nfi Apparatus for infill extraction and collection By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for extracting and collecting particulate infill from an infilled artificial turf field. A vehicle has a first forward end and a second rearward end. An infill extractor is located at the first end of the vehicle and adapted to extract infill from a strip of infilled athletic turf. Extracted infill falls into a bottom section of the infill extractor. An infill mover is secured to the vehicle and adapted to move the extracted infill from the bottom section of the infill extractor toward the second end of the vehicle. An infill collector is connected to the second end of the vehicle and operable to cooperate with the infill mover to collect the moved infill. The infill collector includes a frame that is laterally movable relative to the vehicle from an operative “in use” position to a stowed position. Full Article
nfi Reconfigurable fixed suspension semi-trailer, flatbed or chassis By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reconfigurable fixed position suspension and support structure attached to the trailer body using a locking device consisting of pins, bolts and/or other fastening devices. The support structure has a removable locking device that when attached to the support structure locks the support structure and suspension into a fixed position relative to the trailer body. When the trailer is not in operation, the locking device can be removed allowing the suspension group to be reconfigured, and each suspension to be repositioned relative to the trailer body. The removable locking device is then reattached to the suspension support structure locking the support structure and suspension into a new fixed position relative to the trailer body. Full Article
nfi Detection apparatus configured to detect soft X-ray radiation and detection system configured to detect soft X-ray radiation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT A detection apparatus configured to detect soft X-ray radiation, includes a conversion unit and a circuit unit disposed on a semiconductor substrate. The conversion unit has a plurality of conversion elements that convert the soft X-ray radiation incident on the semiconductor substrate into electric charge. The circuit unit has an amplifier transistor that amplifies and outputs a signal supplied from the conversion unit. A shielding unit is disposed above the circuit unit. The shielding unit blocks the soft X-ray radiation incident on the circuit unit. Preferably, the soft X-ray shielding coefficient of a material that forms the shielding unit is higher than the soft X-ray shielding coefficient of each of aluminum and copper. Alternatively, a material that forms the shielding unit has an atomic number higher than or equal to 70. Full Article
nfi Multiplexed configurable sigma delta modulators for noise shaping in a 25-percent duty cycle digital transmitter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A modulator generates a baseband digital signal from an information-bearing digital signal. The baseband signal has time-varying phase and amplitude defined by a sequence of complex data words, each having an in-phase (I) component and a quadrature (Q) component. A noise-shaping modulator generates a noise-shaped digital signal from the baseband digital signal such that quantization noise in the noise-shaping modulator is attenuated by a spectral null of its noise transfer function. The spectral null is selected by a noise-shaping parameter corresponding to a selected one of a plurality of output frequencies. A signal converter generates an analog signal conveying the information of the information-bearing digital signal on an analog carrier signal having the selected output frequency. Full Article
nfi Apparatus, system and method for configuring signal modulation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST Techniques and mechanisms for configuring logic to implement a signal modulation. In an embodiment, the logic includes a finite impulse response (FIR) module comprising circuitry. The selection circuitry may be operable to concurrently receive signals from latch circuitry of the FIR module and, based on the signals, to select an input group of the selection circuitry and to output a voltage identifier. In another embodiment, configuration logic is operable to set an operational mode which determines a total number of concurrent input signals, received by the FIR module, which the FIR module will use to select an input group for generating an output representing a voltage level. Full Article
nfi Reversible folio for tablet computer with reversible connection for keyboard and reading configuration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reversible folio for a tablet computer has a tablet shell with a cavity removably receiving the tablet computer. A keyboard is pivotally and removably coupled to the tablet shell. A channel is pivotally coupled to an edge of the keyboard. An interior of the channel removably receives the proximal edge of the tablet shell, and has a profile mating with a profile of the tablet shell. The channel and proximal edge have first and second symmetrical magnet arrays, respectively. The proximal edge of the tablet shell physically mates with the channel of the keyboard, and the second magnet array of the tablet shell magnetically mates with the first magnet array of the channel, in both a first orientation and an opposite second orientation. Full Article
nfi Hydraulic engine with infinity drive By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A system comprises a first piston comprising a first piston shaft and a first drive pin. A first piston cylinder comprises a first body and a first groove, wherein the first groove defines a first aperture, the first aperture oriented axially along the first body and configured to receive the first drive pin. The first body encloses the first piston and allows the first piston to travel axially within the first piston cylinder. A drive shaft comprises an axis, a drive groove, and a surface, wherein the drive groove forms a continuous channel along the surface and receives the first drive pin. In one embodiment, a first distribution wheel comprises a first face, a second face, a first inlet aperture, and a first outlet aperture. The first distribution wheel couples to the first piston cylinder and to the drive shaft at a first end of the drive shaft, and rotates axially with the drive shaft along the axis of the drive shaft. The first inlet aperture allows hydraulic fluid to pass through the first face and the second face and the first outlet aperture defines a groove on the second face. Full Article
nfi Bumper energy absorber with sensor and configured lobes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A vehicle bumper system comprises a bumper reinforcement beam and an energy absorber with top and bottom rows of similarly-shaped spaced-apart crush lobes in alternating relation for uniform impact resistance across the bumper system. The illustrated top row of crush lobes provides a high first force-deflection curve for high impact forces, and the bottom row of crush lobes provides a lower second force-deflection curve, for pedestrian reduced injury. An elongated sensor is positioned under shear walls of the top and bottom crush lobes, and is retained by tabs on the energy absorber. This positively retains the sensor in position on the bumper system, with few (or zero) separate fasteners, while facilitating quick assembly and reliable operation of the sensor tube. Full Article
nfi Material reducing machine convertible between a grinding configuration and a chipping configuration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to a material reducing machine convertible between a grinding configuration and a chipping configuration. The material reducing machine includes a rotary component that is rotatable about an axis of rotation, the rotary component defining a grinding configuration boundary that extends at least partially around the axis of rotation. The material reducing machine also includes a plurality of hammers secured to the rotary component, the hammers including end portions that project outwardly beyond the grinding configuration boundary of the rotary component. Furthermore, the material reducing machine includes a boundary enlarging structure that mounts over the rotary component, the boundary enlarging structure defining a chipping configuration boundary that extends at least partially around the axis of rotation when the boundary enlarging structure is mounted over the rotary component, the chipping configuration boundary being positioned outside the grinding configuration boundary. The boundary enlarging structure is not mounted over the rotary component when the material reducing machine is in the grinding configuration and the boundary enlarging structure is mounted over the rotary component when the material reducing machine is in the chipping configuration. Full Article
nfi 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
nfi Rotor configuration for reaction drive rotor system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A rotor system is disclosed for a reactive drive rotary wing aircraft. Apparatus and methods are disclosed for maintaining the rigidity of the rotor and eliminating play between flight controls and the rotor by mounting swashplate actuators to a flange rigidly secured to the mast. Methods are disclosed for modulating the temperature of oil pumped over one or more of the mast bearing, swashplate bearing, and spindle bearing. The temperature of air passively or actively drawn through rotor may also be modulated to maintain bearing temperature within a predetermined range. Structures for reducing pressure losses and drag on components due to air flow through the rotor are also disclosed. A rotor facilitating thermal management by oil and air flow is also disclosed. Surfaces interfacing between the swashplate and the mast and between control rods and the swashplate or pitch horn may bear a solid lubricant layer. Full Article
nfi 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
nfi Reconfigurable cement composition, articles made therefrom and method of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pourable aqueous cement composition is disclosed. The cement composition comprises a hydraulic cement, water and a selectively removable material comprising a plurality of selectively corrodible metal powder particles dispersed within the cement or a nanomatrix powder compact, or a combination thereof. An article, including a downhole article, and more particularly a reconfigurable downhole article is disclosed. The article includes a hydraulic cement, wherein the hydraulic cement has at least partially set into a permanent form. The article also includes a selectively removable material dispersed within the cement, the selectively removable material comprising a plurality of selectively corrodible metal powder particles dispersed within the cement or a nanomatrix powder compact, or a combination thereof, wherein the selectively removable material is configured for removal in response to a predetermined wellbore condition. Full Article
nfi Cement compositions for cementing in confined locales and methods for use thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT When conducting cementing operations within confined locales, such as the annular space within a wellbore, it can sometimes be difficult to successfully deliver an uncured cement composition to a desired location. Cementing methods can comprise: providing a cement composition comprising a cement and a property control package, the property control package comprising: a filtration control agent; a friction reducer; and a setting accelerator; introducing the cement composition into a mineral exploration wellbore; and setting the cement composition in the wellbore. Full Article
nfi Cabling configuration for railless elevators By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An elevator including a car is arranged in a shaft. A set of compensator cables are attached to a bottom of the car and engaged with a compensator drum. A set of hoist cables are attached to a top of the car and engaged with a hoist drum to move the car vertically in the shaft, wherein the set of compensator cables and the set of hoist cables are configured to only move the car vertically. Full Article
nfi Movement system configured for moving a payload in a plurality of directions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A movement system includes a bridge crane, a trolley, and a movement device. The movement device includes an attachment portion, a plurality of housings, first and second curved elements, a cable, and a cable angle sensor. The curved elements are pivotally attached to housings and perpendicularly overlap with one another such that a first slot defined in the first curved element is perpendicular to a second slot defined in the second curved element. The first curved element is pivotable about a first axis and the second curved element is configured to pivot about a second axis. The cable extends from the attachment portion and through each of the slots. The cable is pivotable to angularly displace at least one of the curved elements about a respective axis. The cable angle sensor is configured to measure the angular displacement of the at least one of the first and second curved elements. Full Article
nfi Flexible, multi-piece, multi-configuration concrete form system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The present invention is directed to a flexible concrete form system having both flexible and rigid parts that are easily assembled and disassembled using a multi-contact point connection system. The concrete form system can be extended or stacked in a wide variety of configurations to accommodate almost any desired concrete shape. Full Article
nfi Display device utilizing a flexible substrate configured to be folded By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A flexible display device including: a flexible substrate having a display area and a moisture absorption area at a surface; a display unit at the display area; a moisture absorption layer at the moisture absorption area; and a sealant along an edge of the display area and configured to seal the moisture absorption layer and the display unit. The flexible substrate is configured to be folded at least one time, and the display area and the moisture absorption area are opposite to each other. Full Article
nfi Pouring adaptor assembly compatible with multiple bucket lid configurations By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pouring adaptor assembly compatible with multiple bucket lid types includes a pouring tube and a threaded adaptor. The pouring tube includes an opening and an angled proximate end for steadily pouring a liquid. The threaded adaptor includes an inner thread and an outer thread, the two threads for connecting to bucket lid openings of varying widths. The pouring tube includes a tapered lower ridge for snap connecting to a bucket lid having a non-threaded opening. Full Article
nfi Inductrack III configuration—a maglev system for high loads By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Inductrack III configurations are suited for use in transporting heavy freight loads. Inductrack III addresses a problem associated with the cantilevered track of the Inductrack II configuration. The use of a cantilevered track could present mechanical design problems in attempting to achieve a strong enough track system such that it would be capable of supporting very heavy loads. In Inductrack III, the levitating portion of the track can be supported uniformly from below, as the levitating Halbach array used on the moving vehicle is a single-sided one, thus does not require the cantilevered track as employed in Inductrack II. Full Article
nfi AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF VALIDATORS TO VALIDATE DEPLOYMENT CODE USED FOR CONFIGURING SERVERS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A validation system is configured to automatically generate validators for one or more target systems. The validation system includes: a memory storing a computer process, a network interface configured to interface with the one or more target systems over a computer network, and a processor executing the computer process. The computer process is configured to parse the deployment code to identify components in deployment code, generate validator code for each identified component, and use the network interface to transmit the validator codes to the one or more target systems. Full Article
nfi Smartphones app-controlled configuration of footwear soles using sensors in the smartphone and the soles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A smartphone app that causes a smartphone device to actively control a configuration of footwear structural elements located in a footwear sole or removable inner sole insert of a user of the smartphone device, and one or more sensors located in either one or both of the sole or the removable inner sole insert the user's footwear and a sensor including a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer in the smartphone device; and the footwear structural elements being configured for computer control by the smartphone device when the smartphone app is operating on the smartphone device; and wherein instructions of the smartphone app, when executed, cause the smartphone device to, first, process measurement data received from the footwear and smartphone sensors and, second, use the processed measurement data to alter a configuration of the footwear structural elements based on the output from processing measurement data. Full Article
nfi 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
nfi Configuration arbiter for multiple controllers sharing a link interface By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In a system where multiple controllers share a link interface but are not all (1) compatible with the same configuration of the physical layer or (2) using the same clocking, a configuration arbitration subsystem intercepts, organizes, and re-clocks configuration-access requests from the various controller agents. Priorities are assigned according to stored policies. The configuration arbiter grants configuration access to the top-priority agent, synchronizing the agent's message with the arbiter's clock. Lower-priority agents' messages are stored in command queues until they ascend to top priority. Besides preventing timing conflicts and streamlining the coordination of clocks, the configuration arbiter may provide access to physical-layer registers beyond the controllers' built-in capabilities to further optimize configuration. Full Article
nfi USE OF LEUKOCYTES AND NOVEL BIOMARKERS IN THE DIAGNOSIS, CONFIRMATION, AND TREATMENT OF A NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides methods for assessing whether a subject is at risk of developing a neurological disorder, diagnosing or confirming whether a subject is afflicted with a neurological disorder, assessing whether PD has progressed in a subject afflicted with PD, assessing whether a neurological disorder is developing in a subject who has been identified as being at risk of developing the neurological disorder, assessing whether a subject afflicted with a neurological disorder is likely to benefit from a therapy, assessing whether a subject afflicted with a neurological disorder has benefited from a therapy, treating a subject afflicted with a neurological disorder, and prophylactically treating a subject who has been identified as being at risk of developing a neurological disorder. The present invention also provides epitopes, compounds and compositions relating to these methods. Full Article
nfi Method for quantifying classification confidence of obstructions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for quantifying classification confidence of obstructions applied to a perception mergence system of a vehicular computer in a vehicle. The method includes steps of: the vehicular computer receiving obstruction information of at least obstruction, image information corresponding to the obstruction information and vehicle body signals, and using a classifier to classify them; calculating a detection result of each range sensor to calculate a existence confidence; using the existence confidences and precision of the classifier to calculate a classification belief assignment of each range sensor corresponding to each obstruction; performing mergence calculation on the classification belief assignments to respectively quantify an obstruction classification confidence of all the range sensor corresponding to each obstruction; and performing a classification ineffectiveness filtering mechanism to exclude the obstruction whose obstruction classification confidence less than a predetermined value. The present invention quantifies the obstruction classification confidence to improve the classification precision. Full Article
nfi Luggage with an integrated weight scale and a weight scale configured to be flush with a surface of the luggage By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT A piece of luggage has a body with a surface. A weight scale has a top surface and is disposed in the body of the luggage. The top surface of the weight scale is coplanar with the surface of the body of the luggage. The weight scale determines a weight of the piece of luggage when in an operating state. When the weight scale is in a non-operating state it is stored safely within the body of the luggage. Most importantly the weight scale does not stick out from the body of the luggage so as to be susceptible to damage during transport of the luggage. Full Article
nfi Reconfigurable bag By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reconfigurable bag is disclosed. The reconfigurable bag has a center expanding section and two bottom expanding sections, all of which may be moved between stored and open configurations. Opening one or more of the expanding sections changes the shape and configuration of the bag. Full Article
nfi Apparatus configured to detect a physical quantity of a flowing fluid, and a respective method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus configured detect a physical quantity, for example a density, of a flowing fluid, the apparatus including: a sensor body (2) configured to extend into the flowing fluid, the sensor body comprising a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) of a fiber Bragg grating sensor (3, 7, FBG), for generating a detector signal relating to vibration of at least part (2B) of the sensor body (2); anda processing unit, configured to process the detector signal, and to determine the physical quantity based on detected vibration at a mechanical eigenfrequency of the flexible part (2B) of the sensor body (2). Full Article
nfi Earth-boring tools including sinterbonded components and partially formed tools configured to be sinterbonded By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT Partially formed earth-boring rotary drill bits comprise a first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component having at least one recess, and at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component disposed at least partially within the at least one recess. Each less than fully sintered particle-matrix component comprises a green or brown structure including compacted hard particles, particles comprising a metal alloy matrix material, and an organic binder material. The at least a second less than fully sintered particle-matrix component is configured to shrink at a slower rate than the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component due to removal of organic binder material from the less than fully sintered particle-matrix components in a sintering process to be used to sinterbond the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component to the first less than fully sintered particle-matrix component. Earth-boring rotary drill bits comprise such components sinterbonded together. Full Article
nfi Remote Configuration and Operation of Fitness Studios from a Central Server By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for configuring and operating one or more fitness studios each comprising a plurality of exercise stations at which users perform associated exercise routines, each station having an associated display, the method comprising, for each fitness studio, periodically retrieving, by a server from a database, fitness information for the studio in question for a specified period, from a multi-period fitness library; communicating, by the server to a studio computer, the retrieved fitness information over a communications network; periodically receiving, by the studio computer, the retrieved fitness information; configuring the exercise stations dependent upon the received fitness information; and communicating, by the studio computer to the exercise station displays, dependent upon the received fitness information, station directions to users exercising at the stations for performing an exercise. Full Article
nfi Carbon nanotubes containing confined copper azide By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT The invention concerns copper azide containing carbon nanotubes. The invention also concerns methods of producing such nanotubes by placing CuO nanoparticles within carbon nanotubes to produce CuO-containing carbon nanotubes, contacting CuO-containing carbon nanotubes with hydrogen to produce reduced nanotubes; and contacting the reduced nanotubes with hydrazoic acid to produce copper azide containing carbon nanotubes. Full Article
nfi Explosive composition having a first organic material infiltrated into a second microporous material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An energetic composition with controlled detonation having at least a first organic material and a second material, where the second material is a porous material (micro-, meso-, or macroporous), having a pore ratio of at least 10% and preferably greater than 50%, and the first material is, at least partially, infiltrated into the pores of the second material. A mixture containing such a composition, and a method for manufacturing such a composition and such a mixture. Additionally, a method for fragmenting or expanding a microporous material at nanoscale. Full Article
nfi Ironing board comprising two legs arranged in an X-configuration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT Ironing board comprising a frame supporting a top and at least two legs joined to the frame, one of the legs having an upper end pivotably mounted on a back end of the frame, the other leg having an upper end slidably mounted on said frame, the two legs being connected to one another by a pivot linkage and movable between a storage position, and a working position. Full Article
nfi Ironing board assembly with configurable ironing surface and ironing board cover therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT An ironing board assembly includes an ironing board having a main board portion and at least one auxiliary board portion that is movably connected to the main board portion such that the auxiliary board portion is movable between operating and collapsed positions. A flexible ironing board cover is attachable to the ironing board so as to cover ironing sides of both the main and the auxiliary board portions, and to provide an ironing surface for a user to iron on. A tensioner is configured to pull the flexible cover taut over the covered ironing sides such that the ironing surface extends seamlessly across any joint or gap between the main and auxiliary board portions. Full Article
nfi Lubricating configuration for maintaining wristpin oil pressure in a two-stroke cycle, opposed-piston engine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lubricating configuration in a two-stroke cycle, opposed-piston engine for a piston wristpin minimizes losses in oil pressure at the wristpin as the piston approaches bottom center and reduces the required oil supply pressure to the engine. The wristpin is constructed to absorb and store oil pressure energy when oil pressure at the wristpin is high, and to release that stored energy to pressurize the oil at the wristpin when connecting rod oil pressure is low. Full Article
nfi DYNAMICAL TIME DIVISION DUPLEX UPLINK AND DOWNLINK CONFIGURATION IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A technology is disclosed for an evolved Node B (eNB). The eNB can determine a set of configuration indication fields numbered 1 to N, included in a downlink control information (DCI) format Y carried on the PDCCH, where N=⌊LformatYM⌋, Lformat Y is equal to a payload size of the DCI format Y, and M is a number of bits of each indication field. The eNB can map the DCI format Y onto the PDCCH. The eNB can encode for transmission from to the UE the PDCCH with a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) scrambled by an enhanced interference mitigation and traffic adaptation (eIMTA) Radio-Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) for the UE. Full Article
nfi Electronic caliper configured to generate power for measurement operations By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic caliper generates power for measurement operations. The caliper comprises a scale member, a slider, a signal processing portion configured to measure a displacement between the scale member and slider, a power generating arrangement attached to the slider comprising a gear assembly configured to rotate in response to a force provided through a power generating handle to the gear assembly by a user moving the power generating handle relative to the gear assembly, and a power generator coupled to the gear assembly and configured to rotate in response to force provided by the rotating gear assembly and provide power to the signal processing portion. The power generating arrangement generates power as the user moves the power generating handle, and the power generating arrangement contributes a motion resistance force component of at most 20N as the user moves the power generating handle with a maximum manual acceleration. Full Article
nfi NOVEL CONFIGURABLE CONTAINER-SUPPORT FRAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A configurable container-support frame is disclosed. The frame includes at least two sections, each section including at least three substantially parallel telescoping members, each connected to two other members by a cross member that is substantially perpendicular to the telescoping members. The telescoping members of one section telescopically engage with the telescoping members of at least one other section and the engaged sections define a configurable volume. The frame may be disposed within an existing container, such as a bag or a box, to improve the protective capabilities of that container. Or the frame may be integrated with a surface, such as a fabric, to create a configurable container with improved protective capabilities over the surface alone. Full Article
nfi Body pillow with multiple configurations By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reconfigurable support pillow comprising an elongate center section with a short, curved arm on each end. Between each of the arms and the center section is a substantially flat connecting section with inwardly curved side edges. This shape allows the pillow to be placed into several configurations. In a first configuration, the center section is bent and the connecting sections overlap each other without creating a thickened area at the point where the connecting sections cross. Additionally, the curved ends of the pillow arms can be overlapped providing an oval configuration with a double thickness at one side. Still further, the pillow can be used with the center section straight and curved arms turned inward towards each other. Each configuration provides different advantages and use. The pillow may comprise a washable cover with removable inserts. Full Article
nfi DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING FUEL EFFICIENT CANDLES CONFIGURED WITH HELICAL WICKS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 06 Apr 2017 08:00:00 EDT Helical wick candle and method of manufacturing this candle. The candle typically comprises a candle with meltable fuel such as wax, and at least one helical wick with a helical radius of at least ¼″ or greater. This helical wick is configured so that as the candle burns, the burning tip of the wick doesn't remain stationary, but rather circles the axis of the wick so as to burn more of the wax than would otherwise be possible with a prior art straight wick candle, at least when the diameter of the candle is larger than the pool of melted wax surrounding the wick. This results in higher fuel burning efficiency, often 1.5× or higher, as well as various interesting artistic shapes as the wick burns. Various wick sheath methods to improve the rigidity and burn resistance of the wick during the burning process are also discussed. Full Article
nfi DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING FUEL EFFICIENT CANDLES CONFIGURED WITH HELICAL WICKS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 27 Apr 2017 08:00:00 EDT Helical wick candle and method of manufacturing this candle. The candle typically comprises a candle with meltable fuel such as wax, and at least one helical wick with a helical radius of at least ¼″ or greater. This helical wick is configured so that as the candle burns, the burning tip of the wick doesn't remain stationary, but rather circles the axis of the wick so as to burn more of the wax than would otherwise be possible with a prior art straight wick candle, at least when the diameter of the candle is larger than the pool of melted wax surrounding the wick. This results in higher fuel burning efficiency, often 1.5× or higher, as well as various interesting artistic shapes as the wick burns. Various wick sheath methods to improve the rigidity and burn resistance of the wick during the burning process are also discussed. Full Article
nfi Air intake configuration for an agricultural harvesting machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An agricultural work vehicle includes a vehicle body having longitudinally extending sides. An enclosed engine compartment is configured within the vehicle body. An air inlet is defined in side of the vehicle body for intake of air into the engine compartment. A grain bin forward of the engine compartment includes a grain bin extension skirt mounted above the grain bin. An intake housing is mounted over the air inlet in the vehicle body side and includes a forwardly extending portion mounted alongside the grain bin extension with an inlet opening oriented so as draw air primarily from an area forward of the engine compartment and above the vehicle body. Full Article
nfi Lock assembly having secured setscrew configuration to prevent unauthorized handle removal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lock assembly includes a coupling mechanism connected to a spindle assembly. The coupling mechanism has an outer sleeve having a longitudinal interior opening that extends along a first axis. An operator handle includes a proximal lock core opening, and a distal shaft portion having an axial opening configured to receive the outer sleeve. The distal shaft portion and the outer sleeve are configured to define a through path oriented across the longitudinal interior opening of the outer sleeve. A portion of the through path at the outer sleeve is configured to threadably receive a setscrew to fasten the operator handle to the outer sleeve. A keyed lock core has a tailpiece that is positioned in the longitudinal interior opening of the outer sleeve to obstruct the through path and block access to the setscrew via the through path to prevent unauthorized removal of the operator handle. Full Article
nfi Device, system and method for providing zone-based configuration of socket structures By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Techniques and mechanisms for providing socket connection to a substrate. In an embodiment, a socket device includes a first socket body portion that is to provide for signal exchanges as part of a socket connector including the first socket body portion and a second socket body portion. The first socket body portion and the second socket body portion comprise respective zones, wherein, of the two zones, only one such zone has a first electro-mechanical characteristic. The first electro-mechanical characteristic is selected from the group consisting of an interconnect dimension, an interconnect material, an interconnect structure, a socket body material, and a shielding structure. In another embodiment, modular socket sub-assemblies each comprise a respective one of the first zone and the second zone. Full Article
nfi Methods of fabricating a polycrystalline diamond body with a sintering aid/infiltrant at least saturated with non-diamond carbon and resultant products such as compacts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of fabricating a polycrystalline diamond compacts and applications for such polycrystalline diamond compacts. In an embodiment, a method of fabricating a polycrystalline diamond body includes mechanically milling non-diamond carbon and a sintering aid material for a time and aggressiveness sufficient to form a plurality of carbon-saturated sintering aid particles and sintering a plurality of diamond particles in the presence of the plurality of carbon-saturated sintering aid particles to form the polycrystalline diamond body. Full Article
nfi ELECTRONICALLY SCANNED ANTENNA ARRAYS WITH RECONFIGURABLE PERFORMANCE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus may include a plurality of antenna elements forming an antenna array. The apparatus may further include a beamformer that determines one or more of phase and amplitude shifts to cause the plurality of antenna elements to produce a beam in the direction of a target. The apparatus may further include a null limiter comprising dither circuits. The dither circuits may dither the one or more of phase and amplitude shifts by adding noise to cause a side lobe of the beam to increase above a threshold value. The dither circuits may be enabled by a control signal, and the dithered one or more of phase and amplitude shifts may be provided to the antenna elements to produce the beam in the direction of the target with the side lobes above the threshold value. Full Article
nfi CONTACTING TYPE INFILTRATION GROOVE FOR PHOTORESIST COATING EQUIPMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a contacting type infiltration groove for photoresist coating equipment, comprises a loading main body and a sprinkler head. A spray nozzle is provided at the end of the sprinkler head, wherein, a limiting component is additional clamped at the end of the sprinkler head to make only the spray nozzle of the sprinkler head dip into the solvent in the loading main body. The sprinkler head can be hold up by the limiting component to separate the non-spray nozzle from the solvent so as to avoid the solvent contacting on the surface of the non-spray nozzle part. The contacting surface of the sprinkler head is setting on the top of the spray nozzle to make them adhere seamlessly together. Full Article
nfi ELASTIC INFILL FOR ARTIFICIAL TURF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided is an elastic infill for artificial turf. The elastic infill is produced by pelletization of an elastomer composition comprising a silane coupling agent and a mixture of an olefin copolymer-containing base resin and an inorganic filler. The silane coupling agent is present in admixture with the mixture. Alternatively, the silane coupling agent may be grafted onto the olefin copolymer to allow cross-linking of the olefin copolymer in the presence of water. Full Article
nfi HEAT EXCHANGER DESIGNS USING VARIABLE GEOMETRIES AND CONFIGURATIONS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A heat exchanger may include at least one fluid passageway adjacent a heat transfer plate and a plurality of heat transfer elements positioned in the at least one fluid passageway and joined with the heat transfer plate. The heat transfer elements may be positioned with first spacings therebetween at an inlet end of the at least one fluid passageway. The heat transfer elements may be positioned with second spacings therebetween at an outlet end of the at least one fluid passageway. The first spacings may be smaller than the second spacings. Full Article