Patents Issued in March 20, 2018
  • Patent number: 9919899
    Abstract: An elevator car has a brake system with braking devices engaging braking webs integrated into guide rails to brake the car. The braking devices include a brake housing, a first brake body movable by contact with the braking web and relative movement between the braking web and the brake housing to clamp the brake web, and a pusher arranged on the brake housing with the braking web arranged between the first brake body and the pusher with a required passage clearance. The pusher can be advanced toward the first brake body and pressed against the braking web to forcibly bring the first brake body into contact with the braking web. A pressing lever pivotally mounted on the brake housing acts to press the pusher against the braking web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventor: Josef Husmann
  • Patent number: 9919900
    Abstract: A support member configured for use in a machine room of an elevator system is provided including a base having a car end and a counterweight end. The counterweight end is arranged substantially parallel to a wall of the machine room, and the counterweight end is arranged at an angle relative to the car end. An idler sheave having a plurality of grooves is mounted to the base in an orientation generally parallel to the car end. The idler sheave is configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation. A plurality of individual sheaves is mounted to the based in a staggered configuration substantially complementary to the angle of the counterweight end relative to the car end. Each individual sheave is configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce St. Pierre, Bruce P. Swaybill, Kiron Bhaskar
  • Patent number: 9919901
    Abstract: A device for controlling a swinging of a load suspended from a motorized slidable element is described. The controlling device includes a control unit and an inertial platform. The control unit is provided with means to measure and control the speed of the motorized slidable element and is able to process the values representative of the inclination angle of the cable with respect to the vertical to calculate and to impart control actions in order to dynamically control the speed of the motorized slidable element as a function of a desired inclination angle of the cable with respect to the vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: VINATI S.R.L.
    Inventors: Sergio M. Savaresi, Felice Vinati, Samuele Vinati, Matteo Vinati, Mariachiara Vinati, Giacomo Vinati
  • Patent number: 9919902
    Abstract: A heave compensator for heavy lifts with adjustable dampening characteristics is able to operate above and below the water line in environmental pressures ranging from the atmospheric up to several hundred atmospheres pressure. A method for automatic regulation of the available stroke length of the heave compensator during the lifting operation, based on the realization that heave compensating devices utilising a slideable piston as a volume expanding mechanism to reduce the tension forces upon relative movements between crane and load, may obtain a simple compact construction able to execute a range of different compensation functionalities by registering the pressure and temperature in the gas filled chambers of the device, and employing this information to regulate the amount of gas in the single gas filled chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ernst-B. Johansen AS
    Inventors: Oddbjørn Bergem, Stian Sannes, Kristian Helland
  • Patent number: 9919903
    Abstract: A multi-speed electric motor may include a plurality of windings arranged into winding phase groups. A speed controller may switch two or more windings between a series and a parallel configuration in each winding phase group. The speed controller may also switch the winding phase groups between a delta and a Wye configuration. By selecting a specific configuration, one or more of the holding torque, torque ratio, no-load maximum speed, and volts/Hz ratio of the AC motor may be optimized for a given application. In some embodiments, the AC motor may be used as part of a piece of drilling rig equipment such as a drawworks, winch, mud pump, top drive, or rotary table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: NABORS DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Patrick, Kevin R. Williams
  • Patent number: 9919904
    Abstract: The invention relates to a balancer (1) for raising, holding and lowering a load, comprising a cable drum (7) which can be rotated in a manner actuated by pressure medium and has a cable for bearing the load, which cable can be unwound from and wound onto said cable drum (7), and has a device for emergency braking of the cable drum (7) if a defined rotational speed is exceeded, which device for emergency braking comprises at least one locking element (16) which is fastened to the cable drum (7), is held in a freewheeling position in a spring-loaded manner and can be moved into a deployed locking position in a manner which is actuated by centrifugal force, in which locking position the rotation of the cable drum (7) is blocked by virtue of the fact that the locking element (16) is in engagement with a stop which is stationary relative to the cable drum (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Konecranes PLC
    Inventors: Willi Gottschling, Herbert Pinwinkler, Gheorghe Stirbu-Blagut
  • Patent number: 9919905
    Abstract: A lift apparatus having a plurality of cylinder-piston assemblies arranged in pairs with respectively one hydraulic medium supply and drain. For each pair of assemblies, one cylinder-piston assembly is a command assembly and connected thereto is a hydraulic pressure supply. The respective other cylinder-piston assembly is a response assembly, with its supply connected to the drain of the command assembly. For synchronized lifting at several lift points without active regulation, at least three pairs of assemblies hydraulically cooperate with each other in a serial circuit with the hydraulic medium drain of the command assembly of an upstream pair of assemblies is connected to the hydraulic medium supply of the response assembly of the next downstream pair of assemblies and the hydraulic medium drain of the command assembly of the last pair of assemblies is connected to the hydraulic medium supply of the response assembly of a first assembly pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Otto Nussbaum GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans Nussbaum
  • Patent number: 9919906
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lifting and transporting device. The device of the invention is useful for lifting and moving any object which has a pair of spaced apart wheels but is particularly adapted for the lifting and transporting of hospital beds. The bed lifter includes an improved means of supporting the load of a bed and/or bed/patient combination during lifting and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Austech & Design Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Peter Raymond March, Kenneth Ian Bell
  • Patent number: 9919907
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for controlling a combined rotary/push movement of a load-receiving means of an industrial truck, in particular a three-way stacker, both the rotary movement and the push movement being brought about by means of respective hydraulic elements (32, 34), which are supplied with hydraulic fluid by a single hydraulic pump (22) which is driven by an associated pump motor (24), and a performance characteristic of the hydraulic pump (22) being controlled according to a predetermined progression over time during the rotary/push movement; the industrial truck comprising a valve assembly (30) which is designed to be operated such that, below a threshold value for the hydraulic pressure provided by the hydraulic pump (22), only the rotary movement of the load-receiving means is brought about, while, above the threshold value, both the rotary movement and the push movement are brought about.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: JUNGHEINRICH AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Bernhard Hagl
  • Patent number: 9919908
    Abstract: An adapter system for a beverage can filling valve for quick connection/disconnection of multiple centering bells used to fill differently sized cans and a CIF assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin Sweeny, Rishieram Samaroo
  • Patent number: 9919909
    Abstract: A beverage syrup pump system is disclosed including a pump housing having an internal pumping chamber, a pump motor, and a pumping mechanism driven by the motor within the pumping chamber. The pumping mechanism receives a syrup fluid at a first pressure and discharges the fluid at a second pressure which is greater than the first pressure. A pressure transducer adjacent a sensor port and in contact with a quantity of the fluid at the second pressure generates an electrical signal based upon the second pressure. A programmable micro controller receives the electrical signal from the pressure transducer and is capable of starting and stopping the pump motor. The micro controller will immediately stop the pump motor if the second pressure exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure level. The micro controller will also stop the pump motor if the second pressure falls and remains below a predetermined minimum pressure level for a predetermined first time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: Arbel Agencies Limited, Standex International Corporation
    Inventors: Avihay Cohen, Robert R. Kimberlin
  • Patent number: 9919910
    Abstract: A fluid pressurization and dispensing system, including a coupler releasably attached to a vessel via an attachment means for securing a vacuum seal between the coupler and the vessel for maintaining pressure within the vessel, refreshing the gas composition within the vessel, and dispensing of a fluid contents externally from within the vessel without disturbing the vacuum seal. The coupler has a rigid single body unit having a tap head, a shank, and a cap which are contiguous thereof the coupler including a plurality of channels each integrally machined within an interior portion of the coupler. The system regulates a flow of gas from a pressurized gas cartridge via a gas pressure regulator, enables venting excess gas via a gas pressure relief valve, enables measurement of gas pressure within the vessel via a gas pressure gauge. Another embodiment of the system includes a coupler including a bi-level tap head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: John Delano Gibson, Todd Kristian Hansen
  • Patent number: 9919911
    Abstract: A device for transferring fluid from a support installed at sea and fitted with a device for storing flexible pipes having the first ends of a plurality of flexible pipes fastened thereto, the pipes preferably extending between said support and an offloading ship. The pipe device having a first connection and valve device, the pipes being connected to one another at their seconds ends by a the first connection and valve device having n first pipe portions and suitable for being connected to a second connection and valve device, preferably installed on board an offloading ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Saipem S.A.
    Inventors: Raymond Hallot, Cedric Bruguier, Benjamin Mauries
  • Patent number: 9919912
    Abstract: A microelectronic component arrangement includes a sensor and a carrier. The sensor has a detection surface and a region including contact elements situated at a first distance with respect to one another. The carrier includes a mounting surface, and the sensor is fixed on the carrier by the contact elements situated at a first distance with respect to one another at least regionally. The detection surface is opposite the mounting surface in a manner having a second distance with respect to the mounting surface. The contact elements are wetted by a mechanically stabilizing material, the region including the contact elements is enclosed by the mechanically stabilizing material, and the detection surface is free of the mechanically stabilizing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Frederik Ante, Maximilian Amberger
  • Patent number: 9919913
    Abstract: A fully depleted region may be used to reduce poly-to-substrate parasitic capacitance in an electronic device with poly-silicon layer. When the fully depleted region is located at least partially beneath the electronic device, an additional parasitic capacitance is formed between the fully depleted region and the substrate region. This additional parasitic capacitance is coupled in series with a first parasitic capacitance between a poly-silicon layer of the electronic device and the doped region. The series combination of the first parasitic capacitance and the additional parasitic capacitance results in an overall reduction of parasitic capacitance experience by an electronic device. The structure may include two doped regions on sides of the electronic device to form a fully depleted region based on lateral interaction of dopant in the doped regions and the substrate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Shanjen Pan, Marc L. Tarabbia
  • Patent number: 9919914
    Abstract: An embodiment is MEMS device including a first MEMS die having a first cavity at a first pressure, a second MEMS die having a second cavity at a second pressure, the second pressure being different from the first pressure, and a molding material surrounding the first MEMS die and the second MEMS die, the molding material having a first surface over the first and the second MEMS dies. The device further includes a first set of electrical connectors in the molding material, each of the first set of electrical connectors coupling at least one of the first and the second MEMS dies to the first surface of the molding material, and a second set of electrical connectors over the first surface of the molding material, each of the second set of electrical connectors being coupled to at least one of the first set of electrical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Wen Cheng, Jung-Huei Peng, Shang-Ying Tsai, Hung-Chia Tsai, Yi-Chuan Teng
  • Patent number: 9919915
    Abstract: Methods and systems for MEMS devices with dual damascene formed electrodes is disclosed and may include forming first and second dielectric layers on a semiconductor substrate that includes a conductive layer at least partially covered by the first dielectric layer; removing a portion of the second dielectric layer; forming vias through the second dielectric layer and at least a portion of the second dielectric layer, where the via extends to the conductive layer; forming electrodes by filling the vias and a volume that is the removed portion of the second dielectric layer with a first metal; and coupling a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) substrate to the semiconductor substrate. A third dielectric layer may be formed between the first and second dielectric layers. A metal pad may be formed on at least one electrode by depositing a second metal on the electrode and removing portions of the second metal, which may be aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Chunchieh Huang, Peter Smeys
  • Patent number: 9919916
    Abstract: A method of forming microneedles where through a series of coating and etching processes microneedles are formed from a surface as an array. The microneedles have a bevelled end and bore which are formed as part of the process with no need to use a post manufacturing process to finish the microneedle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Semitechnologies Llimited
    Inventors: Yufei Lui, Owen Guy
  • Patent number: 9919917
    Abstract: Disclosed herein an inertial sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. An inertial sensor 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a plate-shaped membrane 110, a mass body 120 that includes an adhesive part 123 disposed under a central portion 113 of the membrane 110 and provided at the central portion thereof and a patterning part 125 provided at an outer side of the adhesive part 123 and patterned to vertically penetrate therethrough, and a first adhesive layer 130 that is formed between the membrane 110 and the adhesive part 123 and is provided at an inner side of the patterning part 125. An area of the first adhesive layer 130 is narrow by isotropic etching using the patterning part 125 as a mask, thereby making it possible to improve sensitivity of the inertial sensor 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Woon Kim, Won Kyu Jeung
  • Patent number: 9919918
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a wafer-level bonding packaging method, including: providing a plurality of first wafers and a plurality of second wafers, a to-be-bonded surface of a first wafer being a first to-be-bonded surface, a to-be-bonded surface of a second wafer being a second to-be-bonded surface, and the first to-be-bonded surface including a first region and a second region; forming at least one first bonding structure on the second region; forming at least one second bonding structure on a second to-be-bonded surface, the at least one second bonding structure corresponding to the at least one first bonding structure; and forming a supporting layer on the first region, a height of supporting layer being greater than a height of the first bonding structure and less than a sum of the height of the first bonding structure and a height of the second bonding structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (BEIJING) CORPORATION, SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wei Xu
  • Patent number: 9919919
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromechanical component including a substrate and a cap, which is connected to the substrate and, together with the substrate, encloses a cavity, a pressure prevailing and gas mixture having a chemical composition being enclosed in the cavity. An access opening connecting the to surroundings of the micromechanical component is formed in the substrate or in the cap. The pressure and/or chemical composition are/is adjusted in the cavity. The access opening is sealed by introducing energy or heat into an absorbing part of the substrate or of the cap with the aid of a laser. A layer is deposited on or grown on a surface of the substrate or of the cap in the area of the access opening for mixing with a material area of the substrate or of the cap, which is converted into a liquid aggregate state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Frey, Jochen Reinmuth, Mawuli Ametowobla, Philip Kappe
  • Patent number: 9919920
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor system. A first conductive layer is provided over a pad. A second conductive layer is provided over the pad, over an outgassing layer, and over a conductive bump stop structure. A first etch is performed to remove a portion of the second conductive layer over the pad. A second etch is performed, using a single mask, to remove a portion of the first conductive layer over the pad and to remove the second conductive layer over the outgassing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventor: Daesung Lee
  • Patent number: 9919921
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel nano- and micro-electromechanical devices and novel methods of preparing them. In one aspect, the invention includes methods of preparing a nanodevice. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise coating a polymer layer with a first at least one thin solid material layer using atomic layer deposition (ALD), thus forming an ALD-generated layer. In other embodiments, the methods comprise patterning the first at least one thin solid material layer to form a nanodevice. In yet other embodiments, the methods comprise releasing the nanodevice from the polymer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate, DRS Network & Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Victor M. Bright, Steven George, Joseph J. Brown, Nathan T. Eigenfeld, Jason M. Gray, George Dee Skidmore
  • Patent number: 9919922
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nucleic acid detection device and method that incorporates bio-nanosensor technology to detect duplex DNA. The device is particularly applicable in detecting the presence or absence of duplex DNA and its correlation to the diagnosis of infectious diseases. In one embodiment, the infectious disease is Lyme disease or a bacterial or viral infection. The device comprises a bio-nanosensor element comprising ssDNA primed nanotubes, either single walled or multi-walled. The method comprises contacting the bio-nanosensor element with a test solution potentially containing DNA of interest. DNA of interest that hybridizes to the ssDNA results in a measurable change in the electrical properties of the bio-nanosensor. Correlations between the results provided by the device and the presence of disease states can result in rapid diagnosis of diseases such as Lyme disease or foodborne infections such as salmonellosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: Saion Kumar Sinha, Eva Terezia Sapi
  • Patent number: 9919923
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method by which hydrogen peroxide can be produced at a satisfactory level from an industrial and economical viewpoint without causing the load of purification to be large and without needing too large facilities for production. The present invention is directed to a method for producing hydrogen peroxide, which comprises reacting hydrogen and oxygen in a reaction medium in the presence of a noble metal catalyst and a radical scavenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC., KYUSHU UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsumi Ishihara, Kohei Shigeta, Katsuhiro Iura, Kenji Kato, Norikazu Okuda
  • Patent number: 9919924
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to porous carbon and a method of preparing the same. The porous carbon of the present invention is derived from a carbide compound having a composition comprising metal and oxide. The porous carbon of the present invention comprises both micropores and mesopores, and has large specific surface area, and thus, may be usefully used in various fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: Hanwha Chemical Corporation, SNU R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Shin Hoo Kang, Ji Soon Ihm, Dong Ok Kim
  • Patent number: 9919925
    Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst for production of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, in which the catalyst includes a transition metal catalyst supported on a support mixture including MgO, and thus can increase the production of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and, at the same time, reduce the number of walls of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes to thereby reduce the surface resistance of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Also disclosed is a method of producing multi-walled carbon nanotubes using the catalyst. The catalyst for production of multi-walled carbon nanotubes includes: a support mixture of a first support and a second support mixed with the first support; and a transition metal catalyst supported on the support mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: SK Innovation Co., Ltd., SK Global Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Chul Choi, Ok-Youn Kim, Yong-Tak Kwon
  • Patent number: 9919926
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a random-structure GIC in which exfoliated graphite having a low regularity of a graphene stacked state and a small number of stacked graphene layers can be easily obtained by exfoliation treatment. The method includes the steps of providing an alkali metal-GIC having an alkali metal intercalated between graphene layers and bringing a polar protic solvent into contact with the alkali metal-GIC in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD., OITA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Takuya Wada, Akira Nakasuga, Masahiro Toyoda
  • Patent number: 9919927
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of making graphene quantum dots from a carbon source (e.g., coal, coke, and combinations thereof) by exposing the carbon source to an oxidant. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure further comprise a step of separating the formed graphene quantum dots from the oxidant. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure further comprise a step of reducing the formed graphene quantum dots. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure further comprise a step of enhancing a quantum yield of the graphene quantum dots. In further embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of controlling the diameter of the formed graphene quantum dots by selecting the carbon source. In some embodiments, the formed graphene quantum dots comprise oxygen addends or amorphous carbon addends on their edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Ruquan Ye, Changsheng Xiang, Jian Lin, Zhiwei Peng, Gabriel Ceriotti
  • Patent number: 9919928
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention encompass methods of forming graphene from graphene oxide and/or graphite oxide using tomato juice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: QATAR UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mariam Al Ali Almaadeed, Noorunnisa Khanam Patan
  • Patent number: 9919929
    Abstract: Techniques described herein generally relate to etching graphene. The techniques can include disposing graphene on a patterned substrate, applying a resist to the graphene on the patterned substrate, curing the resist, and etching exposed portions of the graphene. Graphene composites including patterned substrates, graphene disposed on the patterned substrate, and a resist disposed on the graphene, are disclosed. Systems configured to perform the methods and/or make the graphene composites are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Kraig Anderson, Angele Sjong
  • Patent number: 9919930
    Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing silica particles having two maximum values in number particle size distribution, wherein in the two maximum values, a particle size ratio (a maximum value of a small-size side/a maximum value of a large-size side) between a maximum value of a large-size side and a maximum value of a small-size side is from 0.02 to 0.3, and a number ratio (a number of silica particles having a maximum value of the small-size side/number of silica particles having a maximum value of the large-size side) is from 1 to 100, and particles within a range of 10% from the large-size side of the silica particles have an average circularity of from 0.65 to 0.90 and an average shrinkage ratio of from 10 to 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuka Zenitani, Takeshi Iwanaga, Yasunobu Kashima
  • Patent number: 9919931
    Abstract: Provided is a zinc oxide-based sputtering target capable of improving the film formation rate while suppressing arcing in the formation of a zinc oxide-based transparent conductive film by sputtering. This zinc oxide-based sputtering target includes a zinc oxide-based sintered body mainly including zinc oxide crystal grains, and has a degree of (002) orientation of 50% or greater at a sputtering surface and a density of 5.30 g/cm3 or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Yoshikawa, Katsuhiro Imai, Koichi Kondo, Koki Kanno
  • Patent number: 9919932
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a nickel ferrite nanoparticle composite having an inverse spinel structure obtained using a polyol process, a nickel ferrite nanoparticle composite prepared by the method, and a method for selectively binding, separating or purifying a specific protein using the nickel ferrite nanoparticle composite. The method for preparing a magnetic nanoparticle composite according to the present invention includes a one-step hydrothermal synthesis process, and thereby the magnetic nanoparticle composite can be prepared in a simple and economic manner. Also, the nickel ferrite nanoparticles synthesized by the method of the present invention can be strongly magnetic, and also exist in the form of Ni2+ in which Ni binds to a specific protein, thereby preventing loss of separability caused by additional oxidation and repeated recycling of the nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: POSTECH ACADEMY-INDUSTRY FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Gyoo Yeol Jung, Sang Woo Seo, Jinyoung Chun, Jinwoo Lee
  • Patent number: 9919933
    Abstract: The water purification system for flow-coupled installation with a tap water inflow for producing a relatively purified water outflow includes a purification unit having a tap water inlet port for receiving tap water inflow and a purified water outlet port for dispensing purified water outflow from said purification unit. A particulate catalyst retained within the purification unit is in flow through relation relative to said the water inflow and purified water outflow and catalyzes contaminants as the tap water inflow travels through the purification unit. A particulate agitator associated translates vibration to the particulate catalyst for substantially preventing channeling therein during relatively slow tap water inflow through the purification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: DS Services of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
  • Patent number: 9919934
    Abstract: A water softening ball for generating softened water by immersing it in water is provided, comprising a shell having a generally hollow ellipsoidal shape, wherein a plurality of openings are formed in the shell for the inside and the outside of the shell to communicate; and a filter unit included within the shell and comprising an ion exchange resin. The ellipsoidal shape includes a spherical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Etec Inc.
    Inventor: Shiro Ono
  • Patent number: 9919935
    Abstract: Methods and systems for employing softened acidified water sources from an acid regenerated ion exchange resins are disclosed. Various methods of dispensing and/or using the softened acidic water generated by an acid regenerate-able ion exchange resin are disclosed to beneficially reduce spotting, filming and scale buildup on treated surfaces, reduce and/or eliminate the need for polymers, including water conditioning agents, threshold reagents and/or rinse aids, and using protons generated in the acidic water effluent for triggering events useful in various cleaning applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Terrence P. Everson, Li Wen, Lylien Tan, Peter Voss, Mark Toetschinger, Terry J. Klos, Mark Dennis Levitt, Sara Treder, Toyin Alowonle
  • Patent number: 9919936
    Abstract: A water recovery method for improving water recovery efficiency may include inflowing a low concentration solution including water into an in-series flow path. The in-series flow path may include a plurality of flow paths for a low concentration solution coupled in series. The method may additionally include inflowing a high concentration solution having the same concentration into a plurality of flow paths for a high concentration solution. Each of the plurality of flow paths for the high concentration solution may be connected to each of plurality of flow paths for the low concentration solution via a respective semipermeable membrane being interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuya Sato
  • Patent number: 9919937
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for recovering multiple kinds of ions, which includes: an ion adsorption tank that includes a plurality of adsorption channels arranged in parallel and including a first electrode unit electrically adsorbing only negative ions and a second electrode unit having an adsorbent layer for adsorbing positive ions to be recovered from positive ions, in which electricity is independently supplied to the adsorption channels; a water tank that keeps liquid discharged from the ion adsorption tank; a pump that circulates mother liquor or liquid stored in the water tank; and an ion recovering tank that keeps liquid containing positive ions to be recovered. According to the present disclosure, a series of processes make it possible to continuously recover ions to be recovered, so the operation efficiency of the system can be maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF GEOSCIENCE AND MINERAL RESOURCES
    Inventors: Tae Gong Ryu, Byoung Gyu Kim, Jung Ho Ryu, In Su Park, Hye Jin Hong, Kang Sup Chung
  • Patent number: 9919938
    Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods of removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising: pre-activating the particulate matter to form a pre-activated particulate matter; providing an activating material capable of being affixed to the pre-activated particulate matter; affixing the activating material to the pre-activated particulate matter to form an activated particle; providing an anchor particle and providing a tethering material capable of being affixed to the anchoring particle; and attaching the tethering material to the anchor particle and the activated particle to form a removable complex in the fluid that comprises the particulate matter, wherein the particulate matter is derived from a mining operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Soane Mining, LLC
    Inventors: David S. Soane, Nathan Ashcraft, Phyo Kyaw
  • Patent number: 9919939
    Abstract: A faucet for dispensing a fluid includes a spout, a pull-out spray head removably coupled to the spout and including an outlet, and a valve assembly in fluid communication with the outlet. Additionally, the faucet includes a fluid treatment assembly configured to output a treatment into the fluid. The faucet further comprises a first flow path and a second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Michael Scot Rosko, Patrick B. Jonte, Adam M. DeVries, Kurt J. Thomas, Joel D. Sawaski
  • Patent number: 9919940
    Abstract: Sewage treatment is performed by using Sulphur to facilitate electron flow. A first cycle uses a sulphur composition having sulphur and/or sulphur compounds to transfer electrons from organic carbon to oxygen, nitrate and nitrite, and to convert phosphorus-containing compounds to solid material, which is retained in sewage sludge. The sulphur is further used to perform denitrification of nitrogen compounds. A further cycle uses oxygen to oxidize any ammonia present to nitrate and/or nitrite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Guanghao Chen, Di Wu, Ho Kwong Chui
  • Patent number: 9919941
    Abstract: A method for treating in an industrial water treatment system for at least two of metal corrosion inhibition, scale inhibition, suspended matter dispersion, biocide efficacy, or biofilm removal/biofilm dispersion is taught by the use of at least one compound which is a salt derived from a thioamine or an oxyamine and an acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: AMSA, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila G Relenyi, Anthony P Haag
  • Patent number: 9919942
    Abstract: A regenerative chamber for a glass melting furnace having a defined cross-section and wherein the regenerative chamber includes multiple slotted arches and above the same there are disposed transfer layers, and wherein a grating is installed on the transfer layers. A movable flow barrier is provided above the slotted arches that is inserted from the outside into the regenerative chamber and by means of which the cross-section of the regenerative chamber can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Beteiligungen Sorg GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Sorg, Matthias Lindig
  • Patent number: 9919943
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method, comprising: feeding at least one molten-glass parison into a parison mold; forming, in the parison mold, a blank of an item from said at least one parison; transferring the blank of the item into a finishing mold; and forming the item in the finishing mold. While forming the item in the finishing mold, excess glass is directed out of the base of the item so as to form a convex bulge, and said bulge is removed such that the thickness of the base of the item is substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: POCHET DU COURVAL
    Inventors: Antoine Bruneau, Nicolas Castex, Denis Cavallucci, Sylvie Legastelois, Olivier Perrin
  • Patent number: 9919944
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing glass are provided. The apparatus is configured to draw a glass ribbon and includes an evaporator unit having a liquid reservoir configured to receive a working liquid. The apparatus further includes a heat transfer element configured to be placed in thermal contact with the working liquid received in the liquid reservoir. The heat transfer element is configured to cool the glass ribbon being drawn from the glass manufacturing apparatus by receiving radiant heat from the glass ribbon and transferring the heat to the working liquid received in the liquid reservoir, thereby transforming an amount of the working liquid to a vapor. The method includes drawing the glass ribbon, cooling the glass ribbon by radiating heat from the glass ribbon to the heat transfer element, and then transferring heat from the heat transfer element to the working liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Eliot Geathers, Kashyap Harshadlal Shah, Yuriy Yurkovsky
  • Patent number: 9919945
    Abstract: A laser processing method that can reduce warpage occurring in a glass and reduce a stress generated on the glass at a time of releasing a protective material from the glass. The laser processing method includes: forming the protective materials on both surfaces of the glass; processing the glass by radiating a laser beam onto the glass together with the protective materials after the protective material formation; and releasing the protective materials from the glass after the laser processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Reona Hirayama, Shuichi Fujikawa, Tomotaka Katsura
  • Patent number: 9919946
    Abstract: A method for forming an optical fiber preform and fibers drawn from the preform. The method includes forming a soot cladding monolith, inserting a consolidated core cane into the internal cavity, and processing the resulting core-cladding assembly to form a preform. Processing may include exposing the core-cladding assembly to a drying agent and/or dopant precursor, and sintering the core-cladding assembly in the presence of a reducing agent to densify the soot cladding monolith onto the core cane to form a preform. The preform features low hydroxyl content and low sensitivity to hydrogen. Fibers drawn from the preform exhibit low attenuation losses from absorption by the broad band centered near 1380 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Amanda Lee Billings, Dana Craig Bookbinder, Robert Brett Desorcie, Liam Ruan de Paor, Pushkar Tandon, Li Yang
  • Patent number: 9919947
    Abstract: When a GRIN lens fiber is drawn from a preform, control of a fiber diameter is improved in order to increase a production yield of the GRIN lens fiber having a fiber diameter within a desired range. The problem is solved by controlling the drawing speed using a fiber diameter c, which is obtained by correcting a fiber diameter a using the fiber diameter b and a fiber diameter ?. The fiber diameter a is measured using a diameter measuring instrument A that measures an outer diameter of the GRIN lens fiber, which is being elongated inside a heating furnace, the fiber diameter b is measured using a diameter measuring instrument B that measures an outer diameter of the GRIN lens fiber outside the heating furnace, and the fiber diameter ? is a value of the fiber diameter a measured a specified period of time T earlier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9919948
    Abstract: A high silica glass composition comprising about 92 to about 99.9999 wt. % SiO2 and from about 0.0001 to about 8 wt. % of at least one dopant selected from Al2O3, CeO2, TiO2, La2O3, Y2O3, Nd2O3, other rare earth oxides, and mixtures of two or more thereof. The glass composition has a working point temperature ranging from 600 to 2,000° C. These compositions exhibit stability similar to pure fused quartz, but have a moderate working temperature to enable cost effective fabrication of pharmaceutical packages. The glass is particularly useful as a packaging material for pharmaceutical applications, such as, for example pre-filled syringes, ampoules and vials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: MOMENTIVE PERFORMANCE MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kipyung Ahn, Guangjun Xu, Martin Panchula, Samuel Conzone, Tianjun Rong, Konstantin S. Zuyev, Yen Zhou