Patents Issued in June 26, 2018
  • Patent number: 10004966
    Abstract: A towel trainer for use in drills for improving pitching mechanics includes a tail portion that transitions to a handle portion which is bulbous, and, a band resides between the head and tail portions which provides a pronounced “snapping” effect when a towel drill is performed correctly. The towel trainer may include a motion sensing circuit and audible alerts to notify a trainee of proper or improper body mechanics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: David K Purcey
  • Patent number: 10004967
    Abstract: A base for a batting tee may be provided that includes a first and a second base half that are pivotally mounted to each other such that they can pivot from an open position to one with the two halves flush against one another. The base may also include at least one batting tee mount disposed on at least one of the base halves. Each base half may define an aperture at complementing positions so that a hand hole is defined and extends through each base half for carrying the base when the base halves are flush against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: JUGS SPORTS, INC.
    Inventor: Kerry K. Paulson
  • Patent number: 10004968
    Abstract: A helmet training aid for obscuring the vision of a user. The helmet training aid includes a panel having a pair of distal ends securely affixed to a pair of opposing blinders. A fastener is secured at a lower end of each blinder, wherein the fastener removably secures each blinder to an opposing side of a helmet such that an upper end of each blinder covers an open portion of the helmet therebetween a brim and a cage of the helmet. The panel contains one or more fasteners on a first surface that removably secures to the cage of the helmet. In an alternative embodiment, opposing sidewalls of the blinders flare outwardly from the lower end to the upper end, the fastener on each blinder is secured to a protrusion at the lower end, and the panel is made of a mesh material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventors: Steven Valadez, James Yarbrough
  • Patent number: 10004969
    Abstract: A bowling training apparatus and method of use that is operable to facilitate the identity of a bowling ball on a lane at a desired point. The bowling training apparatus specifically identifies a board number of a bowling lane that the bowling ball was located at a particular point and displays the board number to the user. The bowling training apparatus further includes a housing having a central processing unit disposed therein. A sensor assembly is secured to the housing wherein the sensor assembly is coupled to the housing utilizing a mount. The mount is configured to permit vertical adjustment of the sensor assembly. A ball position sensor is integrated into the sensor assembly. The housing further includes a display screen configured to display the board number location of a passing bowling ball. The bowling training apparatus further measures temperature, speed and relative humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Maxim Bulanov
  • Patent number: 10004970
    Abstract: Stabilizing lift-assist devices include a framework having a graspable handle and at least two V-shaped framework members that provide kinematic constraints for a weight bar received therein. Such lift-assist devices can be used for stabilizing a weight bar during exercise to reduce the possibility of injury from slippage or body positioning that leads to hyperextension of various physiologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Kizzie Ann Mailander
  • Patent number: 10004971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fitness testing system using an acceleration sensor, of which a mobile device containing an acceleration sensor is attached to the body of the test subject and the test subject is induced to perform an exercise according to the fitness test instructions provided through the fitness testing process installed in a personal computer during which the acceleration signals are measured through RF communication for an output of the fitness test and assessment results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Yonsei University Wonju Industry-Academic Cooperation
    Inventors: Youngho Kim, Bora Ha
  • Patent number: 10004972
    Abstract: A stationary strength training equipment includes a frame assembly, a lockable bilateral user interface installed on the frame assembly, a balancing structure connected to the lockable bilateral user interface, a plurality of user selectable weights supported by the frame assembly and connected to the balancing structure, a load detecting strain gauge disposed on the user selectable weights to detect a weight of the user selectable weights being lifted, and an informing device connected to the lockable bilateral user interface to detect and show a warning signal to a user. The lockable bilateral user interface further includes a locking mechanism assembly and a central pivot assembly; the balancing structure is able to rotate along the central pivot assembly, and the locking mechanism assembly selectively restricts a rotation of the balancing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: CALGYM GROUP HOLDINGS PTY. LTD.
    Inventor: Leo Young
  • Patent number: 10004973
    Abstract: A system and method for easily and frequently checking the gas bladder pressure levels in a sports player's helmet and refilling them to maintain optimum head protection for the player. The system and method involve an electronic hand-held gas pump that wirelessly communicates with an adjacent wireless device that comprises a software application for controlling pump operation. The software application allows a user to build a player helmet profile that automatically displays current gas pressure in the gas bladder to which the pump is currently connected. The system and method establish a preferred gas pressure level for every bladder in the helmet when the helmet is being worn and when the helmet is not being worn. Spreadsheets for an entire team can be generated, not only depicting the preferred gas pressure levels but time/date data for periodic checks in order to maintain every bladder to its preferred gas pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Michael T. Weatherby
  • Patent number: 10004974
    Abstract: An externally worn protective thigh pad which protects the inner and frontal thigh muscles from baseball or softball impacts. The protective thigh pad is designed specifically for the player who begins play by squatting behind a batter and spreading their legs. This is usually referred to as the catcher, but this could also be the umpire. The protective thigh pad provides a level of ballistic protection equal to the rest of the catchers gear. The protective thigh pad can be easily put on and removed for batting and base running. The protective thigh pad is comfortable enough to wear through nine innings of play. The protective thigh pad protects an area of the thigh from the inner thigh to the outer thigh and from the patella to the pubis. The protective thigh pad is circumferentially attached to the thigh then suspended from the waist keeping the pad in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Dale Michael Schneider
  • Patent number: 10004975
    Abstract: A protective sports glove worn by athletes during training or for use in a combative event to protect against injury and increase performance (including but not limited to total force generation, grip strength, striking force and speed, muscular endurance, time to contraction, etc.). These gloves are engineered with a dorsal splint system and a cooperating adjustable dual strapping wrist tie system to secure the gloves to the contour of the hands, to ensure they remain tight and fixed, and to support the wrist from excessive bending. The dual strapping system with the dorsal splint system provides increased wrist/hand rigidity mirroring a tightness of hand wrap bandages for maximal bone and tendon support of the hands and wrists, and this novel tie system increases the transfer of force generation to the point of impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: HAYABUSA FIGHTWEAR INC.
    Inventors: Ken Clement, Craig Clement, John David Zikakis
  • Patent number: 10004976
    Abstract: A multiple-mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the card collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card receiving area, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Oliver M. Schubert, James V. Kelly, James B. Stasson, Feraidoon Bourbour, Paul K. Scheper, Troy D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 10004977
    Abstract: A foosball table safety accessory is disclosed which includes a conical frustum shaped sleeve, a cylindrical nut and a cylindrical sleeve which forms a modified foosball rod bearing nut. The modified foosball rod bearing nut is attachable to and removable from side walls of the foosball table. The cylindrical nut has a through bore with internal threading throughout the length of the through bore. In the conical frustum shaped sleeve, one end is broader than the other side. The cylindrical nut is attached to the broad side of the conical frustum shaped sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve is attached to the narrow side of the conical frustum shaped sleeve. The accessory or protective sleeve would encapsulate the free end of a foosball rod and allows the foosball rod to freely move back and forth, yet provides for the sleeve to be fixed. Overall, a new type of bearing nut together with a polycarbonate tubing or sleeve enhance the safety of the foosball table during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Spirit Mollice
  • Patent number: 10004978
    Abstract: A game piece, comprising members that are associated with one another with pivot axes, where a member provides a pivot support that allows independent rotation and or translation motions of a next member in different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventors: Richard Andrew Carlow, Eugenia Chen Carlow
  • Patent number: 10004979
    Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern a first off-the-shelf device (e.g., game console, laptop) that may lack a sensor interacting with a second off-the-shelf device(s) (e.g., smart phone, tablet) that has a sensor. The first device may ask remote devices to expose sensors, may select a remote device and sensor to work with, may control communications between the devices and may use the sensor data provided by the second data to run an application on the first device. The application may be acquired from a consumer-oriented application repository, may require sensor data, and may run unmodified on the first device due to the availability of the sensor data from the second device. The combination of devices improves the capability of the first device, saves energy, and reduces computing complexity. A game console or application written for the game console may perform better using sensor data from a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Ayers, George Roussos, Paul Wang, Chunshui Zhao
  • Patent number: 10004980
    Abstract: A system, a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method to cause simulation of a kinetic disaster is provided. A physical interaction with a client device is detected during gameplay of a multiplayer game that includes a virtual environment. The detected physical interaction is analyzed using a user interaction profile. A kinetic disaster simulator is selected based on the analyzing the physical interaction with the user interaction profile. Simulation of a predefined game action is caused within the virtual environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Perry, Ross W. Danielson
  • Patent number: 10004981
    Abstract: A vehicle simulation such as for example a driving game can be provided by displaying an image of a steering wheel on a touch sensitive screen. Touch inputs are used to control the rotational orientation of displayed steering wheel. The rotational orientation of the displayed steering wheel is used to apply course correction effects to a simulated vehicle. Selective application of driver assist and different scaling of touch inputs may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Champagne, Shigeki Yamashiro, Shigeru Miyamoto, Claude Comair
  • Patent number: 10004982
    Abstract: Various embodiments described herein are directed toward alterable tokens. The alterable token may include a base including an RFID pattern. The base may include an electrical contact electrically coupled to the RFID pattern. The alterable token may include a rotatable body mounted to the base. The body may include first and second RFID tags. The body may include a first electrical contact coupled to the first RFID tag and a second electrical contact coupled to the second RFID tag. The body may be rotatable to a first and a second position. The RFID pattern may be electrically coupled to the first RFID tag when the first electrical contact contacts the electrical contact of the base in the first position. The RFID pattern may be electrically coupled to the second RFID tag when the second electrical contact contacts the electrical contact of the base in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Performance Designed Products LLC
    Inventors: Tom Roberts, Steven Lavache
  • Patent number: 10004983
    Abstract: A moving image distribution system for performing load balancing is provided. The system determines communication delay amounts between a user terminal and each of a plurality of moving image distribution servers. The system further determines whether a specified content, for distribution to the user terminal, requires a predetermined type of distribution. When the specified content requires the predetermined type of distribution, the system determines whether processing of the content requires a predetermined type of processing. The system specifies one of the plurality of moving image distribution servers for distributing the specified content to the user terminal based on a first determination of whether the specified content requires the predetermined type of distribution and a second determination of whether the content requires the predetermined type of processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: SQUARE ENIX HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuji Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 10004984
    Abstract: An interactive in-room show and game system configured to provide engaging and immersive multimedia shows or presentations in a room. The in-room show and game system generally includes a controller for selectively operating a display device, a video projector, an audio system (e.g., one or more speakers), and other show components (e.g., one or more lights, a fan, a mechanical device, and so on). Media content is predefined or generated in real time for the room, and the controller operates (such as in response to a triggering switch or remote control device that may take the form of a show prop activated by someone in the room) to serve the media content interactively, based on user input sensed in the room by one or more sensors of a sensor assembly, to tell a story and/or magically transform the space into a multidimensional and immersive entertainment or gameplay space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Voris, Mark A. Reichow, John David Smith, Zachery W. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 10004985
    Abstract: A system including two handheld electronic devices, each device including a housing, a communicator mounted in the housing continuously receiving images from an internet server, a display mounted in the housing, and a sensor mounted in the housing and connected to the communicator, configured to detect sizes of objects in an adjacent detection zone, and including an analyzer recognizing the other handheld electronic device when the sensor detects that an object in the adjacent detection zone is as long as an edge of the housing, wherein the server receives outputs from the analyzer and partitions each of the images into two half-images, and continuously transmits one of each half-image to the handheld electronic device and the other of each half-image to the other handheld device, such that each full image spans the two device displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Neonode Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Holmgren, Sairam Iyer, Richard Berglind, Karl Erik Patrik Nordström, Lars Sparf, Per Rosengren, Erik Rosengren, John Karlsson, Thomas Eriksson, Alexander Jubner, Remo Behdasht, Simon Fellin, Robin Kjell Åman, Joseph Shain
  • Patent number: 10004986
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for monitoring and evaluating video game activity by scanning for communications between a gaming console and peripherals that wirelessly communicate with the gaming console. An activity tracker receives wireless communications sent between the gaming console and a peripheral. The activity tracker generates one or more usage metrics describing the wireless communications. The activity tracker evaluates the network data based on or more specified rules. Upon determining that the usage metrics trigger a specified rule, the activity tracker generates a notification to describing those usage metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Symantec Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Shavell, Kevin Jiang, Matt Boucher
  • Patent number: 10004987
    Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern establishing, maintaining, managing, or terminating communications between an access point and a client in a wireless network used by a shared, wireless gaming system. An example apparatus may include a first logic configured to control timing for the protocol and a second logic configured to control message exchange for the protocol. Controlling timing and message exchange facilitates reducing contention in the wireless gaming environment. Contention may lead to latency. A user gaming experience may depend on reducing latency. Therefore, reducing latency may produce an improved gaming experience. Controlling timing and message exchange also facilitates reducing power consumption by clients (e.g., accessories, controllers), which in turn facilitates improving battery life for clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David Russo, Ranveer Chandra, Hang Yu
  • Patent number: 10004989
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe methods and apparatuses that hide latency during an interaction between an attacking client device platform and a defending client device platform in a multiplayer game played over a network. The attacking client device platform predicts a successful attack will be made and delivers a hit event to the defending client device platform. In order to provide additional time to wait for a hit reply from the defending client device platform the attacking client device platform initiates an altered animation mode that lengthens the run-time of the animation. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Glenn Fiedler, Vincent Napoli, Jason McDonald
  • Patent number: 10004990
    Abstract: A hand-held information processing terminal includes a display, a camera arranged in proximity to the display and capable of obtaining an image of a user including infrared components, an estimation module that estimates relative positional relation between the display and the user based on the obtained image, a generation module that generates a plurality of display images in accordance with the relative positional relation, and a control module that provides stereoscopic display to the user in accordance with a position thereof with the use of the plurality of display images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Ito, Tomohisa Kawakami, Fumihiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 10004991
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing customized camera views of virtualized environments are provided herein. In one embodiment a method includes detecting a gameplay event of interest within a virtual gaming environment and displaying a customized camera view of the gameplay event of interest based on user input receiving during traversal of a projectile from a weapon to a target. The customized camera view has a focal point of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Hothead Games Inc.
    Inventors: James Paul Ceraldi, Brad Steeves, Bryan Brandt
  • Patent number: 10004992
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing a game and for creating computer-generated game quests, which are referred to as dynamic quests. One method includes an operation for identifying a template for creating a dynamic quest. The dynamic quest includes quest tasks and quest rewards, which are provided to a player upon completion of the quest tasks in the game. The template includes template tasks and template rewards. Further, the method includes an operation for selecting one or more template tasks for the quest tasks, and an operation for selecting one or more template rewards for the quest rewards. The dynamic quest is created in the game with the selected one or more template tasks and the selected one or more template rewards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Guthridge, Edan Nahari
  • Patent number: 10004993
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and media for controlling a network game in accordance with an input of at least one game spectator are provided. A network interface receives controller input information from at least one game player and game spectator input information based on the input of the game spectator. The network game is progressed in accordance with the controller input information received by the network interface from the game player, and an aspect of the network game is controlled in accordance with the game spectator input information received by the network interface. The game player executes a game client that establishes a connection with the game system for transmitting the controller input information to the network interface. The game spectator does not execute the game client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: SQUARE ENIX HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jacob Navok, Yoichi Wada
  • Patent number: 10004995
    Abstract: A percussion instrument comprising an energy harvesting device is disclosed, embodiments take the form of a percussion shaker and a drum, various implementations are disclosed for harvesting kinetic energy from motion imparted to the instrument and converting it to electrical energy for later use and for transfer to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: BISH BASH PRODUCTIONS LTD.
    Inventor: Sudha Kheterpal
  • Patent number: 10004996
    Abstract: A system and method for remote device control are disclosed. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a radio controlled toy and a controller for controlling the toy. In some embodiments, the controller may have an input mechanism and a housing component that defines a cavity, within which may be located a wireless wide area transceiver and a wireless local area transceiver. Some controllers may also have an operating system for the controller and an application resident on the controller and operable to convert inputs received via the input mechanism into commands for the toy. The controller may have a microprocessor operable to execute the application and to cause the commands to be communicated to the toy using the wireless local area transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: RPX Corporation
    Inventors: Harlie D. Frost, William Reber
  • Patent number: 10004997
    Abstract: A vehicle toy that can work with common construction blocks provides connector surfaces covering the top and bottom of the toy housing for full integration into construction projects. Interface and control with the vehicle are provided by mesh wireless connectivity to a cell phone or the like greatly simplifying its construction. Mesh interconnections between vehicles and controllers allow greater interaction of the devices including allowing one device to be nominated as a referee permitting automatically refereed interactive contests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Meeper Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Elizabeth Eversoll, James Brandon
  • Patent number: 10004998
    Abstract: A building block includes a connecting part, a head part, and a tail part. The head part and the tail part are respectively connected to the connecting part. The head part is assembled with a head part or a tail part of another building block to form a head assembled structure or a head-tail assembled structure. The tail part is assembled with a head part or a tail part of another building block to form the head-tail assembled structure or a tail assembled structure. The building block forms a cyclic semi-structure or a columnar semi-structure with other building blocks by the three assembling methods. The cyclic semi-structure and the columnar semi-structure are assembled with another corresponding cyclic semi-structure or columnar semi-structure to form an annular column or a column by assembling the head assembled structures, the head-tail assembled structures, and the tail assembled structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Shen-Guan Shih, Jyun-Li Chen
  • Patent number: 10004999
    Abstract: A connectable element comprising a center piece and a connecting piece. The center piece includes a connecting portion and at least one encircling groove The connecting piece includes an end portion and an eye in a portion. The end portion of the connecting piece is attached to the connecting portion of the center piece. The eye complementarily fits the encircling groove of an adjacent center piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Luna Loop AS
    Inventor: Anne Marit Aarstad
  • Patent number: 10005000
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus configured to control a plurality of light emitting elements so that the light emitting elements display a lighting behavior. The apparatus includes a control portion operable to generate an instruction sequence. The instruction sequence controls the lighting behavior of the light emitting elements. The instruction sequence can include a plurality of lighting instructions. The control portion can include a first input portion and an option portion. The first input portion generates a first lighting instruction of the plurality of lighting instructions and the option portion can be operated by, for example, a user to present a second input portion for generating a second lighting instruction of the plurality of lighting instructions. The lighting behavior displayed by the light emitting elements can have a lighting sequence which is based on the instruction sequence where the first lighting instruction is followed by the second lighting instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Kee Seng Tan, Yam Fei Lian, Yee Shian Lee
  • Patent number: 10005001
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation apparatus. The apparatus includes a source fluid input, and an evaporator condenser apparatus. The evaporator condenser apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubes in the housing. The source fluid input is fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser and the evaporator condenser transforms source fluid into steam and transforms compressed steam into product fluid. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the source fluid input and a product fluid output. The heat exchanger includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a regenerative blower fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser. The regenerative blower compresses steam, and the compressed steam flows to the evaporative condenser where compressed steam is transformed into product fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Stanley B. Smith, III, Prashant Bhat, Ryan K. LaRocque, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Otis L. Clapp
  • Patent number: 10005002
    Abstract: A dividing wall column (10), comprising: a partition plate (11) arranged along an axial direction of the dividing wall column (10); a first shaft (22) arranged along a radial direction of the dividing wall column (10), and a first splitter plate (23) with an end connected to the first shaft (22), which are both placed beneath the partition plate (11), wherein the first splitter plate (23) is configured to be pivotable around the first shaft (22), so as to control distribution of a stream from below the first splitter plate (23) into spaces formed at two sides of the partition plate (11); and a second shaft (13) arranged along the radial direction of the dividing wall column (10), and a second splitter plate (20) with an end connected to the second shaft (13), which are both placed above the partition plate (11), wherein the second splitter plate (20) is configured to be pivotable around the second shaft (13), so as to control the stream from above the second liquid splitter plate (20) into the spaces formed a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignees: CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORPORATION, FUSHUN RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF PETROLEUM AND PETROCHEMICALS, SINOPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Jingshan Gao, Xiuna Yang, Dechen Bo, Shengzhong Zhang, Changjian Liao
  • Patent number: 10005003
    Abstract: A distillation system includes a pot and a rectification column. Vapor is produced in the pot and the rectification column receives the vapor from the pot. The rectification column includes a first plate, a first ring, and a fluid distribution system. The first plate is positioned within the rectification column. The first ring is positioned within the rectification column. The first ring includes a first plurality of apertures. The fluid distribution system receives a pressurized cleaning fluid and provides the pressurized cleaning fluid to the first ring such that the pressurized cleaning fluid is propelled from the first ring via the first plurality of apertures into the rectification column. At least some of the first plurality of apertures are configured to cause the pressurized cleaning fluid propelled therefrom to contact the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Norland International, Inc.
    Inventor: Tanner Ryan Littrel
  • Patent number: 10005004
    Abstract: An oil scrub column having a petroleum spirit section and an oil section where each section has mass transfer trays having a plurality of runoff elements that extend parallel to and at a distance from one another, to form angular profiles. The runoff elements have first and second runoff surfaces that converge to form an edge. Scrubbing media introduced onto the edges of the runoff elements flows off via the runoff surfaces at both sides of the edge. The oil section has a greater number of mass transfer trays than the petroleum spirit section. The petroleum spirit section is shorter than the oil section. The mass transfer trays of the petroleum spirit section may be sieve trays, bubble trays or valve trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Gerhard Alzner, Christian Matten
  • Patent number: 10005005
    Abstract: A condenser bag includes a body bounding a channel that extends between an inlet opening at a first end and an outlet opening and an opposing second end, the body being comprised of a polymeric film. An intake port is secured to the body at the inlet opening and bounds an port opening that extends therethrough and communicates with the channel. A tubular transfer line has a first end coupled with the body so as to communicate with the channel at a first location located between the inlet opening and the outlet opening and an opposing second end coupled with either the intake port so as to communicate with the port opening therein or with the body so as to communicate with the channel at a second location located between the intake port and the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jason D. Brown, Clinton C. Staheli, Anthony D. Meeks
  • Patent number: 10005006
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting a gradient delay volume GDV of a liquid chromatography system for a chromatography run in liquid chromatography, in particular a high-performance liquid chromatography system, in which a desired value GDVtarget of a gradient delay volume of the liquid chromatography system is ascertained or predefined and, if the value GDVtarget deviates from a specific fixed value GDVactual of a liquid chromatography system, this value GDVtarget is set in a range 0??GDV=GDVtarget?GDVactual?Vmax of a volume of a volume adjustment device 5. Furthermore, the invention relates to an automatic sampler for carrying out such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: DIONEX SOFTRON GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Hochgraeber, Thomas Wachinger
  • Patent number: 10005007
    Abstract: Disclosed are an oil-in-water emulsion defoamer and a method for preparing the defoamer. The defoamer may have a dispersed oil phase with a droplet size of 4 to 8 ?m, and a viscosity of 100 to 1000 cP, and is widely used for defoaming in paper coating and wet-end in a paper mill. A method for preparing an oil-in-water emulsion defoamer is also provided. The method may include adding an emulsifying agent to biodiesel, and mixing, then gradually adding hydrophobic fumed silica to obtain a first mixture. The method may also include gradually adding water and a non-ionic surfactant, and stirring until uniform to obtain a second mixture. The method may also include gradually adding the first mixture to the second mixture, and stirring until uniform, to obtain an oil-in-water emulsion defoamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Yanru Fan, Yulin Zhao
  • Patent number: 10005008
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for collecting, storing, separating, and disposing of waste material from an oil and gas well site in order to enhance payload efficiency. An embodiment of a method, for example, may include introducing a waste material into an enhanced-payload mobile vessel positioned at the oil and gas well site, the waste material selected to include one or more of a sludge waste material, a solids-laden wastewater material, and a dry waste material. The method may further include transporting the waste material when positioned in the enhanced-payload mobile vessel along roadways to an off-site waste management facility. Additionally, the method may include dumping the waste material from the enhanced-payload mobile vessel by a site-based lifting mechanism into a receiving vessel at the off-site waste management facility thereby to dispose of the waste material at a reduced transportation cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Buckeye Brine, LLC
    Inventors: William Dawson, Henry Ross Cheu, David Durakovich, Monty Shell, Todd Schlauch, Steve Mobley, Scott Harlan
  • Patent number: 10005009
    Abstract: A service port for a tank that receives a fluid, the service port including a body having a first end and a second end, the body defining a bore that opens at the first end and second end of the body; a strainer attached to the second end of the body, the strainer including a strainer element that has a first end and a second end, and a pair of sides; wherein the strainer element is closed at the first end and open at the second end defining a strainer volume therebetween; the strainer element being permeable to liquid; wherein the second end of the strainer element is attached about the bore and wherein a wall of the strainer element extending from the second end of the strainer element toward the first end of the strainer element is oriented generally parallel to a flow direction of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Shaw Development, LLC
    Inventors: Abdul Faheem Qureshi, Sree Hyma Sudhakar Paruchuri, Steven Milette
  • Patent number: 10005010
    Abstract: A filter device with a filter body (1) has a filter bowl (3) and a filter head (5) formed by a removable locking piece of the filter bowl (3). The filter head (5) has a connection point (15) for an unfiltrate flow and a connection point (27) for discharging a filtrate flow. A filter element (7) containing filter material (11) is connected between the connection points (15, 27) and is disposed inside the filter bowl (3) for the filtration of the unfiltrate, specifically for particle contamination. A flow directing device (33) directs the unfiltrate flow to the surface sections of the filter material (11) of the filter element (7) to provide a filtering action when the device is in operation. The flow directing device is a molded component (33) that belongs to the filter head (5) and to which a fluid flow is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: HYDAC FILTERTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Sann, Christian Schneider
  • Patent number: 10005011
    Abstract: A velocity reducing filter port is provided herein. More specifically, provided herein is a pool filter comprising a filter housing having a sidewall and a bottom wall defining an inner chamber, an inlet section positioned in the sidewall of the filter housing, an outlet section positioned in the sidewall of the filter housing, and a flow controller attached to the inlet section, the flow controller having a flow controller inlet, a flow controller outlet, and a wall therebetween, wherein the flow controller inlet has an inlet cross-sectional area and the flow controller outlet has an outlet cross-sectional area greater than the inlet cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Lawrence Marciano, Joseph Anthony Tessitore
  • Patent number: 10005012
    Abstract: A filter receptacle assembly is described including a filter receptacle having a receptacle wall and a circular edge defining an opening for receiving a filter cartridge and a first interlock device coupled to the receptacle wall of the filter receptacle, wherein the first interlock device comprises a first actuator moveable between a first position and a second position and biased into the first position, wherein at least a portion of the first actuator protrudes from the receptacle wall in the first position, wherein the first interlock device is configured so that when a filter cartridge is inserted into the filter receptacle, the first actuator is moved by the filter cartridge from the first position to the second position and is held in the second position by the filter cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Piyush Sharma, Sergio L. Vargas De Avila, Bernard S. Cohen
  • Patent number: 10005013
    Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water has an interface and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable onto the interface. Connecting the canister to the interface automatically opens a check valve in the interface to permit water to flow from the interface into and through the canister, and then back to and through the interface to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the interface automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. The interface provides for water boiler expansion pressure relief, which guarding against any water contaminated downstream of the apparatus from backflowing into the filtration/purification canister and contaminating the portion of the filtration/purification canister downstream of the filter/conditioning/purifying medium held within the filtration/purification canister and thereby causing water exiting the outlet port of the filtration/purification canister to be contaminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ECOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Richard T. Williams, Carl Beiswenger
  • Patent number: 10005014
    Abstract: An additive carrier for a spin-on filter is provided. The additive carrier is positioned at an upstream side of the filter and includes a basket defining an annular body. The annular body includes a concentric opening extending therethrough, a circumferentially extending recess configured to receive and store an additive material and a plurality of flanges extending radially within the recess, the flanges spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the recess to form a plurality of sub-recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Fram Group IP LLC
    Inventors: Donald W. Baldwin, Jr., Christopher Montelauro
  • Patent number: 10005015
    Abstract: An air filtration system includes a frame directing an airflow through the air filtration system and a media filter disposed in the frame including one or more filtration elements. The system further includes one or more alignment features and one or more sealing elements interactive with the one or more alignment features to prevent incorrect installation of the media filter into the frame. A method of installing a media filter in an air filtration system includes aligning an alignment feature of the media filter with an opening in a frame of the air filtration system and inserting the media filter into the frame. The alignment feature ensures that the media filter is inserted in the frame in a correct orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ronald L. Bowman
  • Patent number: 10005016
    Abstract: A gas turbine system may include an exhaust gas processing system configured to process exhaust gas received from a gas turbine engine of the system. An exhaust path of the exhaust processing system is configured to flow the exhaust gas through the exhaust processing system. A tempering air system of the exhaust processing system is configured to introduce tempering air into the exhaust path to cool the exhaust gas. The tempering air system includes a tempering air pathway extending from an air inlet of the tempering air system to a tempering air outlet where tempering air is introduced from the tempering air system and into the exhaust path. A filter system of the tempering air system has a hydrophobic filter positioned along the tempering air pathway, the hydrophobic filter being configured to remove hygroscopic and deliquescent materials from the air flowing through the tempering air pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Bradly Aaron Kippel
  • Patent number: 10005018
    Abstract: A method and system for collecting xenon (Xe) is described. A microchannel heat exchanger is used in combination with a mechanical cooler and an absorbent. A combination of components makes up a Xe Collection Subsystem that is adapted for use in an efficient process for collecting, purifying, and measuring Xe isotopes collected from air as part of the International Monitoring System.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: James C. Hayes, Paul H. Humble, Mark E. Panisko, Warren W. Harper, Timothy L. Stewart