Patents Issued in January 30, 2018
  • Patent number: 9878864
    Abstract: An automatic positioning group in a machine for winding plastic film onto bobbins that determines the correct position of an operative oscillating element with respect to a core such as a bobbin of a film having a different diameter sizes, wherein the operative oscillating element is supported at first free ends of levers hinged on pins associated with a frame of the winding machine and oscillated by a related actuator. The levers extend, in an opposite position to the ends carrying the operative oscillating element into appendices which collaborate with at least one pair of abutments positioned on a respective cam rotated with respect to the frame by an actuator, wherein each of the abutments is positioned on the cam with a different radial dimension with respect to a rotation axis of the rotating cam. The operative oscillating element can consist of a contact roll or a cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: COLINES S.P.A.
    Inventor: Eraldo Peccetti
  • Patent number: 9878865
    Abstract: A method for securing a web end of a paper web on a first drum during a change of drum, the method includes passing the web end through a nip between a Pope roller and the second drum and applying adhesive to an area of the web end on a downward-rotating area of the Pope roller after the web end is passed through the nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: PAPRIMA INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kowalewski, Roman Caspar
  • Patent number: 9878866
    Abstract: A recording device includes a recording unit that performs recording on a recording medium with the recording medium being stored in a rolled state and unrolled from one end. The recording device includes a pair of abutting rollers, a support roller and a movable mechanism. The abutting rollers face each other, and convey the recording medium while the recording medium is nipped between the abutting rollers. The support roller is arranged on a downstream side of the abutting rollers in a conveyance path of the recording medium. The support roller abuts the recording medium to support the recording medium. The movable mechanism changes a position of at least one of the abutting rollers to switch between an abutting state in which the other of the abutting rollers abuts the recording medium and a released state in which the other of the abutting rollers does not abut the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Mashima, Seijun Horie
  • Patent number: 9878867
    Abstract: A card feeding apparatus realizes random and selective feeding of cards of different types or kinds. This apparatus includes a card supplying device, a card holding and feeding device, and a controller. The card holding and feeding device includes a table set having tables on which cards from the card supplying device are held, a table set supporting structure (e.g., a frame), a table set moving device (e.g., a lifting mechanism), and a card conveying device that conveys cards held on the tables. In response to a card feeding signal, the table set supporting structure is temporarily stopped using the table set moving device such that a target table designated from the tables by the said signal is located at the card conveying position, and the card holding and feeding device is activated, thereby feeding a card on the target table by the card conveying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ASAHI SEIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takahito Yamamiya
  • Patent number: 9878868
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a discharging slot provided for discharging a recording medium on which an image is formed; a discharge tray including a supporting surface supporting the recording medium discharged from the discharging slot; a discharge mechanism configured to discharge the recording medium to the discharge tray through the discharging slot; and a press down mechanism including an abutting surface which is provided for pressing down the upper surface of the recording medium supported by the supporting surface of the discharge tray. The press down mechanism is rotatable about a rotation center provided on the upstream of the discharging slot in a discharge direction in which the recording medium is discharged from the discharging slot, and the abutting surface contacts with the supporting surface when no recording medium is supported by the discharge tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihito Kobayashi, Kohei Terada
  • Patent number: 9878869
    Abstract: There is provided a rolled product dispenser for dispensing a web of rolled product. The rolled product dispenser includes a housing, a dispensing assembly operationally connected to the housing and interacting with the web of the rolled product and a cutting assembly cooperating with the dispensing assembly to sever the web of rolled product. The cutting assembly includes at least two cutting blades, each one of the cutting blades having a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally mounted and the second end is operationally connected to a guiding assembly for guiding the blade between a cutting position and a non-cutting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: CASCADES CANADA ULC
    Inventor: Michel Morand
  • Patent number: 9878870
    Abstract: According to an example, to eject print media from an image forming apparatus, a variable page feed velocity of a first page of print media exiting a feed zone is detected. An acceleration value and a deceleration value based on the variable page feed velocity of the first page is calculated. The calculated acceleration is applied to a media movement component in the output zone when the entire first page has cleared a media sensor in the front of the output zone, and the deceleration is applied when the tail end of the first page is in a brake zone. In some examples, a second page of print media and a variable page feed velocity of the second page exiting the feed zone is detected, and the media movement component in the output zone is accelerated to match the variable page feed velocity of the second page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wesley R Dchalk, Mark H MacKenzie, Bruce A Axten, Francisco Javier Gomez Maurer, Catherine Elizabeth Gould
  • Patent number: 9878871
    Abstract: A folding device is provided for folding a sheet comprises a jaw cylinder, a folding cylinder, a paper guide, and an actuator. The jaw cylinder has a jaw, and the folding cylinder has a hold down element and a folding blade. The folding blade is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The folding blade is in the extended positron to transfer one or more sheets to the jaw cylinder during a fold off operation, and the folding blade is in the retracted position during a collect operation. The paper guide is positioned between the folding cylinder and the jaw cylinder. The paper guide includes a static guide element and a reciprocating guide element connected to the static guide element, the reciprocating guide element movable between a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: David Clarke Pollock, John James Sposato, Jr., Gerald Roger Douillard
  • Patent number: 9878872
    Abstract: A cord winder spindle cover housing, wherein the housing is mountable onto a spindle, and said housing has (i) a drive portion for receiving a cord that controls the extension and retraction of a blind and (ii) at least one opening through which the cord passes, the opening defined by a pair of spaced but opposing convex surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Acmeda Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Carmelo Joseph Licciardi Di Stefano
  • Patent number: 9878873
    Abstract: A power generation system including a partially enclosed container assembly housing a plurality of spherical balls at a container height disposed above a ground surface, each of the plurality of spherical balls having a ball weight. The power generation system also includes a conveyor assembly with a conveyor-drive system having a plurality of ball-catch members. The conveyor assembly includes a proximal end coupled to the container assembly, a distal end, and a conveyer length separating the proximal and distal ends. The conveyor assembly spans downwardly from the container assembly at a location below the container height and is operably configured, via the ball-catch members of the conveyor-drive system, to transport the spherical balls. A generator is operably coupled to the conveyor-drive system and is operably configured to produce electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Phillip Nordike Gordon
  • Patent number: 9878874
    Abstract: An elevator-landing device that can register a floor which is daily used as a destination floor without a button operation, and register another floor as a destination floor in accordance with necessity. The elevator-landing device includes a hall operating panel to which a user can input a destination floor, a reading part which reads identification information from an information recording medium carried by a user in the hall, by radio communication, a storage part which stores identification information associated with a destination floor, a temporary registration part which obtains the destination floor associated with the identification information and temporarily registers a call to the obtained destination floor, and a determination part which determines whether or not a predetermined destination floor establishment condition is established, when it is determined that the predetermined destination floor establishment condition is established by the determination part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takeharu Kondo, Nobukazu Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9878875
    Abstract: A method for connecting a mobile device to an elevator system, the mobile device executing a mobile application for issuing elevator calls to the elevator system, includes: determining a geographical location of the mobile device; obtaining a list of buildings within a geographical range of the geographical location of the mobile device; determining if a registered building is in the list of buildings, the registered building being a building at which a user has registered with the elevator system; and automatically establishing a connection between the mobile device and the elevator system at the registered building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Bradley Armand Scoville, Kelly Martin Dubois, Walid Namane
  • Patent number: 9878876
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to receiving, by a demand entering device configured to receive an elevator destination command, a request for at least one of: statistical data regarding use of at least one elevator, and field data in connection with a field service, maintenance, repair, or installation activity associated with the at least one elevator, and obtaining, by the demand entering device, at least one of the statistical data and the field data in response to the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Wilke, Donald F. Cominelli, Hans-Kilian Spielbauer, Michael Peters
  • Patent number: 9878877
    Abstract: An elevator includes at least an elevator car arranged to move reciprocally in an elevator hoistway and fitted on guide rails, a plurality of landing doors having landing door locks openable e.g. with a service key, and a safety arrangement arranged to form a safe space, preferably a working space, in the elevator hoistway below the elevator car, access to which safe space is enabled via at least one landing door in the proximity of the base of the elevator hoistway, and/or a safe space, preferably a working space, above the elevator car, to which access is enabled via at least one landing door leading to the roof of the elevator car, and in which elevator the aforementioned safe space has a minimum height. The formation of each safe space is arranged to be implemented as a consequence of the opening occurring, e.g. with a service key, from a floor level of a landing door enabling access into the elevator hoistway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jari Pursiainen, Samuli Mäntynen, Matti Räsänen, Jaakko Kahila, Keijo Vajavaara, Mika Alvesalo, Markku Haapaniemi, Kristian Viinikkala
  • Patent number: 9878878
    Abstract: An elevator comprising an elevator car; a plurality of belt-shaped ropes connected to the car, each having a width larger than thickness as measured in transverse direction of the rope; and at least one rope wheel, around which the belt-shaped ropes pass; wherein the rope wheel comprises a plurality of circumferential rope contact areas distributed in axial direction thereof, one of said ropes passing against each circumferential rope contact area, the elevator further comprising a sensing arrangement for sensing displacement of one or more of said ropes, comprising a sensing member for sensing displacement of one or more of said ropes radially outwards from the rope wheel, extending in axial direction of the rope wheel along its surface at a radial distance therefrom, whereby a gap is formed between the sensing member and each rope contact area, the height of the gap being more than thickness of the belt-shaped ropes and less than 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Antti Saarelainen, Kimmo Koivisto, Riku Lampinen
  • Patent number: 9878879
    Abstract: A supersized elevator for use in building a large ship or an offshore plant is provided. The supersized elevator includes an elevator structure (100), an elevator cage (200) configured to accommodate passengers and heavy articles, a counterweight (230) configured to maintain a weight balance with the elevator cage (200), a wire rope (220) configured to interconnect the elevator cage (200) and the counterweight (230), and a winding machine (210) configured to wind the wire rope (220). A wind shield module (800) configured to prevent a tail cable (910) from being affected by a strong wind is vertically installed on one inner side surface of the elevator structure (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: SONGSAN SPECIAL ELEVATORS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Gi-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 9878880
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an elevator car intended for transporting people and freight, in an elevator wherein the elevator car is supported resting on suspension members and arranged movably in an elevator hoistway when moved by a hoisting machine. At least the floor and roof of the elevator car are composed of dimensionally precise modular elements fabricated by casting, extruding and/or pressing into their shapes and dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Markku Haapaniemi, Simo Mantynen, Mika Alvesalo, Matti Rasanen, Markku Haivala
  • Patent number: 9878881
    Abstract: A propulsion system includes a magnetic screw having a first magnetic element having a first polarity, the first magnetic element arranged along a first non-linear path along a longitudinal axis of the magnetic screw and a second magnetic element having a second polarity, the second magnetic element arranged along a second non-linear path along the longitudinal axis of the magnetic screw; a motor for rotating the magnetic screw about the longitudinal axis; and a stator made from a ferrous material, the stator having a body with an internal cavity, the body including a plurality of poles extending into the cavity, the poles arranged along a pole non-linear path along a longitudinal axis of the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Richard N. Fargo
  • Patent number: 9878882
    Abstract: The present invention provides a large-tonnage slender externally powered rail-mounted unloading skip, comprising an upper bin body and a lower bin body that are respectively formed by an inner lining plate and an outer plate fixed together via a number of pin shafts, a self-locking gate, and a gate opening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: Xuzhou Coal Mine Safety Equipment Manufacture Co., Ltd., China University of Mining and Technology
    Inventors: Zhencai Zhu, Gongbo Zhou, Changhua Hu, Guohua Cao, Wei Li, Guoan Chen, Yuxing Peng, Qingyong Du, Miao Wang
  • Patent number: 9878883
    Abstract: A safety system for a moving walkway having a continuous loop of steps driven by a drive system and missing step detector adapted to detect a missing step from the loop of steps. The safety system comprises: an interrupt unit adapted to control the drive system to disable automatic movement of the loop of steps upon detection of a predetermined event and adapted to subsequently control the drive system to enable automatic movement of the loop of steps only after a safety procedure has been completed without a missing step being detected by the missing step detector. The safety procedure comprises causing a step to traverse an entire loop under manual control of the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: KERRETT ELECTRONIC SERVICES LTD.
    Inventor: Stephen Nelson
  • Patent number: 9878884
    Abstract: A load-hauling device includes a pair of karabiners, each having an array of pulleys, a pulley rope fixed at one end to one of the karabiners below its respective pulley array, to anchor that end of the rope, the pulley rope passing sequentially between the pulleys of each pulley array to provide a mechanical advantage at the free end of the pulley rope when pulled, a rotatable locking cam mounted between a cam yoke fixed around an end pulley of one of the pulley arrays, wherein the cam includes a cam spring to bias the cam to engage with the rope and permit movement of the rope in one direction while preventing movement of the rope in the other direction, the cam including an integral trigger and locking mechanism to selectively disengage the cam from the rope and allow the device to release a load carried thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL SAFETY COMPONENTS LTD
    Inventors: Wayne Ellis, Kevin Brown
  • Patent number: 9878885
    Abstract: The present invention shows a crane controller for the semi-automatic control of a rotary crane, the crane comprising at least a slewing actuator for creating a slewing motion of the crane and/or a luffing actuator for creating a luffing motion of the crane, the crane controller comprising an input unit which can be operated by a operator to provide a desired slewing speed and/or a desired luffing speed as an operator input and a model-predictive reference trajectory planning module comprising an optimization unit for calculating a reference trajectory that obeys the system dynamics and follows the operator input, and a feedforward-controller using the reference trajectory for controlling the slewing actuator and/or the luffing actuator. Further, the optimization unit takes into account the deflection of the rope in the tangential and/or radial direction when solving the optimization problem that provides the reference trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-WERK NENZING GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Scheider, Oliver Sawodny, Ulf Schaper, Eckhard Arnold
  • Patent number: 9878886
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for use on a construction machine includes a first valve, a second valve, and at least a third valve. The second and third valve each includes at least one inlet port connected to a first outlet port of the first valve. The first outlet port of each of the second and third valves are configured to reduce a first pressure to a second pressure and/or a third pressure downstream of the second valve and the third valve, respectively. The second valve and the third valve also include at least a second outlet port connected to a reservoir tank. A hydraulic motor is connected to the first outlet port of the second valve, which operates the hydraulic motor in a first direction. The hydraulic motor also is connected to the first outlet port of the third valve, which operates the hydraulic motor in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: MANITOWOC CRANE COMPANIES, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Benton, Mark A. Harbold, Todd Snider, David R. Peiffer
  • Patent number: 9878887
    Abstract: An upright for a lift truck includes a first group of mast sections in a first stagger arrangement where a first mast section of the first group of mast sections is fixed to the lift truck. The upright further includes a second group of mast sections in a second stagger arrangement that is reverse nested inside the first stagger arrangement. Further, the upright includes a drive system for telescopingly extending and retracting the second mast sections relative to the first mast section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: CLARK MATERIAL HANDLING COMPANY
    Inventor: Clark C. Simpson
  • Patent number: 9878888
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a weighing device applicable in a removable manner to the fork of a fork lift or of a lifter and including an external strip to support the load to weigh; a magnetic element arranged to allow applying magnetically the external strip to the fork; and a weighing device arranged below the external strip in such a way as to detect the weight of a load overlying the external strip. The weighing device is further configured to communicate in wireless modality with an external device for the reading of the datum of the detected weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Newtecnik S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mirco Giannetti
  • Patent number: 9878889
    Abstract: A multi-stage mast module is cooperable with a mast lift. The mast lift includes a base supporting the multi-stage mast module and a platform coupled with the multi-stage mast module. The multi-stage mast module includes a mast unit including a plurality of telescoping mast sections, and a multi-stage drive connected between the telescoping mast sections of the mast unit. Gas springs are connected between the telescoping mast sections of the mast unit. The gas springs act between the adjacent ones of the telescoping mast sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: JLG INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jason James Watson, Geoffrey George Campbell
  • Patent number: 9878890
    Abstract: A universal container capper/decapper includes a capper/decapper assembly, and an axial actuator. The capper/decapper assembly comprises a capper/decapper housing, and at least one gripper arm. The capper/decapper housing has an axis of rotation. Each gripper arm has a driven end, a gripper end, and a knee portion intermediate the driven end and the gripper end. Each gripper arm is pivotally coupled to the housing proximate the knee portion. The axial actuator is coupled to each driven end and is configured to drive each gripper end in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation by rotating each gripper arm about the respective knee portion relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Sergey Mikhailov
  • Patent number: 9878891
    Abstract: Machine (1) for filling containers with liquids, which comprises a rotatable carousel (10) equipped with a tank (12) for containing a liquid to be bottled, and a plurality of valve groups (13) peripherally mounted on the rotatable carousel (10) and equipped with a supply duct (14) for the flow of said liquid into containers (2) to be filled, and with an air return cannula (16). Furthermore, each valve group (13) comprises: a collection cup (29), which is connected to the upper end (16?) of the air return cannula (16); a first control valve (34), actuatable to place the collection cup (29) in communication with an atmospherically pressurised evacuation circuit (31); a second control valve (35) actuatable to place the collection cup (29) in communication with a suction circuit (33?, 33?). Furthermore, a logic control unit (100) operatively connected to the first and second control valves (34, 35) of each valve group (13) is provided in order to control the switch of said control valves (34,35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: MBF S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Balzarin, Giuliano Boscaro
  • Patent number: 9878892
    Abstract: Vertical beverage dispensers including a vertical dispensing manifold for dispensing a beverage. The vertical dispensing manifold may include an input port coupled to one end of a vertical shaft and a dispensing nozzle coupled to the other end of the vertical shaft. The vertical shaft may include a hollow interior and a plurality of orifices for introducing ingredients into the hollow interior formed in the sidewall of the vertical shaft. The vertical shaft may define a vertical flow path for the flow of a base liquid from the input port, through the vertical shaft to combine with one or more ingredients, and to the dispensing nozzle. The flow of base liquid and ingredients within the vertical shaft may be uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Jersey, Steven Headen, Brian C. Jones, Chris Fernald, Olga Sellmann
  • Patent number: 9878893
    Abstract: A water dispenser including a heat-exchanger, a heater, a water-storage tank, and a faucet is provided mainly. The heat-exchanger has a first/second guiding-channel, a first inlet/outlet communicated with two ends of the first guiding-channel, and a second inlet/outlet communicated with two ends of the second guiding-channel. The water flows into the heat-exchanger through the first inlet, and flows out of the heat-exchanger through the first outlet. Two ends of the heater are communicated with the first outlet and the second inlet, and the water flowed out of the first outlet is heated by the heater. The heated water flows into the heat-exchanger through the second inlet, and flows out of the heat-exchanger through the second outlet. The water-storage tank is used to storage the water flowed out of the second outlet. The faucet is communicated with the water-storage tank and the heater respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Huang-Han Chen
  • Patent number: 9878894
    Abstract: A fluidic delivery device includes a fluid supply containing a fluid, the fluid supply has a fluid reservoir and a pair of fluid permeable compressible bodies located in the fluid reservoir. One of the fluid permeable compressible bodies has an effective greater density than the other fluid permeable compressible body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James D. Anderson, Jr., Tim Frasure, Sean Weaver, David Bernard, David Graham, Andrew McNees
  • Patent number: 9878895
    Abstract: A permanent test port mounting in a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser to provide a technician access to the fuel line and perform various tests that enables testing to occur at a highline point in the line system to include all or at least more of the line system head pressure than has been possible before. In particular, the test port has a quick connect/disconnect fitting disposed in a collar intermediate a mounting for a filter in a conventional gasoline/diesel fuel dispenser and the filter to provide a technician access to the fuel line and perform various tests. The quick connect/disconnect fitting may also be coupled to a hose for draining fuel under pressure into a safety can to prevent spillage during replacement of the filter. The safety can may be emptied into the fuel tank to conserve the fuel, prevent polluting the environment and as a safety measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Gregory E. Young
  • Patent number: 9878896
    Abstract: A meter for measuring the flow rate of fuel in a fuel dispenser comprises a housing with an axial bore extending therethrough and defining an inlet and an outlet. A flow indicating mechanism comprising one or more rotatable components are mounted in the axial bore of the housing and configured to rotate as fuel flows from the inlet to the outlet, wherein each rotation indicates fuel flow. A pulse generating device senses rotation of the rotatable components and generates an output signal indicative of the fuel flow. Finally, a vapor generating device is configured to generate vapor bubbles that flow through the flow indicating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Charles Liebal, Christopher Adam Oldham, Brian Keith Jones
  • Patent number: 9878897
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a system for monitoring a fluid dispensing system having a storage tank and a piping system having a maximum output flow rate threshold. The system includes a dispenser configured to dispense fluid from the fluid dispensing system during a dispensing time interval, a metering device in fluid communication with piping system, the metering device configured to measure a plurality of sample flow rates over time in response to fluid passing through the metering device, a gauge for measuring a volume of fluid dispensed from the storage tank during the dispensing time interval and a processor for executing a monitoring application which generates an alert within a substantially real-time period in response to an event of interest, the monitoring application comparing the maximum output flow rate threshold to the plurality of sample flow rates over time to generate the alert when one of the sample flow rates exceeds the maximum output flow rate threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: WARREN ROGERS ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Warren F. Rogers, John R. Collins, Jillanne B. Jones, William P. Jones, Michael A. Lenox
  • Patent number: 9878898
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sealable bottle. The bottle includes a pouring spout portion which projects from the bottle and has an interior surface defining a fluid flow passage in communication with the interior volume of the bottle. The spout may have a length and diameter sufficient to activate filler neck closure members (e.g. flaps, valves, or other closure members). At least a portion of the spout may be devoid features which could compromise the operation of the closure mechanism in a fuel tank filler neck. The spout may include threads operable to engage a cap on the end of the spout. The threads may be separated by clearance features operable to avoid interference with a capless fuel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Alpha Consolidated Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Zweifel
  • Patent number: 9878899
    Abstract: The present disclosure involves forming a method of fabricating a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) device. A plurality of openings is formed in a first side of a first substrate. A dielectric layer is formed over the first side of the substrate. A plurality of segments of the dielectric layer fills the openings. The first side of the first substrate is bonded to a second substrate that contains a cavity. The bonding is performed such that the segments of the dielectric layer are disposed over the cavity. A portion of the first substrate disposed over the cavity is transformed into a plurality of movable components of a MEMS device. The movable components are in physical contact with the dielectric the layer. Thereafter, a portion of the dielectric layer is removed without using liquid chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Lee-Chuan Tseng, Chang-Ming Wu, Shih-Chang Liu, Yuan-Chih Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9878900
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a micromechanical sensor device and a corresponding micromechanical sensor device. The method includes providing a substrate including at least one first through a fourth parallel trenches; depositing a layer onto the front side, the trenches being sealed, and structuring the layer, contact structures being formed in the layer above the second and fourth trenches; oxidizing of outwardly free-standing side surfaces of the contact structures as well as of the second and fourth trenches, at least in areas; depositing and structuring a first metallic contacting material, the contact structures being filled with the first metallic contacting material, at least in areas; opening the second trench and the fourth trench; galvanic deposition of a second metallic contacting material into the second and fourth trenches, resulting in the formation of a pressure-sensitive capacitive capacitor structure; and opening the first trench from the front side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Zhenyu Wu
  • Patent number: 9878901
    Abstract: Thick (i.e., greater than two microns), fine-grained, low-stress tungsten MEMS structures are fabricated at low temperatures, particularly for so-called “MEMS last” fabrication processes (e.g., when MEMS structures are fabricated after electronic circuitry is fabricated). Means for very accurately etching structural details from the deposited tungsten layer and for strongly and stably anchoring the tungsten layer to an underlying substrate are disclosed. Also, means for removing a sacrificial layer underlying the mobile tungsten layer without damaging the tungsten or allowing it to be drawn down and stuck by surface tension is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Geen, George M. Molnar, Gregory S. Davis, Bruce Ma, Kenneth J. Cole, James Timony, Kenneth Flanders
  • Patent number: 9878902
    Abstract: A method and system for changing a pressure within at least one enclosure in a MEMS device are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method comprises applying a laser through one of the at least two substrates onto a material which changes the pressure within at least one enclosure when exposed to the laser, wherein the at least one enclosure is formed by the at least two substrates. In a second aspect, the system comprises a MEMS device that includes a first substrate, a second substrate bonded to the first substrate, wherein at least one enclosure is located between the first and the second substrates, a metal layer within one of the first substrate and the second substrate, and a material vertically oriented over the metal layer, wherein when the material is heated the material changes a pressure within the at least one enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Dueweke, Martin Lim
  • Patent number: 9878903
    Abstract: Methods of forming micro-electromechanical device include a semiconductor substrate, in which a first microstructure and a second microstructure of reference are integrated. The first microstructure and the second microstructure are arranged in the substrate so as to undergo equal strains as a result of thermal expansions of the substrate. Furthermore, the first microstructure is provided with movable parts and fixed parts with respect to the substrate, while the second microstructure has a shape that is substantially symmetrical to the first microstructure but is fixed with respect to the substrate. By subtracting the changes in electrical characteristics of the second microstructure from those of the first, variations in electrical characteristics of the first microstructure caused by changes in thermal expansion or contraction can be compensated for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Ernesto Lasalandra, Angelo Merassi, Sarah Zerbini
  • Patent number: 9878904
    Abstract: A MEMS device with electronics integration places integrated circuit components on a topping wafer of a sensing die to conserve space, minimize errors and reduce cost of the device as a whole. The topping wafer is bonded to a sensing wafer and secured in a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventor: David P. Potasek
  • Patent number: 9878905
    Abstract: A negative electrode includes nanotubes including a metal/metalloid, disposed on a conductive substrate, and having opened ends. A lithium battery includes the negative electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Han-su Kim, Moon-seok Kwon, Jae-man Choi, Min-sang Song, Young-sin Park, Tae-seob Song, Un-gyu Paik
  • Patent number: 9878906
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a porous metal-organic framework by reacting at least one metal compound in which the metal is Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Al, Ga or In with at least one at least bidentate organic compound and also the use of such porous metal-organic frameworks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Markus Schubert, Ulrich Mueller, Markus Tonigold, Roger Ruetz
  • Patent number: 9878907
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a hydrogen production system for creating and extracting hydrogen gas. The hydrogen production system contains a reactor vessel into which a solution and a metallic or semi-metal material may be placed. The solution is added to the reactor vessel contains both water and a caustic. When contacting the metallic or semi-metal material within the reactor vessel a chemical reaction occurs. The chemical reaction creates hydrogen gas as well as heat and other byproducts. The hydrogen gas may then flow through a hydrogen extraction point located on the reactor vessel for collection or operational use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: CAVENDISH ENERGY
    Inventors: Ujjval Vyas, John Kriegshauser, Alan Bath, Regis Luther
  • Patent number: 9878908
    Abstract: A liquid fuel reformer (400) includes a fuel vaporizer (415) which utilizes heat from an upstream source of heat, specifically, an electric heater (406), operable in the start-up mode of the reformer (400), and therefore independent of the reforming reaction zone of the reformer, to vaporize fuel in a downstream vaporization zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: WATT AGENT, LLC
    Inventors: Caine M. Finnerty, Paul DeWald
  • Patent number: 9878909
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for generating oxygen, comprising at least one oxygen source selected from chlorates and perchlorates, to an oxygen generator comprising such a composition, and a method for generating oxygen by decomposing such a composition. The present invention further relates to the use of transition metal ortho-phosphate compounds ortho-vanadate compounds and mixed ortho-phosphate-vanadate compounds as multifunctional components in the oxygen generating compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH LIGHTING SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Kallfass
  • Patent number: 9878910
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering sulphur from a hydrogen sulphide containing gas stream are disclosed. A gas stream containing hydrogen sulphide gas is passed into an apparatus having a first thermal-reaction-region and a first catalytic region and reacting a portion of the hydrogen sulphide gas to sulphur dioxide and water and reacting a further portion to form sulphur vapor and water vapor to form a resultant-gas-mixture of water vapor, sulphur vapor, sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide and passing a portion to the first catalytic-region whereby at least a portion of the hydrogen sulphide is reacted in the presence of a catalyst to form further sulphur vapor and water vapor and condensing at least a portion of sulphur vapor to form liquid sulphur and passing at least a portion of the liquid sulphur to a sulphur pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ian Hibbitt, Bernhard Schreiner
  • Patent number: 9878911
    Abstract: The invention relates to carbon aerogels with particle sizes less than 1 ?m. The carbon aerogels are prepared by (A)reacting a mono- and/or polyhydroxybenzene, an aldehyde and a catalyst in a reactor at a reaction temperature T in the range from 75-200° C. at a pressure of 80-2400 kPa, (B) then spraying the reaction mixture from process step (A) into an acid, (C) drying the resulting product from process step (B) and (D) carbonizing it. The carbon aerogels according to the invention can be used as filler, reinforcing filler, UV stabilizer, electrode material, sound absorbents, thermal insulating material, catalyst, catalyst support, conductivity additive, absorbent for gas and/or liquid preparation or pigment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Evonik Carbon Black GmbH
    Inventors: Arkadi Maisels, Yves Gorat Stommel, Frank Stenger, Jutta Zimmermann, Manfred Dannehl, Johann Mathias
  • Patent number: 9878912
    Abstract: A method for preparing multi-wall carbon nanotubes comprising atomizing a precursor solution comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon and a carrier gas. The mixture is then injected through an ultrasonic atomization system to form atomized precursor droplets. Then by injecting the atomized precursor droplets from the top of a vertical chemical vapor deposition reactor, the droplets can then react with a reaction gas in the reactor vessel to form a film that adsorbs to a growth surface in the reactor vessel. Layer by layer multi-wall carbon nanotubes are formed. This method is repeated to form layers of the multi-wall carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes formed have an outer diameter of 10 nm-51 nm and a length to diameter aspect ratio of 7200-13200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Zuhair Omar Malaibari, Muataz Ali Atieh, Fahad Ali Rabbani
  • Patent number: 9878913
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for forming graphene and structures including graphene. In an example, a system effective to form graphene may include a chamber adapted to receive graphite oxide. The system may also include a source of an inert gas and a source of hydrogen, which may both be configured in communication with the chamber. A processor may be configured in communication with the chamber, the inert gas source and/or the hydrogen source. The processor may be further configured to control the flow of the inert gas from the first source through the chamber under first sufficient reaction conditions to remove at least some oxygen from the atmosphere of the chamber. The processor may also be configured to control the flow of the hydrogen from the second source to the graphite oxide in the chamber under second sufficient reaction conditions to form graphene from the graphite oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Indian Institute of Technology Madras
    Inventors: Sundara Ramaprabhu, Adarsh Kaniyoor, Tessy Theres Baby