent number: 9598256
    Abstract: A document validating/stacking device is provided that has a validator 1 provided with a swingable rocker 10 formed with a head 16 and a stacker 2 detachably attached to validator 1. Stacker 2 comprises an X-linkage 20 having a driver arm 41 that is separably pushed by head 16 in the same rotational direction as head 16 swings to expand X-linkage 20, to thereby move pusher plate 18 from the initial position to the extended position and to stow the document within interim chamber 24 into storage 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Japan Cash Machine, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Ito
  • Patent number: 9598257
    Abstract: A medium storage cassette includes a medium storage portion that stores a medium; and a medium support tray that is provided in the medium storage portion such that the medium support tray can be displaced with respect to the medium storage portion in a slidable manner, the medium support tray being able to be set in a contained state that is a state in which the medium support tray is slid to an upper portion of the medium storage portion and being able to be set in an extended state that is a state in which a medium supporting surface that supports the medium becomes an inclined surface that is oriented obliquely upwards towards an end portion of the medium support tray and in which the medium supporting surface is extended outside of the medium storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shintaro Komuro
  • Patent number: 9598258
    Abstract: A post-processing apparatus comprises a first processing tray on which fed paper is placed; a paper binding section configured to bind a plurality of sheets of paper stacked on the first processing tray into one bundle; a second processing tray which a plurality of paper bundles bound on the first processing tray are sequentially conveyed to and placed on; a paper bundle gluing section configured to coat glue at a given position of the top surface of a first paper bundle placed on the second processing tray before a second paper bundle is placed on the first paper bundle; a pressing section configured to press and bind the first paper bundle with the second paper bundle between which glue is coated; and a control section configured to control the timing for conveying the second paper bundle onto the first paper bundle after the glue is coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yosuke Katayama
  • Patent number: 9598259
    Abstract: A notebook including a group of a preset number of consecutive unit forms which are printed on both faces thereof and spreadably zigzag-folded is produced through a process that includes: printing on both surfaces of a continuous web by two printers each equipped with an endless belt-shaped printing plate, with intermediate inversion of the two surfaces of the web, followed by zig-zag folding and cutting and separating the printed web for each of the preset number of forms. The obtained notebook is capable of preventing falsification and missing pages by inclusion of a horizontal ruled line provided in a main data region and formed of a succession of micro characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: YUGENGAISHA MISATOMIRAI21
    Inventor: Manabu Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9598260
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus determines whether crease processing at a plurality of portions set on the sheet includes crease processing on two, front and back surfaces of the sheet; determines, if it is determined that crease processing includes crease processing on the two surfaces of the sheet, whether a connected post-processing apparatus that performs crease processing on a sheet can perform crease processing on the two, front and back surfaces of the sheet by one feeding; and controls, if it is determined that the connected post-processing apparatus cannot perform crease processing on the two surfaces by one feeding, to change, to one of the front and back surfaces of the sheet based on attribute information of the sheet, a surface to be processed in crease processing at the plurality of portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Ooba
  • Patent number: 9598261
    Abstract: A method for supplying a thread to a textile machine without creating torsions thereof includes picking up the thread from a reel, winding it on a rotary drum driven by an electric motor thereof and supplying such thread to the textile machine, preferably at constant tension and/or quantity. The method provides for measuring the amount of thread leaving the rotary drum and the amount of thread wound thereon and intervening on the rotation of such drum so the amount of thread leaving the drum is equivalent to the amount loaded thereon to avoid the creation of torsion on the thread. A device for implementing such method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BTSR INTERNATIONAL S.P.A.
    Inventor: Tiziano Barea
  • Patent number: 9598262
    Abstract: A method for adapting a travel end position of a changing movement of a thread to a flange spool includes means of which the thread is moved back and forth during a spooling operation along a rotation axis of the flange spool relative to the flange spool by means of a changing thread guide. The flange-side travel end position can be moved away from the flange of the flange spool in an axial direction when the thread tension decreases when the thread is moved away from the flange-side travel end position. Also, the flange-side travel end position can be moved by means of the changing thread guide in an axial direction towards a flange of the flange spool when the thread tension increases when the thread is moved away from the flange-side travel end position. Included is a spooling device for carrying out the disclosed method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG
    Inventors: René Henke, Claudio Hofer, André Wandeler
  • Patent number: 9598263
    Abstract: An elevator device includes a voice input device, a voice recognition device, a call registration device, and an announcement control device. Upon receipt of an announcement request for a second announcement having higher priority than a first announcement while the announcement control device is causing the announcement output device to output the first announcement, the announcement control device stops the first announcement and causes the announcement output device to output the second announcement. The announcement control device also determines whether the re-output of the first announcement is necessary. In the case where the announcement control device determines that the re-output of the first announcement is necessary, upon finish of the second announcement, the announcement control device causes the announcement output device to re-output the first announcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Ayako Nagata
  • Patent number: 9598264
    Abstract: A safety device main body that is inserted inside a lower frame of a car frame includes a braking member. A guiding apparatus includes a guide shoe that is displaceable inside the safety device main body between a guided position that is guided by a guide rail and a retracted position that is removed from the guided position. The guide shoe is disposed in the guided position when the braking member is separated from the guide rail. An actuating apparatus displaces the guide shoe toward the retracted position while displacing the braking member in a direction of contact with the guide rail. The safety device main body, the guiding apparatus, and the actuating apparatus are supported together by a supporting body. The supporting body is mounted onto the lower frame from below using a mounting aperture that is previously disposed on the lower frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sachiomi Mizuno, Hideki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9598265
    Abstract: An elevator system permitting horizontal movement of a normally vertically moving elevator cabin, the elevator cabin being automatically attached to or detached from an elevator frame and horizontally moved to or from another elevator shaft or other destination. While an elevator cabin is supported on an elevator frame or other surface, various cables, rods, plugs and other equipment are automatically connected to or disconnected from the elevator cabin to enable vertical or horizontal motion of the elevator cabin. Once disconnected from such devices, the elevator cabin can be propelled horizontally out of the elevator frame and elevator shaft, onto other surfaces, such as floors of a building, and move horizontally to another destination. An elevator cabin may also be horizontally moved into an elevator shaft and onto the surface of an elevator frame, and connected to the frame, thus enabling such cabin to then move vertically within an elevator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Smart Lifts, LLC
    Inventor: Justin Jacobs
  • Patent number: 9598266
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to an apparatus including a stationary first part, a movable second part, and a link arm mechanism connecting the first part and the second part. The first and the second link arm may be interconnected with a fifth articulated joint. First ends of the link arms may be connected with articulated joints movably on the first part. Second ends of the link arms may be connected with articulated joints on the second part. The second part may be moved with a first actuator in a first direction, with a second actuator in a third direction and with a third actuator in a fourth angular direction around the fourth articulated joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peetu Valkama, Harri Mäkinen, Osmo Björni
  • Patent number: 9598268
    Abstract: A boom truck with splayed forward stabilizers which permits loads to be lifted over the front of the vehicle without a central front jack and further having a pair of rear stabilizers which are separated from the splayed forward stabilizers along a substantial length of and near the rear end of the vehicle frame. The boom truck being made in a process where the attachment of the rear stabilizers is done in a separate and distinct process from the attachment of the splayed forward stabilizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Terex USA, LLC
    Inventor: Herbert Larsen
  • Patent number: 9598269
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a drum to draw in or let out a line and a motor and transmission coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. A power sensor measures an amount of current drawn and/or voltage supplied to the motor as the motor applies torque to the line. A processor calculates an amount of weight that is attached to the line based on the amount of power consumed by the motor. Alternatively, if the motor is operated in generator mode, a current sensor may measure an amount of current generated by the motor and the processor may calculate an amount of weight that is attached to the line based at least partly on an amount of current that is generated by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: David R. Hall
  • Patent number: 9598270
    Abstract: A lifting device, configured to expand in a first direction between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration upon being filled with compressed gas, may have a continuous surface including a bottom surface, a lower and upper intermediate surfaces and a top surface. A bottom plate may be coupled to at least part of bottom surface and a top plate may be coupled to at least part of the top surface. The continuous surface may include a plurality of surface undulations that provide a low height profile when in the deflated configuration and a higher height profile when in the inflated configuration. The plurality of surface undulations may vary between a first and second height when in the deflated configuration, but in the inflated configuration the variance between the relative heights of any remaining undulations is relatively smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Paratech, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Nielsen, William O. Teach
  • Patent number: 9598271
    Abstract: A jack assembly includes a base, a support platform, a pair of links connecting the base to the support platform and an actuator connected between the base and the support platform. The actuator is operable to move the support platform between lowered and raised positions. The actuator may be coupled to a power assist cylinder which utilizes pressurized compressible fluid to assist in lowering the support platform. A safety lock system includes a lock bar pivotally connected to the support platform and one or more pockets on the base positioned to receive a free end of the lock bar to retain the support platform in a selected raised position. A preferred support platform includes trays which receive contact blocks selected from a set of varied contact blocks. A portable automobile lift comprises a pair of the jack assemblies in combination with a portable power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BENDPAK, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Kritzer
  • Patent number: 9598272
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a load onto a raised surface includes: a frame; and rear, middle, and front wheel assemblies coupled to the frame. Each wheel assembly includes: at least one leg, at least one wheel rotatingly coupled to the leg for rollingly supporting the frame, and at least one actuator operatively coupled to the at least one leg. The front wheel assembly is configured to extend forwardly from, and retract rearwardly toward, the frame. The actuators are configured to independently raise and lower the at least one rear, middle, and front wheel. A load support member is located below the frame and moveable between a first position where the center of gravity of the load is located rearward of an axis defined by the at least one middle wheel, and a second position where the center of gravity of the load is located forward of the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: 2336063 ONTARIO INC.
    Inventor: Volodymyr Ivanchenko
  • Patent number: 9598273
    Abstract: A liquid pressure-reducing unit having a first half body with a contact surface and first groove extending over the contact surface is disclosed. The unit has a flexible resilient sealing element having a floor layer lining the floor of the first groove. The unit has a second half body with a contact surface and first and second walls extending out of the contact surface and defining a second groove. The contact surfaces of the first half body and second half body join, wherein the first and second walls penetrate into the first groove so that the free end of the first and second walls forms a fluid-tight contact with the flexible resilient floor layer lining the floor of the first groove, defining a fluid-tight channel bringing in fluid communication a fluid inlet with a fluid outlet. The channel is non-rectilinear and/or having a cross-section varying over the length thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.
    Inventors: Stijn Franssen, Daniel Peirsman
  • Patent number: 9598274
    Abstract: A system and method for distributing fuel, managing fuel transactions, and determining fuel pricing. The system includes a fuel tank and dispensing systems connected thereto for serving customers. The dispensing systems include a meter measuring a volume of dispensed fuel and a data subsystem that transmits transaction data for fueling transactions completed during a first period. A tank gauge measures an ending volume of fuel at the end of the first period. A management system uses the transaction data to generate a usage report and invoice for the customers based on fuel usage during the first period. The management system further monitors the gauge and determines a price for the ending volume of fuel and a variance based on the measured ending volume of fuel and an expected volume. The variance is used to determine a second price for fueling transactions completed during a second period following the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CONRAC Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Wayne Criddle, Matthew Reed Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 9598275
    Abstract: A pressure sensor using the MEMS device comprises an airtight ring surrounding a chamber defined by the first substrate and the second substrate. The airtight ring extends from the upper surface of the second substrate to the surface between the first substrate and the second substrate and further breaks out the surface. The pressure sensor utilizes the airtight ring to retain the airtightness of the chamber. The manufacture method of the pressure sensor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: MIRAMEMS SENSING TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yu-Hao Chien, Li-Tien Tseng
  • Patent number: 9598276
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides MEMS devices and their fabrication methods. A first dielectric layer is formed on a substrate including integrated circuits therein. One or more first metal connections and second metal connections are formed in the first dielectric layer and are electrically connected to the integrated circuits. A second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer. An acceleration sensor is formed in the second dielectric layer to electrically connect to the one or more first metal connections. One or more first metal vias are formed in the second dielectric layer to electrically connect to the second metal connections. A pressure sensor is formed on the second dielectric layer to electrically connect to the first metal vias. The MEMS devices provided by the present disclosure are compact in size through the integration of the acceleration sensor and the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wei Xu, Guoan Liu
  • Patent number: 9598277
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to MEMS devices and methods for manufacturing MEMS devices. In one embodiment, the manufacturing includes forming a monocrystalline sacrificial layer on a non-silicon-on-insulator (non-SOI) substrate, patterning the monocrystalline sacrificial layer such that the monocrystalline sacrificial layer remains in a first portion and is removed in a second portion lateral to the first portion; depositing a first silicon layer, the first silicon layer deposited on the remaining monocrystalline sacrificial layer and further lateral to the first portion; removing at least a portion of the monocrystalline sacrificial layer via at least one release aperture in the first silicon layer to form a cavity and sealing the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Winkler, Andreas Zankl, Klemens Pruegl, Stefan Kolb
  • Patent number: 9598278
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device that includes a substrate and a sensor formed on the substrate. The sensor includes a chamber formed from a plurality of integrated cavities, a membrane above the substrate, the membrane having a plurality of openings, each opening positioned above one of the cavities, and a plurality of diamond shaped anchors positioned between the membrane and the substrate, the anchors positioned between each of the cavities. A center of each opening is also a center of one of the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS PTE LTD.
    Inventors: Olivier Le Neel, Tien Choy Loh
  • Patent number: 9598279
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes providing a substrate having a device region; and forming a sacrificial layer on a surface of the substrate in the device region. The method also includes forming a device layer having a plurality of openings exposing a portion of the surface of the sacrificial layer on the sacrificial layer; and removing the sacrificial layer to expose the surface of the substrate in the device region. Further, the method includes forming a cavity in the substrate in the device region by simultaneously etching the surface of the substrate in the device region exposed by the removed sacrificial layer and the plurality of openings using an anisotropic etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xianming Zhang, Jingxiu Ding
  • Patent number: 9598280
    Abstract: A device in which an electronic circuit positioned within a cavity of a package housing is encased by a bubble restrictor material, with a media resistant material overlaying the bubble restrictor material. The bubble restrictor material functions to inhibit the formation and growth of moisture-related bubbles within the material, including at the interfaces of the material and surfaces within the package housing. The media resistant material is resistant to physical and chemical alterations by media within an external environment to which the device is exposed. The media resistant material and bubble resistant material function to transfer a sensed characteristic of the media to the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Akhilesh K. Singh, Dwight L. Daniels, Darrel R. Frear, Stephen R. Hooper
  • Patent number: 9598281
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for controlled ejection of desired material onto surfaces including in single cells using nanopipettes, as well as ejection onto and into cells. Some embodiments are directed to a method and system comprising nanopipettes combined with an xyz controller for depositing a user defined pattern on an arbitrary substrate for the purpose of controlled cell adhesion and growth. Alternate embodiments are directed to a method and system comprising nanopipettes combined with an xyz controller and electronic control of a voltage differential in a bore of the nanopipette electroosmotically injecting material into a cell in a high-throughput manner and with minimal damage to the cell. Yet other embodiments are directed to method and system comprising functionalized nanopipettes combined with scanning ion conductance microscopy for studying molecular interactions and detection of biomolecules inside a single living cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: R. Adam Seger, Paolo Actis, Boaz Vilozny, Nader Pourmand
  • Patent number: 9598282
    Abstract: A chemical sensor and a system and method for sensing a chemical species. The chemical sensor includes a plurality of nanofibers whose electrical impedance varies upon exposure to the chemical species, a substrate supporting and electrically isolating the fibers, and a set of electrodes connected to the plurality of fibers at spatially separated points to permit the electrical impedance of the plurality of fibers to be measured. The system includes the chemical sensor, an impedance measuring device coupled to the electrodes and configured to determine an electrical impedance of the plurality of fibers, and an analyzer configured to identify the chemical species based on a change in the electrical impedance. The method measures at least one change in an electrical impedance between spatially separated electrodes, and identifies the chemical species based on the measured change in the electrical impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Li Han, Anthony L. Andrady, David S. Ensor
  • Patent number: 9598283
    Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling the shape of antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) synthesized nanostructures. The method dissolves an antimony (III) salt in a first amount of carboxylic acid, forming an antimony precursor. In one aspect, antimony (III) chloride is dissolved in oleic acid. Separately, selenourea is dissolved in oleylamine, forming a selenium precursor. The antimony precursor is combined with the selenium precursor to form a first solution and cause a reaction. The reaction is quenched with a solvent having a low boiling point. In response to quenching the reaction in the first solution, antimony selenide nanorods are formed, having a length in the range of 150-200 nanometers (nm) and a diameter in the range of 20 to 30 nm. Related methods can be used to create, shorter nanorods, nanocrystals, and hollow nanospheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexey Koposov
  • Patent number: 9598284
    Abstract: Polyhexahydrotriazine (PHT) and polyhemiaminal (PHA) materials form highly cross-linked polymers which can be used as binder resins in composite materials. A filler element functionalized with a primary amine group can be covalently bonded to the PHA/PHT polymer resins. Example filler elements include, without limitation, carbon nanotubes, silica materials, carbon and glass fibers, and nanoparticles. Filler materials are incorporated into polymeric materials to improve the mechanical strength or other characteristics of the polymeric material for various applications. Typical composite materials use thermosetting materials that, once set, are intractable. PHT and PHA materials can be reverted to starting materials by exposure to acids. Thus, composite components formed using these materials are recyclable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dylan J. Boday, Jeannette M. Garcia, James L. Hedrick, Rudy J. Wojtecki
  • Patent number: 9598285
    Abstract: An apparatus of the present invention for producing aligned carbon nanotube aggregates is an apparatus for producing aligned carbon nanotube aggregates, the apparatus being configured to grow the aligned carbon nanotube aggregate by: causing a catalyst formed on a surface of a substrate to be surrounded by a reducing gas environment constituted by a reducing gas; heating at least either the catalyst or the reducing gas; causing the catalyst to be surrounded by a raw material gas environment constituted by a raw material gas; and heating at least either the catalyst or the raw material gas, at least either an apparatus component exposed to the reducing gas or an apparatus component exposed to the raw material gas being made from a heat-resistant alloy, and having a surface plated with molten aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: ZEON CORPORATION, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Shibuya, Keiichi Kawata, Kenji Hata, Motoo Yumura
  • Patent number: 9598286
    Abstract: Methods of concurrently forming ammonia and solid carbon products include reacting a carbon oxide, nitrogen, and a reducing agent at preselected reaction conditions in the presence of a catalyst to form a solid carbon product entrained in a tail gas mixture comprising water and ammonia; separating entrained solid carbon product from the tail gas mixture; and recovering water and ammonia from the tail gas mixture. Systems for forming ammonia and solid carbon products from a gaseous source containing carbon oxides include mixing means for mixing the gaseous source with a reducing agent, reactor means for reacting at least a portion of the gaseous source with the reducing agent in the presence of a catalyst to produce the solid carbon products and a tail gas mixture comprising the ammonia, and solid separation means for separating the solid carbon products from the tail gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Seerstone LLC
    Inventor: Dallas B. Noyes
  • Patent number: 9598287
    Abstract: The method of synthesizing carbon nanorods (CNRs) and carbon nanowires (CNWs) involves carbonization of a resorcinol-formaldehyde cross-linked precursor gel. The first stage is the synthesis of resorcinol-formaldehyde cross-linked precursor gel. The second stage is carbonization of the gel by heating the gel in a furnace under the flow of nitrogen gas at 500° C. for three hours. The third stage involves activating the carbon by heating the carbon gel in a furnace under the flow of carbon dioxide gas for one hour at 700° C. to form the CNRs and CNWs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Qatar University
    Inventors: Ahmed Awadallah-F, Shaheen A. Al-Muhtaseb
  • Patent number: 9598288
    Abstract: Method for preparing zinc-histidine self-assembly biomimetic complex activating reaction to convert carbon dioxide into bicarbonate ion, zinc-histidine self-assembly biomimetic complex by preparation method, and method for reducing carbon dioxide using zinc-histidine self-assembly biomimetic complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Sang-Yup Lee, Min-Chul Kim, Yu-Kyoung Lee, Sunhyung Kim, Jinyoung Kwak, Youngjoon Lim, Sangwoo Park
  • Patent number: 9598289
    Abstract: A new crystalline molecular sieve designated SSZ-102 having ESV framework topology is disclosed. SSZ-102 is synthesized using an N,N?-dimethyl-1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane dication as a structure directing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Xie, Stacey Ian Zones
  • Patent number: 9598290
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of ammonia comprising a step wherein synthesis gas is formed by catalytic partial oxidation. Also disclosed is a process of producing urea, wherein ammonia is formed in a process involving a step of catalytic partial oxidation, and carbon dioxide formed in the same process is reacted with said ammonia so as to form urea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: STAMICARBON B.V. ACTING UNDER THE NAME OF MT INNOVATION CENTER
    Inventors: Gaetano Iaquaniello, Barbara Cucchiella, Elena Antonetti
  • Patent number: 9598291
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing lithium hydroxide and a method of manufacturing lithium carbonate using the same. The method of manufacturing lithium hydroxide includes: preparation of a lithium phosphate aqueous solution including lithium phosphate particles; addition of a phosphate anion precipitation agent to the lithium phosphate aqueous solution; and precipitating a sparingly soluble phosphate compound through a reaction of cations of the phosphate anion precipitation agent with anions of the lithium phosphate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: POSCO, RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, MPPLY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Uong Chon, Im Chang Lee, Ki Young Kim, Gi-Chun Han, Chang Ho Song, So Ra Jung
  • Patent number: 9598292
    Abstract: An oxide represented by Formula 1: (Sr2?xAx)(M1?yQy)D2O7+d,??Formula 1 wherein A is barium (Ba), M is at least one selected from magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca), Q is a Group 13 element, D is at least one selected from silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge), 0?x?2.0, 0<y?1.0, and d is a value which makes the oxide electrically neutral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hee-jung Park, Chan Kwak, Tae-gon Kim, Sang-mock Lee, Doh-won Jung
  • Patent number: 9598293
    Abstract: A feather oil absorbent boom structure comprising an inner core and an outer ring winding outside the inner core; the inner core is a cloth bag, and the cloth bag is filled with feather oil absorbent material; the cloth bag is made of spunbonded-melt blown-spunbonded polyporpylene non-woven cloth; the outer ring is a plate-shaped oil absorbent felt formed through thermal fusion of feathers and bicomponent fibers of polypropylene/polyethylene having a low melting point; the weight ratio of the feathers to the bicomponent fibers is 70-85:15-30. The feather oil absorbent boom is capable of providing reliable buoyancy, and slowing down the reduction of the strength of the inner core. Further disclosed is a preparation method for the feather oil absorbent boom structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Zhenhuang Yu
  • Patent number: 9598294
    Abstract: A non-chemical sanitation system for a body of water comprises a floating base, an internal hydro-electric power generator, and one or more sanitizing mechanisms electrically powered by the hydro-electric power generator, where the hydro-electric power generator derives its energy from water pressure produced by a pool pump. In some embodiments, the one or more non-chemical sanitizing mechanisms comprise one or more ultraviolet LED lights. In some embodiments, the one or more non-chemical sanitizing mechanisms comprise one or more ionizers. In some embodiments, the system is connected to a filter pipe and filter of a pool and the hydro-electric power generator is placed within the path of water flowing to the pool filter in order to generate power and power the one or more sanitizing mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Vision Works IP Corporation
    Inventor: Fritz Braunberger
  • Patent number: 9598295
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for treating water and the use of calcium carbonate in such a process. In particular, the present invention is directed to a process for remineralization of water comprising the steps of (a) providing feed water having a concentration of carbon dioxide of at least 20 mg/l, preferably in a range of 25 to 100 mg/l, and more preferably in a range of 30 to 60 mg/l, (b) providing an aqueous slurry comprising micronized calcium carbonate, and (c) combining the feed water of step (a) and the aqueous slurry of step (b) in order to obtain remineralized water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Omya International AG
    Inventors: Michael Skovby, Martine Poffet
  • Patent number: 9598296
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided having a reactor, first and second bio media and an aeration system. The first bio medium is located proximate an inlet end of the reactor and extends vertically between a top water level and the reactor's floor. The second bio medium is located proximate an outlet end of the reactor and extends vertically between a bottom water level and the reactor's floor. The media are adapted for retaining solids within the reactor as clarified water is withdrawn after treatment. The first bio media is further adapted to act as a baffle thereby causing wastewater to flow generally uniformly into a primary reactor zone. The aeration system includes a plurality of diffusers, some of which may be located adjacent or underneath the bio media and are adapted for promoting the shaking the bio media when activated in order dislodge excessive biomass therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ENVIRONMENTAL DYNAMICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Charles E. Tharp, Randall C. Chann
  • Patent number: 9598297
    Abstract: Disclosed is a treatment apparatus capable of inhibiting growth of microorganisms and carrying out long-term stable treatment in an activated carbon tower and a reverse osmosis membrane separation device during processes including activated carbon treatment and RO membrane separation treatment of a later step in a system for manufacturing ultrapure water used in an electronic device factory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Nozomu Ikuno