US07643300B1
A heat dissipation device used for removing heat from a plurality of memory module cards, includes a first bracket, a second bracket placed on the first bracket and a fin set arranged on the second bracket. The first bracket has a plurality of first sheets extending downwardly from a bottom thereof and defines a plurality of slots therein. The second bracket has a plurality of second sheets extending downwardly from a bottom thereof. The first sheets are respectively attached to sides of the memory module cards. The second sheets are respectively extended through the slots of the first bracket and attached to opposite sides of the memory module cards and opposite to the first sheets.
US07643299B2
A clip for mounting a heat sink on a circuit board includes a positioning coil for rotatably engaging with the heat sink. Two elongated arms extend from two ends of a line bisecting the positioning coil respectively, and a pair of hooks formed at distal portions of the two arms respectively for engaging with the circuit board.
US07643297B2
An electronic control apparatus can be reduced in size and cost by removing a metal substrate part. The apparatus includes a housing having a pair of opening portions at its opposite sides, a heat sink attached to one of the opening portions of the housing, a pair of semiconductor switching elements mounted on the heat sink, a circuit board arranged in opposition to the heat sink, a plurality of conductive plates electrically connecting the circuit board and the semiconductor switching elements to each other, and a plate spring urging the semiconductor switching elements against the heat sink. The plate spring has engagement portions press-fitted to and engaged with inner sides of holding portions which are formed on the housing, and the housing has engagement portions engaged with protruded portions of the heat sink.
US07643291B2
An electronic equipment cabinet is provided, which includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a support configured to receive electronic equipment. The bottom portion defines a base plenum configured to receive a low temperature gas and communicates with a gas flow distribution pathway, which includes a first plenum communicating with the base plenum and configured to direct the low temperature gas to the support. The gas flow distribution pathway further includes a second plenum configured to receive a high temperature gas flow from the support and direct the high temperature gas flow to the top portion. The top portion includes at least one fan configured to direct the high temperature gas flow from the gas flow distribution pathway. A temperature sensor senses the temperature of the high temperature gas flow and communicates with a control module to control the first plenum and the at least one fan for regulating temperature.
US07643284B2
The present invention provides a portable computer in which an increase in temperature of a housing is suppressed. In the present invention, a guide plate is provided to suppress an increase in temperature of a bottom surface. When a cooling fan device operates, outside air taken in from inlet openings flows as an air current through a narrow flow path formed between the guide plate and the bottom surface. A flow velocity of the air current can be increased by narrowing the flow path, and heat exchange with the guide plate can be effectively performed, thereby sufficiently cooling a cooling surface. The cooled guide plate cools an air layer between the guide plate and the heat sink and thermally insulates between the air layer and the bottom surface.
US07643279B1
The present invention discloses a computer with a display panel mounted thereon, which comprises: a frame structure, a display panel and at least one casing board covering the frame structure. The frame structure further comprises: a front frame, a rear frame, a baseplate connecting the bottoms of the front frame and the rear frame, and two support bars connecting the tops of the front frame and the rear frame. The front and rear frames, the baseplate and the support bars define an accommodation space inside the frame structure and at least four installation planes encasing the accommodation space. The display panel is installed on an arbitrary installation plane and electrically connected to the motherboard to receive video signals and present images. The casing boards are installed on the other installation planes where no display panel is installed.
US07643270B2
A solid electrolytic capacitor that includes a cathode foil and solid electrolyte made of conductive polymer. This cathode foil is made by providing a nickel layer on a surface of a base material made of valve metal. This nickel layer includes a layer containing only nickel and a layer containing nickel oxide. Both large capacitance and low equivalent series resistance are achievable at the same time with this simple structure at low cost.
US07643262B2
A protection circuit for intrinsically safe electromagnetic actuators operating on the voltage from a power unit (1) approved for underground mining, for switching electrohydraulic valves (5) in underground mining, comprising at least two spaced-apart short-circuit means (14, 16 or 16A) connected in parallel with the electromagnetic actuator coil (11) for short-circuiting the coil in the event of a reversal of the coil voltage. According to the invention, at least one of the short-circuit means comprises a short-circuit semi-conductor switch (16 or 16A) and a voltage-reversal detecting circuit (30) for activating the short-circuit semiconductor switch (16).
US07643259B2
A device is protected from induced or unexpected current spikes or surges, by receiving the current spikes through a conducting wire. The conducting wire is placed adjacent to a parallel conducting wire having opposing current flow. Magnetic fluxes in either conducting wire create induced currents that reduce the current in the other conducting wire.
US07643258B2
An ESD protection circuit is adapted for an integrated circuit with a first power source and a second power source. The ESD protection circuit comprises a first silicon controlled rectifier (SCR), and in some embodiments a second silicon controlled rectifier, and a parasitic diode. The silicon rectifiers as well as the parasitic diode can all be formed using a single well formed in a substrate. Further, the ESD protection circuit can be used in systems that have multiple power sources regardless of the difference in voltage between the power sources.
US07643257B1
The present invention is directed to a protective wiring device that includes a plurality of line terminals coupled to a plurality of load terminals by way of at least one conductive path. A miswire detection circuit is coupled to the at least one conductive path. The miswire detection circuit is configured to monitor signal propagation characteristics on the at least one conductive path and generate a miswire detection signal based on the signal propagation characteristics commencing each time source power is applied to either the plurality of line terminals or the plurality of load terminals. A fault detection circuit is coupled to the at least one conductive path. The fault detection circuit is configured to detect a fault condition propagating on the at least one conductive path. The fault detection circuit is configured to generate a trip signal in response to either the fault condition or the miswire detection signal. A circuit interrupter is coupled to the fault detection circuit. The circuit interrupter is configured to introduce an electrical discontinuity in the at least one conductive path in response to the trip signal.
US07643248B2
An apparatus comprising a slider including a slider substrate with a trailing side and a writer with bond pads disposed on the trailing side. The writer has an optic input for receiving an optic output. The apparatus comprises an optoelectronic substrate having a substrate surface facing the trailing side, and having contacts on the substrate surface that are joined to the bond pads by conductive bridges, and having an optoelectronic emitter adjacent the substrate surface for generating the optic output.
US07643241B2
Provided are a method of calculating repeatable runout (RRO) of a hard disk drive (HDD) in a frequency domain, a method of calculating a compensation value using the RRO calculating method, and recording media used therefore. The method of calculating RRO in a disk with a plurality of tracks includes: calculating first set of frequency coefficients for representing the RRO by analyzing a position error signal (PES), which is sampled in a target track, in a frequency domain while a head follows the target track; and calculating the RRO using the first set of frequency coefficients.
US07643238B2
A novel means for performing dibit extraction is presented. Any one of an unequalized signal dibit, equalized signal dibit, or noise dibit can be extracted. Instead of using the correlation properties of a PN (Pseudo-Noise) sequence to approximate a PN deconvolution sequence, the use of the actual deconvolution sequence (i.e., PN sequence that includes values of +k and 0, where k is oftentimes 1) is employed so that no approximations are needed. The resulting estimate of the channel is therefore very accurate.
US07643234B2
Servo patterns and associated methods of fabricating servo patterns are described. For patterned storage media, data sectors and servo sectors may be patterned using self-assembly. In one embodiment, self-assembly is used to form a first array of islands and a second array of islands in servo sectors that are track-wise offset. A servo writing process is then performed to write a desired servo pattern in the arrays, such as for burst fields, synchronization fields, etc.
US07643233B2
A system reads data from a magnetic storage media. A read head reads data from the magnetic storage media and produce an analog signal. A variable gain amplifier amplifies the analog signal. An offset adjust module substantially centers the amplified analog signal to a midscale. A Magneto Resistive Asymmetry (MRA) collection module MRA corrects the amplified analog signal. A Continuous Time Filter (CTF) compensation module processes the amplified analog signal. An Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) samples the amplified analog signal based upon a control signal to produce a digital signal. A Disk Lock Clock (DLC) system produces the control signal to the ADC. The control signal is representative of a frequency offset caused by at least one servo wedge rate error. A Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter module filters the digital signal. A sequence detector processes the digital signal and detects a bit sequence from the digital signal.
US07643231B2
A mechanism for permitting selective adjustment of the angular position of a head-mounted night vision device is provided. The mechanism comprises a housing positioned adjacent the night vision device. A shaft defining a longitudinal axis is at least partially positioned within or adjacent the housing. The shaft is rotatively coupled to the night vision device, wherein rotation of the shaft induces rotation of the night vision device. A moveable lever is coupled to the shaft for rotating the shaft. Means for selectively limiting rotation of the shaft are provided, wherein the means are moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the means permit rotation of the shaft and the optical device, and in the second position the means limit rotation of the shaft and the optical device.
US07643223B2
An image pickup apparatus having an optical path reflecting zoom lens system includes a zoom lens system, and an image pickup element which is disposed at an image side of the zoom lens system. The zoom lens system includes in order from an object side thereof a first lens unit G1 having a positive refracting power, which includes a reflecting optical member having a reflecting surface which reflects an optical path, a second lens unit G2 having a negative refracting power, a third lens unit G3 having a positive refracting power, a fourth lens unit G4 having a positive refracting power, and an aperture stop S which is disposed between the second lens unit G2 and the fourth lens unit G4. The first lens unit G1 has a position fixed with respect to a position of the image pickup element. At least the second lens unit G2 and the fourth lens unit G4 move and the zooming is carried out from a wide angle end to a telephoto end by changing a distance between each of lens units. The second lens unit G2 includes in order from the object side thereof, a negative lens, a positive lens, and a negative lens.
US07643220B2
A zoom lens including a first lens group with a negative refractive power and a second lens group with a positive refractive power is provided. The first lens group includes a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens arranged from an object side to an image side in sequence. The refractive powers of the first, second, and third lenses are negative, negative, and positive sequentially. The second lens group includes a fourth lens, a fifth lens, a sixth lens, and a seventh lens arranged from the object side to the image side in sequence. The refractive powers of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh lenses are positive, positive, negative, and positive sequentially. The first lens group and the second lens group are capable of moving between the object side and the image side.
US07643217B2
A first liquid and a second liquid are sealed in a cell, and the first liquid and the second liquid are not mixed with each other, and have different refractive indexes, with the interface of the two liquids being remained stationary by an edge portion of a movable opening member that is made in contact with the interface of the two liquids so that an actuator that is coupled to the movable opening member controls a shape of the interface of the two liquids by driving the movable opening member.
US07643215B2
An external mounting type head up display device for a vehicle, which can be mounted irrespective of kind of vehicle, is disclosed. The head up display device includes a display unit to convert a signal into an image and output the image, an optical element decentered with respect to an optical axis of the display unit, the optical element magnifying the image and transmitting the image, and a combiner provided in front of a driver to provide the driver with the transmitted magnified image.
US07643212B1
A rotationally tunable time delay line device for providing a continually adjustable time delay between two orthogonally polarized laser pulses is described. The device is comprised of one or more rotational delay crystals, each made of a flat uniaxially birefringent crystal with a special orientation of its internal optical axis. The time delay generated between the two orthogonally polarized laser pulses that travel through the rotationally tunable delay line can be continually adjusted by rotating the constituent rotational delay crystals around their surface normals. An application is demonstrated in detail where the rotationally tunable time delay line device is used to form an optical autocorrelator for measuring femtosecond or picosecond duration laser pulses.
US07643211B2
An intrinsic polarizer, including a sheet of PVA-type matrix that includes vinylene polymer blocks, the sheet defining a pass polarization axis and a block polarization axis perpendicular to the pass polarization axis, light having an electrical vector parallel to the pass polarization axis being substantially transmitted through the sheet and light having an electrical vector parallel to the block polarization axis being substantially absorbed by the vinylene blocks, the sheet exhibiting a dichroic ratio of more than 100.
US07643194B2
An image forming apparatus includes plural laser light sources, a polygonal mirror that scans plural laser beams from the plural laser light sources, and a multiplexing member that combines the plural laser beams scanned by the polygonal mirror. The polygonal mirror is disposed above or below the multiplexing member, and the extension of the rotation axis of the polygonal mirror passes through the multiplexing member. When configured in this manner, it is possible to reduce the apparatus size and speckle noises caused by the plural laser beams.
US07643193B2
An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source, a light source driving unit that turns on the light source according to image information, a deflector that deflects and scans a light beam emitted from the light source according to sinusoidal vibration, and a scanning/imaging optical system that guides the light beam from the deflector to a scanned surface. The scanning/imaging optical system satisfies two conditions, i.e., (1) provided that the deflector moves in such a manner that an angular velocity is constant, linearity is made larger at a most peripheral image height than at a central image height within a range of an effective writing width, and (2) when a deflection angle of the deflector has a sinusoidal characteristic, the linearity is made smaller at the most peripheral image height than at the central image height within the range of the effective writing width.
US07643189B2
A method and a device for encoding and reconstructing computer-generated video holograms using a conventional LC display: it provides holographic reconstruction of three-dimensional scenes using electronically controllable pixel in a holographic array (3) with a conventional resolution, and is reasonably free from flickering and cross-talk. Reconstruction is in real time, and for both eyes at the same time, over a large viewing zone. The method takes advantage of an optical focusing means (2) in order to image vertically coherent light emitted by a line light source (1) into viewing windows (8R, 8L) after modulation by the pixel array (3). The holographic reconstruction (11) of the scene is rendered visible from viewing windows (8R, 8L) for both eyes of an observer by way of diffraction at the pixels. According to the invention, the controllable pixels are disposed in vertical pixel columns (15, 16), which encode separate holograms of the same scene for each of the viewer's eyes (R, L), where said holograms are one-dimensional in the vertical direction and horizontally interleaved. An image separation means (7) with separating elements arranged parallel to the pixel columns reveals the respective pixel columns (15, 15′ or 16, 16′) for one eye and covers them for the other eye.
US07643187B2
An image processing apparatus which previews a read image is disclosed. The image processing apparatus includes a preview image processing unit in which a user is allowed to set a processing condition for the read preview image by operating on the read preview image and a preview image processed by the processing condition is displayed together with the setting of the processing condition on a displaying section.
US07643184B2
A driving device for a scanner includes an elongate guiding unit mounted in a base and disposed under an image sensor carriage that extends in a first direction, extending along a second direction transverse to the first direction, and having first and second side rail surfaces transverse to a top rail surface. A roller unit is mounted rotatably on a bottom side of the image sensor carriage, and includes a first roller rotatable about a first axis parallel to the first direction and disposed to roll along the top rail surface, and a second roller rotatable about a second axis transverse to the first and second directions and disposed to roll along the first side rail surface. A spring-loaded retaining unit is mounted on the image sensor carriage, and is disposed to contact rotatablely the second side rail surface. A driving unit drives the image sensor carriage to move in the second direction in the base.
US07643179B2
A disclosed image forming apparatus for recording images includes: an image processing unit to create toner image data on four colors of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) such that toner images have line-shaped periodic structures; and an image forming unit to form the toner images using coloring materials of the four colors and superposing the toner images on a recording medium, wherein the line-shaped periodic structures of the toner images of the four colors are determined based on screen ruling of 200.0, 180.3, 180.3, and 200.0 for Y, C, M, and K colors and screen angles of 0.0, 146.3, 33.7, and 90.0 for Y, C, M, and K colors.
US07643176B2
A printed tone control method for adjusting a printed color tone by comparing image data serving as a reference and image data obtained by reading an image from a print actually made by a printing machine. The method includes a representative point setting step for setting a representative point for use in control of the color tone based on image data, an alternative representative point setting step for setting an alternative representative point that satisfies a predetermined condition when a point inappropriate for tone measurement is selected as the representative point, and a tone adjusting step for adjusting the color tone by using the alternative representative point.
US07643157B2
A phase shift amount measurement apparatus able to further correctly measure a phase shift amount of a phase shifter, wherein a laterally offset interference image of a phase shift mask is formed by a shearing interferometer, the interference image is captured by a two-dimensional imaging device, an output signal output from each light receiving element of the two-dimensional imaging device is supplied to a signal processing device, the phase shift amount is calculated for each light receiving element, the light receiving area of the light receiving element is very small, therefore the phase shift amount of any light receiving element outputting a peculiar phase amount due to incidence of diffraction light or multi-reflection light is excluded and the phase shift amount is determined based on the phase shift amount found from output signals of the remaining light receiving elements.
US07643155B2
Methods and apparatus for three-dimensional imaging of a sample. A source is provided of a beam of light characterized by partial spatial coherence. The beam is focused onto a sample and scattered light from the sample is superposed with a reference beam derived from the source onto a focal plane detector array to provide an interference signal. A forward scattering model is derived relating measurement data to structure of an object to allow solutions of an inverse scattering problem, based upon the interference signal so that a three-dimensional structure of the same may be inferred. The partial spatial coherence of the source, which may be fixed or variable, may advantageously provide for rejection of multiple scattering artifacts and thus improve image quality.
US07643152B2
Apparatus and method for increasing the sensitivity in the detection of optical coherence tomography and low coherence interferometry (“LCI”) signals by detecting a parallel set of spectral bands, each band being a unique combination of optical frequencies. The LCI broad bandwidth source is split into N spectral bands. The N spectral bands are individually detected and processed to provide an increase in the signal-to-noise ratio by a factor of N. Each spectral band is detected by a separate photo detector and amplified. For each spectral band the signal is band pass filtered around the signal band by analog electronics and digitized, or, alternatively, the signal may be digitized and band pass filtered in software. As a consequence, the shot noise contribution to the signal is reduced by a factor equal to the number of spectral bands. The signal remains the same. The reduction of the shot noise increases the dynamic range and sensitivity of the system.
US07643149B2
A method of manufacturing an optical system having plural optical elements mounted relative to each other on a mounting structure of the optical system comprises disposing the optical system in a beam path of an interferometer apparatus having an interferometer optics and a selectable hologram for shaping a beam of measuring light to be incident on surfaces of the optical elements of the optical system; selecting a first hologram of the interferometer apparatus and recording at least one first interference pattern generated by measuring light reflected from a surface of a first optical element; selecting a second hologram of the interferometer apparatus, wherein the second hologram is different from the first hologram, and recording at least one second interference pattern generated by measuring light reflected from a surface of a second optical element, which is different from the first optical element; and adjusting a position of the first optical element relative to the second optical element on the mounting structure based upon the first interference pattern and the second interference pattern.
US07643140B2
A semiconductor defect inspection apparatus using a method of comparing an inspected image with a reference image includes the following: (1) a light source and an illuminating optical system, (2) plural defect optical imaging systems and photo detectors for scattered light detection, (3) a substrate holder and a stage for a scan, (4) means for obtaining the misalignment information on an adjacent die image using the inspection image of a defect optical imaging system with the highest spatial resolution, and means for transmitting the misalignment information to all the defect inspection image processing units, (5) means for correcting misalignment information so that a design and adjustment condition of each optical imaging system may be suited, and means for calculating a difference image between dies based on the corrected misalignment information, and (6) a defect detection and image processing unit for performing defect determination and detection processing based on the difference image between the dies.
US07643139B2
An inspection apparatus projects a laser beam on the surface of a SOI wafer and detects foreign matter on and defects in the surface of the SOI wafer by receiving scattered light reflected from the surface of the SOI wafer. The wavelength of the laser beam used by the inspection apparatus is determined so that a penetration depth of the laser beam in a Si thin film may be 10 nm or below to detect only foreign matter on and defects in the outermost surface and not to detect foreign matter and defects in a BOX layer. Only the foreign matter on and defects in the outermost surface layer can be detected without being influenced by thin-film interference by projecting the laser beam on the surface of the SOI wafer and receiving scattered light rays.
US07643128B2
An exposure system for manufacturing flat panel displays (FPDs) includes a reticle stage adapted to support a reticle. A substrate stage is adapted to support a substrate. A reflective optical system is adapted to image the reticle onto the substrate. The reflective optical system includes a primary mirror including a first mirror and a second mirror, and a secondary mirror. The reflective optical system has sufficient degrees of freedom for both alignment and correction of third order aberrations when projecting an image of the reticle onto the substrate by reflections off the first mirror, the secondary mirror, and the second mirror.
US07643126B2
In the present invention, in the photolithography process in which a certain focus condition has been already set, a film on a substrate is exposed to only zero-order light of a light source transmitted, and then developed to reduce a first portion of the film on the substrate. Further, the film on the substrate is exposed to zero-order light and higher order light of the light source transmitted, and then developed to reduce a second portion of the film on the substrate. Thereafter, the film thicknesses of the first portion and the second portion are measured, and the measured film thicknesses of the first portion and the second portion are converted into line widths of a resist pattern by previously obtained correlations between the film thicknesses and the line widths. The converted line width of the second portion is then subtracted from the converted line width of the first portion, whereby the line width depending only on the focus component is calculated. Based on the line width, a new focus condition is set.
US07643125B2
An exposure apparatus includes a first driving mechanism which drives a first optical element, a second driving mechanism which drives a second optical element, and a control unit which controls the first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism so as to adjust the astigmatism of a projection optical system. The amount of change in the first order component of the astigmatism and the amount of change in the second order component of the astigmatism upon driving the first optical element by the first driving mechanism have a first ratio, and the amount of change in the first order component of the astigmatism and the amount of change in the second order component of the astigmatism upon driving the second optical element by the second driving mechanism have a second ratio which is different from the first ratio.
US07643122B2
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel that is adaptive for preventing a liquid crystal contamination as well as improving an adhesive strength of a sealant and an organic insulating film, and a fabricating method thereof. A liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first and a second substrate having a liquid crystal region, a sealant region, and an outer region; a wiring disposed on the first substrate, the wiring crossing the sealant region; a gate insulating film disposed on the wiring; an organic insulating film disposed on a portion of the wiring; and a sealant disposed on the sealant region of the first and second substrates, wherein the sealant is in contact with the gate insulating film.
US07643098B2
A broadcast receiving apparatus and a control method thereof, in which a plurality of tuners performs respectively a channel quick-searching operation and a channel fine-searching operation at the same time, so that receiving channels are quickly and accurately searched, thereby performing a channel preset. The apparatus and control method utilize a first tuner and a second tuner, including tuning a first channel using the first tuner; determining the presence of a synchronous signal in a first broadcast signal of the first channel tuned through the first tuner; retuning the first channel using the second tuner; and determining the presence of a right turning point in a second broadcast signal of the first channel retuned through the second tuner.
US07643094B2
A color image processing apparatus performs color image display using a red display, green display, blue display and white display. The apparatus includes a white signal generation circuit generating a white signal W based on an input red signal Rin for the red display, an input green signal Gin for the green display, and an input blue signal Bin for the blue display, a yellow signal generation circuit generating a yellow signal Ye, based on the input red signal Rin, the input green signal Gin, and the generated white signal W, and a first output white signal generation circuit generating a first output white signal Wout(1) for the white display, based on the generated white signal W and the generated yellow signal Ye.
US07643093B2
A VSB reception system includes a sequence generator for decoding a symbol corresponding to the supplemental data and generating a predefined sequence included in the supplemental data at VSB transmission system. The reception system also includes a modified legacy VSB receiver for processing the data received from the VSB transmission system in a reverse order of the VSB transmission system by using the sequence, and a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the data from the modified legacy VSB receiver into the MPEG data and the supplemental data. The VSB reception system also includes a supplemental data processor for processing the supplemental data segment from the demultiplexer in a reverse order of the transmission system, to obtain the supplemental data, thereby carrying out the slicer prediction, decoding, and symbol decision more accurately by using the predefined sequence, to improve a performance.
US07643089B2
A decoder apparatus which includes a de-multiplexer, which is configured to divide motion picture data from a transport stream, a video decoder, which is configured to decode the divided motion picture data, and a first re-formatter on-screen unit, which is configured to display motion picture data and at least one of first and second graphic data on a screen. The first re-formatter on-screen unit converts motion picture data of a first aspect ratio, which is decoded by the video decoder, and first graphics data, which is produced by applying information relating to a caption corresponding to the motion picture data, into a second aspect ratio, when outputting the motion picture data of the first aspect ratio after conversion into the second aspect ratio, without converting the aspect ratio of second graphic data, which is produced by applying information relating to a program guide.
US07643072B2
The present invention provides an image capturing apparatus which enables a desired image quality to be maintained regardless of transfer efficiency of a CCD image capturing element. R, G and B signals (CCD-RAW data) are acquired from the CCD image capturing element. In addition, various information, namely transfer efficiency of the CCD image capturing element, camera sensitivity upon photography, drive frequency of the CCD image capturing element, WB gains of the acquired R, G and B signals, pixel count, internal temperature of camera or temperature of the CCD image capturing element, and CCD color filter array of the CCD image capturing element are acquired. Signal processing on the acquired R, G and B signals is changed according to the acquired information in order to suppress image quality deterioration due to transfer efficiency degradation.
US07643068B2
According to the present invention, it is possible, by using the first and second light source loci, to tone down the influence of the object color of the color information in the image and detect the light source based on the color information having the influence of the object color toned down so as to detect the light source accurately. It is thereby possible to reduce the color failure when controlling the white balance.
US07643066B2
A method of processing video images includes capturing a first image with a camera having a first field of view. The capturing occurs at a first point in time. Commands are transmitted to the camera to make pan, tilt and zoom movements. A second image is captured with the camera at a second point in time. The second point in time is after the movements have commenced. A second field of view of the camera is calculated at the second point in time. The calculating is based upon the commands. The second image is processed based upon the first field of view and the calculated second field of view.
US07643060B2
The image capturing system includes: a fixed image capturing unit fixedly installed at a predetermined position; a three-dimensional image information storage section for storing a three-dimensional image of the region including the fixed image capturing unit; an image comparison section for comparing a portable captured image captured by a portable image capturing section held by a user with the three-dimensional image stored by the three-dimensional image information storage unit; a position determination section for determining the position and the orientation of the user holding the portable image capturing section based on the comparison result by the image comparison section; and a guiding information presentation section for presenting information for guiding the user to set the user in the frame of a fixed captured image captured by the fixed image capturing unit. The guiding information presentation section transmits information for guiding the user to a portable unit having the portable image capturing section to cause the portable unit to output the information.
US07643057B2
A method and system for reducing burn-in of a display is disclosed. A plurality of assets containing text, graphics, and video are stored and then gathered. These assets are then assembled into a template to form a video frame or “screen”, which is subsequently output in a video transport stream or video display. Based upon a trigger, the assets are gathered again and reassembled in a second template to form a second video frame or screen wherein the assets are in positions on the screen, which are different from those of the first screen. The second screen is subsequently output to the video transport stream and the process is repeated.
US07643056B2
A motion detecting camera system includes a portable motion detection device having an image sensor for detecting motion within a field of view of the motion detection device and automatically generating a digital image of a scene within the field of view upon detection of motion. The motion detection device includes a cellular telephone transmitter for transmitting cellular telephone communications. The camera system includes a base unit having a display screen. The motion detection device is configured to automatically transmit the digital image via the transmitter to the base unit for display on the display screen.
US07643050B2
An information recording apparatus for recording image information on an image forming body, the apparatus including: a light source for emitting light; a light valve of diffraction grating type, for modulating the light emitted from the light source according to the image information, the light valve comprising a plurality of ribbons arranged in an array; and an optical section for forming an image on the image forming body with the light diffracted and modulated by the light valve, wherein a longitudinal direction of the ribbons of the light valve is arranged at a specific angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to the array direction of the ribbons.
US07643048B2
The image transfer apparatus includes a transmission type image display device, a light source and a parallel rays generating element, and light that is irradiated from the light source, made into substantially parallel rays by the parallel rays generating element, and transmitted through the image display device to expose a photosensitive recording medium and a display image displayed on the image display screen is transferred to the photosensitive recording medium. This apparatus further includes a moving device for moving the parallel rays generating element and the image display device relatively during the transfer.
US07643043B2
Image data are inputted from a data processing means (23) into storage means (24) so that light emitting elements on one line (28a) of a light emitting element (yellow) line head (28) are actuated according to signal outputted from a shift resistor (24a) so as to expose pixels on an image carrier. At a point of time when the pixels reach a position corresponding to the light emitting elements in a next line (28b) by moving the image carrier in a direction of arrow X, the image data are transmitted to a shift resistor (24b) and then outputted to the line (28b) so as to expose the pixels again. The image data are transmitted among the shift resistors sequentially by moving the image carrier, thereby achieving the multiple exposure of the same pixels.
US07643029B2
A method for presenting data comprises receiving the data; and deriving a multi-level dynamic hierarchical structure for the data based on drilldown sequences input from a user, wherein the drilldown sequences automatically compute a graphical visual comparison of the data and comprise: deriving a multi-pixel bar chart to display an aggregated data paradigm; and deriving a graphical illustration to display a data distribution paradigm.
US07643028B2
This program product causes a computer to function as the respective units for (a) arranging a model configured by intersecting a plurality of plate-shaped polygons in a virtual space, (b) calculating a parameter dependent on an angle formed from a first vector set in association with the model and a second vector set in association with the line of sight of the virtual camera, (c) selecting as a display target one among the plurality of plate-shaped polygons configuring the model according to the parameter, (d) mapping a prescribed texture to the plate shaped polygon selected with the polygon selection unit, and (e) generating an image obtained by performing perspective projection to the inside of the virtual space, in which the model mapped with the texture is arranged, on a perspective projection plane set in correspondence with a visual point of the virtual camera.
US07643026B2
Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for deforming a curved surface using a three-dimensional target curve. The curved surface deformation apparatus of the present invention includes object curved surface selection means, sample vertex extraction means, basis function calculation means, target curve input means, control point variation calculation means, and object curved surface deformation means. The object curved surface selection means selects all or part of the curved surface of the NURBS model. The sample vertex extraction means extracts a plurality of vertexes from the object curved surface. The basis function calculation means calculates a basis function of the object curved surface. The target curve input means inputs a target curve, composed of a plurality of target. The target curve projection means projects the target curve onto the object curved surface. The control point variation calculation means individually interpolates variation values ranging from projection points of the object curved surface corresponding to the target points, calculates variation values of sample vertexes, and calculates variations of control points using the calculated variation values and a pseudo-inverse matrix of the basis function. The object curved surface deformation means deforms the object curved surface on the basis of the calculated variations of the control points.
US07643017B2
A servosystem, in particular a servosystem for a motor vehicle, includes a display showing a list of clickable menu items, a rotary knob with a rotary element to operate the rotary knob, with a number of mechanical detents to alternately increase the rotary momentum necessary for rotating the rotary element, with a brake to brake the rotary element and with a rotation sensor to measure the rotation of the rotary element with a resolution that is the least four times, in particular at least six times, and with particular preference at least eight times the number of mechanical detents per rotation of the rotary element, and a control for converting the rotation of the rotary element into a scrolling motion through a list and for activating the brake when the last clickable menu item of the list is reached or the first clickable menu items of the list is reached.
US07643003B2
An LCD device includes a plurality of gate lines formed in an LCD panel; a plurality of driving stages, each of which sequentially outputting a respective enabling scan pulse to a corresponding one of the plurality of gate lines; at least one dummy stage responsive to an enabling scan pulse from a first one of the plurality of driving stages and supplying a disabling scan pulse to a second one of the plurality of driving stages to disable outputting of the enabling scan pulse; and a dummy gate line electrically connected to the at least one dummy stage.
US07643001B2
A liquid crystal display device and driving method therefor are disclosed. The device includes a plurality of signal lines that apply different gray scale voltages to each of the pixels. A driving circuit is provided to generate the gray scale voltages to be applied to the pixels. In operation, the driving circuit applies the first gray scale voltage at intervals of the horizontal scanning time within a display period. The second gray scale voltage is output by a number of times that is not smaller than twice and not greater than (M−N) times at intervals of the horizontal scanning time from the beginning of the vertical retrace interval. The second gray scale voltage is then stopped until completion of the vertical retrace interval.
US07642999B2
The present invention provides an image processing circuit capable of sufficiently correcting a temperature characteristic of a response speed, varying depending on gray-scale, of a liquid crystal display, while suppressing an increase in circuit scale. The present invention provides an image processing circuit for a liquid crystal display performing overdrive processing and the image processing circuit includes a overdrive LUT 1 for outputting an overdrive calculation value, based on image data of a previous frame and image data of a current frame, a plurality of temperature correction LUTs 2 each outputting a correction value for use in temperature correction of the overdrive calculation value, a temperature correction LUT selection circuit 3 for selecting one of the temperature correction LUTs 2 based on temperature data, and a correction calculation circuit 4 for calculating an overdrive output value based on the overdrive calculation value output from the overdrive LUT 1 and the correction value output from the temperature correction LUT 2 selected by the selection circuit 3.
US07642995B2
A plasma display panel driver. The driver uses a high side switch of a scan IC to increase a voltage width of an initialization waveform which is applied in the initial operation of the plasma display panel set. Accordingly, the initial screen is stably driven, and a voltage width is increased without additional installation of elements or an increase of a withstanding voltage switches.
US07642986B1
Range limited antenna includes at least two sets of antenna elements and an RF signal processing network connected to each set of antenna elements. The network has a function, F(Ξ,x)=ΦA(x)−ΦB(x)+ΦC(x)−ΦD(x) . . . +ΦN−1(x)−ΦN(x), where x is a signal, ΦA(x) is the phase angle of signal x at the first element set, ΦB(x) is the phase angle of signal x at the second element set, ΦN(x) is the phase angle of signal x at the set N, and Ξ contains all additional parameters which bear on the system. The network is configured to pass a signal for which F(Ξ,x)>ε, where ε is a threshold amount, such that the antenna has gain to signals within a radius and has attenuation outside the radius.
US07642985B2
A seat for a vehicle includes: a detecting sensor detecting an occupant having a planar antenna electrode, at which electric filed is generated, and a ground electrode arranged with a clearance along an outer periphery of the antenna electrode. The antenna electrode can be provided with a hole at the center of the antenna electrode.
US07642983B2
An automatic tuning procedure can be used to allow a small, high efficiency ferrite antenna assembly to be used in various FM frequency based devices. The ferrite antenna can take the form of a rod or flat disk, for example, which can use a pick-up coil and tuning coil to provide sufficient signal strength using a small FM antenna. A balanced amplifier can be used to provide differential input in order to further reduce noise. A microcontroller can determine the strength of the FM signal at various frequencies and can automatically tune the operating frequency to optimize system performance.
US07642976B2
There is provided an AM/FM receiving antenna, which is provided at a windowpane of a vehicle, comprising an AM antenna element including an end portion as a power supply point and another end portion forming an open end, and an AM/FM antenna element connected to the AM antenna element via the power supply point, wherein a distance L between the end portion and the another end portion of the AM antenna element, a reduction ratio α of a material of the windowpane, a minimum wavelength λmin of a receiving FM frequency band, and a maximum wavelength λmax of the receiving FM frequency band meet a requirement equation of α·λmin/2≦L≦α·λmax/2. The AM/FM receiving antenna can properly achieve the compatibility of receiving sensitivity of the AM and FM electric waves, having a smaller layout space for antenna elements.
US07642972B1
An antenna includes a first radiating conductor and a second radiating conductor. The first radiating conductor defines a first edge, a second edge and a lateral edge connecting the first edge and the second edge. The second radiating conductor has a main body spaced away from the second edge and connected to an end of the first radiating conductor far away from the lateral edge by a first connecting portion and extending towards the lateral edge. A free end of the main body bends to the second edge to form a second connecting portion spaced away from the lateral edge. A radiating end bends oppositely to the first radiating conductor from an end of the second connecting portion and is adjacent to the second edge. A feeding conductor and a grounding conductor are connected to an edge of the first radiating conductor different from the first edge and the lateral edge.
US07642971B2
The present invention relates to an antenna arrangement for a portable communication device as well as to a portable communication device comprising such an antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement includes a ground plane, a first radiating electrical antenna element provided in a plane arranged at a distance above and parallel with at least part of the ground plane, where the first radiating electrical antenna element is dimensioned for resonating at least at one frequency, and a second radiating magnetic antenna element provided in the ground plane below the first antenna element and being dimensioned for resonating at the same frequency as the first radiating antenna element.
US07642964B2
A multi-band folded inverted conformal antenna (101), suitable for use internally within an electronic device (501), facilitates low-profile designs with the multi-band folded inverted conformal antenna (601) extending less than five millimeters above a circuit substrate (102) in some embodiments. The multi-band folded inverted conformal antenna (601) includes planar sections and a slot (407), and is capable of multi-mode operation. For example, one embodiment is configured to operate in a first common mode (401), a differential mode (402), and a second common mode (403), thereby allowing the multi-band folded inverted conformal antenna (601) to operate in a first operational bandwidth, second operational bandwidth, and third operational bandwidth. Portions of the ground plane conductor (103) passing beneath the multi-band folded inverted conformal antenna (101) are selectively removed at areas corresponding to concentrations of electrical charge, thereby allowing a more low-profile design.
US07642963B2
A method of two-source passive ranging comprising the steps of determining the coordinates of a first position and a second position wherein a first soldier or ground vehicle is located at the first position and a second soldier or ground vehicle is located at the second position; determining individual angles between said first and second positions and a radio frequency source; and using individual single-angle accuracy values to estimate the range from the first and second positions to the radio frequency source.
US07642954B2
A positioning apparatus that measures a current position by using measurement basis codes carried on satellite waves from a plurality of positioning satellites includes: a first phase error information generating unit that generates first phase error information indicating an error of a first phase on the basis of a frequency difference between a first frequency which is an estimated value of a receiving frequency of the satellite wave and a second frequency which is a frequency corresponding to a maximum value of a correlation value under a condition of the estimated phase; a second phase information generating unit that generates second phase information indicating a second phase by correcting a first phase information on the basis of the first phase error information; and a positioning unit that measures the current position on the basis of the second phase information on at least three of the positioning satellites.
US07642953B2
In accordance with an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of vehicles and a central node. The plurality of vehicles each have radar systems used to collect radar data about the target object. Each in the plurality of vehicles moves in a path to collect a portion of the radar data using a sampling map to coordinate collection of the radar data by the plurality of vehicles and communicates with every other vehicle to identify uncollected portions of the radar data. The central node is in communication with the plurality of vehicles, wherein the central node receives the radar data from the plurality of vehicles and creates a three dimensional image from the radar data received from the plurality of vehicles using a tomographic reconstruction process.
US07642949B2
Methods and apparatuses of scene illumination for millimeter wave sensing are presented. One embodiment features illuminating a subject with millimeter wave radiation produced by at least one fluorescent light, generating an image with a passive sensor using the millimeter wave radiation reflected from the subject, and analyzing the image to detect representations corresponding to concealed objects associated with the subject. Another embodiment features at least one fluorescent light which illuminates a subject with millimeter wave radiation, and passive millimeter wave sensor which receives the millimeter wave radiation effected from the subject, and generates an image which is analyzed to detect image representations corresponding to concealed objects. Another embodiment features at least one florescent light behind an optically opaque medium which is transparent to millimeter wave radiation, and illuminating a subject with millimeter wave radiation produced by the fluorescent light.
US07642948B2
A reflective layer for attenuating electromagnetic radiation, the layer comprising at least one reflective component, the latter being selected from the group containing the following substances: carbon particles or fibers, in particular carbon black and/or graphite and/or an electrically conductive graphite compound, metal particles and/or fibers, in particular copper, aluminum, steel, titanium and/or iron particles of fiber and metal alloy particles. The reflective layer is characterized in that it attenuates electromagnetic radiation in a 200Hz to 10 Ghz range by more than 10Db, that it is watertight and permeable to water vapor, in addition to being resistant to the elements and designed to produce a potential compensation. The invention also relates to a method for assembling the reflective layer.
US07642946B2
A system and method are provided allowing for successive approximation analog to digital conversion. A first differential voltage is sampled and held during a first cycle. The first differential voltage is converted to a differential current. A second differential voltage is generated based on the differential current flowing through parallel-coupled respective first and second variable resistances. First and second portions of the second differential voltage are compared to produce a comparison result therefrom. Successive approximation is used to generate a signal based on the comparison result, the signal being an output signal and being used to control resistances of respective ones of the first and second variable resistances during subsequent cycles.
US07642945B2
A successive approximation type AD converter circuit for comparing an analog input signal with an output analog signal of a DA converter with a comparator to input a digital signal output in accordance with a comparison result to the DA converter to determine a digital signal obtained if the output analog signal of the DA converter is equal to the analog input signal, as an AD-converted output signal, includes: an AD converter for AD-converting the analog input circuit in accordance with a sampling period for sampling the analog input signal and a comparison period for comparing the sampled analog input signal with the output analog signal of the DA converter with the comparator; and setting means for independently setting a cycle time of a first clock signal for determining the sampling period and a cycle time of a second clock signal for determining the comparison period.
US07642942B2
Systems and methods synthesize a signal from the odd harmonic frequency components of an input signal. An exemplary embodiment synthesizes a first signal with a digital to analog converter (DAC), generates a second signal from the first signal, and filters a selected one of the odd harmonic frequency components through a band pass filter to produce an output signal. The first signal is defined by a first frequency. The second signal is defined by the first frequency and includes a fundamental frequency component and plurality of odd harmonic frequency components. The output signal has a frequency substantially equal to the frequency of the selected odd harmonic frequency component.
US07642928B2
A traffic signal including a housing, a light source disposed within the housing, and a door operably attached to the housing. The door is configured such that photons generated by the light source may be sensed outside the housing. The traffic signal also includes a sensor attached to one of the door and the housing.
US07642922B2
A drive support apparatus that performs an interaction with a driver with respect to awareness of safe driving so as to make the driver drive safely. The drive support apparatus includes: a driving state detecting portion for acquiring driving state information including at least either information about a traveling situation of the movable body or information about a driving operation from an in-vehicle sensor; a driver information storing portion for storing awareness information representing digitized awareness of the driver with respect to safe driving; an interaction controlling portion for generating a question for checking the driver's awareness with respect to safe driving when the driving state information and the awareness information satisfy predetermined interaction-start conditions, outputting the question as a synthesized voice, and recognizing an answer content from a voice of the driver to the question; and an awareness information generating portion for updating the awareness information in accordance with the answer content recognized by the interaction controlling portion.
US07642917B2
A network of antennas for contactless reading or writing of RFID tags in a detection volume, including three or four flat, independent antennas sequentially connected to a single reader by a switch, wherein planes of the antennas pass through a reading/writing/detection volume centered in the detection volume, for every pair of antennas, an intersection of their planes is included in the optimal reading/writing volume, and the antennas are arranged so that any direction in the optimal reading/writing volume forms an angle of about 45° or less with at least one of the planes of the antennas.
US07642910B2
An alarm system receiver that is capable of receiving signals transmitted from wireless intrusion detectors at more than one frequency and automatically switching from receiving at one frequency to receiving at a different frequency based on the detection of an interference signal. The alarm system receiver senses a first signal, filters the sensed first signal at a first frequency, demodulates the filtered first signal at the first frequency, and determines if a first interference signal is present in the demodulated first signal for a predetermined time. If the first interference signal is not present in the demodulated first signal, it processes the demodulated first signal as an alarm system signal. If the first interference signal is present in the demodulated signal, the alarm system receiver senses a second signal, filters the sensed second signal at a second frequency, demodulates the filtered second signal at the second frequency, and processes the demodulated second signal as an alarm signal. The alarm system receiver consists of an antenna, more than one filter, more than one local oscillator for providing oscillator signals at the predetermined frequencies, a demodulator for inputting one of the oscillator signals and a corresponding one of the filtered signals to provide a demodulated signal, and an interference detection circuit for inputting the demodulated signal, determining if an interference signal is present in the demodulated signal, and providing an interference detection signal.
US07642906B1
A device and system is provided for alerting or signaling a vehicle driver after the driver leaves a vehicle compartment. A signaling device, in a deployed condition, is physically located in a forward line-of-sight of a driver operator of the vehicle. The signaling device is deployed automatically in the event of the opening of a vehicle door from the inside of a vehicle compartment. Resetting of the signaling device, out of the line-of-sight, requires manual operation by the vehicle operator outside the vehicle compartment. The system ensures that the operator will be alerted to safety procedures required after activities outside vehicle.
US07642902B2
Provided is a vehicle abnormality detecting device including an abnormality detecting unit 70A for detecting abnormality on the basis of a state of current supply to a state detecting unit 30, and a power supply control unit 11 for switching a state of power supply to the state detecting unit 30 when the abnormality was detected by the abnormality detecting unit 70A, so that power consumption at the time of detecting the abnormality is suppressed to avoid the battery consumption.
US07642895B2
A movable barrier operator having thumbprint identification in either a remote radio frequency transmitter, or a receiver/barrier operator system or both is provided. A control circuit with a non-volatile memory receives thumbprint information from a fingerprint detector device and stores the information, identifying an authorized user. On subsequent operation of the fingerprint detector, a fingerprint data set is received in the control circuit and an attempt is made to match the incoming data with previously stored data thus establishing the identify of the user according to highly reliable biometric principles. As an option, a variety of different actions can be taken based upon the perceived identity of a particular individual, as well as the type of device communicating with the receiver/barrier operator.
US07642892B1
In one aspect, a negative voltage coefficient resistor is provided. The negative voltage coefficient resistor includes an insulative layer positioned between a polycrystalline silicon resistive layer and a silicide layer. Upon application of an appropriate voltage bias at the silicide layer of the resistor, a tunneling current is established across the insulative layer and is supplied to the polycrystalline silicon resistive layer. The tunneling current limits the current flow through the polycrystalline silicon layer, producing a resistor having a negative voltage coefficient of resistance and a reduced temperature coefficient of resistance.
US07642885B2
A latching relay employing a movable cantilever with a first permanent magnet and a nearby second magnet is disclosed. The permanent magnet affixed to the cantilever is permanently magnetized along its long (horizontal) axis. The cantilever has a first end associated to the first pole (e.g., north pole) of the first magnet, and a second end associated to the second pole (e.g., south pole) of the first magnet. When the first end of the cantilever approaches the second magnet, the first pole of the first magnet induces a local opposite pole (e.g., south pole) in the second magnet and causes the first end of the cantilever to be attracted to the local opposite pole of the second magnet, closing an electrical conduction path (closed state). An open state on the first end of cantilever 10 can be maintained either by the second pole of first magnet being attracted to a local opposite pole in the second magnet or by a mechanical restoring force of flexure spring which supports the cantilever. A third electromagnet (e.g., a coil or solenoid), when energized, provides a third perpendicular magnetic field about the first magnet and produces a torque on the associated cantilever to force the cantilever to switch between closed and open states. A few alternate embodiments of the relay are also disclosed which include a case where the latching feature is disabled, and another case where an external magnet is used to switch the cantilever.
US07642869B2
A clock generator includes a ring oscillator for outputting a basic signal, a divide-by-N frequency divider for dividing the basic signal by a division ratio N to generate a clock signal having a target frequency, a divide-by-two frequency divider for dividing the clock signal by two when an enable signal is on, a counter for counting the number of pulses of the basic signal for a predetermined period of time, a calculator for calculating the division ratio N, and a comparator for comparing a count value of the counter with a threshold value. When the count value of the counter is less than the threshold value, the comparator turns on the enable signal. Thus, when a temperature of the ring oscillator increases, the frequency of the clock signal is reduced to half the target frequency.
US07642863B2
Systems and methods for enabling the determination of voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) linearity, duty cycle determination and duty cycle correction in phase locked loop circuits (PLL's.) One embodiment comprises a method including the steps of determining the frequency response of a PLL's VCO as a function of duty cycle, applying a signal based on the VCO output to the VCO input, measuring the resulting frequency of the VCO output signal, determining the duty cycle corresponding to the measured frequency, and configuring a duty cycle correction unit correct the duty cycle of the VCO output signal to about 50%. Determining the frequency response of the VCO may include, for each of several different duty cycle values between 0% and 100%, applying the VCO input signal to the VCO and determining the corresponding frequency of the VCO output signal. This may also be done for duty cycles of 0% and 100%.
US07642861B2
This disclosure relates to a phase locked loop and a frequency locked loop.
US07642855B2
An embodiment of an amplifier circuit comprising a succession of amplification stages having at least a first amplification stage receiving a first signal and a second amplification stage downstream of the first amplification stage; a stage of unity gain capable of receiving the first signal and of providing a second signal corresponding to the low-impedance copy of the first signal; and a third amplification stage having its input connected to the output of the stage of unity gain by a capacitor and having its output connected to the output of the second amplification stage.
US07642853B2
An output stage includes two transistors (switching transistor and biasing transistor) coupled in series in a pullup current path between a VDDA node and an output node, and also includes two transistors (switching transistor and biasing transistor) coupled in series in a pulldown current path between the output node and a ground node. Providing the biasing transistors reduces the maximum voltage dropped across the transistors, thereby allowing the transistors to have lower breakdown voltages than VDDA. An adaptive biasing circuit adjusts the gate voltage on a biasing transistor based on the output node voltage. If the output voltage is in a midrange, then the gate voltage is set farther away from a rail voltage in order to reduce voltage stress. If the output voltage is in a range closer to the rail voltage, then the gate voltage is set closer to the rail voltage, thereby facilitating rail-to-rail output voltage swings.
US07642851B2
An improved VGA design offering a purely ratiometric mechanism for controlling gain by current-steering. A control loop delivers a reference voltage to a control amplifier that steers current and match the common mode output voltage (CMOV) with said predefined reference voltage. The VGA is designed so that, although the absolute gain varies over process, voltage, and temperature (PVT), the gain steps retain their values. Moreover, a method for controlling the gain in a VGA in a way that is insensitive to PVT is also disclosed. First, a voltage representing the required gain of the VGA in injected to the outputs of the VGA. Then, the CMOV of the VGA is sampled. Finally, the CMOV is subtracted by a predefined reference voltage and is fed back as bias to bases of the transistors of the VGA, thus controlling it gain, until the CMOV and the reference voltage become equal.
US07642848B2
A variable gain amplifying apparatus has an amplifier, one or more first switching elements connected in parallel to the amplifier, and a phase shifter connected in series to the first switching element. The first switching element is enabled if the level of an input signal or an output signal is higher than a predetermined level, and the first switching element is disabled if the level of the input signal or the output signal is equal to or lower than the predetermined level. The amplifier does not operate when the first switching element is enabled, and the amplifier operates when the first switching element is disabled, and the amount of phase shift when the input signal is passed through the amplifier and phase shifter is substantially equal to the amount of phase shift when the input signal is passed through the first switching element.
US07642845B2
Systems and method for tracking different types of transconductance cells is shown and described. In these multi-cell systems, the addition of one or more tracking control modules allows circuit designers to advantageously incorporate multiple transconductor topologies and their uniquely beneficial characteristics into their designs, without eradicating its centralized multi-cell tuning functionality.
US07642842B1
A system and method is disclosed for providing communication of an over-current protection signal and current mode control signals between a controller chip and a power chip in an integrated circuit device that comprises a plurality of integrated circuit chips. The controller chip sends pulse width modulation signals and a reference current signal to the power chip. Current flow status detection circuitry in the power chip detects a current flow status in the power chip and provides a current flow status signal to the controller chip. The current flow status signal may comprise an over-current protection signal or current mode control signals. One advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises a switch mode power supply integrated circuit.
US07642835B1
An integrated circuit with body-bias inputs coordinated by a switch at initial power application. A switch coupled to the N-well bias and P-type substrate bias lines of an integrated circuit selectively couples the substrate to ground or the substrate bias supply, depending upon the state of the bias supply lines. During power-up and the initial application of the N-well bias, the substrate is coupled to ground to prevent a leakage induce rise in the substrate potential. Upon sensing the presence of the substrate bias potential on the substrate bias line, the switch couples the substrate to the substrate bias line instead of ground. In another embodiment, a switch indirectly senses the availability of the substrate bias potential by sensing a charge pump enable signal.
US07642832B2
A system and method for generating and optimizing clock signals with non-overlapping edges on a chip using a unique programmable on-chip clock generator. Overlapping of the edges of the clocking signals is avoided by adjusting an amount of delay introduced in the on-chip clock generator circuit. The amount of delay is adjusted by programming the on-chip clock generator using either hardware and/or software programming. In hardware programming, the amount of delay adjusted by physically altering the composition of delay elements in the on-chip clock generator. In software programming, the delay is adjusted using software commands to control the operation of delay elements in the on-chip clock generator, or to select the paths that delay the signals.
US07642831B2
A phase shift circuit that includes two, rather than four, delay chains and corresponding selectors is described. This provides a significant area savings and reduces the intrinsic delay of the phase shift circuit, which is particularly beneficial for embodiments in which there is no intrinsic delay matching. In one implementation, the phase shift circuit includes a first delay circuit and a matching delay circuit. The first delay circuit provides a first delay that includes a first intrinsic delay and a first intentional delay. The delay matching circuit provides a matching delay that matches the first intrinsic delay. In one implementation, the phase shift circuit also includes a second delay circuit to provide a second delay that includes a second intrinsic delay and second intentional delay, where the second intrinsic delay matches the first intrinsic delay and the second intentional delay is half as long as the first intentional delay.
US07642826B2
A DLL circuit comprising: delay circuits which output first and second delayed clock signals obtained by delaying the reference clock signal by a delay times selected according to control signals; an interpolation circuit which interpolates a phase difference between the delayed clock signals to output an internal clock signal; an output circuit which generates a predetermined signal; a dummy output circuit which has the same transmission characteristics as the output circuit and outputs a feedback clock signal having the same phase as the predetermined signal; a phase comparison circuit which compares phases of the reference clock signal and the feedback clock signal; delay control circuits which controls the control signals in a direction where both phases are equal; wherein the delay time of the second delayed clock signal is larger than the first delayed clock signal by an amount equivalent to one cycle of the reference clock signal.
US07642824B2
A PLL circuit includes a phase detector that compares the phase of an input clock with the phase of a feedback clock so as to generate pull-up and pull-down control signals. A low pass filter pumps a voltage in response to the pull-up and pull-down control signals, and removes a noise component from the pumped voltage so as to output a control voltage. A buffer that controls voltage so as to generate a bias voltage having a smaller swing width than the control voltage. A voltage controlled oscillator receives the bias voltage and oscillates an output clock. A clock divider divides the frequency of the output clock at a predetermined ratio so as to generate the feedback clock.
US07642818B1
An input circuit including a diode, a resistor, a first transistor, a buffer, a bulk voltage generating unit and an enhancing unit is provided. The input circuit of the present invention uses the bulk voltage generating unit and the enhancing unit for making the internal input voltage to be the same as the external input voltage when the external input voltage is less than or equal to the first supply voltage (for example, the IO supply voltage). Moreover, even if the first supply voltage is extremely low, the input circuit of the present can still operate correctly. Accordingly, the input circuit of the present invention can be operated at extremely low IO supply voltage.
US07642815B2
A single ended sense amplifier circuit is disclosed that is operable to measure a state of a memory cell. The amplifier can track and compensate for variations in cell current via feedback to maintain precision. The amplifier can be used with low supply voltages while still providing high-speed operation.
US07642801B2
A circuit testing apparatus for testing a device under test is disclosed. The circuit testing apparatus includes a function generator, a signal measuring module and a determining module. The function generator is coupled to the device under test for providing a plurality of testing signals according to a predetermined manner. The signal measuring module is coupled to the device under test and the function module for measuring a plurality of measuring signals generated by the device under test according to the plurality of testing signals and generating a plurality of measuring results according to the predetermined manner. The determining module is coupled to the signal measuring module for determining a testing result for the device under test according to the plurality of measuring results.
US07642798B2
A system and method for optimizing cleaning of a probe card including using the probe card to test the functionality of dies on a wafer, when a die fails the probe test, and the probe reports failure to contact the pads of the die, checking the resistance of the probe needles, and if the resistance of a probe needle is greater than a predetermined value triggering probe needle cleaning.
US07642795B2
By limiting a current change rate of a power to be supplied to a peltier element by using a pulse width control means for controlling to increase/decrease a pulse width of a pulse signal so that a temperature change of the peltier element does not exceed a predetermined temperature gradient and a switching means for controlling to turn on/off a drive current to be supplied to the peltier element based on a pulse signal having a pulse width controlled by the pulse width control means, an abrupt change of a rate of expansion and a rate of shrinkage of respective parts of the peltier element are suppressed and a stress imposed to the peltier element can be reduced, consequently, a lifetime of the peltier element can be maintained long.
US07642794B2
The present invention discloses a method and system compensating for thermally induced motion of probe cards used in testing die on a wafer. A probe card incorporating temperature control devices to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the thickness of the probe card is disclosed. A probe card incorporating bi-material stiffening elements which respond to changes in temperature in such a way as to counteract thermally induced motion of the probe card is disclosed including rolling elements, slots and lubrication. Various means for allowing radial expansion of a probe card to prevent thermally induced motion of the probe card are also disclosed. A method for detecting thermally induced movement of the probe card and moving the wafer to compensate is also disclosed.
US07642793B2
A system and a method of testing a semiconductor die is provided. An embodiment comprises a plurality of metal tips that are connected to a redistribution layer that fans out the pitch from the tips to metal plugs located in the substrate. The metal tips could be formed using semiconductor processes and either adding smaller layers of metal to larger layers of metal or else removing portions of one piece of metal to form the tips. The metal plugs are connected to a space transformation layer. The space transformation layer is electrically connected to a printed circuit board using, for example, a spring loaded connection such as a pogo pin. The space transformation layer is aligned onto the printed circuit board by a series of guidance mechanisms such as smooth fixtures, and the planarity of the tips is adjusted by adjusting a series of screws.
US07642792B2
A probe card and its corresponding illumination device are provided for performing electrical operating tests, preferably done in parallel, with respect to a plurality of chips provided with connection pads, under illumination conditions given by a lighting source, the probe card being a printed circuit board (PCB) including electrical connections to the chip on its lower face, the probe card also including electrical connections to the lighting.
US07642774B2
A method for measuring the conducting fluid saturation and the resistivity of a porous medium have application to development of underground geological formations. A solid sample is extracted from the medium and placed in a centrifugation cell, beside a second sample for limiting the capillary end effect in the first sample. The two samples are partly desaturated by subjecting them to centrifugation. The resistivity of the sample is measured by placing it in a radial-electrode resistivity measurement cell. The saturation of the sample is then determined by measuring its nuclear magnetization by means of an NMR device. Repeating this procedure for different centrifugation velocities provides resistivity and saturation pairs allowing a relationship between saturation and resistivity to be estimated.
US07642771B2
A glue/adhesive delivery pin fixture (100) includes a top board (10), a support board (30), a bottom/output board (40), and a plurality of pins (50). The top board defines a gate (i.e., conduit) (14) and a plurality of glue runners (16) extending from one end of the gate. The support board has a plurality of through holes (36) defined therein. Each through hole communicates with a corresponding glue runner. The bottom board has a plurality of receiving holes (48), respectively corresponding to the through holes. A given pin is received in a respective through hole and includes a holding portion (52) on one end thereof. One side of the holding portion resists the support board, and the other side resists the bottom board. Each pin communicates with a corresponding through hole in the support board.
US07642769B2
An insert comprises an insert body having an IC housing part, a drive plate being allowed to move up and down attached to the insert body and a latch being allowed to swing attached to the insert body and having a pressing portion formed at its lower end portion. The latch swings along with the upward/downward move of the drive plate, and the pressing portion of the latch goes out to the IC housing part when the drive plate moves upward and presses an IC device housed in the IC housing part against a sidewall portion of the IC housing part.
US07642755B2
The control system for an UltraCapacitor (or “SuperCapacitor) based energy storage system consists of a relay switch, a voltage up-converting device (e.g. DC-DC converter), regulated power supplies and a comparator circuit. The comparator circuit compares the storage system output voltage with a reference voltage, causing the storage system output to be diverted through a voltage up-converting device when the said voltage has declined to a threshold value (typically set by the load requirements). Wide-input range power supplies enable consistent operation of the circuit as the UltraCapacitor system output bus voltage declines. The wide-range of input allowed by the up-converting device enables the continuance of power drain from the UltraCapacitors, i.e. more efficient use of available storage capacity, while maintaining the required output voltage to the load. Efficiency is increased by direct connection of the UltaCapacitor system to the load bus until its voltage falls below stated threshold. In the case of a given 48 VDC system electric motor application, 500% more energy is extracted from the UltraCapacitor system with the stated control system than would be permitted by the load voltage requirements without such system.
US07642749B2
To maximize the life of a rechargeable battery and the life of cells forming the rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery is so constructed that each of the cells forming the rechargeable battery can be charged independently of the other cells. To charge this rechargeable battery, a cell to be charged is selected, and the selected cell is charged.
US07642737B2
A control architecture for an electrical inverter includes a command limiter that is realized as a circular voltage limiter. The command limiter includes a Cartesian-to-polar converter coupled to a command source such as a synchronous frame current regulator. The Cartesian-to-polar converter provides magnitude and phase components for d-q command voltages. The command limiter further includes a magnitude limiter that limits the magnitude component to the maximum fundamental voltage component of the inverter, and a polar-to-Cartesian converter that converts the limited magnitude component and the phase component into modified d-q command voltages.
US07642726B2
A power supply apparatus includes an inverter controller, a power transforming part and a connecting part. The power transforming part converts a direct current supplied from the inverter controller into an alternating current to output first and second polarity currents. The connecting part outputs the first and second polarity currents to first and second end portions of a load through first and second terminals, respectively and has a third terminal to receive a sensed signal in response to the first or second polarity currents so as to output the sensed signal. The first terminal is spaced apart from the second terminal by a first insulating distance, and the third terminal is spaced apart from the first or second terminals adjacent to the third terminal by a second insulating distance. Therefore, the sensed signal is independent of the output power, thereby increasing the sensing efficiency.
US07642713B2
An EL element which is thicker and lower-voltage drive without doping acceptor or donor than the conventional one. An EL element in which an electroluminescent film 103 containing an organic compound which can provide electroluminescent, a floating electrode 104, an electron transport supporting layer 105 and a cathode 102 are in order laminated on an anode 101. A film thickness of the electroluminescent film 103 is on the order of a conventional film thickness (on the order of approximately 100 nm), and the electron transport supporting layer 105 may also have a film thickness on the order of the electroluminescent film 103. The EL element can be driven at lower voltage than the conventional one by introducing a hole blocking material into an electron transport supporting layer.
US07642712B2
A display device including a substrate, a first electrode formed over the substrate, and a partition member having a first aperture is provided. The display device further includes an emitting control layer covering a portion of the first aperture, thereby providing a second aperture to expose a portion of the first electrode, wherein the second aperture has a quadrangular shape with chamfered corners which help disperse organic material uniformly. Advantageously, the emitting control layer is formed of a material having an affinity to an organic material forming an organic light emitting layer within the second aperture, thereby helping to disperse the organic material uniformly and improve brightness uniformity.
US07642708B2
The invention relates to a tri-color lamp for generating white light comprising a phosphor composition comprising a phosphor of general formula (Ba1−x−y−z−SrxCay)2SiO4:Euz, wherein 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1 and 0
US07642704B2
The LED comprises: a base having high thermal conductivity and having a mounting surface for die bonding; a printed circuit board mounted on the base and having a hole to expose a part of the mounting surface of the base and having a protruding portion projecting horizontally outward on the outer periphery of the base; an LED element mounted on the mounting surface of the base exposed in the hole of the printed circuit board; and a resin material sealing the LED element from above; wherein through-holes electrically connected to the LED element are formed at the outer periphery of the protruding portion and an external connection electrode is provided to the upper and lower surfaces of the through-holes.This LED enhances the heat dissipating effect to enable generation of high-luminance light and can also be mounted on either the upper or lower surface of a motherboard.
US07642701B2
In an organic EL display device comprising a substrate, a plurality of pixel regions in each of which a first electrode, a light emitting material layer, and a second electrode are laminated in this order above the substrate, and a bank film formed above the substrate to separate respective one of the pixel regions from another of the pixel regions adjacent thereto, wherein the bank film has a plurality of openings exposing upper surfaces of the first electrodes to the light emitting material layers in the respective pixel regions, and the second electrode is formed over the a plurality of openings of the bank film in common with the pixel regions, the present invention forms the bank film of an inorganic material and shapes a side wall thereof lying around each of the openings thereof to be sloped at an angle less than 85 degrees (°) with respect to a principal surface of the substrate in order to prevent the deterioration of the light emitting material layer and disconnection of the second electrode at steps of bank film lying in the vicinity of the openings thereof.
US07642699B2
An electronic-component container is provided in which a metal lid is bonded with an insulating package. The container comprises the insulating package having a housing portion for housing an electronic component element having an electrical function, a metallized sealing portion formed around the housing portion and hermetically bonded with the metal lid, and a castellation having a terminal electrode formed at a side end portion thereof, and the metal lid formed in a shape as viewed from the top which is substantially equal to a shape as viewed from the top of the insulating package, wherein a brazing material is formed on a lower surface of the metal lid, and the brazing material is provided with a welding portion which is bonded with the metallized sealing portion inside the castellation when the metal lid is bonded with the insulating package.
US07642695B2
A piezoelectric thin-film resonator and a method of manufacturing thereof eliminate and prevent breaking of a piezoelectric thin film, disconnection of electrodes, and other known problems. The piezoelectric thin-film resonator includes a substrate and a suspended portion including a vibrating portion in which a piezoelectric thin film is disposed between a pair of excitation electrodes. At least two film-like supports partially supported on the substrate are provided. The suspended portion is supported by the supports so as to be suspended above the substrate with an air-gap layer therebetween.
US07642694B2
A boundary acoustic wave device includes a stacked structure including a second medium, an IDT electrode, and a first medium, the stacked structure including the first medium having a temperature coefficient of group delay time TCD that is positive. The IDT electrode is stacked on the first medium. The second medium is stacked on the first medium so as to cover the IDT electrode and has a temperature coefficient of group delay time TCD that is negative. A third medium having an acoustic velocity of a transverse wave that is less than an acoustic velocity of a transverse wave of the second medium is arranged at least on a top surface of the IDT electrode.
US07642691B2
Resin pooling grooves are disposed so as to extend over entire regions in a thickness direction of a first magnet holder on two sides of a bottom surface in a width direction of a first receiving groove, and resin pooling grooves are also disposed so as to extend over entire regions in the thickness direction of the first magnet holder on two side surfaces of the first receiving groove near the bottom surface. A first resin injection aperture is disposed through the first magnet holder so as to communicate with the resin pooling grooves over an entire region in the thickness direction. A first permanent magnet is held by the first magnet holder by fitting the first permanent magnet into the first receiving groove together with a first magnet cover, and injecting a resin material into the resin pooling grooves through the first resin injection aperture and hardening it.
US07642683B2
A self-regulating permanent magnet device has a first rotor segment and second rotor segment, each supporting a set of permanent magnets, wherein the position of the second rotor segment relative to the first rotor segment is modified based on the speed of the self-regulating permanent magnet device. By modifying the position of the second rotor segment relative to the first rotor segment, the alignment between their respective sets of permanent magnets, and therefore, the electromotive force (emf) generated in the stator coils is regulated. The position of the second rotor segment is defined by the connection of a torsion spring between the first rotor segment and second rotor segment and a reactionary torque device connected to the second rotor segment. The torsion spring creates a spring force that acts to maintain the alignment between the first rotor segment and the second rotor segment. The reactionary torque device provides reactionary torque that is proportional to the speed of the self-regulating permanent magnet device and opposes the spring force. As the speed of the self-regulating permanent magnet device increases, the reactionary torque causes the second rotor segment to rotate, thereby creating a misalignment between the first rotor segment and second rotor segment.
US07642679B2
A drive unit (2) for a hand-held power tool includes a stator (8) located in the drive unit housing (6), an end member (12) provided at each of the opposite ends (10) of the stator (8), a rotor (14) provided with at least one permanent magnet (16), arranged in a receiving space (20) limited by the stator (8) and the end members (12), and the rotatably supported by a drive axle (18) on the end members (12); and a fan (22) rotatably connected with the drive axle (18) for generating a cooling flow (K) from one stator end (10) to another stator end (10) between an inner surface (26) of the drive unit housing (6) and an outer surface (28) of the stator (8) for cooling the stator (8) and the drive unit, with the stator outer surface (28) being provided with a plurality of deflection surfaces (32) extending transverse to the longitudinal extent (L) of the stator (8).
US07642678B2
The present invention provides a linear motor 1 which uses a plurality of cylindrical linear motors 2 to increase power and which can guide forward and backward movements using a simple configuration, the linear motor 1 requiring reduced manufacturing costs. A plurality of cylindrical linear motors 2 are provided each of which has a shaft member 3 made of a permanent magnet and a coil unit 4. A motor support 25 is provided which is able to support the coil units of the plurality of cylindrical linear motors 2 arranged in parallel. The shaft members of the plurality of cylindrical linear motors 2 are coupled together at ends thereof by coupling members 10, 11. A guide mechanism 32 is located inside the arrangement of the cylindrical linear motors 2 to guide movement of the shaft members 3 of the cylindrical linear motors 2. The number of guide mechanisms 32 is smaller than that of the cylindrical linear motors 2. For example, the single guide mechanism 32 is provided.
US07642676B2
An algorithm for verifying the state of switches (such as in a transfer switch mechanism) and for controlling the switches. The control algorithm controls automatic actuation of the switches. The verification algorithm measures the instantaneous voltage on the source and load sides of one or both switches and calculates the RMS magnitude, period, and relative phase for each voltage measurement. If the voltage characteristics for the load do not match any of those for any source, an error is outputted. If the voltage characteristics of the sources match each other, the algorithm determines that they are synchronized. The algorithm determines which switch is closed by comparing the voltage characteristics of the load and of each source, and if there is a match, then the switch associated with the source that is matched with the load is determined to be closed. Otherwise, the switch is determined to be opened.
US07642673B2
An operating device for an electric cook-top is disclosed having a rotary control operating unit, which is retained in position in a magnetic rotary manner on an outer surface of the cook-top. In one embodiment, the rotary control is provided with a contact switch for signal transmission of a switching process to a control unit mounted below the outer surface. In one embodiment, the contact switch is a contact switch with a capacitive coupling through the outer surface.
US07642671B2
A power supply system. The power supply system may have a power circuit having a switch and adapted to generate a first output voltage and a second output voltage, depending on the state of the switch. It also includes an output connector coupled to the power circuit, where the output connector includes a plurality of electrical contacts including a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. A voltage output indicator device is coupled to the first and second electrical contacts. The voltage output indicator device indicates that the power circuit is producing the first output voltage or the second output voltage, so that the user is aware of the voltage being output by the power supply system.
US07642663B2
A mobile high horsepower rating natural gas compression package is provided. The apparatus includes a trailer having a flexible pre-cambered frame configured to absorb shock during transport and dissipate vibration during operation, and an inflexible sub-skid attached to the flexible frame. A high horsepower rating engine driven compressor is attached to the sub-skid while ancillary compression package components are attached to the flexible frame. An arrangement of break flanges is employed to permit relative motion between the compressor and the ancillary compression package components during transport and operation.
US07642660B2
A method and apparatus is provided that pertains to resisting crack initiation and propagation in electrical interconnections between components and substrates in ball grid array microelectronic packages. A hybrid of dielectric defined and non-dielectric defined electrical interconnects reduces the potential for electrical interconnection failure without having to control the dielectric defined interconnect ratio of substrates. In addition selective orientation of the dielectric defined edge portion of the electrical interconnect away from the point where cracks initiate resists crack propagation and component failure.
US07642656B2
A semiconductor package, which includes: a first substrate, on which a pre-designed pattern is formed; a first chip, mounted by a flip chip method on one side of the first substrate; a first molding, covering the first substrate and the first chip; a first via, which penetrates the first molding, and which is electrically connected with the pattern formed on the first substrate; an interposer, which is placed on the first molding, and on both sides of which a pre-designed pattern is formed respectively; a second via, penetrating the interposer and electrically connecting both sides of the interposer; a second substrate, placed on the interposer with at least one conductive ball positioned in-between, such that the second substrate is electrically connected with the pattern formed on the interposer; and a second chip mounted on the second substrate, can be used to improve heat release and increase the degree of integration.
US07642648B2
A semiconductor device includes an inter-metal dielectric (IMD) formed on a substrate and having at least one via hole, a via hole formed by filling the via hole with a first metal, a reductant layer formed on the via plug and the inter-metal dielectric to a predetermined thickness, and a metal line layer formed by depositing a second metal on the reductant layer.
US07642645B2
Systems and methods for aligning substrates that include microstructures. The microstructures may be electronic or micromechanical components. The system includes a first substrate having a first alignment structure and a second substrate having a second alignment structure. The substrates are positioned so that the first alignment structure contacts the second alignment structure without the substrates directly contacting each other, and one of the substrates is adjusted in relation to the other substrate until the first and second alignment structures lock into place. After alignment, the microstructures on the first substrate and the second substrate may establish a connection with or be positioned in near proximity to each other.
US07642643B2
A method and apparatus for assembling and packaging semiconductor die assemblies utilizes a coating element such as a wafer back side laminate formed on a back side of a semiconductor die is disclosed. The coating element may be formed from a somewhat compressible and, optionally, resilient material, which seals against a surface of a mold cavity while the semiconductor die assembly is being encapsulated. In this manner, the coating element prevents encapsulant material from covering at least a portion of the back side of the semiconductor die to prevent encapsulant flashing over the back side and thus improve heat dissipation characteristics of the packaged semiconductor die during operation.
US07642642B2
A method of fabricating an apparatus including a sealed cavity and an apparatus embodying the method are disclosed. To fabricate the apparatus, a device chip including a substrate and at least one circuit element on the substrate is fabricated. Also, a cap is fabricated. Next, the device chip and the cap are bonded such that a sealed cavity is formed by the device chip and the cap. The bond is accomplished using thermo compression technique. Gold or other suitable metal can be used as a bonding agent. Then or at the same time, caulking agent is reflowed over the bonding agent, over portions of the cap, or both to further seal the cavity. In the resultant device, the sealed cavity is sealed by the bonding agent, the caulking agent, or both. The caulking agent increases hermeticity of the cavity and provides for even higher level of protection of the cavity against adverse environmental conditions.
US07642639B2
An IC package to enhance the bondibility of embedded bumps, primarily includes a substrate having a plurality of bump-accommodating holes, a bumped chip, an encapsulant, and a plurality of external terminals. The substrate further has a plurality of inner pads at one ends of the bump-accommodating holes respectively. The inner pads may be meshed or a soldering layer is disposed thereon for improving bump connection. The chip is attached to the substrate with the bumps aligned and embedded in the corresponding bump-accommodating holes. The encapsulant is at least formed on a lower surface of the substrate to encapsulate the meshes or the soldering layer. By the suspended meshes or/and the soldering layer, the bumps can be easily bonded at lower temperatures to simplify the manufacturing process with shorter electrical conductive paths and thinner package profiles without wire sweeping.
US07642637B2
A carrier for a stacked type semiconductor device includes a lower carrier having a first accommodating portion that accommodates a first semiconductor device, and an upper carrier having a second accommodating portion that accommodates a second semiconductor device stacked on the first semiconductor device so as to be placed in position on the first semiconductor device. It is thus possible to eliminate an additional device used for stacking the semiconductor device, and thereby reduce the cost.
US07642629B2
An integrally packaged integrated circuit device including an integrated circuit die including a crystalline substrate having first and second generally planar surfaces and edge surfaces and an active surface formed on the first generally planar surface, at least one chip scale packaging layer formed over the active surface and at least one electrical contact formed over the at least one chip scale packaging layer, the at least one electrical contact being connected to circuitry on the active surface by at least one pad formed on the first generally planar surface.
US07642620B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor apparatus for solving a trade-off between the area, power consumption, noise and accuracy of correction of a variation correction circuit that corrects variations in resistance and threshold voltage, etc. The present invention comprises a multi-value voltage generation circuit shared by a plurality of reading circuits, a multi-value voltage bus that supplies multi-value voltages to the reading circuits and switches that select a voltage suited to variation correction from multi-value voltages, wherein the multi-value voltages are distributed from the multi-value voltage generation circuit to the plurality of reading circuits, the switches select an optimum voltage for correction in the respective reading circuits to thereby correct variations in the elements.
US07642607B2
A MOS device having reduced recesses under a gate spacer and a method for forming the same are provided. The MOS device includes a gate structure overlying the substrate, a sidewall spacer on a sidewall of the gate structure, a recessed region having a recess depth of substantially less than about 30 Å underlying the sidewall spacer, and a silicon alloy region having at least a portion in the substrate and adjacent the recessed region. The silicon alloy region has a thickness of substantially greater than about 30 nm. A shallow recess region is achieved by protecting the substrate when a hard mask on the gate structure is removed. The MOS device is preferably a pMOS device.
US07642606B2
A memory cell of a non-volatile memory device, comprises: a select transistor gate of a select transistor on a substrate, the select transistor gate comprising: a gate dielectric pattern; and a select gate on the gate dielectric pattern; first and second memory cell transistor gates of first and second memory cell transistors on the substrate at opposite sides of the select transistor, each of the first and second memory cell transistor gates comprising: a tunnel insulating layer pattern; a charge storage layer pattern on the tunnel insulating layer pattern; a blocking insulating layer pattern on the charge storage layer pattern; and a control gate on the blocking insulating layer pattern; first and second floating junction regions in the substrate between the select transistor gate and the first and second memory cell transistor gates respectively; and first and second drain regions in the substrate at sides of the first and second memory cell transistor gates respectively opposite the first and second floating junction regions respectively. Methods of formation thereof are also provided.
US07642602B2
A system and method for electrostatic discharge protection. The system includes a first transistor coupled to a first system and including a first gate, a first dielectric layer located between the first gate and a first substrate, a first source, and a first drain. The first system includes or is coupled to a core transistor, and the core transistor includes a second gate, a second dielectric layer located between the second gate and a second substrate, a second source, and a second drain. The first transistor is selected from a plurality of transistors, and the plurality of transistors include a plurality of gate regions, a plurality of source regions, and a plurality of drain regions. Each of the plurality of gate regions intersects a polysilicon region.
US07642601B2
In a semiconductor integrated circuit device and a method of designing the same, design information about circuit cells each having a desired function are described as objects according to selected purposes. The pieces of design information are registered in a cell library as cell information capable of forming any of substrate potential fixed cells and substrate potential variable cells. Further, a data sheet common to the substrate potential fixed cell and the substrate potential variable cell is offered to a user, so that the user is able to make a selection according to the user's purposes. The substrate potential fixed cells and the substrate potential variable cells are mixed together on a semiconductor chip so as to be properly used according to the functions or the like of circuit portions in which the cells are used.
US07642598B2
A semiconductor device with high reliability is provided using an SOI substrate. When the SOI substrate is fabricated by using a technique typified by SIMOX, ELTRAN, or Smart-Cut, a single crystal semiconductor substrate having a main surface (crystal face) of a {110} plane is used. In such an SOI substrate, adhesion between a buried insulating layer as an under layer and a single crystal silicon layer is high, and it becomes possible to realize a semiconductor device with high reliability.
US07642597B2
A power semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of trenches formed in an upper surface thereof; a buried insulating film; a buried field plate electrode; a control electrode; a first main electrode provided on a lower side of the semiconductor substrate; and a second main electrode provided on an upper side of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes: a first semiconductor; a second semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type and a third semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type; a fourth semiconductor layer; and a fifth semiconductor layer. The buried insulating film is thicker than a gate insulating film. At least one of the second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer has a portion with its sheet dopant concentration varying along a depth direction of the semiconductor substrate.
US07642591B2
A capacitor for use in integrated circuits comprises a layer of conductive material. The layer of conductive material including at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are arranged in a predetermined pattern relative to one another to provide a maximum amount of capacitance per semiconductor die area.
US07642583B2
A ferroelectric memory device having plural memory cells, each composed of a memory cell transistor and a memory cell capacitor including a lower electrode that is independent for each memory cell capacitor, a ferroelectric layer formed on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode layer formed on the ferroelectric layer. A plurality of the upper electrode layers are connected together and constitute a plate electrode, and the width of the upper electrode is narrower than the width of the ferroelectric layer. Accordingly, by making the width of the upper electrode narrower than the width of the ferroelectric layer, it is possible to prevent current leakage between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, which reduces the placement interval of the memory cell capacitors without causing current leakage between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and results in a smaller memory cell size.
US07642575B2
The present invention provides an integrated electronic microphone formed as part of a semiconductor device, and a manufacturing method therefor. The microphone is formed with a sensing electrode as part of a sensing membrane, and the sensing electrode is connected to the gate of a sensing transistor to provide an output. The microphone may be operated in constant bias or constant charge mode.
US07642571B2
A substrate including a first patterned metallic layer, a second patterned metallic layer and an insulator is provided. One side of the first patterned metallic layer is connected to a corresponding side of the second patterned metallic layer. The first patterned metallic layer and the second patterned metallic layer are formed as a whole. The insulator fills the gaps in the first patterned metallic layer and the gaps in the second patterned metallic layer.
US07642562B2
An efficient long-wavelength light-emitting diode has a resonant-cavity design. The light-emitting diode preferably has self-organized (In,Ga)As or (In,Ga)(As,N) quantum dots in the light-emitting active region, deposited on a GaAs substrate. The light-emitting diode is capable of emitting in a long-wavelength spectral range of preferably 1.15-1.35 μm. The light-emitting diode also has a high efficiency of preferably at least 6 mW and more preferably at least 8 mW at an operating current of less than 100 mA and a low operating voltage of preferably less than 3V. In addition, the light-emitting diode preferably has an intensity of maxima, other than the main maximum of the emission spectrum, of less than 1% of an intensity of the main maximum. This combination of parameters makes such a device useful as an inexpensive optical source for various applications.
US07642561B2
Provided is a semiconductor light emitting diode having a textured structure formed on a substrate. In a method of manufacturing the semiconductor light emitting diode, a metal layer is formed on the substrate, and a metal oxide layer having holes is formed by anodizing the metal layer. The metal oxide layer itself can be used as a textured structure pattern, or the textured structure pattern can be formed by forming holes in the substrate or a material layer under the metal oxide layer corresponding to the holes of the metal oxide layer. The manufacture of the semiconductor light emitting diode is completed by sequentially forming a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer on the textured structure pattern.
US07642553B2
A thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes a substrate including a display region, a chip region, and a pad region; a plurality of signal lines formed on the substrate for electrically connecting the pad region to the chip region and the display region, wherein the signal lines have pads as an end portion and the pads are formed in the pad region; an insulating layer covering the signal lines and having a plurality of contact holes exposing the portions of the signal lines; a plurality of contact assistants formed on the insulating layer and connected to the pads through the contact holes; and a plurality of connection member respectively connected to the contact assistants and formed on the insulating layer for selectively electrically connecting the signal lines, wherein the insulating layer has a boundary line formed by etching, and the boundary line is crenellated.
US07642552B2
A liquid crystal display device including gate wiring or a gate electrode formed on a substrate on a TFT side of the TFT liquid crystal display device, wherein the wiring or the electrode has a structure of being held between two different insulation layers or insulators, and the structure is comprised of a first layer mainly consisting of copper and a second layer consisting of an oxide covering an outer circumferential part of the first layer, further, the second layer has compositional formula of CuxMnySizO (0
US07642525B2
An immersion type microscope objective is configured by, in order from the object side to an image side, a positive lens group Ga including a cemented lens obtained by cementing a plano-convex lens whose plane surface faces the object side to a meniscus lens whose concave surface faces the object side, and a positive single lens, a positive lens group Gb including a cemented lens, a lens group Gc including at least one cemented lens, a lens group Gd having a meniscus lens having a strongly concave surface that faces the image side, and a lens group Ge having a negative lens having a strongly concave surface that faces the object side.
US07642521B2
The present invention concerns a system for the focusing and/or a collimation of an ion beam, in particular a beam of accelerated protons, wherein the system has a lens with a lens body that is permeable to the ion beam, wherein means for the generation of an in particular electrostatic field, propagating within the lens body and focusing the ion beam, are provided, wherein the lens body has a wall of low thickness, wherein the means for the field generation comprise a source of electromagnetic radiation, whose emitted beam is directed onto the outer side of the wall of the lens body, wherein the thickness of the wall and the quality of the electromagnetic radiation is chosen such that the radiation generates free electrons that emerge from the wall and accumulate on the exit side of the wall in an electron cloud.
US07642513B2
The inventive device for obtaining the electron energy loss image and/or spectra includes an image sensor, a control for at least two deflectors for alternately exposing at least two photosensitive parts of the image sensor, sensor reading means for generating the representative signal of an image captured by each photosensitive part of the image sensor, means for synchronizing the deflector and the reading means for successively controlling the exposition of the photosensitive part and the reading of the other photosensitive part for each photosensitive part and means for combining the two image parts in such a way that a spectrum is formed.
US07642512B2
A magnetic field gradient is generated in a space, and a microparticle is flied downward in the space, thereby applying a magnetic force from the magnetic field gradient onto the microparticle. Then, a velocity and an acceleration of the microparticle due to the magnetic force are measured, thereby measuring a mass of the microparticle on the measured velocity and a magnetic susceptibility of the microparticle.
US07642505B2
In a photoelectric encoder including a scale (14, 16, 18) for making a relative move and an image forming optical system (22, 24), adapted to detect relative displacement of the scale, a transparent protective material (40, 42) having a thickness t equal to or greater than the depth of focus (DOF) of the image forming optical system is disposed on the lattice (15, 17, 19) side surface of the scale. The transparent protective material can be transparent tape 40 bonded to the lattice side surface of the scale or a transparent protective material 42 applied to the lattice side surface of the scale. The surface of the transparent protective material can have hydrophilicity or lipophilicity.
US07642503B2
N pieces of gains Gi are sequentially and temporarily set in a control circuit (23), and a stylus (131) is brought in contact with a workpiece (W) for conducting a temporary measurement. At this time, a sensor detection signal output from a sensor detection circuit (21) is filtered by a filter (31) to take out only a frequency component corresponding to a frequency of hunting generated in a closed loop (L) including the control circuit (23). Gains Gj that do not generate hunting in the closed loop (L) are extracted, and the largest gain Gj is set in the control circuit (23) in view of enhancement in responsivity etc. of the measurement. Alternatively, by pressing the stylus (131) into the workpiece (W), a displacement signal indicating a pressing amount and a sensor signal output from a sensor (13) are measured in accordance with a measurement load applied to the stylus (131) to calculate a gain Gs′ of the sensor (13) based on the two signals. By compensating the gain of the control circuit in accordance with the gain Gs′, frequency characteristics of the measurement control system can be kept to the largest even when the stylus (131) or the workpiece (W) is replaced with another one having different properties.
US07642502B2
A LED is provided to emit a light signal corresponding to an input signal. A PD receives the light signal, and generates a photovoltaic output. A MOSFET receives the photovoltaic output. A FET is provided. A first electrode of the FET is connected to the gate of the MOSFET. A second electrode of the FET is connected to a cathode of the PD through a resistor. A control electrode of the FET is connected to the cathode of the PD. A transistor is provided. A first electrode of the transistor is connected to the gate of the MOSFET. A second electrode of the transistor is connected to the source of the MOSFET. A control electrode of the transistor is connected to the second electrode of the FET. A diode is connected between the second electrode of the FET and the second electrode of the transistor.
US07642500B2
An image sensor array includes a substrate having at least three image sensors located therein. The image sensor array also includes a blue filter positioned proximate to the first image sensor; a green filter proximate to the second image sensor; and a red filter proximate to the third image sensor. A first microlens is positionally arranged with the blue filter and the first image sensor; a second microlens is positionally arranged with the green filter and the second image sensor; and a third microlens is positionally arranged with the red filter and the third image sensor. The first microlens has a larger effective area than the second microlens, and the second microlens has a larger effective area than the third microlens.
US07642489B2
The present invention relates to a flexible electrothermal composite. In one embodiment, a flexible electrothermal composite includes a flexible polymer matrix and a number of carbon nanotubes dispersed in the matrix, the carbon nanotubes forming a plurality of conductive network in the polymer. The flexible electrothermal composite has high flexibility, resistance and intensity.
US07642483B2
A glass plate cutting machine using a laser beam is provided to solve problems, such as uneven glass section and slanting cutting. By using the glass plate cutting machine of the current invention, the glass plate is irradiated with a first carbon dioxide laser beam of 0.05-2 joule/mm2 on a long oval shaped area of 20-200 mm2 according to an expected cutting line thereof, and immediately cooled with water, to generate a scribe line, which is then further irradiated with a second carbon dioxide laser beam of 0.1-0.5 joule/mm′ on the area of 20-200 mm2 thus obtaining a superior glass section.
US07642481B2
An apparatus and method for forming a stringer are provided. The stringer generally includes a web having a desired corrugated configuration and first and second flanges welded to opposite edges of the web. The apparatus includes a support structure, a strongback that is supported by the support structure, and a plurality of dies that are adjustable relative to the strongback. The strongback defines a corrugated contour surface corresponding to the desired corrugated configuration of the web. The dies define corresponding forming surfaces and are configured to be advanced toward the strongback to thereby form the web to the desired corrugated configuration between the contour surface of the strongback and the forming surfaces of the dies. Further, the apparatus can receive the flanges of the stringer in a predetermined configuration with the web so that the flanges can be welded to the web while the web is supported by the strongback and dies in the desired corrugated configuration.
US07642480B2
In order to reduce the breaking energy of a high-voltage or medium-voltage circuit-breaker, the interrupting chamber (10) contains two contacts (12, 14) mounted to move in opposite directions, and actuated via a single device (20). The two contacts (12, 14) are surrounded by an insulating casing (18) of tubular shape, coupled in fixed manner to the main contact (12). The contacts (12, 14) are actuated by a device having a lever (24) in which each lever arm is coupled to a link, one of the links (32) being secured to the insulating casing (18) and the other link (34) being secured to the second contact (14). The guiding of the drive tube (18) on the main contacts (12b, 14b) makes it possible to improve breaking by keeping clean gas between said main contacts.
US07642475B2
Disclosed is a lever operating device having a simple structure and high durability without a contact defect.In the disclosed lever operating device, when an operating lever is tilted in one of the first and second operating surfaces that are substantially orthogonal to each other, a slider supported by a lever support is selectively moved in one of two directions that are substantially orthogonal to each other in a plane parallel to a circuit board, and the electric resistance of a GMR sensor mounted to the circuit board varies depending on the position of a permanent magnet held by the slider. In this way, the operating position of the operating lever is detected.
US07642467B1
An improved method for manufacturing a matching pair of electrodes comprises the steps of: fabricating a first electrode with a substantially flat surface; depositing islands of an oxidizable material over regions of the surface; depositing a layer of a third material over the surface of the first electrode to form a second electrode; separating the first electrode from the second electrode; oxidizing the islands of oxidizable material, which causes the islands to expand; bringing the upper electrode and the lower electrode into close proximity, whereupon the expanded island of oxidizable material touches the upper surface and creates an insulating gap between the two surfaces, thereby forming a matching pair of electrodes.
US07642466B2
There is provided a configuration in which rigid substrates are connected via flexible substrates, the connection configuration having a pair of rigid substrates each having a predetermined circuit pattern on a front and a reverse surface thereof, a first flexible substrate attached on the front surfaces of the pair of the rigid substrates so as to electrically connect the circuit patterns provided respectively on the front surfaces, a second flexible substrate attached on the reverse surfaces of the pair of the rigid substrates so as to electrically connect the circuit patterns provided respectively on the reverse surfaces. The first and the second substrate have a gap therebetween smaller than a thickness of the pair of the rigid substrates.
US07642465B2
An elbow terminator has a socket in which an electrical probe is disposed. The terminator is insertable onto an electrical bushing such that a tongue of the bushing is received in the socket of the terminator, and the probe of the terminator is electrically coupled to a contact sleeve disposed within the tongue. A latching mechanism produces positive latching between the tongue and socket when the tongue has been inserted to a predescribed depth within the socket. In order to enable an operator to visually observe that the tongue has been inserted to the prescribed depth, the bushing carries a color band which becomes completely disposed (invisible) in the socket when positive latching occurs. Alternatively, the bushing can be provided with gauge tabs which become aligned with a witness line formed on the terminator when positive latching occurs.
US07642460B2
A tubular cold shrinkable material can include an elastomeric composition including a fluoroelastomer composition, where the elastomeric composition is substantially free of an epichlorohydrin composition. The tubular cold shrinkable material can further include a filler material including a reinforcement-grade carbon black. The tubular cold shrinkable material can further include a peroxide curative.
US07642454B2
Apparatus for preventing theft of a buss bar connected to electrical conductor and grounding cables is provided in the form of a box-like enclosure of thick metal construction which confines the buss bar and has an elongated access opening permitting passage of cables into the enclosure. An aperture within the bottom of the enclosure permits downward emergence of a grounding cable attached to the buss bar.
US07642452B2
An electric junction box is disposed in a water penetration region and accommodates bus bars and fuses connected with the bus bars inside a case body. The case body is connected with an upper cover and a lower cover, with the upper cover and the lower cover mounted on the case body. An entire peripheral wall of the upper cover is formed not as a double wall, but the entire peripheral wall of the upper cover is locked to a peripheral wall of the lower cover (or case body), with an inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall in contact with an outer surface of an entire peripheral wall of the lower cover (or case body). In a watertight region including at least the fuses, a rib is projected in a shape of a frame from an inner surface of the upper wall of the upper cover to surround the watertight region.
US07642443B2
The present invention provides a user configurable computer interface for managing inventory. The interface provides a list, generated according to a user-defined organization. The list includes both owned and un-owned items and provides a means for sampling and purchasing the un-owned items directly from the list. The present invention contemplates a user interface for managing an entertainment play lists such as music play lists, video play lists etc. In addition the present invention contemplates management of vehicle maintenance and goods such as groceries, toys, or books.
US07642433B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH187789. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH187789, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH187789 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH187789.
US07642423B2
The present invention relates to novel plants, in particular to Capsicum annuum plants capable of producing fruits with extended storability after full coloring of the fruit, and to seeds and fruits of said plants. The present invention also relates to methods of making and using such plants and their fruits. In particular, fruits of plants of the present invention retain marketability over extended periods of time compared to presently available peppers.
US07642422B1
A cotton cultivar, designated DP 147 RF, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of cotton cultivar DP 147 RF, to the plants of cotton DP 147 RF and to methods for producing a cotton plant produced by crossing the cultivar DP 147 RF with itself or another cotton variety. The invention further relates to hybrid cotton seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar DP 147 RF with another cotton cultivar.
US07642421B1
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB53S08. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB53S08, to the plants of soybean XB53S08 to plant parts of soybean variety XB53S08 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB53S08 with another soybean plant, using XB53S08 as either the male or the female parent.
US07642420B2
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated 92M22. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety 92M22, to the plants of soybean 92M22 to plant parts of soybean variety 92M22 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety 92M22 with another soybean plant, using 92M22 as either the male or the female parent.
US07642417B1
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB39A08. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB39A08, to the plants of soybean XB39A08 to plant parts of soybean variety XB39A08 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB39A08 with another soybean plant, using XB39A08 as either the male or the female parent.
US07642415B2
A soybean cultivar designated 7549450 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 7549450, to the plants of soybean 7549450, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 7549450 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 7549450 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 7549450, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 7549450 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 7549450 with another soybean cultivar.
US07642412B2
A soybean cultivar designated S070157 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S070157, to the plants of soybean S070157, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S070157 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S070157 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety S070157, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S070157 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S070157 with another soybean cultivar.
US07642410B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D4452019. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D4452019. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D4452019 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D4452019 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07642402B2
The invention provides a human photoaged skin model and an animal model which are useful for evaluating cosmetics and similar products in terms of their anti-aging or rejuvenating effect, as well as a method for producing such a skin model and such an animal model. The method of producing the human photoaged skin model is characterized in that a transplanted skin area of an immunodeficient non-human animal which has undergone transplantation of human skin is irradiated with UV-B light of 80-100 mJ/cm2 for consecutive 4 to 8 weeks, and the irradiated area is left to take its own course for at least 3 weeks. A human photoaged skin model and an animal model produced through this method are also disclosed.
US07642401B2
We prepared a transgene comprising human HB-EGF precursor cDNA, as a diphtheria toxin receptor gene, at the downstream of an insulin promoter, and introduced this transgene into a mouse fertilized egg, to produce a transgenic mouse of the present invention. In this mouse, human HB-EGF precursors are expressed specifically in islet beta cells, and by injection of diphtheria toxin, islet beta cells are selectively destroyed, resulting in that the mouse shows diabetes two or three days after the injection. This mouse can be utilized in screening and development of new medicines and therapy protocols for diabetes.
US07642400B2
The invention involves PKCι signaling. The invention provides, for example, transgenic animals, inhibitors of PKCι signaling, methods for inhibiting PKCι signaling, methods for identifying inhibitors of PKCι signaling, and methods for diagnosing cancer.
US07642397B2
Absorbent articles having enhanced absorption of bodily exudates are disclosed. The absorbent articles comprise a bodily exudate modifying agent and a skin care formulation. The bodily exudate modifying agent is capable of reducing the viscosity of bodily exudates such as feces and menses. The skin care formulation comprises a bodily exudate modifying agent neutralizer to neutralize the possible negative effects on skin barrier function caused by the bodily exudate modifying agents coming into direct contact with the wearer's skin.
US07642389B2
Integrated, energy efficient process for making detergent range alkylbenzenes use a combination of a low benzene to olefin feed ratio for alkylation, alkylbenzene refining system operation and a transalkylation of dialkylbenzene co-produced during alkylation is used to reduce energy costs per unit of alkylbenzene product.
US07642384B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol, said process comprising (a) neutralising acids and/or carbon dioxide present in an organic solution further comprising cyclohexylhydroperoxide by mixing the organic solution with a first aqueous base solution at a temperature of from 50 to 80° C. to form a first mixture comprising a first aqueous phase with a pH of from 8.5 to 13 and a first organic phase, (b) separating first aqueous phase from the first mixture resulting in a remaining mixture comprising first organic phase, (c) decomposing cyclohexylhydroperoxide present in said remaining mixture by mixing said remaining mixture with a second aqueous base solution at a temperature of from 60 to 110° C. to form a second mixture comprising a second aqueous phase and a second organic phase comprising cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol, (d) separating the second aqueous phase from the second organic phase at a temperature higher than 80° C.
US07642376B2
Provided are methods and devices for preparing biuret and cyanuric acid by thermal decomposition of urea. Specifically, a product of thermal decomposition is cooled to precipitate a crystal and the precipitated crystal is dissolved using an alkali aqueous solution and cooled to obtain biuret having high purity. Furthermore, the cyanuric acid that is one of byproducts by the thermal decomposition of urea is effectively recovered with high purity.
US07642374B2
The present invention provides a process for producing 5-iodo-2-methylbenzoic acid through iodination of 2-methylbenzoic acid, the process including, as essential steps, a reaction step of iodinating 2-methylbenzoic acid in the presence of a microporous compound, iodine, an oxidizing agent, and acetic anhydride, and a purification step including sublimation, distillation, crystallization, or a combination of two or more of these. According to the present invention, 5-iodo-2-methylbenzoic acid, which is useful for producing functional chemicals such as drugs, can be produced at high purity and high yield in a simple manner. Since the production process includes a simple reaction step and a simple separation/purification step, the load of purification is mitigated. In addition, the microporous compound such as a zeolite catalyst which has been separated and recovered from the reaction mixture can be repeatedly employed after performing of a simple treatment. Thus, the production process ensures a long service life of catalysts and high efficiency.
US07642369B2
An efficient new route for the preparation of dihydroeponemycin, an active eponemycin derivative, is provided, which includes the synthesis of the intermediate compound, a hydroxymethyl-substituted enone. In addition, a method is provided for synthesizing inhibitors, which includes PI′-modified analogues. These analogues selectively bind to a major immunoproteasome catalytic subunit LMP2 and inactivate its proteolytic activity in a method of treating diseases, including myeloma and other cancers, Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
US07642368B2
A method for producing a triarylsulfonium salt having a structure that only one of the three arobatic rings of the three aromatic rings on the cationic portion is different from the other two aromatic groups, and which is useful, for example, as an acid-generating agent for a resist or a photo cationic polymerization initiator, by reacting a diaryl sulfoxide and an aryl Grignard reagent RMgX [2] in the presence of an activator with high affinity for oxygen of 3 to 7.5 equivalents relative to the above diaryl sulfoxide, and then reacting the resultant reaction mixture with a strong acid HA1 [3].
US07642367B2
The invention provides novel diamino-functionalized chalcone derivatives and analogues thereof. Use of the compounds, or compositions comprising them, as pharmaceutically active agents, in particular against bacterial and parasitic infections, is also disclosed. The invention further relates to a method for detecting inhibitory effects against e.g., bacteria, parasites, fungi, and helminths. The chalcones of the invention carry amino substituents and exhibit enhanced biological effects combined with improved metabolic and physicochemical properties, making the compounds useful as drug substances, in particular as antiparasitic and bacteriostatic agents.
US07642364B2
The invention relates to pesticide and bactericide, specifically to the benzopyrone compounds and its preparation method and use thereof. The benzopyrone compounds of the invention having general formula (I): The present invention, having good pesticide activity and broad bactericide activity, applied for controlling various pests in plants such as army worm, diamond backmoth and aphid, carmine spider mite, two-spotted spider mite, ladybeetle, mites and mosquito larvae. Various disease in plants can be controlled by the invention and that of grape downy mildew, rice sheath and culm blight, rice blast, tomato early blight, tomato late blight, wheat leaf rust, wheat leaf blotch, wheat powdery mildew, cucumber powdery mildew, cucumber downy mildew, cucumber grey mold and so on.
US07642357B2
The present invention has as its object to provide an iridium complex represented by the general formula: [(I r H L1 L2)2(μ−X1)(μ−X2)(μ−X3)]X4 (1) (wherein L1 and L2 may be the same or different and each represent a monodendate neutral ligand, or each cooperate with the other to form a bidendate neutral ligand; X1, X2 and X3 may be the same or different, and each represent a halogen atom; and X4 is a counter-anion). Also, the present invention provides a novel catalyst which can achieve excellent performance as a catalyst for asymmetric synthesis, especially asymmetric hydrogenation, in terms of chemical selectivity, enantioselectivity and catalytic activity, and the like.
US07642351B2
The present invention provides 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that inhibit the IgE and/or IgG receptor signaling cascades that lead to the release of chemical mediators, intermediates and methods of synthesizing the compounds and methods of using the compounds in a variety of contexts, including in the treatment and prevention of diseases characterized by, caused by or associated with the release of chemical mediators via degranulation and other processes effected by activation of the IgE and/or IgG receptor signaling cascades.
US07642346B2
Novel methods for the expression of non-native genes in flax seeds and the seeds of other plant species are provided. The methods involve the use of seed-specific promoters obtained from flax. Additionally provided are novel flax seed-specific promoters, chimeric nucleic acid constructs comprising novel flax seed-specific promoters, transgenic plant cells, transgenic plants and transgenic plant seeds containing novel flax seed-specific promoters. The promoters and methods are useful, for example, for altering the seed oil and protein composition in flax seed or other plant seeds.
US07642331B2
A hydrosilylation (polyaddition)-vulcanizing elastomer silicone composition, including (a) a vinylated polyorganosiloxane (POS), (b) at least one hydrogenated POS, (c) a platinum catalyst, (d) optionally a coupling agent, (e) optionally a mineral filler, (f) optionally a crosslinking inhibitor, and optionally a POS resin and functional additives. The composition has a dynamic viscosity between 1,000 and 7,000 mPa·s, at 25° C. before crosslinking and, after overall crosslinking by thermal effect has at least one of the following properties: a Shore A hardness of at least 2, a breaking strength of at least 0.5 N·mm−1, and a breaking elongation of at least 50%. Also disclosed is a composite which is fully impregnated by means of a 100% bicomponent (RTV-2) silicone liquid.
US07642330B2
This invention relates to a method for selecting a polyolefin having a die swell within a pre-selected range, the method comprising (a) obtaining from reference samples of a plurality of polyolefin batches a data set for at least one property, other than die swell, of the polyolefin; (b) obtaining a die swell data set from the reference samples of the polyolefin; (c) correlating the at least one property and the die swell data set using a regression analysis to generate an equation for predicting the die swell as a function of the at least one property from step (a); (d) obtaining from a non-reference polyolefin sample a value for each variable in the equation from step (c) and calculating the predicted die swell from the equation from step (c); (e) comparing the predicted die swell of step (d) to the die swell within the pre-selected range, and (f) rejecting the non-reference polyolefin when the predicted die swell for the non-reference polyolefin is outside of the pre-selected range of the die swell. This invention relates to the use of the method in the production of blow-molded articles and in the control of a polyolefin reactor process.
US07642321B2
A curable composition is described comprising a Michael donor component, a polyacryl component, and 1) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a reactive azlactone functional group, or 2) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a reactive ring-opened azlactone functional group. A telechelic polymer that is the reaction product of these components is also described.
US07642313B2
The invention relates to the use of inorganic fluoride compounds as fillers for use in fluoropolymers, such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymers. The filled fluoropolymer is especially useful in articles where limited combustion and low smoke are required—such as in cables and conduits. The invention also relates to a filled PVDF as a means of lowering costs and improving performance properties in any application.
US07642305B2
The present invention relates to a reinforced thermoplastic resin composition comprising at least an amorphous thermoplastic resin (A), a flame retardant (B), fibrous calcium silicate (C) and an inorganic material (D) comprising talc and/or mica, the content of flame retardant (B) being 0.01 to 30 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the amorphous thermoplastic resin (A); the content of fibrous calcium silicate (C) in said composition being 3 to 30% by weight, and the content of the inorganic material (D) comprising talc, mica or mixture thereof in said composition being 3 to 30% by weight.
US07642299B2
A multi-functional (meth)acrylate compound containing at least three F atoms and at least three Si atoms per molecule is provided. A photocurable resin composition comprising the compound can endow support substrates with antifouling properties with respect to organic stains such as oil mist and fingerprints, without detracting from surface mar resistance.
US07642298B2
A polymeric surfactant formed by the reaction of an oligomeric or polymeric substrate with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein the reaction is conducted in the presence of a type II photo initiator and by the action of actinic radiation. The polymeric surfactant is useful for stabilising the interface in emulsions or dispersions.
US07642295B2
An electrolyte membrane made of a phosphate-containing siloxane-based polymer for fuel cell, where the polymer comprises a siloxane backbone and a poly(meth)acrylate chain to which phosphate groups are attached, and the polymer is formed by vinyl polymerization of a silane compound having a (meth)acrylate functional group or a hydrolysis-polycondensation product thereof and a (meth)acrylate compound having a phosphate group, followed by siloxane crosslinking. The electrolyte membrane of a siloxane-based polymer has a high conductivity for a fuel cell.
US07642294B2
A process is provided to make ethylene and propylene from a carbonaceous feedstock. The process comprises preparing a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen from a feedstock. A Fischer Tropsch synthesis is then performed on the gaseous mixture to obtain a Fischer Tropsch product along with unconverted carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The Fischer Tropsch product in admixture with the unconverted carbon monoxide and hydrogen from the previous step is then subjected to terminal cracking to form ethylene and propylene.
US07642280B2
The present invention provides compounds with activity as inhibitors of acyl glucosaminylinositol amidases with amidase activity against S-conjugate amides, particularly mycothiol-derived S-conjugate amides. Certain of the invention compounds are naturally occurring compounds obtained from marine sponges and other organisms. The invention further provides methods for using the compounds to inhibit virulence and reduce antibiotic resistance of mycothiol-producing bacteria.
US07642276B2
Compounds of formula (I): wherein A is a 5-membered heteroaryl ring are inhibitors of p38 kinase and are useful in the treatment of conditions or disease states mediated by p38 kinase activity or mediated by cytokines produced by the activity of p38, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
US07642274B2
The invention aims to provide a drug having an activity on inhibiting a decrease in pain threshold. Since a κ-opioid receptor agonist effectively inhibits the decrease in pain threshold, it is useful as an inhibitor of pain threshold decrease.
US07642268B2
The invention relates to a crystalline micronisate of (1 α,2β,4β,5α,7β)-7-[(hydroxydi-2-thienylacetyl)oxy]-9,9-dimethyl-3-oxa-9-azoniatricyclo[3.3.1.02,4]nonane-bromide, processes for preparing it and its use for preparing a pharmaceutical composition, particularly for preparing a pharmaceutical composition with an anticholinergic activity.
US07642265B2
Provided are compounds of the formula: wherein RN1 is a substituent of formula G1—NX1X2, wherein G1 is an optionally further substituted alkylene, which optionally forms, together with RN2, a cyclic group, and each of X1 and X2 is independently H or an N-substituent, or X1 and X2 together form a heterocyclic ring, or X1 together with G1 forms a cyclic group and X2 is H or an N-substituent; and each of Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 is H or a substituent, or two of Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 together form an optionally substituted ring, and further wherein at least one of Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 is other than H, and salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds have antiviral activity.
US07642261B2
1-[4-(5-cyanoindol-3-yl)butyl]-4-(2-carbamoyl-benzofuran-5-yl)-piperazine or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof is used for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of sub-type anxiety disorders chosen from the sub-types panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, agoraphobia obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, social phobia, posttraumatic stress disorder, acute stress indication or generalized-anxiety disorder, bipolar disorders, mania, dementia substance-related disorders, sexual dysfunctions, eating disorders, obesity, anorexia and fibromyalgia. A preferred salt is 1-[4-(5-cyanoindol-3-yl)butyl]-4-(2-carbamoyl-benzofuran-5-yl)-piperazine hydrochloride.
US07642259B2
Compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, HET-1 and HET-2 are as described in the specification, and their salts and pro-drugs, are activators of glucokinase (GLK) and are thereby useful in the treatment of, for example, type 2 diabetes. Processes for preparing compounds of formula (I) are also described.
US07642247B2
The present invention provides compounds and methods for treatment of viral diseases and cancer.
US07642230B2
With a simple and high-yield production method, a zinc-containing sustained-release composition capable of stabilizing a physiologically active protein or peptide, typically G-CSF by precipitation and retaining drug efficacy for several days in a living body owing to its sustained releasability is provided. Concretely, a zinc-containing sustained-release composition produced by forming a precipitate by mixing a physiologically active protein or peptide, a water-soluble zinc salt, a water-soluble carbonate and/or a water soluble phosphate aqueous solution. The zinc-containing sustained-release composition may be administered as a zinc-containing sustained preparation by adding a pharmaceutically acceptable additive as is necessary.
US07642229B2
A pharmaceutical composition and a product which includes an acryloyl distamycin derivative, an antimicrotubule agent and/or an antimetabolite useful in the treatment of tumors.
US07642220B2
2-(Substituted phenyl)-6-amino-5-alkoxy, thioalkoxy and aminoalkyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid and its derivatives are potent herbicides demonstrating broad spectrum of weed control.
US07642218B2
An optical recording medium, comprises a substrate, an imaging composition disposed on said substrate, said compound comprising: a matrix, a color-forming agent, and a nucleating agent. The nucleating agent increases the nucleation density of at least one component of the color-forming agent.
US07642211B2
An AZS type fused cast refractory product presenting the following chemical composition, as a percentage by weight: ZrO2: 15.5% to 22%; SiO2: 10.5% to 15%; Na2O+K2O+Li2O: 1.0% to 2.5%; impurities: <1%. Application to glass furnaces, in particular to the superstructures and crowns thereof.
US07642210B2
A zirconia porous body with excellent stability of heat resistance is manufactured. This relates to a zirconia porous body having peaks at pore diameters of 8 to 20 nm and 30 to 100 nm in a pore distribution based on the BJH method, with a total pore volume of 0.4 cc/g or more, and to a zirconia porous body having a peak at a pore diameters of 20 to 110 nm in a pore distribution based on the BJH method, with a total pore volume of 0.4 cc/g or more.
US07642208B2
A composite polymeric material is provided that may be used to construct an abrasion resistant layer or sheet such as an abrasion resistant meltblown layer. Desirably, the composite polymeric material comprises blends of syndiotactic and isotactic polypropylene with ferroelectric materials. The composite polymeric material is particularly useful for constructing a filter media comprising an abrasion resistant fine fiber layer such as a nonwoven layer. The composite polymeric material of the present invention also allows for electret treatment to improve its filtration characteristics.
US07642205B2
A method that is performed for heat treating a semiconductor wafer in a process chamber, as an intermediate part of an overall multi-step technique for processing the wafer, includes applying an energy transfer layer to at least a portion of the wafer, and exposing the wafer to an energy source in the process chamber in a way which subjects the wafer to a thermal profile such that the energy transfer layer influences at least one part of the thermal profile. The thermal profile has at least a first elevated temperature event. The method further includes, in time relation to the thermal profile, removing the energy transfer layer in the process chamber at least sufficiently for subjecting the wafer to a subsequent step. An associated intermediate condition of the wafer is described.
US07642191B2
A method of forming a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes providing a substrate and forming a mask layer on the substrate, Next, dielectric isolations are formed in the mask layer and the substrate, wherein the dielectric isolations extend above the substrate. Then, the mask layer is removed to expose a portion of the substrate, and a dielectric layer is formed on the exposed portion of the substrate. Subsequently, a first conductive layer is formed on the dielectric layer, and a portion of the dielectric isolation is removed, wherein a top surface of the remaining dielectric isolation is lower than a top surface of the first conductive layer. Moreover, a conformal layer is formed over the substrate, and a second conductive layer is formed on the conformal layer.
US07642190B2
A method of forming a thin insulating layer in an MRAM device makes it possible to effectively prevent the insulating layer from being locally thinned, creating a short circuit or other defect. The method includes forming lower patterns for the MRAM device on a semiconductor substrate. An insulating layer for covering the lower patterns is formed. Portions of the insulating layer which are substantially thicker relative to other portions of the insulating layer are selectively dry etched using a photoresist mask. The insulating layer is planarized a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process so that the insulating layer remains at a thickness larger than a target thickness. The surface of the planarized insulating layer is plasma dry etched or wet etched such that the insulating layer is reduced to the target thickness.
US07642186B2
A metal line of semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. An interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate including a lower line. A via hole is formed in the ILD layer, and a diffusion barrier layer is formed on the ILD layer where the via hole is formed. A copper seed layer and a copper plating layer are repeatedly formed and etched until the hole is completely filled.
US07642183B2
A high power, high luminous flux light emitting diode (LED) comprises a substrate, a light-emitting structure, a first electrode and a second electrode. The LED has a top surface layout design in which the first electrode has a number of legs extending in one direction, and the second electrode has a number of legs extending in the opposite direction. At least portions of the legs of the first electrode are interspersed with and spaced apart from portions of the legs of the second electrode. This provides a configuration that enhances current spreading along the length of the legs of both electrodes.
US07642179B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor substrate includes a growing step of growing a second single crystalline semiconductor on a first single crystalline semiconductor, a blocking layer forming step of forming a blocking layer on the second single crystalline semiconductor, and a relaxing step of generating crystal defects at a portion deeper than the blocking layer to relax a stress acting on the second single crystalline semiconductor. The blocking layer includes, e.g., a porous layer, and prevents the crystal defects at the portion deeper than the blocking layer from propagating to the surface of the second single crystalline semiconductor.
US07642172B2
A semiconductor device can include a semiconductor substrate, a first trench formed in the semiconductor substrate, a second trench formed in the semiconductor substrate, a first device isolation layer formed in the first trench, a second device isolation layer formed in the second trench having a different structure than the first device isolation layer.
US07642171B2
A method of annealing a substrate comprising a trench containing a dielectric material, the method including annealing the substrate at a first temperature of about 200° C. to about 800° C. in a first atmosphere comprising an oxygen containing gas, and annealing the substrate at a second temperature of about 800° C. to about 1400° C. in a second atmosphere lacking oxygen. In addition, a method of annealing a substrate comprising a trench containing a dielectric material, the method including annealing the substrate at a first temperature of about 400° C. to about 800° C. in the presence of an oxygen containing gas, purging the oxygen containing gas away from the substrate, and raising the substrate to a second temperature from about 900° C. to about 1100° C. to further anneal the substrate in an atmosphere that lacks oxygen.
US07642168B1
A system and method are disclosed for providing a self aligned bipolar transistor using a sacrificial polysilicon external base. An active region of a transistor is formed and a sacrificial polysilicon external base is formed above the active region of the transistor and covered with a silicon oxide layer. Then an emitter window is etched and filled with silicon nitride. An etch procedure is subsequently performed to remove the sacrificial polysilicon external base. A layer of doped polysilicon material is then deposited to fill a cavity within the transistor formed by the removal of the sacrificial polysilicon external base. A polysilicon emitter structure is subsequently formed in the emitter window. The self aligned bipolar transistor architecture of the invention is compatible with BiCMOS technology.
US07642162B2
A semiconductor device has plural columnar gate electrodes for plural MOSFETs formed in a row separately on a semiconductor substrate, and a semiconductor region which is formed in a part between the neighboring two columnar gate electrodes of the plural columnar gate electrodes to form a channel of the MOSFETs.
US07642155B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: sequentially depositing a gate insulating film 104 composed of a high dielectric constant film containing one or more metallic element(s) selected from a group consisting of Hf, Zr, Al, La and Ta, a barrier film 106 composed of one or more metal nitride selected from a group consisting of TiN, TaN and WN, a metallic film 108 and a polycrystalline silicon film 110 on the semiconductor substrate (p-type semiconductor substrate 102a) to form a multiple-layered film; and silicidizing a lower portion of the polycrystalline silicon film 110 to form a lower layer (forming a first silicide layer 110a) by conducting a heat treatment of the multiple-layered film to diffuse the metal of the metallic film 108 into the polycrystalline silicon film 110.
US07642148B2
A semiconductor substrate includes a first transistor area having a first gate electrode and first source/drain areas, a second transistor area having a second gate electrode and second source/drain areas, and an interface area provided at an interface of the first transistor area and the second transistor area and having a third gate electrode. A first stress film is on the first gate electrode and the first source/drain areas of the first transistor area and at least a portion of the third gate electrode of the interface area. A second stress film is on the second gate electrode and the second source/drain areas of the second transistor area and not overlapping the first stress film on the third gate electrode of the interface area or overlapping at least a portion of the first stress film. The second stress film overlapping at least the portion of the first stress film is thinner than the second stress film in the second transistor area. Related methods are also described.
US07642146B2
The present invention facilitates semiconductor fabrication by providing methods of fabrication that selectively form high-k dielectric layers within NMOS regions. An I/O dielectric layer is formed in core and I/O regions of a semiconductor device (506). The I/O dielectric layer is removed (508) from the core region of the device. A core dielectric layer is formed in the core region (510). A barrier layer is deposited and patterned to expose the NMOS devices of the core region (512). The core dielectric layer is removed from the core NMOS devices (514). A high-k dielectric layer is formed (514) over the core and I/O regions. Then, the high-k dielectric layer is removed (512) from PMOS regions/devices of the core region and the NMOS and PMOS regions/devices of the I/O region.
US07642145B2
There is a problem in that when the demand accuracy with respect to a semiconductor pattern dimension comes close to a resist molecule size with miniaturization, the device performance is deteriorated due to edge roughness of a resist pattern to exert a bad influence on the system performance. The present invention overcomes the problem by the procedure in which super-molecules which are small in dimension as compared with the conventional polymers are used as main components, the reaction number required for the change of molecule solubility is made constant and as large as possible, and an acid generator is made clathrate or combinatory n super molecules to make an acid catalyst concentration large. As a result, it is possible to form a pattern of molecular accuracy with high productivity even with respect to the pattern dimension less than 50 nm, thereby realizing the high performance system.
US07642135B2
A thermal mechanical process for bonding a flip chip die to a substrate. The flip chip die includes a plurality of copper pillar bumps, each copper pillar bump of the plurality of copper pillar bumps having a copper portion attached to the die and a bonding cap attached to the copper portion. The process includes positioning the die on the substrate such that the bonding cap of each copper pillar bump of the plurality of copper pillar bumps contacts a corresponding respective one of a plurality of bonding pads on the substrate, and thermosonically bonding the die to the substrate.
US07642134B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device is provided to manufacture an increased number of semiconductor devices per single substrate such as, e.g., a wafer while obviating damages like those caused by conventional dicing method. The manufacturing method comprises steps of performing a first etching process to etch a separation area on a front surface of a substrate, arranging a supporter on a back surface of the first substrate to prevent semiconductor devices from coming apart, coating with a thin film a non-etching area including a sidewall of the etched separation area and excluding a bottom of the etched separation area on the front surface of the first substrate, and performing a second etching process to etch the first substrate from the front surface through an area not coated by the thin film to divide the substrate into multiple semiconductor devices.
US07642132B2
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional package and a method of making the same. The method comprises: (a) providing a semiconductor body; (b) forming at least one blind hole in the semiconductor body; (c) forming an isolation layer on the side wall of the blind hole; (d) forming a conductive layer on the isolation layer; (e) patterning the conductive layer; (f) removing a part of the lower surface of the semiconductor body and a part of the isolation layer, so as to expose a part of the conductive layer; (g) forming a solder on the lower end of the conductive layer; (h) stacking a plurality of the semiconductor bodies, and performing a reflow process; and (i) cutting the stacked semiconductor bodies, so as to form a plurality of three-dimensional packages. As such, the lower end of the conductive layer and the solder thereon are “inserted” into the space formed by the conductive layer of the lower semiconductor body, so as to enhance the joining between the conductive layer and the solder, and effectively reduce the overall height of the three-dimensional packages after joining.
US07642123B2
A thermally insulated memory device includes a memory cell, the memory cell having electrodes with a via extending therebetween, a thermal insulator within the via and defining a void extending between the electrode surfaces. A memory material, such as a phase change material, is within the void and electrically couples the electrodes to create a memory material element. The thermal insulator helps to reduce the power required to operate the memory material element. An electrode may contact the outer surface of a plug to accommodate any imperfections, such as the void-type imperfections, at the plug surface. Methods for making the device and accommodating plug surface imperfections are also disclosed.
US07642120B2
Provided is a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor and a manufacturing method thereof. In the method, a photodiode, an interlayer insulating layer, a color filter layer, and a planarizing layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. A photoresist is applied on the planarizing layer. The photoresist is selectively patterned to form a plurality of photoresist patterns. A surface of each photoresist is hardened. The hardened photoresist patterns are reflowed to form microlenses.
US07642118B2
A method of fabricating an image sensor includes forming a first SiO2 layer on a color filter layer, patterning a photosensitive layer on first SiO2 layer, patterning the first SiO2 layer through a first etching process, forming a second SiO2 layer on the first SiO2 layer, and forming a micro-lens by etching the second SiO2 layer.
US07642117B2
Embodiments relate to a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. According to embodiments, the CMOS image sensor may include a semiconductor substrate, an interlayer insulating layer, a color filter layer, an overcoat layer, and a plurality of microlenses. The semiconductor substrate may include a plurality of photodiodes and transistors with a constant interval. The color filter layer may be formed on the interlayer insulating layer, and respective color filters of the color filter layer correspond to respective photodiodes. The overcoat layer may have rounded trenches at a portion corresponding to each photodiode and may be formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate. Each of the plurality of microlenses may have a convex lens shape and is formed inside the trench.
US07642108B2
A photonic crystal light emitting diode (“PXLED”) is provided. The PXLED includes a periodic structure, such as a lattice of holes, formed in the semiconductor layers of an LED. The parameters of the periodic structure are such that the energy of the photons, emitted by the PXLED, lies close to a band edge of the band structure of the periodic structure. Metal electrode layers have a strong influence on the efficiency of the PXLEDs. Also, PXLEDs formed from GaN have a low surface recombination velocity and hence a high efficiency. The PXLEDs are formed with novel fabrication techniques, such as the epitaxial lateral overgrowth technique over a patterned masking layer, yielding semiconductor layers with low defect density. Inverting the PXLED to expose the pattern of the masking layer or using the Talbot effect to create an aligned second patterned masking layer allows the formation of PXLEDs with low defect density.
US07642107B2
A pixel with a photosensor and a transfer transistor having a split transfer gate. A first section of the transfer gate is connectable to a first voltage source while a second section of the transfer gate is connectable to a second voltage source. Thus, during a charge integration period of a photosensor, the two sections of the transfer gate may be oppositely biased to decrease dark current while controlling blooming of electrons within and out of the pixel cell. During charge transfer the two gate sections may be commonly connected to a positive voltage sufficient to transfer charge from the photosensor to a floating diffusion region.
US07642100B2
A semiconductor processing method includes processing a first substrate while detecting at least one first processing parameter value in a first apparatus. The first processing parameter is analyzed, thereby yielding at least one first predicted parameter value. The first predicted parameter value is compared with a first pre-defined parameter value, thereby yielding at least one first comparison result. A first recipe is applied corresponding to the first comparison result for processing a second substrate in the first apparatus.
US07642099B2
A manufacturing method for a ferroelectric memory device includes: forming a ferroelectric capacitor on a substrate, the ferroelectric capacitor including a lower electrode, a ferroelectric film, and an upper electrode; forming a first hydrogen barrier film that covers the ferroelectric capacitor by a chemical vapor deposition method; forming a dielectric film on the first hydrogen barrier film; forming a sidewall composed of the dielectric film on a side of the ferroelectric capacitor by etching back the dielectric film; forming a second hydrogen barrier film on the first hydrogen barrier film and the sidewall by a chemical vapor deposition method; and forming an interlayer dielectric film on the second hydrogen barrier film.
US07642096B2
A calorimeter is provided for measuring a quantity of heat. The calorimeter has a liquid constrained so as to allow expansion of the liquid solely in one dimension along a single axis such that liquid expansion may be measured on the basis of light impinging along the single axis of liquid expansion by means of a non-contact displacement transducer. Interferometric optical means for remote measurement of multiple microcalorimeters permits parallel monitoring of multiple chemical reactions and the performance of parallel biochemical assays.
US07642094B2
Provided is a method of measuring a biodegradation rate of a non-natural organic compound in the presence of a biodegradation medium, characterized by including: measuring a concentration of a radioactive carbon isotope 14C in a biodegradation medium; and measuring a biodegradation rate of a non-natural organic compound from a difference between the concentration of 14C in the biodegradation medium and a concentration of 14C in modern carbon. Further, a metal such as iron in the medium can be used as an internal standard. According to the method, a biodegradation rate of a non-natural organic compound can be measured safely, simply, rapidly, and accurately without providing any special measures against radiation.
US07642093B2
An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to the axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.
US07642089B2
Removal of abundant proteins from a sample enhances detection and resolution of less abundant proteins in the sample such as in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The removal is accomplished by immunosubtraction of several high abundance, interfering or contaminating proteins simultaneously.
US07642088B2
Device for susceptibility testing of bacterial pathogens and vaccine strains in poultry with a microtiter plate comprising a plurality of wells and at least one well with a coating containing an antibiotic of a marker of a vaccine strain for the vaccination of poultry.
US07642083B2
A bioengineered synthesis scheme for the production of quinic acid from a carbon source is provided. Methods of producing quinic acid from a carbon source based on the synthesis scheme as well as conversion of quinic acid to hydroquinone are also provided.
US07642078B2
The invention provides compositions comprising one or more isoforms of an erythropoietin (EPO) comprising glycans linked thereto, characterized in that said glycans comprise LewisX structures and on average at least 6 sialic acid moieties per EPO molecule. The invention further provides methods for obtaining a composition comprising one or more isoforms of an erythropoietin (EPO) comprising glycans linked thereto wherein said glycans comprise on average at least 6 sialic acids per EPO molecule and from 0 to 2 Lewis x structures, said method comprising: a) providing a eukaryotic cell containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding an adenoviral E1A protein in expressible format and further containing a nucleic acid encoding an EPO in expressible format, wherein said cell further contains a nucleic acid sequence encoding a sialyltransferase, preferably an alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase or an alpha-2,3-sialyltransferase, under control of a heterologous promoter; b) culturing said cell in a serum-free culture medium and allow expression of an EPO in said cell; c) harvesting the expressed EPO from said cell and/or from the culture medium; and d) purifying and fractionating the EPO to obtain fractions which have an increased average sialic acid content of the N-linked glycans per EPO molecule, to obtain a composition comprising one or more iso forms of an EPO comprising glycans linked thereto wherein said glycans comprise on average at least 6 sialic acids per EPO molecule and from 0 to 2 Lewis x structures.
US07642058B2
The invention relates to a method of characterizing interaction between two species in a liquid environment, wherein a liquid comprising said at least one species is passed as a flow through a measurement system, and wherein the interaction takes place within said measurement system. The method comprises generating a concentration gradient of at least a first one of said species or of at least one other species having an influence on the interaction or on interacted components. The flow of liquid is passed through a sensor device, and a result of interaction between said at least two species is detected. The flow of liquid is intersected at least once with a further liquid before the flow is passed through said sensor, so as to create at least two separated liquid segments having different concentrations of at least one of said species forming the concentration gradient.
US07642054B2
Described is a novel family of cell surface serpentine transmembrane antigens. Two of the proteins in this family are exclusively or predominantly expressed in the prostate, as well as in prostate cancer, and thus members of this family have been termed “STRAP” Serpentine TRansmembrane Antigens of the Prostate). Four particular human STRAPs are described and characterized herein. The human STRAPs exhibit a high degree of structural conservation among them but show no significant structural homology to any known human proteins. The prototype member of the STRAP family, STRAP-1, appears to be a type IIIa membrane protein expressed predominantly in prostate cells in normal human tissues. Structurally, STRAP-1 is a 339 amino acid protein characterized by a molecular topology of six transmembrane domains and Intracellular N- and C-termini, suggesting that It folds In a “serpentine” manner Into three extracellular and two intracellular loops. STRAP-1 protein expression is maintained at high levels across various stages of prostate cancer. Moreover, STRAP-1 is highly over-expressed In certain other human cancers.
US07642053B2
A DNA-Chip includes a flat carrier and an array of spots containing probe molecules (oligonucleotides) which are arranged on said carrier. Each spot is associated with a microelectrode arrangement for impedance spectroscopic detection of binding events occurring between the probe molecules and target molecules (DNA fragments) applied by way of an analyte solution. In order to increase the sensitivity or the binding specific measuring effects of the biochip, the electrode arrangement is at least partially embedded in a hydrophilic reaction layer containing probe molecules and which is permeable to target molecules.
US07642052B2
Methods for cardiovascular disease assessment in an individual comprise detecting the presence or absence of a fragment encoding a polymorphic alpha-2C (α2C DEL322-325) adrenergic receptor in a sample from an individual; and detecting the presence or absence of a fragment encoding a polymorphic beta-1 adrenergic receptor (β1Arg389) in a sample from the individual. Methods for delaying development of cardiovascular disease in an individual, methods for delaying progression or early death associated with cardiovascular disease in an individual, methods of genetic counseling for cardiovascular disease in an individual are also provided.
US07642051B2
The invention is directed to the induction of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization via the physical and functional interaction of the HIV-1 Vpr protein with the mitochondrial inner membrane protein ANT (adenine nucleotide translocator, also called adenine nucleotide translocase or ADP/ATP carrier). Reagents and methods for inducing and/or inhibiting the binding of Vpr to ANT, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, and apoptosis are provided.
US07642032B2
A toner including a binder resin; and a colorant, wherein a hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP)-soluble component satisfies the following relationship: 2,000 ≦Mn ≦7,000 and 1.5 ≦Mn/Mw ≦10 wherein Mn represents a number-average molecular weight and Mw represents a weight-average molecular weight.
US07642013B2
A medical device includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for providing power to the medical device. The lithium-ion battery includes a positive electrode including a current collector, a first active material, and a second active material. The lithium-ion battery also includes a negative electrode including a current collector, a third active material, and a quantity of lithium in electrical contact with the current collector of the negative electrode. The second active material exhibits charging and discharging capacity below a corrosion potential of the current collector of the negative electrode and above a decomposition potential of the first active material.
US07642012B2
A separator for a battery in lithium. The separator is a thick membrane, of around 60 to 120 μm in polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer, which has considerable porosity, of around 50 to 90%, with pores of size between 1 and 10 μm. With these characteristics, it is possible to optimize the operation of a battery with an electrode in, e.g., Li4Ti5O12, in particular for rapid charges and discharges, in other words in power applications.
US07642010B2
A liquid low concentration sodium-containing silicate solution as electrolyte for lead-acid storage batteries and its applications, is prepared by mixing a silica gel containing 40˜60 wt % SiO2, the weight units of such a silica gel are 5˜15; add 15-25 weight units water and stir until the concentration of the mixture is 0.65˜0.85 0Be′ measured by a Baum densimeter, adjusting the pH value of this mixture to 1-4 using inorganic acid and magnetizing the mixture under 1000-6000 Gauss magnetic field for 5-10 minutes, stir the magnetized mixture until the viscosity of the mixture is less than 0.02 poise and finally obtain a liquid low concentration sodium-containing silicate solution. The electrolyte can be used as electrolyte or activation solution for common or special lead-acid storage batteries.
US07642005B2
A battery pack includes a case having an inner space, a plurality of battery cells placed inside the case, and at least one spacer placed between the battery cells. A space is formed around a supporting portion of the spacer for the battery cells so as to allow heat generated by the battery cells to flow out of the case. The spacer supports the battery cells by line contact therewith. The spacer body is formed in the shape of an H beam or in the shape of a staircase.
US07642004B2
A holder for cooling battery modules that that maintains a temperature difference between plural battery modules below a specific value, reduces the number of module support parts, and ensures improvement of assembly performance and reduction of manufacturing cost by supplying cooling air to pass by the battery modules mounted in a hybrid vehicle and the like.
US07642000B2
An electrode for a fuel cell, and a membrane-electrode assembly and a fuel cell system that include the electrode are disclosed. An electrode for a fuel cell that includes an electrode substrate, a first channel formed in the electrode substrate, a first hydrophilic interface formed on an inner surface on one side of the first channel which guides liquids, and a first hydrophobic interface formed facing the first hydrophilic interface which guides gases, makes it possible for water obtained as a side product at the cathode to be separated from air without additional devices, so that it has a potential for utilization not only in portable electronic devices but also in low-capacity power source devices.
US07641997B2
An ion conducting membrane has a matrix including an ordered array of hollow channels and a nanocrystalline electrolyte contained within at least some or all of the channels. The channels have opposed open ends, and a channel width of 1000 nanometers or less, preferably 60 nanometers or less, and most preferably 10 nanometers or less. The channels may be aligned perpendicular to the matrix surface, and the length of the channels may be 10 nanometers to 1000 micrometers. The electrolyte has grain sizes of 100 nanometers or less, and preferably grain sizes of 1 to 50 nanometers. The electrolyte may include grains with a part of the grain boundaries aligned with inner walls of the channels to form a straight oriented grain-wall interface or the electrolyte may be a single crystal. In one form, the electrolyte conducts oxygen ions, the matrix is silica, and the electrolyte is yttrium doped zirconia.
US07641995B2
Please substitute the following version of the Abstract, with changes shown by strikethrough (for deletions) or underlining (for added matter). The heat exchanger (I) is provided for a heating system with integrated fuel cells (Z) for the production of electricity and with an additional burner (B). Electrical and thermal energy (E, Q) can be produced in this heating system from a gaseous fuel or from a fuel brought into the gas form by means of the fuel cells, and/or thermal energy (Q) can be produced by means of the additional burner. One part of the thermal energy present in the form of hot exhaust gases can be transferred in the heat exchanger to a liquid heat transfer medium, in particular water or an oil. The heat transfer medium is provided for heat transport for the purpose of room heating and/or process water heating. The heat exchanger forms a compact unit which is also made of a material of good thermal conductivity. Two separate passages (12, 13) are arranged in the heat exchanger inside a double-walled jacket (10). The jacket has a structured inner space (11) which forms a communicating vessel. Due to the structuring the heat transfer medium flows through at least a predominant part of the inner space.
US07641990B2
Non-magnetic powder of particles for non-magnetic lower layer applications is provided that enables a multilayer coating type magnetic recording medium having good surface smoothness to be obtained. The particles are iron compound particles having a long axis with a standard geometrical deviation, as obtained from a transmission electron microscope image, that is greater than 1.5, and a short axis with a standard geometrical deviation, as obtained from a TEM image, that is greater than 1.35. The iron compound particles may be hematite or iron oxyhydroxide.
US07641987B2
An organic electroluminescent device comprising: a pair of electrodes; and at least one organic compound layer between the pair of electrodes, the at least one organic compound layer including a light emitting layer, wherein the light emitting layer contains at least one host material and at least one luminescent material, and the host material is a compound represented by the formula (I) as defined herein.
US07641983B2
Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and methods of making the devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical device includes a composite having a metallic matrix and a plurality of particles in the matrix, the particles and the matrix having different compositions.
US07641977B2
Nonconjugated conductive polymers, which are all polymers that have a ratio of double bonds to total bonds of less than ½ are doped or used to produce compositions with unexpected characteristics in this invention. A light emitting structure can be produced by coating a quartz or glass substrate with a high work function metal which has a nonconjugated conductive polymer film on the metal and a low work function metal deposited on the nonconjugated polymer. The electrical conductivity of nonconjugated polymers can be greatly increased by doping the polymer with a dopant. The mechanical and elastomeric properties of a nonconjugated polymer can be changed by doping the polymer. The electro-optic effect and the refractive index of a nonconjugated conductive polymer can be greatly changed by doping the polymer. Among the nonconjugated polymers are styrene-butadiene-rubber (SBR), poly(β-pinene) and cis-1-4 polyisoprene. The enhancement of the nonlinear optical effect is due to the special charge-transfer complex structure and formation of nano-optical domains. Among the doping materials are electron acceptors such as iodine and antimony pentachloride. A heated mixture of iodine and sulfur produces a faster rate of vulcanization of rubber than using sulfur alone. A method of controlling insect breeding is provided which involves exposing the insects to tires that have been vulcanized using iodine.
US07641972B2
The invention relates to surface-modified nanoparticles composed of metal or semimetal oxides or hydroxides and having been reacted on their surface with a modifier, with formation of covalent bonds. The modifier is a polysiloxane. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the nanoparticles, to their use as fillers in coating materials, plastics, foams and nail varnishes, and to dispersions which comprise the nanoparticles.
US07641970B2
A low temperature sinterable dielectric ceramic composition is obtained by bending 2.5-20 parts by weight of a glass component per 100 parts by weight of an aggregate of dielectric particles which are composed of Ti-containing dielectric material and contain an oxide including Ti and Zn in the surface portions. A low temperature sintered dielectric ceramic is produced by sintering this low temperature sinterable dielectric ceramic composition at 880 to 1000° C. With this low temperature sinterable dielectric ceramic composition, there can be obtained a multiplayer electronic component having an internal conductor composed of Ag, Cu or an alloy containing at least one of them.
US07641967B2
A heat resistant masking tape, comprising (1) a heat resistant backing film layer; and (2) a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the heat resistant backing film layer, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer comprises a polymer resulting from polymerizing and cross-linking a monomer mixture comprising an alkyl (meth)acrylate with an alkyl group having 4 to 15 carbon atoms, glycidyl (meth)acrylate and (meth)acrylic acid, the glycidyl (meth)acrylate being present in an amount of 2 to 13% by weight of the total weight of monomers and the (meth)acrylic acid being present in an amount of 1 to 7% by weight of the total weight of monomers.
US07641966B2
A curable re-release adhesive which, when subjected to a curing reaction caused by irradiation with radiation, shows a sufficient drop of adhesion and causes the adherend to be warped to a minimized extent as developed by the shrinkage force caused by the curing reaction. The re-release adhesive contains a radiation-reactive polymer including a main chain and a plurality of intramolecular side chains, each such side chain having a terminal carbon-carbon double bond, a chain length of 6 or more in terms of number of atoms, and the same or a different number of atoms as each other side chain in the polymer. The release adhesive shows a shrinkage force of 30 MPa or less as developed by a curing reaction upon irradiation. A re-release adhesive sheet is also disclosed, including a substrate film and an adhesive layer containing the re-release adhesive, provided on one surface thereof.
US07641963B2
A panel, in particular floor panel, having a support board made of glued and compressed fiber material to which a termination layer is applied in each case on a top side and an underside, and the termination layer of the top side has a structured surface, and to a process for producing such a panel or such a support board. The object of the invention is to provide a panel or a support board comprising binders and fillers and also a process for producing the same, by means of which surface-structured panels can be produced more quickly and cost-effectively. This object is achieved in that the density on the top side of the support board is lower than the density of the support board on the underside.
US07641962B2
Rigid, non-woven fibre panels that are used as privacy screens, partitioning, room dividers or as workstation surrounds, for example, are described. The panels are strong and may be self supporting, have good acoustic properties, and preferably have a substantially smooth surface. They are made from a single, substantially homogeneous, layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibres, of which a substantial proportion may be of recycled PET. The panels are generally produced by mixing PET fibres into a web, which is then carded, cross-lapped, needle punched, calendered and thermally bonded, preferably using a heated roller.
US07641952B2
A self-adhesive laminate with an emissivity of no greater than about 0.40 made of a sheet layer having first and second outer surfaces, the sheet layer comprising at least one layer selected from the group consisting of nonwoven fabrics, woven fabrics, nonwoven fabric-film laminates, woven fabric-film laminates, films, paper-film laminates, and composites thereof with at least one multi-layer coating on said first outer surface of the sheet layer, said multi-layer coating comprising a first metal coating layer adjacent the first outer surface of the sheet layer; and an outer organic coating layer of a composition containing a material selected from the group consisting of organic polymers, organic oligomers, compounds, and combinations thereof, deposited on the metal layer; and with an adhesive layer coating the second outer surface of the sheet layer and wherein the sheet layer coated with said multilayer coating is creped.
US07641949B2
A composite overwrapped pressure vessel is provided which includes a composite overwrapping material including fibers disposed in a resin matrix. At least first and second kinds of fibers are used. These fibers typically have characteristics of high strength and high toughness to provide impact resistance with increased pressure handling capability and low weight. The fibers are applied to form a pressure vessel using wrapping or winding techniques with winding angles varied for specific performance characteristics. The fibers of different kinds are dispersed in a single layer of winding or wound in distinct separate layers. Layers of fabric comprised of such fibers are interspersed between windings for added strength or impact resistance. The weight percentages of the high toughness and high strength materials are varied to provide specified impact resistance characteristics. The resin matrix is formed with prepregnated fibers or through wet winding. The vessels are formed with or without liners.
US07641948B2
An in-mold transfer film is formed to satisfy the conditions of F2>F1, F3>F2, F3>F1, and F3>F1+F4+F5, where F1 is an adhesive force at an interface between a base and a mold-release layer, F2 is an adhesive force at an interface between the mold-release layer and a printed ink layer, F3 is an adhesive force at an interface between the printed ink layer and a transferred object, F4 is a cohesive force of the mold-release layer, and F5 is a cohesive force of the printed ink layer.
US07641947B2
In one aspect of the present system and method, an inkjet recording medium includes a photobase layer, a layer of inorganic oxide dispensed on a first side of the photobase layer, and a layer of ink vehicle absorbing layer formed on a second side of the photobase layer.
US07641940B1
Thermoplastic surface modification is achieved with photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide, tungsten oxide and mixtures thereof. A uniform coating of a powdered photocatalyst is applied to a thermoplastic surface that is wetted with an organic solvent. The coating is in a range between approximately 1.5 mg/cm2 to approximately 2.5 mg/cm2. After the uniform coating of photocatalyst is dried, the thermoplastic surface is heated to a temperature above its softening temperature, usually in a range between approximately 80° C. to approximately 130° C.; then, a mild pressure is applied to imbed the photocatalyst into the surface of the thermoplastic sheet. The method of modification is inexpensive, long-lasting and non-detrimental to the thermoplastic surface. A surface is provided with improved aesthetic appearance, extended lifetime and sustained protection from undesirable growth of nuisance organisms, such as algae, fungus, bacteria, mold, mildew and the like.
US07641937B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing CuInSe2 and CuIn1XGa,Se2 thin films used as an absorption layer for a solar cell such that they have a structure near to chemical equivalence ratio. The present invention provides a process for producing a thin film for a solar cell, comprising forming an InSe thin film on a substrate by Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition using a [Me2In-(μSeMe)]2 precursor; forming a Cu2Se thin film on the InSe thin film by Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition using a (hfac)Cu(DMB) precursor, and forming a CuInSe2 thin film on the Cu2Se thin film by Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition using a [Me2In-(μSeMe)]2 precursor. Further, the process may further comprise forming a CuIn1,Ga,Se2 thin film on the CuInSe2 thin film by Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition using a [Me2Ga-(μSeMe)]2 precursor.
US07641933B2
A single layer capacitive device including a portion of pre-fired ceramic material and one or more terminations is formed with manufacturing steps that are easily modified to customize size and other aspects of such devices. The single layer devices may be utilized by themselves or selectively combined with MLCs to form integrated capacitor assemblies yielding many desirable performance characteristics in a monolithic assembly. An exemplary integrated capacitor assembly advantageously provides customized frequency response and capacitance in limited real estate. Predictable and generally constant or “flat” impedance versus frequency is afforded mainly by the properties of the single layer device, while higher capacitance is provided mainly from features of one or more associated MLCs. High structural integrity of exemplary integrated capacitor assemblies is achieved due to the disclosed attachment methods. Exemplary integrated capacitor assembly embodiments of the presently disclosed technology have been found to provide effective DC blocking from 20 kHz to 40 GHz.
US07641932B2
Production of a phosphate mixture for brines used in the food industry, which comprises a) 60 to 85 weight % of a clear soluble potassiumtripolyphosphate (KTPP) with a P2O5 content of 46.0 weight % to 47.0 weight % and a K2O/P2O5 mole ratio of 1.7 to 1.78, b) 15 to 39 weight % sodiumpolyphosphate, c) 1 to 5 weigth % MxH3-xPO4, with M=Na, K and x=1,2,3 and/or MxH4-xP2O7, in which M=Na and x=2,3,4 and when M=K then x=4; wherein the phosphate mixture has a pH value of 8 to 10 and exhibits a turbidity in water and brines of <5 TE/F.
US07641929B2
A method of adjusting a sediment content of a drink by a centrifuge. The method includes the steps of feeding a starting product into a centrifugal drum, clarifying the starting product by a clarification process of sediment substances into a clear phase, a solids phase and a finely cloudy phase, and discharging the clear phase, the solids phase and the finely clouded phase from the centrifugal drum. Also disclosed is a centrifuge for adjusting a sediment content of a drink.
US07641927B2
A composition in the form of a chewing gum composition or a confectionery composition containing a stain removing complex of a stain removing agent and a cyclodextrin compound and methods of preparing and using the same to remove stains from dental material including teeth.
US07641923B1
A pharmacologically effective mixture of a polymyxin composition and a hop composition having a synergistic effect on bacteria greater than the antibacterial effect of those compositions administered separately.
US07641922B2
A process for preparing tanshintotalphenolic acid and the use of the product are disclosed. The process comprises: tanshin is hot-extracted with water, the extract is separated and refined by polyamide column and macroporous adsorption resin column, and lyophilized to obtain tanshintotalphenolic acid. The yield of the final end product is more than 4 percent based on the amount of crude drug and the content of totalphenolic acid is more than 80 percent. The tanshintotalphenolic acid obtained can be used as the medicine for preventing and treating cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases and so on.
US07641921B1
The composition and process for preparing an anti-anal fistula composition which comprises providing a predetermined effective amount of natural substances of the genera Safflower, Notoginseng Radix, Lightyellow Sophora, Elecampane Redix, Rumex, Pine Resin, Sassafras Tree, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Testudinis Carapax, Rhei Rhizoma, Ephedrae Herba, Natrii Sulfas, Menthae Herba, Pasoniae Radix, Acontii Tuber, Corni Fructus, Gypsum, and Pelladendri Radix in an aqueous medium to form an initial mixture, extracting the initial mixture with water at a temperature of about 65°-75° C. for 1-2 hours to produce an aqueous mixture, filtering the aqueous mixture to produce a filtrate, and evaporating the filtrate to a moisture content of 30% to produce an extract which can be used as a treatment for hemorrhoid diseases including anal fistula.
US07641916B2
A volume-adjustable device for the delivery of multiple medications to a subject, the device comprising multiple medication elements; an outer containment means having at least one open end into which the medication elements are removeably inserted; and a closure means removeably and adjustably inserted into at least one end of the outer containment means is disclosed.
US07641911B2
The present invention is directed to novel adjuvant compositions, which target the cellular and/or humoral arms of immunity. According to an embodiment of the invention, an oil-in-water adjuvant composition is provided that comprises: (a) water; (b) a metabolizable oil comprising at least one branched or unbranched long-chain hydrocarbon moiety; (c) a steroid; and (d) a saponin.
US07641904B2
The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies specific for interleukin-32 (IL-32, previously referred to as “natural killer cell transcript 4” or “NK4”) and hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies specific for IL-32. Also provided are diagnostic methods and kits (e.g., ELISA, Western blot, etc.) which utilize monoclonal antibodies specific for IL-32.
US07641902B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for detecting cancer (e.g., prostate cancer) and for inhibiting metastasis (e.g., associated with prostate cancer). In particular, the present invention provides methods of detecting vimentin expression and secretion and for characterizing cancer (e.g., prostate cancer). In addition, the present invention provides methods for inhibiting metastasis (e.g., of prostate cancer) via altering (e.g., inhibiting) vimentin expression and/or activity.
US07641900B2
The effect of the action of collagenase in treating lesions containing collagen or mixed fibrin clots (e.g., burns or ulcers) is improved by applying collagenase to the wound in combination with an organogel and a phosphatidylcholine, of which lecithin is a readily available source, particularly when the collagenase is first mixed and stored with that choline and an organic solvent and is subsequently mixed with a second individually stored formulation comprising a gel-forming agent and water, the two formulations individually having satisfactory shelf lives and the resultant mixture being applied to the lesion promptly after being formed.
US07641895B2
Peptide of a size comprised between 5 and 40 amino acids, originating from a cytokine, in which at least one of its amino acids comprises at least one of its atoms separated by a distance d of less than 5 angströms from an atom of the receptor corresponding to said cytokine, the spacing d being evaluated on the basis of structural data, derivatives, immunogenic compounds comprising them, use of a peptide or peptide derivative or immunogenic compound for the preparation of a curative or preventative medicament intended for the treatment or prevention of diseases linked to an excess or to the presence of cytokines or for the treatment of an auto-immune disease and pharmaceutical compositions which contain at least one abovementioned peptide or peptide derivative or immunogenic compound as active ingredient.
US07641887B2
The invention relates to the field of catalyst supports presenting a pore volume having an at least bimodal distribution, thus defining a main porosity and a secondary porosity, the main porosity being of an average size greater than the secondary porosity.
US07641874B2
Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) is used to remove hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from the biogas produced in an anaerobic digester. The cleaned biogas is then combusted in a reciprocating engine. The exhaust of the engine is passed through a heat exchanger and then through GAC in an adsorber to adsorb nitrogen oxides (NOx) and any sulfur oxides (SOx). The GACs containing NOx, H2S, and SOx, are transported to a microwave reactor, mixed, and exposed to microwave energy. The H2S and NOx are desorbed from the GAC and chemically combined to produce nitrogen, carbon dioxide, sulfur and water. Unreacted nitrogen oxides or hydrogen sulfide are transported to a second reactor containing carbon media to be reacted by a further microwave process. Sulfur is removed with a filter as a solid and the remaining inert components are vented to the atmosphere. The GAC is regenerated and reused to remove additional H2S and NOx.
US07641868B2
The present invention relates to a cell for generating sterilized water in which lead wires having cathode and anode are alternately wound on a body in the horizontal direction, the cell is disposed in plural in the vertical direction to the flow of water by a given distance so that a plasma reaction is generated between both lead wires wound on the cell in the linear direction along the lead wires thereby increasing reaction efficiency per surface area of the cell. The cell comprises a body of a square shape including a pair of vertical frames in which a plurality of first and second grooves having a different depth are alternately formed correspondingly to each other, wherein the body has a plurality of support frames disposed between a pair of vertical frames in a lattice shapes, anode and cathode electrode poles respectively inserted into the pair of the vertical frames, a first lead wire wound on the plurality of the first grooves with one side being brought into contact with the anode electrode pole, and a second lead wire wound on the plurality of the second grooves in parallel with the first lead wire with one side being brought into contact with the cathode electrode pole.
US07641866B2
In a multi-station reaction apparatus (1) comprising an annular heat transfer block (30) formed with a plurality of cavities (31) for receiving respective reaction vessels (36), the upper surface of the heat transfer block (30) has a central recess (32) around which the said plurality of cavities (31) are arrayed. The apparatus further comprises a removable cooling module (4), the central recess (32) of the heat transfer block (30) being shaped so as to accommodate the removable cooling module (4) and corresponding surfaces of the central recess (32) of the heat transfer block (30) and the cooling module (4) being shaped such that there is a stepped interface between them. The cooling module (4) comprises a metal block having channels therein through which coolant circulates when the cooling module (4) is in use. The apparatus further comprises refluxing means (5) which are positioned above the heat transfer block (30) and arrayed annularly around a central hole (52), whereby the cooling module (4) can be inserted or removed from the heat, transfer block (30) through the hole (52) without disturbance or removal of the said reaction vessels (36) or refluxing means (5). In an alternative embodiment, the cooling module may be annular with a central recess for receiving the heat transfer block.
US07641865B2
The invention provides apparatuses and techniques for controlling flow between a manifold and two or more connecting microchannels. Flow between plural connecting microchannels, that share a common manifold, can be made more uniform by the use of flow straighteners and distributors that equalize flow in connecting channels. Alternatively, flow can be made more uniform by sections of narrowed diameter within the channels. Methods of making apparatus and methods of conducting unit operations in connecting channels are also described.
US07641864B2
A connector for a pressure vessel includes a connector assembly having a first plurality of contacts, and a receiver assembly configured to be positioned within a receiver aperture formed in a closure of the pressure vessel and having a second plurality of contacts. The receiver assembly is configured to receive the connector assembly and place each of the first plurality of contacts in electrical contact with a corresponding one of the second plurality of contacts. A seal is provided between the connector assembly and the wall of the pressure vessel, for substantially sealing the receiver aperture from pressure within the vessel. The connector assembly is configured to be coupled to a product carrier, and sensors positioned in the vessel are coupled via the connector assembly to a data acquisition unit. When the closure is lowered onto the vessel, the receiver assembly contacts the connector assembly coupled to the carrier, closing the electrical contacts connecting the sensors to the acquisition unit.
US07641863B2
A nanoengineered membrane for controlling material transport (e.g., molecular transport) is disclosed. The membrane includes a substrate, a cover defining a material transport channel between the substrate and the cover, and a plurality of fibers positioned in the channel and connected to and extending away from a surface of the substrate. The fibers are aligned perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, and have a width of 100 nanometers or less. The diffusion limits for material transport are controlled by the separation of the fibers. In one embodiment, chemical derivatization of carbon fibers may be undertaken to further affect the diffusion limits or affect selective permeability or facilitated transport. For example, a coating can be applied to at least a portion of the fibers. In another embodiment, individually addressable carbon nanofibers can be integrated with the membrane to provide an electrical driving force for material transport.
US07641845B2
A method for manufacturing a foil decorated molding includes steps of: providing an injection molding device, the injection molding device comprising a male mold and a female mold, the male mold having a projecting part, the female mold defining a cavity; transporting the foil into the injection molding device and between the male and female molds; locking the foil to the female mold to form an airproof space together with the cavity of the female; vacuuming the airproof space to suck the foil toward the female mold; clamping the male and female molds to form a molding space; inputting thermal medium into the molding space to press the foil to cling to an inner surface of the cavity of the female mold; injecting molten resin into the molding space; and cooling and opening the injection molding device, the molten resin cooled forming a molding.
US07641834B2
An intermediate product for the manufacture of a hollow fiber-composite component having a shape and dimensions, includes a three-dimensional, hollow preform of reinforcing fiber material corresponding to the shape and the dimensions with a three-dimensional reinforcing fiber structure which is formed from at least one planar, single- or multi-layer blank of two-dimensional, web-like reinforcing fiber material matching the dimensions, and a closable total cross-sectional profile with at least two hollow chambers located adjacent to each other and separated from each other by a rib-like partition. The partition is formed by an overlap region of the at least one blank which is stitched in two dimensions by a compacting seam which fixes the shape and dimensions of the rib-like partition as well as its position relative to adjacent regions of the blank and prefixes, precompacts and reinforces the reinforcing fiber material in the region of the partition. In addition, a method for the manufacture of a hollow fiber-composite component by means of such an intermediate product.
US07641822B2
A method of producing a master information carrier by scanning a track a number of times. The method produces a master information carrier has a pattern of a magnetic layer representing information to be transferred to a high-density recording slave medium where the track width is not larger than 0.3 μm. The pattern is drawn by scanning a given track a plurality of times with an electron beam whose drawing diameter is smaller than the track width.
US07641821B2
The invention provides a process of manufacturing an optical waveguide for optically connecting a plurality of optical devices, comprising the steps of: disposing a resin composition between two or more optical devices, the resin composition comprising a resin and a 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative, forming an optical path through the resin composition between the optical devices by light having a wavelength capable of inducing a structural change in the 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative, and removing the 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative from the resulting resin composition. Also disclosed is a connection structure obtained by the process.
US07641820B2
A nano compound. The nano compound includes a metal or oxide thereof and an organic compound capable of oxidation and reduction bonded to the metal or oxide thereof. The invention also provides an organic memory device including the nano compound.
US07641811B2
A thermal conducting mixture is provided which is used to make thermal conducting formulations such as a paste having a high thermal conductivity and a relatively low viscosity. The paste is used to provide a thermal conductor connection between an electronic component and a cooling device to increase the heat transfer rate between the component and the device cooling the electronic component. The formulation contains the mixture of thermally conductive particles in various particle size ranges typically dispersed in a non-aqueous dielectric carrier containing an antioxidant and a dispersant with the thermally conductive particles mixture being specially correlated in the mixture by volume % based on particle size range and by particle size ratio of each particle size range. The mixture may be used to make other similar products such as thermal gels, adhesives, slurries and composites, for electronic and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and like products.
US07641810B2
Disclosed is a non-flammable refrigerant composition consisting of pentafluoroethane in an amount from 62-70% based on the weight of the composition selected from 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, or a mixture thereof in an amount from 26 to 36% by weight based on the weight of the composition and mixture of dimethyether and n-butane in an amount of from 1-4% by weight based on the weight of the composition. Optionally, the composition may include at least one lubricant, at least one additive or combinations thereof.
US07641805B2
A solids collector for collecting solids in waste water that are heavier than water includes a roto-molded plastic container having a cylindrical sidewall and a downwardly sloping bottom. An inlet and outlet are connected to the sidewall substantially above the sloping bottom so that solids that are heavier than water in the waste water coming into the container through the inlet have residence time in the container long enough to gravitationally separate towards the bottom. Waste water depleted of solids that are heavier than water discharge from the container through the outlet.
US07641792B2
A circulation system for bodies of water. In one set of embodiments for larger bodies of water, modified horizontal plate designs are provided at the entrance of the draft hose. The plate designs have sections that pivot downwardly as the flotation platform and depending draft hose are rapidly raised in high wave conditions to let the water escape downwardly out of the hose. Adaptations to the floats for the elongated arms of the platform are also made to essentially eliminate the creation of any damaging torques on them from high waves. Another set of embodiments are particularly adapted for smaller systems in municipal water tanks for thorough mixing of the water and treatment to kill undesirable ammonia oxidizing bacteria and prevent or at least inhibit their return.
US07641791B2
A control system comprising a timer based controller and a valve wherein the timer-based controller has a fixed period and the timer based controller regularly cycles the valve between a first condition and a second condition with the first portion of the cycle directing a first flow of water through a dispensable material and the remaining portion of the cycle directing a lesser flow of water through the dispensable material.
US07641783B2
A stable FePt plating solution is provided. Further, a process for electroplating is provided for producing an FePt magnetic material having an especially strong coercive force and excellent properties by using the plating solution. The plating solution contains ionic Fe, ionic Pt, and a complex agent, at a molar ratio (Fe/Pt) of the ionic Fe to the ionic Pt ranging from 0.75 to 3.
US07641780B2
The invention provides a microfluidic apparatus for performing 2-D biomolecular separations. The microfluidic 2-D device may include first and second planar substrates which include at least a first dimension microchannel extending in a first direction and an array of second dimension microchannels extending in a second direction, preferably, orthogonal to the first dimension. The ends of at least some of the microchannels are in fluid communication with a plurality of reservoirs. The substrates may further include a number of microchannels and reservoirs. The reservoirs are in electrical communication with a plurality of electrodes and voltage power sources. The device enables two dimensional separations of proteins, DNA and other biomolecules. According to another aspect of the invention, an array of tertiary microchannels extending in a third direction may be utilized.
US07641776B2
A system and method increase yield from semiconductor wafer electroplating. The aspects include a semiconductor wafer, the semiconductor wafer comprising a plurality of die areas. A plating ring for holding the semiconductor wafer in position during electroplating is also included, the plating ring substantially surrounding a circumference of the semiconductor wafer and having a width that varies in order to avoid overlap near edge die areas of the semiconductor wafer.
US07641774B2
A perpendicular magnetic recording medium is manufactured having excellent thermal stability and recording performances across the entire disk surface. In one embodiment, the recording layer includes at least two layers deposited by using a reactive sputtering method under an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a deposition rate larger than the second recording layer which is formed on the first recording layer while depositing the first recording layer on the intermediate layer.
US07641763B2
An apparatus and a method for removing a coating film capable of stable treatment for removing unnecessary coating film at a substrate edge are provided. A substrate is clamped by approach stages from front and rear directions on a chuck, and fixed when accurate registration thereof is achieved. Then, the substrate edge is moved back and forth together with the chuck and the approach stage, so that the edge of the substrate is introduced in a space between an upper piece and a lower piece of a fixed arm portion. While the substrate is being moved, a solvent is fed from a nozzle portion onto a surface thereof and a purge gas is fed through a purge gas feeding pipe, so as to remove the coating film from the surface of the substrate by sucking and discharging the solvent and dissolved coating film through a discharge pipe.
US07641758B2
The present invention is a method for seaming a polyimide material. The method involves forming an interface between multiple the polyimide materials. Next, heat is applied to the interface to soften the polyimide material. The temperature of the heat source is below the melting point of the polyimide material. Finally, pressure is applied to the interface to create a seam between the polyimide materials.
US07641754B1
A reinforcing ring loading and confining apparatus is provide for a hole punching and sheet material reinforcing device and includes a reinforcer loader receptacle that accommodates a plurality of annular reinforcing rings. The reinforcer loader has a body portion with a floor and a cylindrical reinforcer guide, open at the top and bottom, projecting up from the floor. A removable bottom panel is mounted to the body portion beneath the floor in alignment with the cylindrical guide. The reinforcer loader is inserted into the reinforcer loader receptacle support so that the loaded stack of reinforcing rings are positioned upon the removable bottom panel directly beneath the punching ram. The punching ram is forced downwardly through the stack of reinforcing rings and has an enlarged punching tip that passes through the central apertures in the reinforcing rings. When retracted, the punching tip lifts the stack of reinforcing rings back upwardly, thereby transferring them onto the punching ram shank. The stack of reinforcing rings is thereby loaded. The removable bottom panel is removed and the reinforcing rings are thereafter applied to a sheet of material while concurrently punching holes in the sheet of material.
US07641751B2
When a sidewall portion is formed with a white line or character having different color from that of a main body rubber, a rubber ribbon is wound along a circumferential direction of the tire a plurality of times, a black sidewall rubber provided with a concave groove extending in the circumferential direction of the tire is formed in a region where the white line or character is to be formed, an integrally extruded white rubber extrudate is fitted into the concave groove, the white rubber extrudate is covered with a black rubber sheet, the rubber sheet is partially cut down to expose the white rubber extrudate.
US07641750B2
A process for fixing several textile thicknesses along a line, and particularly an edge of a textile article, of the type by which two stitched sewing threads are used, namely the lower and the upper is provided. One of the threads changes state at a first predetermined temperature. A glue for thermogluing the thicknesses is provided. The glue acts at a second predetermined temperature. The state changing thread melts at a first temperature that is lower than the second temperature. The other thread is eliminated after the state changing thread has melted. This results in a perfectly placed seamless assembly.
US07641749B2
A method and machine for labelling a succession of containers, whereby each container is identified to assign to the container one of a number of possible types, and the container is then fed along a labelling path through a number of labelling stations, each of which applies respective labels to containers falling within a respective category, and is activated to apply the label to the container if the container falls within the respective category.
US07641747B2
A rolling member excellent in pitting strength, spalling strength and bending strength of dedendum has a first quench hardened layer 1 which is formed on a surface layer of the rolling member and has a parent phase taking the form of martensite phase which forms a solid solution with carbon of 0.35 to 0.8 wt %, and a second quench hardened layer 2 which is formed at a deeper layer under the first quench hardened layer and has a parent phase containing at least either one of martensite phase or bainite phase which forms a solid solution with carbon of 0.07 to 0.3 wt % and contains cementite dispersed therein in a content of 2 to 20% by volume.
US07641737B2
The present invention relates to an evaporation source for evaporating an organic electroluminescent layer. In particular, the present invention relates to the evaporation source preventing an aperture, through which a vaporized evaporation material is emitted, from being clogged by restricting heat transfer to outward. The evaporation source according to the present invention includes a cell retaining an evaporation material therein; a cell cap installed on the upper part of the cell and having a cell cap aperture for emitting a vaporized evaporation material; an external wall placed in the outside of the cell to support a heating means set up at the outside of the cell; a cover placed above the cell cap, fixed to the upper end of the external wall, and having a cover aperture corresponding to the cell cap aperture; and a shut-off plate placed between the cover and the cell cap and having a shut-off plate aperture corresponding to the cell cap aperture and the cover aperture in the center of the shut-off plate.
US07641734B2
A method of growing silicon single crystals with a [110] crystallographic axis orientation by the Czochralski method is provided according to which a silicon seed crystal doped with a high concentration of boron is used and an included angle of a conical part during shoulder section formation is maintained within a specified range. It is thereby possible to grow large-diameter and heavy-weight dislocation-free silicon single crystals with a diameter of 300 mm or more in a stable manner, without the fear of dropping the single crystal during pulling up. Therefore, the method can be properly utilized in producing silicon single crystals as semiconductor materials.
US07641729B1
A ball clay powder having a moisture content of less than 5% and at least about 25% of indigenous silica, said powder comprising a blend of at least two natural ball clays, wherein one of the ball clays is naturally silica rich and has at least about 40% indigenous silica.
US07641724B2
Dye mixtures comprising at least one dye of formula (I) together with at least one dye of formula (II) wherein the radicals are as defined in the claim, are suitable for dyeing or printing cellulosic fiber materials, while having a good build-up behavior, and yield dyeings of a deep shade having good fastness properties.
US07641723B2
An ink jet recording ink is provided which does not have a problem concerning curling of a recording medium containing cellulose, and can deal with high-definition image recording while maintaining good response at a high level during ejection at a high drive frequency and good startup properties. The ink contains at least water, a colorant, a compound represented by the following general formula (I) accounting for 8 to 40% by mass of the total mass of the ink, and a water-soluble substance accounting for 5 to 30% by mass of the total mass of the ink, the ratio (A/B) of mass (A) of the compound represented by general formula (I) and mass (B) of the water-soluble substance is in a range of 1/3 to 7/1.General formula (I)
US07641720B2
The invention concerns a flow turning vane assembly for use in a duct bend portion of a clean air duct of an air induction system for a vehicle engine. The flow turning vane assembly may have a vane support housing, and a hydrocarbon adsorbent vane mounted to the vane support housing. The hydrocarbon adsorbent vane has a curved shape complimentary to the duct bend portion and includes a hydrocarbon adsorbent layer.
US07641718B2
The electrostatic precipitator (1) includes the housing (8) having the air duct (7) for communicating between the inlet (4) for sucking the contaminated air (3) and the outlet (6) for discharging the cleaned air (5), the air flow generator (10) generating the air flow (9) in the air duct (7), the collecting section (14) having a plurality of adsorption plates (13) rotating in accordance with the adsorption shaft (11), and the discharge section (24) equipped with the charging plate (20) having the discharge surface (21) opposing the adsorption surface (12) of the adsorption plate (13) and a plurality of the discharge electrodes (19) provided at the edge (22) of the charging plate (20) opposite the suction inlet. The fine particles (2) contained in the contaminated air (3) are charged by the corona discharge (CD) generated from the pointed ends (23) of the discharge electrodes (19) and collected by using the Coulomb force while varying the relative positional relationship between fine particles (2) and the adsorption surface (12) at all times by the rotating of the adsorption plate (13).
US07641715B2
The invention relates to a composite material, a method for controlling the thermal effects generated in a physicochemical process using said material, and applications of the material and the method.The composite material comprises an active solid and a phase change material. The phase change material takes the form of micronodules having an average size of between 1 micron and 5 millimeters and it is selected from materials with a liquid/solid phase change temperature of between −150° C. and 900° C. The active solid is selected from solids that can be used in a method involving reversible physicochemical processes that are exothermic in one direction and endothermic in the opposite direction.
US07641713B2
A method for reducing the chromium content from a metallurgical slag, in which the slag is charged onto an iron bath in the liquid state and the reduction of Cr is effected by the iron bath having a C content of 2 to 4% by weight, wherein a) the Cr-containing slag having a Cr content of 2 to 20% by weight is charged onto an iron bath having a C content of below 1% by weight, whereupon b) the carbon content of the iron bath is raised to about 2 to 4% by weight by the addition of carbon carriers at the simultaneous supply of energy, c) the liquid slag having a Cr content of about 0.1% by weight is tapped after the reduction of Cr, d) a cooling agent, preferably scrap, is added to the iron melt and the C content of the melt is lowered to below 1% by weight, and e) a portion of the Cr-containing melt is tapped in the liquid state, while the remaining portion is left in the converter in the liquid state for the treatment of the subsequent melt.
US07641712B2
Method and system for producing metallic nuggets includes providing reducible mixture (e.g., reducible micro-agglomerates; reducing material and reducible iron bearing material; reducible mixture including additives such as a fluxing agent; compacts, etc.) on at least a portion of a hearth material layer. In one embodiment, a plurality of channel openings extend at least partially through a layer of the reducible mixture to define a plurality of nugget forming reducible material regions. Such channel openings may be at least partially filled with nugget separation fill material (e.g., carbonaceous material). Thermally treating the layer of reducible mixture results in formation of one or more metallic iron nuggets. In other embodiments, various compositions of the reducible mixture and the formation of the reducible mixture provide one or more beneficial characteristics.
US07641711B2
Liquid metal is continuously recovered by condensing metal vapour in a sealed system, more or less at atmospheric pressure, and collecting liquid metal in a crucible. The contents of the crucible are agitated and the temperature is controlled to prevent the liquid metal from solidifying. Liquid metal and dross are tapped from the crucible.
US07641710B2
The present invention relates to cemented carbide for steel tire cord drawing operations. The cemented carbide comprises WC with an ultra fine grain size and greater than 5 and less than 10 wt-% Co, including grain growth inhibitors (V and/or Cr) and with a specific relation between HV30 and cobalt content.
US07641702B2
o-Aminophenol derivatives of the general formula (I) or physiologically compatible, water-soluble salts thereof, in which X is oxygen, sulfur or N—R4; R1, R2, R3 may be identical or different and, independently of one another, are hydrogen, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a C1-C4-alkoxy group, a C1-C6-alkyl group, a C1-C4-alkyl thioether group, a mercapto group, a nitro group, a trifluoromethane group, a —C(O)H group, a —C(O)CH3 group, a —C(O)CF3 group, an —Si(CH3)3 group, a C1-C4-hydroxyalkyl group or an aminomethyl group; R4 is hydrogen, a C1-C6-alkyl group, a C1-C4-hydroxy-alkyl group, a phenyl group or an acetyl group; and colorants containing said compounds for keratin fibers.
US07641700B2
There is provided a joint device for an artificial leg, which makes it possible to dramatically achieve reduction of the weight of a power source and an increase in duration of the same, as well as facilitates knee bending/stretching motion, toe-up motion, and kicking motion. The joint device has an above-knee member and an under-knee member spaced from each other. Three expansible links are connected between the above-knee member and the under-knee member, for accumulating energy generated by the weight of a user's body acting on the artificial leg, and operating by releasing the accumulated energy to actuate the under-knee member into joint motion.
US07641695B2
A modular endoprosthetic radial head implant includes an end cap secured to a cannulated body held to bone by a fixation element. The fixation element supports the cannulated body on a resected radial bone end, for example. The fixation element of one embodiment features a threaded stem with a spherical head. The stem fits distally into the cannulated body and extends through a hole formed by the distal end of the cannulated body. The spherical head nests inside the cannulated body. Polyaxial alignment between the cannulated body and the fixation element is locked using a jam nut tightened inside the cannulated body. An end cap fits into place proximally on the cannulated body. The end cap is formed of a joint surface material to provide a bearing surface.
US07641693B2
An intervertebral implant having a lower implant part and an upper implant part. The lower implant part has an outer casing, a hollow cylindrical cavity, an axis of rotation, and an apposition part for contacting the lower vertebra. The upper implant part has an essentially circularly cylindrical shaft, which has an external thread, for extending into the cavity of the lower implant part, an axis of rotation, and an apposition part for contacting the upper vertebra. The two implant parts may be secured to prevent rotation about their axis of rotation. The implant also includes a ring with an internal thread, disposed between the two implant parts and interacts with the external thread of the upper implant part. Rotating the ring permits the distance between the two apposition parts to be adjusted. The ring may be axially fixed but rotatively movably with the lower implant part.
US07641684B2
A catheter system and method are described for stenting a vessel at a bifurcation or sidebranch of the vessel. The catheter system includes a first balloon catheter, a second balloon catheter and a releasable linking device for holding the first and second balloon catheters arranged in a side-by-side configuration and aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis. The linking device allows the catheter system to be advanced as a unit and helps prevent premature or inadvertent dislodgement of the stent from the catheters, yet is releasable so that one or both of the balloon catheters can be released from the linking device and maneuvered separately from the rest of the catheter system when desired. The method utilizes the described catheter system for stenting bifurcated vessels using a modified “kissing balloons” technique.
US07641683B2
A stent-graft having an exo-skeleton attached to a tubular graft, the tubular graft having a peripheral wall defining a lumen therein extending between first and second ends. The exo-skeleton may assume contracted and enlarged conditions, and includes one or more serpentine elements, each extending both peripherally and axially along at least a portion of the peripheral wall. Coiled-sheet stents are provided on the ends of the tubular graft for anchoring the ends within a body passage. Each serpentine element is a zigzag structure extending peripherally about the peripheral wall, with a plurality of serpentine elements distributed axially along the peripheral wall. The serpentine elements are individually attached to the peripheral wall and/or connector elements may extend between adjacent serpentine elements. Alternatively, each serpentine element may define a generally sinusoidal shape extending axially along the peripheral wall. The tubular graft may have a bifurcated end from which a tubular graft extension segment may extend and to which a docking limb may be attached. A plurality of serpentine elements may also be attached to the extension segment and the docking limb.
US07641681B2
A low profile, implantable prosthesis includes (a) a tubular graft including opposed open ends and having yarns in a textile pattern to define a textile wall having a luminal surface and an exterior surface; and (b) a tubular, radially extensible member including a portion arranged in a closed zig-zag pattern, the pattern having a series of angled bends at proximal and distal ends thereof, and longitudinally extending members having opposed proximal and distal ends, the distal ends being disposed from the angled bends of the proximal end; the longitudinally extending members having a plurality of detents for securing the yarns within the textile pattern at one of the opposed open ends, wherein the yarns of the textile patterns are securably disposed to the detents. The detents may be holes, inwardly extending notches, outwardly extending protuberances, or combinations thereof in the longitudinally extending members. The textile pattern of the graft may be a braided textile pattern, a woven textile pattern, a knitted textile pattern, and combinations thereof. Desirably, the zigzag portion of the radially extensible member is disposed beyond the open end of the graft. The radially extensible member may be a stent or may be an anchoring device for securing the prosthesis against the wall of a bodily lumen.
US07641679B2
Improved systems, devices, and methods for delivering cryogenic cooling fluid to cryosurgical probes such as cryosurgical endovascular balloon catheters take advantage of the transients during the initiation and termination of cryogenic fluid flow to moderate the treatment temperatures of tissues engaged by the probe. A flow limiting element along a cryogenic fluid path intermittently interrupts the flow of cooling fluid, often cycling both the fluid flow and treatment temperature. This can maintain the tissue treatment temperature within a predetermined range which is above the treatment temperature provided by a steady flow of cryogenic fluid. In another aspect, room temperature single-use cooling fluid cartridges are filled with a sufficient quantity of cryosurgical fluid to effect a desired endovascular cryosurgical treatment.
US07641677B2
A bone fragment wire connects a bone fragment to an anchor bone for a healing duration. The bone fragment wire has a distal bone penetration section which is advanced into the bone and a proximal bone exterior section. The proximal bone exterior section is longer than the bone penetration section, and thus extends substantially out of the bone during healing of the bone. The bone penetration section includes a distal bone anchor section which threadingly engages the anchor bone, and a proximal fragment section of small diameter. The fragment section fits within the overbore created by advancing the bone anchor section through the bone fragment, and thus extends through but does not positively engage the bone fragment. A compression engagement on a distal end of the bone exterior section provides a compression shoulder. In one embodiment the compression engagement is provided by a threaded compression nut, while in another embodiment the compression engagement is permanently affixed to the bone wire. The shoulder makes substantial contact with an exterior surface of the bone fragment, biasing the bone fragment toward the anchor bone with a controlled compression force. The compression engagement is further adapted, such as through thread form and/or with a sloped proximal side, to enable the bone wire to be more easily removed from the healed fracture without damaging surrounding tissue.
US07641676B2
An implant for use in bone fixation, includes combination of the two materials: metal and plastic. The implant defines several passages with axles (3) running through the implant, which are suitable for receiving a bone fixation device, such as a bone screw. The passages are provided with a peripheral perimeter, which is made of a different materiel than the material of the implant surrounding the perimeter. The implant is, on the one hand, not too rigid and, on the other hand, does not present problems as regards the screw-implant interface.
US07641672B2
A suture anchor includes a placement portion frangably connected to an attachment portion. The attachment portion includes an outwardly projecting barb. During insertion of the suture anchor within a bore hole formed on a bone, the barb scores at least a portion of the bone bounding the bore hole. Once the suture anchor is disposed within the bore hole, a withdrawal force is applied to the suture anchor such that the attachment portion thereof rotates within the bore hole and disconnects from the placement portion. In an alternative embodiment, the suture anchor can be formed without the outwardly projecting barb.
US07641655B2
The present invention provides improved coupling arrangements for medical instruments. In one example, a coupling system for a medical dissection tool includes: an internal passage adapted for receiving a portion of a medical dissection tool; and at least one locking member movable through a first angled path into a locked position to prevent the medical dissection tool from moving along a longitudinal axis of the internal passage.
US07641652B2
Devices and methods for ligating and coagulating tissue are provided. In one embodiment, a device is provided having an end effector that is adapted to access tissue to be treated at a surgical site and has the capability to both ligate and coagulate the targeted tissue. The end effector can include at least one ligation band that is removably disposed in a delivery configuration on a portion of the end effector and is adapted to be configured in a tissue-engaging configuration upon release from the end effector. The end effector can also include a pair of spaced electrodes disposed adjacent to each other on a tissue contacting portion of the end effector.
US07641651B2
An electrocautery device comprises first and second continuous loop electrode structures. The electrodes are typically coupled together at one end, permitting the electrodes to be introduced anteriorly and posteriorly over a uterine body. The electrodes may be clamped together, and radiofrequency energy may be delivered through the clamped electrodes to sever and cauterize blood vessels, tubular structures, and ligaments which connect the uterine body to surrounding tissue structures. The mobilized uterine body may then be removed by conventional hysterectomy.
US07641643B2
Methods, devices, kits and compositions to treat a myocardial infarction. In one embodiment, the method includes the prevention of remodeling of the infarct zone of the ventricle. In other embodiments, the method includes the introduction of structurally reinforcing agents. In other embodiments, agents are introduced into a ventricle to increase compliance of the ventricle. In an alternative embodiment, the prevention of remodeling includes the prevention of thinning of the ventricular infarct zone. In another embodiment, the prevention of remodeling and thinning of the infarct zone involves the cross-linking of collagen and prevention of collagen slipping. In other embodiments, the structurally reinforcing agent may be accompanied by other therapeutic agents. These agents may include but are not limited to pro-fibroblastic and angiogenic agents.
US07641642B2
An absorbent article 1 having a liquid retentive absorbent layer and a liquid impermeable leak preventive layer and including, in its longitudinal direction, an excretion portion facing section A which is placed opposite a wearer's liquid excretion portion, when in wear, and a rear section B which is placed more on the back side than the excretion portion facing section A, when in wear, wherein a leak preventive wall 5 is disposed on opposite side portions in the longitudinal direction, the leak preventive wall 5 having a basal wall portion and a planar elastic expansible/contractible portion connected to an upper end portion of the basal wall portion and being raised in the excretion portion facing section A and in the rear section B, and wherein a distance from an upper end portion of the basal wall portion to the leak preventive layer in the rear section is shorter than a comparable distance in the excretion portion facing section A.
US07641640B2
A medical vacuum aspiration device includes an aspiration cylinder and a valve. The valve includes a removable fluid conduit, a valve housing having at least first and second housing portions, means for removably attaching the first housing portion to the second housing portion, and an actuator. The removable fluid conduit has a first end for attaching to a cannula and a second end for attaching to the aspiration cylinder. The first and second housing portions may define a cavity for removably holding at least a portion of the fluid conduit. The actuator is coupled to the valve housing and selectively compresses a portion of the fluid conduit to open and close a fluid path defined by the fluid conduit.
US07641637B2
A controlled volume injection/aspiration device includes a syringe having a body for containing a medicament, a needle and a piston slidably disposed within the body. A shell is provided for receiving the syringe body and a plunger rack is disposed within the shell. A manually operated control is disposed in an operative relationship with the plunger rack for moving the plunger rack in a stepwise forward direction causing the piston to eject discrete doses of medication from the syringe body through the needle. The manual operated control is also operative for moving the piston in a stepwise reverse direction causing the piston to aspirate fluid into the syringe body through the needle.
US07641623B2
A system for compression therapy comprises a patient-support apparatus and a compression sleeve assembly that is coupleable to the patient-support apparatus. In some embodiments, the patient-support apparatus comprises a hospital bed; and in other embodiments, the patient-support apparatus comprises a mattress for a bed. The compression sleeve assembly comprises a sleeve that couples to a patient's limb and that inflates to promote blood flow. The compression sleeve assembly also comprises a conduit and a compression module that is operable to inflate the sleeve through the conduit. The conduit may be routed, at least in part, through the associated patient-support apparatus. The compression module may be situated, at least in part, in a cavity of the associated patient-support apparatus. A compression module that couples to an architectural structure, such as a headwall unit, is also disclosed.
US07641616B2
A system and method for monitoring blood pressure of a wearer has an inflatable arm cuff that is selectably inflatable to differing air pressures that incorporates a fabric having both a light transmission property and a light reflection property when the fabric is illuminated with light having wavelength(s) in the range from about 400 to about 2200 nanometers. A radiation source and a detector are attached to the fabric in relative positions such that the reception of incident radiation by the detector is directly affected by a change in the amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric as the fabric stretches in response to motion in the body of a wearer due to changes in the flow of blood through an artery disposed beneath the fabric occurring in consonance with variations in the air pressure within the inflatable cuff.
US07641608B1
A cardiac support device formed from a plurality of compliant sections individually delivered and deployed at positions around the heart and interconnected to one another.
US07641601B2
The present invention is a martial arts training device. The present invention comprises a post member supported within a cylindrical shape base member that is firmly implanted below ground level. The post member extends vertically upward from the base member to a predetermined height above ground level. A ball target member is releasably connected to a swivel joint connector. A rope is used to releasably tether the swivel joint connector to a cap firmly affixed to the top end of the post member. The loop design of the rope also reduces long term fraying. When hitting and kicking the ball target member, the swivel joint connector allows free rotation of the ball target member thereby preventing rope encumberment. The increased mass and free spinning nature of the swivel joint connector increases inertia, reduces sporadic behavior, and increases stability in the ball target member.
US07641593B2
A is provided for constructing a jump pit with a sand area. The form is constructed in sections. Each section has an inside wall and an outside wall. A support member is located between the outside wall and the inside wall. The sections are secured together onsite. Caps are mounted on the support members. The caps include an inclined surface which slops upwardly and away from the sand area forming the inclined surface. A cover over the sand area is supported by the inclined surface. Optionally, a chamber is located adjacent the outside wall. A grate covers the chamber and the grate is supported by a brace. A mat covers the grate. Openings in the grate and in the mat permit sand through them, thrown from the sand area to drop into the chamber.
US07641592B2
A computer-implemented method and/or computer program product for developing a physical fitness regimen, including establishing individualized physical fitness parameters based upon individualized information; obtaining physical fitness data from one or more computer database sources; developing a physical fitness regimen based upon the individualized information and the physical fitness data.
US07641588B2
A continuously variable transmission control system is disclosed. The control system has a first operator input device to receive operator input and produce a corresponding first signal indicative of a selected one of a plurality of available predetermined discrete machine travel speed ranges. The control system also has a second operator input device to receive operator input and produce a corresponding second signal indicative of desired machine travel. The control system also has a power source operatively coupled to drive a continuously-variable transmission, and a controller configured to regulate at least one of an output of the power source and an output of the continuously variable transmission in response to the first and second signals such that an actual machine travel speed remains within the selected one of the plurality of predetermined discrete machine travel speed ranges.
US07641587B2
A control system and method for adaptively controlling transmission ratio shifting in an electronically controlled transmission. A refueling event is detected. After the detected refueling event, fuel consumption is monitored for a predetermined period during which a change in composition of fuel to the engine reaches or approaches a steady state. During the period, the rate of adapting transmission shift controls is modified to respond quicker to the change in shift characteristics induced by differences in torque produced by the engine. Implementing this method can improve transmission shift quality while the quality of fuel reaching an engine is in transition.
US07641586B2
A motor vehicle automatic gearbox, with infinitely-variable ratio, may be operated in a constant speed mode, or in an acceleration mode in which the motor revolution speed is increased or reduced in steps.
US07641583B2
A first aspect of the present invention is concerned with a series hybrid drive train for a vehicle comprising a traction motor, an electric generator, a three-position clutch (20) and a controller. The three-position clutch allows the generator to be connected to an internal combustion engine (12) of the vehicle, to the traction motor or to remain freewheeling. In a second aspect of the present invention, a four-position clutch is used to further allow the internal combustion engine to be connected directly to the wheels to thereby yield a series/parallel drive train. A third aspect of the present invention is concerned with a method of operating such a hybrid drive train.
US07641582B2
There is provided a control system for a powertrain system including an electro-mechanical transmission that is selectively operative in a plurality of fixed gear modes and continuously variable modes. The control system is adapted to identify preferred operating conditions for operating the powertrain in a fixed gear operating range state. The method comprises determining a range of permissible input torques and motor torques input from a first electrical machine to the transmission, and determining a plurality of motor torques input from a second electrical machines based thereupon. Costs are determined, based upon the engine inputs and the motor torques for the first and second electrical machines determined thereupon. A preferred input torque input and a preferred motor torque input is identified based upon the determined costs.
US07641575B2
The check valve unit of a hydraulic tensioner comprises a check ball, a ball guide and a disc-shaped retainer. The retainer is fixed to the high pressure oil chamber side of the ball guide by crimping an annular portion of the ball guide over the outer edge of the retainer so that substantially all of an annular circumferential portion of the high pressure chamber side of the retainer is held underneath the crimped portion of the ball guide. The crimped portion of the ball guide forms a recess for receiving and positioning a plunger-biasing spring. A ball seat is similarly secured to the inflow side of the ball guide by crimping.
US07641574B2
The present invention relates to a method of playing basketball and in particular to a method comprising providing a rectangular region defining a game play surface; providing a goal defined by a hoop located over each the in paint region; and scoring points during game play as follows: a player standing, within the in paint region, and shooting a ball through the goal scores one point; the player standing, within region between the in paint region and the three-point line, and shooting the ball through the goal scores two points; the player standing, within region between the three-point line and the four-point line, and shooting the ball through the goal scores three-points; and the player standing, within the four-point region, and shooting the ball through the goal scores four-points.
US07641570B2
A golf club head comprises a face portion whose front face forms a clubface having a clubface roll of a radius R, and the clubface is provided with a plurality of parallel grooves extending straight at an angle of not more than 10 degrees with respect to the toe-and-heel direction of the head so as to form at least one lateral zone between the parallel grooves, wherein the above-mentioned at least one lateral zone is provided with a convex curve of a radius (r) smaller than the radius R of the clubface roll.
US07641559B2
A tripod constant velocity universal joint including an outer joint member having axially extending track grooves formed at three circumferentially equispaced positions in the inner periphery. A tripod member having a trunnion barrel adapted to be fitted to a shaft for torque transmission and trunnion journals radially projecting from three circumferentially equispaced positions in the trunnion barrel. Rollers respectively attached to the trunnion journals for rotation through a plurality of needle rollers and received in the track grooves. Each roller is guided at its outer peripheral surface by roller guide surfaces formed in opposite lateral walls of the track groove. A skew angle of the needle rollers is controlled so that it is within a predetermined specified value.
US07641554B2
An improved external visual indicator such as a candle is provided for a gaming machine having lights such as LEDs which are programmable via a processor of the gaming machine. The reprogrammability of the illumination sequence and colors of the candle may provide for the promotion of bonusing and to aid in the servicing of gaming machines. Any assortment of colors of LEDs and combinations thereof may be provided and programmed via the processor of the gaming machine.
US07641540B2
A polishing pad includes at least a polishing layer and a cushion layer and is characterized in that the difference in hardness in Shore D hardness between the polishing layer and the cushion layer is 3 or more.
US07641539B2
A holder for releasably retaining an abrasive block includes a base having a bottom surface and a wall extending outward therefrom which together define a abrasive block receiving surface to friction fit receive the abrasive block, and a polyfoam handle connected to the base and which extends upward from a top surface of the base.
US07641535B2
An artificial eye for use in animated plush toys has a one-piece eyeball and lid that are integrally molded. The eye further includes a shaped member and a retaining post. A crossplate of the shaped member is preferably curved to correspond to the curvature of the eye, and is operative to animate a portion of plush contiguous to the eye. The portion of plush to be animated has an attached elongated flap which includes a forked free end wherein each branch of the forked end includes a hole. The elongated flap is inserted into the doll's body or head cavity, and each branch is tucked under the curved crossplate of the shaped member. The retaining post engages the holes near the ends of each branch, thereby fixedly retaining the flap to the eye. When the eye is rotated the plush portion also moves thereby simulating movement of an eyelid. A socket and eyelid plush extension assembly may be employed for receiving the plush at the eye members for securing the plush thereto facilitating movement of the plush with the eye assembly.
US07641533B2
A transparent cathode electrode technology for an electroluminescent display device having a top emission structure, provides a top emission type electroluminescent display device and a method to manufacture the same. Oxidation of a substrate film can be reduced or prevented during the film formation of a metal oxide. Electronic equipment including this display device is also provided. A first electrode, a function layer including a luminescent layer, and a transparent second electrode made of a metal oxide are laminated on the substrate in that order from the lower surface. At this time, the oxygen concentration in the second electrode is made to vary in the film thickness direction, and the oxygen concentration in the vicinity of the interface between the second electrode and the function layer is made lower than the average oxygen concentration in the second electrode.
US07641526B1
A floating marine vessel, an azimuthing thruster assembly, and an underwater mountable azimuthing thruster, having a movable and removable canister and a double mechanical seal and bearings enabling atmospheric pressure lubricating fluid to lubricate the thruster and seal assembly. The moveable and removable canister support the azimuthing thrusters with a propeller shaft axis oriented downwards at an angle 95 degrees to 110 degrees from a rotatable thruster input shaft axis, for reducing thrusts losses due to friction between the propeller wash and the bottom hull of the vessel and reduces thruster to thruster interference when multiple thrusters are operating on the same vessel.
US07641523B2
A power connector is provided which includes an insulating housing having a plurality of contact receiving passages, each of said plurality of contact receiving passages receives a contact pair having a pair of independent conductive contacts, each of said independent conductive contacts has a base portion and a contacting portion extending from said base portion, a retention portion extends from at least one of said independent conductive contacts to another one of said independent conductive contacts, and rests on said another one of said independent conductive contacts when said contacting portion deforms under force, so as to prevent said contacting portion of said conductive contact from over deforming under force, and ensure the stability of power transmission.
US07641511B2
An electrical jack cable assembly includes a jack cable connector and an adaptor coupling for attaching the connector to a support. The adaptor coupling has a face plate and a tray that extends to a rear wall. The connector body is retained in the tray behind the abutment wall so that the rear wall resists any movement of the connector body with respect to the adaptor coupling in the plug-in direction. The jack cable assembly is made by providing a jack cable connector providing an adaptor coupling having a tray that extends rearwardly to a rear wall and assembling the connector body to the tray by slanting the connector body and inserting the slanted connector body into the tray until it passes over the rear wall of the tray. The rear end of the connector body is then pushed down for retaining the connector body firmly and positively in the tray.
US07641508B2
A battery connector (1) comprises a dielectric housing (2) and a first conductive contact (4). The dielectric housing (2) comprises a cylindrical receiving cavity, a base (20), holding means (24) formed toward an upper section of the receiving cavity for engaging with the top face of the accommodated battery (5) to prevent the battery (5) from coming off, and a pair of spring strengtheners (22) extending upwardly from said base (20) for abutting a bottom face of the accommodated battery (5). The first conductive contact (4) comprises a first retaining section (40) secured in said dielectric housing (2) at a peripheral area of said base (20), a spring arm (42) inclining upwardly from said retaining section (40). The spring arm (42) extends between said pair of spring strengtheners (22), and the distal end of said spring arm (42) is free.
US07641492B2
A connector including: a first connector housing having a tube-shaped hood part; a second connector housing to be fitted to the first connector housing; and a groove part provided on the second connector housing, wherein a terminal receiving part of the second connector housing is positioned in the hood part so that the first and second connector housings are fitted to each other, wherein an end part of the hood part enters the groove part when the first and second connector housings are fitted to each other.
US07641489B1
The present invention discloses a safety plug socket, which mainly includes a sliding insulating base disposed within an outer housing. A pair of contact conducting strips is located on a bottom surface of the sliding insulating base, and conductive clips disposed internal of a pair of socket holes extend to the bottom portion of the outer housing and form folded strips. When a pair of plug terminals is correctly inserted, then the sliding insulating base is pressed down, thereby causing the lower contact conducting strips to make conductive contact with the folded strips, and causing clips on the conductive clips to make contact with the inserted plug terminals to supply power for use by an electronic product. When a plug is incorrectly inserted or metallic foreign body is inserted, then no electric conduction is realized.
US07641481B2
Disclosed is an interposer for accessing one or more signals from an Integrated Circuit (IC) package. The interposer is disposed between the IC package and a socket body. The interposer comprises a plurality of clearance holes and at least one connecting element. The plurality of clearance holes allows an array of contacts on a first surface of the socket body to pass through the interposer and make electrical contact with a first set of contacts of a plurality of contacts of the IC package. The at least one connecting element is configured to make electrical contact with a second set of contacts of the plurality of contacts of the IC package. The electrical contact between the at least one connecting element and the second set of contacts of the plurality of contacts of the IC package provides access to the one or more signals from the IC package.
US07641475B2
A pointing information extraction unit extracts pointing information indicating a pointing position and a pointing time on a slide from a slide file used in a lecture and a video file of a lecture video using a pointing device. A word information generation unit analyzes a text sentence extracted from the slide file to generate a word information file indicating a word and a position thereof. A word pointing information generation unit estimates a word closest to the pointing position on the slide to generate a word pointing information file with the pointing time assigned. A fill-in-the-blank word extraction unit extracts a word having a pointing time equal to or longer than a predetermined time from the word pointing information as a fill-in-the-blank word file. A fill-in-the-blank test question is generated by setting the fill-in-the-blank word of the slide information as a blank region.
US07641472B2
Force magnitudes and/or directions may be determined objectively using orthodontic brackets having an elastomeric member which allows one portion of the bracket to be resiliently moveable relative to at least on other portion of the bracket. In a preferred embodiment, the brackets include a lower base member, an upper bracket member, and an elastomeric layer interposed between the lower base and upper bracket members. The orthodontic bracket is advantageously employed as part of a system whereby the orthodontic bracket includes a force indicator which distorts in response to relative movement between the at least one and other portions of the bracket to provide an indication of force applied to the bracket. An optical detector may be provided to optically detect the indicator and issue an output signal indicative of the relative resilient movement between the lower base and upper bracket members. A processor receives the output signal from the optical detector to provide an indication of magnitude and/or direction of the force applied to the upper bracket member.
US07641466B2
A tablet press with a rotor, which is rotatably mounted in a stand of the tablet press and which has an upper punch accommodation for the upper punches and a lower punch accommodation for the lower punches of the tablet press, as well as a die plate with a series of die bores which are aligned with the upper and the lower punches, wherein the die plate consists of at least two ring segments which can be attached on the rotor by means of a fastening device, wherein clamping elements are arranged in axis parallel passages of the rotor spaced apart in the perimeter distance, which act against the ring segments from the bottom side and clamp against an abutment surface of the rotor, characterized in that at least one drive device for the clamping elements is arranged in the stand of the tablet press, with a coupling element adjustable in the height, which can be selectively set into engagement with the lower end of the clamping element.
US07641464B2
A system and method for centering a clay plug on a potter's wheel before rotation of the potter's wheel includes a rotatable adapter having a central axis aligned with the central axis of the potter's wheel, a rotatable toroidal disk bat whose central axis is aligned with central axis of the rotatable adapter, and a clay plug having a central axis aligned with the central axis of the rotatable toroidal disk bat.
US07641462B2
In a joining section there are columnar distribution pins, on whose periphery a groove is formed. A size of the groove is strictly determined. A first dope and a third dope are fed through the respective grooves such that a width of each dope is controlled. Thereafter, the surface and third dopes are joined with an second dope. Thus a multi-layer stream is obtained and cast through a die lip of a casting die for forming a casting film having a multi-layer structure. The casting film is dried and thus a multi-layer film is obtained.
US07641458B2
A system includes a mold having a receptacle. The mold is configured to form a body panel of a vehicle. Alternating inserts are each configured to be selectively retained by and released from the receptacle. Each respective alternating insert, when selectively retained by the receptacle, is configured to form a labeling region on a body panel formed in the mold. A method for forming a body panel of a vehicle includes providing a mold having a receptacle. A first insert is selectively retained within the receptacle, and a first body panel is formed in the mold to have a first labeling region provided by the first insert. The first insert is released from the receptacle and a second insert is selectively retained within the receptacle. A second body panel is formed in the mold to have a second labeling region provided by the second insert.
US07641455B2
Impulsive sound of an Oldham ring is reduced and a driving noise of a scroll compressor is prevented from increasing. When a width of the key of the Oldham ring made of iron-based material is defined as t and a width of the orbiting-side key groove in the back surface of the surface plate of the orbiting scroll made of aluminum-based material and a width of the fixed-side key groove of the main bearing member made of aluminum-based material on the side of a thrust surface are defines as s, a gap d generated at s−t with respect to a key pitch L of the Oldham ring I set in a range of (6×10−5)≦d/L≦(3.5×10−4). With this, even if the key of the Oldham ring vibrates in the key groove, a collision force against the key groove is weakened, impulsive sound of the Oldham ring becomes small, and a driving noise of the scroll compressor is can be reduced.
US07641452B2
A manually operated vacuum pump and refill device includes a body on top with a vacuum pump attached, and a lower portion of the body is arranged with an elastic adapter. The adapter has a central channel in communication with the body. The body includes an inlet in which a water supply is connected. A control valve is arranged on the water supply before it reaches to the body. The vacuum pump is further arranged with a check valve with respect to the body. The body is also arranged with a check valve securely positioned with a C-clip. The check valve is provided with a float moveably within a chamber thereof.
US07641447B2
The present invention relates to a support (20, 24, 26) for a stationary article surmounting a helicopter rotor (11), which support comprises a hollow structure presenting a longitudinal axis (25); the hollow structure comprises two hollow parts (20, 24) of elongate shape along said longitudinal axis that are designed to be engaged one in the other and to be mutually stressed in twisting along said common longitudinal axis.
US07641437B1
An apparatus and method for transferring sod slabs in an unrolled condition including a retractable bed for allowing a sod slab to fall under the influence of gravity from one sod bed to another sod bed with a further sod bed to allow a sod pickup mechanism to place and remove sod slabs thereon from different directions.
US07641431B2
A fastening device for a heat sink includes a one-piece shaft. The shaft includes a head at one end thereof, an engaging section at an opposite end thereof, a connecting section between the head and the engaging section, and a tray extending above the engaging section. A spring surrounds the connecting section between the head and the tray of the shaft. A gasket engages with the connecting section of the shaft and is retained between the spring and the tray of the shaft. In this way the shaft, the spring and the gasket are assembled. The gasket extends a downward, annular sidewall for engaging in the heat sink, by which the fastening device can be stably fixed to the heat sink. A back plate extends a nut toward the shaft for engaging with the engaging section of the shaft.
US07641429B2
The locking nut and bolt system utilizes a bolt with thread having a plurality of notches generally longitudinally spaced in a predetermined pattern. Each notch has a lock face and an opposing slope. The locking unit carries one or more tines. The tine has a distal tine end adapted to latch onto the lock face of the notch on the bolt and, when the distal tine end is not disposed in one or more notches, the tine end moves on the bolt thread crest. When the distal tine end is in the notch or notches, the lock face of the notch prevents counter-rotational movement of the bolt with respect to the nut when the distal tine end abuts the lock face. The locking unit supports the tine and may be cylindrical, rectangular or on a perpendicular support face normal to a radial plane through the axial centerline of the nut thread. The locking unit may be on a nut insert or may be carried on the leg of a U, J or S-shaped clip. The locking unit may be recessed as a blind hole.
US07641425B2
Adjustable holding systems may include a fixed or portable base with a base opening and clamp assembly. The base opening is defined by a back surface, two side surfaces, and a partial front surface. A guide assembly may be movable within the base opening when the clamp assembly is in a clamped position. The guide assembly is interlocked with the base and is securable within the base opening such that the guide assembly has infinite adjustability within the base opening. The clamp assembly may include a spring operatively coupled to the clamp follower to accommodate variations in workpiece thickness when the clamp follower is in a clamped position. Both the base and guide assembly may have an exit hole adapted to allow waste material generated during drilling to exit a drilling area. The exit hole in the base also may be adapted to serve as a chip breaker.
US07641409B1
A single-use cosmetic package has a pouch with a front wall and a back wall. A wand is stored in the pouch. Upper and lower seals hermetically seal the perimeter of the pouch. A middle seal divides the pouch into a product reservoir in a lower half of the pouch and a dry chamber in the upper half. The wand projects from a handle end in the dry chamber through the middle seal to an applicator end in the product reservoir. A dog-bone shaped sealing structure on the wand forms a hermetic seal with the middle seal. The dry chamber is opened by pulling opposite tabs to peel the front wall from the back wall. When the wand is pulled from the pouch, a flange on the wand expands the middle seal to form a wiper opening in the product reservoir. The wiper opening is sized to wipe the applicator end of the wand, or an applicator attached to the end of the wand.
US07641408B2
A recording device for effecting recording on a recording material by a recording head, said recording device including a recording unit including a reciprocally movable carriage for carrying the recording head, a platen for supporting a recording material at a position opposed to said carriage, and a feeding roller, disposed upstream of said platen, for feeding the recording material, a recording chassis supporting said carriage, said platen and said feeding roller, and a sheet feeding unit including a feeding path for feeding the recording material to said feeding roller from a plurality of feeding portions, and a side chassis supporting said feeding path at both lateral sides with respect to a moving direction of the recording material, whereby said recording chassis of said recording unit and said side chassis of said sheet feeding unit are fixed to each other.
US07641397B2
The head end surface of an optical fiber (2) and the head end surface of an optical fiber (12) are butted to each other in an alignment member (22) of an adapter (21). In the butting, because one of the members clasping the optical fiber (2) is a plate (4a) that is short, the optical fiber (2) is bent and buckled between the left end of the short plate and the right end of the alignment member. Members clasping the optical fiber (12) are a long plate (14b) and a V-grooved base plate (13), and the optical fiber (12) is therefore horizontally fixed between each of right ends of the long plate and of the V-grooved base plate (13) and the left end of the alignment member. This results that the head end surface of the optical fiber (2) and the head end surface of the optical fiber (12) are in tight contact with each other, achieving excellent optical transmission between both optical fibers.
US07641391B2
The invention relates to an X-ray installation having two ceiling mounts (20, 30), to which the X-ray tube (26) respectively the X-ray detector (36) are fixed. The ceiling mounts comprise crossbeams (21, 31), which are mounted on the guide rails (11, 12) so as to slide in the longitudinal direction (Ls, LD) and which in turn carry carriages (22, 32) slidable in the transverse direction (Ts, TD). Length-adjustable arms (23, 33) are secured to the carriages (22, 23) and at their ends are mounted transverse arms (24, 34) rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation (R1S, R1D). The transverse arms in turn carry equipment carriers (25, 35) rotatable about axes of rotation (R2S, R2D), to which lastly the X-ray tube (26) respectively the X-ray detector (36) are secured.
US07641387B2
The combination of a temperature sensor and an inclination sensor or the combination of a temperature sensor and a tension monitor properly positioned in conjunction with an energized electrical conductor produces outputs that are dependent on the conductor's average temperature in real time. A transmitter is used to communicate this information in real time to a central location such that up to optimal or maximum power transmission is feasible through the conductor while maintaining a safe clearance to the ground. This allows for close monitoring of thermal expansion resulting from increased load as well as varying environmental conditions.
US07641386B2
A display device and a method for starting up at a low temperature utilizing a heating unit of the display device or an external heating unit to increase the environmental temperature of the display device are disclosed. After the environmental temperature inside the display device reaches a starting-up temperature, the display device can be started up in the low-temperature environment.
US07641379B2
Disclosed is a press fit electronic component for a light emitter. The electronic component comprises at least one light emitter and at least one connection lead in electrical communication with the light emitter, the lead being configured for forming a frictional fit with a corresponding hole, the lead further being sufficiently rigid to withstand a compressive insertion force into the hole.
US07641375B2
A spread illuminating apparatus of side light type includes a transparent resin plate, a reflector disposed at one major surface of the transparent resin plate, and a light source disposed in a light source space formed toward one end of the transparent resin plate, wherein the reflector includes a main part having a rectangular shape and fold parts formed at peripheral edges of the main part so as to rise up therefrom, slits are formed through portions of the transparent resin plate located inside and off its peripheral edges, and wherein the fold parts of the reflector are inserted though the slits of the transparent resin plate.
US07641369B1
The present invention features an emergency lighting system for vehicles. In some embodiments, the system comprises a light pod and a microprocessor. The lights are turned on when an air bag is activated, the vehicle battery is cut off and/or the vehicle is rolled over.
US07641368B2
A front bezel includes a main body (10) defining a light-pervious area (142) therein, a light-directing member (20) secured to the main body, a shielding plate (30) pivotably secured on the light-directing member, and a gear member (40) rotatably secured on the light-directing member. The light-directing member has a light-directing portion (22) defining a space for securing a light source (60) therein. The space communicates and aligns with the light-pervious area. The light-directing portion defines an installing opening (226) communicating with the space. A plurality of teeth is formed on the shielding plate. The gear member has a plurality teeth (41) meshing with the teeth of the shielding plate, and is rotatable to pivot the shielding plate to cover one portion of the space in which light source is secured, and thereby prevent the light emitting out of the space.
US07641365B2
An optical element including a unitary, non-circularly-symmetrical, piece of optically-transmissive material, which has at least first and second surfaces for concentrating light from a light source onto a linear target region, such that at least one of the first and second surfaces is curved, and such that a first portion of the light is concentrated onto the linear target region by reflection from the first surface, while a second portion of the light is concentrated onto the linear target region by refraction at the second surface.
US07641362B2
A lighting system for an electronic device comprising at least one movable lens to cover a light source.
US07641347B2
A control of gobos defend by records in the gobo. The gobos are formed by menued shapes.
US07641346B2
A transmissive LCD is placed in optical series with pixels of an image. The transmissive LCD is set to full transmissivity when bright pixels of the image pass through the transmissive LCD. Transmissivity is decreased where pixels darker than a darkening threshold pass through the transmissive LCD. A darkening curve representative of an amount of darkening performed by the transmissive LCD provides an amount of darkening to be performed on each pixel. Preferably, the darkening curve gradually darkens pixels more as the pixels themselves are darker. The darkening curve may be implemented as a formula or a look-up table in software or drive electronics that energize the transmissive LCD. Both the darkening threshold and the darkening curve may be user selectable.
US07641339B2
An ophthalmologic examination apparatus 1 projects a light onto a fundus oculi, detects the reflected light thereof, and forms a 3-dimensional image that represents the morphology of a retina based on the detected results. A stimulation-position specifying part 233 specifies, in the 3-dimensional image, a plurality of stimulation positions that correspond to a plurality of stimulation points Pi in a visual-field examination. A layer-thickness measuring part 235 analyzes the 3-dimensional image to find the layer thickness of the retina at each stimulation position. In addition, a displacement calculation part 234 specifies a related position of the stimulation position. A layer-thickness measuring part 235 finds the layer thickness of the retina at the related position.
US07641337B2
An ophthalmic lens, comprising an optic including at least one photochromic region having a first chromaticity and a second region of lesser photochromaticity. A method of treating a subject having presbyopia or aniridia comprising applying to the subject's eye an ophthalmic lens comprising an optic including at least one photochromic region having a first chromaticity and a second region of lesser photochromaticity.
US07641336B2
The invention provides tinted contact lenses that include a limbal ring that serves to enhance the definition of the wearer's iris resulting in the iris appearing larger to viewer's of the lens wearer. The lens also incorporates additional elements that overlie a portion of the wearer's iris. The lenses of the invention may be used as cosmetic lenses for enhancing or altering an individual's iris.
US07641326B2
An ink jet recording apparatus configured as a multi-function device is provided. The multi-function device can have four ink tanks, which store black ink, cyan ink, yellow ink and magenta ink. The multi-function device may have greater than four sub-tanks, which can be held in a scanning carriage and configured to move with a recording head. By moving the scanning carriage, the positions of the ink tanks can be aligned with the positions of the sub-tanks. In this manner, the basic inks can be supplied from the ink tanks into basic ink sub-tanks, and predetermined combinations of basic inks can be supplied into the other sub-tanks to create mixed inks.
US07641319B2
There is provided a driving device of a liquid drop ejecting head, includes: a piezoelectric element for causing expulsion of liquid drops from an ejector which ejects liquid drops, a first electrode of the piezoelectric element being connected to a predetermined voltage; a switching section connected to a second electrode of the piezoelectric element, and able to switch among three states which are a charging state of the piezoelectric element, a discharging state of the piezoelectric element, and an open state; and a control section controlling switching of the switching section in a cycle which is shorter than a charging time or a discharging time of the piezoelectric element by the switching section.
US07641313B2
An imaging apparatus configured for mounting a printhead, to which at least one ink tank is removably mounted, includes a print engine configured to move the printhead carrier along a bi-direction main scan path. The printhead carrier has a printhead latch having a printhead latch release button, which when actuated releases the printhead latch to allow removal of the printhead. The printhead has a respective ink tank latch for mounting the respective ink tank to a printhead body. The respective ink tank latch includes a respective ink tank release button which when actuated unlatches the respective ink tank latch to allow removal of the respective ink tank from the printhead body. An access panel has a first opening defining an ink tank removal location that permits access to the respective ink tank release button, while the access panel prevents access to the printhead latch release button.
US07641308B2
A printing method includes: preparing a printing apparatus provided with a carry unit that carries a medium in a carrying direction, and a plurality of nozzle groups that have respectively a plurality of nozzles lined up in the carrying direction; and printing an image to be printed on the medium by alternately repeating a dot forming process for forming dots on the medium by ejecting ink from each nozzle of a plurality of the nozzle groups that move in a moving direction, and a carrying process for carrying the medium in the carrying direction, and forming a plurality of rows of dots, lined up in the carrying direction, that are configured by a plurality of dots lined up in the moving direction, wherein in a case a certain row of dots is formed by a plurality of the nozzles, if, of a plurality of the nozzles that form the certain row of dots, the number of nozzles of a certain nozzle group is smaller than, of a plurality of the nozzles that form the certain row of dots, the number of nozzles of another nozzle group, each nozzle of the certain nozzle group forms a larger number of dots configuring the certain row of dots than each nozzle of the another nozzle group.
US07641301B2
An image recording apparatus includes a conveying mechanism for conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction, and a scanning carriage including a recording head for and a detector. The detector detects a first edge and a second edge of the recording medium in a leading edge detection region and in an intermediate detection region located between the leading edge detection region and the trailing edge of the recording medium. The scanning carriage moves in a scanning direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. Moreover, the image recording apparatus includes a storing unit for storing a first position of the first edge and a second position of the second edge, which are detected by the detector. The image recording apparatus further includes a controller for controlling movement of the scanning carriage. The controller controls a moving speed of the scanning carriage, such that the detector detects across the recording medium in the scanning direction including the first edge and the second edge. The detector detects the first and the second edge according to the first position of the first and the second position of the second edge in a leading edge detection region.
US07641296B2
A self-moving mechanism, a slide incorporating the same and a method of self-moving a slide are provided. A slide incorporating a self-moving mechanism is a self-moving slide and includes a first slide member slideably coupled to a second slide member. A self-moving mechanism is coupled to the second slide member. A slot having a first longitudinal portion and a second transverse portion is formed on a housing of the mechanism. A slider having an actuator is guided within the slot and slides along the housing and couples with the first slide member for moving the first slide member relative to the second slide member.
US07641292B2
A structure of a coreless crawler comprising: main cords that are embedded in rows in a longitudinal direction of the crawler, two layers of bias cords (a, b) that are embedded at an outer peripheral side of the main cords, bias cords (c) that are laid perpendicular to the main cords and embedded at an inner peripheral side of the main cords, rubber protrusions that are formed at constant intervals at a central portion on an inner peripheral surface of the crawler, and rubber lugs that are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the crawler, wherein the bias cords (a, b, c) and the main cords are held between treatment rubbers, and a rubber layer having lower hardness than treatment rubber is interposed between the main cords and the bias cords (c).
US07641281B2
A vehicle seat having a backrest, which has a backrest middle part and backrest side parts, which extend forward laterally from the backrest middle part and are provided for lateral body support is described. The backrest side parts each have an internal section connected to the backrest middle part and an external section connected thereto, which overlaps a forward area of the backrest side part. The backrest side parts are adjustable in relation to the backrest middle part so that the backrest width is changeable by fixing the backrest side parts. The internal section and the external section are produced in one piece from a foam material. A stiffening element is foamed into the internal section and into the external section in a transition area between the internal section and the external section, which is primarily provided to give the external section a certain rigidity.
US07641280B2
When a pressure receiving plate provided at a seat back moves to a rear side of a vehicle body when a vehicle is collided from behind, a Bowden cable transmits movement of the pressure receiving plate to a headrest ascending mechanism as a tensile load, thereby quickly ascending a headrest to reliably hold a head of an occupant. The Bowden cable transmits only the tensile load, and hence the Bowden cable is not buckled. Reduction in weight is made possible as compared with the case using a rod for transmitting a compression load. Since the Bowden cable is light, it is not required to unreasonably place the pressure receiving plate at a position near the headrest ascending mechanism for reduction in weight, and hence the pressure receiving plate can be placed at the optimal position where a sufficient driving force is obtained at the time of collision. Thus, a headrest is ascended with favorable responsiveness upon a rear-end collision of a vehicle while using a thin transmission member with low rigidity.
US07641265B2
A flush-flush horizontal vehicle window assembly is provided that includes a sliding panel with guide pins, formed with a load-bearing shoulder, on sliding panel corners, and a frame defining a window opening. The frame is attached to two fixed panels. Upper/lower tracks are attached above/below the window opening. Each track has a leading and a trailing guide path formed through a surface of the respective tracks, where the pins partially project into the guide paths and where load-bearing shoulder surfaces smoothly and reliably slide on the track surfaces. Each leading guide path is “S” shaped and each trailing guide path is shaped in a perpendicular manner at one end, which causes the sliding panel to smoothly enter and seal the window opening in a flush manner. An aesthetically pleasing flush-flush slider results when the sliding panel is in the plane of the window opening and further in the plane of the outer vehicle body panel.
US07641264B2
Reinforcement components for structural members are disclosed. The reinforcement components have expansible reinforcement material that adheres to and reinforces structural members following activation. Methods of reinforcing are disclosed. Reinforced structural members are described.
US07641261B2
A sliding door moves between a closed position and an open position over a vehicle opening. A track is mounted along the vehicle and extends to a remote end. The length of the track is less than the distance traveled by the sliding door. A door bracket mounted to the sliding door has a slot extending parallel to the track with first and second ends. A roller bracket has rollers received by the track and is movable between a first position proximate the opening and a second position at the remote end of the track. The roller bracket includes a pin slidably received in the slot to shift between the first and second ends of the slot. The pin is pivotally retained at the first end of the slot when the sliding door is closed. The pin is retained at the second end when the sliding door is open.
US07641260B2
A power supply apparatus for a vehicular sliding door is provided, including a power supply line electrically coupled to a power supply; a power supply line protector including a rectangular-shaped case and disposed in the vehicular sliding door, in which the power supply line is housed in a bent state; a power supply line path in the case which controls the bent line; a slider received in, and slidable along, a length of the case; an extension spring by which the slider is urged toward one end side of the case; and a slit-shaped opening in an underside of the case; wherein a side portion of the line is drawn out through the slit-shaped opening and secured to a vehicle body side; and wherein a power supply line portion, which has been drawn out from another end side of the case, is connected to appliances inside the door.
US07641256B2
A tonneau cover device comprises a tonneau cover and guide rails. A front end of the tonneau cover is pivotally supported at the vehicle. The tonneau cover comprises plural board members provided in a longitudinal direction and jointly connected to each other. The board member is supported by the guide rails to move vertically. A change of a longitudinal distance between a support pin portion of the board member at the guide rail and a pivot axis portion of the board member when the board member moves upward along the guide rails is absorbed by the joint connections of the tonneau cover. Accordingly, the tonneau cover can be opened widely and the tonneau cover can allow even large baggage to be carried in or out of the baggage compartment smoothly.
US07641255B2
A housing type cup holder includes: a holder housing in which a receiving part is formed; a holder including a main receiving part and a sub receiving part which is slidably connected to a lower portion of the main receiving part so as to descend by weight thereof when the main receiving part is drawn out and a holder support which includes a support lead having one end of which is connected through a hinge to the sub receiving part and the second end which is extended toward the inside of the holder housing; a support link which is connected through the hinge to the support lead and the second end which is housed in the receiving part in a state that the holder is drawn out, and a guide lead guiding the holder position of the support link.
US07641254B2
A fairing assembly 100 is demountably coupled to a vehicle and includes a first and second support structure 112 and 122 fixedly secured to the vehicle. The fairing assembly 100 further includes a first support member 136 having first end coupled to the first support structure 112 and a second end coupled to the second support structure 122. A first elastic compression member 170 is positioned between the first end of the first support member 136 and the first support structure 112, and a second elastic compression member 170 is positioned between the second end of the first support member 136 and the second support structure 122. The first and second elastic compression members 170 impart opposing forces on the first support member 136 to position the first support member relative to the first and second support structures 112 and 122.
US07641253B2
Adjustable storage units for a vehicle and a method for providing such units are disclosed. The storage units generally include opposing end panels connected by a connecting member along the rear of the end panels. One or more shelf supports are releasably connected to the inner surface of the end panels only through apertures in the end panels. Shelves and/or drawer systems are made from polymer materials are then disposed between the end panels. The end panels may also be made of polymer materials. The storage units are adjustable or reconfigurable by removing the shelves or drawers and repositioning the shelf supports or drawer supports as desired.
US07641252B2
A console assembly configured for use in a passenger seating area of a vehicle. The console assembly includes a lower console module having a housing extending generally horizontally adjacent a floor of the passenger seating area and an upper console module having a housing disposed adjacent and operatively connected to the lower console module. One or more panels are pivotally connected to the upper console module adjustable between at least a stored position disposed adjacent the upper console module housing and a deployed position wherein the one or more panels form a presentation surface for use in the passenger seating area of the vehicle.
US07641246B2
A bumper beam structure for a vehicle includes a height-raising wall provided on an upper portion of a beam body to be fixedly on left and right frames of a vehicle body. The height-raising wall includes: a bottom wall portion fixed to the upper portion of the beam body; a running-up preventing wall portion extending upwardly from the bottom wall portion; a first reinforcing wall portion connecting to the respective one end of the running-up preventing and bottom wall portions; and a second reinforcing wall portion connecting to the respective other ends of the running-up preventing and bottom wall portions. With such a height-raising wall, the bumper beam structure can interfere with another vehicle of a higher height to prevent the other vehicle from running up onto the vehicle provided with the bumper beam structure.
US07641245B2
A vehicle rear structure is provided. The structure includes: a bumper reinforcement disposed such that the length direction thereof extends along a vehicle width direction; a bumper cover provided at a vehicle rear side of the bumper reinforcement; a reflector provided on the bumper cover such that a functional reflecting portion thereof is disposed directed towards the bumper reinforcement; and a reflector protecting member provided in the bumper reinforcement, including a bumper cover abutting portion that abuts the bumper cover during a vehicle rear collision, and a reflector accommodating portion capable of accommodating the reflector with a space when the bumper cover abuts the bumper cover abutting portion.
US07641238B2
To provide a wheel fender flap that is less susceptible to swinging during the use thereof and capable of retaining an appealing feature, the wheel fender flap arranged to confront a vehicle wheel, includes a generally elongated flap body supported by a vehicle body structure and a reinforcement member separate from the flap body, but used to increase the rigidity of the flap body.
US07641231B2
A gas generator has a first chamber containing a first amount of substance of a solid propellant providing filling gas and a second chamber containing a second amount of substance providing filling gas. An igniter is associated with the first chamber only. The first chamber has outflow openings providing a flow connection with an environment of the gas generator. After activation of the gas generator, the second chamber is connected with the environment of the gas generator with regard to flow exclusively via the first chamber.
US07641222B2
An airbag module is disclosed. The airbag module has an airbag cover that has a front surface. The cover also includes a plurality of latch hooks that extend away from the front surface. Each of the latch hooks includes a retention flange. A support plate is also included as part of the airbag module and is attached to the airbag cover. The support plate includes a plurality of slots. Each latch hook (of the cover) passes through a separate slot in the support plate. The slots are sized such that for each latch hook passed through a slot, a gap is formed between the retention flange of each latch hook and a shoulder of the support plate. A locking member that engages the plurality of latch hooks is also added to the airbag module. At least a portion of the locking member is disposed within the slot. The locking member, once positioned in the slot, engages the latch hooks and causes the retention flange to overlap the shoulder of the support plate.
US07641220B2
An airbag system in a motor vehicle including one or more inflatable airbags and at least one airbag fold bracket configured to indicate the location of at least one airbag fold of the inflatable airbag. The airbag fold bracket may also be configured to maintain the position and shape of the airbag fold of the inflatable airbag while in the undeployed state. Furthermore, the airbag fold bracket may be configured to adjust and tune the deployment of the inflatable airbag.
US07641219B2
An arrangement for fixing a gas generator of an air bag unit. The gas generator is securely fixed in the generator chamber and both radial and axial tolerances, in particular of the gas generator, are compensated using a plate-like, spring-elastic fastening element that is pressed in the area of the end of the gas generator lying opposite the fixed bearing between the outer circumference thereof and the inner circumference of the generator chamber axially projecting through the gas generator. After the pressing in, the fastening element is arched into the generator chamber in the axial direction in a section between the outer wall of the gas generator and the inner wall of the generator chamber in the axial direction.
US07641208B1
A system is disclosed for controlling the roll of a motor vehicle. The system comprises a selective lock connected between an unsprung portion of the vehicle and a sprung portion of the vehicle.
US07641187B2
Automatic sheet feeding apparatus/recording apparatus include a feed roller 11 for feeding sheets out of a stack holding unit, a separation roller 12, in contact with the feed roller 11, for separating the sheets one by one; a return lever 13 for pushing back sheets to the stack holding unit and aligning them; and flanges 14 integrally turning with the feed roller; wherein the feed roller 11 and the return lever 13 do not overlap with each other but the flanges 14 and the return lever 13 do overlap in a side view during one turn of the feed roller 11. With the configuration, the apparatus can utilize the sheet conveying face of the feed roller longer and more effectively, and to eliminate the rush-in phenomenon, namely letting the tips of sheets enter deep into the feeding apparatus inadvertently at the time of setting the sheets into the sheet stack holding unit.
US07641185B2
A vacuum pick mechanism (100) for picking sheet media comprising control circuitry (126), a pump (110), a suction cup (106), a pick line (112) connecting the pump (110) to the suction cup (106), a pressure sensor (122) arranged to measure the pressure within the pick line (112) and a motor arranged to drive the pump, the control circuitry being arranged to receive the pressure measured by the pressure sensor and to control the motor to drive the pump such that a predetermined target pressure is measured by the pressure sensor.
US07641183B2
A clamp that includes a first clamping jaw, a support element to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a clamp body having a first slot through which the support element passes along a first direction and an opening that faces in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A handle grip attached to the clamp body, a braking lever and a brake actuator that contacts the braking lever and includes an engagement element that extends through the opening.
US07641179B2
The security of an ordinary fence can be improved by using intersecting inserts that extend between posts of the fence. The inserts can be inserted in channels that are formed by the woven wire of the fence fabric. Intersections of the inserts can be used to securely couple two intersecting inserts to each other by any suitable means such as welding, bolting, riveting, gluing, and the like. The inserts can be securely coupled to the posts either directly (for example, by using a bracket attached to a post) and/or indirectly by using, for example, a tensioning rod that is coupled to a post. The inserts can also be securely coupled to a support rail that spans the distance between two posts.
US07641173B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a faucet having a first sensing arrangement adapted to detect a presence of one or more objects, in a first predetermined region, and adapted to turn a fluid flow on when the one or more objects is present, and further adapted to turn the flow off when the object is removed. Embodiments also include a second sensing arrangement adapted to detect a presence and/or a movement of one or more objects, in a second predetermined region and adapted to adjust a temperature of the fluid based on the presence, or movement of the one or more objects.
US07641167B2
An item holder mountable by suction on a mounting surface including a deformable and transparent body. The body includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the outer surface and the inner surface. The body further includes a compartment having an opening adjacent the periphery and extending between the inner and outer surfaces for removably holding an item. The body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body is undeformed thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface.
US07641165B2
An adjustable rotation base includes a base housing and a transportation arrangement. The base housing has a bottom side, an upper side for coupling with the supporting post to support the outer umbrella in an upright manner, and a receiving cavity indently formed on the bottom side of the base housing, wherein the base housing includes a stationary unit provided at the bottom side for sitting on the ground surface in a stationary manner, and a plurality of transferring wheels rotatably supported at the bottom side of the base housing. The transportation arrangement is provided at the base housing to operate the base housing between an idle mode and a transportation mode in which the stationary unit is upwardly lifted to allow the transferring wheels being sitting on the ground surface, such that the base housing is adapted to be transported on the ground surface via the transferring wheels.
US07641159B2
A display unit for vehicles equipped with a rear seat entertainment (RSE) system includes: a monitor foldably mounted to an upper portion of a console box and configured to pivot about a hinge shaft; a monitor base having a fixing button mounted thereon so as to allow the monitor to pivot to open and closed positions; a return spring mounted around the hinge shaft; a gear box mounted such that a front portion thereof is directed toward a rear portion of the console box, the gear box being connected at an upper end portion thereof to a lower end portion of the monitor; a plurality of gears mounted inside the gear box in such a fashion as to engage with one another; and a vertical gear disposed vertically in the console box so as to engage with one of the plurality of gears.
US07641154B2
Devices for maintaining the mouth of a bag in an open condition. The device may comprise a housing with a cavity and at least one opening, and at least one support band which is at least partially positioned in the cavity, wherein a first end of the at least one support band is located in the cavity and at least a portion of the at least one support band extends exterior of the housing, and the at least one support band has at least two positions relative to the housing, a retracted condition in which a majority of the at least one support band is positioned in the cavity and an extended condition in which less than a majority of the at least one support band is located exterior to the cavity.
US07641148B2
The present invention provides a method for loading equipment into a deployment apparatus and particularly for loading equipment in an aircraft for deployment. The method includes steps for moving a container towards the deployment apparatus in a non-upright orientation, engaging the container with the deployment apparatus, and then moving the container towards an upright orientation.
US07641144B2
A cross-flow propulsion mechanism for use in providing propulsion to an aircraft, includes a housing defining an inlet, a rotor compartment, and an outlet. The inlet is adapted to receive an inflow of air along a first longitudinal axis. The rotor is mounted within the rotor compartment and adapted to receive the airflow introduced into the housing through the inlet and rotate about a second longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The outlet is adapted to receive the airflow processed through the rotor and exhaust air along a third longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The propulsion mechanism can be applied in a personal aircraft, an STOL aircraft, and a hybrid automobile and aircraft.
US07641135B1
A combinative cutting wheel of a rotary cutter of paper shredder is composed of two sets of edge rings having cutting edges on outer rings thereof, and a plastic base ring having a spacer. A center of the aforementioned plastic base ring is provided with a shaft hole which can fit with a polygonal shaft rod. The two sets of edge rings are abutted on each other and then latched on the plastic base ring to form an integral body. The two edge rings constituting the cutting wheel are pre-installed on the plastic base ring having the spacer to form an integrated cutting wheel having the spacer, enabling the two blades and the spacer which would be installed separately to become one component, so as to simplify an assembling procedure for the rotary cutter. As the plastic base ring made by a light material is used to replace a main body of blade for the assembled structure using the edge rings and the plastic base ring, an original paper-cutting function of the cutting wheel will not be affected, and an amount of steel material to be used can also be decreased to reduce a weight of the cutting wheel, thereby reducing an entire weight of the rotary cutter after being assembled.
US07641131B2
Apparatus and method for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface. The apparatus has an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid; an outlet port for dispensing an amount of heated fluid; a heating element that heats up fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet; and a control circuit for energizing at least a portion of the heating element with a voltage to heat the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet.
US07641129B2
A damper (18) for a rail (10), includes a deformable material (20) and an elongate resonant member (20, 24), the resonant member being of a stiff material as compared to the deformable material and being sized to exhibit a resonant frequency in the range of vibration frequencies of the rail, wherein the resonant member includes a clip (26) extending therefrom so as to retain the resonant member and the deformable material in place on the rail. The clip preferably extends laterally of the resonant member to grip the underside of the rail. The clip can have an engagement formation on the end thereof, to engage with a like formation of a further damper located on the opposing side of the rail.
US07641125B2
A variable air volume ceiling diffuser includes a damper that is raised and lowered by a linkage that is controlled by a duct temperature sensor/actuator and one or more room temperature sensors/actuators. The linkage includes a heating slide movable for the heating mode and a cooling slide movable for the cooling mode. The duct temperature sensor/actuator selects the heating slide for movement by the room temperature sensors/actuators in the heating mode and selects the cooling slide for movement by the room temperature sensors/actuators in the cooling mode. The differential movement between the heating and cooling slides moves a roller that engages a profiled cam surface attached to two lever arms. As the roller moves along the cam surface, the lever arms pivot about their axis of rotation so that the damper moves upward to close the air inlet and downward to open the air inlet.
US07641121B2
According to some embodiments of the present invention, a multi-protocol non-volatile memory (“NVM”) card may include a NVM array, at least two protocol units, and a controller adapted to provide an external application access to the NVM array with the use of one of the protocol units. The controller or control logic may select which protocol unit to use based on a signal or other indicator of the protocol used by the external application. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a method of operating a multi-protocol memory card may include switching between a first and a second protocol or mode of the card based on a signal from an application attempting to access to the NVM card.
US07641110B2
Electronic transaction networks are described that are operable to find a pathway to complete an electronic data exchange for a prepaid transaction account. The networks may include an intermediary node, in electronic communication with a transaction point node where transaction information is input, and a plurality of processing nodes that can communicate with an account provider node that administers the prepaid transaction account. The intermediary node receives transaction data that may include an account identifier from the transaction point node, and identify one or more of the processing nodes that can form part of the pathway. The pathway may include the transaction point node, the intermediary node, at least one of the processing nodes, and the account provider node. In addition, the intermediary node may find the processing node that forms the pathway for the highest transaction commission when more than one of the processor nodes can form part of the pathway.
US07641105B2
An automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (15). The automated banking machine (10) may include a concealment device (350) carried on the fascia to limit the viewing of inputs made to a user input device such as a keypad (18).
US07641104B1
Systems and methods for using information, provided in association with a shipping parcel containing or associated with the goods, by a shipping service provider and a recipient of the goods are shown. According to one embodiment, coded data, such as provided in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or barcode, is used to identify the parcel and the goods, either directly or through correlation with other information, such as shipping information and/or inventory information. The coded data is preferably in a format readable by both the shipping service provider and the recipient of the parcel.
US07641098B2
A continuous welding machine (1) for welding facing sides of a pipe blank (15) bent from a material blank is provided, having a guide strut (2) for guiding the sides of the blank (15) to be welded to each other in the direction toward a welding device (3). Pipe guides (4, 5) arranged about a periphery of the guide track designed for the pipe blank (15). For the continuous welding machine (1) according to the invention, the pipe guides (4, 5) and the guide strut (2) are adjustable in the radial direction relative to a guide axis (7) for adapting to different pipe diameters, and the guide tracks (8, 9) of the guide strut (2) allocated to the sides of the pipe blank (15) to be welded and also arranged on opposite sides of the guide strut (2) are arranged at an angle to each other in a plane extending through the guide axis (7). With the help of the continuous welding machine according to the invention, selected pipes with different pipe diameters can be produced alternately.
US07641093B2
A surgical instrument includes an E-beam firing bar engages the channel and selectively engages the anvil during distal firing movements, wherein the tissue is severed and stapled driven upward from the staple cartridge to form against the anvil. In particular, a wedge integral to the staple cartridge is driven distally by a middle pin of the firing bar to effect stapling. A single lockout of the staple channel responds to the presence of the wedge sled in its unfired position to allow the firing bar to fire. Otherwise, the single lockout prevents firing when the staple cartridge is missing or spent. Further, some versions include an Electroactive Polymer (EAP) actuator that presents an abutting surface, or acts as a trapdoor to a ramped recess in a staple channel to block the firing bar, as an active approach to preventing firing for one or more conditions.
US07641092B2
A linear surgical stapler adapted for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue includes an anvil structure and a cartridge housing containing a plurality of surgical fasteners. The cartridge housing and anvil structure are relatively movable between a first spaced apart position and a second position in close approximation with one another. A firing mechanism is associated with the cartridge housing for ejecting the surgical fasteners from the cartridge housing to be driven against the anvil structure. A lockout mechanism interacts with the cartridge housing for selective activation and deactivation. The lockout mechanism includes a swing gate tab secured to the cartridge housing at a position adjacent a lockout lever, such that firing of the linear surgical stapler rotates the swing gate tab releasing the lockout lever for preventing further firing of the used cartridge housing.
US07641091B2
A staple drive assembly includes an actuation sled and at least one staple pusher. The staple drive assembly is adapted to fit within a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples and a corresponding number of retention slots. The at least one staple pusher includes at least one pusher plate for releasably engaging a backspan of a staple. The staple pusher may include a plurality of pusher plates that may be laterally and longitudinally spaced apart. An actuation member has at least one angled camming surface for engaging a complimentary angled surface of the at least one staple pusher. Camming engagement between the actuation member and the at least one staple pusher causes vertical movement of the at least one staple pusher. Lateral and longitudinal offset of the actuation member camming surfaces and the corresponding staple pusher following surfaces improves stability and control of the staple pusher during firing.
US07641088B2
A nail gun includes a housing having a first locking element, an opposite second locking element, and a sliding groove, a safety mechanism including an actuation member in the sliding groove, the actuation member having an end nose, and a nail alignment adjustment mechanism including a lever pivotably secured to the housing, a spring having a first end secured to the other end of the lever and a second end affixed to the actuation member, and a spring-biased selector including a shank passing the lever, and a knob secured to the shank. Pivoting the knob from a first position to a second position will cause the nose to contact a first workpiece. Pivoting the knob from the second position to the first position will cause the nose to dispose above a second workpiece and align a nail with a through hole of the second workpiece.
US07641073B2
A method for preventing irregular packaging for automatic medicine packing machine having a last hopper that contains the tablet just before the tablet is packed, includes steps of sensing whether a tablet is received in the last hopper, sensing and deciding whether the tablet stands vertical inside the last hopper, vibrating a shutter if it is decided that the tablet stands vertical whereby the vertical standing tablet falls down, and checking non-standing of the tablet after completion of shutter vibration. The apparatus performing the method includes a shutter vibrating unit and a standing sensor that is installed on the last hopper and senses whether the tablet received in the last hopper stands vertical. The standing sensor includes a horizontal slot that is formed horizontally at a side of the last hopper at a position corresponding to a vertical height of a tablet and a photo sensor.
US07641072B1
Systems for deterring theft of retail products. Systems of this invention provide theft deterrent cabinets for dispensing products and may incorporate theft deterrent measures including mechanical deterrents, time delays and sound.
US07641071B2
A fastening structure of a clean container is combined on a cover of the clean container with a dismountable fastener member, such that the cover is closed or opened on a base of the clean container. The fastener member includes a body, a positioning portion, and an elastic fastening arm, that are one-piece formed. The positioning portion extends from one side of the body to form a flat spring. A flange is formed on the flat spring to fasten the fastener member on the cover. The elastic fastening arm has an elastic arm, and a lateral flange is formed on one end of the elastic arm, and extends into the base to be buckled. The fastener member further includes an elastic auxiliary arm formed between the elastic arm and the body, so as to increase an elastic strength of the elastic fastening arm.
US07641069B2
The invention provides a highly reliable plasma processing apparatus having stable sealing performance. The vacuum processing apparatus comprises a vacuum vessel having its inside decompressed; an opening disposed in a wall of the vacuum vessel for communicating the inside with the outside thereof and through which a sample to be processed is taken in and out; a valve body 701 disposed outside the wall for airtightly sealing or opening the opening; and a drive unit for driving the valve body to carry out the sealing or opening operation, the drive unit comprising a first member 705 coupled to an actuator 702 that moves along a substantially linear first direction as a result of operation of the actuator, a second member 706 coupled to the first member 705 that moves along a substantially linear second direction that intersects with the first direction, and the valve body 701 coupled to the second member that seals the opening as a result of the movement of the second member.
US07641065B2
A canteen is composed of a main body, a cover, a control unit, a valve and an annular blocker. The cover is engaged with the main body, having a jointing tube protruding into the main body and two notches cut in the jointing tube. The control unit is fixed on the cover, having a jointing portion, two grooves formed in the jointing portion and reversely shaped to correspond to the notches of the cover, and a sucker bored with an outlet. The valve is installed in the control unit, having a bar to correspond to the outlet, and a guiding rod transversely extended out from its bottom to extend through the grooves and the notches of the cover. When rotating the control unit, the valve is moved up and down to be separated from or to clog the outlet, convenient for using and preventing the suction portion from contaminated.
US07641062B2
A wire gripper having a gripping mechanism capable of gripping two wires at a desirable position thereof for suspending a heavy article without a rotation of the article around an axis of each wire is provided. The wire gripper (1) has an inner sleeve (10) and an outer sleeve (40). The inner sleeve (10) is formed with two wire-insertion bores (11) and two pairs of ball-set bores (21), each bore open at both the wire-insertion bores and an outer surface of the inner sleeve. And, the inner sleeve (10) has a tapered outer surface formed at a portion where the ball-set bores are formed. A spring 60 biases the inner sleeve (10) so that the tapered outer surface of the inner sleeve (10) contacts the tapered inner surface (41a) of the outer sleeve (40). Large-diameter balls (31) and small-diameter balls (31) are received in the ball-set bores (21) and protrude partially into the wire-insertion bores (11) so as to press the wire with three balls in the four balls.
US07641057B2
A shelving system includes an elongated mounting member operationally securable to an associated shelf. The mounting member includes an approximately vertically oriented wall, and an approximately horizontally oriented wall. A track is received on said mounting member in a sliding manner. The track extends approximately transversely to a longitudinal axis of the associated shelf. The track includes an elongated rail extending longitudinally along the track, and a pusher slidably mounted in relation to the rail. A divider is received on the mounting member in a non-sliding manner, wherein the divider extends approximately transversely to the longitudinal axis of the associated shelf. The divider is spaced from the track.
US07641051B2
A convertible display package and a wallet arranged to be hung from a support. The package includes a tray and a housing. The tray has a base wall, a peripheral side wall, an open top and a hollow interior. The wallet is located within the tray's interior. The housing is similarly constructed, except that its side wall includes a gap. The tray is arranged to be located within the housing, with its sidewall adjacent the housing's sidewall and with its open top within the housing's open top so that the wallet is visible. The tray is arranged to be slid out of the housing through the gap. A pair of magnets are provided for releasably holding the tray within the housing. The housing can be reversibly disposed with respect to the tray to form a lid with the base wall of the housing closing the open top of the tray.
US07641047B1
A protective cover for a saw blade is formed of a plurality of interlocking members, linked together to form a chain of a length sufficient to completely surround a given blade, where the sharp edge of the blade is then encases within the interior region of the linked members. A specially-designed “master link” is used to join the two ends of the chain together and “lock” the cover in place around the blade edge. Links may be added to, or removed from, a chain to properly size the cover with respect to the blade. The links are preferably formed of a hard plastic material and are injection molded.
US07641041B1
A conveying device comprises a body in which a power source and two scroll wheels of the same diameter and rotating synchronously are disposed. Each scroll wheel is wound with an elongated elastic extension plate having rigidity, and one end of each elastic extension plate extends out of the body. When in use, the power source is used to drive the two scroll wheel to rotate synchronously, so as to drive the elastic extension plates of the two scroll wheels to synchronously extend out of or retract in the body. When the ends of the two elastic extension plates extended out of the body are assembled with a clamp or a loading seat, thereby, the conveying operation can be carried out.
US07641033B2
The present invention provides a wet type multi-plate clutch comprising a first friction engaging element coaxially arranged within a clutch housing, a second friction engaging element alternately disposed with the first friction engaging element and a piston for applying an axial load to engage the first and second friction engaging elements with each other and wherein a projection protruding toward the piston is provided on the clutch housing and a recessed portion is provided in the piston so that a relative rotation between the clutch housing and the piston is prevented by engaging the projection with the recessed portion.
US07641032B2
An external activation clutch brake that is controlled by a switch is actuated when a clutch pedal is depressed. A compression spring, torsion spring or hydraulic valve may be used to simulate engagement of a standard clutch brake in which clutch brake squeeze is sensed by the driver. The clutch pedal has first and second phases of movement with the load required to compress the clutch pedal in a first phase being less than the load required to further compress the clutch pedal in a second phase.
US07641031B2
When a traveling state is in an engagement range of a lock-up clutch, an ECU executes a program including a step of executing slip control if preconditions are satisfied and learning start conditions are satisfied, a step of updating a learning value if an output value is not greater than an FF control value+α or not smaller than the FF control value+β, and a step of engaging the lock-up clutch.
US07641030B2
A hard suitcase includes a base portion and a lid portion each formed of a plastics material of such characteristic that the base and lid portions retain their intended shape. The hard suitcase also includes a zip fastener arrangement that is stitched to the base and lid portions. The zip fastener arrangement has an expandability feature to permit volume expansion of the hard suitcase.
US07641022B2
To provide a motor-driven power steering unit support structure that can absorb mounting errors of a steering shaft. A vehicle includes a steering shaft rotatably supported on a vehicle body frame. A steering bar handle is attached to the upper end of the steering shaft. A motor-driven power steering unit is mounted onto the lower end of the steering shaft, and the vehicle includes at least two front wheels. The motor-driven power steering unit is supported on the vehicle body frame from the vehicle width direction. A front support member and a rear support member for supporting the motor-driven power steering unit are provided in the vehicle body frame on the front and rear sides, with the steering shaft therebetween.
US07641017B2
A fuel cell vehicle includes a vehicle body having a floor frame; a fuel cell that generates electricity by the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen; and a subframe on which the fuel cell is mounted, being attached to the lower side of the floor frame and has a pair of side frames that extend in the fore-aft direction of the vehicle body, wherein the bottom end of the fuel cell disposed at a position between the upper end and the lower end of the subframe.
US07641013B2
A battery mounting structure for hybrid vehicles is provided, which can easily mount a battery structure in a vehicle and easily change the position of the battery package between a vertical position and a horizontal position.
US07640998B2
An excavation apparatus having a mast, a sled slidably mounted thereon, a sled driving system for downcrowding and upcrowding the sled along the mast, and non-rotatable but extendable kelly sections that prevent slippage of the sled on the mast. An outer kelly section is attached to the sled, and an inner kelly section is extendable therefrom and retractable therein. A bushing maintains slidable alignment of the kelly sections on the mast. The inner kelly section is automatically powered into and out of the outer kelly section a distance proportional to the distance that the sled is downcrowded or upcrowded along the mast while preventing slippage. A rotary motor, attached to the sled, rotates a telescopic shaft housed within the kelly sections. A transmission secured to the lower end of the inner kelly section increases downhole torque. A boom connector downcrowds and upcrowds the mast for additional drilling depth capability.
US07640995B2
A method and apparatus for soil conditioning, the apparatus comprising a frame, a rotary harrow supported by the frame for engaging the soil and a plurality of disks supported by the frame and in front of the rotary harrow along the advancing direction for rotation about disk axis and for engaging soil below the frame, each disk including a scalloped peripheral edge that forms a plurality of teeth and a space between each two adjacent teeth.
US07640983B2
The invention discloses a method of treating a zone of a well comprising a wellbore, a tube which is permeable to settable material, said tube forming an annulus with the wellbore; and wherein said zone is located in the annulus, the method comprises the steps of: (i) placing inside said tube a first plug; (ii) creating on said tube a first opening and a second opening, so that: the zone be located between said first and second openings and the first opening be located between said zone and said first plug; (iii) placing inside said tube a second plug, so that said second plug is located between said second opening and said zone; (iv) injecting a settable material inside said tube between said second and first plugs, so that settable material fills the annulus and the zone by passing through the first opening; and (v) eliminating said second plug.
US07640982B2
Initiation of injection planes in a well. A method of forming at least one generally planar inclusion in a subterranean formation includes the steps of: expanding a wellbore in the formation by injecting a material into an annulus positioned between the wellbore and a casing lining the wellbore; increasing compressive stress in the formation as a result of the expanding step; and then injecting a fluid into the formation, thereby forming the inclusion in a direction of the increased compressive stress. Another method includes the steps of: expanding a wellbore in the formation by injecting a material into an annulus positioned between the wellbore and a casing lining the wellbore; reducing stress in the formation in a tangential direction relative to the wellbore; and then injecting a fluid into the formation, thereby forming the inclusion in a direction normal to the reduced tangential stress.
US07640979B2
A technique is provided to facilitate logging in a well environment. Downhole well related equipment is deployed in a wellbore with an internal, longitudinal passageway. A logging tool system is moved through the longitudinal passageway for performance of logging procedures within the wellbore below the well related equipment.
US07640973B2
A diverter for containing and reducing the velocity of the particulate discharge from a well bore being subjected to the process of “cavitation.” The diverter has a generally conical hollow containment shell and an internal diverter assembly with replaceable wear parts wherein the flow is directed into a spiral path along the inner surface of the containment shell. The path of flow is such that the flow velocity is dissipated without impeding or obstructing the flow of particulates. Water can be injected into the flow to help prevent fine particulates from becoming airborne.
US07640972B2
The invention relates to a spiral heat exchanger including a central cylinder (5) and at least two spiral sheets (6, 7). The sheets extend from the cylinder to form a first spiral-shaped flow channel (8) for a first medium and a second spiral-shaped flow channel (9) for a second medium. The cylinder forms an inner space within the cylinder. The cylinder includes a first opening (11) communicating with the first flow channel and a second opening (12) communicating with the second flow channel. A pipe (14) extends into the inner space of the cylinder. A first communication channel, communicating with the first flow channel via the first opening, is formed within the pipe. A second communication channel, communicating with the second flow channel via the second opening, is formed in the inner space outside the pipe.
US07640967B2
A system (10) and method for removing heat from an engine compartment in a motor vehicle where heat generated by operation of a heat engine (12) that propels the vehicle tends to collect. Engine heat is collected in a thermofluid in a reservoir forming an evaporator (14) where the thermofluid absorbs heat sufficient to evaporate it. The vapor naturally migrates to a condenser (22) that is cooled sufficiently to condense the vapor back to liquid phase. The liquid falls by gravity back to the condenser.
US07640962B2
A method and apparatus for applying tape tabs to a traveling web of material, for example, placement of tape tabs on a running web of disposable undergarments. A pair of wheels each has a protuberance come in contact with the running web of material, which comes in contact with an infeeding tape web. The invention allows placement of tape tabs at asymmetrical spacings, where placement of the tape from contact of the first wheel and protuberance may not be equally or centrally spaced from placement of the tape by the second wheel and protuberance.
US07640956B2
A feed wheel (10) for tree trunks, with rows of drive teeth (30) protruding from extended supports (20) united with a peripheral surface (18) of the wheel. In order to make the spaces between the supports (20) more self-clearing, supports (20) that are neighbours extend mutually divergently throughout the complete sideways direction of the peripheral surface (18) (at an angle α).
US07640944B2
A flow responsive valve for a flow metering system comprising a fluid meter having a minimum measuring flow threshold. The valve is shiftable between an open position at flow rates above the minimum measuring flow threshold, and a pressure pulsating position depending on pressure differential over an inlet port and an outlet port of the valve. The pressure pulsating position alters between a closed position essentially prohibiting fluid flow therethrough at flow rates below the minimum measuring flow threshold, and an open position admitting fluid flow into the supply line at a measurable flow rate above the minimum measuring flow threshold.
US07640939B2
A curler having a body with a longitudinal axis designed to have a section of hair wound about it, and a foot integral with a first axial end of the body and having a surface capable of resting on the scalp. This surface preferably has a surface area greater than the surface area of a transverse section through a part of the body capable of having the section of hair wound about it. The foot includes means capable of retaining a portion of the section of hair that is not wound about the body. In addition, the body has an arm capable of occupying, for example by deformation of the arm and/or the body, a position in which the arm keeps the section of hair wound around part of the body.
US07640938B2
A mascara applicator integrally contains curling means (2) for holding eyelashes to curl the eyelashes into a certain shape, mascara adhering means (3) for adhering a mascara agent to the eyelashes, and mascara supplying means (4) for supplying the mascara agent to the mascara adhering means (3).
US07640936B2
Mixed metal oxide catalysts are prepared by combining first nanoscale particles and second nanoscale particles to form a mixture of nanoscale particles and then the mixture is heated to form a mixed metal oxide catalyst. The mixed metal oxide catalysts, which are capable of reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette during smoking, are incorporated into a smoking article component such as tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and/or cigarette filter material.
US07640934B2
An infant nasal interface prong device for use with an nCPAP system. The device includes first and second nasal prongs and a base. Each prong includes a bellows segment, a tip, and a lumen. The tip extends from the bellows segment to a tip end and is adapted for insertion with an infant's naris. The lumen extends through the tip and the bellows segment. In an undeflected state, a central axis of the lumen along the bellows segment is transversely offset from the lumen axis at the tip end. The base is connected to each of the nasal prongs and is adapted for coupling to a CPAP generator. The bellows segment renders the corresponding prong highly flexible relative to the base. The offset positioning of the tip end promotes desired positioning of the base/CPAP generator, relative to the patient and more closely conforms to the expected nasal anatomy.
US07640930B2
In one aspect, an air inlet system for a gas cooking apparatus is provided having at least one gas burner and a burner box around the gas burner. The air inlet system has a sealed cooktop configured to cover the burner box. The cooktop has at least one peripheral vent cut configured to vent outside air into the burner box to provide air for the gas burner. The system further includes a vent trim attached to the cooktop and covering the vent cut. The vent trim has a surface with openings above a top surface of the cooktop. The openings are configured to allow outside air to enter the vent cut through the vent trim.
US07640928B2
A method of cutting a sheet of fiber-cement and cutting machine programmed to effect such a method is disclosed. The method includes aligning a cutting plane of the sheet with at least one blade of a first cutting station. The sheet is cut along the cutting plane to sever a strip from the sheet. A plank is formed either by the act of severing the strip from the sheet or by advancing the sheet along the path to align another cutting plane of the sheet and cutting the sheet along the cutting plane with the at least one cutting blade. The plank so formed is advanced along a path to a second cutting station.
US07640927B1
A paintball marker using a lightweight bolt design suing a composite bolt structure with a light weight body and precision sear release edge adapted for consistent sear over the life of the marker. The composite bolt structure also has a spring retention end with a sear access slot and sear retraction ramp for guiding the sear to the precision release edge.
US07640918B2
The invention relates to a drive circuit for an injector arrangement having a fuel injector, and a method of detecting faults in the drive circuit. The drive circuit includes a diagnostic tool that senses a measured voltage between the injector and a known voltage level. The measured voltage is biased with respect to the known voltage to a predicted voltage unless the drive circuit has a fault. A fault signal is provided on sensing of a measured voltage that differs from the predicted voltage. The drive circuit may additionally, or alternatively, include a diagnostic tool. The diagnostic tool senses a detected current to provide a fault signal upon detection of the fault when the detected current is at variance from a threshold current.
US07640904B2
A vane-type camshaft phaser includes a rotor having a plurality of vanes disposed in a stator having a plurality of lobes, the interspersion of vanes and lobes defining a plurality of alternating valve timing advance and valve timing retard chambers. Each vane and lobe tip is provided with an axially extending groove having an outward expansion of width. A wiper seal element, formed by stamping and folding from a single piece of sheet material, has folded wings that extend under compression into the groove. The spring loading of the wings against the tapered walls of the groove acts to urge the wiper seal element out of the groove and toward the opposing stator or rotor wall, thus ensuring a continuous forced sealing contact of the wiper seal element with the opposing wall and the groove walls during operation of the camshaft phaser.
US07640902B2
A camshaft adjuster which operates according to the vane-type motor principle, which means being able to move to and fro within a certain angle, generally comprises a stator and a rotor. The rotor itself is provided as a composite system of at least two components. One of the components is a cover. A further component of the composite system may be denoted as the rotor core. The cover is placed on the rotor.
