ap Photochromic materials that include indeno-fused naphthopyrans By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to photochromic materials that include one or more indeno-fused naphthopyrans that have particular groups at the 7, 11, and 13 positions thereof, and at the position alpha to the oxygen of the pyran ring thereof. With some embodiments, hydrogen or an alkoxy group is bonded to the 7 position, an optionally substituted phenyl is bonded to the 11 position, two alkyl groups are bonded to the 13 position, and two optionally substituted phenyl groups are bonded to the position alpha to the oxygen of the pyran ring of the indeno-fused naphthopyran compound. The 13 position of the indeno-fused naphthopyrans is free of ether groups in which an ether oxygen is bonded to the 13 position, and hydroxyl. The present invention also relates to photochromic articles and compositions that include such indeno-fused naphthopyrans. Full Article
ap Esterification of furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid to a dialkyl-furan-2,5-dicarboxylate vapor with rectification By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for the manufacture of dialkyl furan-2,5-dicarboxylate (DAFD) vapor composition by feeding furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (“FDCA”) to an esterification reactor and in the presence of an alcohol compound such as methanol, conducting an esterification reaction to form an esterification vapor containing DAFD, unreacted alcohol compound, 5-(alkoxycarbonyl)furan-2-carboxylic acid (ACFC), and water, and continuously passing the esterification vapor through an ACFC condensing zone, that can be integral with the esterification reactor, in which at least a portion of the ACFC in the esterification vapor is converted to a liquid phase condensate, and continuously discharging the esterification vapor from the ACFC condensing zone as a DAFD vapor. There is also a DAFD vapor composition containing DAFD, water, unreacted alcohol, and by-products. Full Article
ap Conjugated polymer composition for solar cell and flexible electronics applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A polymer composition for solar cell and flexible electronics devices, where the polymer is a p-type conducting polymer. The p-type polymer comprises a benzothiadiazole acceptor and indeno-fluorene donor. Further, a solar cell and flexible electronic device article may be made from the polymer. Full Article
ap Process for producing 1,4-butanediol by hydrogenating dialkyl maleate in mixed liquid/vapor phase By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process for the production of 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran by catalytic hydrogenation of dialkyl maleates includes the following steps: a) hydrogenating a stream of dialkyl maleate in a first stage of reaction over suitable catalysts to produce dialkyl succinate;b) further hydrogenating the dialkyl succinate in a second stage of reaction, by using a different suitable catalyst, for producing mainly 1,4-butanediol, together with gamma-butyrolactone and tetrahydrofuran as co-products. In both stages of reaction the conditions, as hydrogen/organic feed ratio, pressure and temperature, are such to maintain the reactors in mixed liquid/vapor phase. Full Article
ap Method for producing organic transistor, organic transistor, method for producing semiconductor device, semiconductor device, and electronic apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a method of producing an organic transistor, including collectively forming a gate insulating film and an organic semiconductor film by applying, onto a gate electrode, a solution including a polymer and at least one of compounds represented by General Formulas 1 to 4 and 5 to 7, a compound having a structure represented by General Formula 4, a compound having a structure represented by General Formula 5 or 6, and forming a source electrode and a drain electrode on the organic semiconductor film. (where R is a linear or branched alkyl group) (where R is an alkyl group) (where R is an alkyl group) (where A1 and A2 are represented by Formula 8) (where R is an alkyl group or another substituent). Full Article
ap Synthesis of 7-acetyleno quinone methide derivatives and their application as vinylic polymerization retarders By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST The invention provides a method for synthesizing 7-Acetyleno quinone methide compounds that is safe and inexpensive. The method avoids the need for extremely cold reaction temperatures and unlike the prior art does not require any highly explosive materials. The method comprises the steps of: a) performing a condensation reaction between 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and a secondary amine thereby forming a secondary amine quinone methide intermediate;b) removing water from the secondary amine quinone methide intermediate by azeotropic distillation;c) adding the dehydrated secondary amine quinone methide intermediate to an organic medium containing a metal acetylide to form a Mannich base intermediate; andd) adding a release agent to the Mannich base intermediate to yield a 7-Acetyleno quinone methide. Full Article
ap Apogossypolone derivatives as anticancer agents By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The disclosure provides compounds and methods of using Apogossypolone derivatives for treating diseases and disorders. In particular, the disclosure provides compounds of Formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, or solvate thereof, and provides methods for the preparation of compounds of Formula I; and methods for treating cancer, autoimmune diseases, and inflammation by administering a compound of Formula I. Full Article
ap Agrochemical formulations of microcapsules for compounds containing carboxamide groups By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is directed towards microcapsules, uses and methods of microencapsulation with improved properties regarding agglomeration, bleeding and control of the reaction. The invention is especially suitable for chemical compounds with at least one carboxamide group, preferably for microencapsulation of those compounds wherein the carbonyl group is attached to a nitrogen atom or nitrogenated heterocycle and wherein the microencapsulation reaction may be too vigorous. The microcapsules are characterized by a mixed glycoluril-polyurea polymer wall, wherein the polyurea groups come from a urea-formaldehyde resin and not from isocyanate monomers or prepolymers. The process of making such microcapsules a dispersant in the oil phase of the type of block copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone/vinylalkene and/or vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate and the microencapsulation reaction may be carried out without the presence of any polyamine/polyol acting as a catalyst. Full Article
ap Meso-sized capsules useful for the delivery of agricultural chemicals By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein are mesocapsules that include agriculturally active ingredients. These mesocapsules are comprised of a polyurea shell and include hydrophilic groups on their surfaces and have a volume-average diameter of about 500 nm or less and some of them have a volume-average diameter on the order of about 300 nm or less. These mesocapsules are suited for delivering active ingredients that are not very soluble in water. Methods for making these mesocapsules include interfacial polycondensation reactions carried out in the presence of surfactants and other methods in which all or most of the surfactant is replaced by adding amino acids to the aqueous phase of the interfacial reaction mixture before forming the final emulsion. Full Article
ap Stable capsule suspension of clomazone By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A storage stable capsule suspension formulation comprising clomazone encapsulated within a polymeric shell wall of microcapsules, a process for the preparation thereof and method of controlling weeds utilizing said formulation. Full Article
ap Synergistic combination to improve grape color and to alter sensory characteristics of wine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention describes the use of S-abscisic acid (S-ABA) and ethylene producing-agents such as ethephon to synergistically improve red color in grapes and to alter the sensory characteristics of wine. Full Article
ap Methods, systems, and computer readable media for monitored application of mechanical force to samples using acoustic energy and mechanical parameter value extraction using mechanical response models By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods, systems, and computer readable media for monitored application of mechanical force to samples using acoustic energy and mechanical parameter value extraction using mechanical response models can be used for determining mechanical property parameters of a sample. An exemplary method includes applying acoustic energy to a sample to apply a mechanical force to the sample, measuring a response by the sample during the application of the acoustic energy, measuring a recovery response of the sample following cessation of the application of the acoustic energy, and determining a value for at least one additional mechanical property parameter of the sample based on the response measured during application of the acoustic energy and the recovery response measured following cessation of the application of acoustic energy. Full Article
ap Abnormality determination apparatus for angle detection device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The abnormality determination apparatus, which is for determining presence of an abnormality in an angle detection device configured to output an output signal having a value equivalent to a rotational angle of a rotating body, includes a smoothing device configured to receive the output signal of the angle detection device to smooth a dependent variable of a function whose independent variable is the rotational angle equivalent value, and a parameter calculation device for calculating an abnormality determination parameter based on the dependent variable smoothed by the smoothing device. The function is such that an integrated value of the rotational angle equivalent value over a predetermined time section is always positive or negative, and is configured to vary the dependent variable continuously in accordance with continuous variation of the independent variable in at least a part of the predetermined time section. Full Article
ap Subject information acquisition apparatus and subject information acquisition method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A subject information acquisition apparatus includes a first holding member that holds a subject, a probe that receives an elastic wave from the subject through the first holding member, a first holding member deformation amount measuring unit that measures an amount of deformation of the first holding member, and a processing unit that creates an area for generating subject information by using the amount of deformation of the first holding member and position information of the first holding member deformation amount measuring unit and generates an information value of subject information corresponding to the area for generating subject information by using a signal outputted by the probe. Full Article
ap Electronic apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT When discharge power calculated based on a current value detected by a current detector is smaller than expected maximum power, which is the maximum power expected in an actual operation, a discharge efficiency at the expected maximum power is set as a discharge efficiency used for remaining capacity calculation. This ensures that a remaining capacity based on power required for a photographing operation can be detected. Full Article
ap Absolute position measurement apparatus and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An absolute position measurement apparatus measures an absolute position of an object to be measured using a first light source and a second light source which has coherency lower than that of the first light source. The absolute position measurement apparatus includes a measurement part which measures a point where phases of interference signals from the first and the second light sources coincide with each other or a point where an intensity of the interference signal from the second light source is maximized, an origin defining part which defines the point measured by the measurement part as an origin position, a phase storing part which stores the phase of the interference signal from the first light source at the origin position, an origin redefining part which redefines the origin position, and a position calculating part which calculates the absolute position of the object to be measured. Full Article
ap System and method for identifying underutilized storage capacity By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Described herein is a system and method for detecting underutilized capacity within a storage system environment. The technique comprises collecting performance data of various storage objects within a storage system environment for various performance measures at designated time intervals. The collected performance data may be formatted and stored to a database. One or more parameters may be received specifying at least one performance measure, at least one threshold value, and/or at least one time period. The performance data for target storage objects may be analyzed according to the received parameters to determine any underutilized storage objects. A report may be generated according to the parameters listing the storage objects and address locations of any underutilized storage objects. The report may comprise various information corresponding to the underutilized storage object, such as the business units, tiers, data centers, and levels of service they are associated with. Full Article
ap Method and apparatus for adaptive display calibration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A calibration system may be provided for calibrating displays in electronic devices during manufacturing. The calibration system may include calibration computing equipment and a test chamber having a light sensor. The calibration computing equipment may be configured to operate the light sensor and the display to gather display performance data. The calibration computing equipment may extract display performance statistics from the display performance data and adaptively select and perform display calibration sequences using the display performance statistics. The calibration computing equipment may be configured to determine whether or not to perform display calibration and whether or not to gather additional display performance data based on display performance statistics extracted during a preceding display calibration sequence. The calibration computing equipment may be configured to iteratively and adaptively perform display calibration sequences until a display is successfully calibrated. Full Article
ap Encapsulant composition and method for fabricating encapsulant material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An encapsulant composition is provided, including at least one resin monomer, a filler and a photoinitiator, wherein the at least one resin monomer is selected from the group consisting of acrylic resin monomer, epoxy resin monomer, silicone resin monomer and compositions thereof, and the filler is of about 0.1˜15 weight % of the encapsulant composition. A method for forming encapsulant materials is also provided. Full Article
ap Apparatus and method for separating and concentrating fluids containing multiple components By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at least three fractions in the apparatus. It also provides for a new method of extracting the buffy coat phase from a whole blood sample and mesenchymal stem cells from bone reaming material. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second buoy member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient. Full Article
ap Apparatus and method for filtering a material from a liquid medium By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for filtering a material from a medium includes a first housing having a wall with a plurality of openings formed therein, a conveyor disposed in the housing for moving the material therealong, and a conduit line communicating with the interior of the housing for supplying the medium to the apparatus. At least one of the first housing and the conveyor rotate relative to a central axis to direct the medium toward the wall so as to separate the material from the medium. A method for filtering a material from a medium includes supplying the medium to a first housing, spinning the medium within the housing, passing the medium through a wall of the housing to separate the material from the medium, moving the material along the housing, introducing a fluid into the material within the housing, and washing the material using the fluid. Full Article
ap Method for optimizing spin time in a centrifuge apparatus for biologic fluid By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A method for controlling a centrifuge blood component separation system for separating components of a blood product, the separation system comprising a centrifuge and a separation bag and at least one transfer bag. The method comprises selecting a nominal hematocrit value such that an actual hematocrit value is expected to be less than said nominal hematocrit; centrifuging a separation bag containing a volume of composite liquid so as to cause the sedimentation of at least a first component and a second component; transferring some of the first component to a first transfer bag; detecting time of passage of a red blood cell interface at a pre-selected location in the separation bag; and adjusting a predicted processing time based on the time of passage of the red blood cell interface. Full Article
ap Apparatus for processing biological material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A gripper unit for handling a vessel for receiving biological material is proposed, inter alia. The vessel has a lid which can assume an open position and a closed position. The gripper unit comprises a gripper for gripping and releasing the vessel, and a lid holder, for holding a lid in a defined position in relation to the vessel. The defined position is an open position of the lid. Full Article
ap Methods and apparatus for isolating platelets from blood By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A platelet collection device comprising a centrifugal spin-separator container with a cavity having a longitudinal inner surface. A float in the cavity has a base, a platelet collection surface above the base, an outer surface. The float density is below the density of erythrocytes and above the density of plasma. The platelet collection surface has a position on the float which places it below the level of platelets when the float is suspended in separated blood. During centrifugation, a layer of platelets or buffy coat collects closely adjacent the platelet collection surface. Movement of a float having a density greater than whole blood through the sedimenting erythrocytes releases entrapped platelets, increasing the platelet yield. Full Article
ap Method and apparatus for removal of tars or resins from a scrubber liquid using a centrifuge with a discharge chamber scraper By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The invention is a method of processing tarry or resinous liquids. Tarry liquids include wet scrubber liquids containing tars and chars derived from gasification, pyrolysis or drying of biomass. Resinous liquids include those derived from processing coniferous biomass. Tarry or resinous liquid is processed by a horizontal axis centrifuge having a discharge chamber containing a scraper to prevent centrifuge clogging or fouling. The removed tar and char can be used as solid fuel or recycled to the gasification or pyrolysis process. Polymers, for instance cationic polymers, can be added to the tarry or resin containing liquid prior to centrifugation to assist in solids/liquids separation. Removed resin can be recycled for further use. Tar, char or resin depleted wet scrubber liquid can be recycled for further use or more easily treated prior to disposal. Full Article
ap System for blood separation with side-tapped separation chamber By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A disposable blood separation set and a centrifugal blood processing system comprising a blood processing chamber adapted to be mounted on a rotor of a centrifuge; a frustro-conical cell separation chamber in fluid communication with the processing chamber, the cell separation chamber having an inlet, and outlet and a side tap outlet adjacent the inlet. The inlet may protrude into the cell separation chamber forming a circumferential well surrounding the protruding inlet. The side tap outlet may connect to the well. The set and system comprise means for selectively drawing fluid from either the outlet or the side tap outlet. Full Article
ap Method and apparatus for centrifugal separation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for centrifugal separation. In one embodiment, a separator includes an outer tubular having ends sealed from the environment and an inner tubular. The inner tubular is disposed within the outer tubular, has ends in fluid communication with a bore of the outer tubular, and is attached to the outer tubular. The separator further includes an inlet. The inlet is disposed through a wall of the outer tubular, in fluid communication with a bore of the inner tubular, and tangentially attached to the inner tubular so that fluid flow from the inlet to the inner tubular is centrifugally accelerated. The separator further includes a gas outlet in fluid communication with the outer tubular bore; and a liquid outlet in fluid communication with the outer tubular bore. Full Article
ap Centrifugal separator with snap fit separation cone By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A separation cone (30) is mounted into the interior chamber of a centrifugal separator rotor (10), which comprises a cover (14) releasably connected to a base (16), in order to provide a frusto-conical wall subdividing the chamber into upper and lower regions. This slows the passage of fluid from the upper to the lower region, which takes place via openings (24) and/or via a gap between the inner rim (32) of the cone (30) and the axial inlet tube (12). The separation cone (30) is connected to the cover (14) by a releasable snap fit arrangement, such as by deflectable tabs (38) around the periphery of the separation cone (30) engaging into a groove (15) around the interior surface adjacent a lower edge of the cover (14). This allows there to be a predetermined sequence of servicing operations and ensures that the separation cone (30) will reliably stay with the cover (14) when the cover is removed. Full Article
ap Method and apparatus for concentrating platelets from platelet-rich plasma By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for use with a centrifugal cellular separation device that comprises a rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation is provided that comprises a fluid separation chamber having a first port, a second port spaced apart from the first port, and a third port located intermediate the first port and the second port. The fluid separation chamber has a cross sectional area generally transverse to a radius extending from the axis of rotation that varies between the first port and the second port. The fluid separation chamber is adapted to be mounted to the rotor so as to be rotatable therewith, with the first port located at a greater radial distance from the axis than the second port, and the third port located radially intermediate the first port and the second port. Full Article
ap Non-tacky wetness indicator composition for application on a polymeric substrate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT The invention describes a color-developing composition that contains at least three major components: (1) a leuco dye or a combination of leuco dyes, (2) an color-developer or a combination of color-developers that can form colored complexes with the leuco dyes, and (3) a desensitizer to temporarily remove the effect of the developer so the leuco dye appears in its colorless form. An optional binder may be included so that the composition may be applied to a substrate as an ink. The ink composition may be applied to synthetic polymeric substrates and other substrates that are incorporated into absorbent articles or personal care products. Full Article
ap Thermal direct printing dissolving paper By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A label has a water dissolvable or water dispersible paper with a coating of a type which can be printed with direct thermal printing. The label is produced by passing a length of such paper with a freshly applied coating of the above type through an oven for drying before the coating has an opportunity to deteriorate the surface of the paper. Full Article
ap Indicator, application thereof and related products By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT There is disclosed an indicator composition, the application thereof to substrates, and related products. The indicator composition comprises an organic solvent soluble polymer and a redox sensitive material which displays different visible properties in the oxidized and reduced forms. The organic solvent soluble polymer can be at least partially sulfonated polystyrene. The indicator composition can be dissolved in organic solvents such as acetone, ethanol and ethyl acetate to form inks which can be used in a variety of printing processes. The indicator composition can be used to detect oxidizing agents, oxygen, water, reducing agents, UV light, temperature and the passage of time. Full Article
ap Image processing method and image processing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT To provide an image processing method including at least one of recording an image onto a thermoreversible recording medium in which transparency or color tone reversibly changes depending upon temperature, by applying a laser beam with the use of a CO2 laser device so as to heat the thermoreversible recording medium, and erasing an image recorded on the thermoreversible recording medium, by heating the thermoreversible recording medium, wherein an intensity distribution of the laser beam applied in the image recording step satisfies the relationship represented by Expression 1 shown below, 1.59 Full Article
ap Water-dispersible paper By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST An object of the present invention is to provide a water dispersion paper having quick water dispersion property and high strength (printability) and whose paper surface pH is 6 to 8 (neutral range), and also to provide a water dispersion coated paper designed to ensure quick water dispersion property and prevent discoloration over time. A water dispersion paper made of wood pulp and/or non-wood pulp, wherein said water dispersion paper is characterized in that purified pulp containing α-cellulose by 88 percent by weight or more accounts for 15 to 95 percent by weight of all pulp, as well as a water dispersion coated paper having a water-soluble coating layer on said water dispersion paper. Full Article
ap Pressure-chromic tape and methods of making same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST Masking tapes that changes color when the tape is rubbed down or dispensed onto an adherend and methods of making such tapes are disclosed herein. The tape includes a backing, a layer of adhesive on the bottom surface of the backing, and a release structure on the top surface of the backing that includes a pressure-chromic indicator and a release layer. The pressure-chromic indicator is characterized in that it is not activated by the pressure applied during the manufacturing process, but is activated by the pressure applied when the tape is rubbed or dispensed onto an adherend. Full Article
ap Thermochromic color-memory composition and thermochromic color-memory microcapsule pigment encapsulating the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to a thermochromic color-memory composition containing: (I) an electron donating coloring organic compound, (II) an electron accepting compound, and (III) an ester compound represented by the following formula (1) as a reaction medium which controls color reaction of the components (I) and (II): (in the formula, X represents any of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a halogen atom, m represents an integer of from 1 to 3, and n represents an integer of from 1 to 20). Full Article
ap Hybrid topcoat formulations for paper products By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST Hybrid topcoat formulations comprising a water soluble polymer and a water dispersible polymer provide improved adhesion to underlying surfaces. Paper products coated with these formulations, such as thermal paper, achieve high stain resistance and improved adhesion of UV cured silicone release layers. Full Article
ap Apparatus and process for treating offshore natural gas By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A process for treating offshore natural gas includes processing the natural gas on an off-shore processing facility by, (i) liquefying and fractionating the natural gas to generate a liquefied natural gas stream and a higher hydrocarbon stream, (ii) vaporizing at least a portion of the higher hydrocarbon stream, (iii) passing the vaporized higher hydrocarbon stream and steam over a steam reforming catalyst to generate a reformed gas mixture comprising methane, steam, carbon oxides and hydrogen, (iv) passing the reformed gas mixture over a methanation catalyst to generate a methane rich gas, and (v) combining the methane-rich gas with the natural gas prior to the liquefaction step. Full Article
ap Method for upgrading hydrocarbon compounds and a hydrocarbon compound distillation separation apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a method for upgrading hydrocarbon compounds, in which hydrocarbon compounds synthesized in a Fisher-Tropsch synthesis reaction are fractionally distillated, and the fractionally distillated hydrocarbon compounds are hydrotreated to produce liquid fuel products. The method includes fractionally distilling heavy hydrocarbon compounds synthesized in the Fisher-Tropsch synthesis reaction as a liquid into a first middle distillate and a wax fraction, and fractionally distilling light hydrocarbon compounds synthesized in the Fisher-Tropsch synthesis reaction as a gas into a second middle distillate and a light gas fraction. Full Article
ap Synthesis gas methanation process and apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a synthesis gas methanation process, at least one first fraction of synthesis gas to treat is fed, together with steam, to a shift reactor where a shift reaction occurs; the gas flow produced in the shift reactor is then fed to a first methanation reactor where a methanation reaction occurs and then to further second methanation reactors in series, where further methanation reactions, performed with the addition of fresh synthesis gas which has not been subjected to the shift reaction. Full Article
ap Apparatus and process for three-phase reaction By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and process for removing catalyst fines from a gas stream overhead the slurry in a Fischer-Tropsch slurry bubble column reactor. The gas phase at the top of the slurry bubble column reactor containing small amounts of entrained liquid and catalyst particles. The unreacted gases are passed through a demister, which removes larger droplets and catalyst particles. Smaller droplets and catalyst fines are conveyed to a secondary gas cleaner, such as a cyclone, whereby substantially all remaining particles are removed from the gas phase. A particle-containing liquid produced in the secondary gas cleaner can be further subjected to a filtrate cleaning unit to filter out fine catalyst particles and produce a substantially particle-free liquid product stream and a slurry stream of liquid product containing catalyst particles. Full Article
ap Adaptive multiple shooting optimization method for determining optimal spacecraft trajectories By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein is a method for determining a trajectory for a transfer of a spacecraft from a starting space body to a target space body with respect to a given central space body, wherein the determined trajectory is optimal with respect to a given space mission requirement to be met by the transfer of the spacecraft. The method comprises providing, according to the Pontryagin maximum principle, a physical-mathematical model relating model quantities and physical quantities representing the transfer of the spacecraft with respect to the given central space body. Full Article
ap Method and apparatus for simulating operation in a data processing system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and systems are provided for executing a simulation of an operation in a data processing system. In one implementation, the method includes executing an operation under a first set of conditions, determining a characteristic associated with the execution of the operation under the first set of conditions, and executing a simulation of the operation under a second set of conditions different from the first set of conditions. The simulation of the operation is constrained by the determined characteristic. The method can further include determining a cost/benefit of executing the operation under a set of conditions different from the first set of conditions based at least in part on the simulation. Full Article
ap Hypothesis derived from relationship graph By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for data processing. The method calculates correlations between a plurality of attributes in a dataset. The attributes are factors involved in transaction processing. The method generates a relationship graph by using the plurality of attributes and the correlations between the plurality of attributes; and extracts a sub-graph from the relationship graph to represent a hypothesis. The hypothesis describes the impacts of the factors on the transaction processing. Also provided is an apparatus for implementing the above data processing method. Full Article
ap Apparatus, methods and systems for parallel power flow calculation and power system simulation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to one aspect, an apparatus for computing a solution to a power flow problem for an electrical power system comprising a plurality of buses. The apparatus includes (a) at least one processor comprising a plurality of cores; and (b) memory coupled to the at least one processor for storing an admittance matrix for the power system, real power and reactive power for each bus, and an initial complex voltage for each bus; (c) wherein the at least one processor is configured to: (i) perform a Jacobi power flow calculation for each bus to determine the complex voltage for each bus, the Jacobi power flow calculation using the admittance matrix, the real power and reactive power for each bus, and the initial complex voltage for each bus as inputs, wherein at least two Jacobi power flow calculations are performed concurrently on the plurality of cores; (ii) calculate a power mismatch at each bus based on the complex voltages; and (iii) determine whether the Jacobi power flow calculations have converged based on the power mismatch and repeat (i) to (iii) if the Jacobi power flow calculations have not converged. Full Article
ap Ink set, recording method, recording apparatus, and recording material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ink set includes a first ink composition, and a second ink composition, in which the first ink composition contains a first pigment, and an alkyl diol having carbon atoms of 6 or less and a normal boiling point of 240° C. or more, the second ink composition contains a second pigment, and the alkyl diol, in the first ink composition, a content of the first pigment is 2.5% by weight or more, and a content of the alkyl diol is 3% by weight to 15% by weight, in the second ink composition, a content of the second pigment is less than 2.5% by weight, and the content of the alkyl diol is 8% by weight to 30% by weight, and the content of the alkyl diol in the second ink composition is greater than the content of the alkyl diol in the first ink composition. Full Article
ap Using chemical vapor deposited films to control domain orientation in block copolymer thin films By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Vacuum deposited thin films of material are described to create an interface that non-preferentially interacts with different domains of an underlying block copolymer film. The non-preferential interface prevents formation of a wetting layer and influences the orientation of domains in the block copolymer. The purpose of the deposited polymer is to produce nanostructured features in a block copolymer film that can serve as lithographic patterns. Full Article
ap Electrostatic abrasive particle coating apparatus and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of applying particles to a backing having a make layer on one of the backing's opposed major surfaces. The method including the steps of: supporting the particles on a feeding member having a feeding surface such that the particles settle into one or more layers on the feeding surface; the feeding surface and the backing being arranged in a non-parallel manner; and translating the particles from the feeding surface to the backing and attaching the particles to the make layer by an electrostatic force. Full Article
ap Thin-film manufacturing method and apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A thin-film manufacturing method includes the steps of: generating a plasma from source gas; extracting ions from the plasma; and depositing a thin film on one side or both sides of a substrate to be deposited with the ions. The method is performed in an apparatus including: a plasma chamber generating the plasma; a film deposition chamber accommodating the substrate to be deposited; an ion transfer path for transferring the ions from the plasma chamber to the film deposition chamber; a branch pipe branching from the ion transfer path; and an exhaust system connected to the branch pipe. The thin film is formed while the source gas except the ions is exhausted from the branch pipe. Full Article
ap Method and apparatus for the formation of hydrophobic surfaces By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to the application of a coating to a substrate in which the coating includes a polymer material and the coating is selectively fluorinated and/or cured to improve the liquid repellance of the same. The invention also provides for the selective fluorination and/or curing of selected areas of the coating thus, when completed, providing a coating which has regions of improved liquid repellance with respect to the remaining regions and which remaining regions may be utilized as liquid collection areas. Full Article