Patents Issued in April 25, 2017
  • Patent number: 9630089
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining relationships between units are described. An illustrative system may include a semantic knowledge base having information regarding stored relationships between a plurality of units associated with content, a processor and a non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processor. The storage medium may include one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to direct a display to present the plurality of units to one or more users, receive an input from each of the one or more users, compare the input with the information in the semantic knowledge base and determine whether the input corresponds to a stored relationship and provide a notification to each of the one or more users based upon the determining. The input may correspond to a determination of a relationship between the plurality of units based upon the content of each unit by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: GanaLila, LLC
    Inventors: Jaisree Moorthy, Shreedhar Natarajan
  • Patent number: 9630090
    Abstract: A fact checking system is able to verify the correctness of information and/or characterize information by comparing the information with one or more sources. The fact checking system automatically monitors, processes, fact checks information and indicates a status of the information. Fact checking results are able to be validated by re-fact checking the fact check results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: LinkedIn Corporation
    Inventor: Lucas J. Myslinski
  • Patent number: 9630091
    Abstract: A system, having an image production module adapted to generate two images with different content and a display module adapted to synchronously display the images such that each image can be selectively viewed depending on a viewer selecting an appropriate visual aide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: The Finch Company Pty Limited
    Inventor: Emad Tahtouh
  • Patent number: 9630092
    Abstract: The game program according to the present invention directs a computer to execute a process in which a player unit that is selected on a game field by a player is moved on the game field in response to the player's operations and is engaged in battle with an enemy unit at the destination, and a process in which a rental unit selected from a unit list by the player is engaged in battle with an enemy unit on the game field without being moved on the game field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: DeNA Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyohei Yamaguchi, Takashi Hanabe
  • Patent number: 9630093
    Abstract: Method for physiologically modulating videogames and simulations includes utilizing input from a motion-sensing video game system and input from a physiological signal acquisition device. The inputs from the physiological signal sensors are utilized to change the response of a user's avatar to inputs from the motion-sensing sensors. The motion-sensing system comprises a 3D sensor system having full-body 3D motion capture of a user's body. This arrangement encourages health-enhancing physiological self-regulation skills or therapeutic amplification of healthful physiological characteristics. The system provides increased motivation for users to utilize biofeedback as may be desired for treatment of various conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Alan T. Pope, Chad L. Stephens, Tyler Habowski
  • Patent number: 9630094
    Abstract: A non-transitory storage medium encoded with a computer readable music game program, the music game program causing the one or more processors to perform including a communication unit configured to obtain from another game device through communication, data relating to operation input to another game device, a presentation data generation unit configured to generate presentation data in accordance with the operation input to the game device, an estimated presentation data generation unit configured to estimate, based on data relating to the operation input to another game device for a first portion of the music data obtained through the communication unit, presentation in accordance with the operation input to another game device for a second portion of the music data and generate estimated presentation data representing the presentation, and a game processing unit configured to perform the game process based on the presentation data and the estimated presentation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takaya Yamane
  • Patent number: 9630095
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for triggering (i.e., initiating, launching, or running) a software application (e.g., an interactive game application) or other computer program or application on a user device (e.g., a computer, etc.) based on multimedia content being provided to (e.g., displayed on) a different user device (e.g., a different computer, a television, etc.). The methods may comprise displaying, using a first device, multimedia content. A multimedia-analysis process may then be performed to determine an attribute of the multimedia content being displayed. These attributes may be used to acquire (e.g., select or produce) a software application comprising one or more elements that relate to the multimedia content. The software application may then be launched (i.e., triggered, initiated, or run) on a second device, the second device being different from the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Jehan Wickramasuriya, Venugopal Vasudevan, Joseph F. Wodka
  • Patent number: 9630096
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method for controlling mobile gaming on a vessel may have a plurality of mobile gaming devices, a location server operable to track a device position of each of the plurality of mobile gaming devices and track a vessel position of the vessel, and a mobile gaming management server configured to communicate with the location server and a gaming server, the mobile gaming management server operable to individually control whether each of the plurality of mobile gaming devices is permitted to play a game of chance based on the device position and the vessel position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Nguyen Gaming LLC
    Inventor: Binh T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9630097
    Abstract: A user-activity video signal can be received. The user-activity video signal can comprise a video capture characterizing a user's interaction with a software application on a client. The software application can have an interface display space on the client and the software application can execute on the client in operation with at least one remote backend computing system. Backend user interaction data corresponding to the user's interaction with the software application as generated by the at least one remote backend computing system can be received. A new video comprising a plurality of divided segments of the user-activity video signal can be generated automatically using the backend user interaction data and a plurality of predefined rules. The new video can be provided. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Skillz Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Paradise, James Daniels, Jason Petralia
  • Patent number: 9630098
    Abstract: A head mounted display is provided. The head mounted display includes a head attachment portion and a viewing module coupled to the head attachment portion. The viewing module includes an inner portion having a view port into a screen configuring for rendering image content, and an exterior housing. Further included are a plurality illuminating elements integrated with the exterior housing of the viewing module. The plurality of illumination elements defined for image tracking of the head mounted display. Illumination logic is provided for controlling the plurality of illumination elements to be active or inactive during use of the head mounted display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Anton Mikhailov, Xiaodong Mao
  • Patent number: 9630099
    Abstract: A game device according to the present embodiment includes a camera as image pick-up means. An inner camera is accommodated in an upper housing. In addition, a microphone hole is provided in an inner surface of the upper housing so as to sense external sound through a microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Kuwahara, Kazunori Koshiishi, Yui Ehara, Ryo Fukasawa
  • Patent number: 9630100
    Abstract: A gaming system for enabling three-dimensional game play of remote-control craft controlled by a controller, each craft including a communication system with both radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) capabilities. The system can include a plurality of hovering remote-control flying craft each controlled by a handheld controller, and further may include at least one additional game accessory elements, such as a puck, a ground station or a gun. Each pairing of craft and controllers communicate via an RF protocol that transmits at least control communications between the controller and the craft based on pair identification information in an RF communication protocol. The craft and game-accessory elements also communicate via at least an IR protocol that communicates game-play information. Selectable pairs of craft and controllers may be assigned to different teams for playing multiplayer team games based on team identification information in the RF communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: QFO Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: John Paul Condon, James Edward Fairman, Bradley Dean Pedersen
  • Patent number: 9630101
    Abstract: An operating device includes an operating shaft, a movable body that supports the operating shaft, and a base body. The base body includes a contact surface that is in contact with the movable body so as to receive, from the movable body, forces along the plane vertical to the axial direction of the operating shaft. Further, the operating device includes a plurality of sensors adapted to detect forces acting on the base body. The operating device allows the motion of the operating shaft on the plane vertical to the axial direction of the operating shaft and the detection of the motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Keiji Togawa
  • Patent number: 9630102
    Abstract: Methods, systems, or apparatuses for impeding the entrance of foreign contaminates into a housing of a gaming machine may include a gaming controller, a panel, and an input device mounted to the panel. The input device may include a housing. The housing of the input device may include a first section, a second section, and a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller; and a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Michael W. Oehlert, Nathan D. LaBrosse, Brian K. Baker, John L. Beadell, Steve P. McGahn, Jacquelyn S. Combs, Thomas D. Waxman, Russell Chudd, Tai Rosander
  • Patent number: 9630103
    Abstract: A game controller includes a main body, a detachable electrode, a sensor and a controlling unit. The main body includes a grasping part. The detachable electrode is disposed on the grasping part. The sensor detects whether the detachable electrode is in contact with the grasping part. According to a result of judging whether the detachable electrode is in contact with the grasping part, the controlling unit controls the detachable electrode to generate a corresponding electric shock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Chou-Liang Liu, Yu-Ming Chien, Chia-Hsiang Chen
  • Patent number: 9630104
    Abstract: Virtual world content is transmitted from at least one server to at least one client computer by defining a camera position on the client computer and projecting a geometrical shape from the camera position in the direction of a viewing vector. This geometrical shape defines a subsection of the virtual world content, which is then transmitted to the particular client, where it is maintained within a content cache.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Konrad V. Sherinian
  • Patent number: 9630105
    Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for warning a user of a head mounted display during gameplay of a video game. A game is executed causing interactive scenes of the game to be rendered on a display portion of a head mounted display (HMD) worn by a user. A change in position of the HMD worn by the user, while the user is interacting with the game, is detected. The change in position is evaluated, the evaluation causing a signal to be generated when the change exceeds a pre-defined threshold value. When the signal is generated, content is sent to interrupt the interactive scenes being rendered on the display portion of the HMD. The data sent provides descriptive context for the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Roger Stafford
  • Patent number: 9630106
    Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing audio in a bank of gaming machines, such as video slot and video poker machines. Audio tracks of a game may be provided to a plurality of gaming machines and synchronized. An audio track provided to one of the gaming machines may be changed to a second audio track, in response to receiving an indication of a status change for the game. The second audio track may be synchronized with the audio tracks provided to the other gaming machines in the plurality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Duane R. Decker, Nicholas B. Mayne, Lee E. Huber
  • Patent number: 9630107
    Abstract: Providing a location-based online game for a plurality of mobile devices, including: assigning a force field around a player corresponding to each mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices, wherein a radius of the force field is proportional to a score or experience point of the player in the online game; determining a location of said each mobile device; calculating colliding forces among the plurality of mobile devices and virtual environment created in the online game; providing a forum to enable a battle among the plurality of mobile devices and the virtual environment which are calculated as being in the colliding forces and sampling metadata including water, highway, road, grass, forest, business area and residential area to generate the online game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Hyung Gyu Oh
  • Patent number: 9630108
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing game data are provided. In a network game to be tested, skill effect data of a character to be tested can be obtained, and a combat strategy can be formulated accordingly. The network game along with a fight test of the character can be implemented, according to the combat strategy, to obtain and output testing data. Whether the combat strategy needs to be adjusted can then be determined. When the combat strategy is determined that needs to be adjusted, the methods and apparatus can be used to adjust the combat strategy, implement the fight test of the character according to the adjusted combat strategy, and obtain the testing data. When the combat strategy is determined that does not need to be adjusted, the methods and apparatus can be used to analyze a degree of balance of the character in the network game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Xin Zhang
  • Patent number: 9630109
    Abstract: An advanced context-aware platform is integrated with a variety of other applications to allow processing of contextual information from various sources. One type of application may provide spatial and temporal context information for various actions. Another type of application may provide additional information for an action within a social and/or business context. These contextual information types are received and assimilated by the platform in order to enrich the data value chain. Processing large volumes of data and events may be facilitated in a scalable and rapid manner utilizing technologies such as in-memory databases (e.g., the HANA database available from SAP AG), and/or complex event processing (CEP) such as is available from Sybase ESP. Context-aware platforms according to embodiments may find particular use in providing context to systems implementing gamification in an enterprise environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Philipp Herzig, Michael Ameling
  • Patent number: 9630110
    Abstract: Technologies related to location graph adapted video games are generally described. In some examples, location graphs may be generated for received environment inputs, such as received three dimensional (3D) models of environments. Video games may be adapted to generated location graphs, such as by placing video game content at nodes of location graphs. Video game and/or user parameters may be accommodated when adapting video games to location graphs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Ezekiel Kruglick
  • Patent number: 9630111
    Abstract: Game players are connected to each other through comparisons of information associated with events in which the game players and their friends have competed. Competition information such as game play results, leader board positions, game attributes, and entitlements may be used to compare players and players' friends to each other, and the comparison information is used to recommend additional events to the players in such a way as to enhance social networking and asynchronous game play among the game players and their friends in the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Webster, Paul Ross, Steve Cuss
  • Patent number: 9630112
    Abstract: A server device determines: win/loss of a battle game in response to a battle request from a player terminal; a provisional game content when it is determined that a player wins the battle game; win/loss of a successive battle game succeeding the battle game in response to a successive battle request from the player terminal after determining the provisional game content; and a game content, to which rarity higher than or identical to the provisional game content is set, to be provisional game content after change when determined that the player wins the successive battle game; and allows the player to own the provisional game content when accepting an acquisition request from the player terminal after determining the provisional game content, and allows the player to own the provisional game content after change when accepting an acquisition request from the player terminal after determining the provisional game content after change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: DeNA Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadaaki Satsuma, Akihiro Suga, Keisuke Kamiyama, Satoshi Kagami
  • Patent number: 9630113
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for collaborative online gaming, including at least one of providing a central repository master browser system; providing an experience calibrated match-making service; providing a dynamic multiplayer server component auto deployment and aggregation system; providing a lobby centric simultaneous and collaborative client game play launching feature; and providing a video game screen over-layer technology giving users access to a control interface while inside a video game being played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
    Inventor: Jesper Jensen
  • Patent number: 9630114
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems provide a suggested list of people for a user of a social network system to play a game with. A social networking system receives a trigger for providing the user access from a user device to the game over a network. The social networking system identifies a pool of people who have a personal connection with the user and who have not played the game before. From the pool of people, a suggested list of people is selected based on closeness to the user. The suggested list is sent to the user device for the user device for the user to selectively invite one or more of the people to play the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Hoskins, Anh Tuan Khuc
  • Patent number: 9630115
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for online game cooperation. One method includes an operation for receiving a first request from a first user to place a game asset in a first game board of the first user. The game asset is associated with a task to be performed in the game. Further, the method includes an operation for receiving a second request from a second user to place the game asset in a second game board of the second user. The first user and the second user make progress by interacting with the game asset in their respective game boards. When the first user or the second user receives a transactional reward for interacting with the game asset, the transactional reward is also given to the other user. A final reward is given to the first user and to the second user upon completion of the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Kathryn Bambino, Tiago de Jesus, Kevin Wienecke, Achint Goel, Zhifei Song, Niko Vuori, Matthew Salazar
  • Patent number: 9630116
    Abstract: A slide has a slide body and a fixing assembly. The fixing assembly has a connecting rod mounted on the slide body, a flexible unit, and a fixing unit. An end of the flexible unit is connected to the connecting rod. The fixing unit is mounted on the flexible unit. The fixing unit and the flexible unit jointly fix a tread of an open riser stairway. As the flexible unit is bendable, the flexible unit and the fixing unit can be easily moved to clamp the tread, thereby facilitating easy assembly and disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: T. K. Chin Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Howard Chin
  • Patent number: 9630117
    Abstract: A toy figure is provided that incorporates a torso, rotatably mounted on a spine, a pelvis fixed to the spine separate from the torso, a movable leg mounted on the pelvis, and a movable arm movably mounted to the torso. A lever extending from the movable leg into the torso rotates the torso on the spine as a result of the motion of the leg. The movable arm, attached to the spine by a linkage, is moved as a result of the relative motion of the rotating torso and the spine. The linkage may be attached within the movable arm near the shoulder or near the elbow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill Benecke, Thai Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 9630118
    Abstract: A diving toy, or dive stick, that is connectable and extendable. The diving toy includes connectable and/or extendable portions that enables the length of the diving toy to be changed and enable it to be converted into a dive-ring, extended dive stick, larger dive-ring, dive-chain, or a multitude of other amusing shapes. In various games of play, one or more diving toys is thrown into a pool. A player retrieves the diving toy from the bottom of the pool or plays various games of play with the diving toy while submerged underwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: EASEBON SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Veronica Pui Chung Wong, Francis See Chong Chia
  • Patent number: 9630119
    Abstract: A suspended play structure includes a floor, a sidewall, and a roof that defines an inner space. The structure includes top and bottom ring structures that provide additional support to the play structure. The play structure can be suspended from a tree, a stand, a ceiling, or similar structure. The structure is collapsible for easy storage and can also include a removable cushion that can fit within an internal pocket. The structure can also include a removable string of LED lights within the inner space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: PLOW & HEARTH, LLC
    Inventors: Beverly Fries, Ting Xu, Jose R. Rodriguez Bosch
  • Patent number: 9630120
    Abstract: A toy or game with an illuminable transparent or translucent tube has a moveable part in the tube and a power source adjacent an end of the tube for selectively controllable movement of the part. The part may be a moveable light source or a separate stationary light source may be adjacent one end of the tube with the moveable part blocking light from the light source. The power source and the light source may be adjacent the same end of the tube or may be adjacent opposed ends. The power source may be an elastic element or compressed gas. Air flow through the blower is adjusted by user manipulable controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Leonard J. Stubenfoll
  • Patent number: 9630121
    Abstract: The modular flying disc is an amusement device that is aerodynamically supported. The modular flying disc is a flying device that has four weighted corner sections and a center weighted section that allow the modular flying disc to expand with centrifugal force when thrown. In various embodiments of the disclosure, the weights used in the four weighted corner sections are configured to allow multiple modular flying discs to be stacked. The modular flying disc comprises a swatch, a center weight, and a plurality of corner weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Marcus Bridgewater
  • Patent number: 9630122
    Abstract: A system for removing salt from a process stream being fed into a flash separator introduces a swirling motive fluid into the fluid column of the separator. The swirling motive fluid comes into contact with salt components residing in the fluid of the column to create a salt slurry. Means to limit the upward movement of the swirling motive fluid can be provided. The salt slurry is then removed and can be sent to a brine generation vessel. Saturated brine from the vessel is transported back to the fluid column to replace the motive fluid in the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Min-Hsiun Lee, Gary W. Sams
  • Patent number: 9630123
    Abstract: An apparatus for distributing a flow of a liquid descending in an inner space of a packed column includes: a collector to collect the flow of the liquid; a mixer below and vertically spaced apart from the collector to receive and mix the liquid collected; a first conduit to receive and transmit at least part of the liquid from a first sector of the collector to a first zone of the mixer; and a second conduit to receive and transmit at least part of the liquid from a second sector of the collector to a second zone of the mixer. A geometric center of the first sector of the collector is positioned circumferentially away from a geometric center of the first zone of the mixer and/or a geometric center of the collector's second sector is positioned circumferentially away from a geometric center of the mixer's second zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Swaminathan Sunder, Donn Michael Herron, Patrick Alan Houghton
  • Patent number: 9630124
    Abstract: A gas condensing device may be configured to condense regeneration gas and separate target gas from condensate. The gas condensing device may include: a housing; a condenser mounted in an upper portion of the housing and configured to condense the regeneration gas; and a reflux apparatus mounted in the housing below the condenser and configured to temporarily store the condensate and discharge evaporation gas evaporated from the condensate back to the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Shin-Tae Bae, Sungchan Nam, Sungyeoul Park, Yeoil Yoon
  • Patent number: 9630125
    Abstract: A gas-blowing liquid sample infusing device includes a sample introducing tube 17 made from a liquid-sample inner tube 40 and a nebulizing-gas outer tube 41 for nebulizing and supplying a liquid sample, and an exhaust sealing tube 18 provided on the circumference of the sample introducing tube 17, and a cushion member 43 that is mounted on the opening of a sample container 19 (the body of an infusion container 21), that allows the sample introducing tube 17 to pass through and has a contact surface for contacting the lower end of the exhaust sealing tube 18, and an engaging member (lid) 20 that includes a cushion admitting concave part 42 in which an engaging part 44 that is mounted on the opening of the sample container 19 and prevents the upward movement of the cushion member 43 is provided on the lateral surface of the inner circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9630126
    Abstract: A gun barrel tank for treating raw crude oil mixtures. The fluid mixture enters through a degassing boot where gas is separated from the liquid. The liquid travels through a central column to a horizontal hydraulic distributor located in the lower area of the tank, first entering a central distributor trough, then passing into open bottom horizontal inverted lateral troughs and finally out through a plurality of metering orifices provided near the top edges of the lateral troughs to provide uniform distribution of the liquid in the tank. A circular oil collection trough provided at the top of the tank has a plurality of V-shaped notches on its top edge over which oil flows into an oil collection trough to provided uniform collection of the separated crude. A circular water collector in the bottom of the tank removes separated water, and solids are removed from the bottom of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: KBK Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Will D. Ball
  • Patent number: 9630127
    Abstract: Improved filter vessel assemblies for filtering fluids in fluid systems (e.g., industrial and/or commercial systems) are provided. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for advantageous filter vessel assemblies that include a releasable locking assembly for a removable filter member (e.g., a filter bag). The present disclosure provides for improved systems/designs for easily securing and/or unsecuring removable filter members to or from a locking assembly of a filter vessel assembly. Improved, convenient, low-cost and/or effective systems and methods for easily securing and/or unsecuring removable filter members to or from a filter vessel assembly by utilizing advantageous locking assemblies associated with a supporting assembly or basket assembly of the filter vessel assembly are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Lee Hoots, Jon Terence Stone, Michael Todd Pace
  • Patent number: 9630128
    Abstract: Provided is an oil separator that operates in an efficient manner as a whole for collection of oil mist in blowby gas as multiple oil separator units collect the oil mist equally regardless of various particle sizes thereof. The oil separator includes a distribution chamber distributing blowby gas, an introducing hole introducing the blowby gas into the distribution chamber, at least one set of oil separator units disposed in symmetry relative to at least one plane having an axis extending through an axis of the introducing hole of axes of flowing directions of the blowby gas entering the distribution chamber through the introducing hole, and distribution channels causing the blowby gas to flow from the distribution chamber to the respective oil separator units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Nishigaki, Naoki Kira, Jun Ikeda, Shin Satsumabayashi
  • Patent number: 9630129
    Abstract: Fluid filters and modular relief valve assemblies for use therein are provided where the modular relief valve assembly comprises a bypass housing, a bypass spring, a valve plug, and a locator spring. The locator spring is at least partially seated within and modularly joined to a trailing portion of the bypass housing. The bypass spring and the valve plug are modularly joined to the bypass housing. The trailing portion of the bypass housing comprises at least one annular forward-facing seating surface. The leading portion of the bypass housing comprises a sealing extension, an intermediate reducing taper, and a valve plug sealing surface. The sealing extension is positioned between the forward-facing seating surface and the intermediate reducing taper. The intermediate reducing taper is positioned between the sealing extension and the valve plug sealing surface and reduces towards the valve plug sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: West Troy, LLC
    Inventor: Sean M. Boston
  • Patent number: 9630130
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tube sheet by forming a plurality of separate thin tube sheet segments; forming multiple holes in each sheet in a predetermined pattern, each hole for accommodating a tube sheet filter tube; aligning all of the plurality of tube sheet segments so that the hole pattern of each sheet aligns with the hole pattern in all other sheets of the plurality of tube sheet segments; and securing all of the tube sheet segments together to form a unitary tube sheet. A tube sheet construction that includes a plurality of separate thin tube sheet segments, multiple holes being provided in each sheet in a predetermined pattern, each hole for accommodating a tube sheet filter tube, all of the tube sheet segments being aligning so that the hole pattern of each sheet aligns, and fasteners for securing all of the tube sheet segments together. A media layer is provided between adjacent sheet segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Neptune-Benson, LLC
    Inventor: Paul F. Nehlen, III
  • Patent number: 9630131
    Abstract: For a method for producing a filter element provided with a sealing part, wherein the sealing material is introduced into a casting chamber between two tundish parts when in the non-cured state, a compensation space connected to the casting chamber is provided for the expansion of the sealing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Arthur Sudermann, Fabian Wagner, Thomas Sieber, Guenter Goerg, Michael Metzger, Markus Roehrig, Thomas Jessberger, Timo Dirnberger, Bernd Joos
  • Patent number: 9630132
    Abstract: A filter system may include a filter housing and a filter. The filter may include layers of impermeable material. Additionally, the filter may include at least one first layer of corrugated filter media situated between layers of the impermeable material. The at least one first layer may at least partially define a first plurality of flutes extending from a first side of the filter to a second side of the filter. The filter may also include at least one second layer of corrugated filter media situated between layers of the impermeable material. The at least one second layer may at least partially define a second plurality of flutes extending from a third side of the filter to a fourth side of the filter. The housing may be configured to direct a first fluid into the first side of the filter, and direct a second fluid into the third side of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Spengler, Vincent Paul Caliendo
  • Patent number: 9630133
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided. The air cleaner may include a filter assembly having a plurality of stacked filters, a first case including a filter mount sleeve having the filter assembly mounted thereon, a second case coupled to a first surface of the first case and having a discharge grille disposed on a first side thereof, a support leg disposed on a second side of the second case corresponding to an opposite side of the discharge grille, a third case coupled to a first surface of the second case, and a first panel attached to a first surface of the third case. When the filter assembly, the first case, the second case, the third case, and the first panel are coupled to each other, the air cleaner may have a cylindrical exterior. The discharge grille may extend by a predetermined distance along an upper circumferential surface of the second case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yongjoon Sohn, Taeyoon Kim, Hyeongnam Yun, Jeeman Park
  • Patent number: 9630134
    Abstract: Filter cartridges including tubular filter media having ovate cross-sections and filter systems using the ovate tubular filter cartridges are described herein. The inner perimeters of the ovate cross-sections of one or more of the filter cartridges may be asymmetric, i.e., the inner perimeters of the cross-sections of the tubular filter media in the filter cartridges may have no lines about which they are symmetric. The inner perimeters of the ovate cross-sections of the tubular filter media in one or more of the filter cartridges may have only one line of symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: DONALDSON COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Raether
  • Patent number: 9630135
    Abstract: A honeycomb body of ceramic material for use in installations for cleaning and/or regenerating gases, comprising a prismatic body, which is penetrated by many rectilinear gas-flow channels parallel to one another, which discharge into both face ends of the honeycomb body, wherein the honeycomb body (1) has at least one tubular recess (5, 5?), which is oriented transversely to the direction of the flow channels (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: IBIDEN PORZELLANFABRIK FRAUENTHAL GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Hagg, Matthias Fail, Franz Kronabether
  • Patent number: 9630136
    Abstract: An air filter may include a bellows made of an air-permeable filter medium, which is folded in a longitudinal direction to form a plurality of folds, for filtering air, and a supporting frame for supporting the bellows. The supporting frame may be a substantially closed comb-like ring having a plurality of supporting teeth. At least two supporting teeth adjacent in the longitudinal direction may fix at least two folds of the bellows also adjacent in the longitudinal direction to a predefined distance from each other. The comb-like ring may include two fold blades and two outer bands connecting the fold blades. The fold blades may be inserted in a transverse direction running transversely to the longitudinal direction into respective end folds of the bellows. The two outer bands may have the supporting teeth, including high supporting teeth and low supporting teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Dressler, Frank Rohde, Hendrik Von Merkatz
  • Patent number: 9630137
    Abstract: An anti-clogging filter system for filtering a fluid containing large particles and small particles includes an enclosure with at least one individual elongated tubular filter element in the enclosure. The individual elongated tubular filter element has an internal passage, a closed end, an open end, and a filtering material in or on the individual elongated tubular filter element. The fluid travels through the open end of the elongated tubular element and through the internal passage and through the filtering material. An anti-clogging element is positioned on or adjacent the individual elongated tubular filter element and provides a fluid curtain that preferentially directs the larger particulates to one area of the filter material allowing the remainder of the filter material to remain more efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Erik P. Brown
  • Patent number: 9630138
    Abstract: The invention involves a process for treating a gas stream from a hydroprocessor that contains hydrogen, methane and C2+ hydrocarbons. In embodiments of the invention, the gas stream is sent through at least two pressure swing adsorption units to produce a high quality hydrogen stream, a fuel gas stream containing most of the methane and a tail gas stream that is sent to a steam cracker. Lean gas from a gas plant and other refinery off gases may also be processed together with the gas stream from the hydroprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Tsai, Xin X. Zhu, Joel J. Kaye, Eleftherios Adamopoulos