Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080197518 | Shaped article with polymer domains and process - A process for making a multiphase birefringent film and resulting shaped article comprise (a) a first polymeric material forming a continuous phase in all directions and (b) a second polymeric material that is continuous in only one direction disposed within the first phase, the second polymeric material being predominately curvilinear in shape and substantially extending the length of the film, at least one of the phases being birefringent and the two phases being substantially matched in refractive index in at least one direction | 08-21-2008 |
20090040771 | Thin light guiding plate and methods of manufacturing - The present invention provides a composite light guiding plate comprising a light guiding layer comprising an incident face for receiving light from at least one light source, a light guiding output surface that is also generally orthogonal to the incident face, a featured surface, opposite the light-guiding output surface and generally orthogonal to the input face for redirecting light through the light guiding output surface. Further, the featured surface comprises a plurality of rows of linear prismatic structures extended in a length direction that is substantially perpendicular to the incident face and having height and width dimensions of 10 to 200 microns and wherein the length-to-width aspect ratio of the linear prismatic structures is greater than 100:1 the thickness of the light guiding layer is less than 1 mm. Further, the plate is formed from polymeric materials comprising polyesters, amorphous polyesters, polyarylates, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyether-amides, polyamide-imides, polyimides, polyetherimides, cyclic olefin polymers, impact-modified polymethacrylates, polyacrylates, polyacrylonitrile, polystyrenes, polyethers, cellulosics, sulfur-containing polymers and blends or alloys of two or more polymers or copolymers thereof. Additionally, the plate comprises a light extraction layer comprising an input surface having a plurality of protruding light extraction features that have tips that are bonded to the light-guiding output surface of the light guiding layer and provide optical contact between the light guiding and light extraction layers and an illumination output surface for providing light output from the composite illumination plate. Further, the thickness of the light extraction layer is less than 1 mm and wherein one or more channels of air or other gas are sandwiched between the light guiding layer and the light extraction layer. | 02-12-2009 |
20090050855 | POLYMERIC CONDUCTOR DONOR AND TRANSFER METHOD - The present invention relates to a donor laminate for transfer of a conductive layer comprising at least one electronically conductive polymer on to a receiver, wherein the receiver is a component of a device. The present invention also relates to methods pertinent to such transfers. | 02-26-2009 |
20090316417 | Light-redirecting article - A method for forming a light-redirecting article is provided wherein a surface of a substrate is conditioned by applying a layer of an embedment material. A close-packed layer of microspheres is assembled using drying-assisted self-assembly and applied to the conditioned surface. Microspheres are then embedded halfway into the surface of the layer of the embedment material. | 12-24-2009 |
20090323184 | Dissfusely-reflecting polarizer having nearly isotropic continuous phase - The present invention provides a diffusely-reflecting polarizer comprising:
| 12-31-2009 |
20100220074 | TOUCHSCREEN WITH CARBON NANOTUBE CONDUCTIVE LAYERS - The present invention is directed to a touchscreen comprising touch side electrode and device side electrode wherein each electrode comprises an insulating substrate and an exposed electrically conductive layer, wherein said exposed electrically conductive layers are adjacent and separated by dielectric spacers, and wherein only one of the exposed electrically conductive layers comprises carbon nanotubes. | 09-02-2010 |
20110095442 | THIN LIGHT GUIDING PLATE AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING - The present invention provides a composite light guiding plate comprising a light guiding layer comprising an incident face for receiving light from at least one light source, a light guiding output surface that is also generally orthogonal to the incident face, a featured surface, opposite the light-guiding output surface and generally orthogonal to the input face for redirecting light through the light guiding output surface. Further, the featured surface comprises a plurality of rows of linear prismatic structures extended in a length direction that is substantially perpendicular to the incident face and having height and width dimensions of 10 to 200 microns and wherein the length-to-width aspect ratio of the linear prismatic structures is greater than 100:1 the thickness of the light guiding layer is less than 1 mm. Further, the plate is formed from polymeric materials comprising polyesters, amorphous polyesters, polyarylates, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyether-amides, polyamide-imides, polyimides, polyetherimides, cyclic olefin polymers, impact-modified polymethacrylates, polyacrylates, polyacrylonitrile, polystyrenes, polyethers, cellulosics, sulfur-containing polymers and blends or alloys of two or more polymers or copolymers thereof. Additionally, the plate comprises a light extraction layer comprising an input surface having a plurality of protruding light extraction features that have tips that are bonded to the light-guiding output surface of the light guiding layer and provide optical contact between the light guiding and light extraction layers and an illumination output surface for providing light output from the composite illumination plate. Further, the thickness of the light extraction layer is less than 1 mm and wherein one or more channels of air or other gas are sandwiched between the light guiding layer and the light extraction layer. | 04-28-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080292408 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRIVING A MONOPILE FOR SUPPORTING AN OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE - A method for installing an offshore wind turbine system includes driving a cylindrical annular monopile or a substructure into the soil. The monopile includes a flanged portion configured to support a wind turbine tower or a superstructure. The flanged portion extends radially from a peripheral surface of the monopile. The method further includes mounting a wind turbine tower directly on to the monopile, wherein the wind turbine is supported by the flanged portion of the monopile. | 11-27-2008 |
20080310576 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING COOLANT LEVEL AND FLOW VELOCITY IN A NUCLEAR REACTOR - A boiling water reactor includes a reactor pressure vessel having a feedwater inlet for the introduction of recycled steam condensate and/or makeup coolant into the vessel, and a steam outlet for the discharge of produced steam for appropriate work. A fuel core is located within a lower area of the pressure vessel. The fuel core is surrounded by a core shroud spaced inward from the wall of the pressure vessel to provide an annular downcomer forming a coolant flow path between the vessel wall and the core shroud. A probe system that includes a combination of conductivity/resistivity probes and/or one or more time-domain reflectometer (TDR) probes is at least partially located within the downcomer. The probe system measures the coolant level and flow velocity within the downcomer. | 12-18-2008 |
20090098003 | MULTIPHASE SCREW PUMP - A twin screw pump includes a pair of rotors disposed inside a casing having an inlet and an outlet. Each rotor includes a set of threads disposed on a portion of an outer surface of a shaft. A first bearing is coupled at a first end of the shaft and a second bearing is coupled at a second end of the shaft. The first and second bearings are not separated by one or more seals. The first and second bearings are configured for being lubricated by the liquid medium of the process fluid when the twin screw pump is in an operational mode. | 04-16-2009 |
20100040499 | SCREW PUMP ROTORS AND RING SEALS FOR SCREW PUMP ROTORS - A pump rotor for a screw pump, comprising a shaft, a thread on the shaft, the thread comprising a groove disposed on an outer surface thereof, and a seal disposed in the groove. The seal and the groove are configured to retain the seal in the groove while allowing radial displacement of the seal with respect to the thread as the pump rotor is deflected. | 02-18-2010 |
20100278672 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LUBRICATING A SCREW PUMP SYSTEM - A pump system includes inlet chambers, an outlet chamber, and rotors disposed inside the inlet chambers and the outlet chamber to pump a process fluid from the inlet chambers to the outlet chamber and to direct the process fluid to a separator. A gear chamber is configured to receive a portion of the process fluid from the separator. First and second sets of pump bearings are coupled to the rotors and lubricated by the portion of the process fluid flowing from the gear chamber. A conduit is configured to direct the portion of the process fluid from the pump bearings back to the gear chamber. Some of the portion of the process fluid lubricating the pump bearings is permitted to leak to the inlet chambers. Additional process fluid is continually added to the portion of the process fluid to compensate for fluid leaking to the inlet chambers. | 11-04-2010 |
20100278673 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING FLUID FLOW WITHIN A SCREW PUMP SYSTEM - In a pump system, a process fluid is directed into inlet chambers of a pump casing at an inlet pressure, and a plurality of rotors disposed inside the pump casing are rotated to pump the process fluid from the inlet chambers to an outlet chamber located between the inlet chambers, wherein the process fluid in the outlet chambers is at an outlet pressure. The process fluid is directed from the outlet chamber to a separator configured to separate particulate matter from the process fluid, and a portion of separated process fluid is directed from the separator to a gear chamber of the pump. Pump bearings are lubricated with the portion of separated process fluid from the gear chamber. Some of the portion of the separated process fluid from the pump bearing is leaked to the inlet chambers via rotor shrouds to reduce accumulation of particulate matter in the inlet chambers. | 11-04-2010 |
20110103987 | PUMP SYSTEM - The present invention provides a pump system comprising a bearing housing coupled to a pump liner, the pump liner defining a fluid conduit, the pump liner comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; and at least one rotor having a first rotor portion and a second rotor portion, the first rotor portion being disposed within the fluid conduit and the second rotor portion being disposed within the bearing housing; the first rotor portion comprising a first conveying stage adjacent to the bearing housing, and a second conveying stage adjacent to the first conveying stage, the first and second conveying stages being configured to convey a fluid, the first conveying stage being configured to convey the fluid from the bearing housing into the fluid conduit. The new pump systems rely on a dynamic restriction to reduce the need for mechanical seals between bearing housings and raw process fluid. | 05-05-2011 |
20110123378 | Screw Pump Rotor and Method of Reducing Slip Flow - A pump rotor for a screw pump includes a shaft, a first set of threads disposed on a portion of an outer surface of the shaft, at least one thread of the first set of threads including a groove disposed on an end portion thereof, and a ring seal disposed on the groove such that the ring seal is configured to protrude outwardly from the groove and to rest against an inner surface of a liner of the screw pump, and the groove is sized so as to allow the ring seal to move radially with respect to the plurality of threads as the rotor is deflected. | 05-26-2011 |
20110293441 | MULTIPHASE PUMP FLOW RECIRCULATION SYSTEM - In accordance with certain aspects of the invention, a pump system is provided. The pump system includes a pump casing having a process fluid inlet chamber connected to a process fluid inlet through the pump casing, and a process fluid outlet chamber connected to a process fluid outlet through the pump casing. The pump system also includes rotors disposed inside the process fluid inlet chamber and the process fluid outlet chamber. The rotors are configured to pump a process fluid from the process fluid inlet chamber to the process fluid outlet chamber. In addition, the pump casing comprises one or more fluid injection inlets axially located between the process fluid inlet and the process fluid outlet. | 12-01-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100276492 | FOCUSING APPARATUS AND TERMINAL COMPRISING VARIABLE FOCUS LENS ASSEMBLY - There is described a focusing apparatus having a deformable membrane that at least partially defines a cavity and an optical fluid disposed in the cavity. An actuator assembly can be provided for imparting a force to the deformable membrane. In one embodiment, the actuator assembly can include a piezoelectric actuator. | 11-04-2010 |
20110089245 | INDICIA READING TERMINAL INCLUDING FOCUS ELEMENT WITH EXPANDED RANGE OF FOCUS DISTANCES - Embodiments of the present invention comprise an indicia reading terminal including a focus element that extends the range of focus distances at which the indicia reading terminal can decode decodable indicia. In one embodiment, the focus element comprises a variable form element and a variable position element, the combination of which causes an image distance that can change in accordance with a separation distance between these two elements. The focus element can comprise an actuator, e.g., a piezoelectric actuator, which can be coupled to the variable position element in a manner that can cause the variable position element to deform the variable form element, and in one example, the deformation changes the focal length of the variable form element. | 04-21-2011 |
20120018517 | MULTIPLE RANGE INDICIA READER WITH SINGLE TRIGGER ACTUATION - A method of operating an indicia reader for reading information bearing indicia (IBI) positioned in a field of view of the reader includes: transmitting a first laser light beam adapted for scanning an IBI on a target located a first distance from the indicia reader; transmitting a second laser light beam adapted for scanning an IBI on a target located a second distance greater than the first distance from the indicia reader; activating at least one of the first and second laser light beams; scanning at least one of the laser light beams with a flat unitary scan mirror to generate at least one of a first laser light beam pattern and a second laser light beam pattern; directing light reflected from the target from either the first or second laser light beams patterns through a common receive path; the common receive path including being reflected with the flat unitary scan mirror onto a focusing mirror; the focusing mirror directing reflected light along a directed reflected light path; the directed reflected light path including an optical filter outputting directed reflected light; converting the directed reflected light into an output signal with a photodetector; decoding IBI information derived from the output signal, wherein the operating steps are completed by devices supported in a hand held indicia reader housing and wherein an operator selectively activates the first laser light beam and/or the second laser light beam with a single action trigger. | 01-26-2012 |
20130306720 | CLOUD-BASED SYSTEM FOR READING OF DECODABLE INDICIA - A data decoding system can comprise one or more computers communicatively coupled to a network. The computers can execute at least one decoding process. The decoding process can be configured, responsive to receiving a decoding request comprising an image of decodable indicia, to locate the decodable indicia within the image, and to decode the decodable indicia into a decoded message. The decoding process can be further configured, responsive to completing a decoding operation, to transmit to the client the decoded message and/or the decoding operation completion code. | 11-21-2013 |
20140036072 | CARGO SENSING - Cargo presence detection devices, systems, and methods are described herein. One cargo presence detection system includes one or more sensors positioned in an interior space of a container, and arranged to collect background image data about at least a portion of the interior space of the container and updated image data about the portion of the interior space of the container and a detection component that receives the image data from the one or more sensors and identifies if one or more cargo items are present in the interior space of the container based on analysis of the background and updated image data. | 02-06-2014 |
20140104451 | ANDROID BOUND SERVICE CAMERA INITIALIZATION - A mobile device includes a camera, a user interface system, and a processor communicatively coupled to the camera and the user interface system. The processor is typically configured for running a first application. The first application is typically configured for (i) accessing the camera, (ii) upon the initialization of the first application, initializing the camera, and (iii) maintaining the camera in an initialized state as long as the first application is running. The application may be further configured for focusing the camera and maintaining the camera in a focused state as long as the first application is running. | 04-17-2014 |
20140175165 | BAR CODE SCANNER WITH INTEGRATED SURFACE AUTHENTICATION - In general, techniques are described for performing surface authentication with a scanning device to authenticate items. The scanning device or “scanner” that includes a bar code reader, a surface reader and a controller may implement the techniques. The bar code reader is configured to read a bar code affixed to an item to determine bar code data. The surface reader is configured to read a surface of the item to determine a representation of the surface. The controller is configured to determine whether the item is authentic based on the bar code data and the representation of the surface and provides an indication that the item has been authenticated based on the determination of whether the item is authentic. In this way, a scanner may perform item authentication based on both the bar code data and the representation of the surface of the item. | 06-26-2014 |
20140232930 | OPTICAL REDIRECTION ADAPTER - An optical redirection adapter for an electronic device having a camera includes a housing and an optical element. The optical element is attached to the housing and positioned such that, when the adapter is attached the electronic device, the optical element is positioned in the camera's field of view. The optical element reflects light in the camera's field of view from a redirection angle that is offset from the camera's field of view. The optical redirection adapter facilitates ergonomically sound use of the camera. | 08-21-2014 |
20140239071 | INDICIA READING TERMINALS AND METHODS FOR DECODING DECODABLE INDICIA EMPLOYING LIGHT FIELD IMAGING - A terminal for decoding decodable indicia includes a plenoptic imaging subsystem comprising an image sensor array and plenoptic imaging optics operable to project a plenoptic image of a space containing the decodable indicia onto the image sensor array, a hand held housing encapsulating a least a portion of the plenoptic imaging subsystem, a trigger for initiating operation of the plenoptic imaging subsystem to obtain plenoptic image data of the decodable indicia, and an illumination source for projecting illumination onto the decodable indicia; an aimer for projecting an aimer pattern onto the decodable indicia. The terminal is operable, responsive to detecting that the trigger has been actuated by an operator, to obtain plenoptic image data from the image sensor array, to obtain first rendered image data based on at least a portion of the plenoptic image data, and to attempt to decode the decodable indicia represented in the rendered image data. | 08-28-2014 |
20140344943 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURING SENSITIVE DATA - An approach is provided for securing data in a technical environment. In one embodiment, a processor obtains a first file, which when executed installs a first portion of a second file and an assembly key to assemble the second file. The processor executes this first file and then obtains the second portion of the second file. The processor assembles the second file using the first portion, the second portion, and the assembly key. | 11-20-2014 |
20150178536 | INDICIA READING TERMINALS AND METHODS EMPLOYING LIGHT FIELD IMAGING - A terminal for decoding decodable indicia includes a plenoptic imaging subsystem comprising an image sensor array and plenoptic imaging optics operable to project a plenoptic image of a space containing the decodable indicia onto the image sensor array, a hand held housing encapsulating a least a portion of the plenoptic imaging subsystem, a trigger for initiating operation of the plenoptic imaging subsystem to obtain plenoptic image data of the decodable indicia, and an illumination source for projecting illumination onto the decodable indicia; an aimer for projecting an aimer pattern onto the decodable indicia. The terminal is operable, responsive to detecting that the trigger has been actuated by an operator, to obtain plenoptic image data from the image sensor array, to obtain first rendered image data based on at least a portion of the plenoptic image data, and to attempt to decode the decodable indicia represented in the rendered image data. | 06-25-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090107182 | Pull roll apparatus and method for controlling glass sheet tension - A pull roll apparatus and method are described herein that can control a cross-draw tension and a down-draw tension of a glass sheet while manufacturing the glass sheet. In one embodiment, the pull roll apparatus includes a first driven stub roll pair, a second driven stub roll pair and a control device (e.g., PLC) that controls the first and second driven stub roll pairs while a first edge portion of the glass sheet is drawn between two vertically downtilted rolls associated with the first driven stub roll pair and while an opposing second edge portion of the glass sheet is drawn between two vertically downtilted rolls associated with the second driven stub roll pair. If desired, the pull roll apparatus may include a pulling roll assembly (located below the first and second driven stub rolls) or another set of driven stub roll pairs (located below the first and second driven stub roll pairs). | 04-30-2009 |
20130340481 | ACTIVE EDGE ROLL CONTROL IN A GLASS DRAWING PROCESS - An apparatus for drawing a glass ribbon including an edge roll assembly that contacts the glass ribbon with a force that is dynamically altered by an actuator electrically coupled to a sensor that measures the force applied against the ribbon. Dynamic, or real-time, variation of the edge roll force minimizes stress variability in the glass ribbon and improves ribbon shape control. | 12-26-2013 |
20140075994 | PULL ROLL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING GLASS SHEET TENSION - A pull roll apparatus and method are described herein that can control a cross-draw tension and a down-draw tension of a glass sheet while manufacturing the glass sheet. In one embodiment, the pull roll apparatus includes a first driven stub roll pair, a second driven stub roll pair and a control device (e.g., PLC) that controls the first and second driven stub roll pairs while a first edge portion of the glass sheet is drawn between two vertically downtilted rolls associated with the first driven stub roll pair and while an opposing second edge portion of the glass sheet is drawn between two vertically downtilted rolls associated with the second driven stub roll pair. If desired, the pull roll apparatus may include a pulling roll assembly (located below the first and second driven stub rolls) or another set of driven stub roll pairs (located below the first and second driven stub roll pairs). | 03-20-2014 |
20140238077 | REPOSITIONABLE HEATER ASSEMBLIES FOR GLASS PRODUCTION LINES AND METHODS OF MANAGING TEMPERATURE OF GLASS IN PRODUCTION LINES - Repositionable heater assemblies and methods of controlling temperature of glass in production lines using the repositionable heater assemblies are disclosed. The repositionable heater assembly includes a support frame, a first sled and a second sled each coupled to the support frame with bearing members that allow the first sled and the second sled to translate in a longitudinal direction. Each of the first sled and the second sled include at least one heating element, where the heating elements are spaced apart from the glass ribbon a spacing distance. The first and second sleds are movable in the longitudinal direction to controlling the spacing distance between the heating elements of the first sled and the second sled and the glass ribbon to manage temperature of the glass ribbon. | 08-28-2014 |
20140352356 | GLASS FORMING APPARATUS AND METHODS OF FORMING GLASS RIBBONS - Methods of forming a glass ribbon with a glass forming apparatus including a first glass roll device are disclosed. The methods include a step (I) of drawing the glass ribbon along a draw direction with the glass forming apparatus. Also included is a step (II) of adjusting a first roll member relative to a first support structure of the first glass roll device by translating the first roll member in a first linear direction parallel to a linear adjustment axis of the first support structure while the first roll member is adjustably mounted to the first support structure. Also included is a step (III) of contacting a first surface of the glass ribbon with the first roll member at a first adjusted contact location of the glass ribbon. Also disclosed are corresponding glass forming apparatus configured to form glass ribbons and draw the glass ribbons in a draw direction. | 12-04-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100174596 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOBILE OFFER FULFILLMENT - Rewards systems, methods, means and computer program code are provided which include a transaction processing system, receiving a transaction authorization request message generated from a point of interaction, the transaction authorization request message including a purchase amount, and a customer account identifier, the transaction processing system generating an authorization response message for transmission to the point of interaction. The rewards systems further include a messaging system, in communication with the transaction processing system, generating a rewards message for transmission to a mobile device associated with the customer account identifier, the rewards message including details of a status associated with a reward transaction. | 07-08-2010 |
20100187298 | DRINKING VESSEL THAT HAS A SLOT IN WHICH A CONTACTLESS SMART CARD IS INSERTED - A food container is in combination with a contactless smart card. The food container has a slot formed therein. The slot is shaped and sized to hold the smart card. The smart card was inserted into the slot. | 07-29-2010 |
20100248779 | CARDHOLDER VERIFICATION RULE APPLIED IN PAYMENT-ENABLED MOBILE TELEPHONE - A method includes equipping a mobile telephone with a payment capability, and storing a cardholder verification rule in the mobile telephone. The method further includes the mobile telephone applying the stored rule to determine whether to require a user of the mobile telephone to perform a cardholder verification process. | 09-30-2010 |
20130097078 | MOBILE REMOTE PAYMENT SYSTEM - Methods, systems, apparatus and computer program products for implementing a mobile remote payment system that allows consumers and merchants to engage in mobile remote payment transactions regardless of their registration point are described. In an embodiment, a mobile remote payment (MRP) switch computer receives from an originating service manager computer, a payment authorization request that comprises payment data, an originating service manager identifier, and a merchant identifier of a merchant. The MRP switch computer verifies the originating service manager identifier, determines that the merchant is affiliated with the receiving service manager, generates enriched payment instructions that include a switching identifier, transmits the enriched payment instructions to a receiving service manager computer, receives a payment authorization response from the receiving service manager computer that includes an electronic receipt, and transmits the payment authorization response and the electronic receipt to the originating service manager computer. | 04-18-2013 |
20130297512 | CARDHOLDER VERIFICATION RULE APPLIED IN PAYMENT-ENABLED MOBILE TELEPHONE - A method includes a cardholder device receiving at least one cardholder verification rule from a computer, and storing the cardholder verification rule. The cardholder verification rule prescribes circumstances under which a cardholder is required to perform a cardholder verification process in connection with a purchase transaction. The method includes the cardholder device receiving purchase transaction information from a merchant device, and then determining by using the stored cardholder verification rule, and based on at least one of the received purchase transaction information and current circumstances, that cardholder verification is not required. The cardholder device then uploads payment information to the merchant device to complete the purchase transaction. | 11-07-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080262430 | ACCESS DEVICE - An access device places a medical article within a body space of a patient. The device has a needle that includes a needle body and hub. The device further includes a dilator coaxially disposed and slideable over the needle body and a medical article. A viewing space is disposed between the dilator and the medical article with at least one passageway or conduit connecting the viewing space with the interior bore of the needle body. The passageway is defined at least in part by openings through the sides of the needle and dilator. At least a portion of the conduit or passageway can be defined by one or more grooves between the needle and dilator. The device can further include a guidewire and an interlock between the guidewire and the needle and/or dilator. The device can further include one or more stops disposed between the guidewire and the needle and/or dilator to limit the extent to which the guidewire can be moved (e.g., advanced) relative to the needle or inhibit such relative movement (e.g., backwards movement). | 10-23-2008 |
20080262431 | ACCESS DEVICE - An access device places a medical article within a body space of a patient. The device has a needle that includes an elongated body and a needle hub. The device further includes a dilator disposed on and slideable along the elongated body of the needle and a medical article. The medical article is disposed on and slideable along the dilator. A track extends in a proximal direction from the dilator. The needle hub slides along at least a portion of the track between a first position and a second position. The device further includes a locking mechanism operably disposed between the track and the needle hub so as to inhibit further axial movement of the needle in the proximal direction when the needle hub is in the second position. | 10-23-2008 |
20080294111 | ACCESS DEVICE - An access device places a medical article within a body space of a patient. The device has a needle section that includes an elongated body and a needle hub. The device further includes a dilator portion that has a dilator and a dilator hub. The dilator is coaxially disposed and slideable over the elongated body of the needle section. The device further includes a sheath section that has a sheath and a sheath hub. The sheath is coaxially disposed and slideable over the dilator. The device further includes a first locking mechanism operably disposed between the needle hub and the dilator hub to inhibit at least unintentional axial movement between the needle section and the dilator portion and a second locking mechanism operably disposed between the dilator hub and the sheath hub to inhibit at least unintentional axial movement between the dilator portion and the sheath section. | 11-27-2008 |
20090221961 | VASCULAR ACCESS - A device may include a hollow needle, a dilator mounted coaxially on the needle, and a sheath mounted coaxially on the dilator. The dilator may be slideably displaceable relative to the sheath. | 09-03-2009 |
20110251559 | ACCESS DEVICE - An access device places a medical article within a body space of a patient. The device has a needle section that includes an elongated body and a needle hub. The device further includes a dilator portion that has a dilator and a dilator hub. The dilator is coaxially disposed and slideable over the elongated body of the needle section. The device further includes a sheath section that has a sheath and a sheath hub. The sheath is coaxially disposed and slideable over the dilator. The device further includes a first locking mechanism operably disposed between the needle hub and the dilator hub to inhibit at least unintentional axial movement between the needle section and the dilator portion and a second locking mechanism operably disposed between the dilator hub and the sheath hub to inhibit at least unintentional axial movement between the dilator portion and the sheath section. | 10-13-2011 |
20110270192 | ACCESS DEVICE - An access device places a medical article within a body space of a patient. The device has a needle that includes an elongated body and a needle hub. The device further includes a dilator disposed on and slideable along the elongated body of the needle and a medical article. The medical article is disposed on and slideable along the dilator. A track extends in a proximal direction from the dilator. The needle hub slides along at least a portion of the track between a first position and a second position. The device further includes a locking mechanism operably disposed between the track and the needle hub so as to inhibit further axial movement of the needle in the proximal direction when the needle hub is in the second position. | 11-03-2011 |
20120041371 | ACCESS DEVICE WITH BLUNTING DEVICE - A device may include a hollow needle, a dilator mounted coaxially on the needle, and a sheath mounted coaxially on the dilator. The dilator may be slideably displaceable relative to the sheath. | 02-16-2012 |
20120283640 | ACCESS DEVICE - An access device places a medical article within a body space of a patient. The device has a needle that includes a needle body and hub. The device further includes a dilator coaxially disposed and slideable over the needle body and a medical article. A viewing space is disposed between the dilator and the medical article with at least one passageway or conduit connecting the viewing space with the interior bore of the needle body. The passageway is defined at least in part by openings through the sides of the needle and dilator. At least a portion of the conduit or passageway can be defined by one or more grooves between the needle and dilator. The device can further include a guidewire and an interlock between the guidewire and the needle and/or dilator. The device can further include one or more stops disposed between the guidewire and the needle and/or dilator to limit the extent to which the guidewire can be moved (e.g., advanced) relative to the needle or inhibit such relative movement (e.g., backwards movement). | 11-08-2012 |
20130237931 | ACCESS DEVICE - An access device places a medical article within a body space of a patient. The device has a needle section that includes an elongated body and a needle hub. The device further includes a dilator portion that has a dilator and a dilator hub. The dilator is coaxially disposed and slideable over the elongated body of the needle section. The device further includes a sheath section that has a sheath and a sheath hub. The sheath is coaxially disposed and slideable over the dilator. The device further includes a first locking mechanism operably disposed between the needle hub and the dilator hub to inhibit at least unintentional axial movement between the needle section and the dilator portion and a second locking mechanism operably disposed between the dilator hub and the sheath hub to inhibit at least unintentional axial movement between the dilator portion and the sheath section. | 09-12-2013 |
20150190168 | ACCESS DEVICE - An access device places a medical article within a body space of a patient. The device has a needle that includes an elongated body and a needle hub. The device further includes a dilator disposed on and slideable along the elongated body of the needle and a medical article. The medical article is disposed on and slideable along the dilator. A track extends in a proximal direction from the dilator. The needle hub slides along at least a portion of the track between a first position and a second position. The device further includes a locking mechanism operably disposed between the track and the needle hub so as to inhibit further axial movement of the needle in the proximal direction when the needle hub is in the second position. | 07-09-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090126641 | BOWL WITH OBSTRUCTIONS - A feeding apparatus includes an outer wall and an inner wall joined at an upper end. The inner wall includes a side wall and a bottom wall. An inner space is defined by the side wall, the bottom wall, and the upper end. One or more obstructions are provided in the inner space, each obstruction extending upright from the bottom wall and away from the sidewall. A food placement area is formed between adjacent obstructions. The rate of food consumption of an animal is reduced by the obstructions. | 05-21-2009 |
20090130345 | CONSTRUCTION OF AN ARTIFICIAL AQUATIC LIFE FORM AND ANCHOR - An artificial life form construction includes an artificial aquatic life form for display; an anchor for receiving the artificial aquatic life form; and a retainer for aiding in retaining the artificial aquatic life form in the anchor. The artificial aquatic life form may have a stem, which the anchor receives with frictional fit in a support. The stem may include an opening. The retainer includes a plug portion, which is inserted in to the opening and expands a peripheral portion of the stem at the opening to increases frictional resistance with the support to prevent dislocation of the artificial aquatic life form. | 05-21-2009 |
20120318210 | TREAT DISPENSER - A treat dispenser for an animal having, in one embodiment, a container supported by a cage, the container having an opening for the dispensing of treats provided therein, and the cage preventing direct access to the opening by an animal. The cage and the container having a consistent outer periphery to enable rolling of the treat dispenser. | 12-20-2012 |
20130019812 | OVERMOLDED PET TOY - A pet toy comprising, in one embodiment, a body have an outer surface, an interior and at least one opening in the outer surface extending into the interior, an overmold supported by the body, and a portion of the overmold extending substantially over the at least one opening and further comprising an inwardly deflectable passage to provide access to the interior therethrough. The interior, in one embodiment, may be provided with a plurality of baffles that create a spiral path. | 01-24-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080270329 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MARTINGALE BOOSTING IN MACHINE LEARNING - Boosting algorithms are provided for accelerated machine learning in the presence of misclassification noise. In an exemplary embodiment, a machine learning method having multiple learning stages is provided. Each learning stage may include partitioning examples into bins, choosing a base classifier for each bin, and assigning an example to a bin by counting the number of positive predictions previously made by the base classifier associated with the bin. | 10-30-2008 |
20080294387 | MARTINGALE CONTROL OF PRODUCTION FOR OPTIMAL PROFITABILITY OF OIL AND GAS FIELDS - A computer-aided lean management (CALM) controller system recommends actions and manages production in an oil and gas reservoir/field as its properties and conditions change with time. The reservoir/field is characterized and represented as an electronic-field (“e-field”). A plurality of system applications describe dynamic and static e-field properties and conditions. The application workflows are integrated and combined in a feedback loop between actions taken in the field and metrics that score the success or failure of those actions. A controller/optimizer operates on the combination of the application workflows to compute production strategies and actions. The controller/optimizer is configured to generate a best action sequence for production, which is economically “always-in-the-money.” | 11-27-2008 |
20090157573 | System And Method For Grading Electricity Distribution Network Feeders Susceptible To Impending Failure - A machine learning system creates failure-susceptibility rankings for feeder cables in a utility's electrical distribution system. The machine learning system employs martingale boosting algorithms and Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms to generate a feeder failure prediction model, which is trained on static and dynamic feeder attribute data. Feeders are dynamically ranked by failure susceptibility and the rankings displayed to utility operators and engineers so that they can proactively service the distribution system to prevent local power outages. The feeder rankings may be used to redirect power flows and to prioritize repairs. A feedback loop is established to evaluate the responses of the electrical distribution system to field actions taken to optimize preventive maintenance programs. | 06-18-2009 |
20110231213 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF DETERMINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS - The present application provides methods and systems for quantitatively predicting an effectiveness of a proposed capital improvement project based on one or more previous capital improvement projects representative of one or more physical assets and including one or more attributes that includes defining a first sample pool from the previous capital improvement project data in which said previous capital improvement project has been performed, defining a second sample in which the previous capital improvement project has not been performed, the second sample pool including one or more attribute values that are the same as, or similar to, the attribute values for the first sample pool, generating a performance metric for each of the first and second sample pools, comparing the performance metric from the first sample pool with the performance metric from the second sample pool to determine a net performance metric, and, generating a prediction of effectiveness of the proposed capital improvement project concerning based on said net performance metric. | 09-22-2011 |
20120072039 | Dynamic Contingency Avoidance and Mitigation System - The disclosed subject matter provides systems and methods for allocating resources within an infrastructure, such as an electrical grid, in response to changes to inputs and output demands on the infrastructure, such as energy sources and sinks. A disclosed system includes one or more processors, each having respective communication interfaces to receive data from the infrastructure, the data comprising infrastructure network data, one or more software applications, operatively coupled to and at least partially controlling the one or more processors, to process and characterize the infrastructure network data; and a display, coupled to said one or more processors, for visually presenting a depiction of at least a portion of the infrastructure including any changes in condition thereof, and one or more controllers in communication with the one or more processors, to manage processing of the resource, wherein the resource is obtained and/or distributed based on the characterization of said real time infrastructure data. | 03-22-2012 |
20130073488 | METRICS MONITORING AND FINANCIAL VALIDATION SYSTEM (M2FVS) FOR TRACKING PERFORMANCE OF CAPITAL, OPERATIONS, AND MAINTENANCE INVESTMENTS TO AN INFRASTRUCTURE - Techniques for evaluating the accuracy of a predicted effectiveness of an improvement to an infrastructure include collecting data, representative of at least one pre-defined metric, from the infrastructure during first and second time periods corresponding to before and after a change has been implemented, respectively. A machine learning system can receive compiled data representative of the first time period and generate corresponding machine learning data. A machine learning results evaluator can empirically analyze the generated machine learning data. An implementer can implement the change to the infrastructure based at least in part on the data from a machine learning data outputer. A system performance improvement evaluator can compare the compiled data representative of the first time period to that of the second time period to determine a difference, if any, and compare the difference, if any, to a prediction based on the generated machine learning data. | 03-21-2013 |
20130080205 | CAPITAL ASSET PLANNING SYSTEM - A capital asset planning system for selecting assets for improvement within an infrastructure that includes one or more data sources descriptive of the infrastructure, one or more databases, coupled to the one or more data sources, to compile the one or more data sources, one or more processors, each coupled to and having respective communication interfaces to receive data from the one or more databases. The processor includes a predictor to generate a first metric of estimated infrastructure effectiveness based, at least in part, on a current status of the infrastructure, a second metric of estimated infrastructure effectiveness based, at least in part, on a user-selected, proposed changed configuration of the infrastructure, and a net metric of infrastructure effectiveness based, at least in part, on said first metric and said second metric. The system also includes a display, coupled to have the one or more processors, for visually presenting the net metric of infrastructure effectiveness, in which the assets for improvement are selected based, at least in part, on the net metric of infrastructure effectiveness. | 03-28-2013 |
20130138482 | CAPITAL ASSET PLANNING SYSTEM - A capital asset planning system for selecting assets for improvement within an infrastructure that includes one or more data sources descriptive of the infrastructure, one or more databases, coupled to the one or more data sources, to compile the one or more data sources, one or more processors, each coupled to and having respective communication interfaces to receive data from the one or more databases. The processor includes a predictor to generate a first metric of estimated infrastructure effectiveness based, at least in part, on a current status of the infrastructure, a second metric of estimated infrastructure effectiveness based, at least in part, on a user-selected, proposed changed configuration of the infrastructure, and a net metric of infrastructure effectiveness based, at least in part, on said first metric and said second metric. The system also includes a display, coupled to have the one or more processors, for visually presenting the net metric of infrastructure effectiveness, in which the assets for improvement are selected based, at least in part, on the net metric of infrastructure effectiveness. | 05-30-2013 |
20130158725 | ADAPTIVE STOCHASTIC CONTROLLER FOR DISTRIBUTED ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE MANAGEMENT - A system for managing a battery in communication with an electrical grid that includes (a) a data collector to collect data representative of an electrical grid; (b) an ASC controller operatively coupled to the data collector and adapted to receive collected data therefrom, the ASC controller comprising a financial strategizer to send instructions based on the collected data; and (c) a battery controller operatively coupled to the ASC controller to receive the instructions transmitted by the ASC controller, the battery controller configured to dictate whether the battery receives electricity from, or transmits electricity to the electrical grid. | 06-20-2013 |
20130232094 | MACHINE LEARNING FOR POWER GRID - A machine learning system for ranking a collection of filtered propensity to failure metrics of like components within an electrical grid that includes a raw data assembly to provide raw data representative of the like components within the electrical grid; (b) a data processor, operatively coupled to the raw data assembly, to convert the raw data to more uniform data via one or more data processing techniques; (c) a database, operatively coupled to the data processor, to store the more uniform data; (d) a machine learning engine, operatively coupled to the database, to provide a collection of propensity to failure metrics for the like components; (e) an evaluation engine, operatively coupled to the machine learning engine, to detect and remove non-complying metrics from the collection of propensity to failure metrics and to provide the collection of filtered propensity to failure metrics; and (f) a decision support application, operatively coupled to the evaluation engine, configured to display a ranking of the collection of filtered propensity to failure metrics of like components within the electrical grid. | 09-05-2013 |
20140156031 | Adaptive Stochastic Controller for Dynamic Treatment of Cyber-Physical Systems - Techniques for generating a dynamic treatment control policy for a cyber-physical system having one or more components, including a data collector for collecting data representative of the cyber-physical system, and adaptive stochastic controller including one or more models for generating a predicted value corresponding to available actions based on an objective function, and an approximate dynamic programming element configured to receive actual operation metrics corresponding to the available actions. The approximate dynamic programming element can learn a state-action map and generate a dynamic treatment control policy using the one or more models. | 06-05-2014 |
20140163759 | DIGITAL BUILDING OPERATING SYSTEM WITH AUTOMATED BUILDING AND ELECTRIC GRID MONITORING, FORECASTING, AND ALARM SYSTEMS - A system and method for monitoring status of an electrical grid and one or more building subsystems. The system includes sensors in communication with an electrical grid, buildings that provide data related to the building subsystems, and a digital building operating system that includes a processor that performs instructions to process the data, identify the status of the electrical grid and the building subsystem, predict one or more events based on the data, and provide recommendations to the buildings such as how to prevent the bad event. | 06-12-2014 |
20140249876 | Adaptive Stochastic Controller for Energy Efficiency and Smart Buildings - Techniques for managing one or more buildings, including collecting historical building data, real-time building data, historical exogenous data, and real-time exogenous data and receiving the collected data at an adaptive stochastic controller. The adaptive stochastic controller can generate at least one predicted condition with a predictive model. The adaptive stochastic controller can generate one or more executable recommendations based on at least the predicted conditions and one or more performance measurements corresponding to the executable recommendations. | 09-04-2014 |
20150100284 | Metrics and Semiparametric Model Estimating Failure Rate and Mean time Between Failures - Techniques for predicting a failure metric of a physical system using a semiparametric model, including providing raw data representative of the physical system, to identify a set of units at risk in the physical system, a set of times of treatment corresponding to a event of at least one unit in the set of units, and an index-set of the at least one unit for which a event has occurred. A parametric and a nonparametric component of the semiparametric model are estimated and a hazard rate is predicted at a given time with the semiparametric model. | 04-09-2015 |
20150178865 | TOTAL PROPERTY OPTIMIZATION SYSTEM FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SMART BUILDINGS - Techniques for managing one or more buildings, including collecting historical building data, real-time building data, historical exogenous data, and real-time exogenous data and receiving the collected data at an adaptive stochastic controller. The adaptive stochastic controller can generate at least one predicted condition with a predictive model. The adaptive stochastic controller can generate one or more executable recommendations based on at least the predicted conditions and one or more performance measurements corresponding to the executable recommendations. | 06-25-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080296441 | System and method for broken rail and train detection - A rail break or rail vehicle detection system which includes a voltage source, capable of voltage source compensation, is coupled to each of a plurality of zones within a block of rail track devoid of insulated joints. A plurality of current sensors are provided, each coupled to a respective voltage source and configured to measure current flowing through the sensor in response to changing voltage patterns. Each current sensor is further configured in one embodiment to determine and compare signatures based on current measurements to a predetermined decision surface to detect the presence of a rail vehicle or rail break on a predetermined block of track. The voltage source or current sensor can be adapted to control voltage levels and polarity of each voltage source. A method of communicating the presence or absence of a rail break or rail vehicle employs an in-rail TDMA communication scheme to synchronize, test and communicate directly between the sensors without use of external controllers. | 12-04-2008 |
20100004804 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING OF INFRASTRUCTURE CONDITION - A system and method for vehicle-centric infrastructure monitoring system includes an inspection system mountable on a vehicle configured to travel over an expanse of rail track having a plurality of track blocks. The inspection system acquires track data for at least some track blocks along the expanse of rail track. The monitoring system also includes a positioning system to determine a location of the vehicle and generate location data indicative of an associated track block location, a communications device to transmit the track/location data to a remote location, and a centralized computing system positioned at the remote location to receive the transmitted track/location data. The centralized computing system is programmed to determine a current probability of a track condition for a track block and combine the current track condition probability with a previously determined cumulative track condition probability to provide an updated track condition probability for the track block. | 01-07-2010 |
20100281866 | EXHAUST GAS BYPASS VALVE CONTROL FOR THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR - A method of controlling engine exhaust flow through at least one of an exhaust bypass and a thermoelectric device via a bypass valve is provided. The method includes: determining a mass flow of exhaust exiting an engine; determining a desired exhaust pressure based on the mass flow of exhaust; comparing the desired exhaust pressure to a determined exhaust pressure; and determining a bypass valve control value based on the comparing, wherein the bypass valve control value is used to control the bypass valve. | 11-11-2010 |
20110233128 | SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY - A novel separator assembly for a spiral flow reverse osmosis apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the separator assembly comprises a central core element comprising at least two permeate exhaust conduits and not comprising a concentrate exhaust conduit. Each permeate exhaust conduit defines an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the permeate exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said permeate exhaust conduits independently defining a cavity between said conduits. The cavity is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising at least one feed carrier layer, at least two permeate carrier layers, and at least two membrane layers. A first portion of the membrane stack assembly is disposed within the cavity, and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly is wound around the central core element and forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element. | 09-29-2011 |
20110240546 | CENTRAL CORE ELEMENT FOR A SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY - The present invention provides a central core element for a separator assembly comprising at least two porous exhaust conduits; each porous exhaust conduit defining an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the porous exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said porous exhaust conduits independently defining a cavity between said porous exhaust conduits, said cavity being configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly. In another aspect, the present invention provides a central core element for a separator assembly comprising at least two identical core element components, each of said core element components comprising at least one porous exhaust conduit and at least one friction coupling, said friction couplings being configured to join said core element components to form a central core element defining a cavity configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly. | 10-06-2011 |
20110315257 | LINEAR HOLLOW SPOOL VALVE - A valve system for pressure exchanger tubes of an energy recovery system is provided. The valve system includes a valve housing, a flow distributor, a hollow spool and a sealing system. The valve housing may comprise a set of high-pressure ports and a set of low-pressure ports. The flow distributor allows the flow to and from the set of high-pressure ports and the set of low-pressure ports within the valve housing. The hollow spool may be configured to reciprocate axially in a radial clearance between the valve housing and the flow distributor. The hollow spool may connect the pressure exchanger tube in fluid communication with the high-pressure ports or the low-pressure ports. The sealing system may be provided within the valve housing for imparting substantial hydraulic balance to the hollow spool. | 12-29-2011 |
20120103891 | MULTI-LEAF REVERSE OSMOSIS ELEMENT - A reverse osmosis element is provided. The reverse osmosis element includes a plurality of permeate tubes arranged to form a core frame. The reverse osmosis element further includes a plurality of leaves wound over the core frame. Each leaf of the plurality of leaves is coupled to one permeate tube of the plurality of permeate tubes. A retentate channel is defined by the plurality of permeate tubes of the core frame, and sealed by the plurality of leaves wound over the core frame. The reverse osmosis element includes first and a second end caps coupled to the plurality of permeate tubes. At least one of the first and the second end caps includes a retentate discharge port, and at least one of the first and second end caps includes one or more permeate discharge ports. | 05-03-2012 |
20120103892 | SEPARATION MODULE - A separation module utilizing a feed spacer and a method for forming such a separation module are provided. A gasket comprising a flexible waterproof material is disposed on at least part of one or more edges of the feed spacer. A membrane layer is disposed on a first surface of the feed spacer. A permeate carrier is disposed on a surface of the membrane element opposite the feed spacer. | 05-03-2012 |
20120160758 | SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY - A novel separator assembly for a spiral flow reverse osmosis apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the separator assembly comprises a central core element comprising at least one permeate exhaust conduit and at least one concentrate exhaust conduit. Each exhaust conduit defines an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said exhaust conduits independently defining a cavity between said conduits. The cavity is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising at least one feed carrier layer, at least one permeate carrier layer, and at least one membrane layer. A first portion of the membrane stack assembly is disposed within the cavity, and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly is wound around the central core element and forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element. | 06-28-2012 |
20130105023 | CENTRAL CORE ELEMENT FOR A SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY | 05-02-2013 |
20130292034 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for fabricating a separator assembly. The method comprises: providing a central core element comprising at least one concentrate exhaust conduit and at least one permeate exhaust conduit; disposing a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising a permeate carrier layer, a membrane layer, and a feed carrier layer within the central core element such that the concentrate exhaust conduit and permeate exhaust conduit are separated by the first portion of the membrane stack assembly; radially winding a second portion of the membrane stack assembly around the central core element; and sealing the wound assembly comprising two opposing end surfaces made of the membrane stack assembly by applying an adhesive on both end surfaces of the wound assembly; and applying a negative pressure inside the central core element so that the adhesive penetrates into the membrane stack assembly. | 11-07-2013 |
20140076790 | CENTRAL CORE ELEMENT FOR A SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY - The present invention provides a central core element a reverse osmosis separator assembly useful in the purification of fluids. The central core element comprises an outer exhaust conduit defining an inner volume and a gap starting at a first end thereof the outer exhaust conduit and extending towards a second end of the outer exhaust conduit, and an inner porous exhaust conduit comprising a first section disposed within the inner volume defined by outer exhaust conduit and a second section configured to abut and seal the first end of the outer exhaust conduit. The outer exhaust conduit is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly within the inner volume and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly disposed as a multilayer membrane assembly on an outer surface of the outer exhaust conduit. The gap is configured to accommodate a transition section of the membrane stack assembly linking the first portion of the membrane stack assembly with the second portion of the membrane stack assembly. The first inner porous exhaust conduit section is configured to be disposed within the first portion of the membrane stack assembly. | 03-20-2014 |
20140154099 | PUMPING SYSTEM WITH ENERGY RECOVERY AND REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM - A liquid pumping system comprises a plurality of liquid pumps and a hydraulic drive unit. Each liquid pump is driven by a separate hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinders are powered by a shared hydraulic pump through a valve set. A valve set controller is configured to operate the valve set. A liquid pumping process comprises distributing an initial flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic cylinders move through a cycle in a phased relationship to provide a constant sum of flow rates from the liquid pumps. A membrane filtration system combines the liquid pumping system with a membrane unit. In a water treating process, feed water is pumped through the membrane unit. Brine from the membrane unit is returned to each liquid pump while that liquid pump is feeding water to the membrane unit. | 06-05-2014 |
20140161627 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MOTION PROFILE OF PISTONS - A method includes driving a fluid pumping unit having a plurality of pumping cylinders via a plurality of hydraulic cylinders respectively of a hydraulic power unit. The method further includes controlling activation of the hydraulic power unit such that each stroke of the corresponding piston assembly between the top dead center and the bottom dead center follows a corresponding trapezoidal velocity profile with respect to a time duration. Controlling activation includes controlling flow of a hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic power unit so as to control the corresponding trapezoidal velocity profile with respect to the time duration of the corresponding piston assembly to obtain a predefined flow rate of the fluid medium from the pumping unit. | 06-12-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090021588 | DETERMINING AND CORRECTING FOR IMAGING DEVICE MOTION DURING AN EXPOSURE - A system and method for determining and correcting for imaging device motion during an exposure is provided. According to various embodiments of the present invention, multiple sets of image pixels are defined on an image sensor, where each set of pixels is at least partially contained in the output image area of the image sensor. Signals from each set of image pixels are read out once or more during an exposure, motion estimates are computed using signal readouts from one or more sets of image pixels, and signal readouts from one or more sets of the image pixels are processed to form the final output image. | 01-22-2009 |
20090230287 | STACKED IMAGE SENSOR WITH SHARED DIFFUSION REGIONS IN RESPECTIVE DROPPED PIXEL POSITIONS OF A PIXEL ARRAY - A CMOS image sensor or other type of image sensor comprises a sensor wafer and an underlying circuit wafer. The sensor wafer comprises a plurality of photosensitive elements arranged in respective positions of a two-dimensional array of positions in which a subset of the array positions do not include photosensitive elements but instead include diffusion regions each of which is shared by two or more of the photosensitive elements. The sensor wafer is interconnected with the circuit wafer utilizing a plurality of inter-wafer interconnects coupled to respective ones of the shared diffusion regions in respective ones of the array positions that do not include photosensitive elements. The image sensor may be implemented in a digital camera or other type of image capture device. | 09-17-2009 |
20090242950 | ACTIVE PIXEL SENSOR HAVING TWO WAFERS - A vertically-integrated image sensor includes a sensor wafer connected to a support circuit wafer. Each pixel region on the sensor wafer includes a photodetector, a charge-to-voltage conversion mechanism, a transfer mechanism for transferring charge from the photodetector to the charge-to-voltage conversion mechanism, and a reset mechanism for discharging the charge-to-voltage conversion mechanism. The support circuit wafer includes an amplifier and other support circuitry for each pixel region on the sensor wafer. An inter-wafer connector directly connects each charge-to-voltage mechanism on the sensor wafer to a respective gate to an amplifier on the support circuit wafer. | 10-01-2009 |
20100060764 | HIGH GAIN READ CIRCUIT FOR 3D INTEGRATED PIXEL - An image sensor includes (a) a first wafer having (i) a photosensitive area; (ii) a charge-to-voltage conversion region; (b) a second wafer having (i) a first amplifier that receives a signal from the charge-to-voltage conversion region; (c) an electrical interconnect connecting the charge-to-voltage conversion region to an input of the amplifier; (d) an electrically biased shield at least partially enclosing at least a portion of the electrical interconnect. | 03-11-2010 |
20100110209 | FAST MOTION MEASUREMENT DEVICE FOR GAMING - The invention provides a motion measurement system that is capable of rapid motion measurement of motion that can measure all types of motion including rotational motion, linear motion and motion occurs in the directions of x, y and z. In the motion measurement system of the invention, motion is measured with a high speed image capture and analysis system that captures images of the scene and identifies motion in the scene with a reduced bit rate approach to enable fast data processing. | 05-06-2010 |
20100116971 | BACK-ILLUMINATED CMOS IMAGE SENSORS - A back-illuminated image sensor includes a sensor layer disposed between an insulating layer and a circuit layer electrically connected to the sensor layer. An imaging area includes a plurality of photodetectors is formed in the sensor layer and a well that spans the imaging area. The well can be disposed between the backside of the sensor layer and the photodetectors, or the well can be a buried well formed adjacent to the backside of the sensor layer with a region including formed between the photodetectors and the buried well. One or more side wells can be formed laterally adjacent to each photodetector. The dopant in the well has a segregation coefficient that causes the dopant to accumulate on the sensor layer side of an interface between the sensor layer and the insulating layer. | 05-13-2010 |