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Liu, WI

Chuande Liu, Waukesha, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080296507SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ROW-CORRELATED NOISE MONITORING IN DIGITAL X-RAY SYSTEMS - Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments, row-correlated noise of a digital X-ray detector is monitored during idle operation of the digital X-ray detector and the magnitude of the row-correlated noise is compared to a visible threshold.12-04-2008
20090290686ARTIFACT REDUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RADIOLOGICAL IMAGING SYSTEM - The effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI) on X-ray image data is corrected by characterizing the EMI and processing the image data to subtract the EMI effects from the image data. The X-ray image data, along with offset data, are collected in a conventional manner, affected by EMI if present, and EMI-characterizing data is immediately collected thereafter by disabling rows of a digital detector (FET off). The EMI-characterizing data, then, is not affected by the presence of image data, and can be used to characterize the amplitude and frequency of the EMI. The EMI-characterizing data is assured of being in phase with the collected image and offset data due to its collection in the same image acquisition sequence immediately following the collection of image and offset data. Artifacts due to the presence of EMI are thus eliminated from reconstructed images based upon the corrected data.11-26-2009
20100246757WIRELESS DIGITAL IMAGE DETECTOR - A digital detector of a digital imaging system is provided. In one embodiment, the digital detector includes a flat-panel detector having a detector array for converting X-ray radiation into image data. The digital detector may also include a plurality of antennas, and the digital detector may be configured to transmit the image data via one or more antennas of the plurality of antennas. Additional systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.09-30-2010
20110013220APPLICATION SERVER FOR USE WITH A MODULAR IMAGING SYSTEM - Systems and methods are disclosed for managing autonomous detector and imager subsystems communicating as nodes on a network. In an embodiment, an application server is provided which coordinates use of the autonomous imager and detector subsystems so that appropriate combinations of imagers and detectors are used for particular imaging applications. In another embodiment, the performance of a detector subsystem may be automatically evaluated prior to use, such as by one or more automated routines that monitor or measure factors related to detector performance. Additional systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.01-20-2011
20110255666SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING X-RAYS RECEIVED BY A PORTABLE IMAGING DETECTOR - A method for imaging an object includes radiating the object of interest and sensing the radiation that penetrates through the object using a detector having at least one active area and at least one inactive area, determining when the radiation is completed using information received from the inactive area of the imaging detector, and reconstructing an image of the object using information received from the active area of the imaging detector. A medical imaging system and a computer-readable medium are also provided.10-20-2011
20110274251WIRELESS X-RAY DETECTOR OPERATION COORDINATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - In one embodiment, a method for coordinating operation of X-ray detectors in a wireless X-ray system includes detecting multiple wireless X-ray detectors within an operative range of an X-ray base station, the detected X-ray detectors each having one of multiple possible statuses, including an active status corresponding to a designation of the X-ray detector as a desired recipient of radiation during a current X-ray imaging sequence, an inactive status corresponding to a designation of the X-ray detector as not the desired recipient of radiation during a current X-ray imaging sequence, and an unenabled status corresponding to the X-ray detector not being configured to operate with the X-ray base station. The method also includes determining the current status of each detected X-ray detector and displaying on a user-viewable screen a visual indication of the status of each detected X-ray detector.11-10-2011
20110316568DETECTOR STATE MONITORING SYSTEM AND A PORTABLE DETECTOR INCLUDING SAME - A portable imaging detector and a method for operating the portable imaging detector are provided. The portable imaging detector includes a docking connector having a plurality of docking connector contacts. The method includes measuring a voltage at a first docking connector contact, and determining whether the portable detector is (i) operating in a digital cassette mode or is (ii) installed in either a cassette holder or a charging bin using the measured voltage. A detector state monitoring system is also discussed.12-29-2011
20120177183WIRELESS COMMUNICATION IN A MEDICAL IMAGING OR MONITORING SYSTEM - The present disclosure is directed towards a method of changing wireless communication channels in a connected host and client system. For example, in one embodiment, the link quality of a connection is monitored by the host or the client. If the connection has a link quality below a predetermined threshold but remains intact, a channel switch request is sent, synchronization packages are exchanged between the host and client on the current channel, the channel of the system is changed to a new channel, and the system resumes communications on the new channel.07-12-2012

Patent applications by Chuande Liu, Waukesha, WI US

Guoliang Liu, Madison, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120217220METHOD USING BLOCK COPOLYMERS FOR MAKING A MASTER MOLD FOR NANOIMPRINTING PATTERNED MAGNETIC RECORDING DISKS WITH CHEVRON SERVO PATTERNS - A method for making a master mold used to nanoimprint patterned magnetic recording disks that have chevron servo patterns with minimal defects uses directed self-assembly of block copolymers. A pattern of chemically modified polymer brush material is formed on the master mold substrate. The pattern includes sets of slanted stripes and interface strips between the sets of slanted stripes. A block copolymer material is deposited on the pattern, which results in directed self-assembly of the block copolymer as lamellae perpendicular to the substrate that are formed into alternating slanted stripes of alternating first and second components of the block copolymer. This component also forms on the interface strips, but as a lamella parallel to the substrate. One of the components is then removed, leaving the remaining component as a grid that acts as a mask for etching the substrate to form the master mold. The disks nanoimprinted by the master mold have reduced defective areas in the transition regions of the chevron servo patterns.08-30-2012

Hongwei Liu, Appleton, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080286408Encapsulation of a hydrophilic substance in small capsules - Provided is a method of encapsulating a hydrophilic substance with wax. Also provided, is a method of encapsulating honey with an edible wax to create honey capsules. The method includes ejecting a droplet of the hydrophilic substance into a stream of molten wax and allowing the droplet to pass through the molten wax to enter a container of water. The wax capsule forms an oral product that may be placed in the mouth or used in conjunction with other edible or oral products.11-20-2008
20090004337Wax capsules containing hydrophilic cores - Provided is a method for cooling wax after coextrusion to create wax capsules. The method includes immersing a concentric nozzle of a coextruder in a container of heated alcohol. The container of heated alcohol sits in a water-ice bath to create a temperature gradient. A core material having a wax coating is extruded through a concentric nozzle to form a capsule. The capsule enters the container of hot alcohol where the wax coating is solidified. In an embodiment, the method is a continuous method including a capsule and solvent transfer system.01-01-2009
20110083676COATED IMPREGNATED POROUS FILTER PLUG - A process for producing a coated filter plug for a smoking article including: (a) incorporating an additive to a porous filter plug, thereby obtaining an impregnated filter plug; (b) coating a surface of the impregnated filter plug with a cross-linkable polymer material; and (c) cross-linking the cross-linkable polymer material, to form a cross-linked, breakable coating substantially enclosing the impregnated filter plug. The process may further include at least partially coating the impregnated filter plug with a cross-linking agent prior to, or subsequent to, coating with the cross-linkable polymer material.04-14-2011
20110152147ENCAPSULATES - Encapsulates, compositions, packaged products and displays comprising such encapsulates, and processes for making and using such encapsulates, compositions, packaged products and displays. Such compositions have improved deposition and retention properties that may impart improved benefit characteristics to a composition and/or situs.06-23-2011
20120024305FABRICATION OF CORE/SHELL CAPSULES OF DIFFERENT GEOMETRIES AND TREATMENT THEREAFTER - Multi-shelled capsules are made by co-extruding a first liquid flavorant composition and a first shell-forming polymeric material to form droplets which are hardened to form an inner shell containing a first liquid flavorant composition, and then coated with a second shell-forming polymeric material which is hardened to form an outer shell. The result is a capsule where the inner surface of the outer shell is separate and/or separable from the outer surface of the inner shell to define a space, wherein a second liquid flavorant composition may be located.02-02-2012

Patent applications by Hongwei Liu, Appleton, WI US

Jianqin Liu, Whitefish Bay, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100285470MONOMETHINE DYES - Monomethine dyes that have no or minimal fluorescence in buffer or in the presence of single stranded DNA or RNA, but strongly fluoresce in the presence of double-stranded DNA. In one embodiment, the dye is useful in quantitative RT-PCR.11-11-2010

Jianqin Liu, Milwaukee, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110039341Method for detecting nucleotide polymor-phisms using semiconductor particles - A method for detecting anomalies in genetic material is provided, the method comprising supplying the genetic material; establishing electronic communication between the genetic material and a semi-conductor particle so as to create a composite; contacting the composite with a first metal ion; and subjecting the contacted composite to energy in an amount and for a time sufficient to reduce the first metal ion to a first elemental metal. Also provided is a device for detecting single nucleotide mismatching in genetic material, the device comprising a semiconductor particle; a ligand attached to the particle; the genetic material in electronic communication with the ligand so as to form an organic-inorganic composite; metal ion in electronic communication with the composite, such that the metal ion reduces to elemental metal when the semiconductor particle is exposed to radiation of a predetermined energy level.02-17-2011

Jingbo Liu, Milwaukee, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090212732UNIVERSAL ADAPTIVE TORQUE CONTROL FOR PM MOTORS FOR FIELD-WEAKENING REGION OPERATION - The invention includes a motor controller and method for controlling a permanent magnet motor. In accordance with one aspect of the present technique, a permanent magnet motor is controlled by, among other things, receiving a torque command, determining a normalized torque command by normalizing the torque command to a characteristic current of the motor, determining a normalized maximum available voltage, determining an inductance ratio of the motor, and determining a direct-axis current based upon the normalized torque command, the normalized maximum available voltage, and the inductance ratio of the motor.08-27-2009
20100060210METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY IDENTIFYING ELECTRICAL PARAMETERS IN A SENSOR-LESS PMSM - A method and apparatus for determining electrical parameters for commissioning a sensor-less permanent magnet synchronous machine uses knowledge of the rotor position to apply balanced pulses along the rotor magnet axis and perpendicular to the rotor magnet axis allowing measurement of q- and d-inductance at multiple current levels without substantial rotor movement.03-11-2010

Patent applications by Jingbo Liu, Milwaukee, WI US

Jingbo Liu, Grafton, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100026223METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING ORIENTATION OF A STATIONARY ROTOR IN A SENSOR-LESS PMSM - A method and apparatus for determining rotor position in a stationary rotor of a sensor-less permanent magnet synchronous machine that employs a rotating magnetic field to identify a magnetic axis of the stator without a magnetic direction and then determines magnetic direction by applying pulses along the magnet axis in two polarities.02-04-2010
20100237817Method and Apparatus for Estimating Rotor Position in a Sensorless Synchronous Motor - The present invention provides a simple, robust, and universal position observer for use with sensorless synchronous machines. The observer may be implemented using an equivalent EMF model of a synchronous machine or, alternately, using a sliding mode controller based on the equivalent EMF model of the synchronous machine. The observer may be used on any type of synchronous machine, including salient or non-salient pole machines such as a permanent magnet, interior permanent magnet, wound rotor, or reluctance synchronous machine. The observer provides low sensitivity to parameter variations and disturbances or transient conditions in the machine. In addition, no knowledge of speed is required as an input to the observer and an estimated position may be calculated using a subset of the machine parameters.09-23-2010
20100301790ROTOR POSITION ESTIMATOR FOR AN ELECTRICAL MACHINE - A method for estimating a rotor position in an electrical machine is provided. The method is applicable to electrical machines that have magnetic saliency. The method includes extracting the rotor position from a demodulated output signal generated in response to an injected high frequency carrier signal and determining a position error compensation based upon a demodulation delay and a velocity or rotational frequency of the electrical machine. The method also includes estimating the rotor position by applying the position error compensation to the extracted rotor position.12-02-2010
20100320948Method and Apparatus for Increased Current Stability in a PWM Drive - The present invention provides an improved current regulator for PWM based drives for electric motors. The invention provides compensation for the rotor position signal for delays introduced due to the PWM algorithm and for digital sampling present in such a drive. Current regulator commonly operate in a two-phase reference frame, requiring forward and reverse coordinate transformations between the physical current values and the two-phase reference frame variables. The present invention provides an improved compensation in the forward transformation by determining the phase lag between the commanded voltage reference and the output voltage reference and by further compensating the forward transformation for errors introduced due to sampling the current either at different sampling instances than the rotor position or at multiple sampling instances during a carrier period. Additionally, compensation during the reverse transformation is provided to compensate for errors introduced due to sampling the current and rotor position.12-23-2010

Kou-Chang Liu, Appleton, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080230195Tissue products containing non-fibrous polymeric surface structures and a topically-applied softening composition - Soft tissue products with a good rate of absorbency, such as facial and bath tissue, are provided by forming a tissue sheet with a non-fibrous polymeric surface structure and thereafter topically applying a softening composition comprising a polysiloxane, a fatty alkyl derivative and glycerin. The non-fibrous polymeric surface structure is created by applying an additive composition to the surface of a tissue sheet prior to or after drying. The additive composition can be an aqueous dispersion containing an alpha-olefin polymer, an ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer, or mixtures thereof. The alpha-olefin polymer may comprise an interpolymer of ethylene and octene, while the ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer may comprise ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer.09-25-2008
20080230196Softening compositions for treating tissues which retain high rate of absorbency - A softening composition, particularly useful for topical treatment of tissues, comprises a polysiloxane, a fatty alkyl derivative and glycerin. The softening composition provides good softness to the tissue and enables the tissue to retain a high degree of absorbency.09-25-2008
20080257512Single Ply Tissue Products Surface Treated With A Softening Agent - Tissue products are described that have been topically treated with a chemical additive, such as a softener. The softener may be, for instance, a polysiloxane. The polysiloxane is topically applied to a tissue sheet, such as a single ply sheet, so as to form a Z-directional gradient in the sheet. Particular, most of the polysiloxane remains on the surface of the tissue product as opposed to migrating to the center of the sheet. In this manner, tissue sheets are formed with improved softness at lower levels of polysiloxane and without the need for applying any surfactants to the sheet. A system for applying chemical additives to tissue sheets is also described. The system includes a chemical additive applicator, such as a meltblown die that emits the chemical additive through a plurality of orifices. In one embodiment, the system includes a device for periodically cleaning the orifices during application of the chemical additive. The cleaning device may be, for instance, a brush that traverses across the die head when desired.10-23-2008
20100143584Method of Making Soft and Absorbent Tissue Products - Softening compositions for tissues, particularly facial tissues, include a combination of polysiloxanes and one or both of a polyalkylene oxide and a fatty alkyl derivative. The softening compositions can contain from about 30 to about 75 weight percent polysiloxane, from about 0 to about 60 weight percent polyalkylene oxide and from about 0 to about 60 weight percent fatty alkyl derivative, wherein the combined amount of the polyalkylene oxide and the fatty alkyl derivative is about 25 weight percent or greater. The resulting tissues have good softness and wettability.06-10-2010

Patent applications by Kou-Chang Liu, Appleton, WI US

Tan Liu, Brookfield, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110013220APPLICATION SERVER FOR USE WITH A MODULAR IMAGING SYSTEM - Systems and methods are disclosed for managing autonomous detector and imager subsystems communicating as nodes on a network. In an embodiment, an application server is provided which coordinates use of the autonomous imager and detector subsystems so that appropriate combinations of imagers and detectors are used for particular imaging applications. In another embodiment, the performance of a detector subsystem may be automatically evaluated prior to use, such as by one or more automated routines that monitor or measure factors related to detector performance. Additional systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.01-20-2011

Yanzhen Liu, New Berlin, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090244937DC BUS VOLTAGE HARMONICS REDUCTION - In one aspect, in general, the invention features a control system configured for use with a three-phase PWM converter. The control system receives an input signal from a three-phase power supply and provides an output signal at a DC link. A voltage-separating module generates on the basis of the input signal a positive sequence voltage component and a negative sequence voltage component in a rotating reference frame. A reference current computation module uses at least the positive sequence voltage component and the negative sequence voltage component to compute a first reference current and a second reference current. A current regulating module uses at least the first reference current and the second reference current to generate a command signal. The command signal is provided to a driving circuit of the three-phase PWM converter for generating a regulated DC bus voltage at the DC link.10-01-2009

Z. Gerald Liu, Madison, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090038294Tuning Particulate Filter Performance Through Selective Plugging and Use of Multiple Particulate Filters to Reduce Emissions and Improve Thermal Robustness - Modified exhaust aftertreatment filters for filtering engine exhaust are provided as are methods of design and manufacturing modified exhaust aftertreatment filters. The modified filters are subject to reduced back pressure and reduced thermal gradients experienced during regeneration as compared to unmodified filters. The modified filters include flow-through channels obtained by unplugging channels which normally are plugged in an unmodified filter.02-12-2009
20090313977APPARATUS AND METHOD TO CONTROL ENGINE CRANKCASE EMISSIONS - An apparatus for reducing crankcase emissions generated by an engine is described. The apparatus generally includes a separator that removes particulate matter from the crankcase emissions and a treatment component that removes odor and gases from the crankcase emissions. The apparatus is configured where the treatment component is disposed downstream of the separator, the separator first removes particulate matter from the crankcase emissions and the treatment component then removes odor and certain gases from the crankcase emissions.12-24-2009
20090324453Catalytic Devices for Converting Urea to Ammonia - Disclosed are apparatuses, systems, and methods for treating exhaust. The disclosed apparatus and systems typically include a catalytic device for converting aqueous urea to ammonia. The catalytic device may include a pyrolysis catalyst and a hydrolysis catalyst for converting aqueous urea to ammonia. The catalytic device typically includes an upstream face that is positioned at an angle relative to exhaust flow when the device is positioned in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system.12-31-2009
20110094206REDUCTANT INJECTION AND DECOMPOSITION SYSTEM - According to one embodiment, a reductant injection apparatus includes an injector attachment portion to which a reductant injector is coupleable. The apparatus also includes a perforated tubular portion coupled to the injector attachment portion. The perforated tubular portion includes an inlet, an outlet, and a diverging sidewall extending from the inlet to the outlet. Additionally, a plurality of perforations is formed in the sidewall. A reductant spray can be injected into the perforated tubular portion via the inlet. Further, a portion of a bulk exhaust gas stream can be diverted into the perforated tubular portion through the plurality of perforations, through the perforated tubular element, and out of the perforated tubular portion through the plurality of perforations. The portion of exhaust gas stream can then be rejoined with the bulk exhaust gas stream downstream of the perforated tubular portion.04-28-2011
20110099978REDUCTANT DECOMPOSITION SYSTEM - Described herein are various embodiments of a reductant decomposition system. According to one representative embodiment, the reductant decomposition system includes an exhaust gas chamber including an inlet and outlet. The system also includes a first exhaust gas distribution component positioned within the chamber and communicable in exhaust gas receiving communication with the outlet. The first exhaust gas distribution component causes swirling exhaust gas flow patterns within the exhaust gas chamber. Additionally, the system includes a second exhaust gas distribution component positioned within the chamber and communicable in exhaust gas providing communication with the inlet. The second exhaust gas distribution component includes features that cause a swirling exhaust gas flow pattern within a space defined by the second exhaust gas distribution component. Further, the system includes a reductant injector coupled to the exhaust gas chamber. The reductant injector is communicable in reductant injecting communication with exhaust gas within the chamber.05-05-2011
20120180457EXHAUST GAS SENSOR MODULE - According to one embodiment, a sensor module includes a sensor probe that has at least two arms coupled together at a central location with each of the at least two arms extending radially outwardly away from the central location. Each of the at least two arms includes one of a plurality of openings and an elongate opening extending radially along the arm. The at least two arms define fluid flow channels therein. The sensor module also includes at least one extractor coupled to the probe. The at least one extractor includes a fluid flow channel that is communicable in fluid receiving communication with fluid flowing through the fluid flow channel of at least one of the at least two arms. Further, the sensor module includes at least one sensor that is communicable in fluid sensing communication with fluid flowing through the at least one extractor.07-19-2012

Patent applications by Z. Gerald Liu, Madison, WI US

Zhenyu Liu, Madison, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090151019LATE BLIGHT RESISTANCE GENE FROM WILD POTATO - A novel resistance gene and its encoded protein isolated from the wild potato, 06-11-2009

Zhijun Liu, Menomonee Falls, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100177452DC BUS CLAMP CIRCUIT TO PREVENT OVER VOLTAGE FAILURE OF ADJUSTABLE SPEED DRIVES - The present invention relates to a protective circuit to provide over voltage protection for an ASD. The protective circuit provides the benefits of fewer components with lower power ratings than existing protective circuits. The protective circuit may be incorporated directly in the ASD for continuous protection or mounted externally and connected to the ASD under operating conditions that require the circuit. This flexibility for mounting the protective circuit allows the capacitor of the protective circuit to be sized either in relation to capacitive elements on the DC bus within the ASD or according to external capacitance observed at the output of the ASD. In addition, the circuit is only operative during an overvoltage condition allowing for power ratings lower than would be required for continuous operation.07-15-2010
20120086458SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF A GROUND FAULT IN A HIGH RESISTANCE GROUND NETWORK - A method is provided for detection of a ground fault in a high resistance network in a voltage source power conversion circuit comprising a power converter that converts incoming AC power to DC power applied to a DC bus and an inverter that converts DC power from the DC bus to output AC power. The method includes detecting a midpoint-to-ground voltage between a low side of the DC bus and a ground potential and detecting the presence of a ground fault in a high resistance network based upon the detected midpoint-to-ground voltage.04-12-2012

Zhili Gerald Liu, Madison, WI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090178494SOURCE DILUTION SAMPLING SYSTEM FOR EMISSIONS ANALYSIS - A system for sampling emission products from an emissions source, for example combustion engines including gasoline, diesel and natural gas engines, for subsequent measurement and analysis of the emission products. The system includes a dilution apparatus, a residence time chamber, a plurality of sampling probes within the residence time chamber, and a plurality of sampling trains connected to the sampling probes to take simultaneous representative emission samples for subsequent analysis. The system has particular use in quantifying chemical and toxic trace species from emissions sources. The results of the analysis can be used to formulate decisions on changes in engine design strategy, and can be used to determine the effectiveness of aftertreatment systems on the emissions source.07-16-2009