US07733351B1
A method for forming an interactive image of a property comprising determining at least a first measurement of a space within the property forming at least one measurement line, inputting the at least first measurement to a processor, and inputting textual information and at least one graphic image concerning the space to the processor. A property overview image is then formed using computer instructions, the at least first measurement, the at least one measurement line, the textual information, and the at least one graphic image. The property overview image is then output for viewing by a user.
US07733350B2
An anisometric texture synthesis system and method for generating anisometric textures having a similar visual appearance as a given exemplar, but with varying orientation and scale. This variation is achieved by modifying the upsampling and correaction processes of the texture synthesis technique using a Jacobian field. The modified correaction process includes accessing only immediate neighbors of a pixel instead of non-local pixels. This constraint that only immediate neighbors be used also allows the generation of seamless anisometric surface textures. This is achieved by using indireaction maps containing indirection pointers that are used to jump from a set of pixels outside the boundary of a texture atlas chart to another chart. The system and method also includes an anisometric synthesis magnification technique that uses a Jacobian field to modify the magnification step of a synthesis magnification scheme and account for anisometry.
US07733340B1
Systems and methods for using a single tool for the creation and modification of solids and surfaces
Systems and methods for creating and editing 3D solids and surfaces in an intuitive manner are described. A single tool infers the most-likely correct action based on its context to a particular geometry case. The tool predicts a user's intended modification, and performs the predicted modification without recording related history information. The method includes receiving a selection of at least one CAD object. The method also includes the tool automatically predicting the user's intended type of modification to the at least one CAD object based on the type of the at least one CAD object and the at least one CAD object's relationships with the geometry of at least one surrounding (or related) CAD object. The tool can perform multiple types of modifications, and the modification is selected from the multiple types of modifications, without explicit commands from the user directing the type of modification.
US07733332B2
A keyless entry touch pad system for a vehicle includes a substrate with a plurality of touch zones disposed on one surface of the substrate, and a plurality of electrode patterns disposed on the opposite surface. An inner electrode of each pattern is aligned with one of the touch zones. Each pattern is electrically coupled to an integrated control circuit, which outputs a signal to and energizes the electrodes of the pattern such that electric fields emanates therefrom. The electrode patterns may be capacitively coupled to the integrated control circuit. When the electric field of the inner electrode is disturbed by a stimulus proximate the corresponding touch zone, the component is activated. Upon activation of the components in a predetermined sequence, a controller causes the vehicle door to unlock. A method of unlocking a vehicle is also disclosed.
US07733331B2
An apparatus is described comprising: a data processing device comprising a base with a plurality of input elements configured thereon, and an adjustable display having a display screen for displaying text and graphics, the display cooperatively engaged with the base to move from between a first position, in which none, or only a subset of the input elements are accessible, to a second position, in which all of the input elements are accessible; and a first support arm having a first end and a second end, the first support arm pivotally coupled to the base at the first end at a pivot point, and engaged with a first track on the display at the second end, wherein during movement of the display from the first position to the second position, the first support arm pivots around the pivot point at the first end and runs along the first track at the second end, thereby guiding and supporting the display during the movement.
US07733329B2
An optical navigation device that is capable of performing pattern detection. An optical navigation device according to the present teachings includes a image sensor that acquires a series of images of a surface and an image buffer for holding a template and a processor that detects a pattern on the surface by comparing the series of images to the template. The form factor of an optical navigation device enables its use as a pattern detection device for a wide variety of patterns on a wide variety of surfaces having a wide variety of forms.
US07733326B1
An apparatus that can be used as a mouse device and as a pen device. The apparatus has modular configuration. It has four types of units: a sensor unit, a processor unit, a mouse converter unit and a pen attachment unit. The sensor unit may use an optical arrangement for detecting relative motion. The sensor unit and processor unit are used in mouse and pen device configurations. Mouse converter unit is a mouse-shape enclosure useful mainly when apparatus is employed for mouse-input. Pen attachment unit is actively employed when the apparatus is used as a pen device, but it can be made compact to fit into mouse converter unit when the apparatus is used as a mouse device. The pen attachment unit connects the sensor unit with any pen-shaped object, selectively coupling the motion of the object with the sensor unit. When the apparatus is used as a pen-device, the processor unit can be conveniently worn on hand thereby making the device highly portable. As a pen device, the apparatus can be used in pen-input mode to provide real-time input to a host device. It can also be used as a pen computer whereby input is processed and stored offline for future synchronization with the host device.
US07733324B2
A display device including a display layer displaying a black or white color according to an applied voltage, a transparent and non-transparent electrode that are disposed to sandwich the display layer, and a TFT driving circuit capable of applying any given voltage between the pair of electrodes. Also provided is a connection destination switching switch capable of switching the connection destination of the entire transparent electrode to an earth terminal or a connector power source terminal of an external power source connector. With this configuration, a voltage can be applied between the pair of electrodes without using the TFT driving circuit. Accordingly, if the TFT driving circuit fails to operate due to trouble caused by the displaying of information which is not permitted to be shown to others, a voltage can be applied to the display layer so that the displayed information can be erased.
US07733322B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel having pixels, a light source which illuminates the display panel, and a control unit which controls the display panel and the light source. The control unit includes an insertion unit which causes the pixel to store a first voltage corresponding to a video signal in a first period within one frame period and to store a second voltage corresponding to a non-video signal in a second period that follows the first period, and a driving unit which enables the light source at least in a period corresponding to the first period in which the first voltage is held in the pixel, and disables the light source in a period corresponding to the second period in which the second voltage is held in the pixel, and is configured to set the first and second voltages at different independent values.
US07733319B2
A motion vector detection circuit detects a motion vector from a video signal and a one-frame delayed video signal. An interpolation video signal generation circuit uses this detected motion vector to generate an interpolation video signal which is interpolated between frames. Further, two time base emphasizing circuits respectively use a video signal of a preceding frame to perform time base emphasis with respect to the video signal and the generated interpolation video signal. The video signal and the interpolation video signal subjected to time base emphasis are written in a time-series conversion memory. Furthermore, alternately reading the interpolation video signal and the video signal in the mentioned order with a frequency which is double a write frequency can obtain an output video signal having a doubled frame frequency.
US07733311B2
A gray scale bistable electro-optic display is driven by storing a look-up table containing data representing the impulses necessary for transitions, storing data representing at least an initial state of each pixel of the display, storing data representing temporal and gray level prior states of each pixel, receiving an input signal representing a desired final state of at least one pixel of the display; and generating an output signal representing the impulse necessary for a transition, as determined from the look-up table, dependent upon the temporal and gray level prior states. Other similar methods for driving such displays are also disclosed.
US07733306B2
A SRAM core cell for a light-emitting display applicable to a data driver of an organic electro-luminescence light-emitting display device includes thin film transistors as a data memory for a data driver of the light-emitting display. The SRAM core cell also includes switching transistors and data memory transistors. The switching transistors are coupled to a bit line and a word line to select data writing or reading. The data memory transistors are coupled to a power voltage or a ground voltage to enable data writing and reading. The bit line and the word line are formed in first and second directions. The channels of the switching transistors and the data memory transistors are formed in an oblique direction with respect to the first and second directions.
US07733298B2
In various embodiments, a display device can include a number of pixel cells and a number of receptor cells. Each receptor cell can be coupled to a group of pixel cells within the number of pixel cells, and each receptor cell can receive encoded pixel data and decode the encoded pixel data.
US07733296B2
A three-dimensional display device includes an image display portion for time-sharing a left eye image and a right eye image, and a parallax barrier for separating the left and right eye images provided from the image display portion into a direction of a left eye and a right eye of a user, respectively, by using a first and a second electrode set.A method includes applying a first driving voltage to the first electrode set during a first period, and applying a second driving voltage to the second electrode set during a second period. The second driving voltage has a level different from that of the first driving voltage.
US07733295B2
A bi-directional communication system comprising a base apparatus and a display apparatus. The display apparatus is a portable liquid crystal display for viewing video programs and browsing the internet. The base apparatus contains a television tuner for receiving broadcast signals and wirelessly transmits programming to the display apparatus. An infrared remote control device connected to the base apparatus is used to control various external input devices (e.g., a VCR or DVD player). Control menus for the base apparatus and the external input device can be displayed on the display apparatus. The display apparatus contains a touch screen, so that a user can select operational commands for controlling the base apparatus and external input devices. The display apparatus wirelessly transmits selected operational commands to the base apparatus, which then retransmits the commands to the appropriate external input device using the infrared remote control device.
US07733293B2
An antenna for a remote controlled toy comprises a conductor made of a metal wire and a cap portion anchored in an end of the conductor, wherein said conductor has a hook portion with a U-shaped end, a first flared portion articulated with said hook portion and provided crookedly for projecting in the perpendicular direction to said hook portion, a second flared portion articulated with the first flared portion and provided crookedly for projecting in the opposite direction from said first flared portion with regard to said hook portion, said cap portion has a T-shaped groove comprised of a horizontal groove housing said first flared portion and said second flared portion, a perpendicular groove housing said hook portion, and a hook locking part is provided inside the T-shaped groove.
US07733290B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and apparatus for detecting a merchandise marker in which a first antenna has a circuit having a first loop defining a first area and a second loop defining a second area substantially coplanar with the first area. A second antenna is substantially coplanar and orthogonally positioned with respect to the first antenna. The second antenna has a circuit having a third loop defining a third area and a fourth loop defining a fourth area substantially coplanar with the third area.
US07733289B2
Apparatus, methods, and systems provide electromagnetic compression. In some approaches the electromagnetic compression is achieved with metamaterials. In some approaches the electromagnetic compression defines an electromagnetic distance between first and second locations substantially greater than a physical distance between the first and second locations, and the first and second locations may be occupied by first and second structures (such as antennas) having an inter-structure coupling (such as a near-field coupling) that is a function of the electromagnetic distance. In some approaches the electromagnetic compression reduces the spatial extent of an antenna near field.
US07733284B2
There is provided a monopole antenna including a helical radiating element including a first longitudinal portion having a first winding pitch and a second longitudinal portion having a second winding pitch and a cylindrical radiating element generally coaxial with the helical radiating element and extending along at least most of the first longitudinal portion.
US07733282B2
A reflector antenna includes a feed configured to always point during operation in a direction that opposes ingress of water into the feed, and a reflector having a truncated spherical reflecting surface, wherein a relative orientation of the reflector and the feed is adjustable. Another reflector antenna includes a feed configured to always point during operation in a direction that opposes ingress of water into the feed, and a reflector spaced apart from the feed by a focal length at least as great as a diameter of the reflector. Another reflector antenna includes a feed and a reflector having a truncated spherical reflecting surface, wherein the reflector is spaced apart from the feed by a focal length at least as great as a diameter of the reflector.
US07733277B2
A wide band antenna mounted to a dielectric element has a first patch, a second patch spaced from the first patch and a ground patch. The first patch has a first portion with a feeding point thereat and a second portion connecting the first portion. The second patch has a third portion and a fourth portion connecting the third portion. The first portion and the second portion of the first patch space from and parallel the third portion and the fourth portion of the second patch respectively. The ground patch is close to the first portion of the first patch and the third portion of the second patch. The first patch obtains a first frequency range. The second patch responses electromagnetic energy from the first patch to obtain a second frequency range. Scope of the first and the second frequency ranges covers portion of ultra wide band communication frequency.
US07733276B2
Embodiments of an antenna system for notebook, laptop and portable computers and methods for communicating in multiple wireless systems are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, a notebook computer comprises a plurality of transceivers, a plurality of antennas coupled to the transceivers with coaxial cables, and signal separation circuitry coupled to at least one of the coaxial cables to allow the at least one coaxial cable to be shared by two or more of the transceivers.
US07733271B2
An improved and more compact structure of a built-in antenna for handheld terminals, improving radiation pattern and efficiency. Provided is a planar inverted-F antenna having a radiation part having an inductive radiation portion and a parasitic radiation portion which are spaced in a certain distance apart from a ground surface, a power-supply part horizontally spaced apart from the ground surface and for directly supplying currents to the connected inductive radiation portion, and connection parts for connecting the radiation portions to the ground. The planar inverted-F antenna has an inductive antenna portion and a parasitic antenna portion, thereby reducing its volume compared to the conventional inverted-F antenna. Complicated manufacturing and processing procedures are simplified by connecting the power-supplying part and a PCB.
US07733270B1
Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer-readable media comprises: a first receiver adapted to receive, at a user terminal, a broadcast television signal from a television signal transmitter; and a second receiver adapted to receive, at the user terminal, a satellite positioning signal from a positioning satellite; wherein a position of the user terminal is determined based on the broadcast television signal, the satellite positioning signal, a location of the television signal transmitter, and a location of the positioning satellite.
US07733269B2
A mobile station (1) gets the carrier phase integration values and the code pseudorange which is based on the satellites' data transmitted from the satellites (SAT1-SATn). The mobile station (1) gets the data including the delay data of the ionosphere from a navigation message. And the mobile station (1) gets the data including the delay data of the ionosphere from data transmitted from a base-station, and fits data together. Utilizing these data from the two data sources, the mobile station (1) sets one linear regression equation and estimates the own position.
US07733267B2
Method and apparatus for analyzing a substance in a container, the method comprising the steps of: disposing antenna means (3) at a predetermined geometrical distance (L) from a container portion (13); transmitting a signal from said antenna means through a surface portion (12) of the substance towards said container portion; receiving a first reflected signal in said antenna means from said container portion; determining a geometrical distance (L1) from the surface portion to the container portion; varying the frequency of the transmitted signal to determine a first phase displacement between the transmitted signal and the first reflected signal; determining an optical distance from the surface portion to the container portion based on the first phase displacement; and determining the index of refraction (nt) of said substance based on the optical and geometrical from the surface portion to the container portion.
US07733264B1
A weather radar system can be utilized on-board an aircraft. The weather radar system includes processing electronics for sensing weather. The processing electronics is configured to utilize sensed weather data to generate a vertical weather prediction for a given altitude in response to a range and an azimuth. The system can also include a display. The display provides visual indicia of the vertical weather prediction in response to the processing electronics.
US07733263B1
A camouflage coating system for application to the surfaces of jet engine components in order to reduce their level of emitted energy there by rendering them undetectable by infrared detection systems. The camouflage coating comprises a multilayer system having a first diffusion barrier of nickel aluminide applied to the substrate surface. A second silver reflective layer superimposed on the diffusion barrier layer and a glass-ceramic protective overlay superimposed on the silver reflective layer.
US07733262B2
Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed, such as an integrated semiconductor device that may include a data location coupled to an electrical conductor, a delta-sigma modulator coupled to the electrical conductor, a counter coupled to an output of the delta-sigma modulator, and an interfuser coupled to an output of the counter. In some embodiments, the interfuser is configured to receive two or more counts from the counter and read data conveyed by the data location based on the two or more counts.
US07733260B2
A method of settling an amplifier and a multistage amplifier are provided. To settle an amplifier, a plurality of clock signals are, respectively, applied to preset switches, each of which is placed between amplifiers connected in cascade, to open the preset switches sequentially, thereby settling the amplifiers in order.
US07733259B2
A system having a signal converter device, and a method for operating a system having a signal converter device is disclosed. One embodiment provides loading a capacitive device to a preparation voltage in a first operating phase, and loading the capacitive device to a measuring voltage in a second operating phase after the first operating phase.
US07733258B2
A data converter for converting analog signals to digital signals, or for converting digital signals to analog signals is provided. In one embodiment, a production self-test is provided. In one embodiment, a high-speed lower-resolution method or mode for a data converter is provided. In one embodiment, a differential data converter with a more stable comparator common mode voltage is provided. In one embodiment, the input range of a digitally calibrated data converter is provided and maintained so that there is no loss in input range due to the calibration. In one embodiment, digital post-processing of an uncalibrated result using a previously stored calibration value is provided.
US07733255B2
Embodiments of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with a logarithmic response and methods for converting digital signals to analog are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, the DAC includes a wedge-shaped resistive array having a plurality of linearly-spaced contact nodes and a switching array to selectively couple one of the contact nodes with an analog output based on a control signal. Each of the contact nodes may provide a corresponding reference voltage that varies logarithmically with respect to the linearly-spaced contact nodes.
US07733254B2
A pipelined current mode analog-to-digital converter, including: a plurality of stages each having a first sample and hold circuit configured to receive an analog signal having a current; the sample and hold circuit having at least first and second outputs; the first output having a current from a current copier configured to copy the analog signal; the second output having a current from a current mirror configured to mirror the analog signal; a current mode analog-to-digital converter configured to create a digital signal from the second output, the second output being connected to an input of the analog-to-digital converter; and a current mode digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the digital signal back to an analog signal, wherein an output of the digital-to-analog converter is subtracted from the first output of the sample and hold circuit.
US07733237B2
Method for controlling a signalling device inserted in an automatism of gates (G), movable barriers, doors or the like, and having at least one warning device (L, BZ), characterized in that it supplies power from the signalling device (LL) to at least one mechanical group (M) having a motor, detects in the signalling device (LL) the absorbed power from the at least one mechanical group (M) having a motor, and activates the at least one warning device (L, BZ) when the predefined absorbed power threshold has been exceeded.
US07733236B2
A coaxial cable connector is provided, the connector comprising: a connector body; a physical parameter sensing circuit, positioned within the connector body; and a status output component, configured to report an ascertained physical parameter status to a location outside of the connector body. A corresponding method of ascertaining a physical parameter status of a connector connection is disclosed.
US07733228B2
A wireless system that detects the presence of a child in a safety seat located in the passenger cabin of a vehicle includes a controller responsive to signals generated by sensors monitoring predefined functions of the vehicle, RFID tag device attached to the safety seat and RFID tag reader mounted in the cabin. The system generates control signals which activate an alarm, open the doors of the vehicle and roll down windows if the child is left in the safety seat of an unattended vehicle.
US07733227B1
RFID tags circuits and methods for sensing own power to predetermine feasibility of requested action
Feasibility of a requested action by a reader is predetermined in an RFID tag based on an available tag power level. A pretest that is designed to consume artificially high levels of power is performed and the power level monitored to determine if a preset condition is met. The pretest may include activation of selected components such as a memory and associated support circuitry. If the preset condition is not met, the requested action is aborted and an error message transmitted to the reader.
US07733219B2
A sensor assembly includes a elongate article and a plurality of elongate piezoelectric elements provided to the elongate article. Each of the piezoelectric elements is configured so that when a load is applied in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the piezoelectric element, a short axis direction of the piezoelectric element becomes a sensitivity direction in which a voltage is generated, and a major axis direction becomes a non-sensitivity direction in which a voltage is not generated.
US07733210B2
A magnetic field detector includes: a magnet; a detecting magnetic resistance element having a layer structure containing a ferromagnetic layer, the resistance being changed when a direction of magnetization of the ferromagnetic layer is changed; and a reference magnetic resistance element having substantially the same layer structure as that of the detecting magnetic resistance element. A magnetic field, the magnetic intensity of which is higher than the saturation magnetic field, is impressed by the magnet in a direction which is sensed by the ferromagnetic layer of the reference magnetic resistance element.
US07733204B2
In some embodiments, a configurable multiphase coupled magnetic structure may include a four-sided pot core defining an interior space, one or more cylindrical cores disposed within the interior space of the four-sided pot core, and at least two windings respectively wound around the one or more cylindrical cores, wherein the at least two windings are connected in a multiphase power delivery configuration. The windings may be multi-turn windings. The four-sided pot core may be a rectangular-shaped pot core. The cylindrical cores may be I-cores. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US07733190B2
An oscillation circuit includes a cross-coupled circuit having a first active element and a second active element which are differentially connected to each other. The oscillation circuit oscillates in a resonance frequency of a resonator connected between the first active element and the second active element.
US07733183B2
Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.
US07733182B2
Various embodiments of a hybrid class AB super follower circuit are provided. One embodiment is a follower circuit comprising: an input node for receiving an input voltage signal; an output node for driving a capacitive load based on the input voltage signal; a transistor M1 having a gate terminal connected to the input node for receiving the input voltage signal, a source terminal connected to the output node, and a drain terminal; a feedback loop comprising a second transistor M2, a third transistor M3 and a fourth transistor M4, wherein: the gate and source terminals of the second transistor M2 are connected to a current source I2, and the drain terminal of the second transistor M2 is connected to the output node; the source terminal of the third transistor M3 is connected to the current source I2 and the drain terminal of the third transistor M3 is connected to a current source I0; the gate terminal of the fourth transistor M4 is connected to the drain terminal of the third transistor M3, the drain terminal of the fourth transistor M4 is connected to the output node, and the source terminal of the fourth transistor M4 is connected to a ground; and a replica bias circuit for providing a voltage bias signal to the gate terminal of the third transistor.
US07733180B1
An apparatus having a zero-pole that is dependant on an equivalent series resistance (ESR) and a load is provided. The apparatus comprises an amplifier stage that receives a first input voltage and a bias voltage, an intermediate stage that is coupled to the output node of the amplifier stage (where the intermediate stage outputs an intermediate voltage to an intermediate node), a first capacitor coupled between at least one of the internal transistors at an internal node and the intermediate node, a power transistor coupled between a second input voltage and the intermediate node, a second capacitor coupled between the internal node and the power transistor, and a feedback stage coupled to the intermediate node and to the amplifier stage. The amplifier stage also has an output node and includes a plurality of internal transistors. The second capacitor provides a third input voltage to the power transistor, and the ratio of the capacitance of the first capacitor to the capacitance of the second capacitor controls the position of the zero-pole. Additionally, the feedback stage is adapted to output an output voltage to a load, and wherein the feedback stage provides a feedback voltage to the amplifier stage.
US07733168B2
A first to a fourth sampling switch (1a to 1d), a first to a fourth sampling capacitance (4 to 7), and a first and a second charge redistribution switch (2a, 2b) are provided on the input side of a differential amplifier (8). A first and a second reset switch (3a, 3b) are provided between inputs and outputs of the differential amplifier (8). A positive-polarity input signal voltage (Vinp), a negative-polarity comparison reference voltage (Vrefn), a positive-polarity comparison reference voltage (Vrefp), and a negative-polarity input signal voltage (Vinn) are applied via the first to fourth sampling switches (1a to 1d) to one ends of the first to fourth sampling capacitances (4 to 7), respectively. During a reset period, the reset of the differential amplifier (8) is released after sampling of the voltages. During a comparison period, the first and second charge redistribution switches (2a, 2b) are caused to be in a conduction state.
US07733166B2
Provided is a filter used for an equalizer, the filter including: a first low-pass filter unit receives an input signal and performs low frequency band filtering on the input signal; and an equalization unit that receives an output signal from the first low-pass filter unit. The equalization unit may comprise a plurality of serially connected biquad low-pass filter units, and may control a value of a capacitor that is used to control a group delay value that is generated during equalization. Thus, the filter can compensate for group delay without including a separate all pass filter, thereby reducing surface area and power consumption.
US07733161B2
A voltage boost system, IC and design structure are disclosed for boosting a supply voltage while preventing forward biasing of n-well structures. The voltage boost system may include a first voltage boost circuit producing a first boosted voltage using at least one voltage boost sub-circuit, each of the at least one voltage boost sub-circuit having an output passgate in an n-well; a second voltage boost circuit producing a second boosted voltage, the n-well of each output passgate being biased using the second boosted voltage, wherein the second boosted voltage is greater than the first boosted voltage. Voltage boost sub-circuits may use gate control circuitry to reduce gate oxide stress, thus allowing lower voltage level FETs to be used.
US07733160B2
A power supply circuit includes a voltage booster circuit that generates a boosted voltage by boosting a second voltage with respect to a first voltage, and a limiter circuit that limits a potential of the boosted voltage. The limiter circuit discharges a charge to or charges a charge from a power supply line so that the boosted voltage becomes a given target voltage, the second voltage being supplied to the power supply line. The voltage booster circuit changes a boost capability corresponding to an output load of the power supply circuit.
US07733158B2
A trim fuse circuit includes a metal fuse, a trim pad coupled to the first end of the metal fuse, a first transistor coupled to the first end of the metal fuse, a second transistor coupled to the second end of the metal fuse, an inverter coupled to the second end of the metal fuse, a switch coupled to the second end of the metal fuse, and a common trim pad coupled to the control end of the switch. The inverter outputs a data signal according to the status of the metal fuse. The trim pad can be disposed on the scribe line of a wafer. When the trim pad is cut and accordingly connects to the substrate of the wafer, the data signal is not affected.
US07733152B2
A pulse signal circulates around a ring of delay elements with respective traversal signals being thereby successively outputted from the delay elements. The period of a reference signal is multiplied or divided by a real number to obtain control data specifying a required period of a clock signal as a value having an integer part and a fractional part. The control data are used to select the timings of specific traversal signal, and the clock signal is generated based these selected timings, with the timing selection being repetitively adjusted in accordance with the fractional part of the control data.
US07733146B2
A delay line appropriate for use in a POR circuit or other integrated circuit in a space environment combines three separate circuit techniques to improve performance without unnecessarily increasing circuit area or adding to manufacturing costs when compared to a simple inverter delay line. The delay line of the present invention uses the selective placement of capacitors throughout the delay line, one-sided current starving, and the incorporation of one-sided Schmitt trigger circuits. Performance of the delay line is substantially immune to SEGR events (“Single Event Gate Rupture”) and SET events (“Single Event Transients”). Spurious signals produced by SEGR and SET events are quickly and substantially attenuated.
US07733144B2
A radiation hardened master latch for use in a programmable phase frequency divider operating at GHz frequencies is implemented in deep submicron CMOS technology, and consists of two identical half circuits interconnected in a DICE-type configuration that makes the master latch immune to a single event upset (SEU) affecting at most one of its four data inputs. Each half circuit includes a clock input circuit with four sub-clock nodes each coupled by an inverter to a common clock input. The clock input circuit is configured to be redundant, such that the operation of the master latch half circuit is also immune to an SEU affecting at most one the inverters associated with the plurality of sub-clock nodes. The radiation hardened master latch resides in a design structure embodied in a machine readable medium storing information for designing, manufacturing and/or testing the master latch.
US07733143B2
The present invention implements an apparatus for correcting duty cycle distortion in high speed clock signals. The apparatus includes delay cells that delay each of first and second differential initial clock signals. The apparatus further includes a latch that generates an output clock signal based on the delayed first and second differential initial clock signals. The apparatus further includes a differential feedback buffer that converts the output clock signal into first and second differential feedback signals. The apparatus further includes a feedback circuit that adjusts the delay cells based on the first and second differential feedback signals.
US07733138B2
The delay locked loop circuit includes a charge pump circuit that may charge and discharge in response to an assertion of an up signal and a down signal, respectively. The delay locked loop circuit also includes a detection circuit that may assert the up signal indicating an occurrence of a transition of a first clock signal and may assert the down signal indicating an occurrence of a transition of a second clock signal. The delay locked loop circuit further includes a delay circuit that may provide a plurality of delayed clock signals and an additional delayed clock signal, each corresponding to a delayed version of the first clock signal. Further, a false lock circuit may provide a reset signal to the detection circuit dependent upon whether a predetermined number of successive clock edges associated with the delayed clock signals occur within a given clock cycle of the first clock signal.
US07733137B2
A design structure including a system. The system includes a fractional-N phase-locked loop (PLL). The PLL includes a PLL input and a PLL output. The fractional-N PLL further includes a multiplexer. The multiplexer includes a multiplexer output electrically coupled to the PLL input. The multiplexer further includes M multiplexer inputs, M being an integer greater than 1. Two or more reference frequencies are applied to the inputs of the multiplexer, by the selection of one from the reference frequencies, the low spur can be reached.
US07733134B1
The present application discloses systems and methods to for a high speed electronic switch with the internal capability to reduce noise. This noise reduction is accomplished through a noise suppression circuit. A noise source is connected a signal source; a noise suppression circuit is electrically connected to the switching source; and a switch driver is electrically connected to a noise suppression circuit. The noise reduction unit prevents noise from being propagated from the noise source to an output switch, thereby preventing the noise from reaching the downstream signal line.
US07733133B2
A power switch circuit includes an output transistor which is connected between a first power supply terminal and an output terminal, and drives a load, an abnormality detecting circuit which detects an abnormal state of the output transistor, a resistance element which generates a resistance component by a diffusion layer formed on a well region, and is provided between an input terminal and a control terminal of the output transistor, and a well potential switching circuit which switches a voltage to be supplied to the well region between a voltage of the output terminal and a voltage of a second power supply terminal based on a detection result by the abnormality detecting circuit.
US07733116B2
A power supply controller (20) is configured to operate in a test mode that facilitates measuring the value of an output signal of an error amplifier (36) of the power supply controller (20).
US07733111B1
An apparatus for inducing a current in a solar cell substrate. A substrate receiving surface receives the substrate, and an array of a plurality of individually addressable light sources illuminates the substrate in a sequenced manner. A sequencer controls the sequenced manner of illumination of the substrate by the array. A front side electrical contact makes electrical contact to a front side of the substrate, and a back side electrical contact makes electrical contact to a back side of the substrate. A meter is electrically connected to the front side electrical contact and the back side electrical contact, and senses the current induced in the substrate during the sequenced illumination of the substrate.
US07733109B2
A test structure for resistive open detection using voltage contrast (VC) inspection and method for using such structure are disclosed. The test structure may include a comparator within the IC chip for comparing a resistance value of a resistive element under test to a reference resistance and outputting a result of the comparing that indicates whether the resistive open exists in the resistive element under test, wherein the result is detectable by the voltage contrast inspection.
US07733107B1
A tester for applying very fast transmission line pulses (“VFTLP”) to select pins of a device under test (“DUT”), for example, an integrated circuit. The tester also provides for leakage measurement testing of the DUT after VFTLP testing. An end of a coaxial cable is received within an aperture formed in a metal ground plane. The outer conductor of the coaxial cable is attached to the metal ground plane and the inner conductor of the coaxial cable projects above an upper surface of the metal ground plane. A grip attached to the metal ground plane selectively retains the DUT upon the upper surface of the metal ground plane in a position placing a select pin in physical contact with the projecting inner conductor of the coaxial cable, completing the VFTLP circuit.
US07733106B2
An exemplary die carrier is disclosed. In some embodiments, the die carrier can hold a plurality of singulated dies while the dies are tested. The dies can be arranged on the carrier in a pattern that facilities testing the dies. The carrier can be configured to allow interchangeable interfaces to different testers to be attached to and detached from the carrier. The carrier can also be configured as a shipping container for the dies.
US07733101B2
Improved probing is provided using a knee probe where the knee curves away from the probe axis and then curves back to connect to the probe tip, crossing the probe axis on the way to the tip. The resulting lateral offset between the probe tip and the probe axis is a key geometrical parameter for predetermining the scrub motion provided by the probe in response to a predetermined contact force. The scrub motion preferably includes both a sliding motion and a rocking motion, where the sliding motion acts to clean the contact pad and the rocking motion acts to bring a clean part of the probe tip into contact with the freshly cleaned part of the contact pad. In preferred embodiments, the probe tip can include one or more relatively narrow “skates” for making contact to the contact pad. A dual skate configuration is especially appropriate when small dimples are at the centers of the contact pads.
US07733100B2
An apparatus for providing modulation mapping is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser source, a motion mechanism providing relative motion between the laser beam and the DUT, signal collection mechanism, which include a photodetector and appropriate electronics for collecting modulated laser light reflected from the DUT, and a display mechanism for displaying a spatial modulation map which consists of the collected modulated laser light over a selected time period and a selected area of the IC.
US07733099B2
A monitoring pattern for detecting a defect in a semiconductor device allows a voltage contrast inspection which may be verified by an electrical test where no special test pattern is required for the electrical test. The monitoring pattern includes a test pattern with line shapes arranged in parallel and spaced apart at predetermined linewidths and intervals, and an interconnection layer connected to the test pattern, where the test pattern is adapted to be charged with a specific potential to be displayed as a voltage contrast image when scanned with an electron beam.
US07733091B2
A probe suitable for use in unilateral nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and adapted to be embedded in a sample to be analysed, the probe comprising; a static magnetic field generator; a radiofrequency magnetic field generator adjacent to the static magnetic field generator; a circuit controlling the frequency response of the radiofrequency magnetic field generator, adjacent to the static magnetic field generator; an input cable coupled to the frequency control circuit and the frequency control circuit coupled to the radiofrequency magnetic field generator.
US07733087B2
Sealed components for an MRI scanner, in particular carrying RF coils and gradient coils have actuators for active noise control that are a part of an actuator module having holding segments fastened rigidly to the opposite ends of the actuator. The holding segments are fastened by screws onto two actuator receiving elements that are embedded at a spacing from one another in the sealing compound, and so that each fastening segment protrudes into a recess in the compound.
US07733086B2
An NMR logging tool for conducting NMR measurements in a plurality of sensitive volumes ranging up to a meter from the tool. The tool comprises a magnetic assembly using one or more permanent magnets and at least one pole piece for extending a magnet pole and shaping the magnetic field to simulate a magnetic monopole in a sensitive volume within the formation. Different embodiments of a segmented antenna enable directional NMR logging. The tool embodiments and methods of their use are suitable for wireline or LWD logging, and can be used for directional drilling.
US07733064B2
The present invention implements a software controlled thermal feedback system for battery charging circuitry in portable devices, specifically in cellular telephones. The charging hardware block is integrated into a mixed-signal analog base-band (ABB) circuit. In addition to standard function controls, integrated within the ABB are silicon temperature sensors used to monitor the temperature of any silicon components integrated on the ABB and detect any temperature change due to thermal heating. The temperature value is passed to the digital base band (DBB) circuit. Here, a microcontroller is programmed to perform power management functions relating to the ABB. Thermal control software, implemented on the DBB microcontroller, monitors the silicon temperature of the ABB and adjusts the power levels on the ABB accordingly to provide a controlled chip temperature.
US07733060B2
The present invention relates to charging of rechargeable batteries built into electronic devices and is configured to constrain heat generation during the charging. A charging IC used for charging a rechargeable battery built into an electronic device is disclosed that comprises a power source unit which can be fed with power from an external power source with a drooping characteristic to pick up a constant current; and a control unit which applies a first constant current from the external power source to the rechargeable battery through a circuit element installed on a charging path of the rechargeable battery, the control unit applying a second constant current smaller than the first constant current from the power source unit to the rechargeable battery after the rechargeable battery is charged with the first constant current to a predetermined voltage.
US07733058B2
An engaging structure of an electric shaver and an electric charger is provided wherein the electric charger at least serving to charge the electric shaver is mounted thereat. The engaging structure includes a magnet provided at one of the electric shaver or the electric charger; and an attracting member provided at the other thereof, the attracting member being made of a material magnetically attracted to the magnet. Further, a contact portions for electrically connecting the electric shaver and the electric charger are provided between a weight center of the electric shaver and the magnet disposed above the contact point at an opposite side of a mounting direction of the electric shaver.
US07733048B2
Method and arrangement in connection with a motor fed with a frequency converter provided with an intermediate voltage circuit. The method comprises steps of feeding motor voltage to the motor along a motor cable with a frequency converter for controlling the motor, rectifying the voltage of the motor cable and restricting the magnitude of the voltage of the motor cable at the end of the motor cable on the side of the motor with a clipper circuit coupled in parallel with the motor, using the rectified voltage for rotating one or more cooling fans of the motor.
US07733046B2
A motor controller including a position control section that generates a speed command based on a position command and a motor position, a speed control section that generates a torque command based on the speed command and a motor speed, and a motor driving section that generates a motor current based on the torque command. The motor controller has a speed feed forward command generating section that generates a speed feed forward command by differentiating the position command. A model control section generates a model torque command based on the speed feed forward command and a model speed. An inertia identifying section identifies inertia based on the ratio of an integrated value of a motor torque command obtained by time-integrating the motor torque command in a prescribed section to an integrated value of the model torque command obtained by time-integrating the model torque command in a prescribed section, from a prescribed position command.
US07733041B2
A plurality of detection target portions are arranged around a rotating shaft of a rotating-body, one of which causes a detector to generate a first detection signal different from a second detection signal generated from the others. A first generating unit generates a reference signal indicating a reference rotational-position of the rotation-driving source or the rotating-body before one rotation from a timing of the first detection signal. A second generating unit reads periodic variation information from a storage unit based on the reference signal, and generates a rotation-velocity correction signal for the rotation-driving source.
US07733035B2
An electronic power supply device is provided for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which employs electronic control to maintain the LEDs within the rated ranges of current, voltage and temperature and provides the LEDs with extremely stable current, voltage and temperature. Meanwhile, the power supply device is effective in confining the LEDs within the rated ranges of voltage, current, and temperature so that the excellent electronics protection and design of logic device realized by the power supply device effectively overcomes aging/deterioration of LEDs caused by exceeding voltage and current and burning out due to exceeding temperature and also effectively pushes the rated current and voltage of a (low-power) LED module toward the maximum values to provide the greatest luminous efficiency for upgrading the applications of the LEDs to the primary grade of lighting.
US07733030B2
A switching power converter with a controlled startup mechanism includes a switching stage which provides a voltage Vout at an output node in response to a switching control signal, with the output node adapted for connection to a non-linear load. A feedback network compares a signal which varies with the current conducted by the load (Iload) with a reference signal, and provides the switching control signal so as to maintain Iload at a desired value. A capacitor connected to the output node provides a current Ic to the feedback network which varies with dVout/dt. The feedback network is arranged to limit dVout/dt in response to current Ic when Iload is substantially zero. In this way, large inrush currents or damage that might otherwise occur during startup are avoided.
US07733027B2
A high-pressure mercury vapor lamp suitable for sterilization purposes. Germanium and oxygen are added in small quantities to the mercury and/or the mercury halides, with a molar ratio of germanium to oxygen being greater than 1. The addition of germanium monoxide increases the GAC efficiency (GAC: short for Germicidal Action Curve) of a high-pressure mercury vapor lamp, because germanium monoxide emits a strong molecular band system in the range from 250 to 280 nm.
US07733023B2
A manufacturing process for the production of plasma display panels is provided which allows obtaining in a simple way displays in which getter materials deposits are present in contact with the atmosphere present in channels or cells of the display. The process includes a step of forming the getter material deposits on a free surface of the magnesium oxide layer at positions essentially corresponding to contact areas between the front glass panel and the barriers on the rear glass panel of the display panel.
US07733021B2
A light emitting device is disclosed herein. An embodiment of the light emitting device includes a cavity and at least one light emitter located within the cavity. A first transparent material fills at least a portion of the cavity and encapsulates the light emitter. A substantially rigid optical modifying element is located adjacent the first transparent material, the modifying element comprises particles that emit at least one first wavelength of light upon being illuminated by a second wavelength of light. The modifying element has a first side located adjacent the first transparent material and a second side located opposite the first side, wherein the first side is substantially flat. In addition, the modifying element is substantially uniform in thickness.
US07733018B2
Disclosed is an EL element in which the rigidity and thermal expansion of the whole EL element is homogeneous, the spacing between film substrates provided respectively on both sides of the EL element can be kept constant, and the whole EL element is flexible. The EL element comprises a first film substrate, an EL part, and a sealant layer, the EL part comprising a first electrode, an EL layer, and a second electrode and being provided on a part of a surface of the first film substrate, the sealant layer being provided to cover the EL part and to cover the EL part-free part of the surface of the first film substrate in such a manner that the sealant layer covering the EL part is contiguous with the sealant layer covering the EL part-free part of the surface of the first film substrate.
US07733015B2
The present invention provides an organic EL display device having a planarizing layer, which is prevented from being distorted. The above organic EL display device has a planarizing layer, which retains 5% or less the oligomer used to form this layer.
US07733012B2
A light-emitting device comprising a pair of electrodes and a light-emitting layer or a plurality of organic layers comprising a light-emitting layer disposed therebetween, the light-emitting layer or at least one of a plurality of organic layers comprising the light-emitting layer comprising at least one compound represented by the following general formula (1): wherein each of Ar11, Ar12, Ar13, Ar14 and Ar15 represents an aryl group or a heteroaryl group; Ar represents a benzene ring, a naphthalene ring, a phenanthrene ring or an anthracene ring; at least one of Ar, Ar11, Ar12, Ar13, Ar14 and Ar15 is a condensed aryl group, a condensed or uncondensed heteroaryl group or a group comprising a condensed aryl group or a condensed or uncondensed heteroaryl group; Ar11, Ar12, Ar13, Ar14 and Ar15 are not bonded to each other to form a ring; R11 represents a substituent; and n11 represents an integer of 0 or more.
US07732997B2
Providing a manufacturing method of a piezoelectric element by which even if an electrode and a piezoelectric film stacked on a substrate are baked at a high temperature, the electrode does not oxidize and mutual diffusion between the substrate, the electrode and the piezoelectric film may be suppressed. The electrode is adapted as a laminated layer body which includes an electroconductive oxide layer, a mixture layer having an electroconductive oxide and electroconductive metal, and an electroconductive metal layer including the electroconductive metal from a substrate side, and the mixture layer above is adapted as a graded composition structure in which a ration of the electroconductive oxide is highest in an interface with the electroconductive oxide layer and lowest in an interface with the electroconductive metal layer.
US07732991B2
A self-poling piezoelectric based MEMS device is configured for piezoelectric actuation in response to application of a device operating voltage. The MEMS device comprises a beam, a first electrode disposed on the beam, a layer of piezoelectric material having a self-poling thickness disposed overlying a portion of the first electrode, and a second electrode overlying the layer of piezoelectric material. The layer of piezoelectric material is self-poled in response to application of the device operating voltage across the first and second electrodes. In addition, the self-poled piezoelectric material has a poling direction established according to a polarity orientation of the device operating voltage as applied across the first and second electrodes.
US07732983B2
A ultrasonic motor includes a piezoelectric device, and friction contact members moves a driven body by a elliptical vibration. And the ultrasonic motor includes a holder member which is disposed corresponding to a node of a longitudinal vibration or in the vicinity thereof on the face of the piezoelectric device and a node of a flexural vibration or in the vicinity thereof, the holder member having an engagement convex portion and being provided with a pair of sliding contact projection portions, a position limiting member which has accommodation holes each constituted of a sliding contact concave portion for accommodating the sliding contact projection portion such that it makes a sliding contact therewith freely and an engagement concave portion for accommodating the engagement convex portion, and a pressure member which presses the holder member so as to bring the friction contact members into pressure contact with the driven body.
US07732979B2
A linear drive ultrasonic motor includes at least an ultrasonic vibrator having a piezoelectric element, a driven member which is driven by a frictional force between the driven member and the ultrasonic vibrator, a pressing member which presses the ultrasonic vibrator such that a frictional force is generated between the ultrasonic vibrator and the driven member, a case member which accommodates the ultrasonic vibrator, the pressing member, and the driven member, and a coupling member which is coupled with the driven member at an interior of the case member. The case member includes an opening portion for allowing a part of the coupling member to pass through.
US07732974B1
Electrostatic power generator cell architectures having high generator output and a method of manufacture. In one embodiment, parasitic capacitances are reduced by reducing overlap between walls of the chamber and electrodes of the generator cell. In another embodiment, generator component materials are selected to reduce triboelectric effects to improve the coupling of kinetic energy to electrical output, thereby increasing generator output. In a further embodiment, the high permittivity material is selected to increase the modulation of the variable capacitors in the power generator to increase generator output. In still another embodiment, the physical dimensions of the generator cell components are reduced to increase power density. In an additional embodiment, a physical dimension of the generator chamber is based on the dominant motion the generator will be exposed to in a particular application.
US07732973B2
An electromagnetic machine has a moving component, a stationary component, and a support component coupling the moving and stationary components in physical and electromagnetic proximity. The stationary component is a wound coil of insulated, electrically conductive tape defining a side face which has a plurality of spaced apart channels in it. The coil carries an electric current so that its opposite faces are north and south electromagnet pole faces and these pole faces are interrupted with spaced apart channels. The moving component is made up of a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in north-to-south pole alignment sequence and spaced apart. Non-magnetic pole surfaces of the magnets are positioned in close mutual proximity to the coil pole face. Electromotive forces are produced by electromagnetic interaction between the coil channels and the permanent magnet pole faces.
US07732968B2
A winding body for holding a winding of an electrical conductor to produce a coil for an electrical machine includes a winding area formed by a winding support and two sidepieces connected to the winding support. The sidepieces form the boundaries of the winding area and are connected to the winding support. Various measures are proposed for mounting a compact winding on the winding body, for arranging the winding body without play and in an operationally reliable manner on a tooth of an electrical machine, and for wiring several coils together in a space-saving manner by using the winding body.
US07732961B2
A combined generator with built-in eddy-current magnetic resistance including a rotor and a stator iron core with generating coils winding therearound. The rotor consists of an outward turning type inertia flywheel and permanent magnets. A self-generated supply is achieved when the flywheel is driven by a fitness apparatus or a rehabilitation apparatus. An internal ring (A magnet-conductive ring) between the wheel hub and the external ring of the flywheel is extended from the internal wall toward the opening end. The internal diameter of the stator iron core is greater than the external diameter of the magnet-conductive ring such that a magnetic field gap is created. At least one receiving portion is formed in at least one portion of the internal circumference of the stator iron core for receiving at least one solenoid. The power required by the solenoid is supplied by the self-generated system such that the solenoid produces a magnetic field (by input of the power), thereby providing the magnet-conductive ring coupled to and rotated on the inertia flywheel with an eddy-current magnetic resistance. In this way, a reverse resistance acts from the inside on the inertia flywheel such that a braking effect is achieved.
US07732959B2
A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch and/or brake is provided having improved magnetic efficiency and structural integrity. A permanent magnet is coupled to one of a brake plate and an armature and axially aligned with a portion of the other for improved braking performance.
US07732949B2
A system and method of predicting power events in intermittent power environments and dispatching computational operations of an integrated circuit accordingly. A power management prediction system includes a controller executing a prediction algorithm, an arrangement of computation circuitry, a non-volatile storage device containing a power requirements log and a power history log, a clock generator, an intermittent power source, and a power monitor circuit. A method of predicting intermittent power events and dispatching computational operations includes: storing power requirements of each computational operation, monitoring the intermittent power source to generate a history log, predicting a subsequent power event based on the history log, retrieving actual power requirements of one or more computational operations, comparing the predicted power event with actual power requirements, determining whether actual power requirements are satisfied, dispatching one or more computational operations that correspond to one or more actual power events, or performing an error recovery operation.
US07732944B2
The present invention provides a central current share coordinator for use with remotely and non-remotely controllable rectifiers coupled to an output bus. In one embodiment, the central current share coordinator includes a rectifier current resolver configured to determine an existing current share condition for the remotely and non-remotely controllable rectifiers. Additionally, the central current share coordinator also includes a load share adjuster coupled to the rectifier current resolver and configured to adjust an output current of the remotely controllable rectifiers toward a target current share distribution on the output bus.
US07732933B2
A semiconductor chip, having an active surface including a peripheral area and a central area, presents a connection area formed on a portion of the peripheral area. The semiconductor chip includes output pads formed in the peripheral area of the active surface and input pads formed in the central area of the active surface. The input pads may be connected to wiring patterns of a TAB tape passing over the connection area.
US07732931B2
A semiconductor package and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor package includes a semiconductor chip having bonding pads; a first insulation layer pattern; redistribution line patterns; a second insulation layer pattern; and conductive balls. The first insulation layer pattern having first openings exposing the bonding pads. The redistribution line patterns are located on the first insulation layer pattern and are electrically connected with the bonding pads. The second insulation layer pattern covering the redistribution line patterns and having second openings having first open areas which expose portions of the redistribution line patterns and having second open areas which extend from the first open areas along the semiconductor chip. The conductive balls are electrically connected with the portions of the redistribution line patterns which are exposed through the first open areas of the second insulation layer pattern.
US07732929B2
A power semiconductor component (30) with power semiconductor chip stack (14) has a base power semiconductor chip (16) and a power semiconductor chip (17) stacked on the rear side of the base power semiconductor chip (16), a rewiring structure for the electrical coupling of the power semiconductor chips being arranged within the rear side metallization.
US07732927B2
The method includes the steps of forming a porous insulation film and wires on the substrate, the wires embedded in the porous insulation film having a portion adjacent to the wires and a remote portion spaced apart from the wires; and applying an energy beam to the remote portion to change the structure of the porous insulation film such that an Young's modulus of the porous insulation film increased so as to substantially reinforce the strength of the porous insulation film.
US07732919B2
Coupling reliability of a passive component is improved to increase the reliability of a semiconductor device. A first through hole is formed in a first electrode part of a first plate-like lead, and a second through hole is formed in a second electrode part of a second plate-like lead. As a result, at the first electrode part of the first plate-like lead, one external terminal of the passive component can be coupled to the first electrode parts on both sides of the first through hole while being laid across the first through hole. Also, at the second electrode part of the second plate-like lead, the other external terminal of the passive component can be coupled to the second electrode parts on both sides of the second through hole while being laid across the second through hole. Accordingly, at central portions both in the longitudinal and width directions of the passive component, the passive component is surrounded by sealing members. As a result, thermal stress applied to jointing materials such as solder can be reduced, improving the reliability of the semiconductor device (semiconductor package).
US07732917B2
A power module includes a substrate having first and second main substrate surfaces; a semiconductor device disposed on the first main substrate surface, and having a first main surface on which a first main electrode is formed, and a second main surface on which a second main electrode in contact with the first main substrate surface is formed; a heat conduction portion disposed on the first main substrate surface in a residual region of a region on which the semiconductor device is disposed; and an upper cooling portion disposed on the heat conduction portion.
US07732912B2
A microelectronic element package has one or more individual carrier units overlying a region or regions of the front or rear surface of the microelectronic element, leaving other regions of the microelectronic element surface uncovered. The carrier units can be made economically using only a small area of a dielectric film or other circuit panel material.
US07732911B2
A semiconductor packaging substrate with improved capability of electrostatic dissipation comprises a dielectric layer, a plurality of leads, a plurality of first electrostatic guiding traces, a plurality of second electrostatic guiding traces and a solder mask. The first electrostatic guiding traces and the second electrostatic guiding traces are formed in pairs in a plurality of electrostatic dissipation regions on the dielectric layer, where each pair of the first and second electrostatic guiding traces are disposed in equal line spacing and are electrically isolated from each other. The solder mask partially covers the leads but exposes the first electrostatic guiding traces and the second electrostatic guiding traces. The first electrostatic guiding traces are connected to some of the leads to enhance protection against electrostatic discharge.
US07732906B2
There is provided a small and high-performance System in Package (SiP) suitable for high-density mounting. A System in Package (SiP) has a stack structure such that two memory chips are stacked and mounted over the main surface of a wiring substrate, a microcomputer chip is stacked and mounted over the upper part thereof, and the chips are sealed by a mold resin. Each of the memory chips is constructed so as to transmit and receive data to/from the outside of the system via the microcomputer chip. The microcomputer chip is constructed of a multiport structure having various interfaces between it and the outside of the system in addition to an interface between it and the inside of the system. The number of terminals (pins) of the microcomputer chip is much larger than that of the memory chips.
US07732905B2
The stack package may have a structure in which unit packages may be inserted into slots of a receiving substrate. The unit package may have a plurality of connecting pads. The receiving substrate may have substrate pads, which may be electrically connected to the connecting pads of the unit packages inserted in the slots by mechanical contact. The slots may be provided at regular vertical intervals so that the unit packages may be stacked in the vertical direction. A semiconductor module may include stack packages installed on at least one surface of a module substrate.
US07732899B1
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided various methods of simultaneously fabricating a plurality of semiconductor packages (e.g., cavity type semiconductor packages) wherein the singulation process is achieved using etching techniques as opposed to more conventional cutting techniques such as sawing or punching. Such etching techniques are inherently lower in cost and free from many of the defects induced by other cutting techniques.
US07732891B2
A semiconductor device has a substrate, a source region formed on the surface portion of the substrate, a first insulating layer formed on the substrate, a gate electrode formed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer formed on the gate electrode, a body section connected with the source region, penetrating through the first insulating layer, the gate electrode and the second insulating layer, and containing a void, a gate insulating film surrounding the body section, and formed between the body section and the gate electrode, and a drain region connected with the body section.
US07732890B2
The high voltage integrated circuit comprises a P substrate. An N well barrier is disposed in the substrate. Separated P diffusion regions forming P wells are disposed in the substrate for serving as the isolation structures. The low voltage control circuit is located outside the N well barrier. A floating circuit is located inside the N well barrier. In order to develop a high voltage junction barrier in between the floating circuit and the substrate, the maximum space of devices of the floating circuit is restricted.
US07732889B2
A semiconductor device comprises an integrated circuit formed on a substrate with a signal interface and at least one isolator capacitor. The integrated circuit comprises a plurality of interleaved inter-metal dielectric layers and interlayer dielectrics formed on the substrate, a thick passivation layer formed on the plurality of the interleaved inter-metal dielectric layers and interlayer dielectrics, and a thick metal layer formed on the thick passivation layer. The thick passivation layer has a thickness selected to be greater than the isolation thickness whereby testing for defects is eliminated. The one or more isolator capacitors comprise the thick metal layer and a metal layer in the plurality of interleaved inter-metal dielectric layers and interlayer dielectrics separated by the thick passivation layer as an insulator.
US07732888B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a memory cell array comprises a plurality of voids, the spatial positions and dimensions of the voids being chosen such that mechanical stress occurring within the memory cell array is at least partly compensated by the voids.
US07732886B2
A PIN photodiode structure includes a substrate, a P-doped region disposed in the substrate, an N-doped region disposed in the substrate, and a first semiconductor material disposed in the substrate and between the P-doped region and the N-doped region.
US07732879B2
Provided are a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes: a gate electrode formed of polysilicon on a substrate with a gate insulating layer interposed between the gate electrode and the substrate; a source region and a drain region formed on the substrate on either side of the gate electrode; a PMD (poly-metal dielectric) liner nitride layer having a non-stoichiometric structure formed on the gate electrode, the source region, and the drain region; and an interlayer insulating layer formed on the PMD liner nitride layer.
US07732878B2
A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a gate stack on the substrate, a source/drain region adjacent the gate stack, a source/drain silicide region on the source/drain region, a protection layer on the source/drain silicide region, wherein a region over the gate stack is substantially free from the protection layer, and a contact etch stop layer (CESL) having a stress over the protection layer and extending over the gate stack.
US07732864B2
The present invention provides a high speed and low power consumption LSI operable in a wide temperature range in which a MOS transistor having back gates is used specifically according to operating characteristics of a circuit.In the LSI, an FD-SOI structure having an embedded oxide film layer is used and a lower semiconductor region of the embedded oxide film layer is used as a back gate. A voltage for back gates in the logic circuits having a small load in the logic circuit block is controlled in response to activation of the block from outside of the block. Transistors, in which the gate and the back gate are connected to each other, are used for the circuit generating the back gate driving signal, and logic circuits having a heavy load such as circuit block output section, and the back gates are directly controlled according to the gate input signal.
US07732856B2
Methods of forming a non-volatile memory device may include forming a tunnel insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate and forming a charge-trap layer on the tunnel insulating layer. A trench may then be formed extending through the tunnel insulating layer and the charge-trap layer and into the semiconductor substrate so that portions of the charge-trap layer and the tunnel insulating layers remain on opposite sides of the trench. A device isolation layer may be formed in the trench, and a blocking insulating layer may be formed on the device isolation layer and on remaining portions of the charge-trap layer. A gate electrode may be formed on the blocking insulating layer, and the blocking insulating layer and remaining portions of the charge-trap layer may be patterned to provide a blocking insulating pattern and a charge-trap pattern between the gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate. Related structures are also discussed.
US07732853B2
Nonvolatile integrated circuit memory devices having a 2-bit memory cell include a substrate, a source region and a drain region in the substrate, a step recess channel between the source region and the drain region, a trapping structure including a plurality of charge trapping nano-crystals on the step recess channel, and a gate on the trapping structure. Related fabrication methods are also described.
US07732852B2
High dielectric films of mixed transition metal oxides of titanium and tungsten, or titanium and tantalum, are formed by sequential chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of the respective nitrides and annealing in the presence of oxygen to densify and oxidize the nitrides. The resulting film is useful as a capacitative cell and resists oxygen diffusion to the underlying material, has high capacitance and low current leakage.
US07732850B2
In a semiconductor device according to embodiments of the invention, a capacitor includes a storage electrode having a cylindrical storage conductive layer pattern and connecting members formed on the upper portion of the cylindrical storage conductive layer pattern. The connecting member connects to an adjacent connecting member of another storage electrode. A dielectric layer and a plate electrode are successively formed on the storage electrode. All of the capacitors are connected by one another by forming cylindrical storage electrodes so that the storage electrode does not fall down when the capacitors have an extremely large aspect ratio. Thus, the capacitance of the capacitors may be improved to the desired level. A semiconductor device that includes these capacitors may have improved reliability and the throughput of a semiconductor manufacturing process may be increased.
US07732845B2
A tensile-stress-generating structure is formed above a gate electrode in a CMOS image sensor to apply a normal tensile stress between a charge collection well of a photodiode, which is also a source region of a transfer transistor, and a floating drain in the direction connecting the source region and the floating drain. The tensile stress lowers the potential barrier between the source region and the body of the transfer transistor to effect a faster and more through transfer of the electrical charges in the source region to the floating drain. Image lag is thus reduced in the CMOS image sensor. Further, charge capacity of the source region is also enhanced due to the normal tensile stress applied to the source region.
US07732842B2
A monolithically integrated trench FET and Schottky diode includes a plurality of trenches extending into a FET region and a Schottky region of a semiconductor layer. A trench in the Schottky region includes a dielectric layer lining the trench sidewalls, and a conductive electrode having a top surface that is substantially coplanar with a top surface of the semiconductor layer adjacent the trench. An interconnect layer electrically contacts the semiconductor layer in the Schottky region so as to form a Schottky contact with the semiconductor layer.
US07732832B2
This pn-junction compound semiconductor light-emitting device includes a crystal substrate; an n-type light-emitting layer formed of a hexagonal n-type Group III nitride semiconductor and provided on the crystal substrate; a p-type Group III nitride semiconductor layer formed of a hexagonal p-type Group III nitride semiconductor and provided on the n-type light-emitting layer; a p-type boron-phosphide-based semiconductor layer having a sphalerite crystal type and provided on the p-type Group III nitride semiconductor layer; and a thin-film layer composed of an undoped hexagonal Group III nitride semiconductor formed on the p-type Group III nitride semiconductor layer, wherein the p-type boron-phosphide-based semiconductor layer is joined to the thin-film layer composed of an undoped hexagonal Group III nitride semiconductor.
US07732830B2
A compound semiconductor light-emitting diode comprising a light-emitting layer composed of a Group III-V compound semiconductor, and a current diffusion layer provided on the light-emitting layer and composed of a Group III-V compound semiconductor, characterized in that the current diffusion layer is composed of a conductive boron-phosphide-based semiconductor and has a bandgap at room temperature wider than that of the light-emitting layer.
US07732823B2
In order to make it possible to grow up a light emitting device easily on a substrate made of a Si material system while production of an anti-phase domain can be prevented and a sufficiently high luminous efficiency can be obtained, the light emitting device is configured as a device which includes a substrate (1) formed from a Si material system, a Si1-x-yGexCy (0
US07732820B2
A substrate for a display device includes a scan line, a signal line, a switching element provided on an insulating substrate, an interlayer insulation film, and a pixel electrode. The switching element is provided at an intersection of the scan line and the signal line. The switching element includes a gate electrode connected to the scan line, a source electrode connected to the signal line, and a drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode. The interlayer insulation film includes a contact hole for connecting the drain electrode of the switching element to the pixel electrode. A protective layer formed of an insulating material is provided above the scan line and/or the signal line. A portion of an underlying film under the protective layer contacts a portion of an overlying film over the protective layer.
US07732815B2
A semiconductor thin film according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a polycrystallized semiconductor thin film formed by applying laser light to an amorphous semiconductor thin film; and crystal grains arranged into a lattice shape with a size that is about ½ of an oscillation wavelength of the laser light.
US07732799B2
The semiconductor memory device includes a variable resistance device having a solid electrolyte in a three-dimensional structure. The variable resistance device includes a first electrode; the solid electrolyte, which has at least two regions with different heights, formed on the first electrode; and a second electrode made of a conductive material formed on the solid electrolyte to cover the regions with different heights. In addition, a multibit semiconductor memory device is provided which includes a bias circuit that can control the intensity of a current and time the current is supplied to the variable resistance device inside a memory cell in multiple steps to configure multibits.
US07732781B2
In one embodiment, a radiation detection system is provided including a radiation detector and a first enclosure encapsulating the radiation detector, the first enclosure including a low-emissivity infra-red (IR) reflective coating used to thermally isolate the radiation detector. Additionally, a second enclosure encapsulating the first enclosure is included, the first enclosure being suspension mounted to the second enclosure. Further, a cooler capable of cooling the radiation detector is included. Still yet, a first cooling interface positioned on the second enclosure is included for coupling the cooler and the first enclosure. Furthermore, a second cooling interface positioned on the second enclosure and capable of coupling the first enclosure to a cooler separate from the radiation detection system is included. Other embodiments are also presented.
US07732777B2
An energy converter employing plasmons. In a specific embodiment, a receiver receives a first type of energy or signal and provides one or more plasmons in response thereto. A detector is coupled to the receiver. The detector converts the one or more plasmons into a second type of energy or signal. In a more specific embodiment, the first type of energy or signal includes incident electromagnetic energy, such as visible, infrared, or ultraviolet radiation. The second type of energy or signal includes an electrical signal. The receiver includes a conductor grating that is coupled to a dielectric material. Examples of the detector includes a pn-junction and an interfacial bandgap junction. The receiver and the detector are coupled so that the one or more plasmons form a plasma wave as they travel from the receiver to the detector.
US07732772B1
A system for detecting explosive materials includes at least one deuterium/tritium neutron generator module, at least one germanium detector module, and an analysis module. The deuterium/tritium neutron generator module bombards an object with neutrons. The germanium detector module detects gamma rays emitted by the object in response to the neutrons. The analysis module analyzes the gamma rays detected by the germanium detector module for the presence of explosive materials on or within the object.
US07732771B2
An imaging apparatus includes a camera unit, a panorama-image generating section generating a panorama image of the entire area by combining a plurality of unit images obtained by the camera unit, a panorama-image storage/management section storing and managing the panorama image generated by the panorama-image generating section, an infrared camera photographing an object that has a temperature falling within a preset temperature range as an infrared image, a direction controller sequentially shifting the photographing direction of the infrared camera within the area being photographed, an infrared-image generating section combining a plurality of infrared images provided by the infrared camera, an image-synthesizing section synthesizing the panorama image generated by the panorama-image generating section, with the panorama infrared image generated by the infrared-image generating section, and a display displaying the synthesized image generated by the image-synthesizing section.
US07732770B2
Aspects described herein provide for the design and fabrication of a device with an enhanced pyroelectric response signal comprised of multi-capacitors that are connected in series. These capacitors are fabricated using multi-layers of materials such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), BaxSr1-xTiO3 (barium strontium titanate) and Bi4Ti3O12 (bismuth titanate) films that exhibit pyroelectric affect and belong to the class of polar materials. By controlling the poling direction of the multi-layer integrated structure, the pyroelectric voltage can be aligned in one direction, and as a result, the voltage output from the single element is the total contribution from each capacitor.
US07732768B1
In one embodiment, a thermographic imaging device having a visual compare mode that allows a user to compare a live image of a subject to a previously captured image of the same subject to aid the user in aligning the live image with the previously captured image. In this manner, a user can capture a series of images of the subject with the device located and oriented at a common location and orientation that is consistent throughout the series. In another embodiment, trend analysis software that includes a thermographic tool copying feature for copying one or more thermographic tools from a tooled thermographic image file to one or more non-tooled thermographic image files. In some embodiments, the software includes a trend-graphing feature that generates one or more trend plots after one or more tools have been copied to one or more non-tooled thermographic image files.
US07732755B2
An encoder having a code scale, an illumination system, and a plurality of photodetectors is disclosed. The code scale has a plurality of tracks that are illuminated by the illumination system. Each photodetector receives light from a corresponding one of the tracks and generates a signal indicative of a quantity of light received from that track. Each photodetector is limited to detecting light in a band of wavelengths corresponding to that track. Each track generates light in a band of wavelengths corresponding to that track, and the band of wavelengths corresponding to one of the tracks is different from the band of wavelengths corresponding to the tracks that are next to that track. The tracks can include alternating reflective and absorptive stripes, alternating transmissive and reflective stripes, or alternating luminescent and absorptive stripes.
US07732751B2
A detector and aperture determine radiation characteristics, including angular direction throughout a specified range, of external articles. Preferably an afocal aperture element enlarges/reduces the article and volume FOR. Mirror(s) along a path between detector and aperture, rotatable about plural axes, make the detector address varying regions. Preferably each mirror is MEMS, exceeding five to thirty microns. The detector “sees” articles throughout the range, at constant magnification. Other aspects rotate magnetically controlled dual-axis MEMS mirrors, each with electrical coils opposed across an axis, and anther magnet whose field interacts with coil-current fields, generating force components: one includes oppositely directed forces, torquing the mirrors; another thrusts mirrors outward from the array rest plane, causing variable “piston”. Alternatively, other forces pull mirror(s) outward—and the second component attracts them inward. Components are adjusted to steer a beam in a desired direction, and wavefronts from adjacent mirrors are in phase for finer diffraction limit.
US07732749B2
A system for measuring the output of a photodetector is disclosed. An integrating amplifier circuit receives a signal output from the photodetector and is adapted to output an integrating amplifier voltage proportional to the signal output from the photodetector. A reference source is adapted to serve as a voltage source and is adapted to output a reference voltage proportional to background light incident upon the photodetector. A difference amplifier electronically coupled to the integrating amplifier circuit and to the adjustable reference, receiving the integrating amplifier voltage and the reference voltage, respectively. The difference amplifier is adapted to generate an amplified output using the reference voltage subtracted from the integrating amplifier voltage.
US07732741B1
A locking mechanism for securing an articulated folding wing assembly in a fully extended position by means of a tapered locking plunger urged by a coiled compression spring to contact a complementary mating surface formed on the wing assembly. The spring urged locking plunger is released from a retracted position by rotation of the wing assembly from the folded position to the extended position. A folding mechanism for rotating the wing assembly through a compound angle from the folded position to a rigid and positively locked fully extended position is provided wherein the extended wing may be rotated about its longitudinal axis to provide directional control to the vehicle.
US07732737B2
A warming dispenser includes a housing having a compartment. The compartment holds a plurality of sheets. A heating device is located adjacent the plurality of sheets. A micro power source is connected to the heating device to generate energy from a fuel source, wherein the heating device uses the energy to warm at least one of the sheets. The micropower source may be, for example, a micro fuel cell adapted to deliver electricity for resistive heating.
US07732736B2
A hot melt adhesive hose assembly comprises a heater circuit wrapped around an external surface portion of the hose assembly, a temperature sensor, and an elongated thermal fuse which is likewise wrapped around an external surface portion of the hose assembly such that successive spiral turns of the thermal fuse are effectively interposed between successive spiral turns of the heater circuit. The thermal fuse may be electrically connected in series with the heater circuit so as to effectively terminate electrical power to the heater circuit as a result of the melting of the thermal fuse, or alternatively, the thermal fuse may be electrically connected in series with the temperature sensor, so as to detect abnormal temperature levels at substantially any location throughout the length of the hose assembly.
US07732734B2
An apparatus for forming a metal article includes a station which receives and supports a workpiece. The station has a source of electrical current and a source of a fluid. The station further includes a first and a second electrode clamp. Each clamp is in electrical communication with the source of current and in fluid communication with the source of fluid. The clamps engage a workpiece and deliver an electrical current and a fluid thereto. The system includes an actuator mechanically associated with at least one of the clamps. The actuator is operable in combination with a clamp to apply mechanical force to the workpiece. The system is operable to selectably control the temperature profile and/or ambient conditions of a workpiece during forming or processing steps. Disclosed are specific systems including modular systems. Also disclosed are methods for using the systems.
US07732730B2
A laser beam machining method and a laser beam machining device capable of cutting a work without producing a fusing and a cracking out of a predetermined cutting line on the surface of the work, wherein a pulse laser beam is radiated on the predetermined cut line on the surface of the work under the conditions causing a multiple photon absorption and with a condensed point aligned to the inside of the work, and a modified area is formed inside the work along the predetermined determined cut line by moving the condensed point along the predetermined cut line, whereby the work can be cut with a rather small force by cracking the work along the predetermined cut line starting from the modified area and, because the pulse laser beam radiated is not almost absorbed onto the surface of the work, the surface is not fused even if the modified area is formed.
US07732729B2
A laser processing device capable of recognizing a failure of pulsed laser beam irradiation during a process of pulsed laser beam irradiation and taking appropriate measures. A first judgment section and a second judgment section monitor respectively whether a pulsed laser beam is actually irradiated by an oscillation of a laser oscillator at the timing when a pulse signal is output from a pulse signal output section and whether the pulse signal output section outputs the pulse signal as setting to the laser oscillator at the timing when the pulse signal is output based on the preset pulse number. When there is a failure of the pulsed laser beam irradiation during the processing, the occurrence of failure is recognized and it can be recognized whether the failure is caused by a laser beam irradiating unit or a controller including the pulse signal output section.
US07732714B2
An electrically conductive gasket for paint masking. In one embodiment of the present invention, the gasket includes a core, an electrically conductive cover that is applied to the core with adhesive. A film of material is attached to the outer surface of the electrically conductive cover which functions as a removable mask. The various embodiments of the gasket may be fabricated from materials capable of withstanding relatively high temperatures and may be provided in a variety of different shapes.
US07732709B2
A housing is disclosed for accommodating electrical components having a housing lower part, having a conductor feed opening and having a housing cover for covering the housing lower part. In at least one embodiment, the housing is intended to provide the possibility of very convenient fitting and dismantling. The conductor feed opening is provided for the purpose of being delimited by the housing lower part and the housing cover in the closed state of the housing. This obviates the need for the careful threading-in operation when installing a cable on an electrical component in the interior of the housing. In addition, the housing cover delimiting the conductor feed opening is provided with first guide elements, which are provided for engaging in the housing lower part.
US07732705B2
A solar cell array including a first solar cell with an integral bypass diode and an adjacent second solar cell and two discrete metal interconnection members coupling the anode of the bypass diode of the first cell with the anode of the second solar cell.
US07732703B2
A device is disclosed for converting guitar sounds to MIDI commands. The device has 7 microcontrollers. Each guitar string's oscillations are filtered and amplified with input filters and input amplifiers. The conditioned string signal is directed to an input of an associated microcontroller and converted to a MIDI command. Each string has an input filter and amplifier, and a microcontroller that converts the string oscillations into a MIDI command. MIDI commands from all six microcontrollers are received and processed by a main microcontroller that transmits the commands to the MIDI interface of a musical instrument with additional modification, if needed.
US07732688B2
A portable instrument stand has a base, two legs retractably mounted in the base, two arms foldably mounted in the base and a main cover mounted pivotally on the base. While unfolding the instrument stand, the legs, the main cover and the arms are sequentially unfolded in the base to allow a guitar or the like to be held on the arms. While folding the instrument stand, the arms and the legs are respectively stored in the base and the main cover is mounted on the base. The instrument stand is light, aesthetically pleasing, and has no sharp protrusions that may damage instruments being carried with the instrument stand or a person carrying the stand so is convenient.
US07732674B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5362795. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5362795. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5362795 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5362795 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07732668B2
This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding floral development proteins, more specifically FT, TFL or Ap3 homologs. The invention also relates to the construction of a recombinant DNA construct encoding all or a portion of the floral development proteins, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the recombinant DNA construct results in production of altered levels of the FT, TFL or Ap3 homologs in a transformed host cell.
US07732666B1
This invention relates to an O-methyltransferase gene cloned from sorghum, the sorghum O-methyltransferase-3 gene, SbOMT3. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR and recombinant enzyme studies with putative O-methyltransferase sequences obtained from an EST data set from sorghum have led to the identification of the novel root hair-specific O-methyltransferase designated SbOMT3. Transgenic plants which express SbOMT3 can convert resveratrol into pterostilbene in planta. SbOMT3 is also involved in the biosynthesis of sorgoleone.
US07732654B2
We provide a process for making a fuel or lubricant component, comprising: performing alkylation and oligomerization by contacting a stream comprising one or more olefins and one or more isoparaffins, wherein a molar ratio of the one or more olefins to the one or more isoparaffins in the stream is at least 0.8, an acidic chloroaluminate ionic liquid catalyst, and a halohalide; and recovering the fuel or lubricant component having a Bromine Number of less than 4. We provide a process comprising performing concurrent alkylation and oligomerization. We also provide a process for making a lubricant component having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of at least 6.9 mm2/s, a VI of at least 134, a cloud point less than or equal to −28° C., and a Bromine Number of less than or equal to 6.1.
US07732650B2
A processing scheme and system for enhanced light olefin production, particularly for increased relative yield of propylene, involves oxygenate conversion to olefins and subsequent oxygenate conversion effluent stream treatment including cross-metathesis of 1-butene with 2-butene, metathesis of 2-butene with ethylene, conversion or removal of at least a portion of the isobutene, and/or isomerization of at least a portion of 1-butene to 2-butene to produce additional propylene. The processing scheme and system may further involve a reaction with distillation column for the metathesis of butenes with ethylene to produce propylene and/or a reaction with distillation column for the conversion of isobutenes with an oxygenate-containing material to produce a tertiary ether or alcohol.
US07732645B2
Aromatic vinyl ether compounds represented by Formula (1) or by Formula (2) wherein each R and R′ is a hydrogen atom or a group represented by Formula (3) and wherein the remaining variables are as defined in the specification, provided that at least one pR in Formula (1) and at least one uR in Formula (2) is a Formula (3) group. These aromatic vinyl ether compounds are useful as, e.g., curing agents for cationic polymerization.
US07732639B2
The invention relates to a method for preparing acrylic acid by oxidizing propylene and then acrolein, involving the recycling of gases that had not reacted by means of a partial oxidation of the propane, in parallel, at the end of the acrylic acid recovery step, then returning, to the propylene-converting reactor, a gas rich in both propane and propylene having been subjected to a second passage in the acrylic acid recovery column.
US07732634B2
The present invention is directed to a process for hydrogenating one or more organic compounds especially unsaturated organic compounds by bringing the compound into contact with a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst, which comprises one or more catalytically active metals applied to a porous catalyst support. The one or more catalytically active metals having been derived via a decomposed organic complex of the metal on the support, in particular amine complexes of the metal. The decomposed complex may be treated with hydrogen to activate the catalyst before use as a hydrogenation catalyst.
US07732625B2
Rhodamine, thio-rhodamine, acridine, and carbopyronin compounds of the formula wherein M is either (1) a metal ion having a positive charge of +y wherein y is an integer which is at least 2, said metal ion being capable of forming a compound with at least two chromogen moieties, or (2) a metal-containing moiety capable of forming a compound with at least two chromogen moieties, z is an integer representing the number of chromogen moieties associated with the metal and is at least 2, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, a, b, c, d, Y, and z are as defined herein, Q− is a COO− group or a SO3− group, A is an organic anion, and CA is either a hydrogen atom or a cation associated with all but one of the Q− groups.
US07732624B2
A process for continuously removing a target product X in the form of fine crystals from a liquid phase P comprising the target product X and constituents other than the target product X by cooling suspension crystallization in an indirect heat transferer, in which the crystal suspension formed is conducted out of the heat transferer first into a mixed buffer tank and, from there, fed to an apparatus for separating the crystal suspension into crystals and liquid phase, and wherein external measures dissipade the oversaturation of the crystal suspension fed to the buffer vessel with target product X.
US07732616B2
Disclosed are compounds of the Formulas I and V and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, wherein R1, R2, R7, R8 and R9, W, X and Y are as defined in the specification. Such compounds are MEK inhibitors and useful in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer and inflammation, in mammals, and inflammatory conditions. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases in mammals and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.
US07732604B2
The invention relates to compounds of the formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined herein. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of formula I and to methods of treating hyperproliferative disorders in a mammal by administering the compounds of formula I.
US07732582B2
A dicarboxylic acid compound obtainable by oxidative degradation of pradimicin antibiotics, which are antibiotics consisting of the benzonaphthacene skeleton, a D-amino acid side chain and a sugar chain, for the second saccharide residue of the sugar chain, and use thereof utilizing a specific microorganism binding property thereof are provided. The dicarboxylic acid compound has significantly improved water-solubility compared with the raw material antibiotics, whist maintaining the specific microorganism binding property.
US07732579B2
High affinity antibodies for binding epitopes of BoNT/Aand hybridomas that produce such antibodies are described. The antibodies may be used in a kit for detecting BoNT/A in a sample.
US07732577B2
Isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding mammalian MDM2 binding protein and polypeptide sequences for the mammalian MDM2 binding protein are provided. Also provided are vectors containing these nucleic acid sequences, host cells which express these proteins and antibodies targeted to these proteins. In addition, methods and compositions for modulating the G1 phase of the cell cycle via altering expression and/or activity of a mammalian MDM2 binding protein are provided.
US07732574B2
The invention relates to a would care product that provides a biochemical environment around a wound to promote wound healing. The wound care product includes a keratin protein fraction material in which the protein fraction is intact, is from the intermediate filament protein family or the high sulfur protein family and in which the protein fraction is S-sulfonated. The invention also described a method of making a wound care product.
US07732567B2
Methods and compositions for use in modulating the activity(s) of WISP-1 polypeptide are provided. WISP-1 antagonists include anti-WISP-1 antibodies, WISP-1 immunoadhesins and WISP-1 variants (and fusion proteins thereof) which inhibit or neutralize induction or secretion of HAS2, HA, CD44 or RHAMM by native human WISP-1 polypeptide in at least one type of mammalian cell. The invention also provides methods for in vitro, in situ, and/or in vivo diagnosis and/or treatment of mammalian cells or pathological conditions associated with native WISP-1 polypeptides.
US07732564B2
The present invention relates to a rodent serum marker for prostate cancer comprising b-microseminoprotein (PSP94) and diagnostic methods thereof. The present invention also relates to a recombinant sequence to raise a ligand of a specific binding affinity to a rodent serum marker for prostate cancer, which comprises the following amino acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 1) MGGSHHHHHHGMASMTGGGGMGRNTRYDDDDKDRWGSWVCSIENREIFPN QMSDDCMDADGNKHFLNTPKKNCTWCSCDKTSITCCTNATPLSYDKDNCD VQFHPENCTYSVVDRKNPGKTCRVDSWTM.
US07732558B2
A dendritic compound of the following structure: PDn-Z-L is disclosed. In the structure above, P is X—(CH2CH2—O)r—, r is an integer ranging from 1000 to 4000, X is OH, NH2, or OR, R is C1 to C10alkyl, Dn is a residue of branched C3 to C30 polyol compounds, n is the quantity of layers of the residue of branched compounds and is an integer equal to or greater than 1, L is a metal cation, Z is the residue of a C3 to C30 compound with multi functional groups. The functional groups illustrated above can be carboxylic groups, amino groups, amide groups, or chelating groups. The carboxylic groups, ester groups, amino groups, or amide groups bind to Dn, and the chelating groups bind to the metal cations.
US07732552B2
A process for producing a low VOC epoxy silane oligomer which includes the reaction of an epoxy silane with water in a water to silane molar ratio of from 0.1 to 1.5, in which the epoxy silane is the reaction product of an epoxy alkoxy-substituted silane and a diol or a dicarboxylic acid.
US07732549B2
The aim of the present invention is to provide a multi-branched polymer, in which branch terminals can be easily modified and which have a high degree of branching and narrow dispersion. By polymerizing a compound having 2 or more polymerization-initiation sites and polymerizable unsaturated bonds with a living radical polymerization method using a metal catalyst, it is possible to produce a multi-branched polymer with narrow dispersion and a high degree of branching and having repeating units represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 to R3 each independently represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group, R1 may be bonded to R3 to form a ring; X represents a connecting group having a valence of 3 or higher; Y may be the same or different and each represents a functional group which may have a halogen atom at a terminal thereof; and a is an integer of 2 or larger.
US07732547B2
The present invention provides a graft polymer and compositions comprising a cyclic olefin polymer characterized by having a glass transition temperature of about 60° C. to 250° C. and a molecular weight of about 400 to 300000, and a fluorocarbon alkyl group grafted on the cyclic olefin polymer.
US07732538B2
A method for carrying out a mass polymerization of monomers and/or pre-polymers, which are at least partially soluble in their polymers, in particular methyl methacrylate (MMA) is provided. The method involves the addition of at least one monomer or pre-polymer in a reactor. Mass polymerization for amorphous polymers is carried out without solvents below the glass transition temperature and for crystalline polymers below the melting point, achieving a high degree of conversion of the monomers.
US07732534B2
A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (i) polymerizing conjugated diene monomer by employing a lanthanide-based catalyst to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitro compound.
US07732530B2
The present invention relates to a propylene copolymer composition comprising A) a propylene copolymer containing from 1 to 20% by weight of olefins other than propylene and B) at least one propylene copolymer containing from 5 to 98% by weight of olefins other than propylene, where the propylene copolymer composition is obtainable by means of a two-stage or multistage polymerization using a catalyst system based on metallocene compounds which is used in both stages.
US07732529B2
The present invention provides an acrylic block copolymer composition improving melt flowability at molding and being excellent in heat resistance in addition to keep weather resistance, chemical resistance, adhesion property, flexibility and abrasion resistance which are the characteristics of the acrylic block copolymer. It is attained by a thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising an acrylic block copolymer (A) which comprises a methacrylic polymer block (a) and an acrylic polymer block (b), wherein at least one of polymer blocks among the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b) has an acid anhydride group and/or a carboxyl group, and an acrylic polymer (B) having 1.1 or more of epoxy groups in one molecule.
US07732524B2
An elastomer composition is provided which contains a matrix of biomass plastic and crosslinked natural rubber particles dispersed like islands in the matrix. An eraser using the elastomer composition is also provided. The present invention is capable of providing an elastomer composition and eraser using the same, which can be recycled, are friendly to the environment, and corresponds to the recycling society, without relying on fossil resources.
US07732521B2
The present invention is directed to improved processes for making plastic articles, and articles made therefrom. In a broad aspect, the invention is directed to improved processes and articles made therefrom, that include the steps of providing as separate materials a first material that includes a polyolefin, a second material including an admixture of from about 45 to 85 wt. % of the total admixture of at least one particulated mineral filler; and from about 15 to 55 wt. % of the total admixture of at least a second polyolefin having a melt index greater than about 150 g/10 min at 190° C./2.16 kg, as measured per ISO 1133 (condition D); applying a shear force to form a molten blend; shaping the molten blend and solidifying the molten blend.
US07732515B2
Disclosed herein is a flame retardant thermoplastic resin composition that has superior scratch resistance and mechanical properties, satisfying requirements for the appearance of housing materials resulting from a recent increase in volume of electrical and electronic products, and that contains a phosphorus-based flame-retarding agent, satisfying requirements for fire safety and prevention of environmental problems. The resin composition with scratch resistance comprises a base resin comprising (A) about 30 to about 90 parts by weight of a polycarbonate resin, (B) about 15 to about 50 parts by weight of a polymethylmethacrylate resin and (C) about 5 to about 50 parts by weight of a polyethylene terephthalate-based resin, and (D) about 5 to about 30 parts by weight of a phosphorus-based flame-retarding agent based on 100 parts by weight of the base resin. The composition may further comprise about 1 to about 30 parts by weight of an impact modifier based on 100 parts by weight of the base resin.
US07732513B2
A resin mold for molding a curable resin, which has been made by molding a resin composition comprising an alicyclic structure-containing polymer and a nitrogen-containing organic compound (X) having at least one nitrogen atom which is bonded to at least one tertiary or quaternary carbon atom. A curable resin is molded and cured using a combined mold which is a combination of two resin molds (A) and (B), wherein at least one (A) of the two resin molds is made by molding a resin composition comprising an alicyclic structure-containing polymer and the nitrogen-containing organic compound (X). Preferably, the two molds (A) and (B) are made by molding resin compositions comprising an alicyclic structure-containing polymer and different amounts of the nitrogen-containing organic compound (X).
US07732510B2
A fuel resistant binder is characterized by the addition of a carrier curing agent to a modified, unmodified or emulsified asphalt material formed of a mixture of hot, cold or emulsified asphalt and carrier and activator materials. The carrier curing agent preferably is a polyurethane moisture curing solution. A cross-linking material and aggregate are also mixed with the binder to form a material suitable for patching cracks and holes in pavement and the like. The activator assists the polymer material in linking with the asphalt while the carrier prevents the formation of gel or lumps within the asphalt. The carrier curing agent resists the penetration of fuel into the binder.
US07732496B1
Structurally stable and mechanically strong ceramic oxide aerogels are provided. The aerogels are cross-linked via organic polymer chains that are attached to and extend from surface-bound functional groups provided or present over the internal surfaces of a mesoporous ceramic oxide particle network via appropriate chemical reactions. The functional groups can be hydroxyl groups, which are native to ceramic oxides, or they can be non-hydroxyl functional groups that can be decorated over the internal surfaces of the ceramic oxide network. Methods of preparing such mechanically strong ceramic oxide aerogels also are provided.
US07732493B2
The invention relates to new 2-substituted D-homo-estra-1,3,5(10)-trienes of general formula I in which R2 means a C1-C8-alkyl group, a C1-C8-alkyloxy group or a halogen atom, R13 means a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R17 means a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, as well as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, their manufacture and use as medicaments for prophylaxis and therapy of estrogen-dependent diseases that can be influenced by inhibition of 17β-hydroxy steroid dehydro-genase type 1.
US07732486B2
Anhydrous silver dihydrogen citrate compositions comprise silver dihydrogen citrate and citric acid. The anhydrous compositions can be prepared by freeze-drying. The anhydrous compositions can be reconstituted with a suitable diluent to form silver dihydrogen citrate compositions. The anhydrous compositions can be reconstituted and applied to a variety of substrates to impart an antimicrobial effect on the substrates.
US07732466B2
The present invention relates to new substituted thiophene-2-carboxylic acid amides of general formula wherein A, and R1 to R8c are defined as in claim 1, the tautomers, the enantiomers, the diastereomers, the mixtures thereof and the salts thereof, particularly the physiologically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids or bases, which have valuable properties.
US07732448B2
The present invention relates to a pyrimidine compound of the formula (I): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, halogen atom or C1-C4 alkyl; R2 represents C3-C7 alkynyloxy; R3 represents a hydrogen atom, halogen atom or C1-C3 alkyl; X represents C4-C7 polymethylene, in which a CH2—CH2 may be replaced with a CH═CH, optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, trifluoromethyl and C1-C4 alkyls. This pyrimidine compound has an excellent activity of controlling pests.
US07732443B2
Therapeutic compounds are disclosed herein. Methods, compositions, and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed. The compounds described herein are used to treat ocular conditions, bowel disease and baldness.
US07732441B2
This invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof. The compounds of this invention possess both β2 adrenergic receptor agonist and muscarinic receptor antagonist activity. Such compounds are useful for treating pulmonary disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
US07732434B2
There is provided a series of heterocyclic-containing macrocyclic acyl guanidines of Formula (I) or a stereoisomer; or a nontoxic pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, n and X as defined herein, their pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use. These novel compounds inhibit the processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β-secretase and, more specifically, inhibit the production of Aβ-peptide. The present disclosure is directed to compounds useful in the treatment of neurological disorders related to β-amyloid production, such as Alzheimer's disease and other conditions affected by anti-amyloid activity.
US07732431B2
The invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprises trimegestone optionally associated with an oestrogen, characterized in that it comprises a buffer solution whereof the pH, when it is introduced in the composition, ranging essentially between 2 and 5.5. The invention also concerns the methods for making such a composition and the primary package containing them.
US07732424B2
The present invention relates to Purine Derivatives; compositions comprising an effective amount of a Purine Derivative; and methods for reducing an animal's core body temperature, protecting an animal's heart against myocardial damage during cardioplegia; or for treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease, a neurological disorder, an ophthalmic condition, an ischemic condition, a reperfusion injury, obesity, a wasting disease, or diabetes, comprising administering an effective amount of a Purine Derivative to an animal in need thereof. The Purine Derivatives include compounds of the following formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein A is —CH2OH B and C are —OH: D is A and B are trans with respect to each other: B and C are cis with respect to each other: C and D are cis or trans with respect to each other: R1 is —H, -halo, —CN, —N(R2)2, —OR2, —SR2, —NHC(O)R2, —NHC(O)N(R2)2, —NHC(O)OR2, —C(O)OR2, —C(O)R2, —C(O)N(R2)2, —OC(O)N(R2)2, —C(halo)3, or —NO2; each R2 is independently —H, —C1-C10 alkyl, —C2-C6 alkenyl, —C2-C6 alkynyl, —(CH2)n-aryl, —(CH2)n-(3- to 7-membered monocyclic heterocycle, —(CH2)n-(8- to 12-membered bicyclic heterocycle), —(CH2)n—(C3-C8 monocyclic cycloalkyl), —(CH2)n—(C3-C8 monocyclic cycloalkenyl), —(CH2)n—(C8-C12 bicyclic cycloalkyl), or —(CH2)n—(C8-C12 bicyclic cycloalkenyl); each n is an integer ranging from 0 to 6; each p is an integer ranging from 1 to 6; and each q is an integer ranging from 1 to 6.
US07732423B2
Nucleotide composition containing a vector and vaccine for immunization against hepatitis. Nucleotide vector comprising at least one gene or one complementary DNA coding for at least a portion of a virus, and a promoter providing for the expression of the gene in muscle cells. The gene may be the S gene of the hepatitis B virus. A nucleotide vector composition when administered to even chronic HBV carriers is capable of breaking T cell tolerance to the surface antigens of hepatitis B virus. A vaccine preparation containing bare DNA is injected into the host previously treated with a substance capable of inducing a coagulating necrosis of the muscle fibers.
US07732410B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the reduction of atherosclerotic plaques and the decrease in the level of total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, serum LDL cholesterol, and serum HDL cholesterol.
US07732406B2
The present invention relates to the use of a natriurectic peptide, such as urodilatin, for treating a patient suffering from heart failure, such as acute decompensated heart failure. Preferably, a composition comprising an effective amount of urodilatin is intravenously administered to the patient continuously through a time period of at least 24 hours and up to 120 hours, preferably at least 48 hours.
US07732405B2
The present invention is directed to liquid, aqueous pharmaceutical compositions stabilized against chemical and/or physical degradation containing Factor VII polypeptides, and methods for preparing and using such compositions, as well as vials containing such compositions, and the use of such compositions in the treatment of a Factor VII-responsive syndrome. The main embodiment is represented by a liquid, aqueous pharmaceutical composition comprising at least 0.01 mg/mL of a Factor VII polypeptide (i); a buffering agent (ii) suitable for keeping pH in the range of from about 4.0 to about 9.0; and at least one stabilizing agent (iii) comprising a —C(═N-Z1-R1)—NH-Z2-R2 motif, e.g. benzamidine compounds and guanidine compounds such as arginine.
US07732400B2
This invention provides for a method for inhibiting new tissue growth in blood vessels in a subject, wherein the subject experienced blood vessel injury, which comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of an inhibitor of receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE) so as to inhibit new tissue growth in the subject's blood vessels. The invention also provides for method for inhibiting neointimal formation in blood vessels in a subject, wherein the subject experienced blood vessel injury, which comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of an inhibitor of receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE) so as to inhibit neointimal formation in the subject's blood vessels. The invention also provides a method for preventing exaggerated restenosis in a diabetic subject which comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of an inhibitor of receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE) so as to prevent exaggerated restenosis in the subject.
US07732398B2
The present invention provides methods for stimulating mu-opioid receptors with agonist peptides in a mammal in need thereof. The methods comprise administering to the mammal an effective amount of a selective mu-opioid receptor agonist peptide that comprises at least two α-amino acid residues. At least one of the amino acid residues has a positive charge. The amino acid residue in the first position is a tyrosine or tyrosine derivative. The amino acid in the second position is a D-α-amino acid. The present invention also provides methods of treating a mammal suffering from conditions or diseases by administering to the mammal an effective amount of the peptides.
US07732394B2
The present invention relates to a solid laundry detergent composition comprising: (a) from 1 wt % to 40 wt % light density silicate salt having a bulk density of less than 400 g/l and a weight average particle size of less than 300 micrometers; (b) from 5 wt % to 60 wt % detersive surfactant; (c) from 0 wt % to 50 wt % carbonate salt; (d) from 0 wt % to 40 wt % sulphate salt; (e) from 0 wt % to 10 wt % phosphate builder; (f) from 0 wt % to 5 wt % zeolite builder; and (g) from 0 wt % to 15 wt % water; wherein the composition has a bulk density of 600 g/l or less.
US07732392B2
A soap bar comprising at least two different portions wherein the portions have a difference in solubility of at least 1.0%.
US07732390B2
This invention relates to detergents, lubricating oil additives and compositions, and methods of preparing detergents, lubricating oil additives and compositions. More specifically, this invention relates to novel phenolic dimers.
US07732385B2
Disclosed are lubricating oil additives obtained by dissolving or reacting (A) a metal salt of a specific phosphorus compound which is insoluble or less soluble in lubricating oils in or with (B) an amine compound so as to be solved in the lubricating oils; a lubricating oil composition containing such an additive; a method of producing the additive and composition.
US07732381B2
The invention provides a cement slurry composition for cementing a well comprising a hydraulic cement, water, carbon fiber and graphite. Compositions of the current invention combine the benefits obtained from adding carbon fiber and graphite to the cement composite. The synergy achieved from combining fibers and particulates into the same sample results in a composite slurry with improved electrical properties and easy-to-optimize rheologies.
US07732380B2
Drilling fluids are provided that comprise an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an amide linkage. The quaternary ammonium surfactant may comprise a compound generally represented by the following formula: where M− is an anion such as a chloride, methyl sulfate, bromide, acetate, or iodide ion; R1 is an alkyl group such as a saturated hydrocarbon with 10 or more carbons; R2, R3, and R4 are the same or different alkyl groups such as a methyl, ethyl, or benzyl group, and x is greater than or equal to 1. The organophilic clay treated in this manner is substantially biodegradable. In embodiments, the drilling fluids comprise the foregoing organophilic clay, an oil-based fluid and a weighting agent. In still more embodiments, the drilling fluids comprise the foregoing organophilic clay, an invert emulsion, an emulsifier, and a weighting agent.
US07732378B2
Provided is a set of two or more mass labels, each label in the set comprising a mass marker moiety attached via a cleavable linker having at least one amide bond to a mass normalization moiety, wherein the aggregate mass of each label in the set may be the same or different and the mass of the mass marker moiety of each label in the set may be the same or different, and wherein in any group of labels within the set having a mass marker moiety of a common mass each label has an aggregate mass different from all other labels in that group, and wherein in any group of labels within the set having a common aggregate mass each label has a mass marker moiety having a mass different from that of all other mass marker moieties in that group, such that all of the mass labels in the set are distinguishable from each other by mass spectrometry, and wherein the mass marker moiety comprises an amino acid and the mass normalization moiety comprises an amino acid.
US07732374B2
A fungicidal mixture comprising prothioconazole or its salts or adducts and at least one insecticide selected from the group consisting of fipronil, chlorpyrifos or thiamethoxam.
US07732371B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a more practical liquid-absorbing substrate capable of absorbing not only water but also alcohols, wherein liquid absorbency and gel properties of the substrate can be easily controlled.Namely, the present invention relates to a liquid-absorbing substrate containing:(A) a product obtained by hydrolysis and polycondensation of a compound represented by the formula (I) (R1)nM(X)m-n (I) (wherein, R1 represents a hydrogen atom, C1-C6 alkyl, or C2-C6 alkenyl; M represents a metal atom; X represents a hydrolyzable group; m represents the atomic valence of M; and n represents an integer of 0 or 1) in a solvent in the presence of a catalyst; and (B) a cellulose derivative having a mass-average molecular weight of 1×105 to 5×106.
US07732368B2
A catalyst system for removing one or more components from a fluid stream includes a binder layer and a plurality of catalyst structures affixed to, and protruding from, the binder layer such that the catalyst structure surface is directly exposed to the fluid stream. Methods for preparing a catalyst system, and for selectively removing components from a fluid stream via a catalyst system are also disclosed.
US07732367B2
A catalyst for oxidation of unsaturated and/or saturated aldehyde to unsaturated acids is disclosed where the catalyst including at least molybdenum (Mo), phosphorus (P), vanadium (V), bismuth (Bi), and a first component selected from the group consisting of potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), thallium (Tl), or mixtures or combinations thereof, where the catalyst has at least 57% medium pores and a nitric acid to molybdenum mole ratio of at least 0.5:1 or at least 6.0:1 moles of HNO3 per mole of Mo12. Methods for making and using such catalysts are also disclosed.
US07732364B2
A regeneration process for re-activating an ionic liquid catalyst, which is useful in a variety of reactions, especially alkylation reactions, and which has been deactivated by conjunct polymers. The process includes a reaction step and a solvent extraction step. The process comprises (a) providing the ionic liquid catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the ionic liquid catalyst is bound to conjunct polymers; and (b) reacting the ionic liquid catalyst with aluminum metal to free the conjunct polymers from the ionic liquid catalyst in a stirred reactor or a fixed reactor. The conjunct polymer is then separated from the catalyst phase by solvent extraction in a stirred extraction or packed column.
US07732363B2
A process for regenerating a used acidic catalyst which has been deactivated by conjunct polymers by removing the conjunct polymers so as to increase the activity of the catalyst is disclosed. Methods for removing the conjunct polymers include hydrogenation, addition of a basic reagent and alkylation. The methods are applicable to all acidic catalysts and are described with reference to certain ionic liquid catalysts.
US07732357B2
Disclosed is a fibrous nonwoven web material and a method of manufacture thereof. The fibrous nonwoven web material includes natural cellulose fibers, manmade cellulose fibers and synthetic fibers. The manmade cellulose fibers are preferably high crystallinity cellulose fibers. The fibrous nonwoven web material has appreciable wet strength yet is capable of dispersing in most aqueous environments with only mild agitation. The fibrous nonwoven web material can be wet laid from an aqueous dispersion of fibers.
US07732356B2
A fabric having balanced stress-strain characteristics in the warp and weft directions. A method of processing the fabric includes overfeeding a woven fabric web along a first direction at one or more steps of a treatment process to facilitate crimping of the woven fabric web in the first direction. The overfeeding is indicative of a predetermined differential between a feed rate and a process rate at the one or more steps. The differential is adapted to cause the crimping in the first direction to substantially match a the level of crimping in a second direction.
US07732348B2
A porous dielectric element is produced by forming a first dielectric and a second dielectric. The second dielectric is dispersed in the first dielectric. The second dielectric is then removed from the second dielectric by using a chemical dissolution. The removal of the second dielectric from the first dielectric leaves pores in the first dielectric. The pores, which are filled with air, improves the overall dielectric constant of the resulting dielectric element.
US07732341B2
A method of forming hard mask employs a double patterning technique. A first hard mask layer is formed on a substrate, and a first sacrificial pattern is formed on the first hard mask layer by photolithography. Features of the first sacrificial pattern are spaced from one another by a first pitch. A second hard mask layer is then formed conformally on the first sacrificial pattern and the first hard mask layer so as to delimit recesses between adjacent features of the first sacrificial pattern. Upper portions of the second hard mask layer are removed to expose the first sacrificial pattern, and the exposed first sacrificial pattern and the second sacrificial pattern are removed. The second hard mask layer and the first hard mask layer are then etched to form a hard mask composed of residual portions of the first hard mask layer and the second hard mask layer. A fine pattern of a semiconductor device, such as a trench isolation region or a pattern of contact holes, can be formed using the hard mask as an etch mask.
US07732329B2
In some embodiments, a workpiece-surface-influencing device preferentially contacts the top surface of the workpiece, to chemically modify the surface at desired field areas of the workpiece without affecting the surfaces of cavities or recesses in the field areas. The device includes a substance which is chemically reactive with material forming the workpiece surface. The substance can be in the form of a thin film or coating which contacts the surface of the workpiece to chemically modify that surface. The workpiece-surface-influencing device can be in the form of a solid state applicator such as a roller or a semi-permeable membrane. In some other embodiments, the cavities are filled with material that prevents surface modification of the cavity surfaces while allowing modification of the field areas, or which encourages surface modification of the cavity surfaces while preventing modification of the field areas. The modified surface facilitates selective deposition of materials on the workpiece.
US07732323B2
Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices are provided in which a first contact plug is formed on a first active region in a substrate and a second contact plug is formed on a second active region in the substrate. A height of an upper surface of the second contact plug from the substrate is greater than a height of an upper surface of the first contact plug from the substrate. A third contact plug is formed on the second contact plug. A first spacer is formed on a side surface of the third contact plug. A third interlayer insulation layer is formed that covers the third contact plug. The third interlayer insulation layer is patterned to form a third opening that exposes the first contact plug. A fourth contact plug is formed in the third opening that is electrically connected to the first contact plug.
US07732321B2
A method for adding an additional layer to an integrated circuit, the method including providing an integrated circuit having an interconnect layer, depositing, over substantially all of an exposed surface of the integrated circuit, an additional layer of material whose conductivity can be altered, and selectively altering the conductivity of a first portion of the additional layer by selective annealing, to produce a sub-circuit in the additional layer, the sub-circuit being in operative electrical communication with the integrated circuit. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
US07732316B2
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention the method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is capable of forming a semiconductor substrate having an embossing structure. The method includes forming a layer having a plurality of hemispherical single crystal silicon elements, and forming one or more carbon nano tubes between adjacent hemispherical single crystal silicon elements, thereby, increasing a length of an effective channel of a transistor.
US07732309B2
Methods for implanting ions into a substrate by a plasma immersion ion implanting process are provided. In one embodiment, the method for implanting ions into a substrate by a plasma immersion ion implantation process includes providing a substrate into a processing chamber, supplying a gas mixture including a reacting gas and a reducing gas into the chamber, and implanting ions from the gas mixture into the substrate. In another embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate into a processing chamber, supplying a gas mixture including reacting gas and a hydrogen containing reducing gas into the chamber, and implanting ions from the gas mixture into the substrate.
US07732306B2
This invention provides methods for fabricating substantially continuous layers of group III nitride semiconductor materials having low defect densities. The methods include epitaxial growth of nucleation layers on a base substrate, thermally treatment of said nucleation layer and epitaxial growth of a discontinuous masking layer. The methods outlined promote defect reduction through masking, annihilation and coalescence, therefore producing semiconductor structures with low defect densities. The invention can be applied to a wide range of semiconductor materials, both elemental semiconductors, e.g., combinations of Si (silicon) with strained Si (sSi) and/or Ge (germanium), and compound semiconductors, e.g., group II-VI and group III-V compound semiconductor materials.
US07732301B1
A method of making a bonded intermediate substrate includes forming a weak interface in a GaN source substrate by implanting ions into an N-terminated surface of the GaN source substrate, bonding the N-terminated surface of the GaN source substrate to a handle substrate, and exfoliating a thin GaN single crystal layer from the source substrate such that the thin GaN exfoliated single crystal layer remains bonded to the handle substrate and a Ga-terminated surface of the thin GaN single crystal layer is exposed. The method further includes depositing a capping layer directly onto the exposed surface of the thin GaN single crystal layer, and annealing the thin GaN single crystal layer in a nitrogen containing atmosphere after depositing the capping layer. The in-plane strain present in the thin GaN single crystal layer after the annealing is reduced relative to an in-plane strain present in said layer prior to the annealing.
US07732300B2
A method of bonding aluminum (Al) electrodes formed on two semiconductor substrates at a low temperature that does not affect circuits formed on the two semiconductor substrates is provided. The method includes: (a) forming aluminum (Al) electrodes on the two semiconductor substrates, respectively, and depositing a metal alloy that comprises aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) onto the aluminum (Al) electrodes; (b) arranging the aluminum (Al) electrodes of the two semiconductor substrates to face with each other; and (c) heating the aluminum (Al) electrodes at a temperature lower than the melting point of the deposited metal alloy, and applying a specific pressure onto the two semiconductor substrates. Accordingly, bonding can be carried out at a temperature lower than the melting point of an Al0.83Cu0.17 alloy without having an effect on circuits formed on two semiconductor substrates, and can be selectively carried out at regions where pressure is applied.
US07732299B2
The present disclosure provide a method of manufacturing a microelectronic device. The method includes forming a top metal layer on a first substrate, in which the top metal layer has a plurality of interconnect features and a first dummy feature; forming a first dielectric layer over the top metal layer; etching the first dielectric layer in a target region substantially vertically aligned to the plurality of interconnect features and the first dummy feature of the top metal layer; performing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process over the first dielectric layer; and thereafter bonding the first substrate to a second substrate.
US07732294B2
A method of a semiconductor device. A substrate is provided. At least one metal wiring level is within the substrate. An insulative layer is deposited on a surface of the substrate. An inductor is formed within the insulative layer using a patterned plate process. A wire bond pad is formed within the insulative layer, wherein at least a portion of the wire bond pad is substantially co-planar with the inductor.
US07732293B2
A diode structure fabrication method. In a P− substrate, an N+ layer is implanted. The N+ layer has an opening whose size affects the breakdown voltage of the diode structure. Upon the N+ layer, an N− layer is formed. Then, a P+ region is formed to serve as an anode of the diode structure. An N+ region can be formed on the surface of the substrate to serve as a cathode of the diode structure. By changing the size of the opening in the N+ layer during fabrication, the breakdown voltage of the diode structure can be changed (tuned) to a desired value.
US07732291B2
By selectively performing a pre-amorphization implantation process in logic areas and memory areas, the negative effect of the interaction between stressed overlayers and dislocation defects may be avoided or at least significantly reduced in the memory areas, thereby increasing production yield and stability of the memory areas.
US07732286B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure comprises first and second source/drain regions; a channel region disposed between the first and second source/drain regions; a buried well region in physical contact with the channel region; and a buried barrier region being disposed between the buried well region and the first source/drain region and being disposed between the buried well region and the second source/drain region, wherein the buried barrier region is adapted for preventing current leakage and dopant diffusion between the buried well region and the first source/drain region and between the buried well region and the second source/drain region.
US07732272B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a process of forming a gate electrode having a metallic silicide layer on a semiconductor substrate, a process of decreasing boundaries of grains on the surface of the metallic silicide layer, at least a portion of which is exposed, and a process of forming spacers comprising an oxide film on the side wall of the gate electrode; in this order. Thus, abnormal oxidation of the metallic silicide layer is avoided.
US07732265B2
One embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a bottom gate type thin film transistor having a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, an oxide semiconductor active layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode on a flexible plastic substrate of a supporting substrate, the method including continuously forming the gate insulating film and the oxide semiconductor active layer on the flexible plastic substrate with the gate electrode inside a vacuum film formation chamber of a film formation apparatus, the apparatus being a type of winding up continuously the roll-shaped substrate, and the gate insulating film and the oxide semiconductor active layer formed without being exposed to air.
US07732264B2
Methods for manufacturing thin film transistor arrays utilizing three steps of lithography and one step of laser ablation while the lithography procedure is used four to five times in conventional processes are disclosed. The use of the disclosed methods assists in improving throughput and saving of manufacturing cost.
US07732263B2
The present invention is to provide a semiconductor device that achieves high mechanical strength without reducing the circuit scale and that can prevent the data from being forged and altered illegally while suppressing the cost. The present invention discloses a semiconductor device typified by an ID chip that is formed from a semiconductor thin film including a first region with high crystallinity and a second region with the crystallinity inferior to the first region. Specifically, a TFT (thin film transistor) of a circuit requiring high-speed operation is formed by using the first region and a memory element for an identifying ROM is formed by using the second region.
US07732262B2
To provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a transfer step that is capable of controlling the adhesiveness of a substrate and an element-formed layer in the case of separating the element-formed layer including a semiconductor element or an integrated circuit formed over the substrate from the substrate and bonding it to another substrate. An adhesive agent made of a good adhesiveness material is formed between the semiconductor element or the integrated circuit comprising plural semiconductor elements formed over the substrate (a first substrate) and the substrate, and thus it is possible to prevent a semiconductor element from peeling off a substrate in manufacturing the semiconductor element, and further, to make it easier to separate the semiconductor element from the substrate by removing the adhesive agent after forming the semiconductor element.
US07732260B2
A method and an apparatus for improving the delivery and filtering of power to a semiconductor device is disclosed by organizing out interconnects (pins, balls, pads or other interconnects) used to carry power in a striped configuration that shortens the conductive path required between a power source and a semiconductor device and that reduces the resistance of that conductive path.
US07732258B2
A lead frame and a method of fabricating a semiconductor package including the lead frame, where the lead frame includes a die pad, a tie bar supporting the die pad, and a plurality of leads. The leads may include inner and outer leads arranged along an outer periphery of the die pad, with each of the inner and outer leads having tip terminals. The lead frame may include a connecting bar connected to tip terminals of each of the inner leads. In the method, a bonding pad of a semiconductor chip is mounted on the die pad and connected via a conductive wire to the inner leads of the lead frame. The semiconductor chip, wire and inner leads may be subjected to a molding process, and the connecting bar which connects the tip terminals of the inner leads may be cut so as to independently separate each of the inner leads from the die pad.
US07732253B1
The present invention provides a unique way of connecting a flip-chip die to a substrate. Initially, metallic posts are formed on the flip-chip die and solder bumps are placed on the substrate where the metallic post will ultimately connect to the substrate. The tip layer of flash gold, tin, or other wettable electroplated material is applied to the tips of the metallic posts to prevent oxidation and enhance wettability. The sides of the metallic posts are allowed to oxidize to reduce wettability. To attach the flip-chip die to the substrate, the flip-chip die is initially positioned over the substrate, such that the metallic posts align with and come into contact with the solder bumps. Once the flip-chip die is in place over the substrate, the substrate and the flip-chip are heated to cause the solder bumps to reflow and bond to the tip layers of the metallic posts.
US07732251B2
One exemplary embodiment includes a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device can include a channel including one or more of a metal oxide including zinc-gallium, cadmium-gallium, cadmium-indium.
US07732248B2
In view of the problem that an organic semiconductor layer of an organic TFT is likely to deteriorate due to water, light, oxygen, or the like, it is an object of the present invention to simplify a manufacturing step and to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having an organic TFT with high reliability. According to the invention, a semiconductor layer containing an organic material is formed by patterning using a mask, and thus an organic TFT is completed in the state where the mask is not removed but to remain over the semiconductor layer. In addition, a semiconductor layer can be protected from deterioration due to water, light, oxygen, or the like by using the remaining mask.
US07732235B2
A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a first photoresist layer over an underlying layer, patterning the first photoresist layer into a first photoresist pattern, wherein the first photoresist pattern comprises a plurality of spaced apart first photoresist features located over the underlying layer, and etching the underlying layer using the first photoresist pattern as a mask to form a plurality of first spaced apart features. The method further includes removing the first photoresist pattern, forming a second photoresist layer over the plurality of first spaced apart features, and patterning the second photoresist layer into a second photoresist pattern, wherein the second photoresist pattern comprises a plurality of second photoresist features covering edge portions of the plurality of first spaced apart features. The method also includes etching exposed portions of the plurality of first spaced apart features using the second photoresist pattern as a mask, such that a plurality of spaced apart edge portions of the plurality of first spaced apart features remain, and removing the second photoresist pattern.
US07732231B1
A semiconductor structure comprising a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region is formed. A portion of the light emitting layer and the p-type region are removed to expose a portion of the n-type region. A first metal contact is formed on an exposed portion of the n-type region and a second metal contact is formed on a remaining portion of the p-type region. The first and second metal contacts are formed on a same side of the semiconductor structure. A dielectric material is disposed between the first and second metal contacts. The dielectric material is in direct contact with a portion of the semiconductor structure, a portion of the first metal contact, and a portion of the second metal contact. A surface of the device is then planarized by removing a portion of at least one of the first metal contact, the second metal contact, and the dielectric material.
US07732228B2
A process for manufacturing a printing head is able to maintain an appropriate connection between a substrate and flying leads. The process includes a connecting step of connecting electric connection terminals of a substrate and flying leads provided on an electric wiring basic material and a mounting step of mounting a unit consisting of the electric wiring base material and the substrate connected together, on a printing head main body. During the connecting step, the substrate and each flying lead are electrically connected together with a predetermined distance between them. During the mounting step, the unit is fixed to the printing head main body so that the distance between each of the electric connection terminals of the substrate and the electric wiring base material is shorter than the predetermined distance. This forms a slack shape of each flying lead.
US07732222B2
There is provided a magnetic memory device and a method of forming the same. The magnetic memory device includes an invariable pinning pattern and a variable pinning pattern on a substrate. A tunnel barrier pattern is interposed between the invariable pinning pattern and the variable pinning pattern, and the pinned pattern is interposed between the invariable pinning pattern and the tunnel barrier pattern. A storage free pattern is interposed between the tunnel barrier pattern and the variable pinning pattern, and a guide free pattern is interposed between the storage free pattern and the variable pinning pattern. A free reversing pattern is interposed between the storage and guide free patterns. The free reversing pattern reverses a magnetization direction of the storage free pattern and a magnetization direction of the guide free pattern in the opposite directions.
US07732210B2
The present invention provides a reference solution for use in instruments that determine hematocrit levels in biological samples by measuring the resistance and/or conductivity of the biological samples. A reference solution according to the invention achieves conductivities representative of known hematocrit levels in blood, while maintaining tolerable levels of interference with the measurement of other analytes in the reference solution.
US07732208B2
The present invention provides a novel method of significantly promoting the ratio of homologous recombination in desirable cells. In order to enhance the ratio of homologous recombination in desirable cells such as eukaryotic cells, mutation is introduced into genes encoding factors necessary for non-homologous recombination, such as Ku70 or Ku80, or the above genes are disrupted, so as to cause the loss of the functions thereof. At the time, foreign DNA is introduced into the cells via the electroshock method or the like, so as to carry out homologous recombination, thereby promoting the frequency of homologous recombination in the cells.
US07732207B2
In one aspect, the invention provides methods and compositions for the expression of small RNA molecules within a cell using a retroviral vector (FIG. 1A). The methods can be used to express double stranded RNA complexes. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be expressed using the methods of the invention within a cell, that interfere with a viral life cycle by down regulating either the viral genome, a viral genome transcript, or a host cell that. In another aspect the invention provides methods for treating patients having suffering from infection, particularly infection with HIV. In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for producing siRNA encoding lentivirus where the siRNA activity may interfere with the lentiviral life cycle.
US07732201B2
A method for producing a neuroblast and a cellular composition comprising an enriched population of neuroblast cells is provided. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compositions which affect neuroblasts and for treating a subject with a neuronal disorder, and a culture system for the production and maintenance of neuroblasts.
US07732200B2
The subject invention pertains to compositions and methods for culturing nerve tissue in vitro and nerve grafts produced using such methods. The compositions and methods of the subject invention can be employed to restore the continuity of nerve interrupted by disease, traumatic events or surgical procedures. The invention also concerns methods for promoting repair of damaged nerve tissue using the present compositions and nerve tissue treated according to such methods.
US07732194B2
Isolated DNAs encoding the enzyme I-SpomI and its recognition and cutting site are provided. The DNA sequences can be incorporated in cloning and expression vectors, transformed cell lines and transgenic animals. The vectors are useful in gene mapping and site-directed insertion of genes.
US07732193B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for the expression of small RNA molecules within a cell using a lentiviral vector. The methods can be used to express doubles stranded RNA complexes. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be expressed using the methods of the invention within a cell, which are capable of down regulating the expression of a target gene through RNA interference. A variety of cells can be treated according to the methods of the invention including embryos, embryogenic stem cells, allowing for the generation of transgenic animals or animals constituted partly by the transduced cells that have a specific gene or a group of genes down regulated.
US07732192B2
The microreactor has a body of semiconductor material; a large area buried channel extending in the body and having walls; a coating layer of insulating material coating the walls of the channel; a diaphragm extending on top of the body and upwardly closing the channel. The diaphragm is formed by a semiconductor layer completely encircling mask portions of insulating material.
US07732191B2
Provided is a hybridization system for hybridizing a biochip including: a chamber device including at least a hybridization chamber including a support for a biochip and a first cover having a sample inlet; an agitation device including: two air channels connected to ends of the hybridization chamber; two valves disposed in the air channels; an integrated air channel to which the two air channels are connected; and an air pump disposed in the integrated air channel; and a washing and drying device including: a flow channel connected to one of the two air channels through a branched valve; a flow pump disposed in the flow channel; and a buffer inlet disposed opposite the flow channel.
US07732189B2
This invention relates to a method of treating irradiated material which includes reducing irradiated material to particulate form, suspending the particulate irradiated material, or derivatives thereof, in a fluid to form a suspension, and removing radioisotopes from the suspension by biological treatment.
US07732180B2
The present invention provides porcine Forssman synthetase (FSM synthase) (Globoside α-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase) protein, cDNA, and genomic DNA sequence. Furthermore, the present invention includes porcine animals, tissue and organs as well as cells and cell lines derived from such animals, tissue and organs, which lack expression of functional FSM synthetase. Such animals, tissues, organs and cells can be used in research and in medical therapy, including in xenotransplantation. In addition, methods are provided to prepare organs, tissues, and cells lacking the porcine FSM synthetase gene for use in xenotransplantation.
US07732177B2
The invention describes novel pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of virus infections and cancer. The pharmaceutical compositions include mutant oligoadenylate synthetases (OAS) that have either enhanced cell permeability, reduced oxidative potential, improved antiviral activity, improved enzymatic activity, or absent enzymatic activity. The pharmaceutical compositions have improved drug properties and retain or have enhanced antiviral activity relative to their native forms. The pharmaceutical compositions further include chemically modified oligoadenylate synthetases, such chemical modifications being designed to increase serum stability and reduce immunogenicity in vivo. Such chemical modifications further increase drug stability and manufacturability in vitro. Compositions composed of more than ninety novel modifications are described. Also described are antibodies to polypeptides of the invention.
US07732176B2
The invention relates to nucleotide sequences of coryneform bacteria that encode proteins that are involved in the biosynthesis of L-serine and to a method for producing L-serine. According to the invention, at least 79 amino acids at the C terminus of the wild-type serA sequence are deleted, thereby producing a 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase having a reduced feedback inhibition by L-serine vis-à-vis the wild-type sequence.
US07732173B2
A process for producing and recovering light alcohols, particularly ethanol, alcohol mixtures containing ethanol, and ABE mixtures (alcohol mixtures containing acetone, butanol and ethanol), using a combination of steps including fermentation, first membrane separation, dephlegmation and dehydration by second membrane separation.
US07732156B2
The present invention provides a new sensitive direct sandwich assay for determining the presence of COMP in a clinical sample. Two monoclonal antibodies directed against separate antigenic determinants of the COMP molecules are used in the assay. The invention also relates to three particularly advantageous monoclonal antibodies per se that are directed against human COMP. Cell cultures manufacturing these antibodies have been deposited according to the Budapest Treaty at Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, and have been assigned accession numbers DSM ACC2406, DSM ACC2408 and DSM ACC2418, respectively. A diagnostic kit comprising at least two of these monoclonal antibodies also constitute a part of the present invention.
US07732151B2
An assay for determining the ability of an enzyme, functional fragment, or functional derivative thereof to modify the phosphorylation status of a biotinylated polypeptide.
US07732149B2
Cell strains with ligand-dependent (factor-dependent) proliferation are super-infected with antibody libraries against each of the various receptor chains. Antibody genes are recovered from strains that autonomously grow by the autocrine stimulation by agonistic antibodies formed by appropriate combinations, enabling effective screening of agonistic antibodies. In this method, effective screening can be carried out using antibodies as libraries. Furthermore, the manipulations are simple, and there is no need for complicated operations.
US07732144B2
The present invention relates to prognostic methods which are useful in medicine, particularly cancer chemotherapy. The object of the invention to provide a method for assessing TS and/or ERCC1 expression levels in fixed or fixed and paraffin embedded tissues and prognosticate the probable resistance of a patient's tumor to treatment with 5-FU and oxaliplatin-based therapies by examination of the amount of TS and/or ERCC1 mRNA in a patient's tumor cells and comparing it to a predetermined threshold expression level for those genes. More specifically, the invention provides to oligonucleotide primer pairs ERCC1 and TS and methods comprising their use for detecting levels of ERCC1 and TS mRNA, respectively.
US07732140B2
A method for direct electrical detection of proteins, peptides and the like, and their interactions includes an electrode arrangement, a current/voltage provider, and a circuit analyzer. The electrode arrangement has an interdigitated electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode. Coupled to the electrode arrangement is a signal generator adapted to provide a signal (e.g., an alternating current or voltage) having a selected range of frequencies. The analyzer is coupled to the electrode arrangement and is operative to analyze an electrical parameter of the circuit as the signal is applied. An analytic method includes measuring changes in one or more parameters of the circuit over the range of frequencies. By such measurement, the device can determine whether a target moiety has been bound by a probe attached to the electrode(s). The device can also specifically identify the intermolecular system detected, i.e., by “fingerprinting” the electrical response of each molecule or intermolecular complex.
US07732131B2
The present invention relates to the identification of 4Ig-B7-H3 protein as a tumor associated molecule that imparts protection from NK cell-mediated lysis via a 4Ig-B7-H3 receptor on NK cells. The invention provides compounds that interfere with interactions between the 4Ig-B7-H3 protein and its receptor that can be used to potentiate NK cell cytotoxicity. Also provided are compounds that bind 4Ig-B7-H3-expressing cells so as to inhibit or eliminate them. The compounds are particularly useful in the treatment of tumors, inflammatory conditions, infections and transplantation. Also provided are methods for diagnosing disease by detecting a 4Ig-B7-H3 protein.
US07732122B2
The invention relates to a process for producing photonic crystals by first providing an inorganic photoresist which, on illumination with energy greater than the electronic band gap of the photoresist, exhibits a phase alteration. Illumination of the photoresist with a laser beam whose energy is lower than the electronic band gap of the photoresist but whose intensity at the focal point is so high that nonlinear effects occur there nevertheless results in a phase alteration in the photoresist. Thereafter, the illuminated photoresist is exposed to an etching solution which preferentially dissolves one phase of the photoresist, and the developed photoresist is finally removed therefrom as a photonic crystal. Inorganic photonic crystals produced by the process according to the invention are suitable for completely optical systems, circuits and components for optical telecommunication or computer systems.
US07732114B2
Modified nigrosine which has satisfactory dispersibility in resin and which reduces the residual aniline amount is offered, and its production method is also offered. Moreover, toner for developing electrostatic charge images is offered, which uses modified nigrosine colorant that resolves the aforementioned problems, which has excellent charge-imparting properties, which exhibits no fogging, which experiences no scattering of toner inside the developing apparatus, and which has little fluctuation of image density.Modified nigrosine, which is nigrosine (b) that has been modified by rosin-modified resin (a) with an acid value of 110 or less.
US07732111B2
A photoconductor containing a supporting substrate; an undercoat layer comprised of a mixture of an aminosilane and a halogenated polymer; a photogenerating layer; and at least one charge transport layer.
US07732110B2
A method for exposing a resist layer on a substrate to an image of a pattern on a mask is disclosed whereby, after starting exposure and before completing exposure, a controlled amount of contrast loss is introduced by a controller in the image at the resist layer by changing during exposure the position of the substrate holder. The contrast loss affects the pitch dependency of the resolution of a lithographic projection apparatus, and its control is used to match pitch dependency of resolution between different lithographic projection apparatus.
US07732103B2
A test photomask includes a first mask pattern and a second mask pattern formed at a center portion of the first mask pattern thereon. The first mask pattern is a pattern with light condensing effect and a nature in which an exposure-dose amount to a transfer object varies in dependence on a focus variation, which is a two-dimensional Fresnel zone pattern here.
US07732092B2
Disclosed herein is a case which protects a plurality of flexible lithium polymer unit cells, has a compact structure to reduce volume, has a simple assembly process, and minimizes heat generated during a high-power charging or discharging operation. The battery case includes a pouch support frame to support a pouch of a unit cell having the pouch and electrode terminals. A heat radiating part having the shape of a shelf is provided on a surface of the pouch support frame, and defines a space for dispersing heat generated from the pouch. A terminal support having the shape of a wall is provided on an edge of the heat radiating part, thus supporting the electrode terminals of the unit cell.
US07732089B2
A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.
US07732088B2
A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.
US07732087B2
The catalyst for a fuel cell includes a carbon-based material, and Re-Ch supported on the carbon-based material, wherein Ch is selected from the group consisting of S, Se, Te, and combinations thereof. The cathode catalyst has high activity and selectivity for reduction of oxidant and is capable of improving performance of a membrane-electrode assembly and a fuel cell system.
US07732084B2
Solid oxide fuel cell with internal reforming, catalyzed interconnect for use therewith, and methods
A catalyzed interconnect for an SOFC electrically connects an anode and an anodic current collector and comprises a metallic substrate, which provides space between the anode and anodic current collector for fuel gas flow over at least a portion of the anode, and a catalytic coating on the metallic substrate comprising a catalyst for catalyzing hydrocarbon fuel in the fuel gas to hydrogen rich reformate. An SOFC including the catalyzed anodic inter-connect, a method for operating an SOFC, and a method for making a catalyzed anodic interconnect are also disclosed.
US07732082B2
A fuel cell module, wherein slopes of a same angle θ relative to a bottom face are formed on both side faces to form a recessed groove in a tapered shape. Since the angle θ is provided to the side faces of the recessed groove, the exhaustion of gases from the accumulation of gasses to the outside can be assisted by the side faces with the angle θ more than in a case where the side faces of the recessed groove are formed in right angled shapes even if the accumulation of gases is produced between an adhesive agent and the inner surfaces of the recessed groove when first and second separators are joined to each other for modularization by covering the first separator on the second separator. Thus, the accumulation of the gases can be prevented from occurring.
US07732073B2
Recycle fuel gas is provided (36) to an impeller (34, 34a) for application to the input (24) of the anode flow fields of a fuel cell stack (25). The impeller may be an ejector (34) having its primary input (33) connected to a source (11) of hydrogen and its secondary input (35) connected to the outlet (27, 37) of the fuel cells anode flow fields. The ejector outlet provides the minimum fuel flow required at the lowest power rating. The impeller may be an electrochemical hydrogen pump (34a) with a constant current generator (50) providing for a substantially constant recycle flow (the highest not more than double the lowest), and one pressure regulator (20) providing minimum flow of fresh fuel to the fuel inlets of the first stack. Pressure regulators (20, 21) control the amount of fresh fuel to the anode flow fields for power in excess of minimum power.
US07732070B2
Perpendicular magnetic recording medium, method of manufacturing the same, and magnetic storage unit
A perpendicular magnetic recording medium is disclosed that includes a substrate; a soft magnetic underlayer formed on the substrate; a seed layer of an amorphous material formed on the soft magnetic underlayer; an oxidation prevention layer formed on the seed layer; an underlayer formed on the oxidation prevention layer, the underlayer including multiple crystal grains formed of Ru or a Ru alloy having an hcp crystal structure, and a first air gap part configured to separate the crystal grains from each other; and a recording layer formed on the underlayer, the recording layer including multiple magnetic particles having a magnetocrystalline easy axis in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, and one of a second air gap part and a non-magnetic non-solid-solution phase, the one being configured to separate the magnetic particles from each other. The oxidation prevention layer includes a noble metal element other than Ru.
US07732061B2
It is an object to provide a light emitting element that has a different structure from that of a conventional light emitting element and includes a substance having a novel structure. It is also an object to provide a light emitting device having the light emitting element. In the view of the objects described above, the present invention provides a light emitting element including a layer containing a triazine derivative represented by the general formula (1) and a metal oxide that is an inorganic compound, provided between a pair of electrodes. Further, the present invention provides a light emitting device that has the light emitting element.
US07732057B2
A paper backed veneer having a veneer laminated to a paper backing sheet saturated with a formaldehyde-free binder composition is generally disclosed. The formaldehyde-free binder composition includes a curable latex polymer and a crosslinking agent. The latex polymer can include functionalized groups, such as carboxyl groups, to aid curing. The crosslinking agent can be an epoxy resin. Also, a method of making paper backed veneers is generally disclosed.
US07732056B2
A method of providing a corrosion-resistant coating on a surface of an aluminum component comprises anodizing the surface of the aluminum component to form an anodized aluminum oxide layer and sputter coating a sputtered layer on the anodized aluminum oxide layer. A coated aluminum component can be used in a substrate processing chamber and comprises an aluminum body, an anodized aluminum oxide layer formed on the aluminum body, and a sputtered layer comprising aluminum oxide on the anodized aluminum oxide layer.
US07732054B2
A method for preparing a ZnO nanocrystal directly on a silicon substrate includes the steps of: (S1) forming a Zn—Si—O composite thin film on the silicon substrate; and (S2) thermally treating the obtained thin film. Particularly, ZnO nanocrystals are formed in an amorphous Zn—Si—O composite thin film by controlling the composition of the Zn—Si—O composite thin film and heating temperature thereof. With the present invention method for preparing a ZnO nanocrystal directly on a silicon substrate, more possibilities are opened up for the applications of ZnO nanocrystals to an optoelectronic device in use of a silicon substrate.
US07732051B2
A method for producing magnetic particles includes forming a hydrophobic first polymer layer on the surface of a mother particle containing superparamagnetic particles, forming a second polymer layer having glycidyl groups at least on its surface on the first polymer layer, and introducing a polar group containing one or more of at least one atom selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, and a sulfur atom by chemically modifying the glycidyl groups.
US07732048B2
The present invention relates to cellulose fiber containing 500 to 2000 of filaments and having homogeneous physical properties and the multi-filaments according to the present invention is characterized in that the strength and the breaking elongation of the multi-filaments are 4 to 9 g/d and 4 to 15%, respectively. In particular, the present invention is characterized in that each mono-filament selected 100 strands from every three part divided from multi-filaments has properties as following: (a) 3 to 9 g/d in average strength, 7 to 15% in average breaking elongation and 0.035 to 0.055 in by birefringence, (b) the differences of the above three parts are below 1.0 g/d in average strength, 1.5% in breaking elongation and 0.7 denier in denier, (c) the CV (%) (coefficient of variation) of the above three parts are below 10%, and (d) the birefringence differences of the above three parts are below 0.004.
US07732044B2
A surface-reinforced article includes a core assembly (12) comprising a foam core (20) with a surface region (22) that includes fine inner fibrous material intimately surround by foam that is integral with foam of the core, and an outer reinforcing covering (14) which includes an outer layer (32) of fibrous material and a resin (30) surrounding the outer layer of fibrous material and covering the primarily foam core assembly. The fine inner fibrous material (91-94) includes coupling fibers (100) with inner ends (102) embedded in the foam and outer ends (106) embedded in the resin, to better hold the resin to the foam. The primarily foam core assembly is molded within a first mold cavity (64) formed between spacers (60, 62) that lie within a second mold cavity (50). After the core assembly is molded, the spacers are removed, the core assembly is wrapped in the outer fibrous material, and the wrapped core assembly (120) is placed in the second mold cavity that is formed by the original mold but without the spacers. When resin is injected into the second mold cavity it forms an outer reinforcing covering of largely uniform thickness. The fine fiber reinforcement of the core assembly prevents it from being deformed at the pressure of the injected resin.
US07732041B2
The present invention involves an automotive glazing panel having an ink that adheres to a plastic substrate and is compatible with a hard-coat system. The plastic substrate comprises an ink printed thereon and a hard-coat system applied on the ink. The ink has a synthetic resin which is a polycarbonate resin, a polyester resin or mixtures thereof. The hard-coat system includes a solvent having greater than 10 weight percent water and includes either a glycol ether, a ketone, an alcohol or an acetate. The ink is adaptable to adhere to the surface of the substrate and be compatible with the hard coat system.
US07732040B2
A machine-actuating mechanism cleaning card includes a substrate having a central plane between opposed surfaces, a machine direction dimension between opposed end edges and a transverse direction dimension between opposed side edges. The opposed surfaces each have a plurality of discrete raised areas arranged in transversely extending rows. At least some of the discrete raised areas in at least some of the transversely extending rows extend outwardly on each side of the central plane. The discrete raised areas each include a peak and a peripheral wall joined at one edge to the peak and having an opposed edge that is closer to the central plane than the peak. The cleaning substrate has an effective thickness that is greater than the nominal thickness. Methods of making cleaning cards also are part of the invention.
US07732039B2
An absorbent article having a liner adapted for contiguous relationship with the wearer's body, an outer cover in generally opposed relationship with the liner, and an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover. An absorbent structure of the absorbent body has a length, a thickness, a width, a longitudinal axis and a non-uniform lateral compression stiffness across its width. The non-uniform lateral compression stiffness is such that the absorbent structure assumes a pre-determined, or non-random buckled configuration under lateral compression thereof. In one embodiment, the buckled configuration is generally symmetric about a plane normal to the absorbent structure and in which the longitudinal axis of the absorbent structure lies.
US07732028B2
A bulk, generally elastomeric and pliable, layered mat formed to permit selective trimming into size-chosen mat trims/tiles, each of which is structured to perform as a self-puncture(wound)-sealing, defined-liquid-reactive, anti-puncture-leakage coating element applicable bondedly to the outside surface of a selected wall in a container holding the defined-liquid. The mat is made by preparing it as a generally elastomeric, pliable, layered arrangement of coatings formed of self-puncture-healing, defined-liquid-reactive, anti-puncture-leakage material, or materials; and is applied for use in relation to a selected container wall by (1) trimming, from the prepared mat, one or more trims/tiles shaped for specific use on the outside surface of that wall; and (2) applying and surface-bonding the one or more trims/tiles to the outside surface of the selected wall.
US07732026B2
A ceramic component is provided, including a ceramic body containing silicon carbide, and an oxide layer provided on the ceramic body, the oxide layer being formed by oxidizing the ceramic body in the presence of alumina having a submicron particle size.
US07732020B2
An apparatus for electrostatically charging powder material and supplying it to an applicator for electrostatically applying the powder material to solid dosage forms includes a mixer for mixing a sump of the powder material to electrostatically charge the powder material, the mixer including two substantially parallel elongate mixing shafts having oppositely angled mixing paddles thereon and being arranged to rotate in opposite directions; and a feeder for removing the electrostatically charged powder material from the sump and supplying it to the applicator, and a method for electrostatically charging powder material and supplying it to an applicator for electrostatically applying the powder material to solid dosage forms.
US07732015B2
A nanostructure including a nanoporous material having micropores filled with a fragmented thin-film material from the opening-side of each micropore, the nanoporous material being obtained by placing a thin-film material on a surface of a nanoporous material and pressing the thin-film material so that the thin-film material is cut out at the surface edge of each micropore of the nanoporous material and pressed into the micropore. By removing the nanoporous material form the nanoporous material, microparticles constituted from the thin-film material that filled the nanoporous material are obtained. By covering all the wall surfaces of the micropores of the nanoporous material in advance, nanocapsules each constituted from a tubular structure composed of the thin film covering the entire wall surface of the micropore and a cover made of a thin-film material filled in the vicinity of the opening of the micropore can be formed.
US07732012B2
Provided is a method for the preparation of polycrystalline silicon in which, in conducting preparation of polycrystalline silicon by the Siemens method or by the monosilane method, no outer heating means is necessitated for the core member (seed rod), onto which polycrystalline silicon is deposited, from the initial stage of heating, the deposition rate is high and the core member seed rod can be used repeatedly.The method for deposition of high-purity polycrystalline silicon, at a high temperature, onto a white-heated seed rod in a closed reaction furnace by pyrolysis or hydrogen reduction of a starting silane gas supplied thereto, is characterized in that the seed rod is a member made from an alloy having a recrystallization temperature of 1200° C. or higher. It is preferable that the alloy member is of an alloy of Re—W, W—Ta, Zr—Nb, titanium-zirconium, or a carbon-added molybdenum (TZM) in the form of a wire member having a diameter of at least 0.5 mm, a plate member having a thickness of at least 1 mm or a prismatic member, or a tubular member having a diameter of at least 1 mm, wall thickness of at least 0.2 mm with an inner diameter not exceeding 5 mm, that the plate member, wire member, prismatic member or tubular member has a tapered form and further that the tubular member is a tapered duplex tube.
US07732001B2
The invention provides an edible oil-in-water emulsion concentrate comprising as a continuous aqueous phase a physiologically tolerable plant juice concentrate and a discontinuous phase comprising a physiologically tolerable, oxidation-labile unsaturated lipid or fatty acid, wherein the emulsion is produced by homogenization such that at least 95% by number of the droplets of said discontinuous phase have a particle diameter of no more than 10 micrometres.
US07732000B2
The present invention is related to a novel food intermediate containing a phytosteryl esters complex and the method used to create the food intermediate. The food product provides beneficial hypocholesterolemic activity through increased cholesterol-uptake inhibition while simultaneously delivering a food product that is not adversely affected by its inclusion, either in taste or texture or in any undesirable side effects.
US07731993B2
An improved composition for treatment of ulcer-type skin conditions. The composition is primarily characterized by a combination of nitroglycerin and arginine. Other embodiments comprise emollient cream, mineral oil, tumeric powder, folic acid, vitamin B12, and zinc citrate. The composition is particulary effective in improving blood flow in the underlying capillary bed about the wound, improving nerve growth about the wound, increasing circulation, and having a standardized and more predictable therapeutic characteristic.
US07731981B2
A method of treating a synovial joint by injecting particles of collagen-based material into the joint. The particles may be dehydrated before implantation, and rehydrated after implantation, or they may be implanted in a “wet” state—such as a slurry or gel. Radiocontrast materials may be included to enhance imaging of the injected material. Other additives may include analgesics, antibiotics, proteoglycans, growth factors, and/or other cells effective to promote healing and/or proper joint function.
US07731956B2
One aspect of the present invention relates to mutants of chondroitinase ABCI. Such chondroitinase ABCI mutants exhibit altered chondroitin lyase activity or increased resistance to inactivation from stressors including exposure to UV light or heat. Methods of using chondroitinase ABCI mutant enzymes are also provided.
US07731950B2
This invention is directed to therapeutic compositions containing non-MHC-restricted T-cells/NK-cells in combination with MHC-restricted T-cells and especially to therapeutic compositions, which comprise LAK cells. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to the use of the above combination in the treatment of tumors in humans, which tumors show a missing, low or aberrant expression of MHC class 1a or 1b molecules. By using the aforementioned compositions/combinations it is possible to provide a balanced selective pressure against emergence of tumor cell variants that would otherwise escape immune detection.
US07731944B2
A hair cosmetic formulation, comprises (A) a fragrance ingredient comprising cis-3-hexenol; and (B) monoethanolamine.
US07731938B2
The present invention relates to the assessment of colorectal cancer. It discloses the use of the CYFRA 21-1 assay in the assessment of colorectal cancer. It also relates to a method for assessing colorectal cancer in vitro using a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring CYFRA 21-1 in said sample. Measurement of CYFRA 21-1 can, e.g., be used in the early detection or in the follow-up of patients with colorectal cancer.
US07731932B2
Methods of processing nanocrystals to remove excess free and bound organic material and particularly surfactants used during the synthesis process, and resulting nanocrystal compositions, devices and systems that are physically, electrically and chemically integratable into an end application.
US07731922B2
Exhaust air containing particulate and carbon monoxide gas contaminants is withdrawn from a confined environment, such as a food cooking area, by a circulation system which liquid scrubs particulate contaminants from the exhaust flow, removes liquid mist from the flow, and then catalyzes or neutralizes the carbon monoxide gas contaminants into benign carbon dioxide before discharging the flow back into the confined environment. Removing contaminants in this manner allows a substantial amount of the thermal energy content of the exhaust air to be saved and reused within the confined environment, rather than discharging the thermal energy into the ambient environment.
US07731917B2
The present invention provides a heat exchange reactor comprising a reaction tube for obtaining a product (B) by exothermic reaction while passing a starting compound (A) therethrough and a reactor shell covering the surrounding of the reaction tube and having its interior divided into a plurality of regions along the passing direction of the starting compound (A), each of which regions is filled with a heat medium for carrying out heat exchange between the inside of the reaction tube and the heat medium independently for the respective separate regions; wherein the reactor is provided with a heater for heating the heat medium charged in the most upstream region among the separate regions independently from the heat media charged in other regions.
US07731916B2
A method of charging catalyst tubes of a bundle of catalyst tubes in a structured fashion, in which uniformly predispensed portions of formulations of shaped catalyst bodies are used for producing a section of charge.
US07731907B2
A device and a process for testing a sample liquid in which especially the ELISA process can be carried out very easily, rapidly and with high precision. To do this, a sample liquid and a dilution liquid are each supplied to several metering chambers of different volumes, so that the sample liquid can be diluted into assigned reaction chambers in one dilution step in different dilution ratios. Different liquids can be supplied in succession to the reaction chambers by means of a common receiving chamber. The liquids are transferred from the reaction chambers into the assigned test chambers to stop the detection reaction.
US07731906B2
A microfluidic device includes an input port for inputting a particle-containing liquidic samples into the device, a retention member, and a pressure actuator. The retention member is in communication with the input port and is configured to spatially separate particles of the particle-containing liquidic sample from a first portion of the liquid of the particle containing fluidic sample. The pressure actuator recombines at least some of the separated particles with a subset of the first portion of the liquid separated from the particles. The device can also include a lysing chamber that receives the particles and liquid from the retention member. The lysing chamber thermally lyses the particles to release contents thereof.
US07731902B2
The present invention provides a sensor device for detecting a substance contained in a fluid comprising a first photonic crystal region, a second photonic crystal region, a first channel which is connected to the first photonic crystal region, and passes the fluid containing the substance therein, a second channel which is connected to the second photonic crystal region, and passes a fluid for reference therein, an optical waveguide which is connected to the first photonic crystal region and the second photonic crystal region, and guides light, and a detecting section for detecting a difference between a light which has passed through the optical waveguide and the first photonic crystal region and a light which has passed through the optical waveguide and the second photonic crystal region.
US07731900B2
The present invention concerns a body fluid testing device (10) for analyzing a body fluids, comprising a test media tape (30) adapted to collect the body fluid, a supply portion (100) storing an uncontaminated section of the test media tape, a storage portion (110) for storing a contaminated section of the test media tape, an exposure portion positioned between the supply portion and the storage portion, the exposure portion being adapted to expose a section of the test media tape to the body fluid. An important aspect is a tip portion (20) for exposing a test medium to body fluid application. The application further concerns a test media cassette for housing test media. Another aspect is a testing device and method that employs illumination of a test medium at the site for body fluid application.
US07731899B2
An apparatus and methods for dispensing sample holders for use in an automated sample analyzer is disclosed herein. The apparatus for dispensing sample holders includes a rotating carousel for housing stack of sample holders. Stacks of sample holders from the rotating carousel are fed into a chute where sample holders contact a set of rotating members having helical threads thereon. The helically threaded rotating members engage the sample containers and separate each sample holder from the remaining sample holders in the stack by rotation of the helically threaded rotating members. The sample holder can then be transferred for use in an automated sample analyzer.
US07731898B2
A reagent container assembly adapted for being installed in a cavity of an analyzer. The reagent container assembly comprises a housing having an upper opening and defining at least one circular array of chambers, each chamber being adapted for receiving a reagent container, a cover for closing the upper opening of the housing, and a locking mechanism arranged within the housing. The locking mechanism is adapted for locking the cover and for preventing rotation thereof. The locking mechanism is further adapted for locking the housing and thereby preventing rotation thereof when the reagent container assembly is removed from its position in the analyzer. The locking mechanism is further adapted for cooperating with a pin arranged at the bottom of the cavity of the analyzer when the reagent container assembly is installed in the analyzer, the housing being unlocked by the cooperation and thereby allowed to be rotated within the cavity of the analyzer.
US07731897B2
Formats for the optical testing of fluids are manufacturing using modular format components. The format components are constructed so that matching format components can be mated together to form a single format for optical testing. Formats may be manufactured using pin-and-hole construction so that pins on optical format components mate with holes on opposing format components. Optical read surfaces provided on optical format components oppose each other in a completed optical format to form a read area.
US07731892B2
A PIT FURNACE CLOSING SYSTEM is provided having two beams laid across the border of the furnace and square iron bars supported over the beams, and pieces of cloth wrap for high temperature are used for closing the furnace or a box in a stainless steel screen, folded and having a ring, and filled in with remains of wraps, or a bipartite lid in a thin plate with wraps fixed to it and a cut for the upper part of the supporting device of the parts to pass, which is “cage”-like, and suspended inside the furnace and supported on the two beams, not resting on the floor of the furnace, and the furnace has thermopairs, and their heating ends are located in the central direction of each heating zone.
US07731891B2
Disclosed are couplings for use in devices positioned in a molten metal bath. One is a rigid coupling that may include a counterweight, the coupling to reduce nonconcentric movements during rotation of a shaft, particularly a rotor shaft. Another coupling uses magnetic force, rather than a direct physical connection, to form a driving connection between a drive shaft (such as a motor drive shaft) and a driven shaft (such as a rotor shaft). In the event the rotor is jammed, the increased torque creates an overload that disconnects the drive shaft from the driven shaft in order to help prevent damage to the rotor, driven shaft, drive shaft and other components. Also disclosed is a coupling to transfer gas into a shaft, the coupling having a non-threaded internal surface to help prevent gas leakage and thus assist in preventing any resulting damage to the coupling and shaft.
US07731888B2
A locking mechanism for an enclosure is provided. The enclosure comprises a base including a locking groove formed therein, and a lid pivotally coupled with the base having a lock bore formed therein. The lock mechanism is mounted in the lock bore and includes a pin that is selectively positioned within the locking groove to secure the lid to the base. Also provided is a molding device and method for forming the lock bore. The mold device includes a base member with a pair of arms having a mold protrusion and a lower cam surface. The molding device also includes a housing having a pair of mold protrusion openings. The mold protrusions selectively extend outwardly through mold protrusion openings when a wedge engages the lower cam surfaces on the arms, wherein the arms spread apart from one another to form a pair of snap grooves in the lock bore.
US07731887B2
Solid imaging apparatus and methods for use are disclosed that reduce the amount of uncured solid imaging build material remaining on a completed build object following the completion of the solid imaging build process. The amount of uncured build material is reduced through the use of either an uncoating web that removes excess build material from the build object during the course of the building process or an ink jet source of build material that uses only as much build material as is necessary for the fabrication of the build part. Also disclosed is an imager assembly for use with such a solid imaging apparatus that incorporates two or more individual imagers in an array and accounts for variations in the intensity and alignment of adjacent imagers. The apparatus can be modified for semi-continuous operation and for integrating into a manufacturing operation, if desired.
US07731878B2
A process of forming a microperforated plastic film includes providing a post tool having multiple posts, bringing plastic into contact with the post tool such that the plastic conforms to the shape of the posts, and solidifying the plastic into a solidified plastic film having a plurality of microperforations in the shape of the posts. Another step in the process is displacing any skins formed over the holes after solidifying the plastic. The process may be used to form a film for sound absorption where the posts are shaped and arranged to provide microperforations that provide a particular sound absorption spectrum. In one embodiment, the microperforations each have a narrowest diameter of 20 mils, a narrowest diameter less than a film thickness, and a widest diameter greater than narrowest diameter. The widest diameter may be about 125% or more of the narrowest diameter in an embodiment.
US07731877B2
A method and a device for feeding a molten resin capable of accurately feeding the molten resin without the delay of feed timing by preventing the molten resin from adhering to route members before it seats on a mold to increase the positioning accuracy of the molten metal in the mold, and a method of manufacturing a molded part by using the fed molten resin. Vibration is provided to the route members such as molten resin guide pins (10, 40, 50), throat members (62, 70, 85), and female mold positioned in a route in which the molten resin (25) passes before it seats on the female mold (7, 63) by a vibration imparting device (27) or a gas layer film is formed on the surfaces thereof. Thus, the molten resin can be fed while preventing it from adhering to the route members.
US07731876B2
A method is provided for spinning a multifilament thread from a thermoplastic material, including the steps of extruding the melted material through a spinneret with a plurality of spinneret holes into a filament bundle with a plurality of filaments, winding the filaments as thread after solidifying, and cooling the filament bundle beneath the spinneret, whereby in a first cooling zone the gaseous cooling medium is directed in such a way that it flows through the filament bundle transversely, the cooling medium leaving the filament bundle practically completely on the side opposite the inflow side, and in a second cooling zone beneath the first cooling zone, the filament bundle being cooled further essentially through self-suction of the gaseous cooling medium surrounding the filament bundle.
US07731868B2
The present invention is directed to a thick film conductive composition comprising: a) electrically conductive silver powder; b) ZnO powder; c) lead-free glass frits wherein based on total glass frits: Bi2O3: >5 mol %, B2O3: <15 mol %, BaO: <5 mol %, SrO: <5 mol %, Al2O3: <5 mol %; and d) organic medium, wherein (the content of ZnO/the content of the silver powder)×100 is more than 2.5.
US07731866B2
Polyfluorene polymers and copolymers having substantial amounts (10-100%) of fluorenes coupled at the 2 and 5 positions of fluorene are useful as active layers in OLED devices where triplet energies >2.10 eV are required.
US07731862B2
A substance including tungsten and carbon is etched by using plasma. The plasma is generated from a mixed gas of a gas including a fluorine atom, a gas including a nitrogen atom and a gas including a hydrocarbon molecule.
US07731860B2
A method of removing an organic, preferably polymeric, light-emitting material (4) from defined areas of a substrate (1) comprises the steps of arranging a shadow mask (5) to overlie the organic material other than in the defined areas, and applying a beam of ions (7) to the defined areas through the mask. The method is useful in forming organic light-emitting diode arrays.
US07731853B2
The invention relates to a method and equipment with which an organic solution extraction solution is purified from entrainment of aqueous solution and impurities during hydrometallurgical liquid-liquid extraction. The method treats an organic extraction solution, which is loaded with a valuable metal or valuable substance from the aqueous solution. The purpose is to carry out the physical separation of water droplets and the chemical removal of impurities from the organic extraction solution simultaneously.
US07731849B2
A filter module includes an axially extending central channel, a first hollow adapter having an interior through which the central channel extends, a second hollow adapter having an interior through which the central extends, one or more filter cells positioned between the first and second adapters and around the central channel, and an enclosure. The enclosure has a first retainer ring mounted around the first adapter, a second retainer ring mounted around the second adapter, and an envelope which is sealed to the first and second retainer rings and extends around the one or more filter cells.
US07731840B1
A mobile hydrocarbon and heavy metal removal unit for removing hydrocarbons and heavy metals from dirt, coal tar, sludge, slurries and aqueous particulates.
US07731839B2
A process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock, the process comprising the step of contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst at conversion conditions, wherein the catalyst includes at least one molecular sieve and at least one clay, and wherein said catalyst is sufficient to reduce more than 50% of the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock.
US07731838B2
The instant invention relates to a process to produce low sulfur diesel products through the hydrodesulfurization of low nitrogen diesel boiling range feedstreams in the presence of solid acidic materials.
US07731834B2
A method and apparatus for mixing chemical additives into contaminated liquids and electrolyzing contaminated liquids includes the positioning of a vibratable element, such as a metal spring, within a cylindrical liquid conduit. A treatment additive is introduced into the liquid upstream of the vibratable element and the liquid is directed through the conduit. The flow of the liquid in proximity to the vibratable element causes the element to vibrate and mix the liquid and the additive. The conduit and the vibratable element may be electrically charged such that the flow of the liquid in proximity to the charged and vibrating element causes an electrical charge to be imparted to the liquid. The vibration of the element also prevents fouling.
US07731832B2
A grinding wheel having hollow particles, along with abrasive grains, fixed by a bonding material. The abrasive grains may be diamond grains. The hollow particles may consist essentially of silica. The bonding material may be electrodeposited nickel. The grinding wheel is manufactured by performing an abrasive grain electrodeposition step of immersing a base, with a plating surface being pointed upward, in a plating solution, in which the abrasive grains having a larger specific gravity than the plating solution are dispersed, to deposit the abrasive grains settling in the plating solution on the plating surface, and also deposit a plating metal on the plating surface; and a hollow particle electrodeposition step of immersing the base, with the plating surface being pointed downward, in a plating solution, in which the hollow particles having a smaller specific gravity than the plating solution are dispersed, to deposit the hollow particles floating in the plating solution on the plating surface, and also deposit a plating metal on the plating surface.
US07731828B2
A process for rapid typing of yeast, parasites and bacteria is provided. It comprises the following steps: a) Preparing immobilized intact DNA in 5 to 60 minutes aided by a method involving a reagent kit that only contains buffer solution, a detergent, a metal chelating agent and an agent to disrupt the hydrogen bonds. b) Separating intact DNA molecules or their restriction fragments in miniequipments for Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis of the CHEF (Contour Clamped Homogeneous Electric Field) and TAFE (Transversal Alternating Field Electrophoresis) systems in times comprised between 2.5 and 7 hours. c) Selecting the optimal conditions that should be set in miniCHEF with the aid of a method to simulate the electrophoresis patterns d) Providing reorientation times, migration velocities and sizes of the molecules calculated with the aid of a method to analyze the migrated distances without the use of size markers.
US07731826B2
An electrolytic sensing system for measuring a blocking signal allows for controlled translocation of a molecule, such as DNA, through a fluid channel. A substantially constant electric field supplied by a DC source is applied across the fluid channel and induces translocation of the molecule within the system. An oscillating electric parameter (e.g. current or voltage) supplied by an AC source is also applied across the fluid channel as a means for measuring a blocking signal. The substantially constant electric field can be altered to provide more detailed control of the molecule and, optionally, run a select portion of the molecule through the channel multiple times to provide numerous signal readings. A temperature control stage cools the system, providing further control of molecule translocation. A modified or non-modified protein pore may be utilized in the fluid channel. The system allows for long DNA strands to be sequenced quickly without amplification.
US07731825B2
A manufacturing method of a magnetoresistance element having a pinned magnetic layer, a non-magnetic intermediate layer, and a free magnetic layer, the method includes forming at least one thin film of the non-magnetic intermediate layer and the free magnetic layer at a pressure of 8.0×10−3 Pa or less in the vicinity of a substrate using a sputtering apparatus. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber in which a cathode and a substrate holder are arranged, a first exhausting apparatus connected to an exhausting port of the vacuum chamber, a gas introduction mechanism to introduce a gas toward the target, a first pressure regulator to cause a pressure difference between a target space and a center space outside the target space, a second pressure regulator to cause a pressure difference between the center space and a substrate space, and a second exhausting apparatus to exhaust the center space.
US07731819B2
An absorbent sheet of cellulosic fiber typically includes at least about 15% by weight of high coarseness, generally tubular and lignin-rich cellulosic fiber based on the combined weight of cellulosic fiber in the sheet. Lignin-rich high coarseness, generally tubular fiber employed may be characterized by a coarseness of at least about 20 mg/100 m and an average length of 2 mm. The sheet is prepared by way of a process including applying a dewatered web to a heated rotating cylinder and creping the web from the heated cylinder with an undulatory creping blade. Preferred lignin-rich, high coarseness, generally tubular fibers include thermo and chemi mechanical pulps. A particularly preferred embodiment is a sheet including at least about 15% BCTMP.
US07731818B2
The present invention relates to a process for deinking waste paper comprising treating the waste paper with a peroxide compound in an aqueous alkaline medium in the presence of a first polymer (A) comprising a Ca-binding polymer in the form of a polycarboxylate polymer and a second polymer (B) comprising a poly-alfa-hydroxyacrylic acid or a salt thereof or the corresponding polylactone, said process additionally comprising treating the waste paper with at least one non-ionic surfactant or with at least one combination of a non-ionic surfactant and a fatty acid or a salt thereof to promote ink detachment and/or ink removal.
US07731817B2
An improved method of joining fiber composite laminates is disclosed. Two fiber composite laminates may be joined together end-to-end. The bonding is done through the thickness of the fiber composite laminates. There are two ways to form the bond: (1) non-interlocking; and (2) interlocking.
US07731816B2
An apparatus comprising a fiber placement head assembly and an infrared heating assembly is provided. The fiber placement head assembly includes a compaction roller assembly and a feeder assembly. An infrared heating assembly, a cooling mechanism, temperature sensors, and a controller are operably coupled to the fiber placement head assembly. The infrared heating assembly includes an infrared heater that generates a heating profile. The heating profile defines a heating zone on either a tool or previously laid tows. If the burn point of either the tool or previously laid tows within the heating zone is approached, the controller, which receives temperature readings from the temperature sensors, simultaneously disables the infrared heater and activates the cooling mechanism. As such, the tool and the previously laid tows are protected from being ruined due to an over temperature condition.
US07731813B2
A method for fabricating a device for displaying an interlaced image. The method includes providing a film of transparent material and creating a lens array in the film by forming parallel lens sets on a first side of the film, and then bonding an interlaced image including sets of elongate image elements to a second side of the film. Each of the lens sets is configured with lenses for focusing light from one of the image elements in a particular paired set of image elements rather than all the elements as with lenticular material. The bonding of the interlaced image to the film may include printing the interlaced image directly onto the second side with the printing facilitated by the small lens array thickness. Lens array creating includes embossing the lens sets into the film with a flat die or cylinder/roller engraved with a reverse image of the lens array.
US07731797B2
A gas flow in a load-lock type preliminary chamber is improved. A load-lock type substrate treating apparatus contains a processing chamber (34) for storing and processing a substrate (1); a preliminary chamber (23) continuously arranged to the processing chamber (31); a substrate holding jig mechanism (40) for carrying in and carrying out a substrate holding jig (50) holding multiple substrates (1), to and from the processing chamber (31); an inert gas supply port (61) for supplying inert gas to the preliminary chamber (23); a first exhaust port (71) provided above the inert gas supply port (61) in the preliminary chamber (23) to exhaust the inert gas: a second exhaust port (81) to draw a vacuum in the preliminary chamber (23); and a controller (100) for performing control so that the inert gas supplied from the inert gas supply port (61) is exhausted only from the first exhaust port (71), while maintaining the preliminary chamber (23) drawn a vacuum from the second exhaust port (81) at a specified pressure after raising the pressure.
US07731794B2
The invention generally provides gypsum-containing slurries including stucco, naphthalenesulfonate dispersant, and pregelatinized starch. The naphthalenesulfonate dispersant is present in an amount of about 0.1%-3.0% by weight based on the weight of dry stucco. The pregelatinized starch is present in an amount of at least about 0.5% by weight up to about 10% by weight of pregelatinized starch by weight based on the weight of dry stucco in the formulation. Other slurry additives can include trimetaphosphate salts, accelerators, binders, paper fiber, glass fiber, and other known ingredients. The invention also comprises the gypsum-containing products made with such slurries, for example, gypsum wallboard, and a method of making gypsum wallboard.
US07731789B2
An ink composition containing an aprotic polar solvent, a thermoplastic resin, a pigment, a cyclic amide, a surfactant, and water and is printable on a recording surface that is a plastic film. The ink composition is capable of forming a record, having high weather resistance properties such as adhesion, scratch resistance, and water resistance, on a recording surface that is a plastic film.
US07731787B2
A method for stabilizing triphenylboron-pyridine (TPBP) in a solvent-based anti-fouling coating, such as a marine anti-fouling coating, by adding to the coating about 0.04 to about 0.40% wt., based on the total amount of the triphenylboron-pyridine, of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy-radical (“TEMPO”). Also disclosed is a solvent-based anti-fouling coating, such as a marine anti-fouling coating, composition containing TPBP and TEMPO.
US07731785B2
A heat exchanger unit of the air conditioning apparatus includes a first heat exchanger including a first body, a first introduction opening provided at an upper end portion of the first body, and a first discharge opening formed at a corner portion on one side of a lower end portion of the first body and having an elliptic shape; and a second heat exchanger including a second body, a second introduction opening connected to the first discharge opening, provided at a corner portion on one side of a lower portion of the second body, and having an elliptic shape corresponding to that of the first discharge opening, and a second discharge opening provided at a corner portion on the other side of an upper end portion of the second body.
US07731780B1
A system for treating a contaminated gas stream is provided that includes a comminution device 204 operable to effect size reduction of a plurality of sorbent particles and form a plurality of comminuted particles, a plurality of nozzles 224 distributed through the gas stream and operable to introduce the plurality of comminuted particles into the gas stream, and a particle removal device 104 operable to remove at least most of the introduced comminuted particles and form a treated gas stream. The comminution device is in direct fluid communication with the nozzles.
US07731779B2
Stranded natural gas, when contaminated by difficult to remove constituents such as Nitrogen and Oxygen, has long been considered uneconomical to process into pipeline quality gas and is abandoned or utilized in other energy applications where economically viable. Landfill Gas (LFG) is often considered a stranded gas although in many instances it is available at reasonable distances to natural gas pipelines, and has only rarely been processed for injection into natural gas pipelines. Other stranded contaminated gases, such as gases vented from remote oil wells or coal beds where access to transportation pipelines is not feasible are also candidates for collection. In many instances, billions of cubic feet of methane rich LFG has been vented or flared into the atmosphere. The present invention utilizes a variety of components and provides a product gas that will meet all known pipeline requirements and/or vehicle fuel specifications without the need for blending with pipeline gas and without using cryogenic separation techniques or partial cryogenic processes. The invention also provides a product gas suitable for further processing into Liquefied Natural Gas.
US07731771B2
A cyclone collector is provided that includes a body having an inlet that draws air therein, a cyclone provided inside of the body, and an outlet that discharges air from the body. The outlet includes a passage portion having a passage and a closed portion under the passage portion.
US07731762B2
A dye composition is provided and includes a non-aqueous dye and an ionic liquid. A dyeing method is provided and includes a process of applying the dye composition to an object, and a process of removing fluidity of the dye composition.
US07731754B2
An intervertebral prosthesis for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower prosthesis plates locatable against respective vertebrae and having opposing, concavely curved recesses therein, and a core located between the plates. The core has opposed, convexly curved surfaces received in the recesses of the plates to allow the plates to slide in articulated manner over the core. The opposed surfaces of the core and the recesses of the plates have cooperating spherical curvatures. The recess of each plate surrounds a locating peg projecting centrally from the base of the recess and is bounded by an annular rim, such that the annular rims of the plates are arranged to contact one another at a predetermined limit of sliding movement of the plates over the core. The peg locates loosely in an opening located centrally in a curved surface of the core, whereby the plates can slide over the core in all directions while the peg holds the core captive.
US07731747B2
An embodiment of the invention provides a prosthesis for placement at an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support and a plurality of fronds extending axially from an end of the support. The support is configured to be deployed in at least a portion of the branch body lumen. At least one of the plurality of fronds is extendable into the main body lumen.
US07731741B2
A stent may comprise a graft having a plurality of outwardly deployable petals. A petal may include an internal inflation pocket. Upon inflation, the petal may deploy outwardly and provide support to a portion of a vessel bifurcation. Inflation may be accomplished by injecting an inflation medium into the inflation pocket. In some embodiments, an inflation medium may comprise a hardening resin.
US07731738B2
A cannulated screw which maintains compression at the interface between two or more materials in a medical or other setting to effectively secure bone to bone while minimizing separation between the bones and the securement interface. The cannulated screw has a flattened tip, which enables the cannulated screw to more readily bore or self-tap into bone or other material. The flattened tip of the cannulated screw comprises a plurality of cutting teeth which facilitate boring of the flattened tip of the cannulated screw into the material into which the screw is being inserted. In one embodiment, three progressive cutting teeth are provided on the flattened tip of the cannulated screw.
US07731734B2
Equipment includes bony anchoring members, one or two linking rods, intended to be connected to these anchoring members, and parts for connecting the rod(s) to the anchoring members; at least one anchoring member includes a proximal stud articulated with respect to a base portion enabling bony anchoring; clamping elements enable assembly of the connecting part on the anchoring member. The proximal stud includes a surface forming an axial stop, against which the connecting part is intended to rest, and the clamping elements clamp this connecting part against this surface which is positioned so that the connecting part, when clamped there against, is not clamped against the base portion so that there remains, after clamping, a possibility of articulated backlash of the proximal stud with respect to the base portion.
US07731730B2
A trocar assembly including a low-profile retractable shield deployable adjacent to a cutting element with a cross-sectional area which is small relative to the total cross-section of the assembly.
US07731728B2
A medical device for removing a thin membrane from the inner surface of an eye. The device comprises a rake that includes a handle having a hollow body from which a slide member telescopes. A plurality of tines are provided on a free end of the slide member, wherein each tine includes a tissue engaging feature provided on a free end of each tine. The tines are extended and retracted from an end of the handle, such that, when completely retracted, only the tissue engaging features protrude from the handle or all tissue engaging features can be retracted into the handle. In operation, the rake is manipulated along an upper surface of the membrane until the tissue engaging features engage the membrane. Once the tines engage the membrane, the rake is moved upward and tangentially away relative to an upper surface of the retina until the membrane is removed therefrom.
US07731721B2
A bone fixation system including a bone plate and surgical drill guide is provided. The drill guide assembly includes one or more alignment drill tubes that are remotely aligned with corresponding fastener holes in the bone plate, and a plate holder to engage a hole in the bone plate. The surgical drill guide is releasably lockable to the plate holder.
US07731717B2
An electrosurgical system for sealing tissue is disclosed which includes an electrosurgical forceps having a shaft member and a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members including a sealing plate which communicates electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical generator. The system also includes one or more sensors which determine a gap distance between the sealing plates of the jaw members and a microprocessor which is adapted to communicate with the sensor and measure an initial gap distance between the sealing plates as well as to generate a desired gap distance trajectory based on the initial gap distance. The microprocessor is further adapted to communicate with the at least one sensor in real time to adjust output level of the electrosurgical generator as a function of the measured gap distance during the sealing process.
US07731713B2
A versatile irrigation system dissector for laparoscopic surgery comprises an elongated lumen having an elongated slim tip electrode slidably mounted therein and having a cutting tip extendable therefrom at one end. The lumen is connected at the other end to a manifold mounted on a handle, which includes a pair of switches to regulate the inlet and outlet flow through the lumen for irrigation and suction purposes. A control panel on the handle regulates the current to the tip for either cutting or coagulating. Thus, several operations may be performed with a single handheld instrument in a highly efficient and rapid action.
US07731705B2
Embodiments are directed to eluting coils having a relaxed coiled state and a straightened state that may be deployed at a fixed location within a patient's body and may accurately dispense and distribute fluids and or dissolvable substances at site specific locations of the body. Some embodiments of eluting elements are configured to be subsequently retrieved from a delivery site.
US07731701B2
The invention relates to a packaged article comprising: an article having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein said inner surface defines a cavity for receiving an appendage of a user, a package surrounding said article; a seam which closes both said package and said cavity of said article, wherein opening of said seam opens both said package and said cavity of said article.
US07731690B2
An apparatus includes a housing, a medicament container, an actuator, and a biasing member. The actuator is configured to move the medicament container within the housing when the actuator is moved from a first configuration to a second configuration. The actuator includes a gas container and a puncturer. When the actuator is in the first configuration, a portion of the puncturer is disposed apart from the gas container. When the actuator is in the second configuration, the portion of the puncturer is disposed within the gas container. The gas container has a longitudinal axis offset from a longitudinal axis of the medicament container. The biasing member is configured to bias the actuator toward the second configuration.
US07731676B2
A ureter stent designed for assisting the draining of urine with calculus fragments. The ureter stent includes a first holding portion, a second holding portion and a junction portion. The first holding portion has a pigtail shape for holding itself in a kidney. The second holding portion has a pigtail shape for holding itself in a bladder. The junction portion joins the first holding portion and the second holding portion and placed in a ureter. The junction portion is made of a metal round wire having no internal flow path. Urine flows outside the ureter stent.
US07731671B2
A massaging device particularly for a chair is provided. Owing to the provision of the rotative arms, the relative distance between the upper and lower massaging element pairs in the massaging device can be adjusted, and thus a massaging action imitating a human-made massaging action can be generated by the massaging device. Further, a relative protruding extent between the upper and lower massaging element pairs may be selected, and thus the foul-wheel or dual-wheel based pressing, rubbing and tapping actions can be provided when these massaging elements are operated with cooperation of a displacement mechanism and a control device. In addition, the provided massaging force can be adjusted to achieve a good massaging effect on the acupuncture points and strained muscles of the user.
US07731668B2
A sampling device for sampling body fluid includes a lancet for making an incision, a capillary tube for drawing-up body fluid from the incision, and a test strip affixed to an upper end of the capillary tube for receiving the fluid. An absorbent pad can be disposed between the test strip and capillary tube for spreading-out the fluid being transferred to the test strip. An on-site analyzer such as an optical analyzer and/or an electrochemical analyzer can be mounted in the device for analyzing the fluid. Alternatively, a test strip can be slid through a slot formed in the bottom end of the device so that by passing the device against the skin after an incision has been formed, the test strip will directly contact body fluid emanating from the incision.
US07731660B2
In one embodiment, at least one visual characteristic from a selected image is used to automatically select an ultrasound image from a set of images from a plurality of heart cycles. In another embodiment, motion correction is performed on ultrasound images that are automatically selected from a plurality of ultrasound images associated with the same phase of the heart cycle. In yet another embodiment, ultrasound images are automatically selected from a set of images based on a time interval that is within a tolerance range from a reference phase of the heart cycle. In another embodiment, a stored user-preference of a phase of the heart cycle is used to automatically select an ultrasound image from a set of images. In yet another embodiment, a user-defined region of interest is placed on an ultrasound image associated with a selected phase of a heart cycle.
US07731657B2
Method and apparatus for providing an introducer for transcutaneous placement of at least a portion of an analyte sensor through the skin of a patient is provided.
US07731656B2
In an image display system that displays the condition of a person under measurement in a visible form, the person carries a PDA (10). The PDA (10) includes a bio-sensor (11) to detect bio-information on the person and an environmental information sensor (12) to acquire information on the environment around the person. The PDA (10) sends the acquired information to an image display device (20) which is connected to the PDA (10) via a network (100). The image display device (20) includes a CPU (29) that judges the condition of the person on the basis of bio-information and environmental information, generates an image representing the condition of the person and displays the image on a display unit (23).
US07731654B2
A delivery device for positioning and deploying an implantable device within a lumen is provided. The device includes an inner tube positioned within an outer tube and capable of sliding therein, wherein the inner and outer tubes have proximal and distal ends. A side opening is defined in each of the inner and outer tubes, wherein each side opening is defined proximate to the implantable device and is capable of substantially aligning with the other side opening. The device includes an optical device capable of viewing at least a portion of the lumen prior to deploying the implantable device when the side openings are aligned with each other. A mechanism is coupled to at least one of the inner and outer tubes and is operable to deploy the implantable device within the lumen.
US07731650B2
A system and method for capturing and placing a cardiac assist device on a heart. A cardiac assist device is delivered to a chest cavity of a being through an opening provided in a chest wall. A magnetically charged tether is provided at each corner or extremity of the cardiac assist device. Capture instruments magnetically couple with a corresponding tether. The magnetically coupled instruments and tethers then maneuver the cardiac assist device to a desired position about the heart. The cardiac assist device is then secured directly to the heart or to anchoring devices separately provided and secured to the heart.
US07731649B2
The invention consists in a device that concerns the optimization of the cardiac geometry in patients with heart failure. The device comprises one or more elastic elements in the radial direction towards the inside of the ventricle and plastic deformation in a direction that is transversal to the said ventricle, the element being equipped with means for attaching it to the internal wall of the ventricle.
US07731648B2
Disclosed are thermotherapeutic compositions for treating disease material, and methods of targeted therapy utilizing such compositions. These compositions comprise a) stable single domain magnetic particles; b) magnetic nanoparticles comprising aggregates of superparamagnetic grains; or c) magnetic nanoparticles comprising aggregates of stable single magnetic domain crystals and superparamagnetic grains. These compositions may also comprise a radio isotope, potential radioactive isotope, chemotherapeutic agent. These methods comprise the administration to a patient's body, body part, body fluid, or tissue of bioprobes (energy susceptive materials attached to a target-specific ligand), and the application of energy to the bioprobes so as to destroy, rupture, or inactivate the target in the patient. Energy forms, such as AMF, are utilized to provide the energy. The disclosed methods may be useful in the treatment of a variety of indications, including cancers, diseases of the immune system, central nervous system and vascular system, and pathogen-borne diseases.
US07731647B2
A device for placing a paper bag bottom produces score lines on the ends of tubular segments which are used for producing bags, applies glue layers to the folded bottoms on the extremities of the tubular segments and/or to sheets for gluing them with the bottoms with the aid of gluers and connects and glues the folded bottoms and the sheets. The device has at least one gluer which includes at least one glue reservoir or at least one glue duct, the glue contained in the reservoir or in the duct being exposed to a pressure higher than ambient pressure. The glue reservoir or the glue duct is provided with at least one output orifice for applying the glue to the sheets and/or to the folded bottoms.
US07731638B2
An exercise machine has a main frame and a user support frame pivotally mounted relative to the main frame for rotation about a user support pivot axis between start and end positions. The user support frame has at least a primary support and a secondary support for supporting spaced positions on a user's body throughout an exercise movement. The user support pivot axis is spaced below at least one of the supports in at least one of the exercise start and end positions. A user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises, and a multiple part connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to rotational movement of the user support frame. A load resists movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.
US07731636B2
A resistance system for an exercise device may include: a drive shaft configured to be operably connected to a movable part of an exercise device such that movement of the movable part causes the drive shaft to rotate; and a resistance source operably connected with the drive shaft and configured to resist rotation of the drive shaft. An exercise device may include: a drive shaft rotatably supported by a frame; a resistance source operably connected with the drive shaft and configured to resist rotation of the drive shaft; and first and second treadle assemblies pivotally connected with the frame and including respective moving surfaces. In such an exercise device, the first treadle assembly and the second treadle assembly may be operably connected with the drive shaft such that pivotal movement of the first treadle assembly and pivotal movement of the second treadle assembly cause the drive shaft to rotate.
US07731631B2
A weightlifting apparatus includes a pair of spaced-apart support columns which carry a pair of spaced-apart self-spotter bars. The self-spotter bars extend from the columns such that the height and optionally the angle can be adjusted. The self-spotter bars are positioned to hold a weight bar at a safe height should the user drop the weight during an exercise.
US07731630B2
A calibration system for calibrating a transmission adjusts a clutch fill pulse width and hold level current for an oncoming clutch via calibration shifts during operation of the associated machine, thus establishing the desired shift timing and duration. The pulse width is calibrated based on torque transfer characteristics of the clutch during a test shift, and the hold level current is calibrated based on the shift duration of a further test shift.
US07731626B2
A system and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle drive has a device for detecting a charging power of a heavy-duty battery for an electric motor, a device for determining at least one fuel consumption parameter for several different transmission gear positions at the detected charging power and for determining an optimized gear position in which the determined fuel consumption parameter indicates an optimized fuel consumption. The determining device controls the gear position of the transmission to the determined optimized gear position by via a transmission control device.
US07731613B2
A stationary sheave half of a V-belt type continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprises a primary sheave mounted to a primary sheave shaft and a secondary sheave mounted to a secondary sheave shaft. The stationary sheave half of the secondary sheave comprises a sheave body, which is substantially in the form of a doughnut plate and around which a V-belt is wound, and a substantially cylindrical-shaped boss portion extending rightward from a right side of the sheave body. The sheave body and the boss portion are formed separately.
US07731612B2
An arrow having an arrowhead assembly attached thereto is provided for marking a remote location with a marking media. The marking media is preferably in the form of a paint ball or a scent ball. The arrowhead assembly includes a media reservoir defining a cavity and a plurality of supports extending outward from the media reservoir along a longitudinal axis. The supports secure the marking media within the cavity in a press-fit connection. In one embodiment, a cap and a resilient nose cone are attached to the media reservoir, surrounding the marking media, to prevent damage to a target upon impacting the target.
US07731602B2
Apparatus and a method that enables an assistive energy type golf club to sense the approach of the club face toward a golf ball, and to trigger the release of the assistive energy at the optimum time to achieve the desired golf ball velocity and distance.
US07731594B1
A platform for performance of personal combat martial arts is made with a concave upper surface having a central generally flat region for main performance surrounded by a border region that slopes upwardly to the platform periphery, so that instead of the traditional impasse and fight interruption experienced when a combatant is forced into the border region, ropes or corners of conventional flat fight rings, the action tends to continue and automatically gravitate back into the main central region without interruption. A full-height constraint net that slopes upwardly and inwardly further urges combatants away from the periphery and safely prevents bodily ejection, thus protecting ringside spectators while providing all spectators with a good view of the sports action.
US07731589B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a game server that can simulate the sensation of competing in a game against an actually existing specific person. The game server of the present invention offers a plurality of options for the actions that gamer A can select in game scenes that change along with the progress of a soccer game. The options include dribble (long), dribble (short), pass in front of the player, pass to the foot of the player, wait, and shoot. The action patterns of gamer A are stored for each game scene by counting the number of times each option is selected. The game server refers to the stored action patterns when playing against another gamer B. This configuration makes it possible for the gamer B to have a virtual experience as if he were competing with the gamer A.
US07731584B2
The present invention involves an apparatus and method for regenerating or awarding extra chances or opportunities to a player in connection with a gaming device and preferably in a bonus round of a gaming device. The present invention contemplates regenerating or awarding a plurality of extra chances or opportunities upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. More specifically, the present invention contemplates regenerating or awarding a number of extra chances or opportunities equal to the number of chances or opportunities with which the player enters or begins the game or bonus round of the present invention.
US07731579B2
The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game. The wagering game may include a basic game and a bonus game that includes selectable objects. The objects can be selected by a player or by a computer. Each of the selectable objects is associated with a bonus award. During game play, a player or computer selects objects until a predetermined number of selections occurs or a stop-selection feature occurs. After selection ends, the bonus awards associated with the selected objects are displayed. Subsequently, the awards associated with the non-selected objects may be revealed. At this time, instead of the game ending, at least one of the awards associated with the selected objects is altered, producing an adjusted bonus award for that selection. The player receives an overall bonus award that is based on the adjusted bonus awards.
US07731577B2
A transverse fan assembly that includes a fan rotatably disposed in an air plenum for drawing air through an inlet opening and drivingly forcing air from an outlet opening defined by the air plenum, the inlet opening having an elongate, bladed, inlet rotor oriented on a rotational axis parallel to the fan, extending the length of the fan, and positioned proximate to the fan periphery to increase air flow from the outlet of the air plenum along the length of the fan while generating less noise.
US07731567B2
In a semiconductor wafer processing method of forming a semiconductor wafer having a desired thickness by grinding a rear surface of the semiconductor wafer having a plurality of devices formed on a front surface thereof, the rear surface of the semiconductor wafer is ground so that the semiconductor wafer has a thickness of 10 μm to 100 μm, and a strain layer having a thickness of 0.05 μm to 0.1 μm is left on the rear surface of the semiconductor wafer by the grinding. The strain layer is left to provide the gettering effect, preventing a harmful influence exerted on the quality of the semiconductor devices. Degradation in transverse rupture strength can be prevented by the grinding.
US07731564B2
Disclosed is a use of a memory foam insert in bras, camisoles, shorts, and briefs. The memory foam insert is designed to limit and prevent the bouncing motion through the breast and gluteal area during rigorous athletic activity. The invention conforms and molds itself to the individual's shape and figure, thereby allowing for a comfortable and secure fit.
US07731563B2
A transformable toy is presented. The toy includes a first member, a second member and a third member. A first surface of the first member is a first part of an exterior surface of a substantially spherical structure in a first configuration. A second surface of the second member is a second part of the exterior surface of the substantially spherical structure in the first configuration. The first member and second member are positionable in a second configuration in which at least a portion of the second member is further from at least a portion of the first member. The at least portion of the second member includes an edge which includes an arc-shaped portion. The first member, second member and third member are positionable in a third configuration.
US07731557B2
A toy airplane with a specialized launching configuration. The toy airplane has a body that extends between a nose and a tail. A roller assembly is disposed at the nose of the toy airplane. The roller assembly includes a free rotating finger roll that protrudes to the left and to the right of the nose. When a person launches the toy airplane, that person places his/her fingers behind the finger rolls on either side of the nose. As a person makes a throwing motion, the fingers roll off of the finger rolls just as the toy airplane is reaching its maximum velocity. The presence of the finger rolls, therefore, prevents a person from holding onto the toy airplane too long as it is being thrown.
US07731545B1
A socket (10) for receiving and retaining a lamp (12) and providing electrical connection to electrical lead-ins (14a) and (14b) of the lamp (12), the electrical lead-ins (14a) and (14b) projecting from the lamp in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal axis (18). The socket (10) comprises a first socket body half (16) arrayed about the longitudinal axis (18) and including a receptacle (20) aligned with the longitudinal axis (18) for receiving a portion (22) of the lamp (12). Lead-in receptacles (24) are formed in the socket body (16), the receptacles being laterally disposed relative to the longitudinal axis. Electrical lead-in contact receivers (26) are formed adjacent the lead-in receptacles. Radially spaced contact retainers (28, 29) are associated with the contact receivers (26). An electrical contact (30) is positioned in each contact receiver (26), each of the electrical contacts (30) comprising first and second spaced-apart lead-in engagers (32, 34) joined by a bight (36). A tab (38) extends from a distal end (40) of the first lead-in engager (32) and is confined in the contact retainer (29) and a tab (42) extends from a proximal end (44) of the second lead-in engager (34). A wire receptor (46) is affixed to the contact (30). A second socket body half (48) is affixed to the first socket body half (16) and a contact retention spring (50) is positioned between an inside surface (52) of the second socket body half and first lead-in engager (32).
US07731543B2
A shielded connector includes: a housing having a terminal cavity and a flexible locking portion; and a shielded shell having a wire inserting hole and an engaging hole engaged with the flexible locking portion. The flexible locking portion is arranged on at least an upper portion of an outer edge of the housing. The housing includes a restricting rib for restricting a displacement of the flexible locking portion.
US07731535B1
A receptacle connector assembly comprises an insulative housing, two sets of first contact pins, two sets of second contact pins, a metal contact and a metal shell. The first and the second contact pin respectively comply with specification of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 and transmit data stability at high transmission rate.
US07731532B2
A connector, comprising a connector body (11) having a flange (19), a shell (17) forming a contour part, and a reinforcement member (53). The reinforcement member (53) further comprises a reinforcement part (67) in contact with the flange (19) in which screw holes (57) are formed and an engagement part (65) engaged with the shell (17). The reinforcement member (53) is detachably fitted to the connector body (11).
US07731525B2
The present invention relates to methods and systems for minimizing alien crosstalk between connectors. Specifically, the methods and systems relate to isolation and compensation techniques for minimizing alien crosstalk between connectors for use with high-speed data cabling. A frame can be configured to receive a number of connectors. Shield structures may be positioned to isolate at least a subset of the connectors from one another. The connectors can be positioned to move at least a subset of the connectors away from alignment with a common plane. A signal compensator may be configured to adjust a data signal to compensate for alien crosstalk. The connectors are configured to efficiently and accurately propagate high-speed data signals by, among other functions, minimizing alien crosstalk.
US07731514B2
A loadbreak connector system and methods for visible break include first and second mating connector assemblies configured to make or break an electrical connection under energized circuit conditions, the first and second mating connectors selectively positionable relative to one another. One of the first and second mating connectors includes an arc follower, and the other of the first and second mating connectors includes an arc interrupter. The arc interrupter is configured to receive the arc follower, and the first and second meting connectors are positionable in an disconnected position wherein the arc follower remains engaged to and is located within the arc interrupter. Arc energy is distributed among multiple locations to reduce arc intensity.
US07731503B2
A carbon nanotube contact structure can be used for making pressure connections to a DUT. The contact structure can be formed using a carbon nanotube film or with carbon nanotubes in solution. The carbon nanotube film can be grown in a trench in a sacrificial substrate in which a contact structure such as a beam or contact element is then formed by metal plating. The film can also be formed on a contact element and have metal posts dispersed therein to provide rigidity and elasticity. Contact structures or portions thereof can also be plated with a solution containing carbon nanotubes. The resulting contact structure can be tough, and can provide good electrical conductivity.
US07731485B2
The invention relates to a hydraulic device having, in a housing, a rotor, which can rotate about a first axis, with pistons and chambers on both sides of the rotor, which can rotate about a second axis and are formed by a cylindrical wall and a piston. The cylindrical walls are rotatable about a second axis (m1 and m2) and the first axis, such that, during rotation of the rotor, the volumes of the rotor chambers on one side of the rotor and the rotor chambers on the other side of the rotor alternatively have a minimum value.
US07731480B2
A power turbine is provided in the form of a set of plates that cooperate to form a housing, with a set of spaced apart disks mounted on a shaft within the housing. Some of the plates and disks cooperate to allow gas or steam to be injected to provide a driving force on the shaft, while others of the disks and plates cooperate to form one or more integral pumps. The pumps are used to pull cooling liquid or water into the housing, and to cool the driving disks. In this way, the steam that drives the disks is condensed while still in the housing, with a water level maintained on the driving disks. In operation, the steam directly acts on the disks toward the outer circumference of the disks, but more toward the center of the disk, the steam transfers its energy to the water, and the water transfers the energy to the disk. Since water is less compressible and able to efficiently transfer energy to the disks, the power turbine is able to operate at relatively slow speeds, has good low-speed torque, and still has excellent conversion efficiency.
US07731471B2
A motor vehicle tire carrier includes a housing having an aperture. A drive shaft is rotatably secured to the housing. A spool is positioned in the housing and is rotatably driven by the drive shaft. A flexible elongate member has a first end secured to the spool, is wound about the spool, and extends through the aperture in the housing. A wheel plate is secured to a second end of the elongate member and is configured to support a motor vehicle tire. A crash plate is secured to the housing and has an aperture through which the elongate member extends, with the housing being secured to the crash plate. A guide member on the crash plate has an arcuate surface about which the elongate member will bend when the tire carrier is subject to a lateral force.
US07731469B2
According to the type of the plate placed in a plate placing device of a component feeder, appropriate holding operation and expanding operation are performed selectively and automatically according to the type of the plate by regulating the lowered position of a plate pressurizing member for the tray feeding plate to securely hold the plate and performing wafer expanding while securely holding the wafer feeding plate by releasing the regulation of the lowered position for the wafer feeding plate.
US07731468B2
A machine for cutting and crimping the ends of a helical coil inserted into holes at an edge of a book to hold the coil in place is adjustable to accommodate different diameters of coil. A guide member for centering the axis of the coil in a centering direction is adjustable to accommodate different diameter coils and for adjusting the location of the axis in an adjustment direction at right angles to the centering direction depending upon the diameter of the coil. A cutting device has a blade movable in a slot of an anvil to shear on one side and to bend on the other side to form a crimped end portion. The adjustment of the axis causes the cutting device to cut the end portion longer for larger coils. The cutting device is adjustable to rotate the anvil relative to the axis to accommodate different helix angles.
US07731454B1
Piling, apparatus and methods for pouring a concrete piling in situ around pre-positioned reinforcing rods inside removable hollow pipe sections that have been screwed into the ground. A final coupler pipe section including a removable coupler device is releasably attached to a reducer section and helical screw anchor that are left in the ground. The pipe sections are connected end to end by helical flanges and are screwed into the ground using the helical screw anchor. Once the pipe sections are screwed into the ground to a desired depth, the coupler device is operated to release the coupler section from the reducer section and the coupler device is extracted from the pipe sections. Reinforcing rods are disposed inside the pipe sections and reducer section. Concrete is poured into the pipe sections and reducer section to encase the reinforcing rods. The pipe sections including the coupler section are then removed from the ground and reused.
US07731450B2
A method of operating a compactor machine includes moving the compacting machine within a work area and determining a compaction response disconformity exists between at least two regions of the work area. The method includes generating a compactor navigation signal responsive to the compaction response disconformity. A method of compacting a work area may include determining a work material compaction response associated with at least one region of the work area is aberrant, and maneuvering the compactor machine within the work area responsive to a signal associated with the aberrant compaction response. A system for compacting a work area includes a compactor machine and an electronic controller configured via a compactor maneuvering control algorithm to detect an aberrant work material compaction response in a region of the work area and responsively generate a compactor navigation signal.
US07731446B2
A joint includes at least one joint bushing and a joint bolt or pipe that is rotatably mounted with radial play in the joint bushing, forming an annular bearing gap. The joint has a play compensation element having several spring-loaded sections that engage in the annular bearing gap. The radii of the spring-loaded sections are shorter than the radius of the annular bearing gap. The spring-loaded sections project beyond a base body of the play compensation element at an acute angle to the joint axis. If the play compensation element is designed both to compensate the play and to axially secure the joint, it includes at least one clamping section, which is/are supported on the joint bolt and project(s) beyond the opposite side of the base body of the play compensation element to the spring-loaded sections. The play compensation element can be used in particular for joints of adjusting devices in motor vehicles.
US07731435B2
A printing method and apparatus includes fingerprinting a sheet of printable media such as paper to obtain a fingerprint. The fingerprint is encrypted using an encryption key known only to the user wanting to print the document. The encrypted fingerprint is then encoded and transferred to the document as machine readable information.
US07731431B2
In one example embodiment, an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) shield includes a central portion, an opening defined in the central portion, a wing attached to and extending outward from the central portion, and a protrusion defined in the wing. The perimeter of the EMR shield is approximately the same size and shape as that of a portion of an associated optical subassembly (OSA).
US07731429B2
An optical connector has a simple structure and a method of attaching an optical fiber cord to the connector is easy. The connector 1 includes: a plug part 2 which has a capillary 5 provided at the front and containing a built-in optical fiber 6 and which includes a mechanical splicing portion 7 capable of allowing an optical fiber 51 to be inserted from the rear so as to be fixed therein; a caulking stand 35 capable of holding a sheath by radially contracting in a state in which the optical fiber cord 50 is inserted therein; a caulking ring 45 provided outside the cylindrical portion 36 of the stand 35 so as to hold the tension member 52 between the ring 45 and the stand 35; and a coupling body 20 provided behind the plug part 2 and accommodating the stand 35 and the ring 45.
US07731414B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a clinical instrument analyzer system for the automated analysis of patient samples. In one embodiment, the analyzer may be used to analyze bodily fluid samples, such as blood, plasma, serum, urine or cerebrospinal fluid, for example. Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and method for suspending magnetic particles accumulated on the floor of a mixing tube and depositing the magnetic particles in bodily fluid samples.
US07731413B2
A mixer adapted to mix a base and a catalyst to make a paste for dental castings has a holding body adapted to receive the components to be mixed through two inlets (3, 4). The components are conveyed into a mixing chamber (6) where a dynamic rotor (7) is present which, through suitable fins (12), allows mixing of the two components. Downstream of the dynamic mixing (7) along a feeding direction (A) of the material, a static-mixing structure (9) is also provided which is equipped with a predetermined number of shaped elements (10) to enable further mixing of the materials before the latter come out of the mixer.
US07731408B2
A system in at least some embodiments comprises a housing containing a processor and a base coupled and supporting the housing. The housing comprises a slot adapted to receive a removable template. A slot is provided within the housing. The slot is adapted to receive a removable template. The housing also comprises a light source that shines through the template on to the base.
US07731406B2
A backlight assembly and an LCD having the same are disclosed to prevent wrinklings of optical sheets due to close contact of optical sheets or prism sheets. The backlight assembly includes multiple optical sheets disposed between a light guiding plate and a display unit, for the diffusion of light, collection of light and securing of horizontal viewing angle. The front surface or the rear surface of each of the optical sheets each has an embossing structure or a matte structure to decrease a contact area between the multiple optical sheets and to minimize frictions.
US07731397B2
The invention provides an improvement in suspendable structures and assemblies such as linear lighting fixtures/luminaires that are intended to be suspended from ceilings or other such structures. The housings of the assemblies are designed to include at least one structural member with prestressing in at least along a major longitudinal axis over at least a portion of the length of the member. Once the structural member is incorporated into the housing and overall assembly, the housing and/or assembly is substantially planar and uniform once the assembly is suspended, making the assembly both stronger and more aesthetically appealing. Other embodiments showing extensions to the invention are also disclosed.
US07731390B2
The present invention relates to an illumination system (200) including a first sub-system (205) comprising a first set (201) of at least two differently colored light sources where the first set (201) has a first spectral distribution, and a first light mixing device (203) arranged in a direction of emission of light from the first set of light sources and configured to mix light emitted by the first set of light sources. The illumination system further includes a second sub-system (206) comprising a second set (202) of at least two light sources where the second (202) set has a second spectral distribution, and a second light mixing device (204), also arranged in a direction of emission of light from the second set of light sources and configured to mix light emitted by the second set of light sources. The light sources are selected such that that the first and the second spectral distribution complement each other, so that a color rendering index (CRI) of light emitted from the illumination system (200) is greater that the CRI of light emitted from each of the sub-systems. Furthermore, the first (205) and the second (206) sub-systems are arranged to emit at least one common color, such as a shade of white.
US07731384B2
A lighting source that can be deployed in a hazardous environment is disclosed. For example, the lighting source comprises at least one light emitting diode and a power supply for providing power to the at least one light emitting diode. The lighting source also comprises an enclosure for housing the at least one light emitting diode and the power supply, where said lighting source is for deployment in a hazardous environment.
US07731382B2
The present invention relates to a lamp structure. The lamp structure is mainly installed inside a cabinet, and by opening the cabinet door will enable the electrical circuit of the lamp structure to be a close circuit; vise versa, closing the cabinet door will result in the open circuit of the electrical circuit of the lamp structure. When the electrical circuit is a close circuit, the light emitting part of the lamp structure will generate light to illuminate the internal space of the cabinet so as clearly view the objects location in the cabinet.
US07731368B2
In a projector assembly having a lamp for emitting light, and an ellipsoid reflector for capturing the light, the ellipsoid reflector having an opening through its vertex facilitating placement of the lamp, there is provided an improvement wherein the opening in the ellipsoid reflector is sized to allow a major portion of cooling air to pass therethrough into a region defined by the ellipsoid reflector. An air deflector is situated in the opening so as to facilitate distribution of cooling air along the lamp and outwardly towards the inside surface of said ellipsoid reflector from within said region.
US07731367B2
A controller for a display having a screen which incorporates a light modulator. The screen may be a front projection screen or a rear projection screen. Elements of the light modulator may be controlled by the controller to adjust the intensity of light emanating from corresponding areas on the screen. The display may provide a high dynamic range.
US07731362B2
The present application is directed to an optical scanning system for medical applications, preferably in ophthalmology, which can be used for a large range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The optical scanning system comprises at least one controllable reflector which has an actuator and which is arranged in a first imaging beam path for deflecting at least one therapy beam and/or diagnosis beam over a work field in a scanning manner, a second imaging beam path for a fixation beam which is imaged on the work field in a spatially fixed manner with respect to the optical axis of the system, and a central control unit. The moving reflector is used to unify the two imaging beam paths and has dichroic characteristics so that it is transmissive for the fixation beam and reflective for the therapy beam and/or diagnosis beam(s). The second radiation source which serves to generate the fixation beam is controlled so as to be synchronized to the position of the moving reflector.
US07731359B2
A method for the determination by optical optimization of a personalized progressive ophthalmic lens intended to be inserted into a frame chosen by a given wearer for whom a power addition has been prescribed in near vision, the method comprising the stages of: determining at least one parameter representing the frame chosen by the wearer; measuring parameters representing the wearer's head-eye behavior; weighting the parameters representing the wearer's head-eye behavior with the parameter representing the frame chosen by the wearer; determining power and resulting astigmatism defect targets for each direction of viewing under wearing conditions, the targets being associated with an individual merit function taking into account the weighted head-eye coordination parameters. The method allows the design of the lens to be adapted to the size and the shape of the frame chosen.
US07731355B2
An eyeglass assembly 10 is disclosed as including a frame 2 with two brackets 21 each with a recess for receiving part of a respective piece of optical lens 1, and a screw 22 releasably engaged with the bracket 21, each bracket 21 including two protrusions 211, 212 which, when the piece of optical lens 1 is received by the bracket 21, abut a first major surface 4 of the piece of optical lens 1, and when the piece of lens 1 is received by the bracket 21, the screw 22 is adapted to abut an opposite second major surface 6 of the piece of optical lens 1 to thereby releasably engage the piece of optical lens 1 with the bracket 21.
US07731338B2
A heat transfer type ink-jet print head and a method of fabricating the same. A method of fabricating an ink-jet print head includes sequentially laminating a heat generation layer and an electrode layer on a substrate, laminating a protective layer on the top surfaces of the electrode layer and the heat generation layer by sequentially laminating a first protective layer and a second protective layer on the top surfaces of the electrode layer and the heat generation layer, and laminating an ink chamber barrier and a nozzle plate on the top surface of the protective layer to form an ink chamber to prevent defects such as “pin-holes” from being generated during the formation of the first protective layer.
US07731336B2
A nozzle arrangement is provided for an inkjet printer. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate assembly defining an outlet port through which ink can be ejected. A retainer is mounted to the substrate assembly and defines an internal coil chamber in which a coil is retained. A plunger assembly is engaged with the retainer to form an ink chamber in fluid communication with the outlet port. The plunger assembly includes a plunger that is able to move toward the outlet port and reduce the volume of the ink chamber. Drive and control circuitry is electrically coupled to the coil, and is configured to energize the coil and cause the plunger to move toward the outlet port so that ink is ejected from the outlet port.
US07731333B2
A liquid-jet head includes: a plurality of head bodies, each having: a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzles bored therein; a passage-forming substrate having a pressure generating chamber formed therein, which communicates with the nozzle and receives a pressure for use in ejecting a liquid droplet from a pressure generating element; and a head case disposed on the passage-forming substrate at a surface opposite to the nozzle plate and having paths for supplying liquid to the pressure generating chamber therethrough; and a fixing member bonded onto a side of the nozzle plate of each of the plurality of head bodies, to positionally fix the head bodies thereto at predetermined intervals, wherein a reinforcing portion made of a predetermined adhesive agent, which is charged in a clearance between the head bodies fixed to the fixing member, followed by setting, is disposed at the clearance.
US07731332B2
The ejection head comprises: n (where n is an integer not less than 2) pieces of ejection aperture groups arranged in a sub-scanning direction, each of the groups including ejection aperture rows arranged at prescribed intervals in a main scanning direction, each of the ejection aperture rows including a plurality of ejection apertures aligned in an oblique direction with a prescribed angle θ (where 0°<θ<90°) with respect to the main scanning direction, wherein: the ejection aperture groups are arranged in such a manner that phases of the ejection aperture groups disposed adjacently in the sub-scanning direction are varied in the main scanning direction so that, in projected ejection aperture rows that are obtained by projecting the ejection apertures of each of the ejection aperture groups to dispose the ejection apertures in the main scanning direction, one of the ejection apertures in one of the groups arranged adjacently in the sub-scanning direction is located between the adjacent ejection apertures in the other of the ejection aperture groups.
US07731324B2
The inkjet recording apparatus includes: a head which ejects ink droplets of light-curable ink to a print medium to form an image on the print medium; a light irradiating device which is located at a downstream side of the head, and irradiates light from a light source onto the ink droplets immediately after the ink droplets have been deposited on the print medium; and a control device which controls the light irradiating device in such a manner that luminous energy irradiated onto a region of the print medium where bleeding of the ink droplets would be conspicuous is greater than luminous energy irradiated onto another region of the print medium.
US07731321B2
A recovery mechanism comprises a recovery unit for performing a recovery process for recovering from clogging or contamination by ink in the nozzle array constituted by a plurality of nozzles. A conveyance mechanism supports and conveys, downstream, a recording medium that is conveyed from the upstream area of a conveyance path and handed over. A power control unit makes a control unit control the shutoff of a power supply to the nozzle array drive unit that drives the nozzle array when an abnormality occurs in the supporting and conveying of the recording medium that is performed by the conveyance mechanism in the recording process using the ink jetted from a plurality of nozzles or when the recovery unit makes contact with the nozzle array during recovery of the nozzle array in the recovery process.
US07731293B1
A seat back support for seat cushioning to be attached thereto and provide a seat component is disclosed. In addition, a process for making the seat back support is also disclosed. The seat back support can have first panel and a second panel. The first panel can have a base portion and a raised portion extending outwardly from the base portion, and the second panel can have a corrugated structure with a channel portion extending from a joining surface. The second panel is fixedly attached to the first panel by having at least part of the raised portion melt and re-solidified while in contact with the joining surface of the second panel.
US07731290B1
An armrest is provided having sufficient area to support arms at a comfortable position. The armrest is capable of being stowed compactly to provide aisle width sufficient for passengers' walk-through, and also is capable of moved from its stowed position to its used position in a single motion. The armrest is mounted to a side portion of a seat back of a vehicle seat. The armrest includes an armrest main body and a pivot member supporting the armrest main body at the seat back side of the armrest main body. The armrest main body is pivotally attached to the side portion of the seat back via the pivot member, and the pivot member is skewed toward the vehicle rear at a substantial angle relative to a widthwise horizontal axis of the seat as it extends from a base to a distal end.
US07731276B2
A seating unit includes: a frame having arms on opposing sides thereof, the frame located in a first position relative to an underlying surface that supports the seating unit; a backrest; a seat; and a reclining mechanism attached to the frame, backrest and seat. The reclining mechanism comprises a series of pivotally interconnected links, the links configured and arranged to move the backrest and seat between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed and in a first location relative to the frame and the backrest forms a first angle with the seat, and a reclined position, in which the backrest forms a second angle with the seat, the second angle being smaller than the first angle, and the seat is in a second location relative to the frame that is forwardly of the first location. The reclining mechanism includes a cam unit having a generally arcuate bearing surface in contact with a contact surface, wherein movement of the backrest to the reclined position rolls the bearing surface on the contact surface, thereby driving the backrest and seat forward.
US07731270B2
A door bracket is mounted to a vehicle sliding door. A primary track is mounted along a side and extends to a remote end. A roller bracket having rollers received by the primary track is movable between a first position proximate the opening and a second position at the remote end. A link is pivotally joined to the roller bracket by a first pivot and pivotally joined to the door bracket by a second pivot. The link is rotatable around the first pivot between a first orientation and a second orientation. The link comprises an extension arm extending from the link toward the primary track. A shift mechanism contacts the extension arm when the roller bracket is at an intermediate trip point so that the link shifts from its first orientation to its second orientation when the sliding door is being opened.
US07731269B2
An armrest formed in a door lining of an automotive door lining includes an upper wall fitted with a power window switch, a lower wall provided with an opening permitting access to a lower part of the switch and a detachable lid fitted on the opening. Thus, the opening in the lower wall of the armrest enables a worker to connect a wire harness drawn out of the interior of the door to the lower part of the power window switch. Because the opening is formed in the lower wall of the armrest which is usually concealed from the vehicle occupant, it does not produce an aesthetically negative impact. If desired, the opening may also be formed in other parts of the armrest as long as the opening is favorably concealed or otherwise prevented from impairing the external appearance of the door lining.
US07731266B2
An articulated connection of at least two elements of a folding top mechanism of a convertible vehicle is provided, with a pivot pin, on which at least two elements are mounted next to one another rotationally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pivot pin, wherein at least one bushing is located on the pivot pin on which a first element is mounted on its hollow cylindrical section, and for which an elastically formed collar extending in the radial direction is formed with an undulating profile in the axial direction, which is designed to compensate for axial and/or radial play between the first element and a second element. The collar has at least one recess forming a material lug extending from the outer edge to the hollow cylindrical section.
US07731261B2
A method for forming an integrated structural system for a vehicle is provided. The method including the steps of: securing a first beam component to a structural member by a molding process, the first beam component being molded from a first amount of thermoplastic material, the structural member being formed from a material different than the first amount of thermoplastic material; and securing a second beam component to the first beam component, the second beam component being separately molded from a second amount of thermoplastic material, the second beam component having a configuration different from the first beam component.
US07731259B2
A stake system for providing a removable support for articles being transported on flatbed vehicles is provided. The stake system has a composite body with a cap on one end and a boot on the opposite end. A cover layer is shrink wrapped over the composite body and may include a heat-activated adhesive. The boot includes a flange that contacts the flatbed vehicle when the stake system is inserted into pockets formed in the flatbed vehicle. A pin is tethered to the boot and may be inserted into a hole in the boot adjacent to the underside of the flatbed vehicle. The pin provides a convenient means for locking the stake system to the vehicle and prevents the stake system from disengaging during operation.
US07731258B2
A console sliding armrest assembly for a vehicle includes a storage compartment having an opening for allowing ingress and egress of objects, and a console lid pivotally connected to the storage compartment. The lid may include a sliding armrest operatively engaged therewith. A guide assembly may be disposed within the lid for guiding the armrest, and may include a slider frame connected to the armrest. A guide plate may be connected to the lid for supporting the armrest, and a rail may be secured in the slider frame. The guide plate may be slidably engaged with the rail for allowing sliding movement of the armrest. A spring may be disposed between the slider frame and the rail, and may be engaged to either the slider frame or the rail for biasing the rail against the guide plate, and for thereby regulating tension in the guide assembly.
US07731257B2
A collision management system for an automotive spare tire includes a pneumatic spare tire mounted upon a wheel, and a body structure for axially displacing the spare tire in the direction of a combination tire deflator and wheel retainer which engages the spare tire and pierces it to deflate the spare tire, while subsequently locking upon the wheel rim, so as to assist in retaining the spare tire in a desired location within a storage compartment of the vehicle.
US07731256B1
A recreational vehicle slide out system includes a mobile dwelling assembly with an outer wall having an opening extending therethrough. An extension is slidably mounted to the dwelling assembly. The extension includes an upper wall, a lower wall and an exterior wall. The exterior wall forms a covering for the opening when the extension is in a stored position. A lateral wall includes a first side edge and a second side edge. The first side edge is hingedly coupled to a lateral edge of the exterior wall. The lateral wall is pivotable into a closed position extending between the exterior wall and the outer wall when the extension is in an extended position. The lateral wall is pivoted to a position approximately orientated parallel to the exterior wall when the extension is in the stored position to prevent the lateral walls from substantially extending into the mobile dwelling assembly.
US07731254B2
A container assembly for use in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a housing having a storage space. The housing has an outer surface and an opening formed in the outer surface providing access to the storage space. The container assembly also includes a door movably coupled to the housing for movement between a closed position covering the opening and preventing access to the storage space and an open position disposed below the outer surface to reveal the opening and allow access to the storage space. This allows the container assembly to slide beneath a bin lid of a center console when the door of the container assembly is in either the closed position or the open position without interfering with the bin door.
US07731248B2
Anti-panic control device for doors, comprising, a base structure, a spring latch mounted rotatable relative to the base structure around a main axis, the spring latch being able to rotate between a closed position and an open position and being associated to an elastic element which tends to maintain the spring latch in the open position, the spring latch having a slit able to receive a retaining element. a first locking element movable between an arresting position and a disengaged position, an actuating device able to move the first locking element in the disengaged position, and a second locking element movable relative to the spring latch between an arresting position and a disengaged position, the second locking element being thrust by elastic member towards the disengaged position and being thrust towards the locking position by the retaining element, the second locking element co-operating with the first locking element in such a way as to lock the spring latch in closed position when the first and the second locking elements are both in arresting position.
US07731241B2
An assembly for fitting together multiple exhaust pipes in a multi-cylinder engine into a single unit is provided. The assembly includes a cap and a choke pipe connected to the cap. The cap includes a surface with multiple sockets protruding from the surface in a direction opposite to the choke pipe whereby the sockets engage the exhaust pipes. The cap also includes a skirt, which surrounds a perimeter of the surface. The skirt extends from the surface in a direction toward the choke pipe. An internal surface of the sockets, an internal surface of the skirt and an internal surface of the choke pipe are linearly arranged with respect to each other.
US07731231B2
An airbag module comprising a housing with an inflatable airbag cushion disposed therein and at least one vent tube attached to the inflatable airbag cushion, wherein during inflatable airbag cushion deployment with an obstruction, the at least one vent tube remains open, and during inflatable airbag cushion deployment without an obstruction, the at least one vent tube at least partially closes.
US07731226B2
A vehicle side air bag assembly (16) includes a resilient bolster (17) that is located on or adjacent one lateral side of a vehicle seat back. The bolster (17) includes a frame (22) supporting a foam pad (30) within a trim (32) having a release seam (34). Deployment of an air bag module(36) the bolster (17) is controlled by an air bag guide (42) which has a pair of flexible panels (44, 46). One flexible panel (44) has an outer extremity including a first connection (50) to the bolster and the other flexible panel (46) has an outer extremity including a second connection (54) to the trim cover in a spaced relationship from the first connection.
US07731224B2
Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (28) of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable curtain (14) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) to a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and the vehicle occupant (28). The inflatable curtain (14) includes a main portion (100) comprising at least one inflatable chamber (52). The inflatable curtain (14) also includes a mounting portion (102) constructed separately from the main portion (100). The mounting portion (102) has a lower edge portion (108) connectable to an upper edge portion (106) of the main portion (100). The mounting portion (102) when connected to the main portion (100) forms an upper edge portion of the inflatable curtain (14) that is connectable with the vehicle (12) to help secure the inflatable curtain in the vehicle.
US07731217B2
A device for bringing the separated truck and trailer borne elements of a goose neck hitch arrangement fully into position for completing the mating of the two elements without requiring the vehicle operator to leave the vehicle; and then for completing the mating of the elements and locking the hitch into place with the vehicle.An open bottomed receiver well is located in the tow vehicle bed. The trailer borne hitch section that drops into the receiver well comprises a funnel shaped member having a rod shaped probe as its lower end. The rod shaped probe, dependent from the goose neck trailer tongue is used to visually align the hitch over the receiver well as the truck is backed beneath it. The driver then exits and the probe serves to guide the hitch into the receiver well as the trailer tongue is lowered toward the truck bed following which a pair of lock pins are used to complete the hitching.
US07731202B2
A stabilizer is provided for a motor vehicle with two shafts (2, 3), which extend in the transverse direction of the vehicle, can be coupled with one another via a mechanical coupling (40) and are in functional connection with wheels of the motor vehicle with their ends facing away from the coupling (40). A first shaft is connected to a first coupling portion designed as a locking disk and a second shaft is connected to a second coupling portion, which cooperates with the locking disk (7) and is designed as a locking device (8). The locking device (8) has a ratchet element (12A, 12B), which can be actuated by a cam disk (11) that can be rotatingly driven by a drive source (15) against a spring means, and a blocking member (13A, 13B) connected thereto, via which the shafts are connected in such a way that they rotate in unison in a first end position of the cam disk (11) because of a positive connection between the locking disk and the blocking member (12A, 12B), and the positive connection is abolished in a second end position of the cam disk (11). The ratchet element (12A, 12B) is designed according to the present invention with two lever arms (12A—1, 12A—2, 12B-1, 12B—2), which are rigidly connected to one another and are designed with a contact area (12A—1A, 12A—2A, 12B—1A, 12B—2A) each, via which the lever arms (12A—1, 12A—2, 12B—1, 12B—2) are in contact with the cam disk (11).
US07731200B2
A seal member with its base end connected to a metal core has three seal lips. The thickness of the tip end of the intermediate seal lip in the intermediate position is d1, and the thickness of the base end is d2. The thickness of the tip end of the innermost inner seal lip is D1 and that thickness of the base end is D2. In this case, at least part of the base end of the intermediate seal lip and inner seal lip has its thickness regulated to be 0.2·d1≦d2≦0.8·d1, and 0.5·D1≦D2
US07731194B2
An article of manufacture for use by a player in a game or as a collectible figure, comprising a first portion comprising a representational figure and a second portion affixed to the first portion and comprising a coupling member arranged to be coupled with a preexisting support structure so that a user of the article of manufacture is enabled to couple it with the support structure and uncouple it therefrom.
US07731175B2
An image forming apparatus and a paper feeding method used with the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus includes: a paper feeding unit to accommodate a plurality of papers loaded thereon; a pick-up roller which picks up the papers loaded in the paper feeding unit and is set to rotate at multi-step speeds; a paper arrangement unit which aligns the papers to be transferred without skewing by applying a constant pressure to the front end of a paper transferred by a the pick-up roller; a printing unit which is disposed below the paper arrangement unit and forms a predetermined image on the transferred paper; a paper type sensing element which is disposed on a paper transfer path along which the paper feeding unit, the pick-up roller, the paper arrangement unit, and the printing unit are arranged; and a control unit which operates the pick-up roller at a rotation speed according to an identified paper type. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus can prevent paper wrinkling or poor paper arrangement occurring in a paper arrangement process.
US07731173B2
A method which is capable of completely separating a plate member with a large area without using a peeling member and eliminating a possibility of permanent deformation on the plate member. A plurality of suction pads are suckingly disposed on a surface of a topmost plate member in a substantially lattice shape. Then, while the topmost plate member is held by the suction pads disposed in a zigzag shape among the suction pads disposed in the substantially lattice shape, the topmost plate member is lifted by the remaining suction pads. Finally, the suction pads holding the topmost plate member are lifted.
US07731165B2
A hood support for a vehicle having a hood moveable between open and closed positions is provided. The hood support includes a spring assembly disposable between the vehicle hood and another portion of the vehicle. The spring assembly is moveable into an extended position to accommodate movement of the hood into the open position and moveable into a compressed position to accommodate movement of the hood into the closed position. The hood support further includes a lock tube surrounding a portion of the spring assembly and moveable relative to the spring assembly. The lock tube is selectively actuatable between a locked position, wherein the lock tube secures the spring assembly in the extended position, and an unlocked position, wherein the spring assembly is permitted to be displaced into the compressed position.
US07731162B2
In a liquid substance supply device, a three port two valve directional control valve is provided in a transfer line, and a substance container and the transfer line are connected together by a four port three valve directional control valve in such a way that the four port three valve directional control valve and the substance container can be removed from the transfer line as a unit. Furthermore, in a vaporizer, an orifice member is provided to surround the end portion of an internal conduit in which flows a mixture substance consisting of a gas and a liquid substance mixed therewith, and gas for atomization is spouted into a vaporization chamber through a gap defined between the internal conduit and the orifice member. Yet further, the temperature of a vaporization surface in the vaporization chamber can be controlled independently in correspondence with the nature of the liquid substance.
US07731155B2
A male luer connector to prevent generation of bacteria and waste of medicinal liquid.The male luer connector comprises a basal end and a tip end rotatable relative to the basal end; the male luer part is tapered and rotatable within the tip end. The outer peripheral surface of the tip end is decreased from the rear side to the front side; and a stick-like male luer occluding portion is provided within the male luer part which can tightly occlude liquid from the tip end opening of the male luer part. An internal thread portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the basal end and an external thread, helically engaged with the internal thread, is provided to the rear end portion of the male lure, whereby the tip end opening can be opened or closed by rotating the tip end relative to the basal end.
US07731152B2
An apparatus is provided for a valve actuator assembly comprising an actuator housing, a piston, and a spring. The piston is disposed within the actuator housing. The piston is configured to couple to a valve element, and includes an inner cylindrical section and an outer cylindrical section. The outer cylindrical section of the piston is spaced apart from the inner cylindrical section to define a recess. The piston is further configured to move within the actuator housing in a first direction and a second direction, to thereby move the valve element toward a first position and a second position, respectively. The spring is disposed within the actuator housing, and is configured to supply a bias force that urges the piston to move in the first direction. The spring is at least partially disposed within the recess, and at least partially surrounding the inner cylindrical section.
US07731147B2
A universal bookholder which receives a book therein in a folder type, and which is portable and usable anywhere at any time to allow a user to read a book thereon is disclosed.The universal bookholder includes a pair of cover members for forming an inner space to receive a book therein when being folded and for supporting both sides of the book when being opened, a supporting unit combined between the pair of cover members so as to be folded with the cover members, a string installed in the supporting unit to traverse papers of the book for fixing the received book, at least one guide member mounted in the pair of cover members, and a clamp movably combined to the guide member for fixing a paper of the received book.
US07731141B2
A clamp for securing a surgical appliance post to a rail mounted on the side of a surgical table which clamp may be placed over and on the rail at any desired location by providing the clamp body with a passageway transverse the body of the clamp and parallel to the rail, the passageway having a lip on one edge of a width about the dimension of the rail for engaging the backside of the rail, and the passageway having a width greater than the rail on the opposite edge. A clamping device such as a screw or cam is mounted on the outermost portion of the clamp and is arranged to engage and secure the post as well as bind the clamp body to the rail. Additionally, the clamping arrangement of one of the preferred embodiments provides a means by which an appliance post may be gripped at any chosen angle rather than limited to a fixed orientation.
US07731138B2
A mounting apparatus of the present invention is used in a medical environment to releasably secure a device to a support member. The mounting apparatus has a flexible shaft with a first end for releasable attachment to the support member and a second end for releasable attachment to the device. A generally C-shaped clamping member at the first end releasably attaches the apparatus to the support member. The clamping member has an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least two apertures including a first aperture through which a securing rod passes and a second aperture for releasable attachment of the flexible shaft. The present invention is also directed to a powered medical device assembly having a medical device and a flexible shaft capable of selective mounting of the medical device on a support.
US07731129B2
Methods and systems for communicating with a vehicle are provided. The method includes providing a plurality of wayside control units controlling an area along a guideway to be traveled by the vehicle, the plurality of wayside control units including a database of fixed data defining an operational profile of the guideway in a local area of an associated wayside control unit. The method also includes monitoring dynamic data in the local area of the associated wayside control unit wherein the dynamic data includes at least one of guideway availability and signal status information and transmitting wirelessly an authority message including at least one of the fixed data and the dynamic data from the associated wayside unit to a receiver on board the vehicle, the authority message dynamic data being valid for a selectable one of a plurality of time periods.
US07731124B2
In an aircraft having an aircraft landing gear, the aircraft landing gear includes an arm, a leg and a bogie at the lower end of the leg. The bogie is moveable in a direction along the length of the leg and pivotable between a trimmed deployed position and a stowable position. The arm is mounted on the landing gear and is rotatable between a first position in which the bogie is positioned in the trimmed deployed position, and a second position in which the bogie is positioned in the stowable position. Movement of the arm can be effected by a positioning rotary actuator, which is not located in the primary or secondary load paths.
US07731122B2
The invention relates to a method for managing a steering control of an aircraft landing gear provided with at least one wheel steerable by the steering control, comprising the following steps: monitoring one or several taxi parameter(s) (51, 54, 64, 59, 61) of the aircraft to determine whether said aircraft enters a towing situation, setting the steering control in a free steering mode of the steerable wheel, if the aircraft enters the towing situation; activating the steering control so that the steerable wheel has an angular controlled steering by the steering control if the aircraft leaves said towing situation.
US07731119B2
The present invention compact creel using the OETO method that accommodates an increased number of packages in a relatively small footprint while providing a straight in-line delivery path in which fiber bends and changes in direction are minimized. In addition, the present invention is a system, apparatus and method for tension control in a fiber feeding system that provides a fast and reliable method for feeding high tack elastomeric thread or fiber from a package to a manufacturing process. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for changing packages on a creel without interrupting the manufacturing process. In particular, the compact creel of the present invention provides for continuous operation of unwinding and fiber delivery by allowing a standby package to be loaded on the same mandrel as an active package that is presently being unwound.
US07731116B2
In order to minimize the loss of production of a crushing plant, particularly a cement crushing plant and optimize on the gear side the availability of the roller mill, according to the invention a replacement gear is provided alongside the operating mill gear. The mill gear and replacement gear are located on at least one base plate and preferably together with a drive motor for the mill gear and a second motor for the replacement gear, as well as with a lubricating system located between the mill gear and the replacement gear, are preassembled on the base plate. The base plate is horizontally adjustably guided on the mill foundation. If the mill gear fails the base plate with the units mounted thereon can be adjusted in such a way that the replacement gear is positioned below the crushing pan in the place of the mill gear.
US07731115B2
A machine for distributing blowing insulation including a shredding chamber configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of low speed shredders, an agitator and a discharge mechanism. The agitator is mounted for rotation and rotates toward the discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism includes a side inlet configured to receive the blowing insulation from the agitator. A baffle is disposed between the agitator and the discharge mechanism. The baffle is configured to partially obstruct the side inlet of the discharge mechanism. The baffle allows finely shredded blowing insulation to enter the side inlet of the discharge mechanism and directs heavy clumps of blowing insulation past the side inlet of the discharge mechanism for eventual recycling into the low speed shredders.
US07731111B2
An apparatus and method for generating a chosen, relatively uniform size of particles having a dry-to-the-touch feel and a pleasant odor from chipped slash or other vegetative material is described. When pine sap and/or other liquids are present in the starting materials, the teachings of the present invention permit the generation of particulates into which such substances are substantially uniformly absorbed. The process of the present invention has been successfully applied to chipped, live trees, dried tree materials, branches, needles, pine cones, hay, flowers, grass, berries, and shrubs.
US07731108B2
An electromagnetic fuel injection valve is provided in which a cylindrical magnetic body is welded to a valve seat member having at the rear end thereof a tubular press-fit portion press-fitted into a front portion of the cylindrical magnetic body, a valve body is housed in the valve seat member while being spring-biased in a direction that seats the valve body on a valve seat, and a movable core facing a fixed core is coaxially connected to the valve body, wherein the valve seat member (10) includes the tubular press-fit portion (10a), a large diameter portion (10b) that has substantially the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the cylindrical magnetic body (9), and an annular shoulder portion (10c) that is formed as a flat face perpendicular to the outer peripheral face of the tubular press-fit portion (10a) and provides a connection between the tubular press-fit portion (10a) and the large diameter portion (10b), an annular abutment receiving face (9a) at the front end of the cylindrical magnetic body (9) is formed so as to define a right angle relative to the inner peripheral face of the cylindrical magnetic body (9), the annular abutment receiving face (9a) abutting against the annular shoulder portion (10c) over substantially the entire face, and the front end of the cylindrical magnetic body (9) and the abutment portion of the valve seat member (10) are welded together along the entire periphery. This enables the thickness of the cylindrical magnetic body to be reduced, thus making it small and improving the responsiveness.
US07731103B2
A dispensing system for dispensing a viscous, flowable product such, for example, as a spin-art paint solution, comprises an axially extending container that defines an opening and an interior chamber for receiving and storing the flowable product. A discharge assembly is coupled to the container, the discharge assembly being dimensioned and arranged to spin, relative to the container, as it receives the flowable product from the interior chamber. The spinning motion of the discharge assembly, which may be accompanied by a linear movement of the container itself relative to a target surface, allows the user to cleanly and evenly distribute the flowable material onto a target substrate in an attractive, curvilinear deposit pattern. Optionally, the discharge assembly may be configured with a pivoting nozzle that can be moved from a position for obtaining a helical (curvilinear) deposit pattern to a position for obtaining a rectilinear deposit pattern.
US07731100B2
Diverse methods of utilization and the corresponding, related modifications, of linear type, Variable Gas Atomization (VGA) nozzles and lances are described. Therein is joined the mixing and gas atomization of chemicals that react to form active products that further react with harmful flue gas constituents of combustion so as to enable their effective collection. One version combines, in a lance assembly of nozzles, the injection of reactants, in the form of finely divided dry solids conveyed in a carrier air stream, and the fine atomization of water, aqueous solutions or slurries. Atomization of such streams is employed to effectively wet the surfaces of the dry particles and, thereby, promote the rapid sorption of gaseous constituents of flue gas being treated. Another version simultaneously mixes and atomizes reacting chemicals to produce, and release into the flue gas stream, strongly oxidizing, transient, species of their reaction products. The simultaneous atomization and chemical reaction enables the effective capture of targeted flue gas constituents.
US07731099B2
A railway tie is disclosed having stackable decks for reducing ballast migration in areas where the crib is reduced or removed in order to accommodate additional railway equipment. The stackable railway tie can include a base deck, a top deck, and a fastening system for securing the top deck to the base deck. A second fastening system may be integrated in the railway tie for securing one or more rails to the top deck. The top deck can be configured to transmit a load, such as that from the weight of a train, to the base deck. A ballast displacement system can be provided to distribute a load on the base deck to ballast under the railway tie. One or more top decks may be used in connection with electrically insulating the rails. Nonconductive deck spacers and side posts may insulate the top deck from the bottom deck. Side posts may electrically insulate the base deck from the fastener system.
US07731096B2
A controller for a two-stage heat source is provide, which may be connected to either a single stage or a two-stage thermostat to provide low stage heating for a variable time period before switching to high stage heating. The controller includes at least a first terminal for receiving a signal requesting heating from a single-stage thermostat or a two-stage thermostat connected to the first terminal. A microcontroller in communication with the first terminal determines a duty cycle value for a heating cycle based on the duration in which a signal at the first terminal is present relative to the duration of the heating cycle. The microcontroller determines a low stage time limit from the duty cycle, and provides low stage heating when a signal is present at the first terminal for a time period not more than the time limit, and switches to high stage heating after the time limit.
US07731094B2
An identification token is provided which includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) integrated circuit (IC), an antenna and a switch. The switch is normally in a first state and is actuatable by a user's finger to a second state different from the first state. The identification token includes a conductive connection connected to at least one of the RFID IC and the antenna. The identification token is enabled to send and receive signals so long as the conductive connection is unbroken. The identification token is subjected to a personalization process and the conductive connection is broken after or during the personalization process. After the conductive connection is broken, the switch operates to switch the identification token between operative and in operative states. Before the conductive connection is broken, the switch is actuatable but actuating the switch does not change the state of the identification token.
US07731068B2
A garment hanger having a first hook, a second hook positioned below the first hook, a pair of arms extending downwardly from the hook members, and a base member arranged in a horizontal position connecting the end portion of the arms. The hook members are attached to the arms by a housing and can pivot to an angular position with respect to the housing. The top portions of the arms are integrally connected and the hook members can rotate around and translate along the top portion. Further, each hook member can spin within the housing independently of the other hook member. Additionally, the base member includes a clamp which can be rotated around the base member and translated along the base member.
US07731058B2
Semi-automatic dispenser for disposable cups, comprising a semi-automatic dispensing mechanism (1-50), defined by a box (2-51) having in its upper section a tubular drawer (4-43) for the accommodation of several common disposable cups (C), arranged as a stack with their mouths facing downwards, and further, each cup is expected to be dispensed in a bottom drawer (6-62).
US07731051B2
A tank for storing a compressed gas, such as hydrogen, that includes a connection assembly to increase seal integrity. The tank includes an inner gas tight liner and an outer support layer that provides the structural integrity. The connection assembly includes a boss positioned within an opening of the support layer. The inner liner includes a neck portion extending through an internal bore of the boss having an outer collar or flange at an outside surface of the boss. A tank valve is bolted to the boss at an outer perimeter of the collar where a portion of the tank valve extends through the neck portion of the liner and into the tank.
US07731050B2
A closure (40) and container (10) combination which includes a closing and opening assist mechanism (22, 28, 28′, 30, 30′) which provides for spreading the locking mechanism (46) of the closure and causing a lifting movement of the closure to effect the removal of the closure from the container.
US07731046B2
A method of manufacturing a composite panel includes manufacturing a composite panel having a first skin, a second skin, a core, and a plurality of distinct groupings of Z-axis fibers that extend through the core from the first skin to the second skin, wherein the Z-axis fibers include opposite ends respectively terminating at and integrated into the first skin and the second skin; and creating structural stringers in the composite panel by removing the second skin and substantially all of the core and the Z-axis fibers down to or adjacent to the first skin.
US07731045B2
A wall outlet box having a plurality of walls defining an enclosure open at the front thereof is provided. The enclosure can include a back, opposing sides, a top, and a bottom. Forward facing edges of the enclosure can define a front periphery with a mounting lip extending therefrom for mounting the outlet box into a wall. At least one port is provided to engage with a dryer exhaust conduit and at least one measurement member extends from an edge of the port. The at least one measurement member can extend to at least a length approximately equal to a length of the protruding exhaust conduit sufficient to securely attach a flexible hose thereto, such that the exhaust conduit may be placed against the measurement member as a template prior to installation and cutting of the exhaust conduit and the outlet box.
US07731044B2
A thermoplastic container (1) adapted to be filled with a hot liquid, comprising a body (2) having a plurality of recessed panels (3) parallel to the axis (4) of the body and separated by beams (5) parallel to the axis; the panels are arranged on a number of levels (A, B, . . . ), the panels of two consecutive levels being separated by a collar (6) in surface continuity with the beams; each beam is recessed to form a longitudinal central channel section (7), and the channel sections (7) of the beams (5) of the successive levels are connected to one another, in an angularly offset manner from a beam (5) of one level to the consecutive beam (5) of the adjacent level, by strongly inclined channel sections (8) extending in the collars (6), channel sections (7, 8) forming channels configured as parallel successive steps and distributed over the periphery of the body.
US07731041B2
A gantry stacker for transporting and stacking freight containers consists of two chassis beams with steerable wheels, supports, a hoist, an overhead frame, a lifting beam a driver's cab and engines. There are at least two spreaders that are movable in a horizontal direction independent of each other and are disposed in a side-by-side relationship on a lifting beam. Containers deposited directly side-by-side with no gap there between may be gripped, transported and separated or that spaced-apart containers with an alley may be gripped, transported and moved toward each other so that they may be readily transported further, using multispreader systems. Containers of different heights may be gripped and transported. The lifting height allows for straddling containers standing on the floor with attached and lifted containers.
US07731035B2
An ore screening deck frame system which consists of a machine frame having a machine attachment portion and a support rail attachment portion and a panel support rail having a frame attachment portion and a panel attachment portion where in the rail attachment portion of the frame and the frame attachment portion of the rail are in end view cross section of a complementary shape so that the frame and rail can be locked together. The frame member comprises a vertically disposed web adapted to be secured to the screening machine and a frame support extending laterally of the upper edge of said web wherein the web and support are formed from reinforced wear resistant elastomeric material and the support consists of a central channel section in which the width of the channel opening is narrower than the internal width of the channel and the external lateral edges of the frame support include protrusions adapted to retain screen panel support rails. The frame is preferably made from polyurethane moulded over an inverted L section steel frame member.
US07731029B2
A tray for loading substrates includes a base, an outer frame, plural lateral supporters and plural corner bumps. The base has an upper surface with one or more grooves. The outer frame is located around four edges of the upper surface to thereby form a first space, and has two oppositely arranged first cavities. The lateral supporters are arranged on the base at four edges defining the first space against the outer frame, have second cavities arranged on internal surfaces of the lateral supporters and corresponding to the grooves. The corner bumps are arranged at corners of the outer frame, and are adjacent to the lateral supporters, the base and the outer frame. The corner bumps each have buffer openings to prevent a loaded substrate from damage by collision with the corner bumps. A package box is also disclosed, which can save cost and space in carrying the trays.
US07731024B2
A tongue-lid pack has an outer box (2) whose upper end is open, an inner pack (6) contained in the outer box (2) and having filter cigarettes, and a tongue lid (16) for opening/closing the open end of the outer box (2). A front wall (20) of the outer box (2) has a depression (21) that accepts a tip end portion (26) of a tongue (22) of the tongue lid (16) when the tongue (22) is superimposed upon the front wall (20), and the tip end portion (26) sinks in the front wall (20).
US07731022B2
The invention relates to a pre-table system (V) for container handling machines, comprising at least in-feed and out-feed starwheels (A, Z), arranged such as to be driven on support housings (1), defining a starwheel configuration (K) in the pre-table system (V), within which the support housing (1) is fixed to a floor-standing support structure (S) whereby the support structure (S) has a tube and/or profile section frame (6) of sections (7) directly or indirectly detachably connected to each other at points (N) by means of the support housing and floor support feet (8), within which the support housings are arranged in a free-standing manner such that free areas (15) are formed around the support housings and at least some sections (7) may be combined together and with support housings such that the starwheel configurations (K) may be optionally altered.
US07731013B2
A mechanical skillet lift and conveyor system including a workstation having a lift element securely positioned at a first location and a skillet including a lift device and a vertically translatable table drivenly coupled to the device, wherein the skillet device is configured to automatically cause a predetermined change in table elevation, when the skillet is translated through the workstation such that the device engages the element.
US07731009B2
An arrangement in drive machinery of a travelator, moving walkway, escalator or similar apparatus, includes at least a drive motor, at least one handrail with a handrail belt, a support element supporting the handrail and a drive belt connecting rotational movement of the drive motor to the support element. The support element comprises a supporting wheel, having a rim and adapted for use by the drive belt which is fitted to the rim of the support element.
US07731006B2
A clutch assembly having an overall diameter and overall axial length. Both the axial length and the ratio of the length to the diameter are reduced. A translatable clutch piston is in communication with a pressure chamber and is movable between a piston neutral position and a piston activated position in response to air pressure. A cone clutch member is moved from a clutch engaged position to a clutch disengaged position in response to the translatable clutch piston moving from the piston neutral position to the piston activated position. The cone clutch member engages the rotating drive shaft when in the clutch engaged position. A clutch spring member biases the cone clutch member into the clutch engaged position with a clutch engagement force. The clutch spring has a primary spring ratio of a wire diameter to a spring diameter optimized such that a maximum spring force is achieved while minimizing the spring length. A movable carrier member for the spring member has an increased axial length to reduce and limit abrasion damage to the piston and member. The bearing assembly has a reduced axial length limited by the ratio of its length to its inner diameter.
US07730998B2
In an elevator apparatus, a brake device stops a car from running. The brake device can adjust the magnitude of part of a total braking force generated at a time of emergency braking of the car. As an example of the brake device, the brake device has a nonadjustable brake portion for immediately generating a braking force without making an adjustment thereof at the time of emergency braking of the car, and an adjustable brake portion for generating a braking force while making an adjustment thereof at the time of emergency braking of the car.
US07730981B2
A lift truck power source includes a hybrid power supply including a storage battery, a capacitor bank, and optionally a fuel cell. The capacitor bank stores power produced during regeneration by either the truck traction system or the lift system and delivers current when current demand exceeds that delivered by the fuel cell. The storage battery or fuel cell acts as a main power supply to deliver current at a rate sufficient to power the lift truck. When the fuel cell is the main power supply, the storage battery stores power during times when current demand is less than that delivered by the fuel cell and delivers current at times when current demand is greater than that delivered by the fuel cell. When the storage battery is the main power supply, the fuel cell supplements the power delivered by the storage battery, and can also recharge the storage battery.
US07730978B2
A main ellipsoidal drive element is provided including a buoyant internal chamber. The main ellipsoidal drive element defines a main ellipsoid axis, a minor ellipsoid plane, a first ellipsoid end portion, a second ellipsoid end portion, and an outer ellipsoid surface. A drive engagement element is mounted to the first ellipsoid end portion and selectively transfers rotational drive to the main ellipsoidal drive element around the main ellipsoid axis. A plurality of roller elements are mounted around a minor ellipsoid periphery of the main ellipsoidal element. Each of the roller elements are orientated to provide friction reduced rolling in a main ellipsoid axis direction and traction perpendicular to the main ellipsoid axis direction.
US07730970B2
A device and system for improving efficiency of subterranean cutting elements uses a controlled oscillation super imposed on steady drill bit rotation to maintain a selected rock fracture level. In one aspect, a selected oscillation is applied to the cutting element so that at least some of the stress energy stored in an earthen formation is maintained after fracture of the rock is initiated. Thus, this maintained stress energy can thereafter be used for further crack propagation. In one embodiment, an oscillation device positioned adjacent to the drill bit provides the oscillation. A control unit can be used to operate the oscillation device at a selected oscillation. In one arrangement, the control unit performs a frequency sweep to determine an oscillation that optimizes the cutting action of the drill bit and configures the oscillation device accordingly. One or more sensors connected to the control unit measure parameters used in this determination.
US07730969B2
A reamer for underground boring is provided. The reamer includes at least: (a) a center mandrel, wherein the center mandrel defines a mandrel axis; (b) a plurality of radial members extending radially from the center mandrel; (c) a plurality of cutting heads, wherein each of the cutting heads: (i) is supported by at least one of the radial members; (ii) is arcuately spaced-apart around the center mandrel from the other cutting heads; (iii) has a rounded surface; and (d) a plurality of cutting teeth on the rounded surface of each of the cutting heads. A method of horizontal drilling with the reamer is also provided.
US07730966B2
A module for slurrifying drill cuttings that includes a skid, a programmable logic controller disposed on the skid, and a blender. The blender including a feeder for injecting drill cuttings, a gate disposed in fluid communication with the feeder for controlling a flow of the drill cuttings, and an impeller for energizing a fluid, wherein the module is configured to be removably connected to a cuttings storage vessel located at a work site. Also, a method of drill cuttings re-injection that includes creating a slurry including greater than 20 percent by volume drill cuttings in a blender system, and pumping the slurry from the blending system to a cuttings injection system. The method further includes injecting the slurry from the cuttings injection system into a wellbore.
US07730964B2
The invention relates to a power tool having a change-speed gear device comprising a plurality of gears (1, 2) for adjusting on demand power stages of a drive, wherein an overload protection can be coupled to the gears (1, 2). According to the invention, the device comprises at least one gear (3) in which the overload protection function can be forcibly deactivated. The invention also relates to an overload protection.
US07730963B2
An improved method is provided for controlling a power tool having a rotary shaft. The method includes: disposing an inertial mass in a housing of the power tool, such that the inertial mass is freely rotatable about an axis of rotation which is axially aligned with the rotary shaft; monitoring rotational motion of the power tool in relation to the inertial mass during operation of the power tool; and activating a protective operation based on the rotational motion of the power tool in relation to the inertial mass.
US07730953B2
Systems and methods for selectively operating multiple hydraulic pressure controlled devices (PCDs) within a borehole using a common inflow and outflow line and a common cycling line. A control system is used wherein each of the PCDs is operationally associated with a separate sleeve controller. The sleeve controller for each PCD controls whether the individual PCD can be actuated by hydraulic pressure variations in the common inflow and outflow lines.
US07730945B2
Methods of using geothermal energy to treat subsurface formations are described herein. Methods for using geothermal energy to treat a subsurface treatment area containing or proximate to hydrocarbons may include producing geothermally heated fluid from at least one subsurface region. Heat from at least a portion of the geothermally heated fluid may be transferred to the subsurface treatment area to heat the subsurface treatment area. At least some hydrocarbon fluids may be produced from the formation.
US07730939B2
Various methods and devices are provided for securing a walking beam compressor to a walking beam. In general, the walking beam compressor is a gas compressor unit that can be disposed around a piston rod extending from a walking beam of an oil well. The piston rod can be coupled to the walking beam by a securing mechanism that engages both the piston rod and the walking beam to prevent the piston rod from disengaging from the walking beam during rocking movement of the walking beam.
US07730938B2
A continuous sucker rod preferably comprising fiberglass or composite material for use in an well is described herein. The continuous sucker rod may be connected at one end to a pump drive, via a polished rod, and at a second end to a downhole pump, via sinker bars or other weights. The continuous sucker rod preferably has at least two end fittings, one at each end of the continuous sucker rod. The end fittings, each having two ends and each being attached, at one end, to a respective end of the continuous sucker rod. The end fittings are preferably configured to enable connection to the polished rod and sinker bars respectively. The end fittings are connected to the continuous sucker rod so as to form wedges which enhance the connectability of the end fitting to the rod, and further, the wedge or wedges approach the rod asymptotically so as to avoid any abrupt discontinuities in the wedge or wedges thus substantially eliminating stress concentration areas and potential failure areas in the rod.
US07730936B2
A heating and distributed-temperature-sensor cable permanently fixed in a wellbore that permits known amounts of heat to be introduced to subsurface formations and improved temperature measurement thereof. The heat is introduced into a target zone of the wellbore by forming the cable in two sections: an upper section that carries an electrical current without generating significant amounts of heat, and a lower section that generates heat from the electrical current. Continuous distributed-temperature-sensing is performed through measuring various scattering mechanism in optical fibers that run the length of the cable.
US07730931B2
A method and apparatus, for pleating curtains and pleated curtains using the apparatus, are described. The apparatus may be provided as a parts kit which includes a stiffener, pleat-forming members, and fasteners. The stiffener is attached to a curtain and bent into a series of pleat-shaped formations. The pleat-forming members and fasteners are used to hold the stiffener and support the curtain, forming the created pleats in place. The curtain may then be hung on a curtain rod by a separate hanging element which couples the pleat-forming members to a curtain rod. The hanging element may form an integral part of the pleat-forming member.
US07730928B2
A hinge assembly pivotally couples adjacent panels together in an overhead sectional door. The panels include stiles between each lateral end of the panel to which the hinge assemblies are attached. The hinge assembly includes an upper hinge leaf on an upper panel with a pair of spaced generally parallel flanges which span the juncture between the upper and lower panels. The hinge assembly also includes a lower hinge leaf with a pair of flanges projecting generally parallel to each other. The lower hinge leaf is mounted to one of the stiles of the lower panel and each flange includes a pivot axis hole near a terminal end thereof for alignment with a pivot axis hole in one of the flanges of the upper leaf. The stile includes a pair of spaced, parallel sidewalls and a notch, depression or recess is on each sidewall. The recesses provide a seat for the respective flanges of the hinge leaves and clearance between the sidewall of the stile and any adjacent components. A rivet or similar pivotal connector device is seated within the pivot axis holes on each side of the hinge.
US07730925B1
Several embodiments of a collapsible screen employing novel folding structures have many possible uses: window shade, room divider, decorative backdrop, wall hanging, and others. A disclosed method allows its user to design many embodiments of the screen. The method incorporates three modifiable sets or databases: a set (220) of patterns, a set (221) of criteria by which a possible embodiment is evaluated for practicability, and a set (222) of transformations which can be applied to the possible embodiment to improve it with respect to the criteria (221). The sets can change to reflect new assumptions, design characteristics, and hardware.
US07730920B2
A method of making an elastic composite is provided. The method entails conveying a first web of material along a web plane path. The method also entails applying a first section of a first elastic strand onto the first web and generally transversely to the web plane path and applying a second section of a second elastic strand onto the first web and generally transversely to the web plane path. These applying steps are repeated while performing the conveying step, thereby arranging a plurality of first and second elastic elements on the first web, in generally parallel relation to one another. The resultant composite is suitable for incorporation into a disposable absorbent garment, textile or fabric structure, and the like.
US07730916B2
The folding work bench folds compactly for storage when not in use and occupies a minimal work space. The folding work bench has a durable work surface, a top storage shelf, a back board for hanging tools, a locking mechanism, and a work table that can be folded up against the back board and locked in a compactly folded configuration that also secures the tools on the back board in the work bench.
US07730913B2
An inflation needle for inflating an object such as a sports ball includes a tubular body having an attachment end configured for engagement with a fluid supply. The body fairs into a tubular probe extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end configured for being inserted into the ball. A concavo-convex base extends radially outward from the body and towards the distal end, terminating at a periphery spaced radially from the probe, the base being configured to engage the object upon insertion of the probe therein. The inflation needle is a unitary, molded polymeric component.
US07730910B2
A weaving loom having self-contained assemblies that operate pulling systems for controlling heddle frames wherein each assembly includes at least one electric motor housed in a casing and at least one motor control unit having an electrical circuit for controlling electric power to the electric motor and wherein the self-contained assembly also includes a support on which the motor control unit is mounted and the support having at least one cooling duct extending there through. The self-contained assembly having damping elements providing a damping effect between the support and the electric motor.
US07730907B2
A device for use in a pipeline including a fluid conduit section constructed of a flexible material. The fluid conduit section has a first end, which includes a first mounting arrangement, and a second end, which includes a second mounting arrangement. The fluid conduit section also has a length defined between the first and second ends, an internal diameter, and a fluid passage therethrough to allow fluid to flow from the first to the second end. The device also includes a plurality of longitudinally extending vanes positioned within the fluid conduit section, wherein radially inner edges of the vanes are in direct contact with the radially inner edges of adjacent vanes, and radially outer edges of the vanes contact one of the first and second ends, but are separated from the internal diameter of a remainder of the fluid conduit section, such that a space is defined therebetween.
US07730905B2
A high pressure valve for hydrogen gas includes a valve seat and a valve member, which is movable to selectively open and close the valve seat. One of the valve member and the valve seat is formed of austenitic stainless steel, and the other one of the valve member and the valve seat is formed of flexible synthetic resin or soft metal.
US07730902B2
Disclosed is a modular spill containment rail system for containing a hazardous spilled substance from at least one battery. The system has a plurality of containment rails that are connectable to one another to define a perimeter around the battery. Each rail has at least one wall with a first end and a second end. At least one male connection device orthogonally protrudes from the first end and at least one female opening may be provided in the second end. A first end of a first rail may be removably received within a second end of second rail. Upon connecting the rails, at least a part of the first end of the first rail may be in an overlapping relationship with the second end of the second rail. A method for assembling a system and a containment system with a flexible liner and a neutralizing material are also disclosed herein.
US07730899B2
An embodiment of an apparatus for removing deposits from a petroleum flow line may include a pipe capable of being attached to a petroleum flow line. The pipe may have a pipe axis that defines a direction for fluid flow in the petroleum flow line. The apparatus may also include a first and a second field winding circumferentially disposed around the pipe, and an electric wave generator adapted to electrically communicate an electric wave to the first field winding and the second field winding. In response to the electric wave, the first field winding is adapted to produce a first magnetic field having a first magnetic axis and the second field winding is adapted to produce a second magnetic field having a second magnetic axis. The first magnetic axis may be noncollinear with respect to the second magnetic axis, and at least the first magnetic axis may be noncollinear with respect to the pipe axis.
US07730896B2
A circulation-air generating unit directly generates circulation air that flows along a surface of a cleaning tank. The circulation air is applied to cleaning medium accumulated on the cleaning tank from a direction orthogonal to a direction of face of the cleaning medium to deliver and flow up the cleaning medium. The cleaning medium is flown up inside the cleaning tank by the force of the circulation air. The cleaning medium flowing inside the cleaning tank collides with a cleaning target object by high-velocity air supplied from a cleaning-medium accelerating unit to remove dust on the cleaning target object.
US07730892B2
An apparatus to stimulate the vestibular system of an individual. The apparatus comprises an actuator configured to mechanically stimulate a semicircular canal, and a control module coupled to the actuator that controls the actuator in response to motion information associated with the individual.
