late Articulated cutting head and conveyor mount for sod harvesting machines By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An articulated cutting head and conveyor mount for sod harvesting machines. The invention provides a linkage design that can provide many benefits including: allowing the operator to see the cutting operation, enabling the high lifting of the cutting head for service and maneuvering, managing the vertical bending load of the ground reference roller, providing high transverse stiffness, maintaining the position of the conveyor relative to the cutting head. The linkage design can include fewer parts than previous designs while still being robust and durable. As such, cutting heads employing the linkage design of the present invention can produce higher quality slabs with less service and maintenance than when using current designs. Full Article
late ***WITHDRAWN PATENT AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***Display device and electronic device including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A display device includes a pixel portion including a plurality of pixels each including a first transistor, a second transistor, and a light-emitting element, in which a gate of the first transistor is electrically connected to a scan line, one of a source and a drain of the first transistor is electrically connected to a signal line, and the other of them is electrically connected to a gate of the second transistor; one of a source and a drain of the second transistor is electrically connected to a power supply line and the other of them is electrically connected to the light-emitting element, and the first transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer. A period when the display device displays a still image includes a period in which output of a signal to all the scan lines in the pixel portion is stopped. Full Article
late Transistors having features which preclude straight-line lateral conductive paths from a channel region to a source/drain region By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT Some embodiments include transistors having a channel region under a gate, having a source/drain region laterally spaced from the channel region by an active region, and having one or more dielectric features extending through the active region in a configuration which precludes any straight-line lateral conductive path from the channel region to the source/drain region. The dielectric features may be spaced-apart islands in some configurations. The dielectric features may be multi-branched interlocking structures in some configurations. Full Article
late Thin film transistor array baseplate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Feb 2016 08:00:00 EST An embodiment of the present invention provides a TFT array substrate including: a base substrate (1) and thin film transistors. The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode (2), a semiconductor layer (5), a semiconductor protective layer, a source electrode (8) and a drain electrode (9). The semiconductor protective layer is disposed adjacent to the semiconductor layer (5) and includes a composite lamination structure, which includes a protective layer formed of an insulating material capable of preventing de-oxygen of the semiconductor layer (5) and an insulating layer formed of an insulating material to be etched more easily. Full Article
late ***WITHDRAWN PATENT AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***Vehicle side airbag device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A deployment guiding cloth is wound from an outside in the vehicle width direction, on an outer peripheral portion of a folded side airbag. This deployment guiding cloth extends toward a vehicle front side and is interposed between the side airbag that is partially deployed and a vehicle cabin side portion (a center pillar garnish and a door trim) before the side airbag is fully deployed. Full Article
late ***WITHDRAWN PATENT AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***Pre-weakened cover for an airbag and method of making By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pre-weakened cover of an airbag module is provided including a layer having an outer show surface and an opposing inner surface. A plurality of first cuts is arranged at a first angle on the inner surface. A plurality of second cuts is arranged at a second angle on the inner surface. Each of the second cuts intersects two adjacent first cuts to form a generally V-shaped pattern. Full Article
late Drill bit assembly having electrically isolated gap joint for measurement of reservoir properties By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A drill bit assembly for measuring reservoir formation properties comprises a bit head and a pin body, and an electrically insulated gap joint between two conductive parts of the drill bit assembly. The bit head has a cutting end and an opposite connecting end with an engagement section. The pin body comprises a connecting end with an engagement section. The pin connecting end is connected to the bit head connecting end such that the engagement sections overlap. The electrically insulating gap joint can fill a gap between the bit head and pin body engagement sections such that the bit head and pin body are mechanically connected together at the connecting ends but electrically separated. Alternatively or additionally, the pin body can have two pieces which are separated by an electrically insulating gap joint. An electrical conductor is electrically connected at a first end to the bit head and is communicable at a second end with an alternating current signal to transmit an alternating current into the bit head, thereby inducing an electric current into a reservoir formation adjacent the bit head. Electronic equipment includes measurement circuitry configured to determine the alternating current at the bit head, the alternating current being inversely proportional to a bit resistivity of the formation. Full Article
late Shaped cutting elements for earth-boring tools, earth-boring tools including such cutting elements, and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cutting element for an earth-boring tool. The cutting element comprises a substrate base, and a volume of polycrystalline diamond material on an end of the substrate base. The volume of polycrystalline diamond material comprises a generally conical surface, an apex centered about a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the substrate base, a flat cutting surface extending from a first point at least substantially proximate the apex to a second point on the cutting element more proximate a lateral side surface of the substrate base. Another cutting element is disclosed, as are a method of manufacturing and a method of using such cutting elements. Full Article
late Tools for use in subterranean boreholes having expandable members and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Expandable apparatus for use in subterranean boreholes include at least one member configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. A latching member disposed in the tubular body may selectively retain the at least one member in the retracted position. Methods of operating an expandable apparatus include securing at least one member of the expandable apparatus in a retracted position by engaging an inner wall of a tubular body with at least one latch member disposed in at least one aperture formed in a latch sleeve. Full Article
late Tools for use in subterranean boreholes having expandable members and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Expandable apparatus for use in subterranean boreholes include at least one member configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. Components of the expandable apparatus may include at least one surface for removing debris proximate to the tubular body. Components of the expandable apparatus may be configured to enable the expandable apparatus to increase a diameter of a subterranean borehole by greater than twenty percent. Components of the expandable apparatus may be configured to restrict fluid flow to nozzle assemblies. The expandable apparatus may include a protect sleeve having a push sleeve disposed therein. Methods of operating an expandable apparatus may include removing debris with a surface of the expandable apparatus. Methods of operating an expandable apparatus may also include selectively flowing fluid to nozzle assemblies. Full Article
late Eye tracking system and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tracking system for tracking an eye including a light source projecting light toward a display surface in a sequential pattern, one or more reflectors associated with an optical device, where the one or more reflectors reflect the pulses of light from the display source, one or more photo detectors, where the photo detectors detect reflected pulses of light from the light source, and a system that measures pulse timing relative to horizontal and vertical pattern to compute a gaze angle of the eye. Full Article
late Charge sensors using inverted lateral bipolar junction transistors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sensor includes a collector, an emitter and a base-region barrier formed as an inverted bipolar junction transistor having a base substrate forming a base electrode to activate the inverted bipolar junction transistor. A level surface is formed by the collector, the emitter and the base-region barrier opposite the base substrate such that when the level surface is exposed to charge, the charge is measured during operation of the bipolar junction transistor. Full Article
late Methods of forming a metal telluride material, related methods of forming a semiconductor device structure, and related semiconductor device structures By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Accordingly, a method of forming a metal chalcogenide material may comprise introducing at least one metal precursor and at least one chalcogen precursor into a chamber comprising a substrate, the at least one metal precursor comprising an amine or imine compound of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a post-transition metal, or a metalloid, and the at least one chalcogen precursor comprising a hydride, alkyl, or aryl compound of sulfur, selenium, or tellurium. The at least one metal precursor and the at least one chalcogen precursor may be reacted to form a metal chalcogenide material over the substrate. A method of forming a metal telluride material, a method of forming a semiconductor device structure, and a semiconductor device structure are also described. Full Article
late ***WITHDRAWN PATENT AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***Tape feeder and method of mounting tape onto tape feeder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A tape feeder includes a guide part that guides a carrier tape and is detachably attached to a main body. The guide part includes: a lower member guiding the carrier tape and attached to and detached from the main body; an upper member pressing down the carrier tape from above; a tape introduction part guiding the carrier tape into the upper member at an upstream side thereof in a tape feed direction; a confirmation opening part disposed in the upper member for visually confirming that the carrier tape arrives at a pin engagement range; an open/close mechanism opening and closing the upper member with respect to the lower member; and a positioning mechanism fitting a positioning pin into a feed hole of the carrier tape in the guide part, thereby positioning the carrier tape relative to the guide part in the tape feed direction. Full Article
late System and method for generating a pulse-width modulated signal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST In an embodiment, a method of generating a pulse-width modulated signal from an input signal includes calculating a finite number of basis functions of a first pulse-width modulated signal based on the input signal, and forming an electronic output based on the calculated finite number of basis functions. Full Article
late Polar transmitter having frequency modulating path with interpolation in compensating feed input and related method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A frequency modulating path for generating a frequency modulated clock includes a direct feed input arranged for directly modulating frequency of an oscillator, and a compensating feed input arranged for compensating effects of frequency modulating on a phase error; wherein the compensating feed input is resampled by a down-divided clock that is an integer edge division of the oscillator. A reference phase generator for generating a reference phase output includes a resampling circuit, an accumulator and a sampler. The resampling circuit is for resampling a modulating frequency command word (FCW) input to produce a plurality of samples. The accumulator is for accumulating the samples to generate an accumulated result. The sampler is for sampling the accumulated result according to a frequency reference clock, and accordingly generating a sampled result, wherein the reference phase output is updated according to at least the sampled result. Full Article
late System and method for generating a radio frequency pulse-width modulated signal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST In an embodiment, a method of producing a multi-level RF signal includes producing plurality of pulse-width modulated signals based on an input signal. The method further includes driving a corresponding plurality of parallel amplifiers with the plurality of pulse-width modulated signals by setting a parallel amplifier to have a first output impedance when a corresponding pulse-width modulated signal is in an active state and setting the parallel amplifier to have a second output impedance when the corresponding pulse-width is in an inactive state. The method also includes phase shifting the outputs of the plurality of parallel amplifiers, wherein phase shifting transforms the second output impedance into a third impedance that is higher than the second output impedance, and combining the phase shifted outputs. Full Article
late Oscillators having arbitrary frequencies and related systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for operating with oscillators configured to produce an oscillating signal having an arbitrary frequency are described. The frequency of the oscillating signal may be shifted to remove its arbitrary nature by application of multiple tuning signals or values to the oscillator. Alternatively, the arbitrary frequency may be accommodated by adjusting operation one or more components of a circuit receiving the oscillating signal. Full Article
late Driver for switch in gas insulated switchgear and gas insulated switchgear having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A driver for a switch in a GIS (Gas Insulation Switchgear) includes a motor, a shaft connected with a moving contact of the switch, a gear connected with one terminal of the shaft and configured to transfer power of the motor to cause the shaft to reciprocate the moving contact through the shaft, a cam spline combined with the shaft and spaced apart from the gear, and a micro-switch connected with the cam spline and configured to control an operation of the motor. Full Article
late Sector gear and gas-insulated switchgear having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a sector gear including: a drive gear having a drive part that forms a part of a circle and has a plurality of teeth and a non-drive part that forms a remaining part of the circle and provides a non-contact angle of at least approximately 90 degrees; first and second movers forming a disconnector and a grounded breaking switch, respectively; and first and second driven gears engaged with the drive gear and respectively engaged with the first and second movers and configured to make the first mover or the second mover operate in conjunction with the drive part of the drive gear according to a direction of rotation of the drive gear, wherein an intermediate angle between the first and second movers is between approximately 90-135 degrees. The present invention can reduce the size of the gas-insulated switchgear having the sector gear. Full Article
late Gas insulated switchgear By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gas insulated switchgear includes an enclosure, a first fixed conductor, one side of the first fixed conductor being bent at a right angle and another side of the first fixed conductor being fixed on one side of the enclosure, a second fixed conductor configured to be spaced apart from the first fixed conductor and configured to be fixed on another side of the enclosure, a screw configured to form an axis on inner of the enclosure and being spaced apart from the first and second fixed conductors and a movable conductor configured to move along the axis through a rotation of the screw, one side of the movable conductor being in contact with the second fixed conductor. Full Article
late Gas-insulated circuit breaker with nominal contact shielding arrangement By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gas-insulated type circuit breaker including a housing defining a gas volume for a dielectric insulation gas; a first arcing contact member and a second arcing contact member, wherein the first arcing contact member and the second arcing contact member are movable relative to each other along an axis; a first nominal contact member and a second nominal contact member, wherein the first nominal contact member and the second nominal contact member are movable relative to each other along the axis; and a first nominal contact shielding arrangement including an inner shield member and an outer shield member, wherein the inner shield member and the outer shield member are arranged coaxially about the axis. The first nominal contact member is arranged co-axially between the inner shield member and the outer shield member, and is movable relative to the inner shield member and to the outer shield member. Full Article
late Arc runners suitable for DC molded case circuit breakers and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Circuit breakers include an arc chamber and an arc chute comprising a plurality of arc plates in the arc chamber. The circuit breakers also include a line conductor assembly with at least one arc runner attached to a line conductor in the arc chamber. The arc runner can extend below but adjacent to a bottom arc plate to thereby guide a respective arc into the arc chute. Full Article
late Profiled arc splitter plate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A profiled arc splitter plate for a switch having a fixed contact and a movable contact is provided to increase electromagnetic attractive forces on the arc generated during contact separation. The plate (300) comprises a body (306) defining an operatively inverted substantially V-shaped recess having a center notch (302) provided at the vertex of the recess and at least one protrusion (304) defined on either side of the center notch (302) along the inclined side walls of the recess, the movable contact of the switch displaceable through the recess without contacting the inclined side walls, in a spaced apart manner from the protrusions (304) and the center notch (302). Chamfers 308 are provided at an end of the plate (300) proximal to the vertex of the recess to provide an exit for hot gases towards the vent of the arc chamber. Full Article
late Packaging system for portable electronic devices with removable faceplates By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A removable faceplate for a portable electronic device is provided. The faceplate permits a user to change the physical appearance of a surface of the device while retaining access to the mechanisms for controlling the function of the device. Preferably, the removable faceplate and electronic device are configured with a means for association and dissociation that can be activated without the use of a tool and the means is not visible when the faceplate is attached. Additionally, an improved packaging system is provided to enable a vendor or manufacturer to package faceplates with the devices that they will cover and to allow substitution of faceplates in the packaging without disturbing the packaging of the electronic device itself. Further, there is a method for distribution of the packaging system. Full Article
late Packing box used for accommodation of plate bodies By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a packing box for accommodation of plate bodies, which comprises a backplane, and a side plate vertically arranged at the periphery of the backplane, the plate body including a main body, and a PCB plate connected through a flexible sheet to the edge of the main body, a positioning member being further arranged in the space enclosed by the backplane and the side plate for preventing the PCB plate from moving relative to the main body. The positioning member of the present invention can prevent the PCB plate from moving relative to the main body of the plate body, playing a role in protecting the circuit on the flexible sheet and having low costs. Full Article
late Communications device including radio frequency (RF) signal blocking layer for near-field communication (NFC) device and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST A communications device may include a near-field communication (NFC) circuit device, and a radio frequency (RF) signal blocking member adhesively coupled with the NFC device. The RF signal blocking member may be configured to block RF signal communication by the NFC device while coupled therewith. The RF signal blocking member may comprise an electrical conductor. In accordance with an example, the RF signal blocking member may comprise a frangible layer. In another example, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer may be included for adhesively securing the RF signal blocking member with the NFC device. Full Article
late Linearization circuit and related techniques By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Circuits and techniques to linearize the operation of an RF power amplifier are described. A linearizer circuit may include a non-amplification signal path which includes a delay line and an amplification signal path which includes at least one amplifier stage. In some embodiments, the amplification signal path may include an odd number of amplification stages. The linearizer may be used to precondition an input signal of an RF power amplifier in a manner that improves the overall linearity of operation. Full Article
late Power amplifier modules including related systems, devices, and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power amplifier module includes a power amplifier including a GaAs bipolar transistor having a collector, a base abutting the collector, and an emitter, the collector having a doping concentration of at least about 3×1016 cm−3 at a junction with the base, the collector also having at least a first grading in which doping concentration increases away from the base; and an RF transmission line driven by the power amplifier, the RF transmission line including a conductive layer and finish plating on the conductive layer, the finish plating including a gold layer, a palladium layer proximate the gold layer, and a diffusion barrier layer proximate the palladium layer, the diffusion barrier layer including nickel and having a thickness that is less than about the skin depth of nickel at 0.9 GHz. Other embodiments of the module are provided along with related methods and components thereof. Full Article
late Transceiver and related switching method applied therein By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A transceiver includes: a power amplifying circuit arranged to generate differential output signals during a transmitting mode of the transceiver; a balance-unbalance circuit arranged to convert the differential output signals into a single-ended output signal; a switchable matching circuit arranged to receive the single-ended output signal on a signal port of the transceiver during the transmitting mode, and to convert a single-ended receiving signal on the signal port into a single-ended input signal during a receiving mode of the transceiver; and a low-noise amplifying circuit arranged to convert the single-ended input signal into a low-noise input signal during the receiving mode. The power amplifying circuit, the Balun, the switchable matching circuit, and the low-noise amplifying circuit are configured as a single chip. Full Article
late Variable displacement swash plate type compressor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a variable displacement swash plate type compressor that reduces wear of cylinder bores and the amount of blow-by gas. Each piston of the compressor has a piston main body, which has a distal portion located at an end corresponding to the compression chamber. A tapering portion and an arcuate portion are formed in the distal portion. The arcuate portion is continuous with an end of the tapering portion that is closer to the compression chamber. The tapering portion and the arcuate portion each have a diameter that increases toward the skirt. The tapering portion has a tapering angle that is in a range from 0.45 degrees to 1.5 degrees. The distance between the distal end of the piston main body and a starting point of the tapering portion on an end closer to the skirt is set in a range from 1.5 mm to 5.0 mm. Full Article
late Wobble plate-type variable displacement compressor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a wobble plate type variable displacement compressor that uses a constant velocity universal joint mechanism, which comprises an inner ring and an outer ring, balls that are held between guide grooves of the inner ring and the outer ring to transmit power, wherein a wobble plate is connected and fixed to the outer ring. In the compressor, the wobble plate is provided with a cylindrical part which extends in the axial direction of a swash plate, and in the relative rotation structure between the swash plate, and the wobble plate and the outer ring, the swash plate is supported to be able to relatively rotate only in relation to the wobble plate via a bearing interposed at least between the cylindrical part and the inner diameter portion of the swash plate, without being supported to be able to rotate relative to the outer ring. With this wobble plate type variable displacement compressor using the specified constant velocity universal joint mechanism, the relative rotation structure between the wobble plate and the outer ring, and the swash plate, can be improved, workability and productivity can be improved, and the cost and weight can be reduced. Full Article
late Swash plate type liquid-pressure rotating device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT To improve productivity and increase seizing resistance and abrasion resistance of a sliding surface of a tilt adjustment cylinder, a plurality of pistons are arranged cirumferentially in a cylinder block configured to rotate with a rotating shaft. Tip end portions of the pistons slide along the swash plate, and the pistons reciprocate. The swash plate is supported to tilt with respect to the rotating shaft. Further, a tilt adjustment driving portion is included. The tilt adjustment driving portion includes tilt adjustment large- and small-diameter cylinder chambers and tilt adjustment large- and small-diameter pistons configured to slide in the cylinder chambers to change the tilt angle of the swash plate. A sliding surface of the inner peripheral surface of each of the cylinder chambers includes a quenched portion formed by quenching using laser light, the sliding surface being a surface on which the tilt adjustment piston slides. Full Article
late ***WITHDRAWN PATENT AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***Front fascia or grill support structure and aerodynamic shutter assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A fascia support structure and aerodynamic shutter assembly for a vehicle includes a fascia support structure, comprising: a top portion comprising a substantially U-shaped body comprising a top fascia support member, a first side fascia support member and a second side fascia support member, the first side fascia support member having a first side baffle, the second side fascia support member having a second side baffle; and a bottom portion comprising a bottom baffle, the bottom portion attached to the first and second side fascia support members, the top portion and the bottom portion comprising a fascia support structure opening, at least one of the first side baffle, second side baffle or bottom baffle having a seal member disposed on a leading edge. The assembly also includes an aerodynamic shutter system comprising a shutter frame having a shutter frame opening and a plurality of rotatable shutters disposed therein. Full Article
late ***WITHDRAWN PATENT AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***Front fascia or grill support structure and aerodynamic shutter assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fascia support structure and aerodynamic shutter assembly for a vehicle includes a fascia support structure, comprising: a top portion comprising a substantially U-shaped body comprising a top fascia support member, a first side fascia support member and a second side fascia support member, the first side fascia support member having a first side baffle, the second side fascia support member having a second side baffle; and a bottom portion comprising a bottom baffle, the bottom portion attached to the first and second side fascia support members, the top portion and the bottom portion comprising a fascia support structure opening, at least one of the first side baffle, second side baffle or bottom baffle having a seal member disposed on a leading edge. The assembly also includes an aerodynamic shutter system comprising a shutter frame having a shutter frame opening and a plurality of rotatable shutters disposed therein. Full Article
late Knuckle formed from pivot pin and kidney core and isolated finger core By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST A railroad coupler knuckle includes a single, solid rib at a horizontal centerline of the knuckle that passes through a pivot pin hub thereof. The single, solid rib extends generally from a flag hole of a finger cavity of the knuckle to an opposite side of the knuckle from the flag hole. In another aspect, a railcar coupler knuckle includes a tail section, a hub section, and a nose section. The tail, hub, and nose sections define internal cavities including (i) a combined void that defines a pivot pin hub cavity and a kidney cavity and (ii) an isolated finger cavity. The combined void is formed using a first internal core during manufacturing of the coupler knuckle. The isolated finger cavity is formed using a second internal core during manufacturing of the coupler knuckle, such that molten alloy substantially separates the combined void and the isolated finger cavity. Full Article
late Heavy-duty pivot plate adjusting joint By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT A heavy-duty pivot plate adjusting joint for railroad freight cars connects multi-part car sections. To this end, the adjusting joint is configured such that each drawbar end is provided with only one end coupling rod part having a spring column, and the drawbar is connected by way of the drawbar end plates to the support bearing plates of an under frame provided on a car side. Each adjusting joint is provided with an adjusting point pivot plate, wherein a pivot plate roll surface is present directly at the pivot plate or at the adjoining contact surfaces transmitting pressure force, the surfaces having a spherical or two-dimensional shape. A configuration of the adjusting joints in a “regular embodiment” is proposed, wherein the distance of the transmission end points of balance is smaller than the distance of the spring travel limiters. Full Article
late Articulated coupling between a first car and a second car of a vehicle, especially a railway vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to an articulated coupling between a first car (3) and a second car of a vehicle, especially a railway vehicle, having at least two cars, said articulated coupling including a first element (33) capable of being connected to said first car (3) and a second element (35) capable of being connected to said second car, a device for moving said second element (35) in translation relative to said first element (33) in the event of an impact, and an energy absorber capable of being arranged between said first (3) and second (19) cars. The energy absorber is arranged between said first (33) and second (35) elements, and in the first element (33) is designed to allow persons to pass between said first car (3) and said second car. Full Article
late Railcar draft gear assembly and related method for assembling a railcar draft gear By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A railcar draft gear assembly including a housing, a spring sea, a spring and a friction clutch assembly in operable combination relative to each other within the housing. The spring includes a series of axially stacked elastomeric pads arranged between a closed end of the housing and the spring seat. An axially elongated guide rod is endwise passed through the spring seat and elastomeric pads for aligning the pads relative to a longitudinal axis of the draft gear assembly. The guide rod is operably inhibited from axial shifting movements during operation of the draft gear assembly. A related method for assembling the draft gear is also disclosed. Full Article
late Device for producing chocolate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a device (1) for producing chocolate by mixing and grinding ingredients, such as cacao mass, cacao butter, sugar and/or milk powder, comprising a mixer (3), a grinder (4), and means for passing the mixture from the mixer (3) to the grinder (4). The mixer (3) comprises a toroidal, preferably annular vessel (6) for receiving and mixing the ingredients. Full Article
late Method for producing a confectionery semi-processed product, such as a chocolate-type product By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of producing a semifinished confectionary product, such as chocolate or similar, using at least one centrifugal unit for simultaneously grinding and mixing at least some of the ingredients of the semifinished product, and which includes an elongated processing chamber with a substantially horizontal axis, at least one inlet for the ingredients to be processed and one outlet for the processed ingredients, and a powered shaft fitted inside the processing chamber, coaxially with the axis, and fitted with a succession of radial appendixes arranged between the inlet and the outlet; the method including the steps of loading at least a first ingredient of the semifinished product through the inlet; grinding the first ingredient inside the grinding and mixing unit by rotating the shaft at a first speed; loading at least a second ingredient through the inlet, after grinding; rotating the shaft at a second speed to grind and mix the ingredients to form a mixture of the same grain size as the semifinished product; loading at least a third ingredient through the inlet; mixing the third ingredient with the previously ground mixture to form a further mixture; bringing the further mixture to a given temperature to obtain the semifinished product; and transferring the semifinished product to a storage or packaging station. Full Article
late Supporting plate of a device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A supporting plate of a device is suggested. The device has at least one component and a housing for at least partly protecting the component. The supporting plate has at least one receiving element adapted for accepting the at least one component of the device in at least one of the following manners: in a form-closed manner, in a force-closed manner. The supporting plate is part of the housing. Full Article
late ***WITHDRAWN PATENT AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***Lid lock controller By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lid lock controller includes a lid lock unit operable in a lock state, which keeps the lid closed, and an unlock state, which allows for the lid to open. A detection unit detects an unlocking operation performed on the lid lock unit. A key check unit checks whether or not an electronic key is located in the vicinity of the vehicle through wireless communication between the vehicle and the electronic key when the unlock operation is detected. An unlocking unit switches the lid lock unit to the unlock state when the electronic key is located in the vicinity of the vehicle. The unlocking unit switches the lid lock unit to the unlock state even when the electronic key is not located in the vicinity of the vehicle as long as a further lid unlock condition is satisfied. Full Article
late Container closure with overlying needle penetrable and resealable portion and underlying portion compatible with fat containing liquid product, and related method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A container and method are provided for storing fat containing liquid products. The container includes a body defining a storage chamber for receiving the product, and a container closure. A first material portion forms at least most of the surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein. Neither the body nor the first material portion leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the product or undesirably alter a taste profile thereof. A needle penetrable and thermally resealable second material portion either (i) overlies the first material portion and cannot contact any product within the storage chamber, or (ii) forms a substantially lesser surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein in comparison to the first material portion. A sealing portion is engageable with the body to form a substantially dry hermetic seal between the container closure and body. Full Article
late Conveying device for powdery and/or granulated material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A conveying device for free-flowing fine-particle solids, in particular for powdery and/or granular (mixed) material, especially plastic granulate, includes a vertically arranged and flexibly mountable telescopic pipe for the conveyance of, preferably, polymer granulates, for example in a plant for the filling of polymer granulates. Full Article
late Voltage-to-current sensing circuit and related DC-DC converter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure is directed to a voltage-to-current sensing circuit having a bias terminal configured to receive a reference voltage, an offset terminal configured to receive an offset current, and an operational amplifier configured to output a low voltage signal. The device includes a first amplifier having first and second high voltage inputs configured to receive a first voltage difference across a sense component on a high voltage line and to generate a first current, a second amplifier having first and second low voltage inputs configured to receive a second voltage difference between the bias terminal and the offset terminal and to generate a second current, a summing circuit configured to provide an intermediate voltage corresponding to a sum of the first and the second currents, and a low-voltage transistor coupled to an output of the amplifier and controlled by the intermediate voltage to generate the output current. Full Article
late Electric de-icing device and related monitoring system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a de-icing device for an element of a nacelle of a turbojet engine, including at least one heating resistant mat connected to at least one electrical power source (3) and thus defining an assembly (1) of resistant mats, characterized in that the assembly of resistant mats includes one or more subassemblies of resistant mats, each subassembly in turn including one or more resistant mats of the assembly, and each subassembly of resistive mats having a different ohmic value. Full Article
late Methods of transporting proppant particulates in a subterranean formation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods of treating a wellbore in a subterranean formation including providing an oil-external treatment fluid, wherein the oil-external treatment fluid is a 3D-network comprising a chemical interaction between a hydrocarbon fluid, an aqueous fluid, and a surface modification agent; providing proppant particulates; suspending the proppant particulates in the oil-external treatment fluid; and introducing the oil-external treatment fluid comprising the proppant particulates into the wellbore in the subterranean formation. Full Article
late Light well intervention umbilical and flying lead management system and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for managing umbilical lines and one or more jumpers are provided. An example of a system includes a deployment platform carrying a winch and spool assembly, a tether management assembly, and an integrated electrical and/or hydraulic umbilical line extending between a spool on the winch and spool assembly and the tether management assembly. The winch and spool assembly is configured to deploy and to support the umbilical line. The tether management assembly includes a winch and spool assembly for deploying a flying lead and/or annulus jumper adapted to connect to an emergency disconnect package of a well control package for a well. A set of buoyant modules are connected to or integral with a portion of the umbilical line to be used to form an artificial heave compensation loop. Full Article
late Wellbore filter screen and related methods of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a downhole well filter (800) and method of use in a tubing string with a power head (704) for creating reverse flow. The filter assembly includes an inner pipe (820) into which fluid flow is directed. The inner pipe is positioned within a cylindrical screen member (830). The well fluid flows through the screen member and debris from the fluid is deposited in the annulus (832) between the inner pipe and screen member. The screen member has a cap (860) at its upper end to prevent fluid from escaping from the upper end of the screen member. The cap may have a pop off valve (870) so fluid can escape from the screen member when the screen becomes clogged with debris or pressure builds within the screen member. Full Article