Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090311295 | PARTICLES WITH HIGH UNIFORM LOADING OF NANOPARTICLES AND METHODS OF PREPARATION THEREOF - Methods to produce polymeric microparticles containing nanoparticles such, as pigments, dyes and other chromophores for cosmetic use, plastic surgery therapeutic use, and tattoos have been developed. The microparticles contain within the polymer a very uniform dispersion of dye particles. The methods by which the particles are made ensure a homogeneous mixture and high loading. The microparticles are made using air, one of a number of known methods such as phase inversion, solvent evaporation, and melt processing. The improvement is in the use of a method that makes, a stable dispersion of the nanoparticles in the liquid polymer before formation of the microparticles. This is achieved through selection of appropriate solvent, optionally including surfactant, and then subjecting the dispersion to mechanical processing that stabilizes the dispersion within the polymer solvent, so that the nanoparticles remain suspended for at least thirty minutes, in some cases two hours to 48 hours, sometimes up to three months. The mechanical processing can be sonication and/or production of shear forces, for examples, resulting from use of an open blade or rotor stator mixer or milling with a concentric shaft, at a speed such as between 5000 and 25,000 RPM. | 12-17-2009 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090128558 | Systems and methods for computational design and modeling of buildings - A method and system generates a building design and a three-dimensional image thereof. First building information comprising a length, width, total height and wall height of a building is received via a first graphical user interface. If the length, width, total height, wall height, and a selectable building shape yield a valid set of building parameters, a design of said building is generated at a first software module, which is configured to generate the design, including wall portions and a roof portion, using minimum information consisting of the length, width, total height, wall height, and selectable building shape. A first image and a structural analysis of the design are generated. A second software module generates a second three-dimensional image of the building, which is different from the first image. A second graphical user interface permits a user to modify the second image to include predefined building elements. | 05-21-2009 |
20100146789 | Curved building panel, building structure, panel curving system and methods for making curved building panels - A building panel formed from sheet material extends in a longitudinal direction along its length and includes a curved center portion in cross section, a pair of side portions extending from the curved center portion, and a pair of connecting portions extending from the side portions. The curved center portion includes a plurality segments extending in the longitudinal direction. The panel is curved in the longitudinal direction without having transverse corrugations. A particular segment may have a depth greater than that of another segment to accommodate the longitudinal curve. A system for longitudinally curving the panel includes first and second curving assemblies, each of which includes multiple rollers arranged to contact the panel as it passes along, a positioning mechanism for changing a relative rotational orientation between the first and second curving assemblies, a drive system for moving the panel longitudinally, and a control system for controlling the positioning mechanism. | 06-17-2010 |
20110232203 | System and method for attaching a wall to a building structure - An attachment member formed from sheet material configured to connect a wall to a curved roof of a building structure. The attachment member includes at least two segments: a first segment having a flat center portion and a pair of walls extending perpendicular to the center portion in cross section, the pair of walls defining a recess oriented in a direction perpendicular to the center portion, wherein the recess is adapted to accommodate a portion of a wall of a building structure; and a second segment extending from one of the walls of the first segment, the second segment being oriented in a same plane as the flat center portion of the first segment in cross section, the second segment including a longitudinal rib, the longitudinal rib protruding in cross section from the second segment, the longitudinal rib being adapted to mate with a rib of a curved building panel. Building structures made using such attachment members and an attachment member forming system are also described. | 09-29-2011 |
20120131874 | Curved Building Panel, Building Structure, Panel Curving System and Methods for Making Curved Building Panels - A building panel formed from sheet material extends in a longitudinal direction along its length and includes a curved center portion in cross section, a pair of side portions extending from the curved center portion, and a pair of connecting portions extending from the side portions. The curved center portion includes a plurality segments extending in the longitudinal direction. The panel is curved in the longitudinal direction without having transverse corrugations. A particular segment may have a depth greater than that of another segment to accommodate the longitudinal curve. A system for longitudinally curving the panel includes first and second curving assemblies, each of which includes multiple rollers arranged to contact the panel as it passes along, a positioning mechanism for changing a relative rotational orientation between the first and second curving assemblies, a drive system for moving the panel longitudinally, and a control system for controlling the positioning mechanism. | 05-31-2012 |
20120323354 | Systems and Methods for Making Panels from Sheet Material Using Adaptive Control - A system for forming a building panel of a desired shape includes a shaping machine comprising multiple rollers, wherein the shaping machine is configured to provide a desired shape to a building panel, and wherein the building panel is made from sheet material. A drive system moves the building panel longitudinally along the shaping machine, and a power source provides power to the drive system. As the building panel is moved along the shaping machine, a load sensor detects a load placed on the power source, and an optional speed sensor detects a speed of the building panel. A control system controls the drive system in response to a signal from the load sensor so as to control the load on the power source as the building panel moves along the shaping machine. | 12-20-2012 |
20130227896 | Building Panels Having Hook and Loop Seams, Building Structures, and Systems and Methods for Making Building Panels - A building panel formed from sheet material is disclosed, the building panel extending in a longitudinal direction along its length and having a shape in cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The building panel includes a center portion in cross section, a first connecting portion connected at one side of the center portion, the first connecting portion comprising a loop in cross section, and a second connecting portion connected at an opposing side of the center portion, the second connecting portion comprising a hook in cross section, wherein the loop and the hook are complementary in size and shape for joining the building panel to adjacent building panels. Building structures comprised of such building panels, and methods and systems for forming such building panels are also disclosed. | 09-05-2013 |
20150081082 | Systems and Methods for Making Panels from Sheet Material Using Adaptive Control - A system for forming a building panel of a desired shape includes a shaping machine comprising multiple rollers, wherein the shaping machine is configured to provide a desired shape to a building panel, and wherein the building panel is made from sheet material. A drive system moves the building panel longitudinally along the shaping machine, and a power source provides power to the drive system. As the building panel is moved along the shaping machine, a load sensor detects a load placed on the power source, and an optional speed sensor detects a speed of the building panel. A control system controls the drive system in response to a signal from the load sensor so as to control the load on the power source as the building panel moves along the shaping machine. | 03-19-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100041272 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR - An electrical connector includes a terminal and a connector body. The terminal has a recess and has one or more tabs. The connector body has a cavity that is constructed and sized to receive the terminal. The connector body has a nib protruding into the cavity, and has one or more rails protruding into the cavity. When the terminal is received in the cavity, the nib mates with the recess and the tab bears against the rail. | 02-18-2010 |
20100041280 | Electrical connector - An electrical connector includes a terminal and a connector body. The terminal has one or more tabs. The connector body has a cavity that is constructed and sized to receive the terminal. The connector body has one or more rails, and has one or more knobs. When the terminal is received in the cavity, the tab bears against the rail and bears against the knob. | 02-18-2010 |
20100093204 | Electrical connector assembly - An electrical connector assembly includes a male connector, a female connector, and a sleeve. The male connector has a shoulder. The female connector is constructed to receive the male connector and has a flex arm with a nib. The sleeve is constructed to receive the female connector and has an inner surface. When the male connector, the female connector, and the sleeve are telescoped together, the inner surface of the sleeve overlaps the flex arm and forces engagement between the shoulder and the nib to eliminate relative movement between the male and female connectors. | 04-15-2010 |
20130330950 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTION SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES AN INTEGRALLY FORMED RETAINING MEANS TO SECURE A SEALING MEMBER DISPOSED THEREIN - An electrical connection system includes a first connector housing including electrical contacts and a second connector housing including corresponding electrical mating contacts. The first connector housing and electrical contacts are configured to mate with the second connector housing and the electrical mating contacts along a mating axis. At least one of the first and second connector housings includes a sealing member that surrounds the electrical contact associated with the at least one of the first and second connector housings and further contains a retaining means to retain the sealing member therein. The retaining means is integrally formed with the connector housing. A method to construct the electrical connection system that includes the sealing member and the integral retaining means is also presented. | 12-12-2013 |
20150093927 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY WITH MINIATURE AXIAL CPA - An electrical connector assembly that includes a body, a lever, and a connector position assurance device (CPA). The lever is coupled to the body by an arm. The lever is configured to move about the arm and relative to the body to raise a lock end of the lever when a handle end of the lever is pressed. The CPA is slideably coupled to the lever to be operable between a locked position where the CPA engages with the body to prevent raising of the lock end, and an unlocked position where the lever is allowed to move about the arm. The CPA is located forward of the arm such that the CPA does not obstruct access to the handle end when the CPA is at the unlocked position. | 04-02-2015 |
20150099384 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY WITH TERMINAL RETAINING SEAL - An electrical connector assembly is provided. The assembly includes a terminal, a housing, and a seal. The seal is configured to create a moisture barrier between the housing and a mating connector. The seal defines a retainer portion that cooperates with the housing to retain the terminal to the housing. | 04-09-2015 |
20150099386 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH A SLIDING FLEXIBLE CANTILEVER BEAM TERMINAL RETAINER - An electrical connector configured to retain an electrical terminal including a terminal lock nib that projects inward into a terminal cavity from a first cavity wall for retaining the electrical terminal in the connector body and a flexible cantilever beam that projects axially into the terminal cavity from a fixed end of the cantilever beam. The cantilever beam is located opposite the terminal lock nib and is configured to push the terminal against a second cavity wall and into retaining engagement with the terminal lock nib. The connector also includes a support ridge that projects into the terminal cavity and is configured to contact and restrict movement of a free end of the cantilever beam during insertion of the terminal into the terminal cavity. The terminal has a laterally spaced lock surface engageable with the lock nib and is configured to prevent withdrawal of the terminal from the cavity. | 04-09-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090024422 | FAMILY PROTECTION INSURANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM - Family protection insurance provides for a flexible and adjustable insurance policy that can be adjustable to be consistent with changes in the adult's insurance needs. The insurance policy is a term policy where, at predefined intervals, the policy owner may increase the policy value without requiring additional underwriting. The policy owner may also, at any time, convert all or a portion of the term policy to permanent insurance, while still maintaining the term policy and replenish the death benefit amounts of the term policy through the intermittent value increments. Thus, adults may adjust the death benefits of the term policy and convert the term policy death benefits to permanent insurance consistent with changing insurance needs. | 01-22-2009 |
20130018678 | FAMILY PROTECTION INSURANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM - Family protection insurance provides for a flexible and adjustable insurance policy that can be adjustable to be consistent with changes in the adult's insurance needs. The insurance policy is a term policy where, at predefined intervals, the policy owner may increase the policy value without requiring additional underwriting. The policy owner may also, at any time, convert all or a portion of the term policy to permanent insurance, while still maintaining the term policy and replenish the death benefit amounts of the term policy through the intermittent value increments. Thus, adults may adjust the death benefits of the term policy and convert the term policy death benefits to permanent insurance consistent with changing insurance needs. | 01-17-2013 |