Patents Issued in June 13, 2017
  • Patent number: 9676589
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods usable for introducing tension into a cable. The apparatus comprises a frame adapted for connection to a crane, a holder adapted for retaining a cable spool, and at least one surface adapted to contact the cable and resist its movement. The frame is adapted for disassembly into a plurality of sections. The apparatus comprises at least one bracket for connecting the frame with the crane. The bracket comprises an aperture adapted for connecting to a jib attachment of a boom head. The at least one surface comprises at least two surfaces adapted to compress the cable, thereby resisting its movement. The at least two surfaces comprise a channel extending thereon, wherein the channels are adapted to form a generally circular bore when the surfaces are joined together, wherein the bore is adapted for receiving the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Richard Lee Chachere
  • Patent number: 9676590
    Abstract: A winding device has an axially-adjustable spindle assembly for winding a variety of elongated flexible materials into windings or spiral coils, including without limitation flat-web, garden hose, strand, twined, braided or woven rope or the like, electric cord or even strings of holiday lights and so on. The winding device comprises a pair of side frames, one which is driven in revolutions and the other which is generally stationary. The side frames have inboard surfaces facing each other and outboard surfaces facing away. One side frame has a hollow tubular sleeve extending away from about the center of its inboard surface while the other side frame has a cylindrical spindle stub extending away from about the center of its respective inboard surface. The spindle stub telescopes into the tubular sleeve such that the side frames can revolve/rotate relative each other, close the gap between each other, or pull apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Kevin D. Berry
  • Patent number: 9676591
    Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, a reference position switch is a usually closed switched that is opened by a car moving to a reference position. A detected body is installed inside a hoistway. A detected body detector that detects the detected body is disposed on the car. A car position detecting portion stores as detected position information of the detected body an amount of movement of the car from where the detected body is detected until the car is detected by the reference position switch by a learning run that is implemented in advance. After completion of the learning run, the car position detecting portion detects the car position based on information from the detected body detector, the stored detected position information, and information from a movement detector that outputs a signal that corresponds to an amount of movement of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Banno, Takuo Kugiya, Yasushi Otsuka
  • Patent number: 9676592
    Abstract: An elevator system constructed in accordance to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an elevator car, a counterweight, a sheave assembly, a suspension rope, a compensation rope, a first optical sensor assembly and a controller. The suspension rope has a first suspension end coupled to the elevator car and a second suspension end coupled to the counterweight. The first compensation rope has a first compensation end coupled to the elevator car and a second compensation end coupled to the counterweight. The first optical sensor assembly can have a first optical sensor pair including a first emitter and a first receiver. The first emitter is configured to emit a first beam to be received by the first receiver. The first optical sensor pair is configured to detect interruption of the first beam by the first compensation rope. The controller controls movement of the elevator car based on the detected interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luther Wells, Dennis Farrar, Scott Lahmers, Phillip Hampton
  • Patent number: 9676593
    Abstract: A belt for an elevator system and a method for making the same is provided. The belt includes a plurality of tension members that extend along a length of the belt and a jacket. The jacket substantially retains the plurality of tension members. The jacket maintains a desired spacing and alignment of the tension members relative to each other. The jacket includes a plurality of first fibers and a plurality of second fibers. The jacket defines at least one exterior, traction surface of the belt. The first fibers are at least partially disposed between the tension members and the traction surface of the belt. The second fibers are fill fibers. The first fibers have at least one property that distinguishes them from the second fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Wenping Zhao, Gopal R. Krishnan, John P. Wesson
  • Patent number: 9676594
    Abstract: An anti-rotation system for an elevator system that includes an elevator shaft, elevator suspension cables, and a mechanical room includes a hitch plate disposed on a floor of the mechanical room and at a top of the elevator shaft, a plurality of cable shackles, each cable shackle including a cable locking mechanism on a first end thereof configured to lock one of the elevator suspension cables and a threaded rod on a second end thereof configured to extend through the hitch plate from the elevator shaft to the mechanical room, and a plurality of anti-rotation devices, each anti-rotation device being fixed to the threaded rod of one of the plurality of cable shackles in the mechanical room, and each anti-rotation device being connected to at least one other anti-rotation device, whereby rotation of cable shackles is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: LML LIFTS, LLC
    Inventor: Jesse D. Marshall
  • Patent number: 9676595
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an elevator includes installing a movable supporting platform and an elevator car in the elevator hoistway; taking the elevator car into use to serve passengers and/or to transport goods; removing the elevator car from use; changing the service range of the elevator car to reach higher up in the elevator hoistway by lifting the supporting platform higher up in the elevator hoistway; and taking the elevator car back into use. The elevator is reeved to include construction-time hoisting roping, which includes one or more ropes, the longitudinal power transmission capacity of which is based at least essentially on non-metallic fibers in the longitudinal direction of the rope. In the method, guide rails to be fixed with guide rail brackets can additionally be installed by the aid of an installation device. An elevator arrangement can be used to perform the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Antti Plathin
  • Patent number: 9676596
    Abstract: In an elevator refurbishing method in which a hydraulic elevator in which a hydraulic jack is installed in an equipment installation zone is refurbished into a machine-roomless elevator that uses a two-to-one (2:1) roping method, the equipment installation zone being a region inside a hoistway on either a left side or a right side of a car when viewed from directly above, at least one guide rail from a pair of counterweight guide rails is installed in the equipment installation zone while leaving the hydraulic jack in position, the hydraulic jack is removed from the hoistway, the hoisting machine is installed in a lower portion of the equipment installation zone using a space that is created by removal of the hydraulic jack, and a car return sheave and a counterweight return sheave are installed on an upper portion of the counterweight guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yoshikawa, Hideki Miyahara, Kazuhiro Sasaki, Yoshinao Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9676597
    Abstract: The invention relates to a truss construction (2) for a passenger conveyor comprising at least one self-supporting element (4, 16). The self-supporting element, which is a roller molded element (4, 16), extends in a conveying direction of the passenger conveyor and is formed with at least one rail portion (6, 8) for guiding step chain rollers (7a) and/or step rollers (7b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Alois Senger, Goetz Metzdorf
  • Patent number: 9676598
    Abstract: A gravity activated lifting claw for help in moving and gripping a wide range of objects of various sizes and shapes. The gravity activated lifting claw includes a link and slide structure that allows for configurations with varying number of gripping arms. The gravity activated claw is self-opening when the claw is slacked. The embodiments of the lifting claw are cheaply and easily configurable with a wide range of material handling machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Anthony Joseph Schulte
  • Patent number: 9676599
    Abstract: A power lift assembly includes a lift stand. An actuating unit is detachably coupled to the lift stand and includes an actuating unit frame, a hydraulic unit carried by the actuating unit frame, a hydraulic piston extendable and retractable with respect to the hydraulic unit and an actuating unit arm positional between first and second positions on the actuating unit frame. The actuating unit arm operably engages the hydraulic unit to extend and retract the hydraulic piston at the first and second positions, respectively, of the actuating unit arm. A lift arm is pivotally carried by the actuating unit frame and releasably engages the lift stand. The hydraulic piston engages the lift arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: James T. Baker
  • Patent number: 9676600
    Abstract: A forklift equipped with a variable displacement traveling hydraulic pump driven by an engine, a hydraulic motor that forms a closed circuit with the traveling hydraulic pump therebetween and is driven by hydraulic oil discharged from the traveling hydraulic pump, and driving wheels driven by the hydraulic motor, when an accelerator opening detected by an accelerator opening sensor is reduced, the accelerator opening detected by the accelerator opening sensor and a target maximum absorption torque of the traveling hydraulic pump are given to a table on which a setting value calculated in advance depending on the accelerator opening, and the target maximum absorption torque of the traveling hydraulic pump or a vehicle speed of the forklift is described to calculate the setting value, and the accelerator opening detected by the accelerator opening sensor is corrected using the obtained setting value to calculate a corrected accelerator opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Kaneko, Taishi Oiwa
  • Patent number: 9676601
    Abstract: A gripping apparatus for outfitting vehicles for handling loads include a structure, which can be removably coupled with an operating arm of a vehicle for handling of loads. It includes: a support element which comprises a coupling base for connection with a corresponding coupling head which is fitted to the operating arm, a holding element which is fixed to the coupling base and can rotate, on command, with respect to the coupling base and about a first axis. The holding element is provided with a load gripping apparatus for gripping a load. A load handled by the load gripping apparatus can translate along a predetermined direction contained in a plane extending perpendicularly with respect to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: C.M.C. S.R.L.—SOCIETA UNIPERSONALE
    Inventor: Riccardo Magni
  • Patent number: 9676602
    Abstract: A safety device for an aerial lift (10) having operator controls (23) for maneuvering its basket (20) to a desired location and including at least one passive normally closed safety switch (30)(130), e.g. an emergency switch, operable to cut electrical supply and prevent further movement of the basket (20), the safety device comprising a switch activation device (27,160,170) extending across the basket proximate to the controls (23) and an auxiliary safety switch (26) connected in series with the safety switch (30,130) with its contacts C1 normally closed (switch on) unless caused to open (switch off) by operation of the switch activation, thereby cutting off the electrical supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: BLUESKY SOLUTIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Cummings, Kevin Jonathan Gale, Allan Malcolm Starck
  • Patent number: 9676603
    Abstract: A multifunctional hand-operable beverage service tool includes a casing having a cavity defined therein, the casing having a proximal end region and a distal end region. A plurality of tools are pivotally coupled to said casing, the tools each being independently pivotable relative to the casing along an arcuate path defined between retracted and deployed positions; wherein one of said plurality of tools comprises a wine key lever. A first opening is positioned through the distal end region of the casing, the first opening being constructed and arranged to engage and remove a bottle cap. A second opening comprising a finger hole is positioned through the proximal end region of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Dennis C. Oakley
  • Patent number: 9676604
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include convertible beverage serving stations and related methods. The convertible beverage serving station can include a housing, a substantially planar serving platform, a connection device, a first columnar serving tower, and a releasable mounting interface. The housing can include an interior, a front wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a base. The substantially planar serving platform can include one or more apertures. The connection device can be configured to allow the serving platform to open upward allowing access to the interior of the housing. The first columnar serving tower can include a top and a bottom. The top can include one or more orifices for dispensing a beverage. The releasable mounting interface can include a central channel, a bottom portion, and a top portion. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Aisle Advertising
    Inventor: Mark R. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9676605
    Abstract: A fuel and lubricant refueling vehicle is described. The vehicle has a centralized control panel for monitoring and operating the fuel and lubricant delivery systems. The control panel is operable from ground level. The vehicle is capable of delivering fuels and/or lubricants at 300 gallons per minute. In addition, the vehicle is capable of storing a variety of different fuels and lubricants for servicing multiple types of equipment and work vehicles. The vehicle also has a power generator that supplies 50 cubic feet per minute of air flow to the motor pump assembly of the fuel and lubricant delivery systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bruno Porcile, Italo Avalos
  • Patent number: 9676606
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structure with sacrificial supports to prevent stiction is provided. A first etch is performed into an upper surface of a carrier substrate to form a sacrificial support in a cavity. A thermal oxidation process is performed to oxidize the sacrificial support, and to form an oxide layer lining the upper surface and including the oxidized sacrificial support. A MEMS substrate is bonded to the carrier substrate over the carrier substrate and through the oxide layer. A second etch is performed into the MEMS substrate to form a movable mass overlying the cavity and supported by the oxidized sacrificial support. A third etch is performed into the oxide layer to laterally etch the oxidized sacrificial support and to remove the oxidized sacrificial support. A MEMS structure with anti-stiction bumps is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Yen Chou
  • Patent number: 9676607
    Abstract: Micromechanical devices include actively deflectable elements. The activation is performed by a layer stack which causes the deflection responsive to attractive forces acting upon the layers of the layer stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Matthieu Gaudet, Klaus Schimmanz, Michael Stolz, Sergiu Langa, Holger Conrad, Bert Kaiser
  • Patent number: 9676608
    Abstract: A substrate includes a functional element. An insulating first film forms a cavity which stores the functional element, together with the substrate, and includes a plurality of through-holes. An insulating second film covers the plurality of through-holes, is formed on the first film, and has a gas permeability which is higher than that of the first film. An insulating third film is formed on the second film and has a gas permeability which is lower than the second film. An insulating fourth film is formed on the third film and has an elasticity which is larger than the third film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Akihiro Kojima, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Yoshiaki Shimooka
  • Patent number: 9676609
    Abstract: An integrated MEMS device is provided. The integrated MEMS device comprises a circuit chip and a device chip. The circuit chip has a patterned first bonding layer disposed thereon, the bonding layer being composed of a conductive material/materials. The device chip has a first structural layer and a second structural layer, the first structural layer being connected to the second structural layer and the first bonding layer of the circuit chip, and being sandwiched between the second structural layer and the circuit chip. A plurality of hermetic spaces are enclosed by the first structural layer, the second structural layer, the first bonding layer and the circuit chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Asia Pacific Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerwei Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9676610
    Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes a sensor element, an integrated circuit that is electrically connected to the sensor element, and a ceramic package (base body) on which the integrated circuit is mounted. A first conductor pattern (interconnection pattern) for electrical connection with the outside is provided on one surface of the ceramic package. A second conductor pattern is provided to be electrically connected to the interconnection pattern. The second conductor pattern includes an interconnection pattern that passes through the inside of the ceramic package, and a metallized region that is exposed on the other surface of the ceramic package. The interconnection pattern is longer than a distance between the one surface and the other surface of the ceramic package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Takada
  • Patent number: 9676611
    Abstract: Sensor device packages and related fabrication methods are provided. An exemplary sensor device package includes a first structure having a sensing arrangement thereon, a second structure having circuitry thereon, and a conductive structure within the first structure and coupled to the circuitry to provide an electrical connection to the circuitry through the first structure. Thus, circuitry on the second structure may be electrically connected to an interface of the sensor device package through the first structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Hooper, Philip H. Bowles
  • Patent number: 9676612
    Abstract: A component which can be produced at wafer level has a first chip and a second chip connected thereto. The connection is (at least partially) established via a first and a second connecting structure and a first and a second contact structure of the second chip. An adaptation structure between the first chip and the first connecting structure equalizes a height difference between the first and the second contact structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang Pahl
  • Patent number: 9676613
    Abstract: The present embodiments are directed towards the optical control of switching an electrical assembly. For example, in an embodiment, an electrical package is provided. The electrical package generally includes a micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) device configured to interface with an electrical assembly, the MEMS device being operable to vary the electrical assembly between a first electrical state and a second electrical state, a MEMS device driver in communication with the MEMS device and being operable to produce high voltage switching logic from an electrical signal, and an optical detector in communication with the MEMS device driver and configured to produce the electrical signal from an optical signal produced by a light source in response to an applied current-based electrical control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Alfred Iannotti, Eric William Fiveland, William Chester Platt
  • Patent number: 9676614
    Abstract: An encapsulated MEMS device includes stress-relief trenches in a region of its substrate that surrounds the movable micromachined structures and that is covered by a cap, such that the trenches are fluidly exposed to a cavity between the substrate and the cap. A method of fabricating a MEMS device includes fabricating stress-relief trenches through a substrate and fabricating movable micromachined structures, and capping the device prior art encapsulating the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Houri Johari-Galle, Michael W. Judy
  • Patent number: 9676615
    Abstract: This invention relates to the field of silicon microphone technology, more specifically, to a method for fabricating a MEMS microphone using multi-cavity SOT wafer by Si—Si fusion bonding technology, which comprises a multi-cavity silicon backplate and a monocrystalline silicon diaphragm, both are separated with a layer of silicon dioxide to form the capacitor of the MEMS microphone. The monocrystalline silicon diaphragm has advantages such as low residual stress and good uniformity, which increase the yield and sensitivity of MEMS silicon microphone; the diaphragm comprises tiny release-assistant holes, spring structures with anchors and bumps which can quickly release the residual stress and reduce the probability of stiction between the backplate and the silicon diaphragm. This structure will further improve yield and reliability of MEMS microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MICROLINK SENSTECH SHANGHAI LTD.
    Inventor: Jianmin Miao
  • Patent number: 9676616
    Abstract: In a semiconductor pressure sensor, a fixed electrode is formed as the same layer as a diffusion layer formed to extend from a surface of a semiconductor substrate to inside of the semiconductor substrate. A void is formed by removing a sacrifice film, which is a region constituted of the same film as a floating gate electrode. A movable electrode includes an anchor portion which supports the movable electrode via the void relative to the fixed electrode and in which the sacrifice film is at least partially opened. The anchor portion has a first anchor provided to divide the movable electrode into a plurality of movable electrode units when viewed in a plan view such that one pair of adjacent movable electrode units of the plurality of movable electrode units divided share the same first anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Kimitoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 9676617
    Abstract: A method for a capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer (cMUT) is provided. The method grows and patterns a diffusion barrier layer over a surface of a base layer. The diffusion barrier layer have different areas that allow different levels of diffusion penetration. A diffusion process is performed over the diffusion barrier layer such that a diffusion reactivated material reaches different depths into the base layer below the different areas. A anchor is formed using the diffusion reactivated material. The anchor has a lower portion below a major surface of the base layer and an upper portion above the major surface of the base layer. A cover layer is placed over the anchor and the base layer. At least one of the cover layer and the base layer includes a flexible layer, such that the cMUT electrodes are movable relative to each other to cause a change of the gap width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: KOLO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Yongli Huang
  • Patent number: 9676618
    Abstract: A sensor device is constructed to maintain a high glass strength to avoid the glass failure at low burst pressure, resulting from the sawing defects located in the critical high stress area of the glass pedestal as one of the materials used for construction of the sensor. This is achieved by forming polished recess structures in the critical high stress areas of the sawing street area. The sensor device is also constructed to have a robust bonding with the die attach material by creating a plurality of micro-posts on the mounting surface of the glass pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyi Ding, James Nowicki
  • Patent number: 9676619
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for wafer-level chip scale packaged wafer testing. The method comprises: dicing a wafer-level chip scale packaged wafer into a plurality of wafer strips each comprising a plurality of un-diced chip scale packaged devices; fixing the wafer strips onto a plurality of corresponding strip carriers respectively; testing the chip scale packaged devices of the wafer strips fixed onto the strip carriers by a testing equipment; and dicing the tested wafer strips into a plurality of individual chip scale packaged devices. Since the proposed method does not involve loading a multitude of diced chips into sockets one by one, but that a limited number of wafer strips are loaded onto corresponding strip carriers, flow jam is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MEMSIC SEMICONDUCTOR (WUXI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang Zhao, Piu Francis Man, Leyue Jiang, Haidong Liu, Bin Li
  • Patent number: 9676620
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to fluorescent particles and more specifically to silica-based fluorescent nanoporous particles with physically encapsulated organic dyes. In one aspect of the invention, the nanoporous architecture provides a significant enhancement in fluorescence of the particles brightness compared to free dye. A particular chemical control of the silica matrix prevents the dye molecules from leaking the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: CLARKSON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Igor Sokolov, Eun-Bum Cho, Dmytro Volkov
  • Patent number: 9676621
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a field-effect transistor (FET)-based biosensor and uses thereof. In particular, to FET-based biosensors using thermally reduced graphene-based sheets as a conducting channel decorated with nanoparticle-biomolecule conjugates. The present disclosure also relates to FET-based biosensors using metal nitride/graphene hybrid sheets. The disclosure provides a method for detecting a target biomolecule in a sample using the FET-based biosensor described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: UWM Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Junhong Chen, Shun Mao, Ganhua Lu
  • Patent number: 9676622
    Abstract: An object is to provide a process for providing hydrogen or heavy hydrogens conveniently without the necessity of large-scale equipment and a process capable of performing hydrogenation (protiation, deuteration or tritiation) reaction conveniently without the use of an expensive reagent and a special catalyst. The production process includes a process for producing hydrogen or heavy hydrogens, containing subjecting water or heavy water to mechanochemical reaction in the presence of a catalyst metal, and a process for producing a hydrogenated (protiated, deuterated or tritiated) organic compound, containing subjecting an organic compound and water or heavy water to mechanochemical reaction in the presence of a catalyst metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SHIONO CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironao Sajiki, Yasunari Monguchi, Yoshinari Sawama, Shinichi Kondo
  • Patent number: 9676623
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for conducting simultaneous endothermic and exothermic reactions in a microchannel reactor. A start-up procedure for the microchannel reactor is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Perry, Ravi Arora, Martyn Twigg, Bin Yang, Thomas Yuschak, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Eric Hans Drescher, Franck Letellier, Anders Gabrielsson
  • Patent number: 9676624
    Abstract: This invention pertains to processes for selectively oxidizing hydrogen cyanide contained in syngas using permanganate anion as an oxidant contained in an aqueous solution that is contacted with the syngas under certain conditions of temperature, pressure and duration of contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Synata Bio, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E Tobey
  • Patent number: 9676625
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing microcrystalline alpha alane are provided herein. An exemplary process for producing microcrystalline alpha alane includes reacting lithium aluminum hydride and aluminum chloride in a solvent to produce alane etherate, filtering alane etherate from the reactant, combining the filtered alane etherate with a lithium borohydride solution to produce solids that include microcrystalline alane etherate, removing remaining solvent from the solids, creating a slurry from the solids and an aromatic solvent, and heating the slurry to convert the microcrystalline alane etherate to microcrystalline alpha alane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ardica Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Petrie, David Stout, Paul E. Penwell, Sigridur Suman, Allen Dodge
  • Patent number: 9676626
    Abstract: An IF7-derived iodine fluoride compound recovery method includes putting gas containing IF7 into contact with a material to be fluorinated, thereby converting the IF7 into IF5; and cooling gas containing the IF5, thereby trapping the IF5 as an IF7-derived iodine fluoride compound. The recovered IF5 may be reacted with fluorine to generate IF7, which may be reused for a semiconductor production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: CENTRAL GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Akiou Kikuchi, Masanori Watari
  • Patent number: 9676627
    Abstract: Methods of growing boron nitride nanotubes and silicon nanowires on carbon substrates formed from carbon fibers. The methods include applying a catalyst solution to the carbon substrate and heating the catalyst coated carbon substrate in a furnace in the presence of chemical vapor deposition reactive species to form the boron nitride nanotubes and silicon nanowires. A mixture of a first vapor deposition precursor formed from boric acid and urea and a second vapor deposition precursor formed from iron nitrate, magnesium nitrate, and D-sorbitol are provided to the furnace to form boron nitride nanotubes. A silicon source including SiH4 is provided to the furnace at atmospheric pressure to form silicon nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: University of Dayton
    Inventor: Lingchuan Li
  • Patent number: 9676628
    Abstract: The present invention relates a process and apparatus that recovers a helium rich stream from a mixed gas having low concentrations of helium therein. More specifically, the invention relates to an integrated process and apparatus for treating a mixed feed gas from an operating process that produces a liquid product from natural gas containing helium, such as processes that produce ammonia, methanol, or liquid hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Minish M. Shah, Joseph M. Schwartz, Khushnuma Koita, Michael J. Dray
  • Patent number: 9676629
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method to enhance heat transfer in the temperature swing adsorption process (TSA) and to an intensified TSA process for gas/liquid purification or bulk separation. Helium is designed as the heat carrier media to directly bring heat/cool to the adsorbent bed during the TSA cycling process. With helium's superior heat conductivity, the time consuming regeneration steps (warming, regeneration and precooling) of TSA process can be significantly reduced and allowing for the TSA process to be intensified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Hai Du, Scot E. Jaynes, Steven R. Falta, Neil A. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 9676630
    Abstract: Carbon nanotubes have excellent mechanical properties such as low density, high stiffness, and exceptional strength making them ideal candidates for reinforcement material in a wide range of high-performance composites. Fibers with increased tensile strengths are produced by employing plasma treatment under various conditions. Tensile strength is improved by at least 35%, relative to an untreated fiber. Methods of making such high strength carbon nanotube fibers via plasma processing are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventors: Charles F. Cornwell, Charles P. Marsh, Charles R. Welch, Benjamin Ulmen, Dustin L. Majure
  • Patent number: 9676631
    Abstract: A process for producing reaction bonded silicon carbide (RBSC) from high purity, porous, essentially all-carbon preforms through contacting said preforms with silicon metal at room temperature, and subsequently heating to melt silicon metal and cause infiltration into said preform causing reaction to silicon carbide and leaving residual silicon, to result in a dense silicon carbide-silicon composite. The process offers the ability to produce RBSC with higher purity, higher strength, and lower cost as long as the carbonaceous preforms are of sufficient purity and pore size distribution to allow for uniform, crack-free bulk bodies to be fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Lori Bracamonte
  • Patent number: 9676632
    Abstract: A method that includes: (a) forming a molten liquid from a solvent metal, silicon, and an alkali magnesium halide; (b) cooling the molten liquid to provide silicon crystals and a mother liquor; and (c) separating the silicon crystals from the mother liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Silicor Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Mancini, Alain Turenne
  • Patent number: 9676633
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a crystalline ammonium sulfate product, which process comprises: a) subjecting in a crystallizer a feed solution of ammonium sulfate to crystallization to form a first slurry of ammonium sulfate crystals; b) subjecting the first slurry of ammonium sulfate crystals to a first size classification to yield a first coarse ammonium sulfate crystal fraction and a first fine ammonium sulfate crystal fraction; c) recycling at least part of the first fine ammonium sulfate crystal fraction to the feed solution of ammonium sulfate; and d) recovering a crystalline ammonium sulfate product from the first coarse ammonium sulfate crystal fraction, characterized in that: e) a second size classification is carried out on a second slurry of ammonium sulfate crystals to yield a second coarse ammonium sulfate crystal fraction and a second fine ammonium sulfate crystal fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: CAP III B.V.
    Inventors: Geert Ekkelenkamp, Johan Thomas Tinge, Pieter Vonk
  • Patent number: 9676634
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for producing titanium dioxide particles, and titanium dioxide particles produced thereby, and more specifically, to a novel method for producing titanium dioxide particles capable of producing titanium dioxide particles having uniform particle size through chemical reaction at a temperature equal to or lower than room temperature and can easily control the size of titanium dioxide particles, and titanium dioxide particles produced thereby, having a uniform particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION SOGANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kyung Byung Yoon, Hyun Sung Kim, Myunpyo Hong
  • Patent number: 9676635
    Abstract: A method for producing an aqueous zirconium chloride solution includes: grinding zircon sand to an average particle diameter of 10 ?m or less; adding a sodium compound to the ground zircon sand to thereby obtain a mixture; firing the mixture in an iron container at 400° C. or less to thereby obtain a decomposed product; firing the decomposed product in a stainless-steel container at 400 to 1,100° C. to thereby obtain a fired product; dispersing the fired product in water to prepare a dispersion, and washing the fired product with water while adjusting the temperature of the dispersion to 70° C. or less, thereby obtaining a water-washed cake; washing the water-washed cake with hydrochloric acid with a pH of 1 to 6 to thereby obtain zirconium hydrate; and dissolving the zirconium hydrate in hydrochloric acid, and then removing insoluble components to thereby obtain a salt solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: DAIICHI KIGENSO KAGAKU KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taichi Kunisada, Nobutaka Nochioka
  • Patent number: 9676636
    Abstract: An ink removal device preferably includes a tube housing, a plurality of glass chunks and an injector tube. The injector tube is retained in the tube housing. A liquid inlet connector is secured to a first end of the tube housing for a supply of ink water. An air inlet connector is secured to a second end of the tube housing for a supply of pressurized air. The tube housing is filled with a plurality of large chunks of glass. Pressurized ink water is pumped into the tube housing passes through the injector tube and back through the plurality of glass chunks. The ink in the ink water adheres to the plurality of glass chunks to produce cleaned water. The pressurized air dries the ink adhering to the plurality of glass chunks. The cleaned water exits the outlet port to be used for printing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Jerry Luczak
  • Patent number: 9676637
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an ultraviolet (UV) irradiation apparatus includes a treatment tank, a UV irradiation member, a UV sensor, and an air outlet unit. The air outlet unit is connected to an air outlet hole provided at a position higher than a horizontal plane that passes through the UV sensor, and is provided to release, to the outside of the treatment tank, through the air outlet hole, air that accumulates inside the treatment tank when the treated waterlasses through the inside of the treatment tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shinji Kobayashi, Norimitsu Abe, Takeshi Ide, Akihiko Shirota, Kenji Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9676638
    Abstract: A method and system are for separating a suspension into solid and fluid components. The suspension is centrifuged about a substantially vertical axis of rotation to concentrate solid components in a first lower flow stream and fluid components in a first upper flow stream. The first upper flow stream may be centrifuged about a substantially vertical axis of rotation to concentrate solid components in a second lower flow stream and fluid components in a second upper flow stream. The first lower flow stream, the second lower flow stream, or both, may be centrifuged about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation to separate water from stackable dry tailings. The method and system may be applied to separation of tailings or other suspensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: 650438 Alberta Ltd.
    Inventor: Derry Burton Eddy