lit Capability Determining Method, Capability Configuration Method, Host, Terminal Device, and System By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A capability determining method for a terminal device, a host, and a system is provided. The capability determining method includes acquiring, by the host, a capability supported by the terminal device. The method also includes determining, by the host according to the capability supported by the terminal device and a capability supported by the host, a capability supported by both the terminal device and the host, and using the capability supported by both the terminal device and the host as an overlapping capability, where the overlapping capability is used by the terminal device to perform capability configuration. The method also includes sending the overlapping capability to the terminal device. Full Article
lit DRAM DATA PATH SHARING VIA A SPLIT LOCAL DATA BUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided is memory device and a memory bank, comprising a global data bus, and a local data bus split into two parts, wherein the local data bus is configurable to direct signals to the global data bus. Provided also is a method in which signals are received in a local data bus that is split into two parts, and the signals are directed from the local data bus to the global data bus. Provided also is a computational device comprised of a processor and the memory device. Full Article
lit SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CIRCUITS AND A BUS CONNECTING THE CIRCUITS TO ONE ANOTHER, AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device includes a plurality of circuits, a general bus configured to be connected to each of the plurality of circuits and to provide a general channel among the plurality of circuits, and a designated bus configured to be connected to a subgroup of circuits from among the plurality of circuits and to provide a designated channel among the subgroup of circuits. Full Article
lit TRANSMISSION SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES MASTER DEVICE AND A PLURALITY OF SLAVE DEVICES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A transmission system includes: a master device; and a plurality of slave devices including a first slave device and a second slave device, each of the plurality of slave devices having its own identifier. The master device includes a processor configured to: transmit a control signal of a clock length that the first slave device does not respond to, to the plurality of slave devices at a first timing; and transmit an identifier that identifies the second slave device to the plurality of slave devices at a second timing after the first timing. The second slave device transmits data to the master device when the second slave device receives the control signal and the identifier that identifies the second slave device. Full Article
lit METHOD FOR INCREASING THE COMPATIBILITY OF DISPLAYPORT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for increasing compatibility of DisplayPort includes: providing a first source device, a second source device, a controller, and a sink device, wherein the first source device is connected to the controller; the first source device transmitting a first image signal to the sink device via a main link for displaying the first image signal on the sink device; causing the controller to disconnect from the first source device and connect to the second source device; executing a simulation process to generate a DC level variation on an auxiliary channel between the controller and the sink device; the second source device transmitting auxiliary data to the sink device; the sink device transmitting link data back to the second source device; and the second source device transmitting a second image signal to the sink device via a second main link for displaying the second image signal on the sink device. Full Article
lit Method for separating positive-pole active substance and method for recovering valuable metals from lithium ion battery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention aims at improving a recovery rate of a positive-pole active substance and preventing a recovery loss of valuable metals when a positive-pole active substance is separated from a lithium ion battery. In the present invention, a material resulting from battery dismantling obtained by dismantling a lithium ion battery is stirred using a surfactant solution, whereby a positive-pole active substance is separated from a positive-electrode substrate. Also, it is preferable that an alkaline solution is added to a positive-electrode material of a material resulting from battery dismantling, thereby dissolving a positive-electrode substrate to which a positive-pole active substance adheres to obtain a slurry containing the positive-pole active substance, and a surfactant solution is added to the slurry to disperse the positive-pole active substance in the slurry, whereby the positive-pole active substance is separated from the alkaline solution. Full Article
lit Thin gauge steel sheet excellent in surface conditions, formability, and workability and method for producing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides ultralow carbon thin gauge steel sheet and a method for producing the same where coalescence and growth of inclusions in the molten steel are prevented and the inclusions are finely dispersed in the steel sheet, whereby surface defects and cracks at the time of press forming are prevented, growth of recrystallized grains at the time of continuous annealing is promoted, and a high r value (r value≧2.0) and elongation (total elongation≧50%) are exhibited, that is, ultralow carbon thin gauge steel sheet excellent in surface conditions, formability, and workability comprised of, by mass %, 0.00030.003%≦C≦0.003%, Si≦0.01%, Mn≦0.1%, P≦0.02%, S≦0.01%, 0.0005%≦N≦0.0025%, 0.01%≦acid soluble Ti≦0.07%, acid soluble Al≦0.003%, and 0.002%≦La+Ce+Nd≦0.02% and a balance of iron and unavoidable impurities, said steel sheet characterized by containing at least cerium oxysulfite, lanthanum oxysulfite, and neodymium oxysulfite. Full Article
lit High Al-content steel sheet excellent in workability and method of production of same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a high Al-content steel sheet having an excellent workability and a method of production of the same at a low cost by mass production, a high Al-content metal foil and a method of production of the same, and a metal substrate using a high Al-content metal foil, that is, a high Al-content steel sheet having an Al content of 6.5 mass % to 10 mass %, the high Al-content steel sheet characterized by having one or both of a {222} plane integration of an α-Fe crystal with respect to the surface of the steel sheet of 60% to 95% or a {200} plane integration of 0.01% to 15% and a method of production of the same, a high Al-content metal foil and a method of production of the same, and a metal substrate using a high Al-content metal foil. Full Article
lit Method for manufacturing high strength galvanized steel sheet with excellent formability By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of manufacturing a high-strength galvanized steel sheet includes hot-rolling a slab to form a steel sheet; during continuous annealing, heating the steel sheet to a temperature of 750° C. to 900° C. at an average heating rate of at least 10° C./s at a temperature of 500° C. to an A1 transformation point; holding that temperature for at least 10 seconds; cooling the steel sheet from 750° C. to a temperature of (Ms point—100° C.) to (Ms point—200° C.) at an average cooling rate of at least 10° C./s; reheating the steel sheet to a temperature of 350° C. to 600° C.; holding that temperature for 10 to 600 seconds; and galvanizing the steel sheet. Full Article
lit Bearing steel being excellent both in workability after spheroidizing-annealing and in hydrogen fatigue resistance property after quenching and tempering By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is bearing steel excellent in workability after spheroidizing-annealing and in hydrogen fatigue resistance property after quenching and tempering. The bearing steel has a chemical composition containing, by mass %: 0.85% to 1.10% C; 0.30% to 0.80% Si; 0.90% to 2.00% Mn; 0.025% or less P; 0.02% or less S; 0.05% or less Al; 1.8% to 2.5% Cr; 0.15% to 0.4% Mo; 0.0080% or less N; and 0.0020% or less O, which further contains more than 0.0015% to 0.0050% or less Sb, with the balance being Fe and incidental impurities, to thereby effectively suppress the generation of WEA even in environment where hydrogen penetrates into the steel, so as to improve the roiling contact fatigue life and also the workability such as cuttability and forgeability of the material. Full Article
lit Galvannealed steel sheet having excellent formability and exfoliation resistance after adhesion and production method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The galvannealed steel sheet includes: a galvannealed layer formed on at least one surface of a steel sheet and contains includes an amount of 0.05 mass % to 0.5 mass % of Al, an amount of 6 mass % of 12 mass % of Fe, and the balance composed of Zn and inevitable impurities; and a mixed layer formed on a surface of the galvannealed layer and includes a composite oxide of Mn, Zn, and P and an aqueous P compound, wherein the composite oxide includes 0.1 mg/m2 to 100 mg/m2 of Mn, an amount of 1 mg/m2 to 100 mg/m2 of P, and Zn, and a P/Mn ratio is 0.3 to 50, and wherein the total size of an area of the mixed layer in which an attached amount of P is equal to or more than 20 mg/m2 is 20% to 80% of a surface area of the mixed layer. Full Article
lit Splitting wedge By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 08:00:00 EDT A splitting wedge includes at least a wedge (1), an external sleeve (3), and a wedge sleeve (2). The wedge sleeve (2) and the external sleeve (3) are connected to one another by providing one with a flange (8, 10) and the other with a groove (7, 9), the flange (8, 10) and the groove (7, 9) being substantially perpendicular with respect to a direction of motion (B) of the wedge (1), and by arranging the flange (8, 10) in the groove (7, 9). Full Article
lit Masonry block multi-splitting apparatus and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for splitting a plurality of masonry blocks is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of first splitting blades that are configured to simultaneously move in a first direction, so as to split one of each of the plurality of masonry blocks into two or more sections during a single splitting operation. Each section has a first split surface. A plurality of second splitting blades is provided, where each is perpendicular and adjacent to one of the first splitting blades. Each of the second splitting blades is configured to form a second split surface on one of the masonry block sections that is perpendicular to at least one of the first split surfaces. Full Article
lit Systems and processes for improving distillate yield and quality By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT Systems and processes for improving quality and yield of one or more distillate products generated in a distillation column are disclosed. The system comprises a feed inlet distributor that reduces the amount of liquid entrained in vapor rising from the feed zone of the distillation column, a wash zone collection apparatus having an improved design for collecting slop wax falling from a liquid/vapor contacting structure provided in the wash zone, a recirculation subsystem for recirculating at least a portion of the collected slop wax to the top of the wash zone for distribution as wash oil, and a control subsystem. The feed inlet distributor ensures a horizontal fluid flow path free of transverse surfaces thereby minimizing atomization of liquid droplets entrained in vapor in the feed stream. Full Article
lit Split-shell fractionation columns and associated processes for separating aromatic hydrocarbons By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST Split-shell fractionation columns and associated processes for separating aromatic hydrocarbons. A split-shell fractionation column includes a housing shell having a first height and a partition having a second height and disposed within the housing shell. The partition includes first and second vertically oriented baffles separated by a gap region, a seal plate connecting top ends of the baffles, a first input port formed to extend through the partition for the introduction of a gas into the gap region, and a first output port formed to extend outwardly from a bottom of the gap region and through the housing shell. The partition defines a first distillation zone and a second distillation zone within the housing shell. Full Article
lit System and process for producing high quality gasoline by catalytic hydrocarbon recombination By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A system and process for the preparation of high quality gasoline through recombination of catalytic hydrocarbon includes fractionator and extractor. The upper part of the fractionator is equipped with light petrol pipeline, the lower part of the fractionator is equipped with heavy petrol pipeline, the middle part of the fractionator is equipped with medium petrol pipeline. The medium petrol pipeline is connected with a medium petrol extractor, the upper part of the medium petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol raffinate oil hydrogenation unit through the pipeline, the lower part of the medium petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol aromatic hydrocarbon hydrogenation unit through the pipeline. The medium petrol aromatic hydrocarbon hydrogenation unit is then connected with the light petrol pipeline in the upper part of the fractionator through the pipeline, the lower part of the heavy petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol aromatic hydrocarbon hydrogenation unit through the pipeline, the upper part of the heavy petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol raffinate oil hydrogenation unit through the pipeline. Full Article
lit Method for producing hoods and arrangement of a plurality of hoods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a method for producing hoods in the form of hair nets having meshes, creating hoods having a first dimension over the head from front to rear and a second dimension crosswise thereto. A strand (20) of a net having a mesh (23) is created from threads (21). The strand (20) has two longitudinal sides. The number of meshes (23) of the net crosswise to the longitudinal sides corresponds to the number of meshes (11) of the hair net to be produced along the first or second dimension of the hair net. On or neighboring the two longitudinal sides of the strand (20), one elastic thread (22) each is fed into the outer meshes (23) of the net. At specified, regular distances, the two elastic threads (22) are guided together and connected to one another. The distance is chosen such that the number of meshes (23) of the net between two connection points (24) in the longitudinal direction of the strand (20) corresponds to the number of meshes (11) of the hair net to be produced along the first or second dimension of the hair net. The two elastic threads (22) are connected by joining to one another by means of a sealing and/or melting process. A weakness (25) is introduced in the connection region (24). Full Article
lit Beverage containers with detection capability By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and systems described herein include individual-use beverage containers including sensors and methods of their use. Beverage containers include: a vessel body configured to hold a beverage; and at least one sensor associated with the vessel body, the at least one sensor including a sensor configured to detect one or more substance in a fluid. Systems include: at least one beverage container including at least one sensor configured to detect one or more substance in fluid; and at least one external device including at least one port configured for communication with the at least one sensor. Methods include: detecting one or more substance within fluid with at least one sensor integral to a beverage container; and interfacing one or more of the at least one sensor with an external device. Full Article
lit Compositions and Methods for Improving Rebaudioside M Solubility By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Rebaudioside M compositions with improved aqueous solubility and methods for preparing the same are provided herein. The rebaudioside M compositions include (i) disordered crystalline compositions comprising rebaudioside M and rebaudioside D, (ii) spray-dried compositions comprising rebaudioside M, rebaudioside D and steviol glycoside mixtures and/or rebaudioside B and/or NSF-02, (iii) spray-dried compositions comprising rebaudioside M, rebaudioside D and at least one surfactant, polymer, saponin, carbohydrate, polyol, preservative or a combination thereof. Sweetened compositions, such a beverages, containing the rebaudioside M compositions with improved water solubility are also provided herein. Full Article
lit METHOD TO PRODUCE A MODULAR, EASILY CUSTOMIZABLE, EASILY AERATE-ABLE ICE, NO ICE CREAM MACHINE NEEDED ICE CREAM AND FROZEN DAIRY AND NON-DAIRY DESSERT DRY MIX WITH ENHANCED SOLUBILITY AND HYDRATION PROPERTIES, AND PRODUCTS MADE BY THAT METHOD. By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure describes a simple, low cost method to produce a modular dry mix that can easily be modified and customized to produce a wide range of easy to aerate, no ice cream machine needed, ice cream and frozen dairy and non-dairy desserts and products made by this process. The method relies on successive simultaneous particle size reduction and blending steps without the use of traditional mix drying operations. The formulations produced by this process are modular and allow quick and simple ingredient substitutions to create distinct finished products. The process yields mixes that produce stronger, more stable foams that don't leave an oily mouth feel. The disclosure also includes a formulation and process used to make ice cream, and related frozen dairy and non-dairy desserts at room temperature in one step where the ingredients do not need to be aged, or homogenized, and aeration occurs without the need for simultaneous cooling or freezing. The process allows the end-user to control and vary the texture, freezing rate, melting point and eating qualities of the product without the use of traditional, home or industrial ice cream machines and a product made by this process. A product produced from this mix consists of a (protein-concentrate and emulsifier)—stabilized, protein-based foam created by combining a powder mix with one or a combination of a large range of above freezing temp liquids then immediately whisking the mixture at room temp to a target overrun without pre-aging, and then freezing that product statically till desired hardness is achieved. The main execution of this process involves the use of dry powders that are transported and sold dry and then reconstituted by the end user before they are combined without pre-treatment, freezing homogenization or aging. The manufacturing process offers significant advantages over current dry mix production methods which require significant upfront investment and produce hard to customize mixes. The formulation and finished product making portions of the invention offer significant improvement over existing manufacturing methods for frozen desserts and dessert mixes that require simultaneous freezing and aeration in terms of cost, convenience, customizability, shelf-stability and environmental impact. Full Article
lit Cereal-Based Product with Improved Eating Quality Fortified with Dietary Fiber and/or Calcium By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Inhibition of expansion of a cereal product, such as a ready-to-eat cereal, by a particulate insoluble component such as fiber and/or calcium is avoided by pelletizing the particulate insoluble component. A binder component, such as gelatinized starch, is used to bind particles of the particulate insoluble component into a coherent mass which is formed into non-expanded pellets for fortification of the cereal product. The expanded cereal products, such as extruded puffed RTE cereals which contain the pellets, exhibit a crisp, uniform texture and cell structure, improved, prolonged bowl life, a non-gritty mouthfeel, and a smooth, uniform surface appearance even though they are fortified with high amounts of the solid or particulate insoluble nutritional components. Full Article
lit NUTRIENT DELIVERY SYSTEM COMPRISING NUTRITIONAL POWDER COMPRISING PHOSPHOLIPIDS TO IMPROVE WETTABILITY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein is a nutrient delivery system that provides a nutritional formula for consumption. The nutrient delivery system includes a pod and a nutritional powder comprising at least one phospholipid. The nutritional formula has improved characteristics, such as decreased foaming. Full Article
lit Methods and systems for in-process quality control during drill-fill assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for assembling a structure is described. The method includes locating a position in an assembly stack-up where a one-sided fastener is to be installed, drilling a hole through the assembly stack-up at the position, countersinking the hole to a specified depth, operating a calibrated probe to determine at least parameter associated with one or more of the hole and the stack-up proximate the hole, inserting the one-sided fastener into the hole, applying a rotational torque to the one-sided fastener to complete installation of the one-sided fastener, and comparing a measurement of angular displacement required to complete installation of the one-sided fastener to a range of angular displacement indicative of correct installation of the fastener. Full Article
lit Manufacturability of ePTFE laminated membranes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods for manufacturing laminated membranes for MEAs, such methods comprising (i) providing a substrate, a catalyst ink fluid, and a first membrane fluid; (ii) providing a second membrane fluid; (iii) simultaneously coating the catalyst ink fluid onto the substrate, the first membrane fluid onto the catalyst ink fluid, and the second membrane fluid onto the first membrane fluid; and (iv) applying a reinforcement layer (such as ePTFE) and allowing for full imbibement. The second membrane fluid (i) consists of alcohol or (ii) is an alcohol-rich fluid comprising polymer electrolyte. Full Article
lit Production method for artificial marble containing amethyst and vermiculite By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a method of producing an artificial marble containing amethyst and vermiculite. The artificial marble includes amethyst representing superior performance in terms of a far-infrared emission effect and an antimicrobial property with a fine appearance, and vermiculite serving as an inorganic filler material and representing a superior adiabatic effect with a light weight. The artificial marble has a structure in which the first base layer including amethyst and the second base layer including vermiculite are laminated on each other. Full Article
lit Method for manufacturing monolithic ceramic electronic components By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A ceramic green sheet laminate is produced by stacking ceramic green sheets, each including conductive films for forming first or second internal electrodes on a surface thereof. A first cutting step is performed in which the ceramic green sheet laminate is cut to form first and second end surfaces at which the first or second internal electrodes are exposed. A second cutting step is performed in which the ceramic green sheet laminate is cut to form first and second side surfaces at which the first and second internal electrodes are exposed. In the second cutting step, the ceramic green sheet laminate is pressed and cut by moving a cutting blade in a length direction or a width direction. Full Article
lit Engineered soilless plant culitvation medium By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST An engineered soilless plant cultivation medium for potting applications includes specific balanced amounts of nutrient additives. Major nutrient cations (Ca, Mg, K, Na, H) are balanced according to optimal base saturation percentage ranges. Nutrient levels, namely, the amount of major nutrient cations, major nutrient anions and minor nutrients satisfy desired ranges for both standard Mehlich III soil extraction tests and saturated paste tests. Full Article
lit Recovery of phosphorous from poultry litter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A chemical extractant selected from solutions of K2SO4 and/or Na2SO4 can be used by contacting with untreated broiler litter to selectively and efficiently remove phosphorous from the broiler litter. The broiler litter and extractant solution mixture, after a suitable time, can be separated, such as by filtration. The resulting treated broiler litter is thus significantly lower in P content without being lower by an undesirable amount in more preferred minerals. The treated litter so obtained is suitable for crop soil augmentation. Further, phosphorous can be thereafter precipitated in the form of phytic acid. Since the precipitate is high in mineral content, it can be used for other purposes (e.g., plant food, etc.). Full Article
lit Use of synergistic microorganisms and nutrients to produce signals that facilitate the germination and plant root colonization of mycorrhizal fungi in phosphorus rich environments By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A composition of matter comprising: a combination of a phytate and a plurality of microorganisms comprising a Trichoderma virens fungus, a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens bacterium, and one or a plurality of mycorrhizae fungi that is placed in the vicinity of a plant root in a manner that allows the microorganisms in the composition of matter to colonize said plant root; and a method for increasing plant yield comprising: placing a combination of a phytate and a plurality of microorganisms comprising a Trichoderma virens fungus, a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens bacterium, and one or a plurality of mycorrhizae fungi in the vicinity of a plant root in a manner that allows the microorganisms in the composition of matter to colonize said plant root. Full Article
lit Stability Control Sharing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system that receives and analyzes a connected vehicle's safety feature activation and the location of activation on a road to determine if a hazard condition exist and providing an alert on a subscriber's vehicle or wireless device. Weather information for the location of the activation, highway engineering information for the location of the activation and other connected vehicles' safety feature activation at the location are also considered in the determination if the hazardous condition exists on the road. The hazardous condition alert can also be sent to the highway transportation department so that the hazardous condition can be mitigated. Full Article
lit No-spill tackle, tool or utility box By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The unique element of this tackle box can also be applied to a toolbox, sewing box, or any other type of utility box used for carrying various supplies. That unique element is the handle itself and the way that it automatically secures the top lid of the box when it's being carried and in the fact that the handle itself is attached to lower portion of the box and not attached to the lid, as is the case for most prior inventions that are similar. By attaching the handle to the lower portion of the box and not the lid, this invention solves the problem that occurs when the user commonly forgets to secure the lid (as required in prior related inventions with this design flaw) resulting in accidental spillage of its contents. Full Article
lit Method, apparatus and system for testing the self-sealing capabilities of a concrete sample By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method, apparatus and system for testing the self-sealing properties of a concrete sample. The method may include providing an apparatus for creating a consistent and reproducible crack in a concrete sample and creating a consistent and reproducible crack in the concrete sample with the apparatus. The method may further include providing a fluidic delivery system that provides a consistent flow of fluid for testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample and testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample with the system. Full Article
lit Fairing having improved stability By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus including a fairing having a tail portion and an end portion capable of suppressing a vortex-induced vibration of a tubular. The apparatus further including a stabilizing member attached to the end portion of the fairing, the stabilizing member dimensioned to increase a thickness of the end portion of the fairing and a flange member attached to the stabilizing member, the flange member dimensioned to increase a chord dimension of the fairing so as to improve a stability of the fairing. Full Article
lit Oil spill clean-up vessel with ice displacement capabilities By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An oil spill clean-up apparatus and method, and more specifically to a self-contained oil spill clean-up vessel with ice displacement capabilities. One preferred oil spill clean-up system includes a vessel subsystem, an ice displacement subsystem, and an oil spill skimming subsystem. Preferred oil spill clean-up systems may include at least one storage subsystem. Preferred oil spill clean-up systems may include an oil/water separation and removal subsystem. Full Article
lit Controlled access to functionality of a wireless device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Various embodiments of the invention may be used to verify that a person being authorized by biometric techniques to use a device is a living person and not some form of recording intended to spoof the system. Some embodiments may try to cause a change in a measured biometric feature, and compare images taken before and after the change to verify the change occurred. In some embodiments, multiple stages of verification may be used, either to increase the difficulty of spoofing the security system, or to provide different levels of security for different levels of access to the device's functionality. Full Article
lit Method of producing a braid comprising a plurality of wires By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a method for the production of a strand (11) of several wires (12), consisting of an electrically conductive material, which are hard drawn to a final diameter in at least a single or multiblock wire-drawing machine (19, 28) or drawing apparatus in a last drawing step before the stranding, so that in each case the wire or wires (12) have a tensile strength of at least 300N/mm2, and that subsequently the hard drawn wires (12) or a mixture of hard drawn wires (12) and soft-annealed wires are stranded into a strand (11) in a stranding machine (21), without a subsequent annealing process, as well as a strand which is produced according to the present method. Full Article
lit Methods to improve hot workability of metal alloys By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of processing an alloy workpiece to reduce thermal cracking may comprise spraying a metallic coating material onto at least a portion of a surface of the alloy workpiece to form a surface coating metallurgically bonded to the alloy workpiece. The surface coating may be more ductile than the alloy workpiece and reduces heat loss from the alloy workpiece. Full Article
lit Method of applying phase transition materials to semi-porous, flexible substrates used to control gas permeability By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Method of applying phase transition substance to impart reduced ignition propensity to a smoking article comprising a tobacco column and a wrapper surrounding the tobacco column and having a porous structure with a base permeability. The method comprising forming a pattern of phase transition material on the wrapper such that, when subjected to the heat of the tobacco column burning firecone, the phase transition material at least partially fills the wrapper porous structure in the vicinity of the burning firecone to form an area on the wrapper having reduced permeability lower than that of the wrapper base permeability. The reduced permeability of the wrapper in the vicinity of the burning firecone imparts reduced ignition propensity such that there is insufficient air flow to sustain combustion of the firecone or insufficient air flow to sustain an intensity of the burning firecone necessary to ignite the substrate. Full Article
lit Freight loading system and method for controlling a plurality of freight handling devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The application relates to freight loading systems for transporting freight items. Corresponding freight loading system comprises a freight deck having a plurality of freight handling devices, a control device which is communicatively connected to the freight handling devices in order to handle at least one freight item on the freight deck, and a remote control, which is communicatively connected to the control device in order to output control signals to the control device. The control device is intended to comprise a position determination unit for determining a remote control position on the freight deck and/or the orientation of the remote control, wherein the control unit is designed to select a number of freight handling devices and drive same depending on the control signals received and the remote control position and/or orientation of the remote control. This allows easier control of the freight items on the freight deck. Full Article
lit Split-cycle, reactivity controlled compression ignition engine and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An internal combustion engine includes a first cylinder having an intake valve in fluid communication with an intake manifold, and a second cylinder having an exhaust valve in fluid communication with an exhaust manifold. A transfer passage fluidly connects the first cylinder with the second cylinder. A first fuel injector is configured to provide a first fuel to the first cylinder, and a second fuel injector is configured to provide a second fuel to the second cylinder. The first cylinder operates, at times, to push a first air/fuel mixture through the transfer passage into the second cylinder. The second fuel injector is configured to provide at least one fuel injection plume into the first air/fuel mixture. Full Article
lit Air-fuel ratio variation abnormality detecting device and air-fuel ratio variation abnormality detecting method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In an engine having a plurality of cylinders in which a plurality of fuel injection valves are provided respectively, fuel is injected at a predetermined injection ratio, and an abnormality of air-fuel ratio variation is detected. If a fuel injection amount of at least one of the plurality of the fuel injection valves is smaller than a predetermined reference value, the fuel injection amount is increased so as to become equal to or larger than the reference value. Full Article
lit Using SQL extensibility for processing dynamically typed XML data in XQuery queries By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST XQuery queries that include functions that operate on dynamically typed XML data are rewritten into compilable SQL constructs. XML data that is dynamically typed is XML data for which a specific XML data type cannot be determined at compile time and in fact may vary. In general, XQuery queries are rewritten into SQL queries that use SQL constructs in lieu of XQuery constructs. The SQL constructs include an “SQL polymorphic function” that is defined or recognized by a database system as valid syntax for an SQL query. The rewritten query applies the XML data to the SQL polymorphic function, but the XML data has been typed as XMLType, a data type recognized by SQL standards. Full Article
lit System and method for preventing race condition vulnerability By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST A method for identifying vulnerable system call pairs is disclosed. The method is based on a model for identifying Time-Of-Check-To-Time-Of-Use (TOCTTOU) problem (called STEM), which enumerates the potential file system call pairs (called exploitable TOCTTOU pairs) that form the check/use steps. The system function calls are classified into a plurality of predefined classes and pairs of the function calls are formed according to predefined criteria, where the function calls within a pair are associated with the same file invariant. Full Article
lit Hydraulic arrangement for actuating a plurality of shift rails By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hydraulic arrangement by which a plurality of shift rails of a transmission are actuated, including one double acting cylinder per shift rail by which the respective shift rail can be moved back and forth. A first hydraulic valve is connected upstream of the plurality of shift rails and has a first output and a second output, by which a first shift pressure and a second shift pressure for actuating the shift rails can be provided. A second hydraulic valve is connected between the first hydraulic valve and two of the shift rails, and by which it is selectively possible for the first output of the first hydraulic valve to be associated with one of the double acting cylinders of the two shift rails, and the second output of the first hydraulic valve to be associated with the other double acting cylinder of the two shift rails. Full Article
lit Rocker assembly having improved durability By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A durable system is disclosed for controlling variable valve actuation of an engine valve corresponding to a cylinder of an automobile engine. The system is designed to have a durability that exceeds the expected life of a conventional automobile engine. The system includes first crowned cam having a first lift profile, a second crowned cam having a second lift profile, and a rocker arm assembly. The rocker assembly includes a first arm having an end connected to said engine valve, having a high impact roller following the first crowned cam operating the engine valves according to a first lift profile. The rocker arm assembly also includes a second arm having slider pads riding on the second crowned cam to operate said engine valve according to a second lift profile. The slider pads have a sliding surface covered with an impact-resistant multilayer coating with its outermost coating being a wear-resistant coating. A latch having adjustable latch lash secures the second arm relative to the first arm when in a latched position causing the valve to operate according to a second lift profile when the latch is in a latched position, and the valve is operated according to a first lift profile when the latch is not in a latched position. Full Article
lit Method for evaluating mounting stability of articulated arm coordinate measurement machine using inclinometers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine can include a base, a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, an electronic circuit that receives the position signals from the transducers, a first inclinometer coupled to the base, wherein the inclinometer is configured to produce a first electrical signal responsive to an angle of tilt of the base and an electrical system configured to record a first reading of the first inclinometer and a second reading of the first inclinometer, wherein the first reading is in response to at least one of a first force applied to the base and a third force applied to the mounting structure, wherein the second reading is in response to at least one of a second force applied to the base and a fourth force applied to the mounting structure. Full Article
lit Lithium Silicate Glass Ceramic and Glass with ZrO2 Content By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Lithium silicate glass ceramics and glasses are described which can advantageously be applied to zirconium oxide ceramics in particular by pressing-on in the viscous state and form a solid bond with these. Full Article
lit METHOD OF OPERATING A POWER PATH WITH CONTINUOUSLY POWER-SPLIT TRANSMISSION AND WITH SECONDARILY COUPLED POWER SPLIT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for operating a vehicle drive-train having a continuously power-branched transmission with secondary coupling. In the open operating condition of reversing clutches of a reversing gear unit, torque applied in the area of a drive output can be supported by a range group in the area of a variator. In the event of a command to interrupt the power flow between a drive engine and the drive output, it is checked whether the vehicle is on an inclined surface and if the result of that inquiry is positive, the power flow between the drive engine and the transmission is interrupted at the latest when the rotational speed of the drive output is reduced to zero by opening the reversing clutches, while the active connection between the drive output and the variator is maintained by way of the range group. Full Article
lit Polymer composition having heat-absorbing properties and high stability to weathering By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a polymer composition which absorbs infrared radiation (IR), containing a transparent thermoplastic plastic, an inorganic infrared absorber, also referred to as IR absorber hereinbelow, at least one inorganic nano-scale pigment, and the combination of at least two organic coloring agents of a specific structure, and to the preparation and use of the polymer compositions according to the invention and to products produced therefrom. Full Article
lit SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A PLURALITY OF POWER SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A power conversion system may include a plurality of power devices and a sensor operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of power devices and configured to detect a voltage, current, or electromagnetic signature signal associated with the plurality of power devices. The power converter may also include circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of power devices and the sensor. The circuitry may send a respective gate signal to each respective power device of the plurality of power devices, such that each respective gate signal is delayed by a respective compensation delay that is determined for the respective power device based on a respective time delay of the respective power device and a maximum time delay of the plurality of power devices. Full Article