ac COMPOSITE POLYAMIDE MEMBRANE POST-TREATED WITH NITROUS ACID By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for making a composite polyamide membrane comprising a porous support and a polyamide layer, including the steps of: i) applying a polar solution comprising of polyiunctional amine monomer and a non-polar solution comprising a polyiunctional acyl halide monomer to a surface of a porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a polyamide layer; and ii) exposing the thin film polyamide layer to nitrous acid; wherein the method is characterized by at least one of: conducting the interfacial polymerization of step i) in the presence of a subject amine-reactive compound, or applying a subject amine-reactive compound to the interfacially polymerized polyamide layer prior to step ii), wherein the subject amine-reactive compound is different from the polyiunctional acyl halide and polyiunctional amine monomers and is represented by the following formula: Full Article
ac PAINTING METHOD AND PAINTING FACILITY FOR PRODUCING A DECORATIVE COATING By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for painting a component, in particular for painting a motor vehicle body component, with a decorative layer is provided. The decorative layer may be a decorative strip, a graphic element, a contrast surface or a pattern. The method includes applying a base coat layer, applying a decorative layer, which is within a decorative region with a limited surface area, to the component, and drying a limited drying region of the component, which drying region comprises at least part of the decorative region. Full Article
ac THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE AND ITS MANUFACTURING By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a roll-to-roll continuous manufacturing process for producing a thermoplastic composite laminate comprising extruding a thermoplastic resin into a film article, surface treating a fiber material with a special sizing and laminating at least one layer of thermoplastic film and at least one layer of the surfaced treated fiber material into a composite sheet at a temperature above the melting or softening point of the thermoplastic film and under pressure applied by nipping rolls or nipping belts. Full Article
ac Method for manufacturing a protective concrete weight coating for pipelines By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for manufacturing a protective concrete weight coating for pipelines The invention relates to materials for application to the outer surfaces of pipes as a protective negative buoyancy coating. It allows achieving accurately a desired density of the concrete protective weight coating of the pipeline in the range of 2600 to 3400 kg/m3 by claimed method of manufacturing a protective concrete weight coating for pipelines which includes mixing cement, aggregate, a plasticizing additive and water, pumping the resultant mixture into an annular space formed by the outer surface of a pipeline and a permanent form mounted with clearance thereon, and setting the resultant coating. Full Article
ac METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING HARDCOAT FILM AND HARDCOAT FILM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a hardcoat film including a hardcoat layer having a surface of which a water contact angle is 65° or less by applying, drying, and curing a composition for forming the hardcoat layer on a base material film, in which the composition for forming the hardcoat layer contains the components (a) to (d) as defined herein, and, in a case in which a total solid content of the composition for forming the hardcoat layer is set to 100% by mass, a content of the component (b) is 40% to 80% by mass, a content of the component (c) is 10% to 40% by mass, and a content of the component (d) is 10% to 40% by mass. Full Article
ac COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR FORMING ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER SOLUTION OR COATING COMPRISING CONJUGATED HETEROAROMATIC POLYMER, ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER SOLUTION, OBJECTS COMPRISING THE ELECTROACTIVE COATING, AND SOLID ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITOR AND METHOD FOR FABRIC By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A composition for forming an electroactive coating includes an acid as a polymerization catalyst, at least one functional component, and at least one compound of formula (1) as a monomer: wherein X is selected from S, O, Se, Te, PR2 and NR2, Y is hydrogen (H) or a precursor of a good leaving group Y− whose conjugate acid (HY) has a pKa of less than 45, Z is hydrogen (H), silyl, or a good leaving group whose conjugate acid (HY) has a pKa of less than 45, b is 0, 1 or 2, each R1 is a substituent, and the at least one compound of formula (1) includes at least one compound of formula (1) with Z=H and Y≠H. Full Article
ac ANTIVIRAL, ANTI MICROBIAL PROTECTION FOR TOUCH SURFACES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Methods for preventing the transmission of viral and bacterial diseases are disclosed. Disease transmission is inhibited through the application of an antimicrobial film to touchpoints, the antimicrobial film having at least 60 percent copper and being at least 0.0001 mm. Full Article
ac METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MICROWAVE PLASMA ASSISTED CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION REACTORS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The disclosure relates to microwave cavity plasma reactor (MCPR) apparatus and associated tuning and process control methods that enable the microwave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition (MPACVD) of a component such as diamond. Related methods enable the control of the microwave discharge position, size and shape, and enable efficient matching of the incident microwave power into the reactor prior to and during component deposition. Pre-deposition tuning processes provide a well matched reactor exhibiting a high plasma reactor coupling efficiency over a wide range of operating conditions, thus allowing operational input parameters to be modified during deposition while simultaneously maintaining the reactor in a well-matched state. Additional processes are directed to realtime process control during deposition, in particular based on identified independent process variables which can effectively control desired dependent process variables during deposition while still maintaining a well-matched power coupling reactor state. Full Article
ac ADJUSTING METHOD FOR IMPRINT APPARATUS, IMPRINTING METHOD, AND ARTICLE MANUFACTURING METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An adjusting method for adjusting an imprint apparatus includes a preparation step of preparing a sample for evaluating a state in which a contact region of a test mold is in contact with an imprint material supplied on a substrate; an evaluation step of evaluating the sample; and an adjustment step of adjusting the imprint apparatus based on a result of evaluation obtained in the evaluation step. The contact region includes a flat region which does not include a pattern, the evaluation in the evaluation step includes a first evaluation, which is an evaluation of a state of the imprint material in the flat region, and the imprint apparatus is adjusted based on a result of the first evaluation in the adjustment step. Full Article
ac METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING GRAPHENE COMPOSITE FILM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a graphene composite film including preparing a zeolite suspension and a graphene oxide suspension containing graphene oxide, reducing the graphene oxide suspension until the graphene oxide is partially reduced to form partially-reduced graphene oxide, followed by adding the zeolite suspension and a surfactant into the partially-reduced graphene oxide suspension to form a composite solution, further reducing the composite solution until the partially-reduced graphene oxide is completely reduced to form graphene, and forming the composite solution into the graphene composite film on a substrate via plasma-enhanced atomizing deposition. Full Article
ac METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ENERGY-STORAGE COMPOSITE MATERIAL By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing an energy-storage composite material. The method includes (a) providing a solution having a carbon substrate, and placing the solution in a pressure container, and a surface of the carbon substrate having an energy-storage active precursor; (b) stirring the solution having the carbon substrate at a first stirring speed, and venting air in the pressure container at a first temperature, such that a pressure in the pressure container reaches a first pressure and is maintained for a first period of time; and (c) introducing a fluid into the pressure container, stirring the solution having the carbon substrate at a second stirring speed, increasing a pressure and a temperature in the pressure container to a second pressure and a second temperature and maintaining for a second period of time, and then reducing the pressure to the atmosphere pressure to obtain an energy-storage composite material. Full Article
ac SILICON-BASED ACTIVE MATERIAL FOR LITHIUM SECONDARY BATTERY AND PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a silicon-based anode active material for a lithium secondary battery. The silicon-based anode active material imparts high capacity and high power to the lithium secondary battery, can be used for a long time, and has good thermal stability. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the silicon-based anode active material. The method includes (A) binding metal oxide particles to the entire surface of silicon particles or portions thereof to form a silicon-metal oxide composite, (B) coating the surface of the silicon-metal oxide composite with a polymeric material to form a silicon-metal oxide-polymeric material composite, and (C) heat treating the silicon-metal oxide-polymeric material composite under an inert gas atmosphere to convert the coated polymeric material layer into a carbon coating layer. Full Article
ac LENS AND LIGHT EMITTING MODULE FOR SURFACE ILLUMINATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A light emitting module includes a circuit board, a light emitting device mounted on the circuit board, and a lens dispersing light emitted from the light emitting device. The lens includes a lower surface formed with a concave section defining a light incident surface through which light enters the lens, an upper surface through which light exits the lens, and legs coupled to the circuit board and disposed farther outside the lens than an area of the upper surface. The light emitting device is disposed within the concave section of the lens. Full Article
ac LED ILLUMINATION APPARATUS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are an LED illumination apparatus and its manufacturing method. A metal sheet is stamped to form a conductive plate with 3D space, and the conductive plate includes an illumination circuit, and a support frame for supporting the conductive plate to form different types of illumination apparatuses. The support frame is provided for supporting and fixing the conductive plate to facilitate the conductive plate to form a 3D curved surface, and an LED chip soldering point protection mechanism is provided for protecting each LED chip soldering point, so that the illumination apparatus is applicable for mass production to improve the yield rate and meet the high heat dissipation efficiency, large-range illumination, material saving, lightweight and/or environmental protection requirements. Full Article
ac Device has LED Track Means with Removable LED-Units Which Clip-On Anywhere Along the Length or Add-On From Ends By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The LED light has Track to install LED-units anywhere along the length. The LED-unit has pair of resilient or pop-out & fall-down movable contactor so can fit-within or add-on LED-units to track and connect with metal bus-strip(s) which has electric current or-and magnetic force to adhesive the pop-out & fall-down contactor on back of the LED-unit. LED light device including LED light source, or mini size LED fluorescent tube, or mini LED light bar, or mini LED Bulb, or mini LED lamp, mini LED Lamp as light source has housing to fit-in or add-on or magnetic adhesive on track to form a finish light device and get power from built-in or outside AC-to-DC transformer, circuit, power source and can control by switch, remote controller, motion/moving detector(s) sensor, all kind of sensor, APP software while incorporate with Wifi or wireless network to make the on-off, color changing, color mix, dimmer adjustment, moving light, all other light show for LED track light has fit-in LED-units by resilient contractors or LED track light has add-on LED-units by pop-out & fall-down movable contactor built on back of LED-unit and adhesive by magnetic force bus-strips. Full Article
ac TRACK SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A track system includes a track. The track includes a track body, a first rail structure and a second rail structure. The track body has an inner surface and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface. The first rail structure is formed on the inner surface of the track body. The second rail structure is formed on the outer surface of the track body. Full Article
ac BACKLIGHT MODULE AND LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE USING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A backlight module and a liquid crystal display device using the backlight module are provided. The backlight module comprises a backlight source, which includes a plate body provided with a light source lamp, and a reflector arranged on at least one longitudinal edge of the plate body. An inner wall of the reflector forms a reflective surface, which is arranged as extending obliquely away from the light source lamp. The backlight module enables light emitted from the light source lamp to enter the light guide plate to the largest extent, thereby removing the problems of light leakage and low light efficiency. Hence, in a liquid crystal display device using the backlight module, electric current can be reduced while brightness is maintained, thereby achieving the purpose of energy conservation. Full Article
ac WHITE REFLECTIVE FILM FOR EDGE-LIGHT TYPE BACKLIGHT, AND LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY BACKLIGHT USING SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A white reflective film for an edge light backlight improves the luminance and unevenness therein, voids uneven close contact with, and scraping of, the light guide plate, and minimizes the crushing of convexes formed on at least one side, even in cases where the reflective film is laid directly over a corrugated chassis designed to house circuitry or the reflective film is used in combination with LEDs. The film satisfies (i) to (iii): (i) a stiffness of 2 to 10 mN·m; (ii) convexes have been formed on at least one face (A), and their maximum height is 5 to 60 μm; (iii) the convexes contain an aromatic polyester. Full Article
ac BACKLIGHT UNIT AND AUTOSTEREOSCOPIC 3D DISPLAY DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Discussed are a backlight unit and an autostereoscopic 3D (three-dimensional) display device including the same, in which a 3D image can be displayed without using a 3D light controller that includes a liquid crystal layer. The backlight unit may include a 3D light guide plate having first light output patterns, first light sources irradiating light to at least one side of the 3D light guide plate, a 2D (two-dimensional) light guide plate arranged below the 3D light guide plate, and second light sources irradiating light to at least one side of the 2D light guide plate. The first light output patterns are a plurality of line prism patterns spaced apart from each other. Full Article
ac DISPLAY APPARATUS WITH BACKLIGHT UNIT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A display apparatus includes a plurality of light sources that are arranged in several rows at different intervals so that light emitted from the plurality of light sources may reach all regions of a display panel uniformly. Accordingly, a uniform dispersion of the light incident on the display panel may be achieved. Furthermore, distribution of light generated from the plurality of light sources on the display panel may be facilitated through a reflecting unit without the use of a light-guide plate or the like. Full Article
ac SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING A CONSISTENT TEMPERATURE GRADIENT ACROSS AN ELECTRONIC DISPLAY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electronic display assembly having forced-air cooling. A thermally conductive plate or a thermally conductive backlight surface is located behind an electronic display of the electronic display assembly and within a housing thereof such that a gap is formed between the plate or backlight surface and an adjacent wall of the housing. External cooling air may be caused to flow in a top-to-bottom direction through the gap in order to remove heat from the electronic display that has been conductively transferred to the gap. A plurality of ribs may be placed within the gap and in thermal communication with the electronic display to enhance the conductive transfer of heat from the electronic display. Full Article
ac DATABASE CACHING IN A DATABASE SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A database system provides a non-volatile cache memory layer for caching pages for a set of database from the database system. The non-volatile cache memory layer may include a non-volatile cache for caching pages for a database from the set of database on the database system. The non-volatile cache may be configured through invoking a configuring stored procedure persistent on the database system. A request is received at the non-volatile cache memory layer for performing an operation on a page from the database on the database system. Based on the received request and an identification of the page, a caching operation is performed on the non-volatile cache memory layer. The caching operation is associated with the request. Data associated with the requested operation on the page is stored and organized on the NV cache memory layer. Full Article
ac METHOD AND SERVER FOR PUSHING INFORMATION PROACTIVELY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for pushing information proactively includes: receiving updated data; querying search records that match the updated data; determining search records that meet a push condition, and obtaining user information corresponding to the search records that meet the push condition; pushing, according to the user information, the updated data to all or part of users corresponding to the user information. In the embodiments of the present invention, after receiving updated data, the server proactively obtains the search records of users, screens the users according to the push condition, and pushes the updated data to the screened users. In this way, the information is proactively pushed, which shortens the time interval of providing information for the users, and improves the efficiency of obtaining needed information by the users. Full Article
ac SPHERE-LIKE MOBILE INTERACTIVE USER INTERFACE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for generating a sphere-like mobile user interface is described including receiving search terms and search results, generating a sphere and blobs of the sphere and expanding a touched or swiped blob of the sphere. Full Article
ac EXTENSIBLE EXTRACT, TRANSFORM AND LOAD (ETL) FRAMEWORK By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Described herein is an extensible extract, transform and load (ETL) framework. In accordance with one aspect of the framework, a file location object and a corresponding file format object are retrieved from a repository. The file location object stores file location parameters that specify a remote file system directory and a local file system directory, while the file format object stores location configuration parameters that specify a data file and the file location object. The data file may be transferred from the remote file system directory to the local file system directory according to the file location parameters and the location configuration parameters. An extract, transform and load (ETL) job may then be performed on the data file to generate an output file. Full Article
ac Computerized Identification of App Search Functionality for Search Engine Access By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A search system includes a device controller that provisions a device to execute a copy of a selected mobile application. A crawler extracts content and metadata from states of the selected mobile application. A search input state classifier identifies search input states within the states based on a first set of heuristics, including recognition of user-visible search indicia and recognition of metadata that correlates with search functionality. A parameter identifier identifies, for each of the search input states, necessary input parameters. A search function data store stores a record for each identified search function. Each record includes a path to reach a corresponding search input state, an indication of required input parameters, and a mapping of the input parameters to user interface widgets. A query processing system uses the stored search functions to scrape content from the selected mobile application in response to a query. Full Article
ac Computerized Identification Of App Search Functionality For Search Engine Access By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A search system includes a device controller that provisions a device to execute a copy of a selected mobile application. A crawler extracts content and metadata from states of the selected mobile application. A search input state classifier identifies search input states within the states based on a first set of heuristics, including recognition of user-visible search indicia and recognition of metadata that correlates with search functionality. A parameter identifier identifies, for each of the search input states, necessary input parameters. A search function data store stores a record for each identified search function. Each record includes a path to reach a corresponding search input state, an indication of required input parameters, and a mapping of the input parameters to user interface widgets. A query processing system uses the stored search functions to scrape content from the selected mobile application in response to a query. Full Article
ac CHINESE WEBSITE CLASSIFICATION METHOD AND SYSTEM BASED ON CHARACTERISTIC ANALYSIS OF WEBSITE HOMEPAGE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are a Chinese website classification method and system based on characteristic analysis of a website homepage. The method specifically comprises the following steps: S1, crawling website content; S2, labeling a website type; S3, extracting website information; S4, calculating a weight and representing the weight in the form of a characteristic vector; and S5, classifying the website by comparing the characteristic vector. By utilizing the above Chinese website classification method and system, the noise interference can be alleviated to the greatest extent by only extracting a title and meta-information of the website; by means of pre-processing and characteristic vector expression, the characteristics of the website are accurately expressed with the vector, so that the accuracy of classification is increased; and since only the title and meta-information of the website need to be processed, the quantity of data to be processed is small, and the processing speed is high. Full Article
ac Content Item Activity Feed for Presenting Events Associated with Content Items By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A content management system aggregates and provides users' interaction with a content item for display in an activity feed. Events corresponding to the users' interaction with the content item are provided in conjunction with a user interface of a native application displaying the content item. Though provided in conjunction with the native application, the events are maintained separate from the content data of the content item and displayed in the activity feed by an application separate from the native application of the content item. The activity feed permits users to exchange chat messages and retrieve information for multiple versions of the content item. Full Article
ac DEVICE FOR EXTRACTION OF POLLUTANTS BY MULTICHANNEL TUBULAR MEMBRANE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 11 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A device for extraction of pollutants by multichannel tubular membrane containing at least one fluid channel allowing the fluid to go through a feed inlet to an outlet end characterized in that membrane comprises at least an extraction channel filled with molten salt in order to adsorb said pollutants having to be extracted from the said fluid. Advantageously, the membrane is a ceramic membrane. An application is for the treatment of traces of pollutants in a liquid or gaseous fluid. For example, the removal of small pollutants as volatile organic compounds from an aqueous stream in industrial wastewater treatment or other water treatment applications, or the separation of aromatic compounds form an hydrocarbon feed in petrochemical applications. Another application is in the removal of water traces in products of high added value as pharmaceutical, cosmetic or biocarburant for example. Full Article
ac VIRTUAL IMPACTOR FILTER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 11 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A filter system and method use a filter housing that defines an interior chamber and that includes an inlet opening extending into the interior chamber. The outer air flow housing has an outlet conduit through which a flow of air having particles is directed toward the inlet opening of the filter housing along a flow direction toward the interior chamber of the filter housing. The outer air flow housing engages the filter housing such that the filter housing is separated from the outer air flow housing along the flow direction to permit at least some of the air to pass around an exterior of the filter housing and exit the outer air flow housing while the particles in the at least some of the air pass into the interior chamber of the filter housing through the inlet opening. Full Article
ac FILTRATION, FILTER CHARACTERIZATION, AND METHODS AND APPARATUSES THEREFOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT Aspects of the disclosure are directed to apparatuses and methods involving filters and detection of operation thereof. As may be consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a fixture having mechanical components that hold a filter. Gas flow componentry operates with the fixture to eject particles from the filter by subjecting the filter to gas flow. A flow metering circuit meters the gas flow, and a particulate counter detects the ejected particles. Full Article
ac STAGED COMPLEMENTARY PSA SYSTEM FOR LOW ENERGY FRACTIONATION OF MIXED FLUID By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A staged complementary pressure swing adsorption system and method for low energy fractionation of a mixed fluid. Two beds in a four-column PSA system are selective for component A, and another two columns are selective for component B. The cycle creates an intermittent A and B product, using the purge effluent from the complementary product fed at an intermediate pressure. This intermittent product is used as purge gas for low-pressure purged elsewhere in the cycle using appropriate storage tanks. The use of an intermediate pressure in this cycle enables continuous production of purified component A and B without the use of compressors. Columns may also be configured to enable pressure to equalize between complementary columns. Full Article
ac Compact Subsea Dehydration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for dehydrating a natural gas stream are provided herein. The system includes a lean solvent feed system, including a line from a topsides facility, wherein the line is configured to divide a lean solvent stream to feed lean solvent to each of a number of co-current contacting systems in parallel. The co-current contacting systems are placed in series along a wet natural gas stream, wherein each of the co-current contacting systems is configured to contact the lean solvent stream with the wet natural gas stream to adsorb at least a portion of the water from the wet natural gas stream to form a dry natural gas stream. A rich solvent return system includes a line to combine rich solvent from each of the plurality of co-current contacting systems and return a rich solvent stream to the topsides facility. Full Article
ac SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BACKLUSHING A VACUUM FILTER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A vacuum filter backflushing system having an air recapturing adapter coupled to a vacuum motor's air exhaust port which recaptures a portion of exhaust air and introduces the air into a recaptured air passage. The recaptured air passage is coupled to an air flow director which is configured to direct air to an air filter. The air flow director is configured to selectively prevent air from flowing through the filters in a normal air flow direction and allow the air in the recaptured air passage to backflush the filter by dislodging particles from air filter media. The recaptured air passage can terminate after a last air filter, such that the recaptured air passage is pressurized, or the recaptured air passage can recouple back into the air exhaust port or the air recapturing adapter, such that the air is in constant motion in the recaptured air passage. Full Article
ac THERMAL DRYING SYSTEM FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An additive manufacturing device includes at least one liquefier assembly that receives filament material from at least one feedstock and extrudes the material in a flowable form. A thermal drying system removes water vapor and heats compressed air to a preselected temperature set point to form conditioned air. At least one enclosed filament path houses and guides the filament material from a supply to the at least one liquefier assembly. The enclosed filament path is exposed to the conditioned air from the thermal drying system so as to keep the filament material dry as it is fed to the at least one liquefier assembly. Full Article
ac Wellhead platform systems for use in extracting and testing multi-phase raw mixtures By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Example embodiments include systems for use in a wellhead platform. The system may comprise a separator subsystem, a scrubber subsystem, a first stage compressor subsystem, and a second stage compressor subsystem. The separator subsystem may comprise a separator inlet section for receiving multi-phase raw mixtures, a separator container body for housing the received multi-phase raw mixture, and a separator gas outlet section for separating gas. The scrubber subsystem may comprise a scrubber inlet section connected to the separator gas outlet section, a scrubber container body, and a scrubber gas outlet section for separating gas. The first stage compressor subsystem may be operable to receive gas separated from the scrubber subsystem, compress the received gas, and output the compressed gas. The second stage compressor subsystem may be operable to receive compressed gas from the first stage compressor subsystem, further compress the received compressed gas, and output the further compressed gas. Full Article
ac Methods and Systems for Selective Hydrogen Gas Extraction for Dissolved Gas Analysis Applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for selectively extracting hydrogen gas dissolved in oil are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a selectively permeable membrane provided at a point of contact between oil and a sensor chamber. The selectively permeable membrane has a hydrogen specificity and a thickness selected to minimize detection of further gasses dissolved in the oil by a hydrogen gas sensor cross-sensitive to the further gasses. The selectively permeable membrane can include polyimide. The further gasses include carbon monoxide, acetylene, and ethylene. The system can include a further membrane and a porous metal disc. The porous metal disc is bound to the selectively permeable membrane by using the further membrane as an adhesive layer and by applying pressure and temperature. The porous metal disc supports the selectively permeable membrane and the further membrane against pressure of the oil when exposed to a vacuum. The further membrane includes fluorohydrocarbons. Full Article
ac SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDENSING MOISTURE IN A BIOREACTOR GAS STREAM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein is a system and method for condensing moisture in a gas stream entering or leaving a bioreactor, the system comprising: a contact condenser container fluidically coupled to the bioreactor through an exhaust line; a condensate accumulator fluidically coupled to the contact condenser container through at least a first condensate line and a second condensate line; the condensate accumulator further fluidically coupled to the bioreactor through a condensate overflow line; a first condensate control device disposed on the first condensate line and configured to control a flow of condensate leaving the contact condenser container and entering the condensate accumulator; and a second condensate control device disposed on the second condensate line and configured to control a flow of condensate leaving the condensate accumulator to be mixed with the gas stream. Full Article
ac FACILITY AND METHOD FOR PURIFICATION BY ADSORPTION OF A GASEOUS FLOW COMPRISING A CORROSIVE IMPURITY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a facility for purification by adsorption of gaseous flow comprising at least one impurity which has a corrosive effect on carbons steel, comprising a radial adsorber comprising a housing with an outer envelope made of carbon steel; a vertical perforated inner grating consisting of a corrosion-resistant material, a vertical perforated outer grating, an adsorbent which is held vertically by the outer grating and the inner grating, and allows at least partial blockage of the corrosive impurity, and a means for allowing a centrifugal circulation of the gaseous flow. Full Article
ac DEVICE FOR EXTRACTING WATER FROM THE ENVIRONMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention corresponds to a device for extracting water from the environment by means of a liquid desiccant. The device comprises a means for capturing water from the environment using a liquid desiccant, an extraction chamber, a first duct through which liquid desiccant with water flows from the capture means to the extraction chamber, a second duct through which liquid desiccant flows from the extraction chamber to the capture means, a reservoir for depositing water extracted from the liquid desiccant in the extraction chamber, a third duct through which water flows from the extraction chamber to the reservoir, a means to create a vacuum within the extraction chamber, and a control device that controls the heating element. The extraction chamber comprises a container located at the bottom of the extraction chamber, in which the water captured by the liquid desiccant is extracted and a heating element located within the container Full Article
ac System for flushing a vacuum toilet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for flushing a vacuum toilet in an aircraft, with a bowl drain for removing toilet waste water from a bowl, a drain line, a bypass flow line for feeding-in air, a drainage valve and a waste water line. The bowl drain and the bypass flow line are connectable to the drain line, and the drainage valve on the input side is connectable to the drain line, and on the output side is connectable to a waste water line. In an implementation of the vacuum toilet as a vacuum urinal, the system may provide either water flushing or waterless flushing. Full Article
ac Automatic air evacuation appratus for swimming pool and spa filters By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is an air evacuation apparatus that prevents the accumulation of air inside a swimming pool or spa filter by allowing any air to be removed from inside the filter every time the swimming pool pump is turned on. By allowing air to be removed from the filter, the present invention prevents the build-up of dangerous levels of potential energy caused by compressed air inside the filter that can lead to the violent separation of the filter. More important, the air evacuation apparatus of the present invention allows air to be safely and automatically removed from inside of the filter without interfering with the functionality of the filter. Full Article
ac Cantilevered brace assembly for wall-mounted toilet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A brace for a wall-mounted toilet, particularly useful for wall-mounted porcelain toilets in hospitals and other health care facilities. The brace a weight receiving structure supported by cantilevered struts that attach the brace to the wall, preferably using the same bolts that attach the toilet to the wall. The weight receiving structure may be seat portion that overlies the rim of the toilet bowl, so that the weight of the user is transmitted from the toilet seat to the seat structure and then to the walls through the struts. Alternately, the weight receiving structure may include an under-bowl support that extends underneath the toilet bowl so that the user's weight is transmitted from the bowl to the wall through the struts. Thus, the cantilevered brace increases the weight-bearing capacity of the wall-mounted toilet. A plastic shroud may be included for enclosing the brace and toilet bowl. Full Article
ac Expandable rack for a sink By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Full Article
ac Integrally formed water and space saving lavatory-toilet fixture By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT This integrally formed water and space saving lavatory-toilet fixture enables hand washing with potable water from an existing toilet, recycles effluent completely, and provides sanitary, seamless, one-piece, full perimeter tank closure. A flexible hose re-directs supply away from the overflow through an interior fixture cavity and top cast opening toward a basin, that drains back into the reservoir as effluent; supplementing the required volume of water to complete one flush cycle. A cast sidewall basin opening is formed allowing potential drainage to flow through an internal hollow cavity directly into the tank reservoir below. The integrally formed fixture also includes a sloped front wall allowing additional hand washing space, vertically aligned space saving side and rear walls, and, an integrally formed perimeter rim conforming to the shape of the toilet tank edging below, providing hygienic, continuous tank containment and secure, detachable mounting. Full Article
ac Automatic roll-back and return-to-position for header tilt on an agricultural machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A windrower with a harvesting header with a crop cutting assembly for severing crop from the ground windrower has a header pitch sensor for measuring a fore/aft pitch angle and a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system moves the header between an operating height and a raised position, and also controls a fore/aft pitch angle. An electronics control module provides an output to activate solenoid valves in the hydraulic system to move the header between the operating height and the raised position and to select a desired pitch angle. When the header moves from the operating height to the raised position, the electronics control module operates the header hydraulic system to move the header to the zero-tilt condition, and upon lowering the header back the operating height, the electronics control module automatically returns the header to the selected pitch angle it was in at the start of the cycle. Full Article
ac Electromotive drive device for construction machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST An electromotive drive device of an electric motor-driven mini-excavator, which is capable of lengthening its operating time, includes an electric power storage device, a motor-generator, a hydraulic pump, a plurality of directional control valves which respectively control the flow of pressurized fluid, and a plurality of operating devices which respectively operate the plurality of directional control valves. The electromotive drive device is provided with a bidirectional converter which decelerates the motor-generator to an idle revolution speed when X seconds have elapsed in a state in which the plurality of directional control valves are all not operated. The bidirectional converter performs regenerative control to convert an inertial force of a rotor of the motor-generator to power and charge the electric power storage device when it decelerates the motor-generator from a standard revolution speed to the idle revolution speed. Full Article
ac Initiating tractor stop and bale wrap function By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A combination tractor and baler is provided to automate tractor stopping and baler wrapping while incorporating operator interaction to improve the efficiency of the tractor and baler combination in operation. Automated control systems and manual operator devices are utilized to improve the timing of the tractor stop and baler wrapping time sequences. Various methods to improve efficiency, including methods to synchronize tractor stop with wrapping activation are provided. Full Article
ac Baler attachment for optionally changing the orientation of bales being released from a baler By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A bale turning apparatus for attachment to a baler to generally align the cylindrical of the bales in each row as the bales are released from the baler. Using the disclosed invention, the bales are essentially turned ninety degrees from the orientation of bales from the position that they are typically released from a round baler. By accomplishing this general alignment of the cylindrical axis of each bale in each row, when baling corn stover or other row crops, the bale loading operation can later be done more efficiently by driving down the rows in the same direction as the combine and baler have traveled. Full Article