Maximizing of energy delivery system compatibility with voltage optimization using AMI-based data control and analysis
Patent No. 9,582,020
A method, apparatus, system and computer program is provided for controlling an electric power system, including implementation of a voltage control and conservation (VCC) system used to optimally control the independent voltage and capacitor banks using a linear optimization methodology to minimize the losses in the EEDCS and the EUS. An energy validation process system (EVP) is provided which is used to document the savings of the VCC and an EPP is used to optimize improvements to the EEDCS for continuously improving the energy losses in the EEDS. The EVP system measures the improvement in the EEDS a result of operating the VCC system in the “ON” state determining the level of energy conservation achieved by the VCC system. In addition the VCC system monitors pattern recognition events and compares them to the report-by-exception data to detect HVL events. If one is detected the VCC optimizes the capacity of the EEDS to respond to the HVL events by centering the piecewise linear solution maximizing the ability of the EDDS to absorb the HVL event.
Inventors: Phillip W. Powell (Chesterfield County, Va.), Stephen J. Tyler (Henrico County, Va.), Melissa A. Peskin (Richmond)
Assignee: Dominion Resources Inc. (Richmond)
Feb. 28, 2017
Reduction of tobacco-specific nitrosamines using genetic modification to elevate production of native antioxidants in tobacco
Patent No. 9,580,695
Cured tobacco having a lower concentration of tobacco specific nitrosamines, can be produced from a transgenic tobacco plant having a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide that catalyzes production of active oxygen species. The heterologous nucleotide sequence is operably coupled to a regulatory nucleotide sequence that directs expression of the polypeptide. The regulatory nucleotide sequence can include constitutive and/or inducible promoter elements.
Inventors: Qinglin Li (Richmond), Marc Robert Krauss (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
Feb. 28, 2017
Methods and apparatus to facilitate proximity detection and location tracking
Patent No. 9,584,965
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to facilitate proximity detection and location tracking. An example method includes receiving messages collected by a badge in an environment, the messages including signal strength and a timestamp. The example method also includes assigning a location in the environment to the badge based on a first subset of the messages. The example method also includes identifying an asset in a second subset of the messages. The example method also includes updating a current location associated with the asset based on a relative proximity of the asset to the badge, wherein the current location corresponds to a first time and the updated location corresponds to a second time, and wherein a change in location between the current location and the updated location indicates movement of the asset in the environment.
Inventors: Brandon Stephen Good (Schenectady, N.Y.), Charles Burton Theurer (Alplaus, N.Y.), Shaopeng Liu (Clifton Park, N.Y.), Robert Lee Wallace (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: General Electric Co. (Schenectady, N.Y.)
Feb. 28, 2017
Terminal assembly module for connecting an industrial controller to pre-existing I/O wiring
Patent No. 9,585,278
A terminal assembly module is provided that simplifies the transfer of I/O wiring from a pre-existing industrial controller to a replacement industrial controller. The terminal assembly module replaces an I/O module in the pre-existing industrial controller chassis. The I/O module terminal block, with I/O wiring maintained intact, is removed from the discarded I/O module and installed on the terminal assembly module. A multi-conductor cable is then plugged into a cable connector on the front of the terminal assembly module, which electrically connects the I/O module terminals to the conductors of the cable. The cable conductors can then be connected to the I/O modules of the new industrial controller. Thus, the terminal assembly module eliminates the need to disconnect the existing I/O wiring from the I/O module terminal blocks of the pre-existing industrial controller.
Inventors: Phillip Dobler (Mechanicsville, Va.), Larry Lance Lewis (Petrolia, Calif.), Michael John Lonergan (Mechanicsville, Va.), Philip S. Hartman (Chester, Va.), James E. Cahaly (West Newbury, Mass.)
Assignee: W Interconnections Inc. (Richmond)
Feb. 28, 2017
Lifting device, system, and method
Patent No. 9,580,280
A lifting device comprises three or more links hingedly joined end-to-end such that the lifting device is able to hingedly move in a first direction from a linear arrangement to a bent arrangement but is not able to hingedly move from the linear arrangement to a bent arrangement in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Inventors: Timothy Craig Schlothauer (Mechanicsville, Va.)
Assignee: N/A
Feb. 28, 2017
Cleaning solution and method of cleaning laboratory consumables
Patent No. 9,579,696
A cleaning solution for cleaning laboratory consumables comprises sodium percarbonate in a concentration of from 0.9% w/w to 1.6% w/w based on a total weight of the solution and at least one diluent to 100% w/w.
Inventors: Ali Safavi (Chester, Va.)
Assignee: Grenova (Richmond)
Feb. 28, 2017
Blister package with divided interior volume
Patent No. 9,586,742
A blister card utilizes a window waste portion as a non-planar or multi-level divider within the blister.
Inventors: Matthew E. Zacherle (Chesterfield, Va.), Gregory P. Hayter (Richmond)
Assignee: WestRock MWV (Norcross, Ga.)
March 7, 2017
Palatable liquid dilution vehicles for oral contrast agents
Patent No. 9,585,973
The invention relates to liquid vehicles that can be used to create dilute solutions of water-soluble pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical oral contrast agents. The liquid vehicles are formulated to provide desired osmolalities, viscosities, pH, and taste masking capabilities to match the particular intentions of the user and to complement the inherent differences in the various oral contrast agents. The liquid vehicles comprise an aqueous medium, an osmotic agent to adjust osmolality, a buffering agent, a viscosity agent, and sweeteners and flavoring agents to improve palatability.
Inventors: Peter Quagliano (Richmond)
Assignee: N/A
March 7, 2017
Palatable liquid dilution vehicles for oral contrast agents
Patent No. 9,585,836
The invention relates to liquid vehicles that can be used to create dilute solutions of water-soluble pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical oral contrast agents. The liquid vehicles are formulated to provide desired osmolalities, viscosities, pH, and taste masking capabilities to match the particular intentions of the user and to complement the inherent differences in the various oral contrast agents. The liquid vehicles comprise an aqueous medium, an osmotic agent to adjust osmolality, a buffering agent, a viscosity agent, and sweeteners and flavoring agents to improve palatability.
Inventors: Peter Quagliano (Richmond)
Assignee: N/A
March 7, 2017
Intramedullary compression screw system
Patent No. 9,585,703
An intramedullary compression screw device and method including a cannulated compression screw and a cannulated proximal module for enabling the joining and alignment of two or more phalanges at the proper compression to facilitate healing in a patient. The cannulated compression screw includes a smooth body portion, an external threaded portion, and a low profile head. The cannulated proximal module includes external self-cutting threads and internal threads complementary with the external threads of the cannulated compression screw. Means are provided for driving the proximal module into a proximal phalanx and for securing the compression screw into the proximal module. A proximal module sizing template provides a means for determining the proper diameter of proximal module for insertion in the proximal phalanx. A depth gauge is provides a means for determining the proper length of cannulated compression screw for attachment to the proximal module.
Inventors: Jon Scott Munday (Richmond), Earnest P. Sims Mawusi (Newport News, Va.)
Assignee: Agent Medical (Richmond)
March 7, 2017
Pump operated beverage maker
Patent No. 9,585,513
A beverage maker includes a body and a cover movably attached to the body. The body includes therein (among other components), a tank, a pump, a controller, a switch electrically coupled with the pump, and a pressure release valve in fluid communication with at least the pump and tank for releasing the pressure therein. The cover mechanically actuates the switch into an “on” position, to maintain the pump in an inoperable condition, and mechanically actuate or release the pressure release valve into one of an open or closed position, upon movement of the cover to the closed position thereof The cover releases the switch for return into the “off” position, placing the pump in an operational condition, and mechanically actuating or releasing the pressure release valve into the other of the open or closed positions, upon movement of the cover from the closed position toward the open position.
Inventors: Adam Hanes (Glen Allen, Va.), Patrick T. Mulvaney (Richmond)
Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands Inc. (Glen Allen, Va.)
March 7, 2017
Data research and risk management assessment application
Patent No. 9,588,662
Systems, apparatus, and computer program products provide for a comprehensive platform in which users can gain access to data mapping and linkage information associated with multiple data sources, data systems, databases within the systems and the like. As such, the platform provides for time-efficient and reliable data management and research which aids the user in comprehending the connections between data from different data sources and included within different data systems, and the downstream impact (i.e., the impact of the data on other data fields) and upstream data source(s) (i.e., the secondary data fields used to calculate the data filed) of such data.
Inventors: Vikram Sood (Haryana, India), Jasmit Singh Lamba (Delhi, India), Pankaj Bhandari (Delhi, India), Arunesh Sharma (Haryana, India), Amanda Jane Wright (Chesterfield, Va.)
Assignee: Bank of America Corp. (Charlotte, N.C.)
March 7, 2017
Fuel composition and method of formulating a fuel composition to reduce real-world driving cycle particulate emissions
Patent No. 9,587,190
In order to blend fuels to meet specific regulatory and industry requirements, for instance octane requirements, different octane blending components can be used. One added component includes a composition of higher aromatics content. Unfortunately, this aromatic content may increase the particulate emissions of an internal combustion engine when the high aromatic fuel is combusted in that engine. As explained herein, reducing the aromatics content and replacing that octane increasing requirement with an alternative octane enhancer results in a formulated fuel that will have lower particulate emissions in the real-world driving of that engine as compared with a fuel having higher aromatic content.
Inventors: Michael Wayne Meffert (Chesterfield, Va.), John David Morris (Gwynn, Va.), Joseph W. Roos (Mechanicsville, Va.), Huifang Shao (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Afton Chemical Corp. (Richmond)
March 7, 2017
Methods of preparing and using botanical antioxidant compositions
Patent No. 9,585,822
A method of improving the appearance of skin, involves topically administering to a subject in need thereof a botanical antioxidant composition having a botanical antioxidant extract blend with: (a) at least one hydroxycinnamic acid, and (b) a camellia sinesis, vitis vinifera, euterpe oleracea, curcuma longa, and/or theobroma cacao extract, wherein the composition is in cream, lotion, solution, serum, anhydrous preparation, emulsion, microemulsion, multiple emulsion, gel, solid stick, ointment, dry powder, spray, or aerosol form.
Inventors: Joseph Abernathy Lewis II (Chesterfield, Va.), Joseph C. Dinardo (Vesuvius, Va.)
Assignee: PCR Technology Holdings (Richmond)
March 7, 2017
Hollow/porous fibers and applications thereof
Patent No. 9,585,422
In one embodiment is provided a polymer blend of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), wherein the poly(vinylacetate) is present in an amount ranging between about 20 wt % and about 80 wt %, and poly(acrylic acid) is present in an amount ranging between about 80 wt % and about 20 wt %, based on the total weight of the blend. In another embodiment is provided a fiber produced from this polymer blend, and which has cells therein. In another embodiment is provided a flavorant release material comprising the porous fiber disclosed herein, and one or more flavorants disposed in a longitudinally extending core within the fiber. In another embodiment is provided a polymer fiber membrane containing a hollow, porous fiber formed from the polymer blend disclosed herein. In another embodiment is provided a filter containing the fiber described herein. In another embodiment is provided a process for producing the fibers disclosed herein by addition of the polymers to an extruder or blender, and extruding or melt spinning the mixture into a fiber containing cells therein.
Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra (Manakin Sabot, Va.), Harrison L. Yu (Midlothian, Va.)
Applicant:
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
March 7, 2017
Carrier card for peel-open blisters
Patent No. 9,586,748
A package structure is disclosed for carrying blister cards of the peel-open variety, and for securing the blister cards within an outer sleeve enclosure.
Inventors: Thanhhung N. Le (Henrico, Va.)
Assignee: WestRock MWV (Norcross, Ga.)
March 7, 2017
Maximizing of energy delivery system compatibility with voltage optimization using AMI-based data control and analysis
Patent No. 9,582,020
A method, apparatus, system and computer program is provided for controlling an electric power system, including implementation of a voltage control and conservation (VCC) system used to optimally control the independent voltage and capacitor banks using a linear optimization methodology to minimize the losses in the EEDCS and the EUS. An energy validation process system (EVP) is provided which is used to document the savings of the VCC and an EPP is used to optimize improvements to the EEDCS for continuously improving the energy losses in the EEDS. The EVP system measures the improvement in the EEDS a result of operating the VCC system in the “ON” state determining the level of energy conservation achieved by the VCC system. In addition the VCC system monitors pattern recognition events and compares them to the report-by-exception data to detect HVL events. If one is detected the VCC optimizes the capacity of the EEDS to respond to the HVL events by centering the piecewise linear solution maximizing the ability of the EDDS to absorb the HVL event.
Inventors: Phillip W. Powell (Chesterfield County, Va.), Stephen J. Tyler (Henrico County, Va.), Melissa A. Peskin (Richmond)
Assignee: Dominion Resources Inc. (Richmond)
Feb. 28, 2017
Reduction of tobacco-specific nitrosamines using genetic modification to elevate production of native antioxidants in tobacco
Patent No. 9,580,695
Cured tobacco having a lower concentration of tobacco specific nitrosamines, can be produced from a transgenic tobacco plant having a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide that catalyzes production of active oxygen species. The heterologous nucleotide sequence is operably coupled to a regulatory nucleotide sequence that directs expression of the polypeptide. The regulatory nucleotide sequence can include constitutive and/or inducible promoter elements.
Inventors: Qinglin Li (Richmond), Marc Robert Krauss (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
Feb. 28, 2017
Methods and apparatus to facilitate proximity detection and location tracking
Patent No. 9,584,965
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to facilitate proximity detection and location tracking. An example method includes receiving messages collected by a badge in an environment, the messages including signal strength and a timestamp. The example method also includes assigning a location in the environment to the badge based on a first subset of the messages. The example method also includes identifying an asset in a second subset of the messages. The example method also includes updating a current location associated with the asset based on a relative proximity of the asset to the badge, wherein the current location corresponds to a first time and the updated location corresponds to a second time, and wherein a change in location between the current location and the updated location indicates movement of the asset in the environment.
Inventors: Brandon Stephen Good (Schenectady, N.Y.), Charles Burton Theurer (Alplaus, N.Y.), Shaopeng Liu (Clifton Park, N.Y.), Robert Lee Wallace (Glen Allen, Va.)
Assignee: General Electric Co. (Schenectady, N.Y.)
Feb. 28, 2017
Terminal assembly module for connecting an industrial controller to pre-existing I/O wiring
Patent No. 9,585,278
A terminal assembly module is provided that simplifies the transfer of I/O wiring from a pre-existing industrial controller to a replacement industrial controller. The terminal assembly module replaces an I/O module in the pre-existing industrial controller chassis. The I/O module terminal block, with I/O wiring maintained intact, is removed from the discarded I/O module and installed on the terminal assembly module. A multi-conductor cable is then plugged into a cable connector on the front of the terminal assembly module, which electrically connects the I/O module terminals to the conductors of the cable. The cable conductors can then be connected to the I/O modules of the new industrial controller. Thus, the terminal assembly module eliminates the need to disconnect the existing I/O wiring from the I/O module terminal blocks of the pre-existing industrial controller.
Inventors: Phillip Dobler (Mechanicsville, Va.), Larry Lance Lewis (Petrolia, Calif.), Michael John Lonergan (Mechanicsville, Va.), Philip S. Hartman (Chester, Va.), James E. Cahaly (West Newbury, Mass.)
Assignee: W Interconnections Inc. (Richmond)
Feb. 28, 2017
Lifting device, system, and method
Patent No. 9,580,280
A lifting device comprises three or more links hingedly joined end-to-end such that the lifting device is able to hingedly move in a first direction from a linear arrangement to a bent arrangement but is not able to hingedly move from the linear arrangement to a bent arrangement in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Inventors: Timothy Craig Schlothauer (Mechanicsville, Va.)
Assignee: N/A
Feb. 28, 2017
Cleaning solution and method of cleaning laboratory consumables
Patent No. 9,579,696
A cleaning solution for cleaning laboratory consumables comprises sodium percarbonate in a concentration of from 0.9% w/w to 1.6% w/w based on a total weight of the solution and at least one diluent to 100% w/w.
Inventors: Ali Safavi (Chester, Va.)
Assignee: Grenova (Richmond)
Feb. 28, 2017
Blister package with divided interior volume
Patent No. 9,586,742
A blister card utilizes a window waste portion as a non-planar or multi-level divider within the blister.
Inventors: Matthew E. Zacherle (Chesterfield, Va.), Gregory P. Hayter (Richmond)
Assignee: WestRock MWV (Norcross, Ga.)
March 7, 2017
Palatable liquid dilution vehicles for oral contrast agents
Patent No. 9,585,973
The invention relates to liquid vehicles that can be used to create dilute solutions of water-soluble pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical oral contrast agents. The liquid vehicles are formulated to provide desired osmolalities, viscosities, pH, and taste masking capabilities to match the particular intentions of the user and to complement the inherent differences in the various oral contrast agents. The liquid vehicles comprise an aqueous medium, an osmotic agent to adjust osmolality, a buffering agent, a viscosity agent, and sweeteners and flavoring agents to improve palatability.
Inventors: Peter Quagliano (Richmond)
Assignee: N/A
March 7, 2017
Palatable liquid dilution vehicles for oral contrast agents
Patent No. 9,585,836
The invention relates to liquid vehicles that can be used to create dilute solutions of water-soluble pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical oral contrast agents. The liquid vehicles are formulated to provide desired osmolalities, viscosities, pH, and taste masking capabilities to match the particular intentions of the user and to complement the inherent differences in the various oral contrast agents. The liquid vehicles comprise an aqueous medium, an osmotic agent to adjust osmolality, a buffering agent, a viscosity agent, and sweeteners and flavoring agents to improve palatability.
Inventors: Peter Quagliano (Richmond)
Assignee: N/A
March 7, 2017
Intramedullary compression screw system
Patent No. 9,585,703
An intramedullary compression screw device and method including a cannulated compression screw and a cannulated proximal module for enabling the joining and alignment of two or more phalanges at the proper compression to facilitate healing in a patient. The cannulated compression screw includes a smooth body portion, an external threaded portion, and a low profile head. The cannulated proximal module includes external self-cutting threads and internal threads complementary with the external threads of the cannulated compression screw. Means are provided for driving the proximal module into a proximal phalanx and for securing the compression screw into the proximal module. A proximal module sizing template provides a means for determining the proper diameter of proximal module for insertion in the proximal phalanx. A depth gauge is provides a means for determining the proper length of cannulated compression screw for attachment to the proximal module.
Inventors: Jon Scott Munday (Richmond), Earnest P. Sims Mawusi (Newport News, Va.)
Assignee: Agent Medical (Richmond)
March 7, 2017
Pump operated beverage maker
Patent No. 9,585,513
A beverage maker includes a body and a cover movably attached to the body. The body includes therein (among other components), a tank, a pump, a controller, a switch electrically coupled with the pump, and a pressure release valve in fluid communication with at least the pump and tank for releasing the pressure therein. The cover mechanically actuates the switch into an “on” position, to maintain the pump in an inoperable condition, and mechanically actuate or release the pressure release valve into one of an open or closed position, upon movement of the cover to the closed position thereof The cover releases the switch for return into the “off” position, placing the pump in an operational condition, and mechanically actuating or releasing the pressure release valve into the other of the open or closed positions, upon movement of the cover from the closed position toward the open position.
Inventors: Adam Hanes (Glen Allen, Va.), Patrick T. Mulvaney (Richmond)
Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands Inc. (Glen Allen, Va.)
March 7, 2017
Data research and risk management assessment application
Patent No. 9,588,662
Systems, apparatus, and computer program products provide for a comprehensive platform in which users can gain access to data mapping and linkage information associated with multiple data sources, data systems, databases within the systems and the like. As such, the platform provides for time-efficient and reliable data management and research which aids the user in comprehending the connections between data from different data sources and included within different data systems, and the downstream impact (i.e., the impact of the data on other data fields) and upstream data source(s) (i.e., the secondary data fields used to calculate the data filed) of such data.
Inventors: Vikram Sood (Haryana, India), Jasmit Singh Lamba (Delhi, India), Pankaj Bhandari (Delhi, India), Arunesh Sharma (Haryana, India), Amanda Jane Wright (Chesterfield, Va.)
Assignee: Bank of America Corp. (Charlotte, N.C.)
March 7, 2017
Fuel composition and method of formulating a fuel composition to reduce real-world driving cycle particulate emissions
Patent No. 9,587,190
In order to blend fuels to meet specific regulatory and industry requirements, for instance octane requirements, different octane blending components can be used. One added component includes a composition of higher aromatics content. Unfortunately, this aromatic content may increase the particulate emissions of an internal combustion engine when the high aromatic fuel is combusted in that engine. As explained herein, reducing the aromatics content and replacing that octane increasing requirement with an alternative octane enhancer results in a formulated fuel that will have lower particulate emissions in the real-world driving of that engine as compared with a fuel having higher aromatic content.
Inventors: Michael Wayne Meffert (Chesterfield, Va.), John David Morris (Gwynn, Va.), Joseph W. Roos (Mechanicsville, Va.), Huifang Shao (Midlothian, Va.)
Assignee: Afton Chemical Corp. (Richmond)
March 7, 2017
Methods of preparing and using botanical antioxidant compositions
Patent No. 9,585,822
A method of improving the appearance of skin, involves topically administering to a subject in need thereof a botanical antioxidant composition having a botanical antioxidant extract blend with: (a) at least one hydroxycinnamic acid, and (b) a camellia sinesis, vitis vinifera, euterpe oleracea, curcuma longa, and/or theobroma cacao extract, wherein the composition is in cream, lotion, solution, serum, anhydrous preparation, emulsion, microemulsion, multiple emulsion, gel, solid stick, ointment, dry powder, spray, or aerosol form.
Inventors: Joseph Abernathy Lewis II (Chesterfield, Va.), Joseph C. Dinardo (Vesuvius, Va.)
Assignee: PCR Technology Holdings (Richmond)
March 7, 2017
Hollow/porous fibers and applications thereof
Patent No. 9,585,422
In one embodiment is provided a polymer blend of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), wherein the poly(vinylacetate) is present in an amount ranging between about 20 wt % and about 80 wt %, and poly(acrylic acid) is present in an amount ranging between about 80 wt % and about 20 wt %, based on the total weight of the blend. In another embodiment is provided a fiber produced from this polymer blend, and which has cells therein. In another embodiment is provided a flavorant release material comprising the porous fiber disclosed herein, and one or more flavorants disposed in a longitudinally extending core within the fiber. In another embodiment is provided a polymer fiber membrane containing a hollow, porous fiber formed from the polymer blend disclosed herein. In another embodiment is provided a filter containing the fiber described herein. In another embodiment is provided a process for producing the fibers disclosed herein by addition of the polymers to an extruder or blender, and extruding or melt spinning the mixture into a fiber containing cells therein.
Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra (Manakin Sabot, Va.), Harrison L. Yu (Midlothian, Va.)
Applicant:
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc. (Richmond)
March 7, 2017
Carrier card for peel-open blisters
Patent No. 9,586,748
A package structure is disclosed for carrying blister cards of the peel-open variety, and for securing the blister cards within an outer sleeve enclosure.
Inventors: Thanhhung N. Le (Henrico, Va.)
Assignee: WestRock MWV (Norcross, Ga.)
March 7, 2017