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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Texas (Jan. 28)
[January 28, 2013]

U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Texas (Jan. 28)


(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Texas.

*** Hart Communication Foundation Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- Hart Communication Foundation, Austin, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,356,431) developed by seven co-inventors for "scheduling communication frames in a wireless network." The co-inventors are Wallace A. Pratt Jr., Pflugerville, Texas, Mark J. Nixon, Round Rock, Texas, Eric D. Rotvold, West Saint Paul, Minn., Robin S. Pramanik, Karlsruhe, Germany, Tomas P. Lennvall, Vasteras, Sweden, Yuri Zats, Menlo Park, Calif., and Terrence L. Blevins, Round Rock, Texas.



The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of scheduling communications in a multi-node wireless mesh network which has a first network device and a second network device includes defining a communication timeslot of a predetermined duration, defining a first superframe having a repeating superframe cycle including a first number of the communication timeslots, defining a second superframe having a repeating superframe cycle including a second number of the communication timeslots, aligning the first superframe with the second superframe, so that one of the timeslots of the first superframe begins simultaneously with one of the timeslots of the second superframe, and associating the first and the second superframes with a network schedule, so that the first network device and the second network device transmit data according to the network schedule." The patent application was filed on April 10, 2008 (12/101,074). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,56,431.PN.&OS=PN/83,56,431&RS=PN/83,56,431 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** United Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- United Technologies, Hartford, Conn., has been assigned a patent (8,356,409) developed by Edmundo J. Perret, Grand Prairie, Texas, for a "repair method for gas turbine engine components." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for repairing a gas turbine engine component includes applying a braze slurry to a first portion of the component, applying a pre-sintered preform to a second portion of the component that is different than the first portion, and brazing the component." The patent application was filed on Nov. 1, 2007 (11/933,660). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,56,409.PN.&OS=PN/83,56,409&RS=PN/83,56,409 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.


*** MediGlider Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- MediGlider, Austin, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,356,368) developed by Richard A. Patterson, Georgetown, Texas, for a "patient lift and transfer device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A transfer device has a carriage supported on a base, movable between a home position and an extended position. A table assembly includes a lower table fixed to the carriage and an upper table coupled to the lower table, movable between a downward position in forcible contact with the lower table and an upward position having no contact with the lower table. The table assembly moves toward the extended position with the tables in forcible contact to place the table assembly underneath the object to be transferred while keeping the base stationary. The plates are separated to lift the object on the upper table while the lower table remains resting upon the support surface. The table assembly returns to the home position while supporting the object on the upper table and keeping the upper and lower tables separated. The device may operate in a bidirectional manner." The patent application was filed on May 2, 2012 (13/462,809). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,56,368.PN.&OS=PN/83,56,368&RS=PN/83,56,368 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Baker Hughes Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- Baker Hughes, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,356,398) developed by nine co-inventors for a "modular hybrid drill bit." The co-inventors are Ron D. McCormick, Magnolia, Texas, Rolf Carl Pessier, Galveston, Texas, Don Q. Nguyen, Houston, Tim King Marvel, The Woodlands, Texas, Matthew R. Isbell, Houston, Anton F. Zahradnik, Sugar Land, Texas, Karlos B. Cepeda, Houston, Michael Steven Damschen, Houston, and Steven M. Winnon, Conroe, Texas.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An earth-boring bit comprising a bit body is configured at its upper end for connection into a drillstring. A fixed blade depends axially downwardly from the bit body. An axially extending slot is formed in the bit body adjacent the fixed blade. A bit leg is received and retained in the slot by engagement between the slot and correspondingly shaped bit leg, wherein the bit leg cannot be removed from the slot except by axial movement relative to the bit body. A rolling cutter is secured to the bit leg at its lower extent. A fastener secures the bit leg against movement relative to the bit body and extends through oblong apertures in the bit leg and into the bit body, the bit leg can be moved axially relative to the bit body to adjust the projection of the rolling cutter relative to the fixed blade." The patent application was filed on Feb. 2, 2011 (13/019,929). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,56,398.PN.&OS=PN/83,56,398&RS=PN/83,56,398 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Texas Inventors Develop Patent for Workload-guided Application Scheduling in Multi-core System Based at Least on Application Branch Transition Rates ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- Lizy K. John, Austin, Texas, and Jian Chen, Austin, Texas, have developed a patent (8,359,597) for a "workload-guided application scheduling in multi-core system based at least on application branch transition rates." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The proposed method exploits inherent characteristics of a software program to select a core of a multi-core processor for executing the software program. Each characteristic is associated with a suitability metric, which measures the degree of the match between that characteristic and the corresponding hardware configuration. In one embodiment, fuzzy logic is used to combine individual metrics to produce an overall suitability that indicates the overall degree of the match between a program and a core." The patent application was filed on Sept. 11, 2009 (12/557,737). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,59,597.PN.&OS=PN/83,59,597&RS=PN/83,59,597 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** GLOBALFOUNDRIES Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Grand Cayman, Cayman Island, has been assigned a patent (8,359,494) developed by six co-inventors for a parallel fault detection. The co-inventors are Elfido Coss Jr., Austin, Texas, Ernest D. Adams III, Austin, Texas, Robert J. Chong, Austin, Texas, Howard E. Castle, Austin, Texas, Thomas J. Sonderman, Austin, Texas, and Alexander J. Pasadyn, Austin, Texas.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and an apparatus are provided for parallel fault detection. The method comprises receiving data associated with processing of a workpiece by a first processing tool, receiving data associated with processing of a workpiece by a second processing tool and comparing at least a portion of the received data to a common fault model to determine if a fault associated with at least one of the processing of the workpiece by the first processing tool and processing of the workpiece by the second processing tool occurred." The patent application was filed on Dec. 18, 2002 (10/323,272). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,59,494.PN.&OS=PN/83,59,494&RS=PN/83,59,494 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Research In Motion Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- Research In Motion, Ontario, Canada, has been assigned a patent (8,359,509) developed by James Earl Womack, Bedford, Texas, Zhijun Cai, Euless, Texas, and Yi Yu, Irving, Texas, for a "system and method for determination of reserved hybrid automatic repeat request identifiers." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system and method are provided for determining a minimum number of reserved hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process identifiers (IDs). The method includes, determining a minimum number of reserved HARQ Process IDs based upon a maximum transmission time and a period of a semi-persistent resource allocation." The patent application was filed on Aug. 18, 2009 (12/543,439). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,59,509.PN.&OS=PN/83,59,509&RS=PN/83,59,509 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Marvell International Assigned Patent for Method and Apparatus for Programmable Coupling between CPU and Co-processor ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- Marvell International, Hamilton, Bermuda, has been assigned a patent (8,359,462) developed by four co-inventors for a "method and apparatus for programmable coupling between CPU and co-processor." The co-inventors are Moinul H. Khan, Austin, Texas, Mark N. Fullerton, Austin, Texas, Arthur R. Miller, Austin, Texas, and Anitha Kona, Austin, Texas.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In one embodiment the present invention includes a method and apparatus for enabling a main core and one or more co-processors to operate in a de-coupled mode, thereby facilitating the execution of two or more instruction threads in parallel. A co-processor, according to an embodiment of the invention, has a coupling manager including a loop buffer for storing instructions which can be independently fetched and executed by the co-processor when operating in de-coupled mode. In addition, the coupling manager includes a loop descriptor and a counter/condition descriptor. The loop descriptor and condition descriptor work in conjunction with one another to determine what, if any, action should be taken when a co-processor is in a particular processing state, for example, as indicated by a counter keeping track of loop processing." The patent application was filed on Nov. 21, 2008 (12/275,981). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,59,462.PN.&OS=PN/83,59,462&RS=PN/83,59,462 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Zonare Medical Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- Zonare Medical Systems, Mountain View, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,357,094) developed by 13 co-inventors for an "ultrasound imaging system parameter optimization via fuzzy logic." The co-inventors are Larry Y.L. Mo, San Ramon, Calif., Glen W. McLaughlin, Saratoga, Calif., Brian Derek DeBusschere, Orinda, Calif., Ting-Lan Ji, San Jose, Calif., Ching-Hua Chou, Mountain View, Calif., David J. Napolitano, Pleasanton, Calif., Kathy S. Jedrzejewicz, Austin, Texas, Thomas Jedrzejewicz, Austin, Texas, Kurt Sandstrom, San Jose, Calif., Feng Yin, Palo Alto, Calif., Scott Franklin Smith, Oak Creek, Wis., Wenkang Qi, Cupertino, Calif., and Robert Stanson, La Salle, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An ultrasound scanner is equipped with one or more fuzzy control units that can perform adaptive system parameter optimization anywhere in the system. In one embodiment, an ultrasound system comprises a plurality of ultrasound image generating subsystems configured to generate an ultrasound image, the plurality of ultrasound image generating subsystems including a transmitter subsystem, a receiver subsystem, and an image processing subsystem; and a fuzzy logic controller communicatively coupled with at least one of the plurality of ultrasound imaging generating subsystems. The fuzzy logic controller is configured to receive, from at least one of the plurality of ultrasound imaging generating subsystems, input data including at least one of pixel image data and data for generating pixel image data; to process the input data using a set of inference rules to produce fuzzy output; and to convert the fuzzy output into numerical values or system states for controlling at least one of the transmit subsystem and the receiver subsystem that generate the pixel image data." The patent application was filed on May 5, 2011 (13/101,990). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,357,094&OS=8,357,094&RS=8,357,094 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** NIKE Assigned Patent for Weight Element for a Golf Club ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- NIKE, Beaverton, Ore., has been assigned a patent (8,357,057) developed by four co-inventors for a "weight element for a golf club." The co-inventors are John T. Stites, Weatherford, Texas, Gary G. Tavares, Azle, Texas, Robert Boyd, Euless, Texas, and William F. Rauchholz, Portland, Ore.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Wood-type golf club heads (e.g., drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a crown portion, the crown portion including a fixed portion proximal to the ball striking face, and a removable weight portion, which is configured to be coupled with the fixed portion on a side of the crown portion away from the ball striking face. The club head body may further include an interior portion with a frame member defined therein. The crown weight may further include a weight member attached to the frame member, the weight member including at least one receptacle defined therein. The removable weight portion may further include at least one weight insert supported within the weight member in the at least one receptacle." The patent application was filed on Feb. 15, 2011 (13/027,643). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,357,057&OS=8,357,057&RS=8,357,057 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Poly-America Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- Poly-America, Grand Prairie, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,357,440) developed by George M. Hall, Colleyville, Texas, for a "apparatus and method for enhanced tear resistance plastic sheets." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides for a plastic sheet, especially one used in the construction of a plastic trash bag, which provides improved tear propagation properties. The plastic sheet has a plurality of protuberances in the plastic sheet, the protuberances defining a first set of substantially parallel curvilinear lines in a first direction, and optionally, a second set of curvilinear lines in a second direction. The plurality of protuberances can be either indentations or protrusions in the plastic sheet, preferably formed through an embossing process. Preferably, the protuberances are circular in shape, but not necessarily uniform, and alternate between indentations and protrusions along the first, and possibly the second, curvilinear lines with the curvilinear lines preferably being wave-shaped." The patent application was filed on June 29, 2007 (11/771,821). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,357,440.PN.&OS=PN/8,357,440&RS=PN/8,357,440 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Advanced Micro Devices Assigned Patent for Method and Apparatus for Phase Selection Acceleration ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- Advanced Micro Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,358,158) developed by four co-inventors for a "method and apparatus for phase selection acceleration." The co-inventors are Brian W. Amick, Bedford, Mass., Ryan J. Hensley, Austin, Texas, Warren R. Anderson, Westborough, Mass., and Joseph E. Kidd, Hudson, Mass.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and apparatus for generating a clock that can be switched in phase within a reduced interval of dead time are disclosed." The patent application was filed on Dec. 21, 2010 (12/974,501). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,358,158.PN.&OS=PN/8,358,158&RS=PN/8,358,158 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Taylor Made Golf Assigned Patent for Golf Club Head ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- Taylor Made Golf, Carlsbad, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,357,058) developed by Justin Honea, Rowlett, Texas, Tim Reed, McKinney, Texas, and John Kendall, Wylie, Texas, for a golf club head.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention is a unique golf club head characterized by a long blade length with a long heel blade length section, while having a small club moment arm and a low center of gravity, and all the benefits afforded therefrom." The patent application was filed on May 21, 2012 (13/476,321). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,357,058&OS=8,357,058&RS=8,357,058 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Apple Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- Apple, Cupertino, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,358,152) developed by Edward M. McCombs, Austin, Texas, for an "integrated circuit including pulse control logic having shared gating control." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An integrated circuit with a pulse clock unit having shared gating control includes one or more logic blocks, each including a clock distribution network configured to distribute a clock signal. The integrated circuit also includes a clock unit coupled to the one or more logic blocks and configured to generate a pulse clock signal formed using a chain of inverting logic gates. The clock unit may be further configured to provide the pulse clock signal to the clock distribution network. The clock unit may also include an enable input that is coupled to one input of one of the inverting logic gates. In addition, the clock unit may be configured to selectively enable and disable the pulse clock signal in response to an enable signal on the enable input." The patent application was filed on April 29, 2011 (13/097,206). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,358,152.PN.&OS=PN/8,358,152&RS=PN/8,358,152 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** University of Texas System Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- The University of Texas System, Austin, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,357,379) developed by Lawrence A. Trissel, Sapphire, N.C., and Yanping Zhang, Missouri City, Texas, for a "high concentration baclofen preparations." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Stable aqueous solutions comprising concentrations of baclofen in the range of greater than 2.0 mg/mL up to about 10 mg/mL are disclosed. These solutions can be used as pharmaceuticals for parenteral or oral administration. The invention also provides methods of preparing said stable aqueous baclofen solutions." The patent application was filed on Nov. 18, 2011 (13/300,109). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,357,379.PN.&OS=PN/8,357,379&RS=PN/8,357,379 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** RBC Life Sciences ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- RBC Life Sciences, Irving, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,357,422) developed by Clinton Howard, Irving, Texas, for a dietary supplement.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The technology provides a multi-purpose dietary supplement that includes, in nutritionally effective amounts for humans, an orally ingestible combination of antioxidants, naturally-occurring substances and extracts of naturally-occurring substances. The naturally-occurring substances and extracts of naturally-occurring substances include at least: finely divided silica hydride; a polyphenol; ginkgo biloba leaf extract; rhodiola rosea root; bacopa monniera extract; a glutathione precursor; a phytoalexin; a bioflavonoids; CoQ10 and a phospholipid." The patent application was filed on July 2, 2010 (12/830,051). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,357,422.PN.&OS=PN/8,357,422&RS=PN/8,357,422 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** In-Store Bagging Machine Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- In-Store Bagging Machine, Irving, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,356,850) developed by Harry Starkweather, Irving, Texas, James Shaker, Wylie, Texas, and Paul Bareford, Irving, Texas, for a "system and method for carrying and installing a plurality of empty ice bags into an ice bagging assembly." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A handle system for carrying and installing a plurality of empty ice bags in an ice bagging assembly is disclosed herein. The handle may comprise any system for effectively transporting empty ice bags and loading the ice bags into an ice bagging assembly. Implementations of the handle system may comprise a post member and a cover member. The post member may include a handle and a plurality of posts protruding from one side of the post member. The cover member may include a cover support bar with a plurality of reentrant openings aligned with the plurality of posts when the cover member is mated with the post member. The plurality of reentrant openings that each extend through the cover member and are sized to receive a portion of one of the plurality of posts." The patent application was filed on Sept. 22, 2010 (12/888,189). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,356,850.PN.&OS=PN/8,356,850&RS=PN/8,356,850 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Phillips 66 Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- Phillips 66, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,357,216) developed by Shuncheng Ji, Katy, Texas, for a "two stage dry feed gasification system and process." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A dry feed two stage gasification system and process is disclosed for gasifying feedstock such as carbonaceous materials with improved energy efficiency, along with reductions in feedstock consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The feedstock is first dried and pretreated with the hot syngas in the upper section of the gasifier to generate a dry char that is low in volatile-matter content. This dry char is sent to the first stage of a two stage gasifier where it reacts with oxygen in the presence of steam to produce a hot syngas stream." The patent application was filed on March 26, 2010 (12/732,290). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,357,216&OS=8,357,216&RS=8,357,216 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** General Electric Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (8,357,215) developed by Steven Craig Russell, Houston, James Michael Storey, Houston, and Robert Henri Gauthier, Houston, for a "method and apparatus of particulate removal from gasifier components." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Disclosed is a method of removing a particulate layer from a gasification system component including locating a shedding apparatus in operable communication with the gasification system component. A force is transmitted from the shedding apparatus into the gasification system component and the particulate layer is shed from the gasification system component as a result of the force. Further disclosed is a syngas cooler for a gasification system including a vessel and a plurality of thermal energy transfer platens located in the vessel. A shedding apparatus is in operable communication with the plurality of platens and is capable of shedding a particulate layer from the plurality of platens by transmitting a force to the plurality of platens. The apparatus includes a manifold disposed between the shedding apparatus and the plurality of platens and connected to the plurality of platens via one or more struts capable of distributing the force to the plurality of platens." The patent application was filed on March 4, 2009 (12/397,658). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,357,215&OS=8,357,215&RS=8,357,215 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Slide Fire Solutions Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- Slide Fire Solutions, Moran, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,356,542) developed by Jeremiah Cottle, Moran, Texas, and David Compton, Abilene, Texas, for a "slide-on slide stock for firearm." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A bump stock and interface system for a semi-automatic firearm. The interface system includes first and second bearing elements. A handle is provided with an integral finger rest. The bearing elements are configured to wholly disengage and re-engage from the handle via a straight linear disconnecting motion. In use, the user grasps the handle with one hand and places an index finger of the same hand firmly on the finger rest. When intending to fire a round of ammunition, the user pushes the receiver forward with their other hand so that the trigger collides with the finger. Recoil force quickly separates the trigger from the user's finger on the finger rest. The user again pushes forward the receiver to repeat the firing cycle. A lock can be selectively engaged to prevent longitudinal movement of the firearm relative to the handle, thereby returning the firearm to normal semi-automatic functionality." The patent application was filed on May 4, 2012 (13/464,540). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,356,542&OS=8,356,542&RS=8,356,542 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Daniel Measurement and Control Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- Daniel Measurement and Control, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,356,522) developed by Charles Robert Allen, Houston, for an "ultrasonic flow meter with a liquid drainage system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An ultrasonic flow meter for measuring the flow of a fluid through a pipeline comprises a spool piece including a throughbore and a transducer port. The transducer port extends along a central axis from an open end at the throughbore to a closed end distal the throughbore. In addition, the flow meter comprises an acoustic transducer disposed in the transducer port. The transducer includes a piezoelectric element. Further, the flow meter comprises a drain port in fluid communication with the transducer port. The drain port is axially positioned between the open end and the closed end of the transducer port. Still further, the flow meter comprises a drain conduit having an inlet end coupled to the drain port and an outlet end opposite the inlet end. The drain port is configured to drain a liquid from the transducer port into the inlet end of the drain conduit." The patent application was filed on March 22, 2011 (13/069,092). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,356,522&OS=8,356,522&RS=8,356,522 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Honeywell International Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- Honeywell International, Morristown, N.J., has been assigned a patent (8,356,514) developed by Yong-Fa Wang, Coppell, Texas, and Scott Edward Beck, Murphy, Texas, for a "sensor with improved thermal stability." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Improved sensors are disclosed that include a heater resistor and/or one or more sensor resistors. In some instances, the heater resistor may be configured to have a zero or near-zero temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), while one or more sensor resistors may be configured to have a non-zero higher TCR. In some instances, the heater resistor may include a polysilicon material that is doped with a first concentration of dopant, and the one or more sensing elements may include a polysilicon material that is doped with a second higher concentration of dopant. In some cases, the first concentration of dopant may be configured to provide a heater resistor that has a zero or near-zero temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR)." The patent application was filed on Jan. 13, 2011 (13/006,397). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,356,514&OS=8,356,514&RS=8,356,514 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** University of Notre Dame Du Lac Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- The University of Notre Dame Du Lac, Notre Dame, Ind., has been assigned a patent (8,356,475) developed by Paul J. McGinn, Granger, Ind., and Hongmei An, Houston, for "catalysts with slow, passive release of alkali ions." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Described is a method of slowly releasing a catalyst for, inter alia, the purpose of soot oxidation in a particulate filter. An example method includes incorporating an alkali metal oxide in a glass. Slow leaching of the alkali from the glass provides a means to gradually deliver the catalyst over extended periods. Additionally, the example method includes increasing the amount of alkaline metal ions that may be leached from the glass." The patent application was filed on Jan. 28, 2008 (12/021,108). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,356,475&OS=8,356,475&RS=8,356,475 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** U.S. Navy Assigned Patent for Vehicle Protective Structure ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- The U.S. Navy has been assigned a patent (8,356,541) developed by four co-inventors for a vehicle protective structure. The co-inventors are John Schneider, Huntingburg, Ind., Christopher Brown, Bloomington, Ind., Robin Cromwell, Mitchell, Ind., and Donald Lowe, San Antonio.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A protective structure for a vehicle having an opening on an upper surface is provided. One embodiment of the invention has at least a partial enclosure around an area defined laterally by the vehicle opening with an overhead and side protective capability. An embodiment of the invention has an overhead cover that is formed to substantially enclose a top area of the enclosure and having multiple panels that may be locked into place or opened by an occupant for exit through a top area of the enclosure. Biasing devices may be provided to bias the panels toward an open position and thereby facilitate occupant egress. The multiple panels in this embodiment extend upwardly and inwardly from a section of the enclosure's side walls. Ballistic windows are provided on the protective structure such that an occupant can view laterally and vertically through the enclosure and overhead cover. A shield or protective plate can be mounted on one side of the enclosure." The patent application was filed on Aug. 16, 2010 (12/857,223). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,356,541&OS=8,356,541&RS=8,356,541 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** AirWay Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 28 -- AirWay Technologies, Carrollton, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,356,603) developed by W. Keith Thornton, Dallas, for an "oral appliance for treating a breathing condition." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In certain embodiments, an apparatus for treating a breathing condition includes a body, a threaded member, a hook, and a receiver. The body comprises a front stop, a rear stop, and a guide extending between the stops. The threaded member couples between the stops and rotates relative to the body. The hook couples to the guide, comprises a threaded passage and an arm that engages a lower arch, and travels in a forward direction along the guide to adjust the position of the lower arch. The receiver couples to the lower arch and comprises a shelf that engages the arm of the hook. The apparatus may include an extender coupled to the receiver and providing a shelf that is more rearward than the shelf of the receiver. The apparatus may include a post that couples the apparatus to another device. In certain embodiments, a removable receiver, which may be one of a plurality of removable receivers with different dimensions, is removably positioned within a recess in a posterior surface of a lower arch and is engaged by a connector of an upper arch to define the relative positions of the arches." The patent application was filed on July 2, 2010 (12/829,759). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,356,603&OS=8,356,603&RS=8,356,603 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

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