ic Device for removing protein-based substances By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a means of dialysis for removing protein-bound substances from a biological fluid, especially blood or blood plasma, which contains at least one means for solubilizing protein-binding substances to be removed into the biological fluid and/or dialysis fluid, and to a process for removing protein-bound substances from a biological fluid. Full Article
ic Method and system for treating wastewater and sludges by optimizing sCO2 for anaerobic autotrophic microbes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention describes a method of optimizing CO2 concentration to increase the specific growth rate of Anammox bacteria and methanogens in wastewater and sludge treatment, as well as novel systems and methods of treating wastewater and sludge. The specific growth rate or doubling time of the Anammox bacteria and methanogens were determined to be sensitive to dissolved CO2 concentration. Optimizing dissolved CO2 concentration increases the specific growth rate of the Anammox bacteria, which may be used as an alternative biological nitrogen removal process for the treatment of domestic wastewater. In the method and system of treating sludge, the CO2 stripper returns biogas with low CO2 concentration to the headspace of an anaerobic digester in order to lower the headspace CO2 concentration and therefore, the soluble CO2 concentration. The lower soluble CO2 concentration increases the specific growth rate of the methanogens for a more efficient anaerobic digestion process. Full Article
ic Osmotic separation systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Separation processes using osmotically driven membrane systems are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources. Pre-treatment and post-treatment may also enhance the osmotically driven membrane processes. Full Article
ic Magnetic water conditioner By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A magnetic water conditioner treats water with a magnetic field. The magnetic water conditioner includes a tank having an inlet operable to receive water from a pump and an outlet operable to discharge the water. The magnetic water conditioner is installed in close proximity to the pump. A plurality of permanent magnet members are aligned and spaced apart in the interior of the tank with north and south poles disposed at opposite sides of the permanent magnet members. The water flows through the gaps between the permanent magnet members, thus being subjected to magnetic fields created by the permanent magnet members. Full Article
ic Electrolytic cell and system for treating water By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A water treatment system is disclosed having electrolytic cell for liberating hydrogen from a base solution. The base solution may be a solution of brine for generating sodium hypochlorite, or potable water to be oxidized. The cell has first and second opposing electrode endplates held apart from each other by a pair of supports such that the supports enclose opposing sides of the endplates to form a cell chamber. One or more inner electrode plates are spaced apart from each other in the cell chamber in between the first and second electrode plates. The supports are configured to electrically isolate the first and second electrode plates and the inner electrode plates from each other. The first and second electrode plates are configured to receive opposite polarity charges that passively charge the inner electrode plates via conduction from the base solution to form a chemical reaction in the base solution as the base solution passes through the cell chamber. Full Article
ic Method and system for dispensing ice and/or a liquid By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A dispensing system includes a detection device and a dispenser configured to dispense at least one of ice and a liquid. The detection device is configured to detect a container positioned with respect to the dispenser and generate a first signal representative of the container position. The dispensing system also includes a controller coupled to the detection device and the dispenser. The controller is configured to determine a stability of the container and activate the dispenser to dispense at least one of an amount of the ice and an amount of the liquid into the container based on the first signal and the determined stability of the container. Full Article
ic Domestic refrigerator including an ice dispenser By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ice dispenser for a domestic refrigerator includes a lever having a housing with a passageway defined therein and a flapper door configured to pivot between a closed position in which ice is prevented from advancing into the passageway and an open position in which ice is permitted to advance into the passageway. A linkage is coupled to the lever and the flapper door such that movement of the lever causes the flapper door to move from the closed position to the open position. Full Article
ic Connection device for a system for filling jars for the production of nuclear fuel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for filling a jar with powdery material, for example for the manufacture of nuclear fuel, including a device for connection between the jar and a material feed system, where the device includes: a stationary connection portion connected to the feed system,a connection portion which moves relative to the stationary connection portion intended to be connected to the container's filling orifice, where the moving connection portion includes in the area of a downstream end a lip seal to achieve a tight connection by contact with the contours of the jar's filling orifice and where the said downstream end is connected to the stationary connection portion by a bellows so as to provide mechanical disengagement between the downstream end of the moving connection portion and the stationary connection portion. Full Article
ic Device and method for filling containers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Method for filling containers with liquids, wherein the containers are filled using a plurality of controllable filling elements and the liquid is fed to these filling elements starting from a reservoir, common to the filling elements, for storing the liquid, wherein during the filling the containers are transported at least in sections along a circular track and wherein the filling of the containers by at least one filling element is controlled as a function of at least one first parameter characteristic of the liquid in the reservoir and this parameter is determined repeatedly at given intervals of time during the filling operation. Full Article
ic Ice-channeling tray for use with a multiple receptacle carrier By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A material-channeling tray comprising a tray surface, an opposing bottom surface, and a sidewall extending from the tray surface and bottom surface. The tray surface has a plurality of channel openings and a handle opening extending through the tray surface and the bottom surface. The sidewall has an exterior surface and an interior surface, with the interior surface and tray surface defining a tray volume. The sidewall extends away from the tray surface forming an angle between the interior surface and the tray surface that is at least ninety degrees. The invention further comprises a plurality of channel walls, each forming a channel, wherein the plurality of channel walls are attached to and extend from the bottom surface, and each of the channels is positioned subjacent to one of the channel openings. Full Article
ic Method and apparatus for engaging a beverage extraction device with a container By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Devices and methods for clamping a beverage extraction device to a beverage container, such as a wine bottle. One or more clamp arms may be arranged to clamp the extraction device to a wine bottle as well as allow the device to be supported upright on a table top. Clamp arms may include tab and ridge features that operate to properly engage and position a wide variety of different bottle neck shapes relative to the device. The one or more clamp arms may move the bottle neck distally, e.g., toward a resilient pad, so that the neck is suitably positioned relative to the device. Proper positioning and engagement of the neck may allow for desired piercing of a cork or other closure of the bottle by the device. Full Article
ic Fluidic interface By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides for fluidic connections to be established between tubes, ports, fluidic components and fluidic devices. The leak-tight connections are formed through controlled, compressive forces and can be used for both low and high pressure applications. Full Article
ic Gas filling system, gas filling method, and vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gas filling system (1) includes a gas tank (30); a gas filling device (2) that fills gas into the gas tank (30); and a controller (24) that calculates a temperature increase ΔT and a pressure increase ΔP in the gas tank (30) during a predetermined period of time (t seconds) that elapses from a start of gas filling. The controller (24) selects a filling rate map (Ma, Mb) from a prepared filling rate map group on the basis of the calculated temperature increase ΔT and the calculated pressure increase ΔP. The gas filling device (2) carries out gas filling using the filling rate map selected by the controller (24). Full Article
ic System, device, and method for treating fuel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device, system and/or method for dispensing a fuel additive to a fuel tank that employs a fuel additive delivery device secured to an opening of the fuel tank. The delivery device is fluidly coupled to a fuel additive reservoir. The delivery device includes a cap that automatically opens or closes fluid communication with the fuel additive reservoir. The delivery device also includes a bore defined through the delivery device configured to receive a fuel filler spout with a fuel passageway outlet positioned in the bore such that, as fuel passes through the bore and into the fuel tank, the bore is configured to create a suction at the fuel additive outlet to pull fuel additive from the reservoir, through the delivery device, and into the fuel tank with the fuel. Full Article
ic Aseptic connector for a free-flowing food By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reusable aseptic connector is provided. The connector may be used to provide fluid communication between a bag-in-box (BIB) container and a beverage dispenser. The connector may provide aseptic properties of the connection by insulation of an inner volume of a first part and an inner volume of a second part, with the beverage component kept from contacting any of the part of the connector structure that are exposed to the environment and have a risk of induced contamination. The connector may comprise a resilient membrane and a sliding tube wherein the sliding tube is configured to have a portion move toward and through the resilient membrane to establish fluid communication between the first part and the second part, and for the portion to move away from the resilient membrane to destablish fluid communication between the first part and the second part when desired. Full Article
ic Communication device activated by fuel door By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A communication device or auxiliary ECU is activated when a fuel door of a fuel cell vehicle is open. Upon closing the fuel door, the communication device/ECU is shut off. The communication device/auxiliary ECU is operational regardless of whether the keys in the vehicle or not. This assures that communication of information can occur when a refueling station is most likely to request the information, i.e. when the fuel door is open. A temperature measurement device may monitor a vehicle tank temperature, communicate the tank temperature data to a filling station, and confirm that the tank temperature data is associated with the tank being filled. Full Article
ic Device for introducing a defined amount of a second powder into a process container By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus to introduce a defined amount of a second powder into a process container in which a first powder or a powder mixture is present, includes a coupling flange having a cover flap located on the process container. The second powder is introduced into a tubular cartridge mounted displaceably in a transport unit, the latter including a joining flange having a cover flap. The joining flange is joinable to the coupling flange so that the respective cover flaps can be opened, and the cartridge can be pushed through openings thereby provided into the plane of the inner wall of the process container. The second powder is emptied from the cartridge into the process container by a delivery piston. The cartridge may include a piston rod having multiple pistons. Other embodiments include a double piston, a rotatable cartridge core or a rotary closure. Full Article
ic Gathering device for gathering plastic members By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a gathering device for gathering plastic members. The gathering device includes a gathering portion and a tray detachably connected to the gathering portion. The gathering portion includes an outer shell, a hollow inner shell and a number of fans. The inner shell is received in the outer shell. The inner shell includes a number of vent. The fans are positioned between the outer shell and the inner shell for blowing ions into the inner shell through the vents. The tray is configured for containing the plastic members passing through the gathering portion. Full Article
ic Cylinder-piston unit suitable for storing injection solutions for a needle-free injector and method for the bubble-free automatic or manual filling of the cylinder-piston unit, also under atmospheric pressure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pressure-stable cylinder/piston unit which blocks water vapor and oxygen and is designed for a needle-free injector, with a chamber arranged in a cylinder, which blocks water vapor and oxygen, and designed for long-term and sterile storage of an injection solution, an end wall with at least one nozzle bore or one outlet element, a pressure-stable outer cylinder, and a pressure-stable piston arranged movably in the chamber and blocking water vapor and oxygen. Methods for bubble-free, automatic or manual filling of the cylinder/piston unit, also at atmospheric pressure are also disclosed. Full Article
ic Conveying device for powdery and/or granulated material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A conveying device for free-flowing fine-particle solids, in particular for powdery and/or granular (mixed) material, especially plastic granulate, includes a vertically arranged and flexibly mountable telescopic pipe for the conveyance of, preferably, polymer granulates, for example in a plant for the filling of polymer granulates. Full Article
ic Powder refilling device, process cartridge and image including same, and powder refilling method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A powder refilling device includes a refill powder chamber to accommodate a powder bag containing powder, an opener to open the powder bag inside the refill powder chamber, and a squeezer to squeeze the opened powder bag to discharge powder therefrom and reduce a volume of the opened powder bag. Full Article
ic Power supply for a load control device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power supply for a load control device generates a DC voltage and provides an asymmetrical output current, while drawing a substantially symmetrical input current. The power supply comprises a controllably conductive switching circuit for controllably charging an energy storage capacitor across which the DC voltage is produced. The energy storage capacitor begins charging at the beginning of a half-cycle and stops charging after a charging time in response to the magnitude of the DC voltage and the amount of time that the energy storage capacitor has been charging during the present half-cycle. The charging time is maintained substantially constant from one half-cycle to the next. The power supply is particularly beneficial for preventing asymmetrical current from flowing in a multiple location load control system having a master load control device supplying power to a plurality of remote load control devices all located on either the line-side or the load-side of the system. Full Article
ic High efficient control circuit for buck-boost converters and control method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A controller used in a buck-boost converter includes a clock generator, an error amplifying circuit, a comparing circuit, a proportional sampling circuit, a logic circuit, a pulse width increasing circuit, first and second driving circuits. Based on a clock signal generated by the clock generator, the proportional sampling circuit samples the difference between a current sensing signal and a compensation signal generated by the error amplifying circuit, and generates a proportional sampling signal. The pulse width increasing circuit generates a sum control signal based on the proportional sampling signal and a logic control signal generated by the logic circuit, wherein a modulation value adjusted by the proportional sampling signal is added to the pulse width of the logic control signal to generate the pulse width of the sum control signal. The first and second driving circuits generate driving signals based on the sum control signal and the logic control signal. Full Article
ic Power supply device control circuit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In some aspects of the invention, overcurrent protection is carried out by suppressing fluctuations in current flowing through a switching element after overcurrent detection. A peak current reaching time detection circuit detects a peak current reaching time needed until current flowing through a switching element reaches a peak value. A difference voltage detection circuit, including a ½ time detection circuit which detects a time of ½ an ON time of the preceding cycle of the switching element, detects difference voltage between reference voltage used when detecting overcurrent flowing to a load and a signal which has detected current flowing through the switching element for the ½ time. A delay time adjustment circuit, based on at least one of the peak current reaching time and difference voltage, carries out adjustment and control of a delay time occurring until the time when the switching element is turned off after detecting the overcurrent. Full Article
ic System for eliminating current surges in electronic systems and equipment having intermittent current consumption By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a system for eliminating current surges that includes a first voltage regulator (7) having a current limit programmable to a value (I(limit)) that depends on the value of the intermittent current surges (IO(surge)) required by the intermittent load (3) and the relationship thereof to the work cycle, a second voltage regulator (9), a condenser (4) connected between the first and second regulators (7, 9), that loads when the current is no longer required and that unloads when there is a need for output current to provide current to the second regulator (9) which absorbs the changes in voltage produced by the loading/unloading of the condenser and provides a constant voltage for any value of the required output current surge, independently of voltage changes in the condenser (4), and a control loop between a sensor for the output current provided to the load and an input limit (15) for the input current (II) in the first regulator (7). Thus, the input current (I(limit)) (1) and the output voltage (VLoad) are constant for any value of the output current surge (IO(surge)). Full Article
ic Power supply device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power supply device includes a first converter which converts an input voltage to a first voltage, a second converter which converts the first voltage from the first converter to a second voltage, a voltage comparison section which compares the first voltage outputted from the first converter with a predetermined reference voltage, a voltage comparison result output section which outputs a first signal until the first voltage is determined to be higher than the predetermined reference voltage by the voltage comparison section and retains a second signal as an output after the first voltage is determined to be higher than the predetermined reference voltage, and a converter control section which controls the second converter to stop when the first signal is outputted from the voltage comparison result output section and controls the second converter to operate when the second signal is outputted from the voltage comparison result output section. Full Article
ic Dynamic maneuvering configuration for multiple control modes in a unified servo system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods that provide control circuits having multiple sub-control inputs that control operation of a power electronics device (e.g., a power converter). Each of the multiple sub-control inputs are output from a separate sub-control circuit that includes a feedback circuit having an input tied to a common control node. The common control node is coupled to an input of a controller (e.g., a PWM controller). Outputs of each of the sub-control circuits are coupled to the common control node by a respective switch (e.g., diode, transistor, etc.) so that each of the sub-control circuits may be selectively coupled to the common control node to provide a control signal to a controller. Since components of each of the feedback compensations circuits are biased at a regulation voltage instead of a higher power supply voltage, the control circuit may switch between control modes with minimal delay. Full Article
ic Method and device for linearizing a transformer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for linearizing voltage transmission through a transformer including a magnetic core and, input and output windings. A measurement signal is supplied to the input winding at a first frequency and an output signal is measured at the output winding of the transformer, wherein the voltage of the measurement signal may be so low that the transformer operates in a non-linear region. The method includes, for a conditioning signal, selecting a second frequency different from the first frequency, defining an amplitude value of the conditioning signal and supplying the conditioning signal to the input winding at the second frequency with the defined amplitude value so that the transformer operates in its linear region. Full Article
ic Electronic apparatus having a diode connected to a control terminal of a switching element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic apparatus includes a switching element which has a control terminal and is driven by controlling voltage of the control terminal, a driving power supply circuit which supplies voltage required for driving the switching element, an on-driving circuit which is connected to the driving power supply circuit and the control terminal of the switching element and is supplied with voltage from the driving power supply circuit, and which applies a constant current to the control terminal of the switching element to charge the control terminal, thereby turning on the switching element, and at least one diode which is connected between the on-driving circuit and the control terminal of the switching element. The on-driving circuit applies a constant current to the control terminal of the switching element through the diode. Full Article
ic Polyphase converter with magnetically coupled phases By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Polyphase converter, comprising a plurality of electrical phases (11 to 16), which can each be driven by switching means (21 to 26), wherein at least one coupling means (31 to 39) is provided, which magnetically couples at least one first phase (11) to at least one further phase (12, 14, 16), wherein at least two phases (11, 12) to be coupled are surrounded at least partially by the coupling means (31), wherein at least one insulating body (72) is provided, which on the upper or lower side thereof accommodates the phases (11 to 16) to be coupled and on which at least one fastening means (74, 76, 90) is provided, which interacts with at least one of the phases (11 to 16) for fastening purposes. Full Article
ic Bridge-less step-up switching power supply device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A bridge-less step-up switching power supply device includes (i) a first and a second reactor having: a first and a second main winding connected to a first and a second input terminal, respectively; and a first and a second auxiliary winding magnetically coupled to the first main winding and connected to the first and second main windings, the first and second auxiliary windings having a first and a second leakage inductance, respectively; (ii) a first and a second diode connected between the first and second auxiliary windings and a first output terminal, respectively; (iii) a first capacitor connected between the first output terminal and a second output terminal; (iv) a second capacitor connected between a connection point of a third switch and a fourth switch, and the first output terminal; and (v) a controller for controlling turning on/off of first to fourth switches. Full Article
ic Control of energy storage system inverter system in a microgrid application By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system that manages a supplemental energy source connected to a power grid uses a two stage control strategy to manage power transfers in and out of the power grid as well as in and out of an energy storage system, such as a battery bank. One stage uses a non-linear transfer function to control an output frequency of a DC-to-AC inverter to limit undesired effects of power transients that occur on the grid. A second stage uses control strategy for transferring energy between the energy storage system and an internal DC link based on a relationship between a voltage on a DC link connecting the first and second stages and a DC link reference voltage, the voltage on the DC link, and a voltage at the energy storage system. The control strategy includes rapid charging, over-charging protection, and grid transient stabilization. Full Article
ic Multi-phase DC-DC converter supplying power to load with plural power stages and information processing device including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a DC-DC converter which converts an input voltage into an output voltage for supply to a load, in which an input terminal receives the input voltage, an output terminal outputs the output voltage, power stages each includes: a high side switch, a low side switch and an inductor, the control unit executes a first mode and a second mode wherein the first mode controls the high side switch and the low side switch in each of the power stages so that a ratio of an output current in each of the power stages to a load current flowing through the load becomes a set value and the second mode controls the high side switch and the low side switch in each of the power stages so that duty ratios of the high side switch and the low side switch are equalized among the power stages. Full Article
ic Control device for switching power supply circuit, and heat pump unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 08:00:00 EST A mode controller shifts, along with increase in an electric power in first and second of chopper circuits and, operation modes of the first and the second of the chopper circuits from a first mode to a third mode via a second mode. An operation controller causes, in the first mode, the first of chopper circuit to perform an chopping operation, and the second of chopper circuit to suspend the chopping operation, in the second mode, causes the first and the second of chopper circuits to alternatively perform the chopping operations, and in the third mode causes both of the first and the second of chopper circuits to perform the chopping operations. Full Article
ic Device for accommodating objects, trolley, method for manufacturing a trolley, as well as transport means By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device for accommodating objects, in particular for use in an airplane, comprises at least one panel. The panel has at least one outer edge which is provided with a rim in order to form a shock-absorbing edge. The rim comprises plastic that is integrally molded onto the outer edge of the panel. The device can be an airplane trolley, folding trolley, container or galley. Full Article
ic Remote controlled aerial reconnaissance vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A radio controlled UAV is disclosed. The UAV includes a parachute, with a cylindrical power and control module suspended vertically below the parachute. In one embodiment, a propulsion source is mounted on top of the power and control module with control lines connected to the module below the propulsion source, and in another embodiment the power and control module is suspended from a point above a propulsion source. The UAV is controlled by radio controls from a hand held controller, with actuators retracting and letting out control lines attached to the parachute in order to control direction of the parachute. The UAV may be launched from a tube using a pressurized tank with a nozzle expelling gas from the tank, the tank and nozzle towing a canister from which the UAV is deployed. Full Article
ic Wing tip device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A wing tip device for fixing to the outboard end of a wing, the wing defining a wing plane, includes: an upper wing-like element projecting upwardly with respect to the wing plane and having a trailing edge; and a lower wing-like element fixed with respect to the upper wing-like element and having a root chord and a trailing edge, the lower wing-like element root chord intersecting with the upper wing-like element, and the lower wing-like element projecting downwardly from the intersection. The upper wing-like element is larger than the lower wing-like element and the trailing edge of the lower wing-like element is adjacent the trailing edge of the upper wing-like element at the intersection. An included angle between the upper and lower wing-like elements at the intersection is less than, or equal to, 160 degrees. Full Article
ic Safety seat and method for reducing stress on an occupant of a motor vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a method for reducing the impact of a force upon a person seated in a safety seat of a motor vehicle at least a seat unit of the safety seat is restrained at least in part by at least one support strap. The support strap is formed with an extension piece configured to lengthen when exposed to a load as a result of an accident or explosion. A winding unit holds the support strap to shorten an effective length of the support strap and to build up a force to maintain the support strap under tension after the support strap underwent a lengthening in an area of the extension piece as a result of a load caused by a force resulting from an accident or explosion so as to reestablish an effective length of the support strap for lengthening during a subsequent force impact. Full Article
ic Method and device for creating an aircraft flight plan By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of creating at least one flight plan of an aircraft includes entering a creation objective which illustrates a type and general characteristics of the flight plan to be created, automatically generating a flight plan outline, automatically generating a targeted request for information relating to missing parameters, entering the requested information relating to the missing parameters, and supplementing automatically the flight plan outline and automatically deleting any discontinuities to create, in a definitive manner, the flight plan. Full Article
ic Electric de-icing device and related monitoring system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a de-icing device for an element of a nacelle of a turbojet engine, including at least one heating resistant mat connected to at least one electrical power source (3) and thus defining an assembly (1) of resistant mats, characterized in that the assembly of resistant mats includes one or more subassemblies of resistant mats, each subassembly in turn including one or more resistant mats of the assembly, and each subassembly of resistive mats having a different ohmic value. Full Article
ic Space efficient lavatory module for commercial aircraft By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A space efficient lavatory module for commercial aircraft includes an aft facing concave wall recess that provides a greater distance from an upper, forward facing portion of a cabin structure, such as an aircraft passenger seat to avoid having a passenger's head impact the aft facing lavatory or enclosure wall in a sudden aircraft deceleration. The aft facing concave wall recess also provides space for mounting of a protective cushion, in order to reduce a passenger's risk of head trauma in a sudden deceleration, as well as other items, such as a video monitor, a bassinet or infant bed, without inhibiting passenger movement. Full Article
ic Arrangement of aerodynamic auxiliary surfaces for an aircraft By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An arrangement of aerodynamic auxiliary surfaces is configured for being arranged on the underside of an aircraft and furthermore includes a longitudinal axis and at least one aerodynamic auxiliary surface, wherein the aerodynamic auxiliary surface is laterally offset referred to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the aerodynamic auxiliary surface is configured for generating vortices when it is subjected to an oncoming air flow. This makes it possible to compensate vortices caused by the shape of the aircraft such that the directional stability of the aircraft can be improved and the aerodynamic drag may be reduced. Full Article
ic Attachment devices for rotorcraft front windshield By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment, a windshield attachment device for coupling a windshield to a body includes a fastener portion, a bolt, and an elastomeric load isolator. The fastener portion has an opening therethrough. The bolt is configured to extend through the opening of the fastener portion and couple the fastener portion to the body. The elastomeric load isolator surrounds at least a portion of the fastener portion and separating the fastener portion from the windshield. Full Article
ic Devices configured to provide pre-launch support of kites By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices configured to retain, at least for some period, and provide pre-launch support kites such as stunt kites. In certain instances, the device positions stunt kites of various sizes and design, including, for example, delta wing kits, diamond kits and foil kits, in a reclined position to provide pre-launch stability and wind flow/spill-over across the face of the kite to help prevent unintentional or premature launch. If desired, optional control line upright supports can be present that permit minimum control line pull-back thereby reducing the recline of the kite to bring the face of the kite into the wind and thereby launch the kite. The control line upright supports may also prevent the kite from falling completely face down on the surface, thereby requiring a reset of the kite on the device. Full Article
ic Variable length light shield for an electro-optical sensor within a nose cone By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A variable length light shield is disclosed for an electro-optical sensor within a nose cone. The light shield includes a base, a telescopic shade supported by the base, and a ring rotatably supported about the base. The light shield also includes a guide tube disposed proximate the ring with an end extending away from the ring about a side of the telescopic shade. The light shield further includes an extension spring supported by the guide tube with an end coupled to the telescopic shade. Additionally, the light shield includes a cable extending through the guide tube and the extension spring, with one end of the cable coupled to the ring and another end of the cable coupled to the telescopic shade. The extension spring is configured to exert a force on the telescopic shade to extend the telescopic shade. Rotation of the ring causes retraction of the telescopic shade. Full Article
ic Trajectory modification of a spinning projectile By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention is a projectile, device and system having a roll control device which may be fixed or deployable, for providing torque counter to the spin of the projectile and providing drag on the projectile. The roll control device includes a guidance collar rotatably attached to the projectile located near a front end of the projectile wherein the guidance collar includes one or more guidance collar aero-surfaces shaped to provide torque counter to the spin on the projectile. The guidance collar aero-surfaces may be controlled by a brake and guidance electronics on the projectile. The invention also includes a body collar fixedly attached to the projectile aft of the guidance collar, wherein the body collar includes one or more body collar aero-surfaces and fixed or deployable drag devices. Another embodiment use only a guidance collar aero-surfaces to orient a fixed drag device relative to an Earth inertial reference frame to create asymmetrical drag on the projectile and thereby altering its trajectory. Full Article
ic Adaptive aerodynamic control system for projectile maneuvering By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A projectile control system includes a plurality of fins, a drive mechanism coupled to each of the plurality of fins to enable the plurality of fins to be independently retracted or deployed, and a control mechanism in communication with the drive mechanisms to independently control the deployment or retraction of the plurality of fins. A projectile having the projectile control system and a method of operating a projectile are also described herein. Full Article
ic Selectively degradable passage restriction and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An actuation system and method includes a tubular defining a passage, and an assembly disposed with the tubular. The assembly includes a restriction operatively arranged to receive a restrictor for enabling actuation of the assembly. The restriction includes a degradable material with a protective layer thereon, the degradable material degrading upon exposure to a fluid in the passage and the protective layer isolating the degradable material from the fluid. Full Article
ic Thermoset nanocomposite particles, processing for their production, and their use in oil and natural gas drilling applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of thermoset polymer particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles. Optional further improvement of the heat resistance and environmental resistance of said particles via post-polymerization heat treatment; processes for the manufacture of said particles; and use of said particles in the construction, drilling, completion and/or fracture stimulation of oil and natural gas wells are described. Full Article
ic Methods of transporting proppant particulates in a subterranean formation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods of treating a wellbore in a subterranean formation including providing an oil-external treatment fluid, wherein the oil-external treatment fluid is a 3D-network comprising a chemical interaction between a hydrocarbon fluid, an aqueous fluid, and a surface modification agent; providing proppant particulates; suspending the proppant particulates in the oil-external treatment fluid; and introducing the oil-external treatment fluid comprising the proppant particulates into the wellbore in the subterranean formation. Full Article