US07847852B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a solid-state imaging device that can be slimmed down and have an improved picture quality without sacrificing its sensitivity and the manufacturing method of the solid-state imaging device. The solid-state imaging device includes an imaging unit where unit cells are arranged in a two-dimensional array. Each of these unit cells has a photodiode and a first microlens and a second microlens which are formed above the photodiode. The maximum curvatures of the convex parts become greater from the center part to the periphery of the imaging unit.
US07847847B2
A CMOS image sensor having increased capacitance that allows a photo-diode to generate a larger current is provided. The increased capacitance reduces noise and the dark signal. The image sensor utilizes a transistor having nitride spacers formed on a buffer oxide layer. Additional capacitance may be provided by various capacitor structures, such as a stacked capacitor, a planar capacitor, a trench capacitor, a MOS capacitor, a MIM/PIP capacitor, or the like. Embodiments of the present invention may be utilized in a 4-transistor pixel or a 3-transistor pixel configuration.
US07847840B2
A method of filtering a red-eye phenomenon from an acquired digital image including a multiplicity of pixels indicative of color, the pixels forming various shapes of the image, includes analyzing meta-data information, determining one or more regions within the digital image suspected as including red eye artifact, and determining, based at least in part on the meta-data analysis, whether the regions are actual red eye artifact. The meta-data information may include information describing conditions under which the image was acquired, captured and/or digitized, acquisition device-specific information, and/film information.
US07847833B2
An in-camera two-stage compression implementation is described that reduces the latency between snapshots to a fraction of that otherwise required by other systems that either process complete compression following each snapshot or that incorporate heavy, bulky, and expensive RAM hardware capable of maintaining several raw luminosity records (unprocessed file containing a digital image). In the 1st stage compression the raw luminosity record is quickly, yet partially, compressed to available RAM buffer space to allow a user to expeditiously capture a succeeding image. When the higher-priority processes, the user shooting pictures, and stage one compression subside, a 2nd stage compression, which is slower but more effective, decompresses the earlier partially-compressed images, and re-compresses them for saving in flash memory until they are distributed to a remote platform to be finally converted to the JPEG2000 format.
US07847828B2
An image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing unit, a first storage unit configured to store sample images and corresponding image capture frame rates, a display unit configured to display the sample images stored in the first storage unit at a predetermined frame rate, a detecting unit configured to detect a confirmation signal indicating an image capture frame rate corresponding to a sample image selected from the sample images, a driving unit configured to drive the image capturing unit at the image capture frame rate indicated by the confirmation signal, and a second storage unit configured to store image data captured by the image capturing unit.
US07847808B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for determining a location for a virtual object on a course terrain for a course. A photographic image of the course corresponding to the location is identified. The virtual object is incorporated in a presentation of the photographic image such that the virtual object appears in the photographic image.
US07847805B2
A display apparatus, which makes one pixel displayable in four colors, that is, three primary colors and a white color, and inputs and displays chrominance signals corresponding to a mixing ratio of the four colors, includes a color correction instrument which performs first color correction of increasing the saturation of chrominance signals, and a second color correction of decreasing at least the saturation of the chrominance signals, when a predetermined color component exists in the chrominance signals corresponding to a pixel, selection instrument which switches temporally and selects either of first chrominance signals obtained by the first color correction, and second chrominance signals obtained by the second color correction, and a display instrument which displays the chrominance signals, which are selected, in the pixel.
US07847795B2
In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, a method and system for controlling spatial light modulator buses are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a bus controller includes a configurable bus interface having first and second modes of operation. The first mode of operation is configured to interface with a single spatial light modulator. The second mode of operation is configured to interface in parallel with a plurality of spatial light modulators. In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a bus includes configuring a bus interface of a bus controller to interface in parallel with a plurality of digital micromirror devices.
US07847793B2
An object is to realize downsizing and cost reduction of a display device by efficiently using a physical region of a memory in a control circuit of the display device. A structure of a video data storage portion of the control circuit is that provided with a video data storage portion for storing video data of an n-th frame (n is a natural number), a video data storage portion for storing video data of an (n+1)th frame, and a video data storage portion for sharing video data of the n-th frame and the (n+1)th frame among received video data.
US07847787B1
A system (100) and method (200) is provided for directing a control action. The method includes the steps of detecting a first movement (202), capturing a first profile corresponding to the first movement (204), comparing the first profile with a second profile, the second profile corresponding to a second movement (206), and activating a user interface behavior (208) if the first profile and the second profile are substantially similar.
US07847765B2
In an organic light emitting diode display, a plurality of sub-pixels sharing a select scan line that extends in a row direction forms a unit pixel, and the plurality of sub-pixels are arranged in a column direction in the unit pixel. A field is divided into a plurality of subfields, and corresponding one of the plurality of sub-pixels emits light in each of the plurality of subfields.
US07847760B2
A pixel circuit and an organic light emitting display using the pixel circuit and a pixel circuit driving method capable of displaying an image of desired brightness are disclosed. The pixel provides a current for an organic light emitting diode which is not affected by a kickback voltage which occurs at the end of an initialization phase. The pixel also provides a current for an organic light emitting diode which is substantially not affected by a voltage drop in the power supply providing the current.
US07847754B2
The program of the present invention is an image processing program for causing a computer to display images using a plurality of display devices, wherein the image processing program causes the computer to perform the steps of: (a) dividing a virtual space into a plurality of areas; (b) associating display device selection information with each of the plurality of areas for selecting on which of the plurality of display devices an image is to be displayed; (c) judging in which of the plurality of areas a mobile object existing in the virtual space is positioned; (d) acquiring the display device selection information associated with the area in which the mobile object is positioned; and (e) displaying the mobile object in a display device corresponding to the display device selection information acquired at step (d) among the plurality of display devices.
US07847752B2
Signals from multiple antennas are evaluated in a wireless device having one receiver chain and the antenna receiving the highest quality signals is selected. The signal quality from the multiple antennas may be evaluated using the short symbols in the preamble or the beacon signals and the antennas dynamically selected to improve the performance of the wireless communications device.
US07847747B2
An orientation-independent antenna that presents a circular polarization characteristic to incoming waves such that these waves are detected regardless or polarization and angle of arrival is provided with shorts across elements thereof that provide for crossed vertical loops and a horizontal loop to lower the VSWR at the lower frequencies of the antenna. The antenna includes crossed vertical loops and a horizontal loop, with the loops being phased to provide the circular polarization characteristic. In one embodiment, the antenna includes a number of elements on the faces of a cube, or the elements are positioned on the surface of a sphere. In another embodiment, the antenna is given both a right hand circular polarization characteristic and a left hand circular polarization characteristic in two different channels to provide for double the data throughput.
US07847746B2
The present invention relates to a broadband antenna for at least six frequency bands provided on an isolating antenna support structure comprising. The antenna comprises a low band branch and a high band branch coupled to a substantially rectangular ground plane provided on a PCB. The coupling between the ground plane and the low band branch is a capacitive coupling and has a vertical distance of 3-7 mm there in between.
US07847741B2
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a display unit. A display portion is provided in the display unit. Antennas are provided in the display unit. The antennas include a first antenna which serves as a transmitting antenna and a second antenna which serves as a receiving antenna. An antenna switching unit makes, when the display unit is used in a state where the first antenna is located in a side of the display unit which side is closest to a user, the first antenna serve as the receiving antenna, and the second antenna serve as the transmitting antenna.
US07847729B2
A handheld electronic device, such as a GPS-enabled wireless communications device with an embedded camera, a GPS-enabled camera-phone or a GPS-enabled digital camera, determines whether ephemeris data needs to be obtained for geotagging digital photos taken with the device. By monitoring user activity with respect to the camera, such as activation of the camera, the device can begin pre-acquisition of a GPS position fix by obtaining needed ephemeris data before the photograph is actually taken. This GPS pre-acquisition improves the likelihood that a position fix (GPS lock) is achieved by the time the photo is taken (to enable immediate geotagging). Alternatively, the photo can be geotagged retroactively by appending the current location to the metadata tag associated with the digital photo. An optional acquisition status indicator can be displayed on a user interface of the device to indicate that a position fix is being obtained.
US07847727B2
A system and method for tracking the identity and position of an object. The system includes at least one locator unit the is attached to the object to be tracked. The system also includes at least one display unit carried by or with a user. The locator unit obtains its satellite position data from a satellite positioning system such as GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, or the like, or position data from a radio positioning system such as LORAN. The locator unit then measures local position data with one or more sensors such as accelerometers and compasses and augments the satellite position data with the local position data. The locator unit transmits the combined position data to a display unit. The display unit calculates its own position in the same way and outputs the combined position of the locator unit relative to the augmented position of the display unit via a user interface.
US07847716B2
An asynchronous sigma delta digital to analog converter for converting a digital input signal into an analog output signal, the digital to analog converter having an asynchronous sigma delta modulator having a low pass filter and a comparator and being supplied with the digital input signal, and a clock sample unit adapted to sample a signal processed by the comparator based on a clock signal, thereby generating the analog output signal.
US07847715B2
Systems and methods for improving output resolution of an optical drive circuit in an optical sensor. The optical sensor circuit includes an optics circuit that generates analog measurement data, a detector circuit that detects the analog measurement data and converts the analog measurement data to a digital measurement data, and a signal processing circuit that demodulates the digital measurement data and generates a segmented digital signal based on the demodulated digital measurement data. The optical sensor circuit further includes an optics drive circuit that generates an analog drive signal based on the segmented digital signal. The analog drive signal is then used to drive the optical circuit.
US07847710B2
Integrating hashing and decompression of compressed data for safe computing environments and systems
Techniques for hashing and decompression of data are disclosed. Hashing and decompression of compressed data can be integrated in order to effectively hash and decompress the compressed data at the same time. The integrated hashing and decompression techniques of the invention are useful for any computing environment and/or system where compressed data is hashed and decompressed. The invention is especially useful for safe computing environment and/or system (e.g., a Trusted Computing (TC) computing environment) where hashing decompression of compressed data can be routinely performed. The Integrity of a computing environment and/or system can be protected by integrating the decompressing and hashing of the compressed data or effectively hashing and decompressing the compressed data at the same time. A combined hashing and decompression function can be provided based on conventional hashing and compression functions by integrating their similar components and in an efficient manner.
US07847709B2
A user carried electronic device and method therefore is provided for directing the user to a parked vehicle using several modes of operation. The device includes a display, a memory, an interface for receiving information downloads from the vehicle and a controller coupled thereto for managing operation of the device. The controller stores the downloaded information in the memory and presents RETURN-TO-VEHICLE information on the display in response to a user request. The downloaded information desirably includes photographic information concerning the parked vehicle's environment obtained by vehicle camera(s) or otherwise. Vehicle location information and vehicle location accuracy information may be included. The device desirably includes location tracking elements that, when operating, provide graphical directions back to the vehicle based on vehicle location information in the download. Photo images of the vehicle environment can be included and are presented automatically when the device tracking and/or vehicle location information is not reliable.
US07847707B2
An out-of-route collection capability is provided for an AMR data collection system of a type that collect readings within a geographic area using a radio. If a transmission is received from an out-of-route transmitter, its location is based on a geographic location of the data collector as the data collector receives data from the out-of-route transmitter. The location can further be determined by evaluating a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) for the transmission. The out-of-route transmitter is identified by association with a transmitter identification number. The out-of-route transmitters can be added to the route through operations at the central office.
US07847702B2
A power supply controller includes a semiconductor switching element disposed on a current supply line from a power source to a load. The semiconductor switching element is switched between ON and OFF for controlling power supply to the load. A short anomaly of the semiconductor switching element is determined if at least one of an input-to-output voltage of the semiconductor switching element being smaller than a first threshold and the semiconductor switching element being in an ON state is detected, when an OFF signal for instruction to turn OFF the semiconductor switching element is received.
US07847700B2
A system and method is provided for an improved sensor for detecting particles in air such as smoke particles from a fire. The detector includes a laser diode that generates a light beam that is spread by a lens to fill a specific area of the interior of a sensing chamber before entering into a light trap for extinction. The detector consequently has a better signal to noise ratio and therefore may be more sensitive than prior art detectors. The detector may also use a shorter wavelength laser to allow the detector to sense smaller particles than prior detectors and consequently provide faster response to flaming fires.
US07847693B1
A circuit for conserving power for a shot tracking device attached to a grip of a golf club is disclosed. The circuit comprises a battery, a resistor in electrical communication with the battery, a capacitor in electrical communication with the resistor, a load switch in electrical communication with the capacitor, a microprocessor in electrical communication with the load switch, and the microprocessor comprising a radiofrequency transceiver.
US07847690B2
A tamper alarm circuit for detecting a tampered condition of a utility meter is disclosed. The tamper alarm circuit has a transducer coupled to an amplification circuit which is coupled to a detection circuit, the detection circuit generating an alarm condition when the detection circuit determines that a voltage signal generated by the transducer and amplified by the amplification circuit has reached a predetermined threshold.
US07847686B1
An automatic appointment reminder system uses location and/or direction of travel of the reminder recipient relative to appointments to affect the time of sending of appointment reminders to the user, and thus enhances the user's ability to be on-time for appointments.
US07847682B2
There are provided a method and system for sensing abnormal signs in daily activities, the method comprising, at the system, sensing the daily activities, reading previously stored daily activity information, generating a daily activity sequence based thereon, sensing the abnormal signs from the daily activity sequence by using a preset sequence alignment algorithm, and providing the sensed abnormal signs to a user. As described above, the abnormal signs, which should be checked to provide care services, are sensed via changes in a daily activity pattern and added to a care service system that will be installed in welfare facilities for the aged or a home of a solitary old person, thereby effectively sensing the abnormal signs in daily activities of the aged.
US07847669B2
Disclosed is an integrated tunable inductor having mutual micromachined inductances fabricated in close proximity to a tunable inductor that is switched in and out by micromechanical ohmic switches to change the inductance of the integrated tunable inductor. To achieve a large tuning range and high quality factor, silver is preferably used as the structural material to co-fabricate the inductors and micromachined switches, and silicon is selectively removed from the backside of the substrate. Using this method, exemplary tuning of 47% at 6 GHz is achievable for a 1.1 nH silver inductor fabricated on a low-loss polymer membrane. The effect of the quality factor on the tuning characteristic of the integrated inductor is evaluated by comparing the measured result of substantially identical inductors fabricated on various substrates. To maintain the quality factor of the silver inductor, the device may be encapsulated using a low-cost wafer-level polymer packaging technique.
US07847667B2
Methods and systems are provided for reducing circuit area. Some embodiments provide electronic devices including an inductor formed from a path having two ends that loops substantially in a plane around a center area, wherein the path crosses itself at least two points and wherein the path defines an outer boundary of the inductor; and a circuit that is located within the outer boundary of the inductor and substantially within or adjacent to the plane. Other embodiments provide electronic devices including an inductor formed from a path having two ends that loops substantially in a plane around a center area, wherein the path defines an outer boundary of the inductor; and a circuit that is located within the outer boundary of the inductor and substantially within or adjacent to the plane, and wherein the circuit comprises a signal path that is rake-shaped and crosses the path of the inductor at substantially perpendicular angles.
US07847664B2
A flux sharing magnetic circuit has a parallel arrangement of secondary electromagnetic circuits with independent loads. An AC driven primary delivers current to the secondary circuits to maintain charge in their batteries. The batteries deliver DC current to the loads while secondary coils provide battery charging currents to maintain charge in the batteries. When current is not drawn by the battery or the load, flux is delivered to a flux pool in the magnetic circuit so that input AC power drain is reduced.
US07847663B2
DC choke arrangement of a power transformer, especially of a frequency converter, provided with a DC circuit and connected to an AC electricity network, to limit the harmonics of the network current taken by an appliance from the AC network, in which DC choke arrangement is at least one choke (Ldc+, Ldc−), which is arranged in the magnetic core, which contains pillar parts and yoke parts (1a′, 1b′, 2a′, 2b′), in which one or more permanent magnets (51) are arranged in the magnetic core of the choke, and in which the permanent magnet is positioned at an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the part or parts of the magnetic core such that the cross-sectional area of the permanent magnet is greater than the cross-sectional area of the part of the magnetic core in question or the parts of the magnetic core in question.
US07847660B2
A relay driving a plunger includes a movable iron piece, and a movable contact point, and position restricting means. The movable iron piece is configured to rotate around a horizontal shaft center between a contact point base and an electromagnetic unit based on excitation and nonexcitation of an electromagnetic unit placed above the contact point base. The movable contact point is fixed to a lower end portion of the plunger protruding from a lower surface of the contact point base. The movable contact point is contacted with and separated from a fixed contact point. The position restricting means is provided on an upper surface side of the contact point base.
US07847658B2
An apparatus 100 comprising a radiofrequency filter body housing 102. The radiofrequency filter body housing includes a polymeric composition 110 that includes at least one polymer foam 115 and filler material 120. The filler material is uniformly distributed and randomly oriented throughout the polymeric composition. The radiofrequency filter body housing also includes an electrically conductive material 125 coating the polymeric composition.
US07847648B2
In the many microelectronics applications, delays present in circuitry can affect both the design and the function of the circuitry. One example of delays impacting the function of a circuit is a relaxation oscillator, where delays present in comparator circuits and latches can cause its frequency to vary beyond desired ranges. Here, a relaxation circuit with delay compensation is described.
US07847641B2
Disclosed are a digital phase-frequency detector and a method of operating a digital phase-frequency detector. The detector includes an input circuit, an output circuit and a reset circuit. In use, the input circuit receives first and second input signals during a plurality of cycles, and during a given one of the cycles, generates a first intermediate signal or a second intermediate signal depending on which of the first and second input signals was received first during that given one of said cycles. The output circuit receives these intermediate signals, and outputs, during said one cycle, a first output signal or a second output signal depending on which one of intermediate signals was received by the output circuit during said one cycle. The reset circuit applies a reset signal to the input circuit under defined conditions to begin a new one of said plurality of cycles.
US07847637B2
A high efficiency precision amplifier which comprises a linear amplifier stage, a class D amplifier stage and a set of switches is provided. Both amplifier stages receive the same input signal. The load is driven by the output of the linear amplifier stage. The set of switches connect the output of the class D amplifier stage to either of the positive and negative supply terminals of the linear amplifier stage and the other of the positive and negative supply terminals of the linear amplifier stage to a negative or positive supply, depending on the polarity of the signal being amplified.
US07847633B2
Circuits that operate with power supplies of less than 1 volt are presented. More particularly, circuits that operate with supply voltages (VDD) near or lower than the threshold voltage of the transistors (310, 312, etc.) in those circuits are presented. Various circuits and embodiments such as operational transconductance amplifiers (346), biasing circuits, integrators, continuous-time sigma delta modulators, track-and-hold circuits, and others are presented. The techniques and circuits can be used in a wide range of applications and various transistors from metal-oxide-semiconductor to bipolar junction transistors may implement the techniques presented herein.
US07847632B2
A short-circuit detecting circuit which can accurately detect an output short-circuit of a class-D amplifier by a simple circuit construction. Two comparison pulse signals are formed on the basis of predetermined generating threshold values and a signal level of each of two output stage input pulse signals which are formed on the basis of an input pulse signal to the class-D amplifier and are supplied to an output stage of the class-D amplifier. A signal level of an output pulse from the class-D amplifier in a period of time corresponding to a pulse width of each of the comparison pulse signals is compared with a predetermined detection threshold values. A short-circuit detection signal is outputted in accordance with obtained level comparison results.
US07847627B2
A demodulator circuit (DMOD) for amplitude-modulated signals is defined which comprises a threshold switch module (SWS), wherein a signal output (SA) of the threshold switch module (SWS) is connected to the output (DA) of the demodulator circuit (DMOD) and a signal input (SE) of the threshold switch module (SWS) is connected via a first capacitor (C1) to the input (E) of the demodulator circuit (DMOD). In addition, the signal input (SE) can be connected via a coupling element (KO) to a first or alternatively a second.
US07847624B2
A disclosed invention is an internal power supply circuit, which generates an internal power supply from a first power supply. The circuit comprises a first internal step-down power supply generation unit, which generates a first internal step-down power supply from the first power supply; a normal second internal step-down power supply generation unit, which generates a second internal step-down power supply from the first internal step-down power supply in the normal operating state, and which, at the time of power supply startup, begins operation to generate the second internal step-down power supply at a first timing at which a voltage of the first internal step-down power supply reaches a prescribed reference level; and, a startup power supply load unit, which begins to consume, before the first time, current from the first internal step-down power supply.
US07847623B2
A device monitors at least one power switch which is series-mounted with a logic core between a first and a second potential. A connection point between the switch and logic core is carried to a third potential. The switch is biased by a biasing potential. The device includes a feedback control module mounted between first and second potentials which is capable of generating a set potential representative of the third potential variation. A biasing module of the power switch is mounted between the first and second potentials, and generates a biasing potential based on the set potential. The biasing potential linearly varies with the decrease of the third potential.
US07847621B2
A charge pump circuit includes a first switch to a fourth switch, a flying capacitor, and an output capacitor. A driver turns on the first switch and the fourth switch during a predetermined precharge period from the start of activation of the charge pump circuit to charge the output capacitor. Thereafter, on the basis of a pulse signal, the driver alternately turns on and off a first pair and a second pair.
US07847613B1
A variable transconductance device for a mixer apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes at least one variable current source circuit having a plurality of selectively enabled current source stages. Each of the current source stages, when enabled, is actuable to establish a conductive path between a first supply level and an output terminal. The device further includes at least one variable transconductance circuit having a plurality of selectively enabled transconductance stages. Each transconductance stage, when enabled, is actuable to establish a conductive path between a second supply level and the output terminal. An output current signal is generated at the output terminal responsive to actuation of the variable transconductance circuit by an input voltage signal, whereby the output current signal exhibits a power gain adjustably determined responsive to the numbers of current source and transconductance stages selectively enabled.
US07847610B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an internal circuit which is driven by a power supply voltage and is set in one of a first state and a second state in which an amount of current consumed by the internal circuit is greater than in the first state, and a wait control module. The wait control module detects that a state of the internal circuit has transitioned from the first state to the second state, and executes a wait control process of outputting an operation start instruction signal to the internal circuit after passing of a predetermined wait time from the detection of the transition of the state of the internal circuit from the first start to the second state.
US07847603B2
In driving circuits, signal enhancing circuits are used to enhance driving ability of driving signals. Further, source follower transistors may further enhance driving ability of the driving circuits by conducting more current to loading, so that output signals of the driving circuits may transit more rapidly. In other words, the pull high ability of the driving circuits is enhanced.
US07847601B2
A comparator includes a plurality of switches, a capacitor, an amplifier, and a latch. The switches provide an input signal during a first period and provide a reference signal during a second period. A first switch among the switches is composed of a first transistor. The capacitor receives the input signal during the first period and receives the reference signal during the second period. The amplifier is coupled to the capacitor for receiving a difference voltage between the input signal and the reference signal and amplifies the difference voltage during the second period to generate an amplified result. The determining circuit provides a digital signal according to the amplified result.
US07847600B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to track and hold a voltage. An example track and hold circuit comprises a first electronic switch, a second electronic switch, and a current mode logic amplifier.
US07847599B2
A start signal detection circuit includes a wave-detection circuit 1 outputting a voltage in accordance with an envelope of a radio signal from an output point B, a reference voltage generation circuit 2 outputting a voltage at the output point B at a non-signal state as a reference voltage to a reference point C, and a differential amplification circuit 3 amplifying and outputting a voltage difference between the output point B and the reference point C.
US07847596B2
An electronic device is presented for performing at least one logic function. The device comprises an electron emission based electrode arrangement associated with an electron extractor. The electrode arrangement comprises at least one basic unit including a photocathode, an anode, and one or more gates arranged aside a cavity defined between the photocathode and the anode. Said one or more gates are connectable to a voltage supply unit to be operated by one or more input voltages signals corresponding to one or more logical values, respectively. Said anode is operable as a floating electrode from which an electrical output of the device indicative of a resulted logic function is read. The anode is electrically connected to a photocathode of another cathode-anode unit of the same device, or is connected to an electrode of another electronic device.
US07847594B2
A data output circuit of a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a plurality of drivers configured to drive data output terminals to a logic level corresponding to levels of input data in response to driving control signals, and a control section configured to activate and output driving control signals that supplied to a first group of the plurality of drivers, and to activate or inactivate and output driving control signals that supplied to a second group of the plurality of drivers, depending upon a level of a supply voltage.
US07847593B2
To provide a semiconductor device which operates stably with few malfunctions due to noise, with low power consumption, and little variation in characteristics; a display device including the semiconductor device; and an electronic device including the display device. An output terminal is connected to a power supply line, thereby reducing variation in electric potential of the output terminal. In addition, a gate electrode potential which turns ON a transistor is maintained due to the capacitance of the transistor. Further, change in characteristics of the transistor is reduced by a signal line for reverse bias.
US07847588B2
Field programmable device (FPD) chips with large logic capacity and field programmability that are in-circuit programmable are described. FPDs use small versatile nonvolatile nanotube switches that enable efficient architectures for dense low power and high performance chip implementations and are compatible with low cost CMOS technologies and simple to integrate.
US07847575B2
Various methods and apparatus for electrically probe testing a semiconductor chip with circuit perturbation are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of testing is provided that includes contacting a first nano probe to a conductor structure on a first side of a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip has plural circuit structures. A external stimulus is applied to a selected portion of the first side of the semiconductor chip to perturb at least one of the plural circuit structures. The semiconductor chip is caused to perform a test pattern during the application of the external stimulus. An electrical characteristic of the semiconductor chip is sensed with the first nano probe during performance of the test pattern.
US07847570B2
An automated test equipment system includes a peripheral including first mechanical alignment features; a test head including second mechanical alignment features arranged in a pattern corresponding to the first mechanical alignment features and configured to engage the first mechanical alignment features. The automated test equipment system also includes a laser assisted alignment system including laser devices mounted to the peripheral and operable to emit laser beams; target plates mounted to the test head and including target symbols visible on surfaces of the target plates. The target symbols are arranged in a pattern corresponding to the laser devices such that, when laser beams from the laser devices are substantially aligned with the target symbols, the first mechanical alignment features are substantially aligned with the second mechanical alignment features.
US07847566B2
A method of testing electronic devices on substrates is described. The method includes placing a configurable prober over a first substrate, testing the first substrate, re-configuring the configurable prober, placing the configurable prober over a second substrate, and testing the second substrate.
US07847564B2
A probe (1) for measuring the conductivity of a solution comprises a hydraulic part and an electronic part; the hydraulic part comprises a conduit (2) in the shape of a double tuning fork having an inlet (3) and an outlet (4) for the solution whose conductivity is to be measured; the electronic part comprises an energizing toroidal coil (7) and a receiving toroidal coil (22), both fitted round the conduit (2); the receiving coil (22) is mutually concatenated with the energizing coil (7) through an electromagnetic flux (F) generated by the energizing coil (7) in the respective toroid (T1) and through the solution circulating in the conduit (2); the probe (1) also comprises a feedback circuit (111) to keep the electromagnetic flux (F) constant.
US07847556B2
A detector 1 for detecting a buried current carrying conductor comprises a digital homodyne receiver. The receiver processes field strength signals induced in a pair of vertically spaced antennae 3, 5. The analogue to digital converter is an audio-grade stereo CODEC 11.
US07847550B2
A control device for a magnetic resonance system activates the coils of a transmission array and a gradient magnet system of the magnetic resonance system by causing an excitation pulse to be supplied to each coil. A magnetization that exhibits a first actual inhomogeneity thereby is generated in an excitation volume of the magnetic resonance system. The control device determines the excitation pulse for each coil using a start pulse and a maximum allowable inhomogeneity. The respective start pulse has a total time duration. When the control device activates the coils of the transmission array and of the gradient magnet system corresponding to the start pulse, a magnetization that exhibits a second actual inhomogeneity that is smaller than the maximum permissible inhomogeneity is generated in the excitation volume. The control device determines an intermediate point of the start pulse so that the respective start pulse is divided into a first pulse part and a second pulse part that is complementary to the first pulse part. The first pulse part corresponds to a respective low-energy portion of the start pulse, the second pulse part with a high-energy portion of the respective start pulse. The control device temporally extends the second pulse part and correspondingly compresses the second pulse part in terms of amplitude. The temporally extended and amplitude-compressed pulse part is used as the excitation pulse. The control device determines the intermediate point such that the first inhomogeneity is still smaller than the maximum allowable inhomogeneity.
US07847548B2
A magnetic resonance diagnosing apparatus includes an imaging unit which images each slice image of a subject in relation to a plurality of different imaging slices, a measurement unit which measures a magnetic resonance spectrum of the subject in relation to a measurement slice, a selection unit which selects slice images corresponding to one or more imaging slices which at least partially overlap the measurement slice from the plurality of slice images, and a creation unit which creates a display image which simultaneously shows the selected one or more slice images and the spectral image.
US07847547B2
A method of determining a concentration level of a compound in a mixture is provided. A plurality of compounds are identified in the mixture based on intensity peaks identified from NMR data generated from the mixture. A compound is selected from the identified plurality of compounds for a concentration determination. A concentration equation associated with the selected compound is determined. A first peak associated with the selected compound is selected from the NMR data. The selected first peak does not overlap with a peak associated with another compound of the identified plurality of compounds. An intensity value associated with the selected first peak is determined. A concentration of the selected compound in the mixture is calculated using the determined concentration equation and the determined intensity value.
US07847539B2
The invention relates to an inductive proximity sensor with a sensor element which includes a resonant circuit which provides an output signal which depends on the damping by an electrically conductive object. In accordance with the invention, the inductive proximity sensor has a ΣΔ modulator for the evaluation of an output signal of the resonant circuit. The invention furthermore relates to a method for the determination of the presence and/or of the spacing of a metallic object with the help of an inductive proximity sensor.
US07847532B2
A controller for controlling a plurality of DC-DC switching cells each configured to generate an output voltage in response to receiving a PWM control signal from the controller. The controller includes a plurality of output ports for outputting a plurality of PWM control signals, and at least one input port for receiving a plurality of output voltages from the plurality of switching cells. The controller is configured to sample the plurality of output voltages one at a time via a multiplexer and to regulate the output voltages in response to the sampling.
US07847531B2
A circuit comprises a first input for receiving a supply voltage and a second input for receiving a sensed current signal from an output of a DC to DC converter. The circuit also includes an output voltage for providing an adjustable drive voltage to a drive circuit. The circuit additionally includes circuitry for adjusting the drive voltage responsive to supply voltage and the sensed current signal.
US07847530B2
A voltage regulator is disclosed that includes first and second output transistors each outputting a current from the input terminal to the output terminal of the voltage regulator; and a control circuit part controlling the operations of the first and second output transistors to equalize a voltage proportional to an output voltage with a reference voltage. The control circuit part includes first and second error amplifier circuits each amplifying and outputting the difference between the proportional and reference voltages. The second error amplifier circuit consumes a smaller amount of current than the first error amplifier circuit. The control circuit part controls the output voltage by controlling the operations of the first and second output transistors using the first error amplifier circuit or controlling the operation of the second output transistor using the second error amplifier circuit in accordance with a control signal externally input to the control circuit part.
US07847526B2
A system for controlling torque ripple in a permanent magnet synchronous machine includes a power converter configured to be coupled to the permanent magnet synchronous machine and to receive converter control signals and a system controller coupled to the power converter. The system controller includes a fundamental current controller configured for providing fundamental voltage commands, a harmonic current controller configured for using harmonic current commands, current feedback signals from the permanent magnet machine, and fundamental current commands in combination with positive and negative sequence regulators to obtain harmonic voltage commands, and summation elements configured for adding the fundamental voltage commands and the harmonic voltage commands to obtain the converter control signals.
US07847521B2
A power supply system for a vehicle includes: batteries; motor generators operating as rotating electrical machines driven by electric power in the batteries when the vehicle is running, and constituting a first charger when the batteries are charged by electric power received from a source external to the vehicle and; an inlet receiving the electric power supplied from the external source; a second charger receiving the electric power supplied from the external source and charging the batteries; and a control device selecting one of the first and second chargers and performing control for converting the electric power supplied from the external source to the inlet into charging electric power using the selected charger. Thus, a power supply system for a vehicle that is chargeable from various power supplies at the time of charging and has reduced charge loss can be provided.
US07847513B2
A system for controlling the power output of a fuel cell stack and a battery in a hybrid fuel cell system. The system includes a power damping filter that receives a power request signal, and damps the request to reduce large changes in the power request. A battery state of charge controller receives the difference between a battery state of charge set-point and the actual battery state of charge, and provides a battery power signal that attempts to maintain the battery state of charge at the set-point. The damped power signal and the battery power signal are added to generate a system power demand signal that satisfies the driver power request using the battery power and fuel cell stack power, and uses the fuel cell stack power to charge the battery during low power transients or if the battery state of charge is below the set-point.
US07847512B2
The solar powered direct current (DC) load system is a reliable, versatile and user friendly system; it uses solar energy and rechargeable battery powering at least one type of DC load which are: a type of motor operation such as water pump and a type of at least one LED; the system comprises a battery discharge control circuit and a battery output circuit for DC load (FIG. 1), at least one rechargeable battery source (42-F1) which is protected by a preset voltage that limits the lowest discharge level, the circuits in the FIG. 1 are able to combine the circuits in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 which enable operations of the day time and night time DC load to synchronize the day and night cycles; FIG. 4 is a combination system which incorporates circuits in the FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 to create a water pumping system combined an illumination system which can turn on and off automatically; FIG. 4a with a switch and additional LEDs in addition to the FIG. 4; FIG. 5 is a combination system that incorporates circuits in the FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 to create a water pumping system that works during the day and shuts down at night automatically; FIG. 5a with a switch in addition to the FIG. 5; FIG. 6 is a combination system which incorporates FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 circuits to create an illumination system that has at least one LED which can turn off in the morning and turn on at the evening automatically.
US07847507B2
A zero-current, synchronous switching waveform is provided for a three-phase, wye-connected H-Bridge to power an electric motor. The switching waveform includes two notches per cycle on the switching waveform provided to each of the semiconductor switches to minimize total harmonic distortion and switching loss. Positioning of the notch with respect to the zero-current crossing is optimized to reduce switching loss and minimize total harmonic distortion.
US07847497B2
A transition wiring system is provided. The transition wiring system may include one or more traction motors, a first generator, and a second generator. The transition wiring system may also include a first device, a second device, and a third device, each device configured to block reverse current flow. The transition wiring system may further include a single transition contactor disposed between the first generator and the second generator. The first generator and the second generator are configured to be selectively operable in-series and in-parallel.
US07847495B2
A hybrid automobile, wherein a second power source operated with less frequency can be forcibly operated. The hybrid automobile comprises a storage battery as a first power source. The hybrid automobile further comprises an engine and a motor generator or a fuel cell as the second power source. When the hybrid automobile is run by the first power source, a driver can change over an operation mode to a running by the second power source by operating an input device. The hybrid automobile further comprises a notification means for prompting the driver to operate the input device when the non-operating time of the second power source exceeds a predetermined time or longer.
US07847492B2
In a discharge lamp lighting apparatus, increase modulation on lamp current with a pulse is carried out according to a modulation signal. At a start-up of the discharge lamp or immediately thereafter, the increase modulation is restrained, and in a lighting steady state of the discharge lamp, the restraining of the increase modulation is released, and wherein when the restraining of the increase modulation is released, in a transition period from immediately after the start-up of the discharge lamp to the lighting steady state, the restraining of increase modulation is gradually released.
US07847490B2
A self-ballasted fluorescent lamp capable of achieving a similar appearance to that of an electric light bulb for general illumination includes a base that is attached to a bottom end of a cover and a luminous tube that is supported at a top end of the cover. Electronic components forming a lighting circuit are mounted on a substrate. The substrate is formed to have such a width dimension that allows the substrate to be inserted into the base. The substrate is vertically disposed along a center axis of the base at a position offset from the center axis. Large electronic components are disposed on a first face of the substrate, which faces a large component area in the base formed by the offset substrate.
US07847489B2
An apparatus and method for driving and adjusting light is provided, applicable to an LED lighting environment. Without the necessity to change the existing wiring and lighting devices, the apparatus and method for driving and light adjusting apparatus of the present invention can enable the LED driver to adjust light so that the LED lighting device is capable of light adjustment. The apparatus and method for driving and adjusting light of the present invention lets the LED driver output stably drive LED when the input voltage to the LED driver changes so that the LED brightness can maintain stable without flickering regardless of the unstable input voltage as well as with high efficiency and low variation of LED color temperature. In this manner, in addition to the lighting capability, the LED lighting device also has the light adjustment capability because the LED driver has the light adjustment capability.
US07847477B2
A method of manufacturing a display unit and a display unit capable of decreasing particles caused by a sputtering target of an oxide electric conductor and obtaining favorable electric conductive characteristics between a metal and the oxide electric conductor in the case where a first electrode has a laminated structure including the metal and the oxide electric conductor are provided. The method of manufacturing a display unit having a display layer between a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein a step of forming the first electrode includes the steps of: forming a laminated structure sequentially including a first layer made of a metal and a second layer made of a metal whose oxide exhibits electric conductivity over a substrate; and providing surface oxidation treatment after forming the laminated structure and thereby forming an oxide electric conductor film in at least part in a thickness direction of the second layer.
US07847459B2
A magneto generator can increase a suppression force to suppress permanent magnets from being moved to an opening side of a flywheel with easy construction and at low cost. In this magnet generator, the flywheel has a groove formed on its inner peripheral wall surface at an opening side thereof, and a magnet positioning member has a magnet coming-off preventing member formed at the opening side of the flywheel so as to cover end faces of the permanent magnets, with a protrusion being formed on the magnet coming-off preventing member so as to engage the groove in the flywheel. The protrusion is in engagement with the groove whereby the movement in an axial direction of the permanent magnets can be suppressed.
US07847455B1
The invention concerns an isolation chamber for isolating substances from the ambient. The isolation chamber comprises a first container surrounding and defining an isolation space for holding the substances and a second container surrounding the first container. A barrier space is positioned between the first and the second containers. Preferably, the pressure of the isolation space is lower than the pressure of the barrier space.
US07847450B2
A hybrid drive unit includes a main body case having a connection portion connected to an engine, the main body case accommodating therein a rotating electric machine; and an inverter case integrated with the main body case, the inverter case accommodating therein an inverter that controls the rotating electric machine, wherein an inverter breather is disposed in a side wall portion of the inverter case on a side of the connection portion so as to provide communication between an inside and an outside of the inverter case.
US07847449B2
An electromotor for regulating a drive in a motor vehicle. The electromotor includes an armature spindle mounted in a pole housing that includes a shell. At least on one front side of the shell a bearing cover is coupled thereon to accommodate an armature spindle bearing. The electromotor also includes a radial molding formed on the pole housing that receives a guide track of a gear assembly housing via radial insertion to fasten the electromotor to the gear assembly housing without the use of additional fasteners.
US07847444B2
An electric motor assembly in a vehicle powertrain is provided with a generally annular stator fit within an interior cavity of the powertrain defined by a housing. Roll pins are fit between the housing and the stator. The stator may have a plurality of first geometric features and the housing a plurality of second geometric features. The first geometric features are be configured to align with the second geometric features when the stator is fit within the cavity, with the roll pins fit between the housing and the stator at the aligned first and second geometric features. A method of assembling the electric motor assembly is also provided.
US07847439B2
A dry-type high-voltage load system apparatus has a space-saving structure, which is resistant to chain breaking, arc discharge and vibration, and a method of preventing the chain breaking and the arc discharge for use with the system apparatus. The system apparatus includes a dry-type high-voltage load system circuit including a low-voltage bank formed of lower-capacity configuration banks which include three-phase resistor circuits which are low-voltage resistor circuit. A high-voltage bank includes lower-capacity configuration banks for a high-voltage resistor circuit formed of three-phase resistor circuits. The three-phase resistor circuits are connected to a high-voltage power generator in parallel and are in the form of a Y-connection of three resistor arrays so that an isolated and independent neutral point is unconnected to other neutral points. The three phase resistor circuits may also be in the form of a Δ-connection.
US07847437B2
Systems and methods are provided for controlling a double-ended inverter system coupled to a first energy source and a second energy source. The method comprises determining a constant power line associated with operation of the double-ended inverter system, the constant power line representing a desired power flow to the second energy source. The method further comprises determining an operating point on the constant power line, the operating point producing a minimum power loss in the double-ended inverter system for a required output current, and modulating the double-ended inverter system using a first voltage command and a second voltage command corresponding to the operating point.
US07847436B2
A power supply including a plurality of power supply modules and method of operating such a power supply includes monitoring the state of individual power supply modules. The power supply modules are monitored to prevent the operation of the modules outside a predetermined range. One power supply described herein includes a greater number of power supply modules than necessary to produce a desired output waveform. This allows a subset of power supply modules to be chosen to produce the desired output based on the state of each of the power supply modules as determined by monitoring.
US07847434B2
A cogeneration system comprising a generator connected to an AC power feed line between a power network and an electrical load and an internal combustion engine for driving the generator and for supplying its exhaust heat to a thermal load. The power supply from the generator to the power network is interrupted by turning off a switch installed in the feed line when an outage of the power network is detected. A battery for storing DC power is connected to an inverter circuit to invert the DC power to AC power, such that the inverted AC power of the battery and the output of the generator are supplied to the electrical load, thereby enabling the system to respond to a power network outage and preventing reverse flow of the power output by the cogeneration system into the power network while supplying as much electric power as possible to the electrical load.
US07847432B2
Transfer functions of control have duty commands as inputs and battery current values as outputs, provided corresponding to respected converters. Control gains are determined such that certain transfer functions substantially match with each other, with respect to delay elements.
US07847431B2
Electrical power generation systems typically comprise an electrical power distribution arrangement in which a number of electrical power generators are coupled in parallel. In such circumstances in order to avoid conflict generally a first electrical power generator is controlled with a voltage controller while second electrical power generators have electrical current controllers. As loads are switched into and out of the electrical distribution system in normal operation the first electrical power generator and its voltage controller can accommodate voltage dynamics and therefore maintain a desired voltage. However, in order to accommodate heavier loads switching, the dynamic operation of the electrical current controller is achieved through utilizing operational voltage margins from a desired voltage as control signals to the electrical current controller. A threshold is provided above which the electrical voltage margin must operate and regimes are provided to determine continued increase or fall in the operational voltage to allow continued dynamic control of the electrical current in order that voltage stability can be re-established with regard to electrical power distribution arrangements.
US07847427B2
To shorten a startup interval to reach a synchronizing condition, a phase difference and an amplitude difference between the grid voltage and the stator voltage of one phase of a winding are obtained. The difference in amplitude is decreased prior to or in parallel to synchronizing the stator voltage with the grid voltage. The calculated compensation phase compensation value is used as an initial value for synchronizing at the next synchronizing operation.
US07847425B2
The present invention relates to a tidal flow power generator comprising a waterpower conversion unit, a transmission mechanism and a generator set. The waterpower conversion unit converts the thrust of the water into rotational kinetic energy through foldable sails, and the kinetic energy is transmitted to the generator set by the transmission mechanism. The present tidal flow power generator is of simple structure and could effectively make use of various waterpower resources.
US07847416B2
Wafer level packages and methods of fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, one of the methods comprises forming semiconductor chips having a connection pad on a wafer, patterning a bottom surface of the wafer to form a trench under the connection pad, patterning a bottom surface of the trench to form a via hole exposing the bottom surface of the connection pad, and forming a connecting device connected to the connection pad through the via hole. The invention provides a wafer level package having reduced thickness, lower fabrication costs, and increased reliability compared to conventional packages.
US07847413B2
A semiconductor device having a microcomputer chip and a plurality of high-speed memory chips and capable of making wiring lines of the memory chips equal in length is disclosed. The semiconductor device comprises a first wiring substrate, a microcomputer chip mounted over the first wiring substrate, a second wiring substrate disposed over the microcomputer chip, a plurality of first solder bumps for connecting the first and second wiring substrates with each other, and a plurality of second solder bumps as external terminals formed over a back surface of the wiring substrate. A first memory chip and a second memory chip, as high-speed memory chips, are stacked within the second wiring substrate, wiring of the first memory chip and that of the second memory chip are made equal in length within the second wiring substrate, and a completed package structure having the second wiring substrate is mounted over a completed package structure having the first wiring substrate.
US07847408B2
An integrated clock and power distribution network in a semiconductor device includes assigning a first tile to a location on a placement grid corresponding to a top metal layer. An orientation is assigned to the first tile relative to the top metal layer placement grid. The first tile is placed on a representation corresponding to the top metal layer in accordance with the assignments. A second tile is assigned to a location on a placement grid corresponding to a top-1 metal layer. The orientation is assigned to the second tile relative to the top-1 metal layer placement grid. The second tile is placed on a representation corresponding to the top-1 metal layer in accordance with the assignments. The first and second tile are arranged as a full-dense-mesh distribution structure. The first tile includes an integrated clock and power distribution structure. The second tile includes a low impedance underpass structure.
US07847404B1
A packaged integrated circuit device and a circuit board assembly are disclosed that include a semiconductor die and a package substrate that includes a first grid array of contact pads that are electrically coupled to corresponding contact pads on the semiconductor die. The first grid array of contact pads includes a first set of adjacent rows or columns of contact pads that are coupled to a first channel that extends within a ground plane of the package substrate. The first grid array of contact pads includes a second set of adjacent rows or columns of contact pads that are electrically coupled to a second channel that extends within a power plane of the package substrate. The contact pads in the first set of adjacent rows or columns of contact pads directly overlie a portion of the first channel and the contact pads in the second set of adjacent rows or columns of contact pads directly overlie a portion of the second channel. A circuit board assembly is disclosed that includes a first grid array of contact pads disposed on a top side of a circuit board. The circuit board includes a first channel that extends within a ground plane of the circuit board and a second channel that extends within a power plane of the circuit board. The circuit board assembly can include decoupling capacitors disposed on the top side of the circuit board and the packaged integrated circuit device can include decoupling capacitors attached to the top of the package substrate.
US07847400B2
A semiconductor package substrate structure and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The structure includes a substrate having a plurality of electrical connecting pads formed on at least one surface thereof; a plurality of electroplated conductive posts each covering a corresponding one of the electrical connecting pads and an insulating protective layer formed on the surface of the substrate and having a revealing portion for exposing the electroplated conductive posts therefrom. The invention allows the interval between the electroplated conductive posts to be minimized, the generation of concentrated stresses and the overflow of underfill to be avoided, as well as the reduction of the overall height of the fabricated package.
US07847396B2
Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a semiconductor chip stack-type package. The package comprises a lead frame including a die paddle part and a lead part, a first semiconductor chip group and a second semiconductor chip group stacked sequentially and mounted on one surface of the die paddle part, a first wiring board between the first semiconductor chip group and the second semiconductor chip group, and second semiconductor chip group bonding wires for electrically connecting the second semiconductor chip group to the first wiring board. End portions of the first wiring board are electrically connected to inner leads of the lead part, which is adjacent to the die paddle part.
US07847381B2
According to various illustrative embodiments of the present invention, a device for an integrated circuit includes a monolithic frame having a plurality of alignment features disposed thereon, the monolithic frame having a mounting surface disposed thereon for the integrated circuit, the monolithic frame also having a thermal interface area disposed thereon for the integrated circuit. The device also includes an electrical interface capable of providing an electrical connection for the integrated circuit, the plurality of alignment features being substantially independent of the electrical interface, and an adhesive layer disposed between the monolithic frame and the electrical interface.
US07847363B2
Borderless contacts for word lines or via contacts for bit lines are formed using interconnect patterns, a part of which is removed. A semiconductor memory includes: a plurality of active regions AAi, AAi+1, . . . , AAn, which extend on a memory cell array along the column length; a plurality of word line patterns WL1, WL2, . . . , extend along the row length and are non-uniformly arranged; a plurality of select gate line patterns SG1, SG2, . . . , are arranged parallel to the plurality of word line patterns; borderless contacts are formed near the ends of the word line patterns on the memory cell array, and are in contact with part of an interconnect extended from the end of the memory cell array, but are not in contact with interconnects adjacent to that interconnect; and bit line contacts are formed within contact forming regions provided by removing part of the plurality of word line patterns and select gate line patterns through double exposure.
US07847362B2
A photo detector includes a photoelectric conversion layer having a periodic structure made of a semiconductor material on a surface of the photoelectric conversion layer. In the photo detector, at least a part of a resonance region formed by the periodic structure is included in the photoelectric conversion layer of the photo detector.
US07847348B2
Provided is a semiconductor apparatus including a substrate region, an active region on the substrate region, a gate pattern on the active region, and first and second impurities-doped regions along both edges of the active region that do not overlap the gate pattern. The length of the first and second impurities-doped regions in the horizontal direction may be shorter than in the vertical direction. The first and second impurities-doped regions may be formed to be narrow along both edges of the active region so as not to overlap the gate pattern.
US07847344B2
Structures, systems and methods for transistors utilizing oxide-nitride nanolaminates are provided. One transistor embodiment includes a first source/drain region, a second source/drain region, and a channel region therebetween. A gate is separated from the channel region by a gate insulator. The gate insulator includes oxide-nitride nanolaminate layers to trap charge in potential wells formed by different electron affinities of the oxide-nitride nanolaminate layers.
US07847342B2
A non-volatile semiconductor storage device has a plurality of memory strings with a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells connected in series. Each of the memory strings includes: a first columnar semiconductor layer extending in a direction perpendicular to a substrate and having a first hollow extending downward from its upper end; a first insulation layer formed in contact with the outer wall of the first columnar semiconductor layer; a second insulation layer formed on the inner wall of the first columnar semiconductor layer so as to leave the first hollow; and a plurality of first conductive layers formed to sandwich the first insulation layer with the first columnar semiconductor layer and functioning as control electrodes of the memory cells.
US07847333B2
Semiconductor memory devices and methods to fabricate thereof are described. A first gate base is formed on a first insulating layer on a substrate. A first gate fin is formed on the first gate base. The first gate fin has a top and sidewalls. Next, a second insulating layer is formed on the top and sidewalls of the first gate fin and portions of the first gate base. A second gate is formed on the second insulating layer. Source and drain regions are formed in the substrate at opposite sides of the first gate base. In one embodiment, the first gate fin includes an undoped polysilicon and the first gate base includes an n-type polysilicon. In another embodiment, the first gate fin includes an undoped amorphous silicon and the first gate base includes an n-type amorphous silicon.
US07847330B2
A multi-layer non-volatile memory integrally formed on top of a substrate including active circuitry is disclosed. Each layer of memory includes memory cells (e.g., a two-terminal memory cell) having a multi-resistive state material layer that changes its resistive state between a low resistive state and a high resistive state upon application of a write voltage across the memory cell. Data stored in the memory cells can be non-destructively determined by applying a read voltage across the memory cells. Data storage capacity can be tailored to a specific application by increasing or decreasing the number of memory layers that are integrally fabricated on top of the substrate (e.g., more than four layers or less than four layers). The memory cells can include a non-ohmic device for allowing access to the memory cell only during read and write operations. Each memory layer can comprise a cross point array.
US07847323B2
Methods of fabricating a semiconductor structure in which a body of monocrystalline silicon is formed on a sidewall of a sacrificial mandrel and semiconductor structures made by the methods. After the body of monocrystalline silicon is formed, the sacrificial material of the mandrel is removed selective to the monocrystalline silicon of the body. The mandrel may be composed of porous silicon and the body may be fabricated using either a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate or a bulk substrate. The body may be used to fabricate a fin body of a fin-type field effect transistor.
US07847321B2
A semiconductor device includes a field effect transistor and a strain generating layer to apply a stress to a channel region of the field effect transistor. The strain generating layer contains at least one of oxygen and nitrogen of 1.0×1018 cm−3 to 5.0×1019 cm−3, or alternatively, the strain generating layer contains self-interstitial atoms and/or vacancies of 1.0×1018 cm−3 to 5.0×1019 cm−3. In the latter case, at least a portion of the self-interstitial atoms and/or the vacancies exist as a cluster.
US07847320B2
Disclosed are embodiments of semiconductor structure and a method of forming the semiconductor structure that simultaneously maximizes device density and avoids contacted-gate pitch and fin pitch mismatch, when multiple parallel angled fins are formed within a limited area on a substrate and then traversed by multiple parallel gates (e.g., in the case of stacked, chevron-configured, CMOS devices). This is accomplished by using, not a minimum lithographic fin pitch, but rather by using a fin pitch that is calculated as a function of a pre-selected contacted-gate pitch, a pre-selected fin angle and a pre-selected periodic pattern for positioning the fins relative to the gates within the limited area. Thus, the disclosed structure and method allow for the conversion of a semiconductor product design layout with multiple, stacked, planar FETs in a given area into a semiconductor product design layout with multiple, stacked, chevron-configured, non-planar FETs in the same area.
US07847315B2
A high-efficiency power semiconductor rectifier device (10) comprising a δP++ layer (12), a P-body (14), an N-drift region (16), an N+ substrate (18), an anode (20), and a cathode (22). The method of fabricating the device (10) comprises the steps of depositing the N-drift region (16) on the N+ substrate (18), implanting boron into the N-drift region (16) to create a P-body region (14), forming a layer of titanium silicide (56) on the P-body region (14), and concentrating a portion of the implanted boron at the interface region between the layer of titanium silicide (56) and the P-body region (14) to create the δP++ layer (12) of supersaturated P-doped silicon.
US07847299B2
The invention provides a semiconductor device with high reliability and smaller size and a method of manufacturing the same. A light emitting element as a device element is formed on the front surface of a semiconductor substrate, for example. In detail, an N-type semiconductor layer, a P-type semiconductor layer and pad electrodes are formed on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate. A device element receiving light from the light emitting element (e.g. a photodiode element), for example, and pad electrodes are formed on the front surface of another semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrates are attached and integrated with an adhesive layer being interposed therebetween. Wiring layers electrically connected to the pad electrodes and wiring layers electrically connected to the other pad electrodes are formed on the side surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US07847289B2
An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a gate line over the substrate, a data line crossing the gate line to define a pixel region and including a transparent conductive layer and an opaque conductive layer, a data pad at one end of the data line and including a transparent conductive layer, a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line and including a gate electrode, an active layer, an ohmic contact layer, a buffer metallic layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode, and a pixel electrode in the pixel region and connected to the thin film transistor, the pixel electrode including a transparent conductive layer.
US07847284B2
There are provided an organic semiconductor material, which can constitute an organic semiconductor layer having homogeneous and a high level of charge transfer characteristics over a large area, and an organic semiconductor structure and an organic semiconductor device utilizing the organic semiconductor material. The organic semiconductor material comprises a polymeric compound and a monomeric compound, the polymeric compound having, in a part of its side chain, a core structure comprising a predetermined π electron ring, the monomeric compound having a core structure comprising a predetermined π electron ring, the monomeric compound having, in at least one of its both ends, a terminal group capable of developing liquid crystallinity.
US07847277B2
A transceiver of a radiation detecting cassette sends cassette ID information stored in a cassette ID memory to a transceiver of a console via a transceiver of an image capturing apparatus by way of wireless communications. An ID determining unit determines whether cassette ID information which matches the cassette ID information received by the transceiver is stored in a cassette ID memory or not. If the ID determining unit judges that both cassette ID information match each other, the transceiver sends the cassette ID information and an activation instruction signal to the transceiver by way of wireless communications.
US07847274B2
A computerized system 40 for locating a device. System 40 includes a sensor module 20 and a CPU 42. A radioactive source 38, associated with the device, produces a signal in the form of radioactive disintegrations. Module 20 includes a radiation detector 22 capable of receiving a signal from source 38 attached to the device. Module 20 produces an output signal 34. CPU 42 receives output signal(s) 34 and translates output 34 into directional information relating to a position of source 38.
US07847269B2
Apparatus and a method for treating a fluid. The apparatus includes a fluid passageway, at least one source of irradiation, and curved reflecting troughs for reflecting irradiation onto the fluid passageway. A space is defined between the closed ends of the troughs. A first set of reflectors joins end edges of the trough open ends, and a second set of reflectors joins the top and bottom edges of the troughs and the first set of reflectors. The reflectors and troughs define a chamber. The fluid passageway and the at least one source of irradiation are positioned in the chamber, with each source of irradiation within a respective trough. At least one of the fluid passageway and the at least one source of irradiation is spaced from any focal axes so as to provide a substantially uniform irradiation distribution within the fluid in the fluid passageway.
US07847266B2
A charged particle beam apparatus and a method for measuring an emission pattern of such an apparatus are provided. The apparatus comprises an emitter with an emission pattern including at least two emission peaks, a gun lens, and a diaphragm, wherein the gun lens comprises a deflector unit and the deflector unit is adapted to direct an emission peak of the at least two emission peaks to an opening of the diaphragm to thereby select the emission peak of the at least two emission peaks from the emission pattern.
US07847263B2
A single flat panel detector provides radiation images which can correspond with various radiographic modes. In a radiation imaging apparatus including a flat panel detector which derives a radiation image according to incident radiation, a holding unit which holds the flat panel detector and a connecting mechanism capable of performing a connecting and a disconnecting between the holding unit and the flat panel detector, the flat panel detector can be controlled so that the maximum number of radiation images that the flat panel detector can derive when the flat panel detector is disengaged from the holding unit is smaller than the maximum number of radiation images that the flat panel detector can derive when the flat panel detector is held by the holding unit.
US07847262B1
The present invention relates to quaternary compound scintillators and related devices and methods. The scintillators may include, for example, a quaternary compound, the quaternary compound having a first position, a second position, a third position, a fourth position; wherein the first position is Cs; the second position is Li; the third position is La or Lu; and the fourth position is Cl, Br, or I. In certain embodiments, the scintillator composition can further include a single dopant or mixture of dopants.
US07847260B2
A detector for detecting radiation, the detector comprising: a plurality of elongate scintillator segments arranged in a side by side array; and at least one pair of light sensors optically coupled to ends of each of the elongate scintillator such that they receive light from scintillations produced in the scintillator and generate electrical signals responsive thereto.
US07847253B2
A detector incorporating a laser-doped element that is favorably absorbing to at least a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example in the infra-red range, is used in a light detector article. Readout circuits permitting a detector to operate in a substantial range of the electromagnetic spectrum, including the visual and infra-red range, enable day and night imaging in some embodiments. Configurations for making the detectors are also provided.
US07847247B2
A method of plasma particle simulation capable of preventing solution divergence. A space within a housing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus is divided into a plurality of cells. A weighting factor corresponding to the number of plasma particles represented by a superparticle is set in each of the divided cells. Superparticles are set in each of the divided cells using plasma particles contained in the divided cell and the set weighting factor. The behavior of the superparticles in each of the divided cells is calculated. The weighting factor becomes smaller as the divided cell is located closer to a solid wall surface of the housing chamber.
US07847244B2
An improvement to Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI), the process of creating ions directly from sample surfaces for mass spectrometric (MS) analysis by impinging a liquid spray onto the surface. The improvement is brought about by enclosing the spray and sample surface and MS-inlet capillary in a pressure tight enclosure. The invention includes methods of sampling a larger or smaller area of surface by impacting and collecting droplets from such an area. The invention allows DESI to be performed without need for careful control of the geometry of the sprayer and MS-inlet capillary positions and angles relative to the sample surface.
US07847243B2
This invention relates to a method of trapping ions and to an ion trapping assembly. In particular, the present invention has application in gas-assisted trapping of ions in an ion trap prior to a mass analysis of the ions in a mass spectrometer. The invention provides a method of trapping ions in a target ion trap of an ion trapping assembly that comprises a series of volumes arranged such that ions can traverse from one volume to the next, the volumes including the target ion trap, whereby ions are allowed to pass repeatedly through the volumes such that they also pass into and out from the target ion trap without being trapped. Potentials may be used to reflect the ions from respective ends of the ion trapping assembly. Optionally, a potential well and/or gas-assisted cooling may be used to cause the ions to settle in the target ion trap.
US07847238B2
A method and system for micromanipulation of objects of any shape. The method and system creates various forms of holographic optical traps for a variety of commercial purposes. Some alternate forms of traps include a dark form of optical traps, optical vortices with different helical winding numbers and optical traps with variable phase profiles imprinted thereon.
US07847234B2
A preferred embodiment comprises a method and system for (a) detecting objects or targets which may or may not be nonreflective to electromagnetic radiation, and/or (b) generating an image of a subject or area, comprising generating an entangled photon pair beam; splitting the entangled photon pair beam into first and second parts; the first parts being directed in a first direction towards a first location, and the second parts being received into a measuring device; measuring the physical characteristics of the conjugate second parts to determine whether or not the first parts have encountered the presence or absence of an object at the first location in combination with the time that the first part takes to enter the first location. The method and system incorporate a photon beam in a reference path that never directly interacts with the object yet is determinative of presence or absence of an object at the first location. The splitting of the entangled photon pair beam occurs prior to the first parts being absorbed by said object, and the measuring of the characteristics of the conjugates occurs subsequent to the splitting of the entangled photon beam.
US07847232B2
A vacuum vessel is configured by hermetically joining a faceplate to one end of a side tube and a stem to the other end via a tubular member. A photocathode, a focusing electrode, dynodes, a drawing electrode, and anodes are arranged within the vacuum vessel. The tubular member is disposed on the periphery of the stem, and supporting pins and lead pins penetrate and are fixed to an extending section that protrudes from the tubular member. The supporting pins and the lead pins are arranged in cutout portions of the dynodes and the drawing electrode, thereby allowing effective areas of each electrode to be enlarged. Further, protuberant sections are formed on the connecting sections of each pin with the stem, thereby facilitating thickness control of the stem.
US07847223B2
A metallurgically formed fluid circuit joint includes a hollow fitting (298), a tubular conduit (297), and a metallurgically formed tube/fitting mesh (296). The tube/fitting mesh (296) includes a fitting portion of the hollow fitting (298) and a tube portion of the tubular conduit (297) that is electromagnetically formed with the fitting portion.
US07847220B2
A steam generator capable of preventing scale contained in air bubbles and water droplets generated in the course of boiling water by a heater from entering a steam ejection hole and a heating cooking apparatus having the steam generator is provided. The steam generator includes a steam container to store water and having at least one steam ejection hole formed at an upper location thereof, a heater adapted to heat the water stored in the steam container so as to generate steam, and a barrier unit provided below the steam ejection hole and adapted to prevent the air bubbles from entering the steam ejection hole. The barrier unit includes a base plate having a plurality of steam passage holes and a web plate coming into close contact with an inner wall surface of the steam container.
US07847215B2
A beam-catching device is provided for a cutting-beam processing machine configured to deliver a cutting beam to a workpiece. The beam-catching device includes a housing which has a line-like opening pointing toward the cutting beam, the cutting beam discharging from the underside of the workpiece during processing of the workpiece and entering the housing through the opening, and a solid medium disposed within the housing and configured to move relative to the opening of the housing in a direction crossing the cutting beam in order to absorb energy.
US07847212B2
The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a molding through generative processing methods, in particular through selective laser melting, wherein a model of a molding is built from a powder material according to CAD data, wherein an application unit is used to apply a powder layer and the powder layer applied is fixed to a layer arranged there under or a base plate by means of radiation, characterized in that prior to applying a first layer onto a build platform or a base plate, a sensor assembly having a sensor level which is located in relation to the levelling level of a levelling assembly for the applied powder layer is allocated to the build platform or the base plate, the build platform or the base plate is moved in relation to the sensor assembly until the sensor assembly emits a signal for stopping the build platform to a drive in an intermediate position, and starting from the intermediate position, the build platform or the base plate is moved by a distance to adjust the layer thickness of the first powder layer and is positioned in a starting position.
US07847210B2
This application relates to a plasma torch assembly comprising a plurality of tubes; a collar integral with at least one tube comprising a first abutment surface; a base for holding the tubes during operation of the torch comprising a portion for receiving the collar and a second abutment; and co-operating interlocking portions for removably urging the first and second abutment surfaces together by relative rotation of the interlocking portions wherein the first and second abutment surfaces comprise a complimentary taper for aligning the collar in concentric formation with at least one other tube on the base by co-operation of the interlocking portions.
US07847209B2
A method of forming a metal oxide film by the plasma CVD method and which includes reacting chiefly an organometal by a glow discharge in a low output region and, then, reacting the organometal with an oxidizing gas by the glow discharge in a high-output region to form a metal oxide film on the surface of a plastic substrate via an organic layer. This method forms a thin film having excellent adhesiveness, softness and flexibility on the surface of a plastic substrate relying on the plasma CVD method.
US07847208B2
Methods for performing manual laser deposition are provided. In this regard, a representative method includes: directing a laser beam at a first deposit location of a substrate to re-melt: at least a portion of a first deposit of weld filler, at least a portion of a second deposit of weld filler located at a second deposit location that partially overlaps the first deposit, and at least a portion of the substrate.
US07847206B2
Improvements are disclosed for further processing of a mail piece initially rejected from an automatic sorting machine. In the case of a window envelope, the envelope is rotated or inverted, shaken, and rotated to reposition the insert. Address recognition is repeated, and additional techniques are applied if an address is not quickly resolved. Additional processing may be carried out on a reject processing machine.
US07847204B2
A multicolor transparent computer keyboard for operating a computer in a dark environment includes transparent keypads each on a top including spaced transparent color layers occupying four corners and being different in color from each other, an opaque layer on the color layers and having portions overlapped with the color layers being removed, and characters printed on the opaque layer; bridges pivotably interconnecting the key caps and an underlying transparent frame plate; a PCB under the frame plate; and a luminescence panel under the PCB and including cells each below the key cap, each cell including regions of different colors and adapted to electrically activate to upward emit light which is adapted to show multi-color when passing a gap between the color layers and show a backlit color when passing one of the color layers. The backlit color of each color layer is different from that of another color layer.
US07847187B2
The invention relates to a photovoltaic cell comprising a photovoltaically active semiconductor material, wherein the photovoltaically active semiconductor material is a p- or n-doped semiconductor material comprising a binary compound of the formula (I) or a ternary compound of the formula (II): ZnTe (I) Zn1-xMnxTe (II) where x is from 0.01 to 0.99, and a particular proportion of tellurium ions in the photovoltaically active semiconductor material has been replaced by halogen ions and nitrogen ions and the halogen ions are selected from the group consisting of fluoride, chloride and bromide and mixtures thereof.
US07847185B2
A light-weight photovoltaic system includes a substructure and a plurality of substantially rectangular photovoltaic modules arranged in a mutually abutting relationship in rows and columns. Each photovoltaic module includes a photovoltaic panel disposed with a predetermined spacing on a self-supporting lightweight board disposed on the substructure. The lightweight board is water pervious and formed from a substantially water repellant material. A frame member is disposed on opposite sides of each photovoltaic panel and includes a recess. A clamping system including a clamping block with an extension at opposite surfaces thereof is provided for insertion into the recesses of the frame members of abutting photovoltaic panels. A tension cable system including a tension cable extends along at least one of the rows and columns. The clamping system and the tension cable system secure an intersection between the rows and columns of the abutting photovoltaic modules.
US07847182B2
A sun tracking system includes a first, and a second photo sensors, separately mounted on a solar panel on two positions apart from one another and symmetrical with respect to a center of the panel. A first sleeve surrounds the first photosensor; a second sleeve surrounds the second photosensor. Each of the sleeves has an inclined opening with reference to the surface of the panel.
US07847181B2
A power generating system is integrated within an exterior shell or façade of a building structure. The system components—energy generating devices (which can be photovoltaic), control units and associated power/signal wiring are incorporated and operated within individual unitized curtain wall units making up the façade.
US07847180B2
A photovoltaic nanostructure according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electrically conductive nanocable coupled to a first electrode, a second electrode extending along at least two sides of the nanocable, and a photovoltaically active p-n junction formed between the nanocable and the second electrode. A photovoltaic array according to one embodiment includes a plurality of photovoltaic nanostructures as recited above. Methods for forming nanostructures are also presented.
US07847174B2
In a plurality of rooms, hubs are installed to build a star-shaped LAN, and tone-generation-related devices, such as a keyboard, tone generator device and speaker, are connected to the respective hubs. For example, in an internal network, the keyboard is logically connected to an input side of the tone generator device and a speaker is connected to an output side of the tone generator device, so as to build a tone generation system. The tone-generation-related devices are provided with respective network adaptors so that they can be readily connected to the LAN. Communication is carried out between the tone-generation-related devices, using a communication protocol intended for retransmission control. Each of the tone-generation-related devices is in the form of a processor device, which executes a program corresponding to a function of a desired processing element to thereby implement the desired processing element. Once a given tone-generation-related device, implementing a plurality of processing elements, is connected to the network, an internal connection between the processing elements is canceled.
US07847141B2
The invention relates to a process for converting a hydrocarbon charge of linear and branched olefins, comprises the following stages: a) a stage of membrane separation of the hydrocarbon charge under conditions making it possible to produce a cut β containing the majority of the linear olefins present in said charge, and a cut γ containing the majority of the branched olefins, b) a stage of treatment of the linear olefins contained in the effluents originating from the membrane separation stage (cut β) under moderate oligomerization conditions, c) a stage of distillation separation of the effluents originating from the oligomerization stage into at least two cuts, d) a stage of hydrogenation of the cut η under conditions for obtaining a gas oil with a high cetane number.
US07847140B2
A process is disclosed for making higher olefins by oligomerization of a lower olefin e.g ethylene, to higher olefins, using catalytic distillation conditions. Simultaneously and interdependently, the lower olefin is catalytically oligomerized to higher olefins, and said higher olefins are separated and recovered as liquid.
US07847137B2
A process for aromatic transalkylation and olefin reduction of a feed stream is disclosed. Transalkylation conditions provide a product having increased xylene concentration and reduced olefin concentration relative to the feed. The process may be used in a xylene production facility to minimize or avoid the necessity of feedstock pretreatment such as hydrotreating, hydrogenation, or treating with clay and/or molecular sieves.
US07847133B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing an alcoholic solution of an alkali metal alkoxide from alkali metal hydroxide and alcohol in a reaction column, the alcohol and the alkali metal hydroxide being conducted in countercurrent, which is characterized in that a reflux ratio of at least 0.05 is established in the reaction column.
US07847130B2
An additive for improving the rate of catalysis in biphasic reaction systems is disclosed. The additive is an ionic molecule comprising an organic cation such as a heterocyclic compound or a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium cation, and an anion which may be organic or inorganic. A process for improved catalysis in an aqueous biphasic system wherein the catalyst is substantially dissolved in the aqueous phase and the substrate is substantially contained in the non-aqueous phase is also described. A suitable additive is 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium halide. Examples of suitable catalytic reactions include the hydrogenation, hydrosilation, hydroboration, hydrovinylation, hydroformylation, oxidation and hydroxycarbonylation of alkenes, and Heck, Suzuki, Stille, and Sonigashira coupling.
US07847127B2
Disclosed herein is a novel process for preparation of atovaquone. The process includes reacting 1,4-naphthoquinone with trans-4-(4-chlorophenyl) cyclohexane carboxylic acid followed by halogenation to obtain a dihalo-compound. Further, dehydrohalogenation of the dihalo-compound produces a monohalogeno-compound which under goes hydrolysis to produce atovaquone. The invention also discloses atovaquone in a substantially pure and well defined polymorphic form designated as “Form IPCA-ATO,” and the preparation thereof.
US07847126B2
The invention relates to a process for synthesizing tertiary phosphines by reacting halophosphines with organomagnesium compounds in the presence of copper compounds and optionally of salts.
US07847121B2
Disclosed are processes and apparatus for producing a carboxylic acid. The processes employ a concentration section disposed before and/or after a product isolation section, which allows for oxidation byproducts produced in the process to exit the product isolation section with the isolated carboxylic acid product and/or to be combined with the isolated carboxylic acid product downstream of the product isolation section at a rate of at least about 15 percent of the net make rate of the oxidation byproducts in the production process.
US07847115B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing porous organic frameworks by reaction of a reaction mixture in a liquid phase comprising the appropriate starting compounds in the presence of a nonaqueous organic solvent in the presence of and/or with liberation of water, wherein the latter is withdrawn from the liquid phase of the reaction mixture during the reaction. Here, frameworks having relatively high specific surface areas can be obtained in a reproducible way.
US07847111B2
A semisynthetic route has been provided in the preparation of docetaxel and paclitaxel. This new process involves the conversion of 9-dihydro-13-acetylbaccatin III to docetaxel and paclitaxel by the step of converting 9-dihydro-13-acetylbaccatin III into 7-O-triethylsilyl-9,10-diketobaccatin III, and adding docetaxel and paclitaxel side chain precursors, respectively, to form a new class of taxane intermediates, such as 7-O-triethylsilyl-9,10-diketodocetaxel and 7-O-triethylsilyl-9,10-diketopaclitaxeltaxel. These new intermediates then by a series reduction, acetylation of the 10-hydroxyl position for paclitaxel and finally deprotection to yield docetaxel and paclitaxel, the most important anti-cancer drugs.
US07847110B2
The invention relates to a method for producing optionally substituted methylenedioxybenzene. The invention particularly relates to the production of methylenedioxybenzene. The inventive production method is characterized by the fact that it involves the reaction of an optionally substituted catechol with an aldehyde in the presence of a solid acid catalyst selected among: a titanium silicalite and a zeolite that is doped with tin and/or titanium.
US07847102B2
A novel compound, used for example, as a gas generating fuel, is defined as a compound having the structural formula of R3—R1—R2, wherein R1 is a urea group, R2 is a tetrazolyl group with a C—N bond to the urea group, and R3 may be defined as a non-tetrazolyl, triazolyl, heterocyclic, heterocyclic amine, aliphatic, aliphatic amine, aryl, alkyl, hydrogen, or nitrogen group linked to the free nitrogen on the urea group. A method of making the compound is also provided. A gas generating composition 12 containing the novel compound as a fuel, and an oxidizer is also provided. The novel compound may be contained within a gas generant composition 12, within a gas generator 10. The gas generator 10 may be contained within a gas generating system such as an airbag inflator 10 or seat belt assembly 150, or more broadly within a vehicle occupant protection system 180.
US07847096B2
The invention relates to novel aminophenylmorpholinone derivates (I) in which S represents an optionally substituted morpholinone radical, to a process for their preparation and to their use.
US07847093B2
This invention provides processes for preparing cefepime, including crystalline intermediates of Formula V.
US07847088B2
The methods and compositions of the invention find use in the clinical diagnosis of cholestasis related syndromes, particularly PFIC types 1, 2, and 3; BRIC types 1 and 2; Alagille syndrome, and alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency. The compositions of the invention include isolated nucleic acid molecules and oligonucleotide pairs suitable for use in amplifying regions of cholestasis related genes. Compositions of the invention include a cholestasis related gene resequencing microarray suitable for determining the nucleotide sequence of a region of a cholestasis related gene. Knowledge of the nucleotide sequence of one or more regions of a patient's cholestasis related gene allows diagnosis of the patient's syndrome.
US07847083B2
The aromatic compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline is the major potent flavor component of all aromatic rice. This present invention provides nucleic acids associated with grain aroma, including isolated nucleic acids containing SEQ ID NO:2 and cells containing such nucleic acids. These nucleic acids encode betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH2).
US07847079B2
The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.
US07847071B2
A novel method for selectively removing leaked protein A from antibody purified by means of protein A affinity chromatography is disclosed.
US07847069B2
Antibodies selectively directed against SUM04 polypeptides are provided. The antibodies are useful research tools and further in the diagnosis and treatment of Type 1 diabetes.
US07847068B2
The present invention includes fully human, neutralizing, monoclonal antibodies against human Insulin-like Growth Factor Receptor-I (IGFR1). The antibodies are useful for treating or preventing cancer in a subject. Also included are methods of using and producing the antibodies of the invention.
US07847066B2
The present invention relates to methods for detecting, quantifying and high throughput screening of donor-products and the catalytic activities generating the donor-products in group-transfer reactions. The invention further provides immunoassays, antibodies and kits that may be used to practice the methods of the invention.
US07847061B2
Intestinal absorption is enhanced in short bowel syndrome patients presenting with colon-in-continuity by treatment with a GLP-2 receptor agonist, such as teduglutide.
US07847053B2
A multi-level tubular reactor operable to facilitate a chemical reaction in a reaction medium flowing therethrough. The tubular reactor can include a plurality of horizontally elongated and vertically spaced reactor segments coupled to and extending outwardly from a common header. One or more of the reactor segments can contain a tray that divides the internal volume of the reactor segment into upper and lower chambers. The reaction medium can flow away from the header in the upper chambers and back to the header in the lower chambers.
US07847034B2
The present invention relates to adducts useful for improving the toughness and curable compositions using such toughening adducts. In a particular aspect, the present invention relates to inventive toughening adducts and curable compositions having improved fracture toughness using those toughening adducts.
US07847030B2
Provided is a process for making a diphenylamine-functionalized poly-α-olefin. The process has the following step: reacting an amount of a poly-α-olefin having a terminal double bond with a diphenylamine in the presence of a catalyst. The poly-α-olefin has a terminal double bond having a number average molecular weight of 120 to 600. The ratio of poly-α-olefin to diphenylamine is 1.0:1.0 to 10.0:1.0. Provided is also a diphenylamine-functionalized poly-α-olefin product.
US07847027B2
The present invention discloses a method of making core-shell polymer particles, comprising forming a linking-group-containing polymer by derivatizing a hydroxy-group-containing polymer, comprising hydroxy groups on adjacent carbon atoms with a linking agent, that is a compound comprising both an aldehyde moiety and an amine moiety, wherein one or more acetal moieties are formed in the linking-group-containing polymer, each acetal formed by the reaction of the aldehyde moiety in the linking agent with two hydroxy groups in the linking-group-containing polymer, wherein the amine moiety then becomes a linking group pendent from the linking-group-containing polymer, wherein the linking group is capable of reacting with a precursor group in the precursor polymer. Also disclosed are compositions comprising insoluble core-shell particles made by the method.
US07847012B2
A thermally expandable vinyl chloride resin composition is provided. It includes (A) 100 parts by mass of a vinyl chloride resin, (B) 5 to 200 parts by mass of an inorganic filler, (C) 10 to 300 parts by mass of a thermally expandable graphite, (D) 0.1 to 10 parts by mass of a fluororesin, and (E) 10 to 300 parts by mass of a phosphorus compound. The composition exhibits favorable thermal expansion properties and favorable shape retention following thermal expansion upon exposure to high temperatures.
US07846999B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition which is excellent in antistatic property of a non-electrification-prevented adherend (subject to be protected) upon peeling, and has reduced stainability in an adherend and is excellent in adhesion reliance, and electrification preventing pressure-sensitive adhesive sheets using the same. There is provided a pressure-sensitive composition comprising an ionic liquid, and a (meth)acryl-based polymer containing, as a monomer component, 0.1 to 100% by weight of a (meth)acrylic acid alkylene oxide. In addition, there is provided a pressure-sensitive composition comprising an ionic liquid, and a polymer containing, as a monomer component, 0.5 to 30% by weight of a nitrogen-containing monomer and having a glass transition temperature Tg of no higher than 0° C. Furthermore, there is provided a pressure-sensitive composition comprising an ionic liquid, and a (meth)acryl-based polymer containing, as a monomer component, 0.01 to 20% by weight of a reactive surfactant.
US07846998B2
Disclosed is an encapsulation epoxy resin material containing an epoxy resin (A) and a curing agent (B). The epoxy resin (A) contains a compound represented by the general formula (I) below. The encapsulation epoxy resin material has excellent reliability in flame retardance, formability, reflow resistance, moisture resistance, high-temperature shelf characteristics and the like, and is suitably used for encapsulation of a VLSI. Also disclosed is an electronic component comprising an element encapsulated with such a material. (I) (In the general formula (I), R1s may be the same or different and respectively represent one selected from substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon groups having 1-12 carbon atoms and substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy groups having 1-12 carbon atoms; n represents an integer of 0-4; R2s may be the same or different and respectively represent one selected from substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon groups having 1-12 carbon atoms and substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy groups having 1-12 carbon atoms; and m represents an integer of 0-6.)
US07846996B2
New polymer concentrates on the basis of polymer additives, like e.g. fillers and flame-retardants, are provided which have in particular an increased bulk density compared to the polymer additives as such. This increased bulk density leads to a substantial improvement in the processability of such concentrates, their dispersibility during compounding and the properties of the resulting polymer compound. Processing improvements include less dust, faster processing and more homogeneous additive dispersion. The invention also provides a process for preparing such new polymer concentrates, a process for preparing polymer compounds containing the new polymer concentrates, the respective polymer compounds and a process for preparing formed parts thereof. Such formed parts have more uniform properties such as density, wall thickness, and in case of the flame-retardants more homogeneous and consistent flame retardancy.
US07846986B2
Process for recovering at least one polymer in solution in a solvent by precipitation by means of a non-solvent introduced gradually into the solution to form the precipitation medium, whereby: in the course of the introduction of the non-solvent into the precipitation medium, there is first a phase separation (into a continuous phase rich in solvent, in which the polymer is dissolved, and into a disperse phase, consisting of droplets rich in non-solvent) and then there is a phase inversion (the continuous phase then becoming the phase rich in non-solvent, and the disperse phase becoming the phase rich in solvent containing the dissolved polymer) the non-solvent is initially introduced into the precipitation medium in liquid form only and in a quantity (Q′) which is not zero but is less than the quantity (Q) required to bring about the phase inversion, and is subsequently introduced into the precipitation medium at least partly in vapour form.
US07846982B2
The present invention relates to a proton-conducting electrolyte membrane obtainable by a process comprising the steps: A) swelling a polymer film with a liquid comprising a vinyl-containing sulphonic acid and B) polymerising the vinyl-containing sulphonic acid present in liquid introduced in step A). A membrane according to the invention is very versatile on account of its excellent chemical and thermal properties and may be used, in particular, as a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) in what are known as PEM fuel cells.
US07846980B2
Anion-conducing polymers and membranes with enhanced stability to aqueous alkali include a polymer backbone with attached sulfonium, phosphazenium, phosphazene, and guanidinium residues. Compositions also with enhanced stability to aqueous alkali include a support embedded with sulfonium, phosphazenium, and guanidinium salts.
US07846978B2
The present invention relates to a method of producing methanol from a methane source by oxidizing methane under conditions sufficient to a mixture of methanol and formaldehyde while minimizing the formation of formic acid and carbon dioxide. The oxidation step is followed by treatment step in which formaldehyde is converted into methanol and formic acid which itself can further be converted into methanol via catalytic hydrogenation of intermediately formed methyl formate.
US07846973B2
The present invention relates to the preparation of a β2 adrenergic agonist in crystalline salt form. In particular the invention relates to preparation of a crystalline salt of compound (I) in particular a crystalline monohydrochloride salt. The invention also relates to a new crystalline form (polymorph) of the monohydrochloride salt of compound (Ia) and a process for preparing it.
US07846969B2
A process for the production of a stabilized ceramide emulsion by adding one or more ceramides of Formula (2) to one or more sphingosines of Formula (1), and then adding an acidic compound and water to form one or more sphingosine salts, wherein the sphingosine salts emulsify the ceramides to form the emulsion.
US07846966B2
The invention provides chroman compounds having formula 1 wherein R1 is (1C-4C)alkyl, (2C-4C)alkenyl or (2C-4C)alkynyl, and independently R1 has a cis-orientation in relation to the exocyclic phenyl group at the 2-position of the skeleton; R4 is H, Hal, CF3, OH or (1C-2C)alkyloxy; R2, R3, and R5 are independently H, Hal, CF3, (1C-4C)alkyl, (2C-4C)alkenyl or (2C-4C)alkynyl and prodrugs thereof for the manufacture of a medicine for estrogen-receptor related treatments.
US07846960B2
Compounds of formula wherein variables are as defined herein and their pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are disclosed as useful for treating dyslipidemia and related diseases.
US07846956B2
The present invention provides a malononitrile compound represented by the formula (I): wherein any one of X1, X2, X3 and X4 is CR100, wherein R100 is a group represented by the formula: the other three of X1, X2, X3 and X4 each represent nitrogen or CR5, provided that 1 to 3 of X1, X2, X3 and X4 represent nitrogen, and Z represents oxygen, sulfur or NR6, which has pest-controlling activity.
US07846954B2
The present invention relates to heterocyclic derivatives useful as inhibitors of ion channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders.
US07846945B2
Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them are disclosed that may be useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders such as diabetes and obesity.
US07846944B2
The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of protein kinase mediated diseases, including inflammation and related conditions. The compounds have a general Formula I wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, B, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are defined herein. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions including one or more compounds of Formula I, uses of such compounds and compositions for treatment of P38 map kinase mediated diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pain and other inflammatory disorders, as well as intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of Formula I.
US07846943B2
The present invention provides compounds which have an inhibitory effect on hormone-sensitive lipase or endothelial lipase. The compounds of the invention are azolopyridin-2-one derivatives of the general formula I wherein the substituents are as defined herein. The compounds of formula I wherein R2 is hydrogen are distinguished by favorable effects on disorders of lipid metabolism. They beneficially influence the HDL to LDL ratio and increase in particular the HDL level and are suitable for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemias and metabolic syndrome and their diverse sequelae such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, obesity and diabetes. The compounds of formula I wherein R1 and R2 together form a ring system are distinguished by favorable effects on metabolic disorders. They beneficially influence lipid and sugar metabolism; in particular they lower the triglyceride level and are suitable for the prevention and treatment of type II diabetes and arteriosclerosis and the diverse sequelae thereof.
US07846942B2
A phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitor serving as an effective prophylactic or therapeutic agent for Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia.The PDE10A inhibitor contains as an active ingredient a pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine derivative represented by the following general formula: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbons; and R3 is a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbons, or a lower alkoxyl group having 1 to 3 carbons.
US07846916B2
A composition for transdermal administration resulting from an admixture includes: a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutically active agent that includes a corresponding steroid and a steroid derivative; and a carrier for the pharmaceutically active agent. The steroid and the corresponding steroid derivative are present in a weight ratio of 10:1 to 1:10 steroid: corresponding steroid derivative. In a preferred embodiment ratio is 6:1 to 1:6. In a preferred embodiment, the corresponding steroid derivative is a steroid ester. In another preferred embodiment, the carrier is a polymer that includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
US07846915B2
The present disclosure provides non-naturally occurring polyphenol compounds that upregulate the expression of Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I). The disclosed compositions and methods can be used for treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease and related disease states, including cholesterol or lipid related disorders, such as, e.g., atherosclerosis.
US07846898B2
The present invention provides a method of increasing neural stem cell numbers or neurogenesis by using a pheromone, a luteinizing hormone (LH) and/or a human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). The method can be practiced in vivo to obtain more neural stem cells in situ, which can in turn produce more neurons or glial cells to compensate for lost or dysfunctional neural cells. The method can also be practiced in vitro to produce a large number of neural stem cells in culture. The cultured stem cells can be used, for example, for transplantation treatment of patients or animals suffering from or suspected of having neurodegenerative diseases or conditions.
US07846897B2
A method of inhibiting the binding between N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and neuronal proteins in a neuron the method comprising administering to the neuron an effective inhibiting amount of a peptide replacement agent for the NMDA receptor or neuronal protein interaction domain that effect said inhibition of the NMDA receptor neuronal protein. The method is of value in reducing the damaging effect of injury to mammalian cells. Postsynaptic density-95 protein (PSD-95) couples neuronal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) to pathways mediating excitotoxicity and ischemic brain damage. This coupling was disrupted by transducing neurons with peptides that bind to modular domains on either side of the PSD-95/NMDAR interaction complex. This treatment attenuated downstream NMDAR signaling without blocking NMDAR activity, protected cultured cortical neurons from excitotoxic insults and dramatically reduced cerebral infarction volume in rats subjected to transient focal cerebral ischemia. The treatment was effective when applied either before, or one hour after, the onset of excitotoxicity in vitro and cerebral ischemia in vivo. This approach prevents negative consequences associated with blocking NMDAR activity and constitutes practical therapy for stroke.
US07846888B2
Compositions and methods for decontaminating surfaces are disclosed. More specifically, compositions and methods for decontamination using a composition capable of generating a long lasting foam are disclosed. Compositions may include a surfactant and gelatin and have a pH of less than about 6. Such compositions may further include affinity-shifting chemicals. Methods may include decontaminating a contaminated surface with a composition or a foam that may include a surfactant and gelatin and have a pH of less than about 6.
US07846884B2
Lubricating oil compositions containing (a) at least one oil of lubricating viscosity and (b) an effective amount of at least one thio-functionalized phenylenediamine compound of the general formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and n are as defined herein are provided. Methods of operating an engine employing the lubricating oil composition are also provided.
US07846876B2
The present invention relates to a surfactant composition containing a cationic surfactant (hereinafter referred to as a compound (A)), one or more compounds (hereinafter referred to as a compound (B)) selected from anionic aromatic compounds and bromide compounds and a cationic polymer (C), wherein compound (A) and (B) are selected when meeting the following condition: a combination of the compounds (A) and (B) ensures that that the viscosity (20° C.) of a solution prepared by mixing an aqueous solution SA of the compound (A) and an aqueous solution SB of the compound (B) in the same ratio is at least two times the viscosity of any one of the aqueous solutions (20° C.) before being mixed.
US07846874B2
The invention relates to the direct selection of metabolic pathways having a determined function in the transformation of a substrate {Ai} into a target product {B}, which is of interest in the industrial, pharmaceutical or agri-food sectors. More specifically, the invention relates to the detection, within metagenomic libraries, of novel biosynthesis pathways involved in a biochemical reaction having a known product {B}. The selection and characterization of said novel metabolic pathways enables {B} to be produced enzymatically. The invention provides an alternative to the chemical synthesis of the molecule in question {B}. Moreover, and above all, the invention can be used specifically to target and exploit the only metabolic pathways enabling the transformation of {Ai} into {B}, while eliminating the associated metabolic pathways that can catabolise the target product {B}.
US07846873B2
This invention relates to a method to use synergistic composition made of a herbicidally effective amount of a propanil-based product, such as Super Wham® and the at least one ACCase inhibitor herbicide such as Clincher® in an amount sufficient to facilitate the herbicidal activity of the propanil-based herbicide. It has been found that this synergistic composition, when applied to a field of rice, allows a reduction in the amount of herbicide needed, greater flexibility in timing of the application and broad spectrum of weed control.
US07846856B2
Fibers that durably contain antimicrobial materials such that the antimicrobial materials are resistant to being abraided away or washed off during use. The antimicrobial materials contained in the fibers are not prone to the development of resistant strains of bacteria. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the fibers.
US07846850B2
Method of fabricating insulation layer and method of fabricating semiconductor device using the same
A method for fabricating an insulation layer includes forming an insulation layer over a nitride layer using a silicon source and a phosphorus source, wherein the insulation layer includes a first insulation layer contacting the nitride layer and a second insulation layer formed on the first insulation layer, wherein the first insulation layer is formed using a higher flow rate of the silicon source and a lower flow rate of the phosphorus source than used with the second insulation layer.
US07846844B2
A method for fabricating a saddle type fin transistor includes: preparing a substrate where a device isolation structure is already formed; forming a hard mask pattern over the substrate, the hard mask pattern including a coating layer obtained through a coating method; and performing an etching process using the hard mask pattern as an etch mask to form a saddle type fin. The hard mask pattern may be formed in a stack structure including an amorphous carbon layer and the coating layer.
US07846843B2
A process for manufacturing a semiconductor device using a spacer as an etch mask for forming a fine pattern is described. The process includes forming a hard mask layer over a target layer that is desired to be etched. A sacrificial layer pattern is subsequently formed over the hard mask layer. Spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the sacrificial layer pattern. The protective layer is formed on the hard mask layer portions between the sacrificial patterns formed with the spacer. The sacrificial layer pattern and the protective layer are then later removed, respectively. The hard mask layer is etched using the spacer as an etching mask. After etching, the spacer is removed. Finally, the target layer is etched using the etched hard mask as an etching mask.
US07846842B2
The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising a cationic abrasive, a cationic polymer, a carboxylic acid, and water. The invention further provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with the aforementioned polishing composition. The polishing composition exhibits selectivity for removal of silicon nitride over removal of silicon oxide.
US07846840B2
In one embodiment, a method for forming a tungsten material on a substrate surface is provide which includes positioning a substrate within a deposition chamber, heating the substrate to a deposition temperature, and exposing the substrate sequentially to diborane and a tungsten precursor gas to form a tungsten nucleation layer on the substrate during an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. The method further provides exposing the substrate to a deposition gas comprising hydrogen gas and the tungsten precursor gas to form a tungsten bulk layer over the tungsten nucleation layer during a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. Examples are provided which include ALD and CVD processes that may be conducted in the same deposition chamber or in different deposition chambers.
US07846839B2
An adhesion between a Cu diffusion barrier film and a Cu wiring in a semiconductor device is improved and reliability of the semiconductor device is improved. A film forming method for forming a Cu film on a substrate to be processed is provided with a first process of forming an adhesion film on the Cu diffusion barrier film formed on the substrate to be processed, and a second process of forming a Cu film on the adhesion film. The adhesion film includes Pd.
US07846838B2
The invention relates to a method for producing an electronic component on a surface of a substrate with the electronic component having, seen at right angles to the surface of the substrate, at least two electrical functional layers which are arranged one above the other and such that they overlap at least in a surface area F, with the at least two electrical functional layers on the substrate being structured directly or indirectly using a continuous process, with a first electrical functional layer of the at least two electrical functional layers being structured such that a first length/width dimension of the first electrical functional layer parallel to the surface of the substrate and in a relative movement direction of the substrate is at least 5 μm longer/wider, preferably more than 1 mm longer/wider, than a length/width dimension of the surface area F in the relative movement direction and parallel to the surface of the substrate.
US07846827B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a plug on a semiconductor substrate, forming an insulation layer over the semiconductor substrate having the plug formed thereon, defining a line type trench through a first etching of a partial thickness of the insulation layer; and defining a contact hole through a second etching of a portion of the insulation layer corresponding to the bottom of the trench so as to expose the plug.
US07846814B2
A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a substrate and providing a detach region which is carried by the substrate. A device structure which includes a stack of crystalline semiconductor layers is provided, wherein the detach region is positioned between the device structure and substrate. The stack is processed to form a vertically oriented semiconductor device.
US07846813B2
A method for forming bonded substrates includes providing a plurality of substrates, each of which having a top surface. A characteristic length for each of the plurality of substrates is determined by: determining a topographical profile of the top surface of the substrate from an interior portion to an edge portion along a radial direction, determining a highest point of the profile, and defining the characteristic length as a distance from the highest point to the edge portion. A first substrate and a second substrate are selected where at least one of the first or the second substrates has a characteristic length shorter than a predetermined length. The first substrate and the second substrate are brought into contact and form bonded substrates, with the top surface of the first substrate facing the top surface of the second substrate.
US07846811B2
In a process for manufacturing a SOI wafer, the following steps are envisaged: forming, in a monolithic body of semiconductor material having a front face, a buried cavity, which extends at a distance from the front face and delimits, with the front face, a surface region of the monolithic body, the surface region being surrounded by a bulk region and forming a flexible membrane suspended above the buried cavity; forming, through the monolithic body, at least one access passage, which reaches the buried cavity; and filling the buried cavity uniformly with an insulating region. The surface region is continuous and formed by a single portion of semiconductor material, and the buried cavity is contained and completely insulated within the monolithic body; the step of forming at least one access passage is performed after the step of forming a buried cavity.
US07846809B2
A method for forming a capacitor of a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming first and second sacrificial insulation layers over a semiconductor substrate divided into first and second regions. The second and first sacrificial insulation layers in the first region are etched to define in the first region of the semiconductor substrate. Storage nodes on surfaces of the holes are formed. A partial thickness of the second sacrificial insulation layer is etched to partially expose upper portions of the storage nodes. A mask pattern is formed to cover the first region while exposing the second sacrificial insulation layer remaining in the second region. The exposed second sacrificial insulation layer in the second region is removed to expose the first sacrificial insulation layer in the second region. The exposed first sacrificial insulation layer in the second region and the first sacrificial insulation layer in the first region is removed. The mask pattern is removed. The second sacrificial insulation layer remaining in the first region is removed.
US07846802B2
Semiconductor structures and devices including strained material layers having impurity-free zones, and methods for fabricating same. Certain regions of the strained material layers are kept free of impurities that can interdiffuse from adjacent portions of the semiconductor. When impurities are present in certain regions of the strained material layers, there is degradation in device performance. By employing semiconductor structures and devices (e.g., field effect transistors or “FETs”) that have the features described, or are fabricated in accordance with the steps described, device operation is enhanced.
US07846789B2
A semiconductor device comprising a first transistor device on or in a semiconductor substrate and a second transistor device on or in the substrate. The device further comprises an insulating trench located between the first transistor device and the second transistor device. At least one upper corner of the insulating trench is a rounded corner in a lateral plane of the substrate.
US07846787B2
A method of manufacturing a transistor and a method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescence display are disclosed. When an amorphous silicon layer is crystallized, a silicon oxide layer formed on a polysilicon layer is subsequently patterned. Impurity ions are implanted into first and second regions of the amorphous silicon layer to form first and second doped regions. The silicon oxide layer is patterned so that the silicon oxide layer may be removed from an ohmic contact region of the polysilicon layer, and covers only a channel region of the polysilicon layer.
US07846780B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes arranging a melted resin on a substrate, arranging a semiconductor chip on the melted resin, pressing the semiconductor chip and flip-chip mounting the semiconductor chip on the substrate, and hardening the melted resin with the melted resin being subjected to a fluid pressure and forming a resin portion.
US07846775B1
Techniques for forming micro-array style packages are disclosed. A matrix of isolated contact posts are placed on an adhesive carrier. Dice are then mounted (directly or indirectly) on the carrier and each die is electrically connected to a plurality of associated contacts. The dice and portions of the contacts are then encapsulated in a manner that leaves at least bottom portions of the contacts exposed to facilitate electrical connection to external devices. The encapsulant serves to hold the contacts in place after the carrier has been removed.
US07846766B2
A diamond film formation method includes forming, in a composite of a metal material and a semiconductor material, diamond nuclei on a surface of the metal material at a temperature below 650° C. in a first mixed gas containing at least carbon and hydrogen, and growing the diamond nuclei formed in the composite at a temperature below 750° C. in a second mixed gas containing at least carbon and hydrogen to form a diamond film.
US07846752B2
An LED housing, in which a heat conducting part has a chip mounting area, a heat connecting area opposed to the chip mounting area and a neck between them. Fixing parts have first ends engaged with the neck. An electrical connecting part has a wire connecting area placed adjacent to the chip mounting area and an external power connecting area connected to the wire connecting area. A housing body of molding material integrally holds the heat conducting part, the fixing parts and the electrical connecting part while isolating the electrical connecting part from the heat conducting part. The LED housing fixes the neck of the heat conducting part at both sides, thereby stably coupling the heat conducting part to the housing body. The fixing parts can spread heat from the heat conducting part to lateral regions of the LED housing, thereby more efficiently spreading heat.
US07846748B2
The present invention provides methods of quantifying the amount or concentration of one or more peptides and/or proteins in one or more samples using differentially isotopically-labeled peptides and/or proteins. The invention also provides methods of identifying one or more peptides and/or proteins in one or more samples.
US07846746B2
We have discovered a new method to analyze and characterize complex cell signaling networks. The method is based on specific binding of protein-protein interaction modules to a single type of protein or a mixture of proteins. The method utilizes a number of different protein-protein interaction domains as probes or sensors for the signaling state of the system under investigation.
US07846743B2
The invention provides parylene membrane filters, filter devices and methods of making them and using them in the mechanical separation of cells and particles by size. The provision of parylene membrane filters with high figures of merit and finely controlled hole sizes allows the separation of cells and particles in a variety of biological and other fluids according to sizes.
US07846742B2
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting substance to be detected. The apparatus comprises at least one sampling member for sampling air contained in a closed space, the sampling member comprising at least one filter presenting pore or mesh size adapted to filtering solid particles of the substance to be detected that might be dispersed in the air contained in the closed space; the apparatus further comprising a pump (not shown) enabling the air contained in the closed space to be sucked in. The invention can be used for detecting a substance to be detected comprising, for example, an explosive or a narcotic.
US07846741B2
A method of manufacturing an analytical sample by a secondary ion mass spectrometry method is provided, which comprises a step of forming a separation layer over a substrate, a step of forming one of a thin film and a thin-film stack body to be analyzed over the separation layer, a step of forming an opening portion in one of the thin film and the thin-film stack body, a step of attaching a supporting body to one of a surface of the thin film and a surface of a top layer of the thin-film stack body, and a step of separating one of the thin film and the thin-film stack body from the substrate.
US07846735B2
Provided herein are compositions and methods for lipoprotein uptake assay. These compositions and methods may be used for lipoprotein uptake assays, including high-throughput assays. The disclosed compositions and method may further be used to characterize the activity agents that inhibit or stimulate lipoprotein uptake.
US07846730B2
Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of BCL2-associated X protein. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding BCL2-associated X protein. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of BCL2-associated X protein expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of BCL2-associated X protein are provided.
US07846728B2
The field of the present invention relates to a novel method for producing tissue or organ in a mammal by implanting in vivo a novel three dimensional biodegradable scaffold. The novel three dimensional biodegradable scaffolds overcome the barrier of developing large organs with tissue engineering.
US07846725B2
The present invention relates to a cell for the production of an antibody molecule such as an antibody useful for various diseases having high antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic activity, a fragment of the antibody and a fusion protein having the Fc region of the antibody or the like, wherein the expression of GDP-mannose 4,6-dehydrogenase is inhibited by RNA interference.
US07846723B2
The present invention provides methods of identifying and/or detecting anti-cancer agents. The present invention provides methods of identifying and/or detecting compounds that can activate PARP and/or induce necrosis. The present invention also provides for methods of treating cancer in an individual. The present invention also provides kits for identifying and/or detecting anti-cancer agents.
US07846722B2
Clostridial toxin substrates comprising a lanthanide donor complex, an acceptor, and a Clostridial toxin recognition sequence including a cleavage site; methods for determining the activity of a Clostridial toxin from a test sample using such Clostridial toxin substrates; cell compositions comprising such Clostridial toxin substrates and a Clostridial toxin receptor; and methods for determining the activity of a Clostridial toxin from a test sample using such cell compositions.
US07846721B2
Disclosed is a polynucleotide molecule comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a GAS1 secretion signal peptide, wherein said promoter is not a rhamnose promoter.
US07846719B2
A vector for expressing a soluble glutaminyl cyclase (QC) in bacterial cells is described. The vector contains a sequence encoding a fusion QC, which has a fusion protein tag selected from a Nus protein tag or a thioredoxin (Trx) tag, a QC, and a linker having at least one (His)x-tag between the QC and the fusion protein tag, in which x is an integer of at least 6. Methods for expressing a soluble glutaminyl cyclase (QC) by the vector are also described.
US07846712B2
An L-arabinose utilizing yeast strain is provided for the production of ethanol by introducing and expressing bacterial araA, araB and araD genes. L-arabinose transporters are also introduced into the yeast to enhance the uptake of arabinose. The yeast carries additional genomic mutations enabling it to consume L-arabinose, even as the only carbon source, and to produce ethanol. Methods of producing ethanol include utilizing these modified yeast strains.
US07846711B2
The invention concerns new isolated Lactobacillus cells, which are capable to aggregate Helicobacter pylori under culture conditions of the human digestive tract, in particular of the stomach, and to the uses of such cells.
US07846710B2
Methods of producing cyclic peptides and splicing intermediates of peptides in a looped conformation are disclosed. The methods utilize the trans-splicing ability of split inteins to catalyze cyclization of peptides from a precursor peptide having a target peptide interposed between two portions of a split intein. The interaction of the two portions of the split intein creates a catalytically-active intein and also forces the target peptide into a loop configuration that stabilizes the ester isomer of the amino acid at the junction between one of the intein portions and the target peptide. A heteroatom from the other intein portion then reacts with the ester to form a cyclic ester intermediate. The active intein catalyzes the formation of an aminosuccinimide that liberates a cyclized form of the target peptide, which spontaneously rearranges to form the thermodynamically favored backbone cyclic peptide product. Also disclosed are nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, methods for making cyclic peptides, methods of making libraries, and methods of screening peptides.
US07846705B2
The present invention provides an insertion, deletion and/or substitution mutein of wild-type Trichoderma reesei β-mannanase having enhanced thermostability, proteolytic stability, specific activity and/or stability at low pH, a nucleic acid molecule encoding said mannanase mutein, a composition comprising said mannanase mutein; a method for its preparation, and its use for food and feed processing, for coffee extraction and the processing of coffee waste, as a supplement to food and feed, for enzyme aided bleaching of paper pulps, as bleaching and/or desizing agent in textile industry, for oil and gas well stimulation by hydraulic fracturing, as detergent, for removal of biofilms and in delivery systems, or for the processing of renewable resources intended for the production of biological fuels.
US07846704B2
A mutation is introduced into the substrate-binding site of flap endonuclease to prepare a mutant with modified substrate specificity. Using the mutant as a reagent for the analysis of genetic polymorphism, the analysis of genetic polymorphism can be performed more accurately, easily and sensitively as compared with conventional methods.
US07846694B2
Provided is a method of producing a template DNA used for protein synthesis comprising a step of amplifying a linear double-stranded DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), by using a reaction solution comprising a first double-stranded DNA fragment comprising a sequence coding for a protein or a portion thereof, a second double-stranded DNA fragment comprising a sequence overlapping with the 5′ terminal region of the first DNA fragment, a third double-stranded DNA fragment comprising a sequence overlapping with the 3′ terminal region of the first DNA fragment, a sense primer which anneals with the 5′ terminal region of the second DNA fragment, and an anti-sense primer which anneals with the 3′ terminal region of the third DNA fragment, wherein the second DNA fragment comprises a regulatory sequence for transcription and translation of a gene, and the concentrations of the second DNA fragment and the third DNA fragment in the reaction solution each range from 5 to 2,500 pmol/L. The use of this method enables efficient production of a template DNA for expression and purification of a protein.
US07846691B2
The invention provides anti-FGF19 antibodies, and compositions comprising and methods of using these antibodies, methods using anti-FGF19 antibodies, and methods comprising detection of FGF19 and/or FGFR4.
US07846683B2
The present invention relates to a method for identifying an agent. for modulating cell growth or survival. The method involves the identification of an agent which modulates the net ratio of nuclear-localized versus cytosolic-localized H11 kinase or mutant H11 kinase in a cell. A method for diagnosing a cancer associated with H11 kinase or Akt activation in a subject is also provided.
US07846672B2
The present invention identifies autoantibodies to folate receptors. Methods to identify these autoantibodies to the human folate receptors are also provided. The present invention also contemplates diagnostic methods and test kits to be used in a clinical setting for identifying a subject at risk of folate-sensitive abnormalities or disorders as observed in neural tube defect complicated pregnancies. In addition, infertility, spontaneous abortion, male sterility, unsuccessful in vitro fertilization, neurologic disorders and impaired folate absorption may also be associated with these autoantibodies to folate receptors.
US07846666B2
The invention provides methods for amplification of RNA. The methods are particularly suitable for specifically amplifying RNA in the presence of DNA. The methods involve producing a marked first primer extension product from a target RNA in the presence of a DNA-dependent DNA polymerase inhibitor, which prevents replication of DNA by the reverse transcriptase enzyme. The marked nucleic acid products are subsequently selectively amplified in the presence on non-marked nucleic acids. The methods are useful for production and analysis of polynucleotide sequences complementary to an RNA sequence. The methods are useful for preparation of nucleic acid libraries and substrates for analysis of gene expression of cells in biological samples. The invention also provides compositions and kits for practicing the amplification methods, as well as methods which use the amplification products.
US07846659B2
The invention provides arrays of immobilized probes, and methods employing the arrays, for detecting mutations in the biotransformation genes, such as cytochromes P450. For example, one such array comprises four probe sets. A first probe set comprises a plurality of probes, each probe comprising a segment of at least three nucleotides exactly complementary to a subsequence of a reference sequence from a biotransformation gene, the segment including at least one interrogation position complementary to a corresponding nucleotide in the reference sequence. Second, third and fourth probe sets each comprise a corresponding probe for each probe in the first probe set. The probes in the second, third and fourth probe sets are identical to a sequence comprising the corresponding probe from the first probe set or a subsequence of at least three nucleotides thereof that includes the at least one interrogation position, except that the at least one interrogation position is occupied by a different nucleotide in each of the four corresponding probes from the four probe sets.
US07846654B2
This invention provides the use of an exine shell of a naturally occurring spore, or a fragment thereof, as an antioxidant, for instance in a composition or formulation containing an active substance. Also provided is a method for reducing rancidity, or other oxidative degradation, of a substance, composition, or formulation, by encapsulating the substance, composition, or formulation in, or chemically binding it to, or mixing it with, an exine shell of a naturally occurring spore or a fragment thereof.
US07846650B2
Devices, systems, and methods reduce levels of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators in blood by selective adsorption. The devices, systems, and methods are useful in situations where abnormal levels of or unregulated or excessive interaction among pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators occur, or during events that do induce or have the potential for inducing abnormal production of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators. The devices, systems, and methods serve to prevent, control, reduce, or alleviate the severity of the inflammatory response and disease states that are associated with abnormal levels of or unregulated or excessive interaction among pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators.
US07846642B2
Disclosed herein is a method for generating a three-dimensional structure on a surface. The method comprises forming a layer comprising a plurality of nanoparticles on a surface; and exposing a portion of the layer to incident radiation having a defined pattern at a dosage effective to aggregate the nanoparticles in the exposed portion of the layer into a three-dimensional structure, wherein the three-dimensional structure has a shape defined by the pattern of the radiation and a height defined by the dosage of the incident radiation and a thickness of the nanoparticle layer. Alternatively, the method comprises forming a layer comprising a plurality of nanoparticles on a surface of a three-dimensional template; and exposing at least a portion of the layer to incident radiation at a dosage effective to aggregate the nanoparticles in the exposed portion of the layer into a three-dimensional structure that corresponds to the three-dimensional template.
US07846639B2
The invention relates to an imaging element and a method of using the imaging element to form a recording element. The imaging element includes a composition sensitive to actinic radiation from a source of radiation having a range of wavelengths and a photoluminescent tag that is responsive to at least one wavelength from the source of radiation. The photoluminescent tag can be used to authenticate the identity of the element, provide information about the element, and/or to establish one or more conditions in a device used to prepare the recording element from the imaging element.
US07846638B2
There is provided a composition for forming anti-reflective coating for anti-reflective coating that has a good absorption of light at a wavelength utilized for manufacturing a semiconductor device, that exerts a high protection effect against light reflection, that has a high dry etching rate compared with the photoresist layer. Concretely, the composition for forming anti-reflective coating contains a triazine trione compound, oligomer compound or polymer compound having hydroxyalkyl structure as substituent on nitrogen atom.
US07846637B2
The liquid immersion lithography process is configured so that the resist pattern resolution is improved by exposing a resist film to the lithographic exposure light under the conditions in which the predetermined thickness of the liquid for liquid immersion lithography, of which the refractive index is higher than that of air and smaller than that of the resist film is intervened at least on the resist film in a path of the lithography exposure light reaching the resist film, a protective film is formed on the surface of the resist film to be used. Therefore, when various immersion liquid, water being the representative example is used in the liquid immersion lithography process can be formed, the deterioration of the resist film and the immersion liquid to be used are simultaneously prevented, and the number of the process steps are not increased, and then the resist pattern having higher resolving ability.
US07846635B2
An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member for bearing a latent electrostatic image including a substrate, an intermediate layer containing a metal oxide and a photosensitive layer containing a charge transport layer and a charge generating layer containing an organic charge generating material, a charging device for charging the image bearing member, a writing device for writing the latent electrostatic image on the image bearing member by irradiating the image bearing member with light having a wavelength shorter than 450 nm which the metal oxide absorbs so that carriers can be generated, a developing device for developing the latent electrostatic image with a toner to form a visualized image, a transfer device for transferring the visualized image to a recording medium, a fixing device for fixing the transferred image on the recording image, and a discharging device for optically discharging residual charges on the image bearing member.
US07846632B2
The toner of the present invention, comprising a colored resin particle and an external additive, wherein said external additive contains a silica fine particle (A) having a Dv50/Dv10 of 1.8 or more, in which Dv10 represents a particle diameter at which a volume cumulative total from small particle diameter side is 10% and Dv50 represents a particle diameter at which the mentioned volume cumulative total is 50%, a volume average particle diameter in the range from 0.1 to 1.0μ, and a sphericity in the range from 1 to 1.3. The toner of the present invention cause less fog, and excellent resolution on the printed image, excellent in cleaning property, and cause less filming.
US07846625B2
A phase shift mask includes a substrate including first and second transmissive regions alternately disposed, and absorbers disposed on a surface of the substrate such that each absorber is sandwiched between the first and second transmissive regions. A phase shifter is defined by a difference between a surface height of the first transmissive region and a surface height of the second transmissive region. At least the first transmissive region among the first and second transmissive regions has a trench. An aperture portion formed between opposite side walls of respective adjacent absorbers has a width that increases along a depth direction of the substrate. Each trench has a width that increases along the depth direction of the substrate.
US07846623B2
A reflow stabilizing solution for treating photoresist patterns and a reflow technology are disclosed. The reflow stabilizing solution comprises a polymer and is applied after the photoresist material has been developed and patterned. By treating the photoresist with the reflow stabilizing solution after resist patterning and further subjecting the reflow stabilizing solution to a heat treatment, the non-volatile polymer remains in between adjacent resist patterns and acts as a stopper to the reflowed photoresist. In this manner, the non-volatile polymer provides structural and mechanical support for the reflowed resist, preventing resist collapse at high temperatures and allowing the formation of reflowed resist structures having line width dimensions in the submicron range.
US07846622B2
An alkali-developable, colored photosensitive resin composition obtained by adding a colorant and a photopolymerization initiator to an alkali-developable resin composition, containing a reaction product obtained by esterification between an epoxy adduct and a polybasic acid anhydride, the epoxy adduct having a structure formed by adding an unsaturated monobasic acid and a compound selected from a phenol compound, an alcohol compound, an amine compound, and a carboxylic acid to an epoxy resin represented by general formula. The epoxy adduct is formed by adding 0.1 to 1.0 carboxyl group of the unsaturated monobasic acid and 0 to 0.9 phenolic hydroxyl group, alcoholic hydroxyl group, amino group or carboxyl group per epoxy group of the epoxy resin, with the sum of the carboxyl unsaturated monobasic acid and the phenolic hydroxyl group, alcoholic hydroxyl, amino or carboxyl group being 0.1 to 1.0 per epoxy group.
US07846621B2
A mask for extreme ultra violet lithography (EUVL) and a method of fabricating the same, and a wafer exposure method using the same. According to a method of fabricating the mask, a light reflective layer pattern is formed on a transparent substrate to reflect extreme ultraviolet light. The extreme ultraviolet light is incident to and transmitted by the transparent substrate. A light absorption layer on the transparent substrate is formed to fill between the light reflective layer patterns and absorb the extreme ultraviolet light.
US07846616B2
Lithography masks and methods of lithography for manufacturing semiconductor devices are disclosed. Forbidden pitches are circumvented by dividing a main feature into a set of two or more sub-features. The sum of the widths of the sub-features and the spaces between the sub-features is substantially equal to the width of the main feature. The set of two or more sub-features comprise a plurality of different distances between an adjacent set of two or more sub-features. At least one of the plurality of distances comprises a pitch that is resolvable by the lithography system, resulting in increased resolution for the main features, improved critical dimension (CD) control, and increased process windows.
US07846612B2
A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and first and second separators. A first insulating bushing is attached to a first positioning hole of a first separator, and a second insulating bushing is attached to a second positioning hole of the second separator. An inner wall of the first insulating bushing is fitted to an outer wall of the second insulating bushing for positioning the first and second separators such that the first and second separators are insulated from each other.
US07846611B2
A method for producing a fuel cell core including: providing two identical subassemblies each including a substrate and a current collector removably arranged thereon, depositing an ionic liquid or pasty polymerizable membrane on at least one of the subassemblies in such a way that the collector thereof is completely covered, applying the subassemblies one against the other so as to obtain an assembly having a solidified membrane with the two collectors incorporated, face to face, in this membrane, and detaching the two substrates from the collectors.
US07846608B2
Disclosed is a flow-field plate and fuel cell stack using the same. The flow-field plate of the present invention comprises a center hole (5) formed at the center of the flow-field plate, a inlet (6) and a outlet (7) formed on two positions near the outer edge of the flow-field plate, and flow grooves extending radially from the center hole (5) on one side of the flow-field plate. Since the flow-field plate according to the present invention may comprise flow grooves extending radially and having short flow path, which is benefit for reactants diffusion, there is no “dead-end” on the flow-field plate and reactants may distribute uniformly to each part of flow-field plate. Furthermore, resultants generated from reaction, such as water, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc., may be discharged in time and not accumulate on flow-field plate. Therefore, the reactant utilization ratio, the fuel cell performances and its service life may be improved.
US07846603B2
A fuel cell system that employs a technique for safely removing hydrogen gas that accumulates within a cooling fluid reservoir. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a compressor for providing airflow to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack. The system also includes an air filter box having an air filter that is in fluid communication with an air pocket in the reservoir. The air intake to the compressor flows through the air filter box, and sucks the gas from the reservoir, which is then sent to the cathode side of the fuel cell stack to be converted to water by the electro-chemical reaction therein.
US07846597B2
The present invention is a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, an injector which is provided in a hydrogen supply channel of the fuel cell and which adjusts a gas state of an upstream side of the hydrogen supply channel to supply a gas toward a downstream side, and a control device which drives and controls the injector. The control device controls an operation of the injector based on a driving state of an associated device including the fuel cell system 1.
US07846579B2
A battery comprises a substrate comprising an electrolyte between a pair of conductors, at least one conductor having a non-contact surface. A cap is spaced apart from the non-contact surface of the conductor by a gap having a gap distance dg of from about 1 μm to about 120 μm. The gap allows the conductor to expand into the gap. The gap is further bounded by side faces about a surrounding perimeter that may be sealed with a seal. In one version, the ratio of the surface area of the non-contact surfaces on the conductor to the total surface area of the side faces is greater than about 10:1. A pliable dielectric can also be provided in the gap.
US07846572B2
A battery assembly includes a plurality of battery modules, each of the battery modules comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells having a first end comprising a terminal and a second end opposite the first end, the second end comprising an adapter having at least one aperture and arranged such that at least a portion of the adapter is provided in contact with at least a portion of a terminal of an adjacent electrochemical cell. The battery assembly also includes a device that includes at least one member aligned with apertures in a plurality of the adapters to provide a path for effluent escaping the apertures. The device is configured to route effluent from the plurality of battery modules away from the battery assembly.
US07846567B2
The present invention provides a magnetic disk in a discrete track medium and a patterned medium, which prevents the loss of the magnetically recorded data when a head of a magnetic disk device contacts the magnetic disk, and a manufacturing method thereof. A magnetic disk has a protrusion as a non-magnetic member formed on a disk surface to prevent a head from being in contact with a recording section. When the protrusion formed in a disk substrate collides against the head, the protrusion 7 does not collapse, and accordingly, the recording layer is not damaged. Alternatively, concave and convex portions are formed on the substrate surface to use the convex portion as the protrusion.
US07846561B2
A ceramic coating for imparting one or more of a variety of functional characteristics (e.g., reducing vibration levels) to one or more components or portions of an engine (e.g., ring segments, transition ducts, combustors, blades, vanes and shrouds of a turbine engine, portions thereof, and portions of a diesel engine), the components or portions comprising such a coating, and methods of making same. The ceramic coating exhibits a gradient or other change in the functional characteristic(s) through the thickness of the coating, across the surface area of the coating or both.
US07846560B2
A material for organic electroluminescence devices comprising a compound having a specific structure and an organic electroluminescence device comprising an organic thin film layer which comprises one layer or a plurality of layers comprising at least a light emitting layer and disposed between a cathode and an anode, wherein at least one layer in the organic thin film layer comprises the material for organic electroluminescence devices, are provided. The material provides the organic electroluminescence device exhibiting a great efficiency of light emission, having no defect pixels, exhibiting excellent heat resistance and having a long life.
US07846555B2
A panel member for an automobile includes a hem portion roll-fastened in a state of overlapping an outer panel and an inner panel. At the hem portion of the panel member, the outer panel and the inner panel are roll-fastened in a state that a front end face of the outer panel and a front end face of the inner panel are respectively rolled-in by the inner panel and the outer panel.
US07846554B2
The present invention discloses a method of making a functionally graded metal matrix composite (MMC) sheet having a central layer of particulate matter. The method includes providing a molten metal containing particulate matter to a pair of advancing casting surfaces. Solidifying the molten metal while advancing the molten metal between the advancing casting surfaces to form a product comprising a first solid outer layer, a second solid outer layer, and a semi-solid central layer having a higher concentration of particulate matter than either of the outer layers. Solidifying the central layer to form a solid metal product comprised of an inner layer sandwiched between the outer layers and withdrawing the metal product from between the casting surfaces. The method yields an MMC having a central layer enriched with particulate matter and sandwiched between metallic outer layers. The product combines the easy mechanical working characteristics and the appearance of the metallic outer layers with the enhanced properties provided by the central MMC layer.
US07846548B2
A co-extruded structural member is disclosed having first and second co-extruded layers. The first co-extruded substrate layer comprises a structural preform and is substantially reflective of near-infrared (near-IR) radiation. A co-extruded cap layer is substantially transparent to near-IR radiation. The cap layer can be provided in aesthetically pleasing dark colors, while heat absorption is minimized due to the reflective properties of the near-IR reflective substrate layer. Using a co-extrusion process enhances the durability of the ultimate product over previous systems which use relatively fragile paint coatings to limit heat absorption. By providing near-IR transmissive and reflective pigments within the co-extruded polymers, a highly durable finished product is obtained. The co-extruded layers are disclosed for use in fence and deck applications, but will also find application in a wide variety of building product applications, both exterior and interior.
US07846547B2
To provide both an excellent solvent-resistance and a conduction reliability to an insulation coated conductive particle that is suitable for use as a conductive particle in an anisotropic conductive adhesive, the insulation coated conductive particle is configured such that the surface of a conductive particle is coated with an insulating resin layer formed of an insulating resin having a carboxyl group, and the insulating resin layer is surface-treated with a polyfunctional aziridine compound. Examples of the aziridine compound include trimethylolpropane-tri-β-aziridinylpropionate, tetramethylolmethane-tri-β-aziridinylpropionate, and N,N-hexamethylene-1, 6-bis-1-aziridinecarboxamide. The insulating resin layer is preferably composed of an insulating resin having an acrylic acid monomer unit or a methacrylic acid monomer unit. Specifically, the preferable insulating resin is an acrylic acid-styrene copolymer.
US07846540B2
An impact-absorbing composite structure is formed with a resin and a fiber laminated body, and absorbs, when experiencing an impact, the impact by self destruction. An interlayer-strength improvement technique is applied on the impact-absorbing composite structure in an oblique manner or in a gradual manner.
US07846539B2
The invention concerns a roll of strip of elastomer material reinforced with parallel steel cords. The roll of strip differs from the prior art that it is intentionally not flat when unrolled: it has obtained a permanent preformation so as to take a helical shape when unwound. Such a strip is particularly useful for reinforcing substantially cylindrical objects such as tubes or pillars. Methods to produce such kind of strips are also presented.
US07846538B2
A connection structure includes a workpiece, and a coating layer disposed above the workpiece. A groove is formed on a surface of the coating layer. The connection structure further includes an object installed inside the groove and adhered to the workpiece.
US07846527B2
A honeycomb segment has two kinds of cells having different cross-sectional areas in a cross-section cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the segment. When the cells are cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cells, each cross-sectional area of first cells (large cells) is larger than that of second cells (small cells). The first cells are formed into an octagon where corners are cut off or into a square having circular arc corners. The second cells are formed into a square. The thickness of a 1-1 wall between the adjacent first cells is larger than that of a 1-2 wall between each first cell and each second cell adjacent to the first cell.
US07846520B2
A counterfeiting prevention label 1 has a label base 3 including a base sheet 31, and a volume hologram 2 including a volume hologram layer 22 and formed on the base sheet 31. The volume hologram 2 is extended between the upper side 31a and the lower side 31b of the label base 3. The opposite end surfaces of the volume hologram 2 are flush with the end surfaces of the label base 3, respectively. The volume hologram 2 may be placed in a depression 3a formed in the front surface of the label base 3. The volume hologram 2 and the label base 3 are blanked out after transferring the volume hologram 2 from a transfer sheet 10 to the label base 3.
US07846519B2
A lightweight, thin-walled heat resistant plastic container containing hot-filled liquid contents, comprising: a spout for filling the container with liquid contents; a closure configured to seal the spout; a base including a bottom portion that is bent toward the spout, the base including a structural reinforcement configured to withstand hydrostatic pressure from the hot-filling of liquid and configured to prevent significant deformation in the base upon the cooling of the hot liquid; and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base toward the spout, the sidewall including a zone of deformation, wherein the zone of deformation in the sidewall is configured to accommodate an initial deformation due to the cooling of the contents and to substantially regain its initial shape upon the relieving of immobilized stresses.
US07846510B2
A method of making a specular reflective, mirror-like finish on a substrate comprising the steps of applying a one or more layers of a primer coating to the substrate and at least partially curing the primer coating; the following curing of the primer coating; applying an intermediate solution to the previously applied and cured primer coating, the intermediate solution comprising a vacuum metalized pigment in a solvent; further curing the primer coating and the intermediate coating to leave a substantially solvent-free intermediate coating; and applying, a transparent overlay coating to the cured intermediate coating.
US07846505B2
Preservative composition for various materials and method of preserving the same is disclosed. The preservative composition includes at least one silane-containing material and at least one hydrocarbon solvent containing molecules of at least five carbon atoms.
US07846502B2
A method of controlling both alignment and registration (lateral position) of lamellae formed from self-assembly of block copolymers, the method comprising the steps of obtaining a substrate having an energetically neutral surface layer comprising a first topographic “phase pinning” pattern and a second topographic “guiding” pattern; obtaining a self-assembling di-block copolymer; coating the self-assembling di-block copolymer on the energetically neutral surface to obtain a coated substrate; and annealing the coated substrate to obtain micro-domains of the di-block copolymer.
US07846497B2
A method and apparatus for delivering gases to a semiconductor processing system are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for delivering gases to a semiconductor processing system includes a plurality of gas input and output lines having inlet and outlet ports. Connecting lines couple respective pairs of the gas input and gas output lines. Connecting valves are arranged to control flow through the respective connecting lines. Mass gas flow controllers are arranged to control flow into respective inlet ports. In another embodiment, a method includes providing a manifold having at least a plurality of inlet that may be selectively coupled to at least one of a plurality of outlets, flowing one or more gases through the manifold to a vacuum environment by-passing the processing chamber prior to processing or to a calibration circuit, and flowing the one or more gases into the processing chamber during substrate processing.
US07846487B2
The present invention relates to dehydrated Type II collagen containing cartilage which has retained the collagen in its original crosslinked structure and which contains at least 40% by weight of the Type II collagen of an ionizable edible salt and which has a water content of less than 10%.
US07846486B2
The invention relates to a product sterilization or pasteurization method. The inventive method includes: transferring a product from outside to inside a pressurized inlet compartment of a chamber through at least one pressurizing airlock; loading the product onto a conveyor to transfer the product through the chamber from the inlet compartment to an outlet compartment; heating the product by dipping the product in hydrostatic columns while applying variable pressure and temperature; passing the product through an intermediate pressurizing compartment; cooling the product by dipping the product in hydrostatic columns while applying variable pressure and temperature; unloading the product from the conveyor at a pressurized outlet compartment; and transferring the product to the exterior from the outlet compartment through at least one atmospheric pressurization airlock.
US07846483B2
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for skin application suitable for relaxing expression wrinkles which combines a selected active peptide component with a decontracting or relaxing action on the muscular fiber with a micro-element which reduces the muscular contraction level by acting directly or indirectly on a muscular fiber component. The active principles of the cosmetic composition of the invention are conveniently carried by liposomes.
US07846481B2
Perfuming or flavoring microcapsules that include, further to a perfuming or flavoring ingredient and a carrier material, an explosion suppressant, proved to undergo, when suspended in hot air during their preparation, an explosion of a reduced violence. The explosion suppressant is selected from C1 to C12 carboxylic acids, their salts and mixtures of these.
US07846472B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions in the form of a gel for controlled- or sustained-release of a pharmaceutically active agent and to methods for treating or preventing a condition in an animal by administering to an animal in need thereof the pharmaceutical compositions. One particular type of condition for which the pharmaceutical compositions are useful is a microbial infection, e.g., of the skin, ear, or eye, especially for veterinary applications.
US07846462B2
Skin care or cleansing implements are described containing a liquid, semi-solid or solid cleansing or skin treatment composition that is releasably associated with the implement. The composition is substantially nonaqueous and has a continuous and a discontinuous phase. Components of the discontinuous phase can react with each other or with water when water is blended with the nonaqueous cleansing or skin treatment composition during consumer use. Methods for treating the skin with the inventive implements are also described.
US07846460B2
Active principle-based coated particle, in which both the core and the coating contain active principle, includes a core which contains a first active principle while the coating contains a second active principle, which is different in nature.
US07846458B1
A method and vaccine for treatment of pythiosis in humans and animals is described. In particular a vaccine comprising a mixture of extracellular and intracellular proteins is described. The vaccine enables cures of chronic pythiosis in some patients.
US07846457B2
A method of temporarily elevating the eyebrow position and softening undesirable glabellar muscle activity to affect a more desirable appearance. In a broad aspect the invention comprises injecting small quantities of botulinum toxin (BTX) equivalent in activity to 0.001 to 1.0 Units of botulinum toxin A, dissolved in 10 to 50 microliters microdroplets of injectable saline carrier, and injected 0.5 to 1.0 millimeters below the skin surface to treat the septal and orbital orbicularis oculi muscles, on each side of a patient's face. In sufficient numbers, injected microdroplets of BTX are able to selectively weaken these muscles. This method preferably also includes using microdroplets of BTX to treat: a) the depressor supercilii muscle, on each side; b) the procerus muscle; c) the corrugator supercilii muscle, on each side; and d) the inferior limit of the frontalis muscle where it meets the superior aspect of the orbital portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle.
US07846451B2
The invention discloses the Moraxella catarrhalis outer membrane protein polypeptide and polypeptides derived therefrom (collectively “OMP21”), nucleotide sequences encoding said OMP21, and antibodies that specifically bind OMP21. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions including prophylactic or therapeutic compositions, which may be immunogenic compositions including vaccines, comprising OMP21, antibodies thereto or nucleotides encoding same. The invention additionally discloses methods of inducing an immune response to M. catarrhalis and OMP21 in an animal, preferably a human, methods of treating and methods of diagnosing Moraxella infections in an animal, preferably a human, and kits therefor.
US07846448B2
The present invention relates to the provision of a DNA sequence of the major grass pollen allergen Lol p 4. The invention also encompasses fragments, new combinations of partial sequences and point mutants having a hypoallergenic action. The recombinant DNA molecules and the derived polypeptides, fragments, new combinations of partial sequences and variants can be utilized for the therapy of pollen-allergic diseases. The proteins prepared by recombinant methods can be employed for in vitro and in vivo diagnosis of pollen allergies.
US07846442B2
Methods for treating and/or preventing a TNF-mediated disease in an individual are disclosed. Also disclosed is a composition comprising methotrexate and an anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody. TNF-mediated diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and acute and chronic immune diseases associated with transplantation.
US07846439B2
The present invention provides a domain antibody construct which binds to human TNF-α, with the construct comprising: (a) a domain antibody (dAb) which binds to human TNF-α; (b) a modified hinge region sequence; (c) a human or primate heavy chain constant region sequence having a truncated CH1 domain of not more than 20 residues, wherein the modified hinge region sequence contains either a deletion or a single amino acid substitution of at least one cysteine residue which normally facilitates disulfide bond formation between heavy and light antibody chains.
US07846430B2
A composition of lysozyme and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is active against the papilloma virus in both humans and animals. The composition can be used to treat women suffering from cervical cancer. The composition can also be used to treat cows and horses suffering sarcoids.
US07846429B2
Disclosed are compositions comprising a recombinant nucleic acid vector including a nucleotide sequence encoding a syncytium-inducing polypeptide expressible on a eukaryotic cell surface, and a host cell containing the recombinant vector and expressing the syncytium inducing polypeptide on its cell surface, the vectors and resultant host cells expressing the syncytium inducing polypeptide being useful for selective elimination of unwanted cells.
US07846419B2
A method for producing radioactive isotopes for positron emission tomography is provided. The method includes generating radioactive isotopes by the acceleration of a projectile in a linear accelerator that is operative to accelerate at least two different projectiles.
US07846409B2
The invention discloses deagglomerated barium sulphate which has an average primary particle size of less than 0.5 μm and is coated with a dispersant. The dispersant has preferably reactive groups which are able to interact with the surface of the barium sulphate; particularly preferred dispersants are those which are able to endow the barium sulphate with a hydrophilic surface and have reactive groups for coupling to or into polymers. Also disclosed is a plastics premix comprising the deagglomerated, coated barium sulphate.
US07846408B1
Certain exemplary embodiments can involve contacting a predetermined portion of a medium and a reaction product resulting from a reaction between predetermined reactants that can include a predetermined active ferric chelate and a nitrate/nitrite, the contacting occurring at a pH of approximately 6 to approximately 8, the contacting effective to oxidize at least a portion of a sulfide contaminant associated with the predetermined portion of the medium.
US07846397B2
A wireless temperature sensor for use in monitoring the temperature of a fluid or gas in a mixing vessel. The wireless temperature sensor comprises a temperature probe for contacting the fluid or gas and generating a signal based on the gas/fluid temperature; a temperature reader for receiving the signal generated by the temperature probe and determining therefrom a temperature reading of the fluid or gas; and a radio frequency (RF) transceiver for transmitting the temperature reading determined by the temperature reader to a control apparatus external to the mixing vessel.
US07846394B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and a method for separating particles within a sample. The apparatus includes a reservoir for receiving a biological specimen therein, wherein the specimen includes a plurality of different sized particles in a liquid. At least one physical state of the specimen is capable of being controlled in order to initially separate at least a first type of particles under the influence of gravity. The apparatus also includes a rotatable disk positioned proximate to the reservoir and configured to receive the first type of particles thereon. The disk has holes defined therethrough that are configured to further separate the first type of particles based on particle size. The apparatus includes a mechanism configured to rotate the disk, and at least one collection tube positioned proximate to the disk and configured to receive at least a portion of the first type of particles passing through respective holes defined in the disk and/or around the disk in response to rotation of the disk.
US07846392B2
The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods for preventing/ameliorating formation of precipitate blockages in microfluidic devices. In particular, the devices and methods of the invention utilize microchannels of specific cross-sectional configuration and of specific arrangement as well as application of AC current orthogonal to the direction of fluid flow, in order to prevent/ameliorate formation of precipitate blockages in microfluidic devices.
US07846390B2
The apparatus for measuring concentrations of fuel mixtures using depth-resolved laser-induced fluorescence is a fluorometer equipped with a sample container holder that is movable in the path of the beam from the light source. Fluorescent emissions from the sample mixture pass at 90° to the excitation light path through a slit that is narrow enough that the emission intensity is effectively produced by a thin layer of the sample and focused on a monochromator, with successive thin layers receiving nonuniform excitation radiation due to reduction of intensity along the excitation light source path with increasing depth penetration and due to reabsorption of emitted fluorescence from adjacent layers. The method has a first mode in which the emission spectrum is scanned at a fixed depth, and a second mode in which the sample is moved relative to the emission monochromator slit to vary the depth while keeping the emission wavelength fixed.
US07846388B2
Analyte meter protectors, meters that include the same, and methods.
US07846385B2
Analyte meter protectors, meters that include the same, and methods.
US07846380B2
A metal powder production apparatus is capable of efficiently producing fine metal powder with a uniform particle size. The metal powder produced by the apparatus has an increased quality. The apparatus (atomizer) makes use of an atomizing method to pulverize molten metal into metal powder. The apparatus includes a supply part (tundish) for supplying the molten metal, a nozzle provided below the supply part, a tubular member provided between the supply part and the nozzle. The tubular member is constructed to ensure that the molten metal ejected from an ejection port passes through a bore of the tubular member and then makes contact with a fluid jet. Further, the tubular member has a top end air-tightly connected to the supply part and a bottom end lying around the midway of a first flow path through which the molten metal passes.
US07846378B2
Ceramic nanopowder was sealed inside a metal container under a vacuum. The sealed evacuated container was forced through a severe deformation channel at an elevated temperature below the melting point of the ceramic nanopowder. The result was a dense nanocrystalline ceramic structure inside the metal container.
US07846376B2
The present invention generally provides implantable articles and methods of forming implantable articles from a crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE”) blend stabilized with Vitamin E. The crosslinked UHMWPE blend may be prepared by combining the UHMWPE material and vitamin E prior to irradiating the UHMWPE blend with electron beam radiation at a sufficient radiation dose rate to induce crosslinking. The crosslinked UHMWPE blend may be incorporated into a variety of implants, and in particular, into endoprosthetic joint replacements.
US07846370B2
A threaded core includes a first half core and a second half core. The first half core includes a core body and a movable core portion. The core body has a body surface and an end face adjacent to the body surface. An outside threaded portion is defined in the end face. The core body defines a recess on the body surface. The recess communicates with the groove. The movable core portion is movably mounted in the recess. The movable core portion has a front end face. An inside threaded portion is defined in the front end face and configured for forming part of the screw thread cooperatively with the first outside threaded portion. The second half core has an identical structure with the first half core. The inside and outside threaded portions of the first and second cores cooperatively define a screw hole.
US07846366B2
One embodiment of the invention provides a method for compression molding cosmetic panels with visible carbon fiber weaves using clear or lightly filled resins. The method uses a modified, two-step compression molding process to reflow the surface of a partially cured preform of carbon fiber weave and epoxy resin.
US07846361B2
A biodegradable and biocompatible nontoxic polymeric composition is provided which includes a base material such as a crystallizable polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer, and a copolymer or terpolymer additive. Medical devices manufactured from the composition are also provided.
US07846356B2
A method for producing surface convexes and concaves enabling easy and highly precise formation of desired convex and concave shapes using a photomask is provided.A mask member having light transmitting sections and non-light transmitting sections is disposed over one side of a photosensitive film consisting of a photosensitive resin composition with an interval with respect to the photosensitive film, light is irradiated from a light source disposed on the side of the mask member to subject the photosensitive film to light exposure through the light transmitting sections of the mask member, and exposed portions or unexposed portions of the photosensitive film are removed by development to produce convexes and concaves on the photosensitive film in shapes determined by shapes of the exposed portions or unexposed portions. In the light exposure, light exposure conditions such as distance L between the light source and the mask member, size D of the light source and optical distance T between the mask member and the photosensitive film are controlled so as to control the shapes of the exposed portions or unexposed portions.
US07846348B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device using a semiconductor manufacturing unit comprising a reaction chamber, a substrate mounting stage, and a high frequency power supply coupled to the substrate mounting stage, a blocking capacitor interposed between the substrate mounting stage and the high-frequency power supply to continuously perform a plurality of dry etching processing with respect to the same substrate in the same reaction chamber, the method includes: disposing a substrate on a substrate mounting stage, and applying high-frequency powers to the substrate mounting stage while introducing a fluorocarbon-based first gas to perform a first dry etching processing with respect to the substrate, the substrate including an organic material film and a silicon compound film sequentially deposited on a surface thereof and a resist film patterned on the silicon compound film, the first dry etching processing including processing the silicon compound film with the resist film being used as a mask; and stopping application of one of the high-frequency powers, thereby reducing a bias voltage generated to the substrate while introducing a second gas after the first dry etching processing to remove a fluorocarbon-based deposition in the reaction chamber and perform a second dry etching processing with respect to the substrate.
US07846347B2
The invention provides for a method and integrated system for removing a halogen-containing residue from a substrate comprising etching the substrate, heating the substrate and exposing the heated substrate to a plasma that removes the halogen-containing residue.
US07846346B1
A processing method for transferring a relief pattern of a mold to a resist includes the steps of compressing the mold having the relief pattern against the resist on a substrate, irradiating an exposure light onto the resist through the mold, vibrating the mold and the substrate relative to each other during the irradiating step, and releasing the mold from the resist.
US07846345B2
The method of manufacturing an imprinting template according to the present invention utilizes a semiconductor manufacturing process and comprises a step of etching an oxide layer having a thickness of from 1000 to 8000 angstroms on a substrate by a microlithography and etching process, to form a pattern having a plurality of pillar-shaped holes, thereby forming an imprinting plate having a plurality of pillar-shaped holes. A material layer may be filled into the holes and a part of the oxide layer is removed to form an imprinting template having a plurality of pillar-shaped protrusions. Alternatively, a silicon substrate may be used instead of the substrate and the oxide layer. The imprinting template according to the present invention has advantages of mass production, fast production, and low cost, and is suitable to serve as the imprinting plate for making photonic crystals.
US07846344B2
Light in the visible spectrum is modulated using an array of modulation elements, and control circuitry connected to the array for controlling each of the modulation elements independently, each of the modulation elements having a surface which is caused to exhibit a predetermined impedance characteristic to particular frequencies of light. The amplitude of light delivered by each of the modulation elements is controlled independently by pulse code modulation. Each modulation element has a deformable portion held under tensile stress, and the control circuitry controls the deformation of the deformable portion. Each deformable element has a deformation mechanism and an optical portion, the deformation mechanism and the optical portion independently imparting to the element respectively a controlled deformation characteristic and a controlled modulation characteristic. The deformable modulation element may be a non-metal. The elements are made by forming a sandwich of two layers and a sacrificial layer between them, the sacrificial layer having a thickness related to the final cavity dimension, and using water or an oxygen based plasma to remove the sacrificial layer.
US07846334B2
A method for treating ammonium-containing waste water by means of a single sludge system in an SBR reactor, in which ammonium is converted to nitrite in a first reaction and ammonium and nitrite are converted into molecular nitrogen in a second reaction carried out in parallel, the oxygen concentration in the reactor being maintained at a low level. A robust process is achieved by providing that the pH-value of the system is controlled and kept at a target value by controlled intermittent aeration, the fluctuation range of the pH-value amounting to 0.05 at most, and preferably 0.02 at most, and the O2-concentration being kept between 0.2 mg/l and 0.4 mg/l, and preferably between 0.25 mg/l and 0.35 mg/l.
US07846324B2
The invention relates to a process for upgrading tar using a heat exchanger in series with a vapor/liquid separator to separate tar into a heavy tar asphaltenic material and a deasphalted tar material.
US07846322B2
A high-flux membrane, especially a sieving membrane, is used to separate a naphtha feedstock into a retentate fraction having a reduced concentration of normal paraffins for an enhanced reforming feed and a permeate fraction having an increased concentration of normal paraffins for an enhanced cracking feed.
US07846315B2
An integrated bio-analysis system incorporates built-in sample preparation capabilities. In one aspect of the present invention, a bio-analysis instrument is provided with a built-in sample preparation device based on PCR (or thermal cycling block/module). In one embodiment of the present invention, a peltier unit in the sample preparation device provides thermal cycling of samples supported in a multi-well tray. In another aspect of the present invention, a CE instrument is provided with a built-in sample preparation capability, which may comprise a sample preparation (bio-molecular reaction) device based on thermal cycler type. In another aspect of the present invention, a PCR device is provided with a built-in analysis device, such as a CE device, for verifying the results of the PCR (bio-molecular reaction) process.
US07846311B2
In vitro electrochemical sensors that provide accurate and repeatable analysis of a sample of biological fluid are provided. Embodiments include sensors that include a sample chambers having overhangs extending therefrom.
US07846306B2
A method and apparatus for plating a metal onto a substrate. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for electroplating a substrate. The apparatus comprises a fluid basin, an anode disposed near a bottom of the fluid basin, a restrictor disposed above the anode, and a substrate support member configured to move the substrate within the fluid basin among different elevations relative to the restrictor. Plating profiles on the substrate may be adjusted by changing the elevation of the substrate during plating.
US07846303B2
The present invention provides a multi-structured internal heat exchange-type distillation column including at least an outermost heat exchange section, an intermediate section, and an innermost heat exchange section, in which the innermost heat exchange section is isolated from the intermediate section, the outermost heat exchange section is also isolated from the intermediate section, the outermost heat exchange section and the innermost heat exchange section are in communication with one another through at least two vapor tunnel connecting ports, a channel is formed inside the outermost heat exchange section in such a manner that, in a case where at least one of the vapor tunnel connecting ports serves as an inlet for vapor from the innermost heat exchange section into the outermost heat exchange section, and the other vapor tunnel connecting port serves as an outlet for vapor from the outermost heat exchange section back to the innermost heat exchange section, the vapor can smoothly flow in one-way traffic from the inlet toward the outlet, and either the outermost heat exchange section and the innermost heat exchange section, or the intermediate section, is a rectifying section, and the other is a stripping section. The distillation column of the present invention has excellent efficiency of internal heat exchange.
US07846298B2
An outlet device and motor assembly for a pressured vessel is disclosed, where the assembly includes: a generally vertical drive shaft extending below and through the vessel and coupled to a rotating mechanism within the vessel; a stationary outlet housing supporting the drive shaft; a thrust bearing mounted on the outlet housing and around the drive shaft to rotationally engage the drive shaft; a hydraulic drive coupled to rotationally drive the drive shaft, and a radial bearing mounted around the drive shaft to rotationally engage the drive shaft and said radial bearing is at or below the hydraulic drive.
US07846296B2
An absorbent paper sheet is treated with an aqueous wax dispersion such that the sheet includes a fused wax and emulsifier residue in an amount of from about 1 to about 20 weight percent of the sheet based on the combined weight of the fiber, wax residue and an emulsifier residue in the sheet. The fused wax emulsion operates to make at least one surface of the sheet laterally hydrophobic, exhibiting a moisture penetration delay of at least about 2 seconds and less than about 40 seconds as well as a typical contact angle with water at one minute of at least about 50 degrees. There is thus provided absorbent products which exhibit both absorbency and resistance to moisture penetration. The treated sheet further exhibits microbial barrier properties, impeding transfer of bacteria, for example, through the sheet. There are produced tissue products which resist moisture penetration from propelled liquids as well as sequester sorbed liquids in the interior of the tissue.
US07846293B2
A plasma processing apparatus includes a worktable in a process chamber to horizontally place a target substrate thereon. A plasma generation space is defined above and around the worktable within the process chamber. The plasma generation space includes a peripheral plasma region and a main plasma region respectively located outside and inside an outer edge of the target substrate placed on the worktable. The apparatus further includes a magnetic field forming mechanism configured to form a magnetic field within the peripheral plasma region. The magnetic field includes magnetic force lines extending through the peripheral plasma region between a start position and an end position, at least one of which is located radially inside a sidewall of the process chamber.
US07846285B2
The invention is directed to a method of bonding a hermetically sealed electronics package to an electrode or a flexible circuit and the resulting electronics package that is suitable for implantation in living tissue, such as for a retinal or cortical electrode array to enable restoration of sight to certain non-sighted individuals. The hermetically sealed electronics package is directly bonded to the flex circuit or electrode by electroplating a biocompatible material, such as platinum or gold, effectively forming a plated rivet-shaped connection, which bonds the flex circuit to the electronics package. The resulting electronic device is biocompatible and is suitable for long-term implantation in living tissue.
US07846281B2
Foamed, aqueous adhesive compositions are used to manufacture tissue laminate products including or especially as bathroom tissue, facial tissue, paper towels, and the like. Foaming typically occurs by introducing pressurized gas and adhesive flows in a nozzle chamber on demand, wherein the kinetic energy of the flows is used to provide mixing energy. The adhesive preferably is dispensed as a plurality of discrete, foamed adhesive particles. The foamed adhesive can be used for intralamina bonds, interlaminate bonds, bonding loose sheet extremities, bonding roll to roll, and the like. The invention provides a reliable, straightforward way to accomplish in-nozzle foaming of an adhesive.
US07846276B2
The present disclosure provides alloys having an ultra-low coefficient of thermal expansion in the range of 60° F. to 80° F. The alloys have coefficient of thermal expansion no greater than 0.35×10−6° F.−1 in the range of 60° F. to 80° F. Methods of making such alloys also are provided, as well articles of manufacture including such alloys and methods of making such articles.
US07846273B2
An R-T-B type alloy (wherein R is at least one member selected from rare earth elements, T is a transition metal including Fe, and B includes boron) which is a raw material for use in a rare earth-based permanent magnet, wherein the volume percentage of the region containing an R2T17 phase having an average grain diameter of 3 μm or less in the short axis direction is from 0.5 to 10%.
US07846263B1
A vehicle mountable system for cleaning trash receptacles with wash-water. The system includes an enclosure with an access opening, supported on the vehicle, and a carriage disposed within the enclosure. A spray head is aligned to impinge wash-water against the trash receptacle while it is engaged with the carriage. A basin is aligned to accumulate wash-water drainage from the spraying operation. A spray shield is operated to a closed position that reduces wash-water effluence from the enclosure. The system may include a filter and means for sanitizing wash-water that is accumulated by the basin and recirculated through a holding tank. An automated arm engages a trash receptacle to engage and disengage the trash receptacle with the carriage through the access opening in the enclosure. Plural trash receptacles can be engaged with the carriage and advanced through plural positions within the enclosure. A second spray head aligned to impinge rinse-water against the trash receptacle, and a second basin for accumulating rinse-water drainage may be included in the system. A trash receptacle drying means may also be included within the enclosure.
US07846260B2
A device and method to perform on-line automatic flushing and cleaning for a steam turbine generator condenser, related with technology for flushing and cleaning of equipment during steam turbine generator operation, the apparatus includes: a polar coordinate traveling mechanical system, including one computer program polar coordinate control unit, which will control the servo motors to position the high-pressure water jet on the opening for Copper tube (or Titanium tube); the benefit for the invention is that, the polar coordinate traveling mechanical system move the high-pressure water jet to flush and clean each Copper tube (or Titanium tube) on condenser tube plate, to realize high-pressure water cleaning for each pipe during operation of generator, therefore, the heat exchanging efficient can be increased, further to reduce the consumption of coal for steam turbine generator, and archive the aim to saving coal, and reduction in generating cost.
US07846253B2
The present invention can provide a silicon semiconductor substrate used for and epitaxial wafer, in which uniform and high-level gettering ability is obtained irrespective of slicing positions from a silicon single crystal while generation of epitaxial defects can be suppressed, by doping carbon or carbon along with nitrogen during a pulling process of a CZ method or by performing appropriate heat treatment prior to the epitaxial process. Therefore, a crystal production yield can remarkably be improved because a permissible upper limit (concentration margin) of an oxygen concentration which is restricted by formation of a ring-shaped OSF region can be higher and also an excellent gettering ability is exhibited, while allowing an epitaxial wafer to be produced wherein epitaxial defects attributable to substrate crystal defects are not formed.
US07846249B2
A pigment aqueous-medium dispersion and coating material which have no particle feeling and exhibit a highly excellent silky feeling, the pigment aqueous-medium dispersion is a dispersion of a photoluminescent pigment in an aqueous medium, characterized in that the photoluminescent pigment is flaky titanic acid obtained by treating layered titanate with acid and then reacting an organic basic compound with the treated layered titanate to delaminate, and the flaky titanic acid has an average longer diameter of 5 to 30 μm and an average thickness of 0.5 to 300 nm.
US07846247B2
An ink set for ink jet recording includes a black ink and a plurality of color inks of different colors. The black ink contains a pigment as a coloring material. The color ink having the highest brightness among the plurality of color inks has the highest surface tension among the plurality of color inks. The difference in surface tension between the black ink and the color ink having the highest brightness is 2 dyn/cm (mN/m) or less.
US07846246B2
An ink set, comprising: an oil based ink composition containing a metallic pigment; and at least one or more oil based ink compositions selected from a group consisting of a chromatic color ink composition containing chromatic color pigment, a black ink composition containing black pigment, and a white ink composition containing white pigment.
US07846244B2
The sealing agent for waterproof barriers in the form of a clay and cement suspension made of polymineral clays, characterized by the fact that it contains 3-15% parts by weight of cement, up to 65% parts by weight of fly-ash and/or rock dust of similar granulation, and 30-60% parts by weight, or better up to 50% parts by weight, of water suspension of clay, heavy or loamy.
US07846241B2
A particulate matter detecting apparatus (100) includes a detecting apparatus main body having a cavity (2) that is formed through the detecting apparatus main body, a particle charging section (3) that can charge particulate matter that has entered the cavity through an inflow-side end (6) of the cavity, a collection section (4) that can collect the particulate matter charged by the particle charging section (3) and measure the amount of the particulate matter, and an ion wind generation section (5) that allows the particulate matter charged by the particle charging section (3) to flow toward an outflow-side end (7) of the cavity, the particle charging section, the collection section (4), and the ion wind generation section (5) being provided inside the cavity in this order from the inflow-side end (6). The particulate matter detecting apparatus has a reduced size, shows only a small measurement error, and can be produced inexpensively.
US07846238B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing a porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane capable of achieving both a high collection efficiency and a low pressure drop, though it has a larger average pore size and a greater thickness than conventional porous PTFE membranes. This manufacturing method includes: stretching an unsintered polytetrafluoroethylene sheet by a factor of 5 to 30 in a predetermined direction at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene; further stretching the stretched sheet by a factor of 5 to 40 in a direction different from the predetermined direction at a temperature lower than the melting point; and after the stretchings, heating the stretched sheet at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point.
US07846230B2
A diesel soot particulate filter medium, as subject of the invention comprises fibers, preferably metal fibers. The diesel soot particulate filter medium has a thickness T between its inflow side and its outflow side being equal or more than 5 cm. The S/V at the inflow side is preferably more than 50 m2/m3 and the S/V at the outflow side is preferably less than 80000 m2/m3, whereas S/V increases stepwise or gradually from the inflow side to the outflow side. S is the sum of all mantle surface of the fibers present in a volume V.
US07846209B2
An article including a spinal prosthesis having a unitary body with at least three attachment points attachable to spinal structure, the unitary body including a flexure assembly positioned between first and second attachment members, wherein flexure of the flexure assembly permits movement of the first attachment member relative to the second attachment member.
US07846202B2
A coated implantable medical device 10 includes a structure 12 adapted for introduction into the vascular system, esophagus, trachea, colon, biliary tract, or urinary tract; at least one coating layer 16 posited on one surface of the structure; and at least one layer 18 of a bioactive material posited on at least a portion of the coating layer 16, where the coating layer 16 provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material from the coating layer. In addition, at least one porous layer 20 may be posited over the bioactive material layer 18, where the porous layer includes a polymer and provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material therethrough. Preferably, the structure 12 is a coronary stent. The porous layer 20 includes a polymer applied preferably by vapor or plasma deposition and provides for a controlled release of the bioactive material. It is particularly preferred that the polymer is a polyamide, parylene or a parylene derivative, which is deposited without solvents, heat or catalysts, and merely by condensation of a monomer vapor.
US07846180B2
A tissue fixation device may include a suture, a first securing element connected to a first portion of the suture, and a second securing element connected to a second portion of the suture. The first and second securing elements are each rotatable from a first position during deployment of the tissue fixation device that is suitable for each securing element to pass through a respective hole formed in tissue to a second position when the tissue fixation device is deployed that inhibits each securing element from passing through the respective hole formed in the tissue. An exemplary method of fixing tissue may include creating two holes in the tissue and deploying a tissue fixation device having a suture connecting two securing elements by advancing each securing element through a respective hole in the tissue and causing each securing element to rotate to a position that inhibits the securing element from passing through the respective hole.
US07846177B2
A laparoscopic surgical device is provided, including a ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism includes a single button or lever that may be used to release or defeat a ratchet engagement.
US07846173B2
A puncturing guidance tube for a long and fine needle is invented that is comprised of: a cylindrical body forming a long tubal-shape, a head portion forming a funnel shaped rim, an upper portion (31) of the cylindrical body having a large diameter, a lower portion (32) of the cylindrical body having a small diameter, a transition portion disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the large diameter is gradually reduced to the small diameter of the cylindrical body, and a needle gateway (33) forming a lateral opening vertically all along the cylindrical body for easily removing the guidance tube from an operating needle, so that the long and fine needle can be punctured without buckling during an initial operation of the puncturing. The overall length of the tube is about two-third of the needle and the opening width of the needle gateway (33) is wide enough to pass out the needle.
US07846168B2
A novel catheter-based system which ligates the left atrial appendage (LAA) on the outside of the heart, preferably using a combination of catheters and/or instruments, e.g., a guide catheter positioned inside the left atrial appendage which may assist in locating the left atrial appendage and/or assist in the optimal placement of a ligature on the outside of the appendage, and a ligating catheter and/or instrument outside the heart in the pericardial space to set a ligating element at the neck of the left atrial appendage.
US07846164B2
The present invention relates to pedicle implements, in particular pedicle implants that involve screws. The present invention includes a handle, a pointy tip, a shaft, a cannula located therethrough and mini protrusions used to prevent toggling. The crux of the present invention is the ability of the user to create an accurate pilot hole via the pointy tip. In addition, the present invention allows the user the ability to insert a pedicle probe through the cannula out through the pointy tip. This allows the user to perform the cannulation portion of the procedure without the use of any thrombatic agents.
US07846160B2
A medical device and procedure is described for sterilizing a female. A two-part procedure includes an immediate sterilization part and a permanent sterilization part. The immediate sterilization part provides immediate sterility that endures at least until the permanent effects of a tubal occlusion procedure provide permanent sterility.
US07846149B2
Instrument introducers are disclosed which facilitate the insertion of a surgical instrument into a cavity or a body of a patient. In one embodiment, the instrument introducer includes a hollow elongate cylindrical body including a distal end portion terminating in a distal edge and a proximal end portion, the cylindrical body defining a central longitudinal axis, and an elastomeric cap secured to the distal end portion of the cylindrical body, the cap including a distal end wall having an outer terminal edge and an annular side wall depending from the outer terminal edge thereof. The distal end wall includes an aperture formed therein, wherein a center of the aperture is coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis.
US07846141B2
A wound treatment apparatus is provided for treating tissue damage, which comprises a fluid impermeable wound cover sealed over a site for purposes of applying a reduced pressure to the site. The apparatus also includes a cover with protrusions on its surface for purposes of monitoring pressure at the site. An absorbable matrix may be placed in the site of a wound to encourage tissue growth into the matrix. Temperature of the site may be monitored using a layer of temperature sensitive material and temperature sensors connected to an alarm and recording device. A vacuum pump supplies suction within the wound cover over the treatment site. A portable version of the wound treatment apparatus is also provided. Finally, a method for treating wounds using reduced pressure is provided.
US07846138B2
The present invention provides devices and methods for attachment of an endolumenal gastrointestinal device, such as an artificial stoma device, a gastrointestinal bypass sleeve or other therapeutic or diagnostic device, within a patient's digestive tract. In one application of the invention, an endolumenal bypass sleeve is removeably attached in the vicinity of the gastroesophageal junction to treat obesity and/or its comorbidities, such as diabetes. The bypass sleeve may be at least partially deployed by eversion.
US07846132B2
A cannula insertion device includes a housing defining an opening for receiving therethrough a cannula and further defining a channel, and a cannula forming a lumen, the cannula adapted for sliding movement within the housing from a retracted position to an extended position. When the cannula is in the retracted position, the lumen is located remotely from the channel and the channel is in fluidic communication with the opening. When the cannula is in the extended position, the lumen is in fluidic communication with the channel.
US07846126B2
A method and apparatus for performing modulated fluid delivery and aspiration during a surgical procedure such as phacoemulsification is provided. The method and apparatus include delivering fluid and/or aspirating fluid in a modulated or pulsed manner during a surgical procedure, including applying fluid and/or aspirating fluid in connection with ultrasonic energy at a level and for a time period sufficient to induce transient cavitation. Fluid may be applied and/or aspirated at a timing sequence and duty cycle similar to or different from application of ultrasonic energy delivery.
US07846121B2
The invention concerns a device for the extracorporeal irradiation of a patient's (P) bodily fluid containing bilirubin, comprising a first (10) and a second (12) line which can be connected to the patient (P), an impermeable irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14) connected therewith and located between the first (10) and the second (12) lines, and at least one adjustable feed unit for bodily fluids (16) located in the first (10) and/or the second (12) line, wherein by means of at least one feed unit for bodily fluids (16) an adjustable flow of bodily fluid through the lines (10, 12) and the irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14) is achievable, in which the first line (10) is designed to continually circulate the bodily fluid drawn from the patient (P) and route it to the irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14), and the second line (12) is designed to continually circulate the irradiated bodily fluid to the patient (P), and in which the irradiation unit for bodily fluids (14) contains an radiation source for the emission of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength greater than 430 nm, preferably in a spectrum from 450 to 530 nm. The invention furthermore concerns a corresponding method.
US07846120B2
An orthotic device for supporting a jointed limb of the human body includes a first segment having a first support member that extends along a posterior portion of the limb about the joint, a first support pad secured to the first support member, and a channel slot extending along the first support member. An extension segment includes a second support member that also extends along the posterior portion of the limb and a second support pad secured to the second support member. The second support member can be adjustably coupled to the first segment by entering and engaging the channel slot.
US07846102B2
A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array connected to a separate electronic unit is provided. The CMUT array includes at least two active elements, a ground element at the array end, and a non-active element having isolation trenches disposed between the active and ground elements. The active element includes a doped first silicon layer, a doped second silicon layer, and a first insulating layer disposed there between. A cavity is in the first silicon layer having a cross section that includes vertical portions disposed at each end of a horizontal portion, and the vertical portion spans from the first insulating layer through the first silicon layer such that a portion of the first silicon layer is isolated by the first insulating layer and the cavity. A membrane layer on the first silicon layer spans the cavity. A bottom electrode is disposed on the bottom of the second silicon layer.
US07846096B2
A method for ultrasound imaging of anatomical tissue. A first signal is received from a first imaging ultrasound wave which has been reflected from a location in the anatomical tissue during a first time period. A second signal is received from a second imaging ultrasound wave which has been reflected from the location in the anatomical tissue during a later second time period, following a discrete medical treatment. The second signal is subtracted from the first signal to form a difference signal. The difference signal may be scaled, spatially filtered, then used to generate an indication, the indication showing the effect of the medical treatment in the location in the anatomical tissue.
US07846095B2
The invention is directed to lead configurations for sensors that allow for less invasive sensor replacement procedures. In one configuration, a sensor lead assembly includes an outer lead body and an inner lead including a sensor such as an electrochemical glucose sensor. The inner lead can be positioned in an inner conduit of the outer lead body. The outer lead body may be substantially permanently implanted in the patient, and the inner lead can be implanted through the inner conduit of the outer lead body. Once the sensor of the inner lead has worn out or otherwise exhausted its useful life, the inner lead can be removed, and a new inner lead can be implanted in place of the old inner lead.
US07846094B2
A system (10) and method for detecting and analyzing neurological damage in an injured subject are provided using electrical nerve conduction analyses supported by a computing device (12). An appropriate neurologically protective pharmaceutical for that injury type and circumstances based on the result of said analyses is suggested.
US07846092B2
A surgical retractor comprising a retractor body having a site portion and a handle portion, and an impactor body on the retractor body. The impactor body is positioned and configured for use in impacting the site portion in the surgical site. An impaction axis of the impaction body is preferably substantially aligned with an axis of the site portion of the impactor body. The impactor body is preferably attached to the retractor body at a junction between the site portion and the handle portion of the retractor body. In one embodiment, the impactor portion is configured to selectively mate with an impactor extension member to thereby optionally receive direct impaction on the impactor portion or indirect impaction through the impactor extension member.
US07846074B2
A recumbent exerciser includes a base, a right link and a left link are pivotably connected to the base and a right cam and a left cam are connected to the right link and the left link respectively. A right pedal and a left pedal are connected to two respective top ends of the right link and the left link, and a right swinging arm and a left swinging arm are connected to the right link and the left link. A resistance unit provides resistance to the right and left pedals and the right left swinging arms when the right and left cams are driven by operation of the user so as to exercise the user's hands and legs. The resistance unit is located remote from the seat so that the seat does not need to remove to maintain the resistance unit and the cams.
US07846068B2
An activity meter includes a sensor for detecting acceleration in a plurality of directions, representative acceleration calculation means for calculating a representative acceleration based on an output signal of the sensor, and exercise intensity calculation means for calculating an exercise intensity of a body motion performed in the unit period from the representative acceleration. The exercise intensity calculation means includes a plurality of calculation formulas to use in the calculation of the exercise intensity, and determines the calculation formula to use in the calculation of the exercise intensity of the body motion performed in the unit period based on a horizontal component and a vertical component of the representative acceleration. The activity amount on various types of body activities from daily activity to exercise thus can be accurately measured.
US07846058B2
A power train of an automatic transmission attains eight forward speeds and one reverse speed. The power train includes first, second, and third planetary gear sets, four clutches, and two brakes. The first planetary gear set generates a reduced rotational speed, the second planetary gear set generates a reverse rotational speed, and the third planetary gear set generates the eight forward speeds and the one reverse speed by using the reduced rotational speed, the reverse rotational speed, and a rotational speed of an input shaft.
US07846054B2
In compact drive, spiroid gear unit, and method for manufacturing a drive unit that includes at least an electric motor, a brake, a gear unit, and a frequency converter, the output shaft of the gear unit and the rotor shaft are positioned in parallel to each other, and the shaft-center distance is determined by at least one gear stage. The first gear stage includes a first toothed member connected to the rotor shaft, and a second toothed member, which engages with the first toothed member and is connected to an intermediate shaft, the brake, including at least a brake-rotor shaft, being integrated in the housing of the compact drive, the brake-rotor shaft being parallel to the rotor shaft, and the brake-rotor shaft being connected to a toothed member, which engages with the second toothed member.
US07846053B2
A hydraulic control system of an eight-speed automatic transmission for a vehicle. Four clutches and two brakes can by independently controlled by six proportional control solenoid valves by employing pressure control valves and pressure switching valves.
US07846049B2
A belt (metal V belt) has a number of elements held by a ring in an endless shape and aligned in a peripheral direction of the ring. The element includes a head portion, a neck portion and a body portion. The body portion has a V face brought into contact with a drive pulley and a driven pulley and left and right locking edge portions wrapped with the ring and disposed on an inner peripheral side of the ring. The head portion is disposed on an outer peripheral side of the ring and having an ear portion extended to left and to right sides to be opposed to the locking edge portion. The neck portion integrally connects the body portion and the head portion. Front faces of the ear portion, the neck portion and the locking edge portion of the element are formed with contact portions capable of bringing the contiguous elements into contact with each other.
US07846043B2
A golf ball including a core and a cover layer, wherein the golf ball has a weight of about 1.39 oz to about 1.62 oz, and at a Reynolds number of about 184,000 and a non-dimensional spin ratio of about 0.106, the golf ball has a lift-to-weight ratio of greater than about 1.4 and a drag-to-weight ratio of greater than about 2.0.
US07846038B2
A golf club head (42) having a substantially square or rectangular body is disclosed herein. The golf club head (42) preferably has a volume ranging from 420 cubic centimeters to 470 cubic centimeters. The golf club head (42) preferably has a face component (60), a mid-body (61) and an aft-weight component (65). The golf club head (42) preferably has a moment of inertia about the Izz axis through the center of gravity of the golf club head greater than 4000 grams-centimeters squared.
US07846030B2
Universal joint (100) includes a centering mechanism (100A) for supporting the universal and forcing the two joint halves to operate at the same angle thereby causing the joint to operate at constant velocity at all angles. Each shaft (134, 135) of the joint (100) is rotatably connected to the centering mechanism (100A). Movement of one of the shafts (134, 135) at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling yoke (136) is transmitted to the other shaft (135, 134) by the centering mechanism (100A) and the centering mechanism (100A) causes the other shaft (135, 134) to likewise move at the same angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the coupling yoke (136). The centering mechanism(100A) includes cam rods (102, 103) supported within a cam tube (101), which arrangement allows a full range of movement of the shafts (134, 135) at angles of 90°.
US07846029B2
A torque limiter may include a first member provided with a circumferential face, a second member provided with a base plate part and a cylindrical drum part which is extended from the base plate part so as to surround the circumferential face of the first member, and an urging member for urging the cylindrical drum part of the second member to the circumferential face of the first member. The cylindrical drum part is formed with a plurality of cutout parts to be divided into a plurality of elastic plate parts. The cutout part is extended from a tip end of the cylindrical drum part to a middle position in a radial direction of the base plate part and the elastic plate part is formed of the cylindrical drum part and the base plate part.
US07846022B2
The objective of present invention is to provide a game input device which allows a player to enjoy the feeling of actually playing a musical instrument along with a rhythm of music, a game method and a game system using such a game input device. The present invention is a game input device having a moving portion and a neck portion, the moving portion has at least two or more inputs, the moving portion is provided onto the neck portion, and the position of the moving portion is movable on the neck portion. The present invention is also a game method and a game system using the game input device.
US07846017B2
In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of outcomes are generated for a wagering game. The plurality of outcomes are stored on a tangible medium (e.g., a DVD) or otherwise stored. The plurality of outcomes are sold to a player, for viewing by the player at a location remote from a casino.
US07846016B2
An interactive game in which a player and a gaming organization are each assigned game indicia. The game includes identifying a first game indicia selected by the game player with a first game indicia selected by the gaming organization thereafter, whereupon the player and the gaming organization each then select the remaining game indicia for the game. The gaming organization's selections are disclosed to the game player during each of its turns, so the game player can calculate the possibility before making his next selection. The game player is credited with a match for each of his or her selected indicium that matches the indicium selected by the gaming organization in that turn.
US07846015B2
A gaming device, wherein a player's skill at an action or event determines the player's success or failure in the round. The game is readily adaptable to becoming a pseudo-skill game that would be required in most gaming jurisdictions. In one pseudo-skill embodiment, the skill game is converted to a game employing skill, but which is controlled by a set number of successful outcomes. That is, the player keeps playing until the player's skill produces the set number of successful outcomes. In another pseudo-skill embodiment, the game only appears to the player as involving skill. Instead, the gaming device randomly determines when and how many times to produce a successful outcome and increase the player's award.
US07846013B1
The invention relates to a combine with a cleaning device (1), having a screening device (2) with at least one screen (2A, 2B) in which the harvested products conveyed to the thresher and to the separation device are cleaned and at least one adjustable blower (3) for exposing the screening device (3) to an air flow. The width of the openings of the sifting device (2) and the revolutions of the blower (3) can be mechanically regulated by at least one regulation organ. According to the invention, at least one sensor (4) is provided whose measuring signal (S/4) directly or indirectly indicates a quantity of harvested products loaded on the combine, especially on the cleaning device. Optimal regulation of the cleaning device, especially the width of the openings of the screen, is performed by an adjusting organ (20A, 20B) depending on the signal (S/4) of the sensor (4).
US07846010B2
A method of grinding a slot base of a blade retention slot within a rotor disk includes rotationally aligning a grind wheel about an axis of rotation to align a first notch with a first and second opposed lobe of the blade retention slot of the rotor disk; transiting the grind wheel along the blade retention slot that the first notch is passed between a lobe width defined by the first and second opposed lobe of the blade retention slot; rotating the grind wheel about the axis of rotation; and transiting the rotating grind wheel along the blade retention slot to grind a slot base with a rim of the grind disk, the slot base having a width greater than the lobe width of the blade retention slot. A grind wheel includes a rim having at least one notch formed in the rim to grind a slot base of a blade retention slot within a rotor disk.
US07846007B2
A system for polishing a semiconductor wafer. The system includes a polishing apparatus having a rotatable polishing pad for polishing the wafer. A dressing apparatus is mounted adjacent the polishing pad for dressing the polishing pad. The dressing apparatus includes a dressing member engageable with the polishing pad. A cleaning apparatus is mounted adjacent the polishing pad for removing particulate and chemicals from the polishing pad. The system includes a controller for controlling the dressing apparatus and the cleaning apparatus.
US07846004B2
A method provides a virtual presentation includes providing a toy that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the toy, wherein the toy is associated with a registration code; validating the registration code; responsive to said validating, displaying said virtual replica of the toy representing said toy on said website; providing at least one virtual room on the website for the virtual replica of the toy; offering one or more virtual furnishings for the at least one virtual room; providing content that allows the one or more virtual furnishings to be arranged in the at least one virtual room; and interacting the virtual replica of the toy with at least one of the one or more virtual furnishings.
US07846003B2
An action figure fabrication toy in which a preselected action figure torso is placed in the center of the toy and individual body parts for the action figure are then placed in separate chambers arranged circumferentially about the center on opposite sides. The toy is then activated and one body part from each chamber is selected and automatically attached to the preselected torso, in order to form a composite action figure comprised of the torso and each of the selected body parts from each of the separate chambers.
US07845996B2
The present disclosure relates to a jet pump tail cone insert for a jet pump. The jet pump tail cone insert comprises a cap, a body and an end member. The end member has a plurality of projections configured to matingly receive a plurality of forks of the body. When connected together, the body and the end member have a plurality of receivers configured to receive stator vanes of a bearing hub of the jet pump. The body and the end member are configured to be proximate the stator vanes. The cap is configured to matingly couple to the body. The jet pump tail cone insert encompasses a portion of the bearing hub of the jet pump. The jet pump tail cone insert occupies within the bearing hub thereby increasing a flow rate of water through the jet pump.
US07845994B2
An arrangement for contact-connecting at least one electronic component mounted in a housing with connection wires to a cooling surface and a spring element that can be fixed in the housing and has at least one spring arm which presses the component against the cooling surface in a contact-pressure position of the spring element is presented. The arrangement is characterized in that the spring element can be inserted into the housing without touching the component, and the housing is provided with retaining means for the spring element adapted in a manner so that no shear forces are produced in the longitudinal direction of the connection wires when the spring element is mounted.
US07845985B2
A connector includes a housing with a set of broad-side coupled terminals configured to engage a pair of signal traces on a first panel and a second panel and transfer signals between the signal traces on the first and second panels. The connector may be slid onto the edges and then fastened to one or both of the panels with a locking feature. Multiple signal pairs may be included in the connector and may be electrically separated. The design of the connector helps facilitate high-speed data communication per signal pair with a return loss performance that does not exceed at predetermined level. Certain configurations of the connector may be used for co-planar configurations. Certain configurations of the connector may couple together panels of different thicknesses.
US07845982B1
A DisplayPort socket includes a first composite element and a second composite element. The first composite element includes a first insulating body partially and tightly covering plural terminals so that the terminals are exposed on a plate of the first insulating body and form plural conduction zones. The second composite element includes a second insulating body partially and tightly covering plural terminals so that the terminals are exposed on a plate of the second insulating body and form plural conduction zones. The plates of the first and second composite elements are stacked flat on each other to form a coupling plate for coupling buttingly with a DisplayPort connector. By integrating the first and second insulating bodies with their corresponding terminals to form the first and second composite elements and then assembling the first and second composite elements together, the terminals are securely positioned, thus increasing the reliability of the socket.
US07845980B1
A connector is provided with a seal integral with a seal base, and a coupling member supported on a connector body. The seal base can be separate from, integral with, or attached to the connector body. The seal extends from the seal base as a thin, elastically deformable ring around a circumference of the seal base, and presses against a surface of the coupling member to provide a seal between the connector body and coupling member.
US07845977B2
Coaxial connectors include a connector body that includes a first connector body opening for receiving a coaxial cable. A tubular inner contact post that is at least partly within the connector body is provided. A sliding compression element is also provided that is configured to impart a generally circumferential compressive force to secure one or more elements of the coaxial cable between the sliding compression element and the connector body when an axially directed force that is directed away from the connector body is applied to the coaxial cable.
US07845971B1
A power connector structure is provided. The power connector includes a cable, an inner ring structure, an inner case, a strain relief structure, and an external cover. The inner case has a main body and an out-extending protrusion. The out-extending protrusion is set on the first opening proximate to the inner ring structure and elongates from an edge of the opening. The strain relief structure is set on the first opening proximate to the inner ring structure, substantially fills a gap within the opening, and covers the out-extending protrusion and a portion of the cable. The out-extending protrusion is utilized to enhance the bonding force between the inner case and the strain relief structure to improve the product reliability.
US07845968B1
An electrical connector assembly for forming insulation displacement connections with conductors in small wires includes a wire carrier and a base. Pierce points on the base are slid along opposed walls in a slot in the carrier to align small tips on the ends of the pierce points to form electrical connections with a conductor in a wire in the carrier. The connections are located inwardly of the slot walls.
US07845963B2
A mechanism of low cost and easy mounting, provides resistance to rotation of a coupling nut (14) of an electrical connector about the barrel (12) of the connector, and provides a higher resistance to rotation in one direction (U) than the opposite direction (M). A toothed ring (44) with a circle of teeth, is fixed to the barrel. The mechanism includes a washer (42) with projections (70, 72) that engage the teeth of the ring to ride over them during nut rotation, and thereby provide resistance to nut rotation. The washer is bent to form a spring to bias its projections against the teeth of the toothed ring. The washer also has ears (75, 76) that fit into slots in the nut to prevent washer rotation relative to the nut. The teeth of the toothed ring have first sides that are steeper than its second sides to provide higher resistance to rotation in one direction.
US07845958B2
A connector has a plug mounted on a lower surface of a printed circuit board, and a socket mounted on an upper surface of another printed circuit board. The plug is fitted in and electrically connected to the socket. A second support fitting is attached to both ends of a plug main body of the plug and is fixed to the printed circuit board. A first support fitting is attached to both ends of a socket main body of the socket and fixed to the another printed circuit board. The second support fitting is engaged to the first support fitting.
US07845954B2
A first circuit board (1) mounted with an electronic component (16) and a second circuit board (2) are vertically connected three-dimensionally through an interconnecting board (3) wherein the terminal portion (6) of the land electrode (5) on the interconnecting board (3) is buried in the termination material (9) of the interconnecting board (3). Consequently, the chance of peeling or cracking due to peeling stress or shearing stress acting between the upper/lower circuit boards and the land electrode by high density mounting, thermal shock or falling impact can be suppressed or buffered resulting in high reliability.
US07845952B2
A ground strap assembly couples two conductive components of a utility structure. The ground strap assembly includes an elongate electrically conductive ground strap having opposed ends. A pair of attachment members are mechanically and electrically coupled to each end of the strap. Each attachment member has a magnetic surface so that the ends of the strap may be placed in removable magnetic attachment to the two components to establish ground continuity across the components.
US07845947B2
A dental mill blank comprising a resin, and a filler, wherein the blank is fabricated such that it passes a Thermal Shock Test. The mill blank is substantially free of cracks and discontinuities. Further, the blank may have superior cuttability and hardness.
US07845946B2
A method is provided for orienting a bridge in position relative to a dental implant with the aid of spacer members. The spacer members are brought into cooperation with, on the one hand, the respective implant and, on the other hand, with fastening members arranged in the bridge. A first sleeve-shaped part included in the spacer member is bought into cooperation with the implant. A second sleeve-shaped part included in the spacer member is brought into cooperation with, on the one hand, the first sleeve-shaped part and, on the other hand, with a fastening member in the bridge. The sleeve-shaped parts are made to assume assembled positions when the bridge is anchored to the implants.
US07845943B2
Method for making and using a template for locating a dental implant and components relating thereto
An apparatus used in forming a template for locating a dental implant osteotomy in a patient's mandible or maxilla. The apparatus includes a guide post and a sleeve having a longitudinal gap. A dental cast of a patient's mandible or maxilla is formed and a hole is drilled in the dental cast wherein the location and orientation of the hole corresponds to a desired location and orientation of the dental implant osteotomy. The guide post is inserted into the hole and the sleeve is magnetically attached. A molding material is applied to a portion of the dental cast and to a portion of an outer surface of the sleeve to form the template. The template, including the sleeve embedded therein, is removed from the dental cast and is used in the patient's mouth to provide a guide means for drilling the osteotomy.
US07845942B2
A dental impression analyzer including a housing having two opposite open ends. A lower end of the two opposite ends fits over a tooth of a patient. A plurality of pins are slidably mounted in the housing. The pins are of equal length, extending parallel to each other, and at least a portion of sidewalls of the housing extending parallel to each other and parallel to the plurality of pins to maintain the pins parallel to each other and to guide movement of the pins. The plurality of pins are tightly compressed together in an interior of the housing. A lower end of the pins are positioned to engage an uppermost surface of the tooth of the patient when the housing is fitted over the tooth of the patient. An upper end of the pins replicates the uppermost surface of the tooth when the lower end of the pins engage the uppermost surface of the tooth.
US07845939B2
An orthodontic bracket housing having at least two opposing sides, a rear side which is a tooth engaging side and a front side. The front side includes a cavity for receiving at least one wire. A cover plate pivotally attaches to an extension located on the front side of the bracket housing and is designed to be moveable from an open to a closed position to secure and hold the wire within the cavity.
US07845932B2
A molding apparatus can include a primary mold, a stripper, and a swinging member. The swinging member can comprise a molding surface defining an undercut portion of a molded item. The swinging member can directly contact or attached to the stripper and the primary mold. To facilitate removal of a molded item, the swinging member can withdraw through a hole in the primary mold as a direct result of a motion of the stripper to pull the molded item off the primary mold. The molded item can then be easily removed.
US07845931B2
The present invention includes a method of solidifying a polymerizable liquid to form a film on a substrate that features minimizing inhibition of the polymerization process by oxygen contained in the atmosphere surrounding the polymerizable liquid. To that end, the polymerizable liquid includes, inter alia, an initiator that consumes oxygen that interacts with the polymerizable liquid and generates additional free radicals to facilitate the polymerizable process.
US07845928B2
A method and apparatus for marking, imprinting or applying a pattern, design or mark to a plurality of individual pieces of food product to be divided from a sheet of food product is described. In one aspect of the invention, a method may include the steps of supplying a sheet of food product, marking the plurality of individual pieces of food product to be divided from the sheet of food product, and dividing, at least partially, the individual pieces of food product from the sheet of food product. In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus may generally include a support frame, a cutting plate, and a marking head. The cutting plate preferably includes a plurality of cutting openings and an engagement surface capable of supporting and positioning a sheet of food product. The cutting openings preferably correspond to a plurality of individual pieces of food product to be divided from the sheet of food product.
US07845923B2
A spinning, drawing and texturing machine for the production of curled threads includes a spinning unit and multiple machine modules associated with the spinning unit. Each of the machine modules has multiple processing assemblies for drawing and curling one of the threads, and a spooling unit for winding the thread. The machine modules positioned next to one another form a longitudinal side of the machine. The processing assemblies and the spooling unit are arranged among each other at one of the machine modules such that a narrow machine partition (T) in a range of <800 mm occurs on the longitudinal side of the machine. The spinning unit has one or more spinnerets and one spinning duct within the machine partition (T) per machine module. The spinnerets are held in rows parallel to the longitudinal side of the machine.
US07845922B2
The invention relates to a vane pump comprising a rotor which is arranged therein, rotatably driven by a drive shaft. The rotor is provided with several grooves which are distributed through the circumference thereof and which extend substantially radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In each groove a blade-shaped conveying element is slidingly guided. The end walls of the pump housing are adjacent to the rotor in the direction of the axis of rotation thereof. At least one ring-shaped groove surrounding the axis of rotation of the rotor is embodied in at least one front side of the rotor. The ring-shaped groove is connected to lower areas restricted by the blades in the grooves of the rotor, and to pressure areas. In a preferred embodiment, the ring-shaped groove is formed in the rotor by shaping.
US07845920B2
An oil pump in which pulsation vibration due to the dynamic pressure on the discharge port side can be attenuated. In an oil pump for transporting fluid from a suction port to a discharge port by the rotation of a rotor mounted in a pump casing, a resonator configured from an introduction path and a chamber is formed with respect to a discharge flow channel that communicates with the discharge port in the flow direction of the discharge flow channel. A channel in a direction different to the flow direction of the discharge flow channel is communicatingly formed in the vicinity of the resonator.
US07845913B2
A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump and a variable speed motor. The pumping system further includes means for determining a first motor speed of the motor, means for determining first and second performance values of the pumping system, and means for comparing the first and second performance values. The pumping system further includes means for determining an adjustment value based upon the comparison, means for determining a second motor speed based upon the adjustment value, and means for controlling the motor in response to the second motor speed. In one example, the pumping system includes means for determining a value indicative of a flow rate of water moved by the pump. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system includes a filter arrangement. A method of controlling the pumping system for moving the water of the swimming pool is also disclosed.
US07845906B2
A cooling system for an airfoil portion of a turbine engine component is provided. The cooling system includes a first cavity dedicated to cooling a trailing edge portion of an airfoil portion and a second cavity dedicated to cooling an aft portion of a pressure side wall.
US07845896B2
A loader includes a hydraulically operated extension arm, a load sensor for monitoring the load condition on the loader and a hydraulic arrangement for actuation of the extension arm and/or an implement attached to the extension arm. The hydraulic arrangement exhibits at least one hydraulic cylinder with one supply line on the piston rod side and one supply line on the piston side. At least one mechanically switchable control device is coupled between a source of fluid pressure and a hydraulic tank, on the one hand, and the supply lines on the other hand. An electronic control unit is connected for effecting operation of a restricting device coupled between the supply lines in response to a load signal received from the load sensor so as to achieve a slowed-down actuation of the hydraulic cylinder in conjunction with the on set of a critical load condition. Thus, a restriction of a volumetric flow is achieved in at least one of the supply line on the piston rod side or the supply line on the piston side of the hydraulic cylinder.
US07845875B2
The light articulation ball-joint comprises a metal inner ring and a metal outer ring, provided respectively with a spherical outer surface and a spherical inner surface. The ball-joint also comprises a first contact layer, applied to the spherical surface of one of the rings, and a second contact layer, applied to the spherical surface of the other ring. According to the invention, the first contact layer has a hardness which is less than the hardness of the second contact layer and a thickness which is greater than the thickness of the second contact layer, the first contact layer further being adapted to release particles of solid lubricant by friction with the second contact layer.
US07845872B2
A crayon with a plurality of longitudinally extending color zones. The crayon has generally planar exterior side surfaces on the tip and shank forming vertices therebetween. A color zone bridges a vertex providing the same color of marking material on opposite sides of a respective vertex.
US07845861B2
To provide an optical module capable of improving the workability for a circuit substrate, in the rear of a shield case (22), a pressing portion (27) for holding an FOT (6) is formed to press a back surface of a package portion (9) of the FOT (6). In the rear of the shield case (22), a stress countermeasure portion (28) is formed to distribute or mitigate a stress occurring due to deformation and displacement of the pressing portion (27). The stress countermeasure portion (28) is formed between the pressing portion (27) and a substrate connection portion (16). The stress countermeasure portion (28) is formed in the vicinity of the pressing portion (27). In a small space between a base (or bend portion) of the pressing portion (27) and the stress countermeasure portion (28), the force in a twist direction acts due to the occurred stress. This force is distributed or absorbed according to presence and shape of the stress countermeasure portion (28).
US07845857B2
A thrust bearing assembly generally includes a cage and a plurality of rolling elements. The cage has first and second cage halves with each cage half having a respective radial segment with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings. Each opening has an opening perimeter. The cage halves are interconnected with portions of the radial segments circumferentially between the plurality of openings abutting along a given plane and the respective openings aligned to defined rolling element pockets. The rolling elements are positioned in the rolling element pockets such that a centerline of each rolling element lies in or in proximity to the given plane. A flange extends along at least a portion of each opening perimeter to retain the rolling elements within a respective one of the rolling element pockets.
US07845849B1
A pulse of heat or cold is applied and conducted transversely through a ball grid array device and a printed circuit board via a selected one of the solder joints between them. Heat diffused through the other solder joints is neutralized by a thermal bias shield. The shield is then removed and a thermographic image of the printed circuit board is taken. The process is repeated for each solder joint, and the images are compared to identify defective solder joints.
US07845831B2
A light fixture (10) is provided having a wall housing (11) and lighting arms (12). The light fixture includes a heating source (17) mounted within the wall housing. The wall housing includes an external wall (19) adapted to be mounted to a vertical wall of a structure. The external wall has a top (19a), bottom (19b), two oppositely disposed sides (19c), and a front face (19d). The housing top has an air intake opening (20). The housing bottom has an air exhaust outlet (21) which directs air in a downwardly direction. The wall housing also includes an air channel (23) which commences at air intake opening and ends at air exhaust outlet. The heat source includes a heating element (25) mounted within the airflow channel and a motorized fan (26) to create an air flow through the channel which exits through the air exhaust outlet.
US07845829B2
An enclosure for an LED circuit board is manufactured from a flame resistant material and includes LED apertures through which LEDs mounted on an LED circuit board may pass. The enclosure is designed to be positioned on the LED circuit board so that, when so positioned, the LEDs extend at least partially through the LED apertures in the enclosure. When the enclosure is positioned on the board, portions of its lower surface contact the upper surface of the board. Various fixation/retention methods may be used to retain the enclosure in position relative to the circuit board. It is preferable that such methods allow for the separation of the enclosure from the board.
US07845824B2
A lamp that allows a user to adjust parameters to control emitted white light, specifically quality, intensity and color temperature. Under such control, the lamp can match, complement, or augment ambient or available natural or artificial light. In specific embodiments, the lamp uses high power, high CRI, white LED sources; integral thermal management that also functions as LED structural support; integral optics (secondary lenses) with accommodation for diffusing elements; and manually responsive controls.
US07845816B2
A helmet including a lighting system integrated into said helmet, the lighting system comprising a first layer; light emitting means mounted to said first layer; controller means mounted to said first layer for controlling said light emitting means; wiring means for linking said light emitting means to said controller means; a second layer fixably attached to said first layer thereby providing an area between said first and second layer for said light emitting means, controller means, and wiring means; power means fixably attached to said second layer for powering said controller and light emitting means; and operating means functionally linked to said controller means for operating said controller means. The application also discloses lighting system contained in a shell that that can be attached to an existing helmet.
US07845814B2
A method and apparatus of lighting a marine habitat for growth utilizing an LED light system. The light system includes an LED light source, a power supply for such light source and a controller for controlling the activation status and the intensity of the LED light source.
US07845811B2
An exemplary prism sheet (20) includes a light input surface (201), a light output surface (202) opposite to the light input surface, and a plurality of micro-depressions (205). The plurality of micro-depressions are defined in the light output surface and arranged in a skewed matrix. Each micro-depression has four side surfaces connected to each other, and a transverse width of each side surface decreases along a direction away from the light output surface and close to the light input surface. The present invention also provides a liquid crystal display device (200) using the above-described prism sheet.
US07845809B2
A domestic appliance includes an operation indicator having an illumination element for emitting a light beam by means of which a gap between the domestic appliance and a surface adjacent to the domestic appliance can be illuminated, and a reflection element in the gap for directing or bundling light emitted by the illumination element.
US07845808B2
An exemplary illuminating device includes a light guide member and a light source. The light guide member includes an annular main body and at least one light incident portion extending from and optically coupled to the annular main body. The light source is optically coupled to the at least one light incident portion. The annular main body has a light emitting surface. The annular main body has a plurality of micro protrusions formed on the light emitting surface.
US07845806B2
Discharge lamp control device controlling lighting of a discharge lamp, and projector using the same
A discharge lamp control device includes: a discharge lamp driver section which drives a lamp; and a discharge lamp drive control section which performs constant current control so that a discharge lamp current that flows between electrodes of the lamp becomes constant when a discharge lamp voltage applied between the electrodes of the lamp is lower than a first voltage, and performs constant power control so that an amount of power supplied to the lamp becomes constant when the discharge lamp voltage is equal to or higher than the first voltage after the lamp has been lighted. The discharge lamp drive control section includes a discharge lamp drive frequency control section which causes the drive frequency when the discharge lamp voltage is lower than a second voltage which is equal to or lower than the first voltage to be lower than the drive frequency when the discharge lamp voltage is higher than the second voltage.
US07845796B2
A spectacle lens includes a multi-contact diffractive optical element formed on at least one surface of a overall lens system that is arranged from an object to a pupil, in which an apparent Abbe number Vd when the overall lens system including the multi-contact diffractive optical element is regarded as a single lens satisfies Vd>60 . . . (1).
US07845794B1
A plug device for coupling a frame of a pair of glasses to one of a temple or a head strap buckle includes a socket member having a receptacle. The receptacle includes an outer lateral wall having an opening in communication with the receptacle. A button is moveably received in the opening. A resilient member is received in the receptacle and biases the button into the opening. A plug member includes a resilient hook releasably engaged in the receptacle. A distal end of the resilient hook is releasably received in the opening and abuts a peripheral wall of the opening. An outer end of the resilient hook abuts the inner end of the button. The button is pressable in the direction to disengage the distal end of the resilient hook from the opening, allowing the resilient hook to be removed from the receptacle of the socket member.
US07845790B2
An ink jet printing system includes an ink jet print head configured to deliver ink drops to a substrate, a support member having a plurality of protrusions configured to carry the substrate by being in contact with the lower surface of the substrate, and a substrate conveying mechanism configured to cause relative movement between the ink jet print head and the support member.
US07845787B2
A print system senses the type of a recording medium. The print system modifies the amount of marking material on an imaging drum when the sensed the recording medium type requires a modification to the amount of marking material on the imaging drum. Moreover, the print system changes a transfix parameter when the sensed the recording medium type requires a modification to the transfix parameter.
US07845783B2
A printing apparatus having a) a printing station including at least one printhead for applying phase-change ink to a print substrate in a phase-change ink image, and b) an ink spreading station including an ink spreading member and a back-up pressure member in pressure contact with the ink spreading member forming a nip between the ink spreading member and pressure member for spreading the phase-change ink image on the print substrate, wherein the print substrate is passed through the nip, and wherein the pressure member includes i) a pressure member substrate, and having thereon ii) an intermediate coating comprising a polyurethane material, and having thereon, iii) an outer coating comprising a nitrile butadiene and a conductive filler.
US07845782B2
Disclosed is a cradle for holding an ink cartridge within an inkjet printer. The cradle comprises a recess for receiving and releasably retaining the ink cartridge; an interface corresponding to an ink storage compartment of the ink cartridge; a pair of arms for receiving and retaining a PCB assembly containing a print engine, each of the arms adapted to engage with a first end of a corresponding tension spring; and a cover assembly pivotally attached to the cradle, the cover adapted to engage with a second end of the tension springs. The interface is provided on the cover assembly. The tension springs are engaged with the cover assembly and the PCB assembly such that movement of the cover assembly to an open position relieves a tension in the tension springs with respect to the PCB assembly, whereby the PCB assembly pivots away from corresponding electrical contacts of the inkjet printer.
US07845779B2
The present invention relates to an ink cartridge with a handle for inkjet printers. The ink cartridge includes a cartridge housing (1) having hook-avoidance grooves (2) with a proper depth and corresponding to the pulling hooks (11) of the locking cover (10) of the printhead, and a handle (3) disposed on an upper surface of the ink cartridge body (1). The structure of the handle (3) is in a form of double-folding type. Alternatively, the handle can also be in a form of single straight flip-down type construction. Because of the handle structure, the present invention is not only able to relieve the installation and removal of the ink cartridge from excessive reliance on the locking cover of the print head, but also to make the ink cartridge installation and removal more natural, positive and user controlled.
US07845773B2
A printer includes a printhead and a source of liquid. The printhead includes a nozzle bore. The liquid is under pressure sufficient to eject a column of the liquid through the nozzle bore. The liquid has a temperature. A thermal modulator is associated with the nozzle bore. The thermal modulator is operable to transiently lower the temperature of the liquid as the liquid is ejected through the nozzle bore.
US07845763B2
A laminated film for attachment of printhead integrated circuits to an ink supply manifold. The film has a plurality of ink supply holes defined therein and film comprises: a central polymeric web; a first adhesive layer for bonding a first surface of the film to the ink supply manifold; and a second adhesive layer for bonding a second surface of the film to the printhead integrated circuits. The central polymeric web is sandwiched between the first and second adhesive layers. A first melt temperature of the first adhesive layer is at least 20° C. less than a second melt temperature of the second adhesive layer.
US07845758B2
Provided herein is a suction device having a plurality of head caps capable of closely contacting with and moving away from corresponding nozzle surfaces of a plurality of inkjet functional liquid droplet ejection heads. The suction device includes: a plurality of cap units having one or more of the head caps, a contacting/separating mechanism which makes the head caps contact and move away, a plurality of suction units which suck functional liquid from the head caps, a plurality of sets of suction channels each of which having a main channel and individual channels, and a plurality of channel switching units which selectively switch the suction channels to any one of the suction units.
US07845757B2
A printing apparatus including printheads arranged along a transport path of a printing medium and which are transported in a transporting direction. The printheads have a plurality of nozzles arranged in an arrangement which intersects the transporting direction. The apparatus also includes a printhead control unit configured to print an image on the printing medium by discharging ink from part of the plurality of nozzles on the basis of given image data, and a discharge inspection unit configured to detect any defectively discharging nozzles present in the plurality of nozzles, the printhead control unit specifying specific nozzles which discharge ink for printing the image, determining whether any discharge-defective nozzle is included in the specific nozzles or not, and starting printing of the image when it is determined that no discharge-defective nozzle is included in the specific nozzles.
US07845751B2
A method for reducing banding artifacts in a printed image, including irregularly advancing a media that will be printed upon while employing an entire single mask for marking elements of a printhead; and calculating a difference between an irregular advance amount of the media versus a nominal advance amount of the media. Finally, the single mask is nonuniformly circulated by the difference calculated in order to compensate for the media being irregularly advanced.
US07845750B2
Ink type information is read by a read and write system (62) from a semiconductor storage system mounted on ink cartridges (9a to 9d) attached to a cartridge holder (8). A decision control system (61) decides whether or not ink type information has already been stored in ink type storage system (63), and stores the ink type information thus read when the ink type information is not stored. In the case in which the ink cartridge is exchanged, the ink type information is similarly read and it is decided whether or not the same ink type information is identical to the ink type information stored in the ink type storage system (63). If they are not identical to each other, the operation of the recording apparatus is inhibited and a display system (68) is caused to display an error message thereon.
US07845741B2
A stud mount for detachably mounting a traction stud to a snowmobile track assembly including an endless drive belt having at least one laterally extending reinforcing rod embedded in the drive belt. At least one stud mount is secured about the reinforcing rod by way of a mounting head and is opened to the ground-engaging side of the track to receive a traction stud. One or more stabilizing arms project laterally from the mounting head and are adapted embedded in the endless drive belt to provide lateral stability to the stud mounts under torque load.
US07845735B2
A method and system for performing the method of controlling vehicle braking where the wheel slip of individual vehicle wheels is calculated and the load upon individual vehicle wheels is determined. A first brake line correction factor is calculated based on the determined loads upon the vehicle wheels. A second brake line correction factor is calculated based on the calculated wheel slip and the first and second load brake line correction factors are used to modulate a pressure supplied to individual wheel calipers during braking of the vehicle.
US07845725B1
An apparatus for use in accommodating public seating needs is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes at least a pair of parallel backbone members, a support leg in sliding engagement with the pair of parallel backbone members, a combination seating surface and backrest portion in sliding engagement with the pair of parallel backbone members, and adjacent the support leg, and an end cap secured to the pair of parallel backbone members, and restricting lateral motion of the support leg and the combination seating surface and backrest portion along the pair of parallel backbone members. Preferably the apparatus further accommodates lateral motion of the support leg and the combination seating surface and backrest portion along the pair of parallel backbone members, upon removal of the end cap from the pair of parallel backbone members.
US07845720B2
A portable platform that allows for independent assembly and disassembly of SCUBA diving equipment comprised of a folding seating implement with a pair of front, rear and side crossed legs, a seating means, a backrest and armrests. An additional plurality of seating implement legs is pivotally connected to the posterior portions of the back crossed legs and connected at their lower portions. A concave vertical recess is located along the midline of the seating implement backrest that extends from the concave recess located at the midline rear portion of the seating implement seating means to the top edge of the seating implement backrest. At least one linear nylon support strip is connected at each lateral side of the seating implement backrest and extends laterally across a back portion of the seating implement backrest. A plurality of pouch pockets is connected to each lateral side of the seating means.
US07845708B2
An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus for use with vehicles having surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus including an exterior cover supported by moveable frames which in turn are supported by sets of supporting linkages. The moveable frames extend rearward and together with the exterior cover form a drag reducing shape for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.
US07845707B2
A closure assembly with a shape memory polymer seal is provided for use with a vehicle. The closure assembly includes a frame member configured for attachment to the vehicle body to selectively transition from a closed position to an open position. The seal structure includes a base portion elongated along and attached to a peripheral edge of the frame member or the vehicle body, and a flexible contact portion extending integrally from the base portion and configured for sealing communication with an opposing surface. A thermally-activated smart material (TASM), namely a shape memory polymer member, is disposed inside a cavity within the contact portion. A thermoelectric device is in thermal communication with the TASM, and is characterized by a thermal differential when current flows therethrough. The TASM is activated in response to the thermal differential of the thermoelectric device, thereby altering at least one physical property of the TASM.
US07845703B2
Embodiments of seating systems for motor vehicles facilitate two-dimensional movement of a seat in a horizontal plane. The seating systems can also facilitate vertical movement of the seat. The seating systems are motorized, and can be automatically controlled so that minimal movement and effort are required on the part of the user to enter and exit the vehicle.
US07845698B2
A gripper assembly including at least one gripper jaw and an actuator operative for moving the at least one gripper jaw. A support is fixed relative to the actuator for supporting the at least one gripper jaw. A stop member is removably affixable between the at least one gripper jaw and the support for limiting movement of the at least one gripper jaw.
US07845695B2
The disclosure describes a waste collection device that includes a sweep that includes a plate and a first handle, and a scoop that includes a receptacle and a second handle. The first handle is attached to the plate and the second handle is attached to the receptacle. The disclosure also describes a method of picking up animal waste that includes contacting the waste with the plate of a sweep and sweeping the waste into a receptacle of a scoop through an opening of the receptacle.
US07845694B1
A waste handling and bagging unit (10) that is comprised of a mitt (12) having an upper layer (14), a lower layer (36) and a hand opening (64). Either a single bag (70) or a plurality of nested bags (70) encompass the mitt (12) and are attached to the mitt by at least one grommet assembly (112,128) that is located adjacent to the hand opening (64) on the mitt (12). The waste handling and bagging unit (10) allows a person to quickly, easily and hygienically grasp waste material, such as fecal matter from a pet, and then to enclose the waste material within one of the bags (70) for disposal. When a single bag (70) is utilized, a person will manually place a new bag on the mitt (12) for each instance of waste removal. The nested bags (70) allow a person to repeatably gasp and dispose multiple instances of waste material without having to manually put a new replacement bag (70) on the mitt (12).
US07845686B2
A restrained pipe joining system is shown comprising male and female ends each having aligned circumferential grooves which form a canal for passage of a locking key strap. During manufacture, the female belled end is sequentially formed over a Rieber style gasket and then over a ring shaped casing member having an inner circumferential groove formed on its inner circumferential surface. Preferably, the ring shaped casing has circumferentially spaced teeth that act as a pipe stop in cooperation with an outer circumferential groove on the male spigot to index the pipes to be coupled.
US07845677B2
A triggering device for a safety device in an automotive vehicle, in particular for an airbag, has an electrical component that has at least one force sensor and that is attached to the body of the automotive vehicle in such a way that a measurement signal that is dependent on the deformation of the body can be applied at a measurement signal output of the force sensor. An evaluation device for processing the measurement signal is connected to the measurement signal output. The force sensor has at least one piezo element, which is integrated into a CMOS chip together with the evaluation device.
US07845673B2
An occupant leg part restraint apparatus including a cover cloth for preventing an air bag inflated and developed under a steering column (steering column cover) from interfering with an auxiliary key, in which the cover cloth can be rapidly projected to the upper side of the air bag. A key device (4) is installed on the right side face of the steering column cover (2). The auxiliary key (6) is fitted in a suspended state to a key (5) inserted into the key device (4). The air bag (12) is provided with a cover cloth (14) which is projected from the right side upper end of the air bag (12) upward and interposed between the air bag (12) and the key device (4) when the air bag (12) is inflated. The cover cloth (14) includes an extension part (14a) extended laterally from the vertical intermediate part on the side of the cover cloth. The vertical intermediate part of the cover cloth (14) is connected to the upper end of the air bag (12) through the extension part (14a).
US07845671B2
A folding chair includes handle frames, and front legs and rear legs configured to support the chair in an upright position. The front legs are pivotally attached to respective rear legs. A chair portion, includes a back rest, a seat and a leg rest pivotally attached to the seat. Pivot frames are pivotally attached to respective handle frames, the back rest and the rear legs. Sliders are pivotally attached to respective pivot frames, the back rest, respective arm rests and the seat and are configured to slide along the front legs.
US07845670B2
In some embodiments, a trailer dolly may include one or more of the following features: (a) a main body having a proximal and distal end, (b) an adjustable hitch operably coupled to the distal end of the main body, (c) at least one wheel operably coupled to the distal end of the main body, (d) an operator's handle coupled to the main body at the proximal end, (e) at least one grip coupled to the operator's handle, (f) a V-shaped support coupled to a lower side of the main body, (g) a hitch receiving aperture coupled to the distal end of the main body, (h) a support beam operably coupled to the main body at one end and the hitch receiving aperture at an opposite end, and (i) an axle coupled to the main body at the distal end and operably coupled to the at least one wheel.
US07845664B2
Embodiments of the present invention comprise a single-wheeled recumbent bicycle trailer which may be attached to a bicycle, for transport of a passenger or passengers, wherein the passengers may contribute to propulsion of the combined cycle. The embodiments include a recumbent seat position and other accommodations for the safety and comfort of passenger(s) and ease of use. Such accommodations may include single or multi-passenger configuration, passenger pedals, hands-free operation for passengers, supportive seats with backrests, extendable leg rests, and safety restraints.
US07845657B2
A load wheel assembly for a materials handling vehicle includes first and second spaced side members, at least one rotatable roller extending between the first and second side members and a retainer for holding the roller in the side members. An interface structure provides a substantially rigid connection between the load wheel assembly and a mounting structure on the materials handling vehicle. The load wheel assembly can be moved vertically or horizontally into a mounted position within the outrigger and at least a portion of the interface structure mates with the mounting structure.
US07845653B2
A container assembly is provided that includes a base container that has an upper opening and an upper container mounted in covering relation over the upper opening of the base container. A linkage connects the upper container to the base container in a manner that allows the upper container to be displaced from the covering relation over the upper opening of the base container, so as to permit access into the base container through the upper opening. A support assembly is spaced from the base container when the upper container is displaced from the covering relation over the upper opening of the base container and wheels are disposed toward a lower portion of the container assembly. A handle is provided for rollingly transporting the container assembly on the wheels in a tilted configuration.
US07845643B2
Each of fifty-two playing cards has upper and lower portions when the card is in a selected orientation. Each card has a first face side with two numbers visible on its upper portion and the same two numbers visible on its lower portion. The two numbers are vertically oriented with respect to one another, are arranged in an identical order on the card's upper and lower portions, and are right side up on the card's upper portion and upside down on the card's lower portion. Each the two numbers is between 1 and 13, and is red or black.
US07845638B2
An imaging apparatus including a media source having a plurality of sheets of photothermographic imaging media contained therein, an exposure unit including an input engagement point, an output engagement point, and a laser module positioned therebetween, and a driven roller pair forming a nip. A driven roller pair is configured to receive a leading edge of a sheet from a media source and is configured to begin extracting the sheet from the media source and driving the sheet along a transport path extending from the media source to at least the output engagement point of the exposure unit. Upon the leading edge being engaged by the input engagement point, the nip is configured to open while the trailing edge of sheet is still within the media source such that a remaining portion of the sheet is extracted from the media source by the exposure unit while the laser module exposes a desired image on the sheet.
US07845637B2
Provided is a double feed detecting device, including: a first detecting unit which is disposed in a conveyance path of a sheet member, and detects overlapping of the sheet members which pass along the conveyance path; a second detecting unit having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit which are opposed each other and disposed across the conveyance path, and detecting light which is irradiated from the light emitting unit and transmitted through the sheet member by the light receiving unit, and outputting a signal corresponding to a received light quantity; and a discriminating unit which discriminates the double feed when the first detecting unit detects the overlapping of the sheet members and an output signal of the second detecting unit is equal to or lower than a set double feed determination threshold value.
US07845633B2
An abnormal sheet delivery detection device includes a convey device, first pile device, noncontact-type detection unit, and first releasing unit. The convey device includes a sheet holding unit for holding a sheet, and conveys the sheet held by the sheet holding unit. The sheet released from the sheet holding unit is piled on the first pile device at a predetermined sheet release position. The noncontact-type detection unit arranged downstream of the sheet release position in a sheet convey direction detects a presence/absence of the sheet. The first releasing unit selectively switches between a first state wherein the sheet held by the sheet holding unit is released and piled on the first pile device, and a second state wherein the sheet held by the sheet holding unit is conveyed downstream in the sheet convey direction by the first convey device without releasing the sheet.
US07845632B2
Systems and methods for feeding media into a printing system in which a movable media guide is used to register media on a tray with a potentiometer and an opto-interrupt sensor are mounted in a fixed position relative to the tray with the slidable potentiometer member being moved by translation of the media guide. An obstruction structure is coupled to move relative to the opto-interrupt sensor when the media guide is translated and provides one or more fins to selectively block or open the optical signal path of the opto-interrupt sensor, with the sensed media width being determined according to the output signals of the opto-interrupt sensor and the potentiometer.
US07845631B2
A transporting device moves sheet-like objects. The transporting device has an elevator plate mounted to be liftable and lowerable on a loading surface to load an object to be moved; a drive part to lift and to lower the elevator plate via gears; and a controller to execute a preparatory operation to operate the drive part in a direction only by a drive amount corresponding to the gear backlash during the time after the drive part has completed an elevator plate drive operation in one direction until the start of an elevator plate drive operation in another direction.
US07845624B2
A cylindrical fluid-filled elastic mount which has a structure that avoids or mitigates a deterioration of damping effect, when an outer cylindrical member is subjected to a diameter-reducing operation. A cylindrical fluid-filled elastic mount including; a communication groove connecting a pair of pockets in the circumferential direction formed in an elastic body; fluid chambers provided by the corresponding pockets; an orifice member having a trough-form protrusion in which both-side wall portions provided at an end of the orifice groove are formed by an elastic material. The trough-form protrusion is inserted in the communication groove. At least one hollow groove is provided along the communication groove where the trough-form protrusion is inserted, and the hollow groove is formed longer in the circumferential direction than a length of a protrusion part of the trough-form protrusion.
US07845622B1
A hoist device adaptable to lift or pull load material of various types. The hoist device is attachable to the trailer hitch of a vehicle and comprises a telescopic boom of a pair of rectangular tubular members attachable slidably to a base support member. In adjacent position on the base support is a control post member to which other components are attached, including a motor-driven winch positionable on the upright end thereof. A lifting component is attachable to the end of the boom member to be able to rotate easily, in any direction, since the angular movement of the boom member is always only one direction in regard to the axis of the boom member. A cable is used to operate the movement of the boom member, and has one end attached to the winch and a second end attached to a rigid component on the boom member after engaging pulley means on the boom member or control post member as chosen to provide suitable angular orientation of the boom member and telescopic extension of the boom member.
US07845615B2
The invention is concerned with the problem that with known plastic casting moulds, especially those of polypropylene, the lenses produced with these moulds have a slippery surface. The invention solves this problem through the use of polymers which are notable for their very low oxygen permeability.
US07845612B2
This invention is to provide the stand for the electronic device with the capacity to hole the headset in a handy manner. The stand comprises the main body capable of holding cords, the attaching section positioned on the main body for the electronic device to be mounted and secured thereon, stand cover capable of temporary fitting over the main body and having the section for preventing the cords from unraveling, and the connecting section which joints the main body and the stand cover and allows the stand cover to spread apart from the main body with the hinge section as the fulcrum.
US07845598B2
A method of installing a piping system, including applying mark(s) to a surface along a line parallel to a desired center line of the piping system; selecting a plurality of pipe mounting brackets, each pipe mounting bracket including a mounting portion and a pipe supporting portion projecting from said mounting portion and including an arm portion having a generally arched surface sized and extending to support at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of a pipe and thereby defining a pipe receiving receptacle. Each mounting portion includes a predetermined, indicator part disposed at a predetermined lateral and vertical position with respect to a radial center of a circular part of the arched surface of the respective bracket. The indicator part of each selected bracket is aligned with the mark(s) and the mounting portion of the bracket is fastened to the surface with the fastener.
US07845597B2
A conduit carrier system for securing a storage pipe to a ladder rack including a support member having a slot extending the length thereof is disclosed. The carrier system of the present invention includes a holder portion having a cradle surface configured and arranged to cradle the storage pipe. A base portion depends from the holder portion and a pair of feet depends from the base portion. The pair of feet are configured and arranged to cooperate with the slot of the tubular support member of the ladder rack to secure the base portion to the ladder rack. The pair of feet is selectively adjustable to clamp a portion of the tubular support member between the base portion and the pair of feet. Further included is a means for securing said storage pipe to said holder portion.
US07845594B2
A helicopter collapsible deck having at least one longitudinal member and at least one cross member, which extend respectively in a first and second direction intersecting at a point; the cross member is interrupted at the point of intersection; the deck also has an anchoring device for connecting the longitudinal member and the cross member at the point of intersection; and the anchoring device has at least one local permanent deformation section lying in a plane crosswise to the deck and for dissipating the energy transmitted to the deck in the event of impact.
US07845582B2
A spray gun reservoir has an oversize central opening 130 at one end allowing liquid to be added to the reservoir for fast filling with reduced risk of spillage. A cap member 132 is connectable to the reservoir and has a spout 115 providing a fluid outlet of reduced size relative to the opening 130 for connection to the spray gun. The reservoir can be disconnected from the cap member 132 when it is desired to add liquid to the reservoir. In this way, the reservoir can be re-filled in use.
US07845578B2
A substantially M-shaped rail clip is substantially flat when in its non-operative configuration, and, when the clip is in an operative configuration, the toe of the clip lies substantially in a second plane and the legs of the clip lie substantially in a third plane, the second and third planes being non-parallel to one another.
US07845572B2
A latent image is incorporated into an apparent solid-color background for representing a desired solid-color background having a target color. An underlying solid-color background is printed on a print medium using a first color composition that differs from the target color. Line-screen patterns embedding a latent image in a visually integrated setting are printed over the solid-color background using a second color composition that differs from both the first color composition and the target color. The visual characteristics of the line-screen patterns forming the latent image and the visually integrated setting are matched for rendering the latent image practically indistinguishable from the visually integrated setting without a visual aid. The print densities of the line-screen patterns and the first and second color compositions are interrelated so that the line-screen patterns in combination with the underlying solid-color background produce the apparent solid-color background in the target color.
US07845562B2
A decoding system is provided having decoder configured to determine a clock indicator from alignment data sensed by a sensor used to interact with coded data in a sensing region, update, from the determined clock indicator, a phase-locked loop (PLL), determine, from the updated PLL, a relative position between the sensing region and a data portion of the coded data sensed by the sensor, and decode, from the determined relative position, the sensed data portion.
US07845560B2
A method and apparatus for determining position and rotational orientation of an object within a predetermined area is disclosed. Position markers, encoded with their identity, are viewed with a camera, images are captured and processed, and the position and rotational orientation of the object are calculated. Three embodiments are disclosed; the first having a camera mounted on the movable object while position markers bearing linear bar codes are fixed in location, the second having a camera mounted on the movable object while position markers bearing two-dimensional bar codes are fixed in location, and the third having a position marker of either type affixed to the object while the camera is fixed in location.
US07845539B1
There is provided a bump printing apparatus that can improve the printability of solder bumps printed on a board. The bump printing apparatus may include a printing table onto which a board is mounted; a mask making close contact with the board and printing solder bumps on the board by separating the mask from the board after a printing operation; and mask tables extending from the printing table to edges of the mask and sucking the edges of the mask to bring the edges of the mask into close contact with the board under vacuum.
US07845535B2
A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.
US07845531B2
A multi-function peripheral includes a main body and a stapler module for stapling papers. The stapler module includes a fixed structure disposed in the main body, a motor fixed to the fixed structure, a driving set, two staplers, and two anvils fixed to the fixed structure. The driving set includes a transmitting structure coupled to the motor and two connecting parts coupled to two ends of the transmitting structure, respectively. The staplers connect the connecting parts, respectively. The motor drives the connecting parts to move toward or away from the anvils through the transmitting structure and, therefore, a first distance or a second distance is between the staplers and the anvils. When the first distance is between the staplers and the anvils, the staplers staple the papers. When the second distance is between the staplers and the anvils, a paper feeding path is defined between the staplers and the anvils.
US07845529B2
A method and an apparatus process a substrate to divide a mother substrate into unit substrates. The apparatus is provided with a scribing portion for drawing a scribe line on a mother substrate, a breaking portion for breaking a mother substrate along the formed scribe line, and a portion for conveying a substrate for conveying a mother substrate or a unit substrate at least between the above described respective portions, wherein portion for conveying a substrate has a number of rotational supports and with a suction surface for sucking and holding each substrate from a main surface, rotational supports and have rotational axes, as well as suction members for respectively sucking and rotating a substrate which rotates substrates around rotational axes approximately simultaneously in such a manner that at least two main surfaces of each substrate are turned over in the upward and downward direction.
US07845528B2
Disclosed is a load carrier made up of a flat tray like body which attaches to a vehicle by load bars. A cargo container attaches to the flat tray-like load carrier body, and is locked in one of several possible positions on the flat tray-like body. The load container may also be removed and the load carrier used without the cargo container. Devices for holding objects such as bicycles, canoes, kayaks, may also be attached to the load carrier.
US07845526B2
A machine, and a related method, for automatically transferring tubular items for manufacturing men's socks, comprising a station (S1) for loading automatically the tubular items (1) arranged on a longitudinal axis thereof, a station (S2) for positioning the items in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, a station (S3) for orienting angularly the items with respect to a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, and a station (S4) for transferring along a transfer line (T) the oriented items, the transfer station comprising a first and a second leader for aligning a portion of the tubular items (1), in which the leaders are arranged one after the other along the transfer line (T) and are separated by a non-controlled section of said line, for correcting in the second leader possible errors of insertion of the item into said first leader.
US07845523B1
An aerosol system for dispensing sprayable material in a desired spray pattern.
US07845522B2
Integrated and disposable dispenser assemblies that initially are contained entirely or at least substantially entirely within a beverage container, but which may be removed therefrom and placed in an operative position, pressurizing the contents of the container, avoiding prolonged contact between the contents of the container and air, providing a dispensing force for control by a simple dispensing valve and in those instances where it is desired, maintaining carbonation on the beverage. Two representative embodiments are disclosed, one of which may be contained in a single enclosure within a beverage container, and the other of which may be contained in two enclosures within a beverage container.
US07845514B2
The invention relates to tear-back thermoformed high impact polystyrene lids having from at least 10% to about 15% of filler and the specified configuration of the tear-back portion. In particular, the tear back lid comprises a tear back portion defined by two sets of tear back indentations and a left and a right notch cut into a skirt defined by the outer diameter of the lid. The combination of the filler amount and tear-back configuration allows an improved tearability for the filled polystyrene lids.
US07845512B2
A thin-walled cup is formed of a single piece of polymeric material having a uniform thickness throughout the extent of the single piece of polymeric material. The cup has an outer chamber which extends around an inner chamber. The outer chamber holds a first liquid and the inner chamber holds a second liquid. The liquid in the inner chamber is mixed with the liquid in the outer chamber during drinking from the cup.
US07845507B2
A collapsible container according to the present invention comprises a plurality of side panels and a floor panel forming an enclosure having an open top. Each side panel comprises a flexible frame, a web of material, and an edging material. At least one of the panel frames comprises a discontinuous loop. The edging envelops the frame and is coupled to the periphery of the web. One or more handles may be attached to the container or formed within one or more of the side panels. A method of making and collapsing the container is also disclosed.
US07845499B2
An apparatus that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at various fractions in the apparatus. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second buoy member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient. Also selected fractions from the sample can be applied to a patient, either alone or as part of a mixture.
US07845496B2
A package includes a slide card that is received in an outer sleeve having a false end wall. The false end wall extends between a top wall and a bottom wall to enhance the structural integrity of the outer sleeve. The false end wall provides child resistance in that it prevents a user from manipulating the outer sleeve to inadvertently disengage a locking feature that lockably retains a slide card in the outer sleeve. The false end wall also prevents a user from accessing the slide card through an opening that is created by removing an end wall.
US07845494B2
The invention relates to a secondary package for gathering a plurality of primary packages, comprising an envelope that surrounds the plurality of primary packages so as to tightly hold the latter together. The secondary package also includes a base supporting the primary packages, lateral sides, and a top side, characterized in that: (i) said base comprises a medium folding line that pivotally connects two halves of the base supporting the primary packages, and the envelope further comprises a carrying handle that is disposed vertically along the medium folding line, and (ii) the lateral sides and the top side of the envelope comprise a transversal precut in the region of the medium folding line, and so that when the envelope is open along said precut, it still holds tightly the primary packages disposed on each of the two base halves and said halves can be pivoted around the medium folding line to allow complete access to the carrying handle.
US07845487B1
A tripper car adapted to transfer particulate material such as coal while maintaining a reduced level of dust proximate the area in which said tripper car moves. The tripper car continuously receives coal from a moving conveyor belt and transfers the coal from a first to a second location. At the second location, the tripper car discharges the coal to a silo that stores the coal for subsequent use by boilers. The tripper car sprays liquid, such as water, to reduce the accumulation of coal dust within a structure in which the tripper car operates as well as to wash the inner walls, ceiling and other proximate surfaces to reduce accumulation of coal dust. The spray pattern is oriented to reduce the spraying of liquid on the coal.
US07845476B2
A roll stabilizer for a vehicle includes a resilient member operatively connected between a movable end and a fixed end, and structure for activating and deactivating operation of the stabilizer by affecting compression of the resilient member.
US07845474B2
A combined service brake and spring brake cylinder has a diaphragm arranged in a housing of the service brake cylinder. At one side, the diaphragm delimits a service brake chamber acted on with a service brake pressure, and at the other side delimits a chamber accommodating a return spring. A spring brake piston is arranged in a housing of the spring brake cylinder, which at one side delimits a spring brake chamber and at the other side delimits a spring chamber. A piston rod supports a ventilation valve which produces or blocks a flow connection between the spring chamber and the service brake chamber. The ventilation valve includes a piston interacting with a valve seat. At least one further piston interacts with a further valve seat and opens at least one further flow cross-section when in its position raised from the further valve seat. When the parking brake is applied and the service brake is simultaneously actuated with service brake pressures lower than a pressure threshold, one piston is raised from the valve seat and the further piston is sealed against the further valve seat.
US07845471B2
A work vehicle includes a frame and an axle assembly coupled to the frame, including a first axle shaft substantially disposed in an axle housing. A first wheel couples to the first axle shaft of the axle assembly. An axle lubricating fluid is disposed within the axle housing. A cooling circuit fluidly coupled to the axle assembly circulates cooling fluid therethrough. A hydraulic motor fluidly coupled to a fluid circuit includes a device disposed in parallel with the fluid circuit to discontinue operation of the motor in response to a predetermined pressure of at least one of the first and second circuit being exceeded.
US07845466B2
A sound generator for a vehicle is provided, including a hollow drum having a sound radiation panel structurally and acoustically coupled thereto. The drum has an aperture formed in an outer wall thereof. The drum is adapted to be in fluid communication with an air conduit of the vehicle. The sound radiation panel covers at least a portion of the aperture and is adapted to radiate sound energy to at least one of an engine compartment and an interior of the vehicle. A vehicle system including the sound generator and a method for manufacturing the sound generator are also provided.
US07845462B2
A middle to high frequency straight pathway horn with wide horizontal dispersion characteristics having extended terminus side walls which approach a perpendicular angle compared to the horn axis which are further extended by a rearwardly divergent angled or curved surface from the terminus frontal plane to reduce the deleterious effects of horn mouth, edge, and baffle diffraction, allowing for traditional front baffle mounting or free-standing use. Modular baffle elements allow the invention to be configured for the further reduction of diffraction effects in a variety of applications.
US07845456B1
An apparatus for arresting the advancement of an unauthorized vehicle comprises at least one discharge port, at least one storage vessel, at least one valve and a means for actuation, said storage vessel containing a volume of gas that does not support combustion, said discharge port directed toward a point in a path of said unauthorized vehicle wherein said means for actuation actuates said valve to deliver a quantity of said gas from said discharge port into said path of said unauthorized vehicle to stall an engine powering said unauthorized vehicle.
US07845449B2
A motorcycle includes a head pipe, a handlebar pipe that is rotatable relative to the head pipe, a main frame extending rearward from the head pipe, and a handlebar lock located on a topside of the main frame to prevent the handlebar pipe from rotating relative to the head pipe.
US07845444B2
A hybrid vehicle is provided with a first transmission passage for transmitting driving force of an engine to driving wheels and a second transmission passage for transmitting driving force of a driving motor to the driving wheels, and driven by selectively using or in combination of the first transmission passage and the second transmission passage. The hybrid vehicle includes: a first input gear for inputting the driving force of the engine; a second input gear for inputting the driving force of the driving motor; and an idle gear meshed with the first input gear and the second input gear, and transmitting at least one of the driving force of the engine and the driving force of the driving motor toward the driving wheels. The driving force to be input from at least one of the first input gear and the second input gear is transmitted to the driving wheels via the idle gear and the final differential gears.
US07845438B1
Embodiments relate to PDCs, methods of fabricating PDCs, and applications for such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate and a pre-sintered PCD table including an interfacial surface that is bonded to the substrate. The pre-sintered PCD table may be substantially free of leaching by-products in a region at least proximate to the interfacial surface. In an embodiment, a method of fabricating a PDC includes providing an at least partially leached PCD including an interfacial surface. The method includes removing at least some leaching by-products from the at least partially leached PCD table. After removing the at least some leaching by-products, the method includes bonding the interfacial surface of the at least partially leached PCD table to a substrate to form a PDC.
US07845437B2
An improved hole opener assembly for horizontal drilling is disclosed that is less prone to failure as a result of cone arm break out or pocket side wall fracture. The interface between the cone arm and the pocket employs a key and slot configuration with a tighter fit than between the arm and the pocket to reduce the stress on the pocket side wall during drilling.
US07845429B2
A solution for determining a neutral point of a drillstring in drilling a borehole is disclosed. The solution includes receiving depth-time log data for drilling the borehole with the drillstring, the depth-time log data including data related to a torque and drag factor and data related to a hydraulic factor; and determining the neutral point of the drillstring at a time point during the drilling based on the torque and drag factor and the hydraulic factor.
US07845424B1
A packaged residential fire pump system for sprinkler protection of one- and two-family dwellings. The system independently provides sufficient water pressure, and volume, for a two sprinkler flow for a period of time. An existing domestic water supply is supplemented with a dead water storage tank. The system can be combined with hydraulically sized, or scheduled, system piping and sprinkler heads.
US07845422B2
A method and apparatus for expanding a tubular member.
US07845419B2
The present invention provides systems and methods for injecting or retrieving tubewire into or out of coiled tubing. The system comprises an injector, coiled tubing coupled to the injector and a pumping mechanism. The injector is adapted to apply a force to inject or retrieve the tubewire into or out of the coiled tubing while the pump pumps fluid in the direction of the force to provide fluid drag on the tubewire. The tubewire may be bent or straightened, and may include a protuberance on its free end to assist in the injection and retrieval process. During injection, the coiled tubing may remain on a reel or may be stretched out along a surface.
US07845409B2
Composite proppant particles each of which comprises a plurality of microbubbles and a resin binder are disclosed. Also disclosed are a method of using such composite proppant particles to prop fractures in wells formed in underground formations.
US07845397B2
A humid compressed-gas dryer includes a plate-type heat-exchanger that includes a plurality of stacked plates (2) associated with each other in a gas-tight manner all along the perimeter of adjacent plates (2). The adjacent plates (2) define channels (3) therebetween for two or more fluids to be guided therethrough in a heat-exchange relation. The plates and have a plurality of apertures (4, 15-21) disposed in a mutually aligned arrangement, which defines fluid conduits that extend through the heat-exchanger in fluid communication with the channels (3). The plates (2) are each formed of an aluminium sheet having a smooth surface, and a corrugated aluminium fin (5) is provided between adjacent sheets defining the channels. The fin (5) has corrugations connected to the smooth surface of the plates by brazing or a similar method. The plurality of stacked plates defines a heat recovery section (12) and a cooling section (13).
US07845393B2
A thermal module includes a body press-forged from magnesium alloy that is heated to a softened status and having a peripheral wall and a recessed chamber surrounded by the peripheral wall, and a contact surface member prepared from a high thermal conductivity metal material and bonded to the recessed chamber of the body during press-forging of the body.
US07845388B2
Magnesium or magnesium alloy components having galvanic corrosion protection isolators secured in place by metallurgical bonding during casting of the magnesium or magnesium alloy component. The isolators are formed of materials that are characterized by an absolute potential difference that is between that of magnesium and a contacting metallic component.
US07845386B2
Movable partitions and various components for use with movable partitions are disclosed along with related systems and methods. In one embodiment, a track and trolley system for use with a movable partition is described. In one embodiment, the track and trolley system may include a track having three channels wherein a first partition is suspended from the first channel, a second partition is suspended from the second channel, and a trolley is partially disposed in the third channel and between the first and second channels. Seal components may be used to substantially provide a fluid seal between the partitions and a surface from which the partitions are suspended. The trolley is configured to be longitudinally displaceable along the third channel while maintaining its components within an envelope defined by the seal components. In other words, such seal components are not penetrated or otherwise breached by the displaced trolley.
US07845385B2
An apparatus and method of directionally controlling a movable partition includes providing at least one roller assembly and a steering actuator, coupled therewith, to a portion of the partition. A controller may be used to control the steering actuator and thereby select, or change, the orientation of the roller assembly with respect to the partition. In one embodiment, one or more sensors may be used to determine the vertical orientation of the partition including whether the partition, or a section thereof, is substantially plumb. If the partition is substantially out of plumb, for example, if a lower edge of the partition is laterally displaced relative to an upper edge of the partition, the controller and steering actuator may cause the at least one roller assembly to direct the partition, or section thereof, in a particular direction until the partition, or section thereof, becomes substantially plumb.
US07845384B2
A partition system is provided as well as an apparatus and method for securing movable partitions. In one embodiment, a movable partition, such as a folding door, includes a post member (e.g., a lead post) having a latching structure associated therewith. Another post member, such as associated with a wall or another movable partition, includes a latching structure configured to form a magnetic coupling with the first latching structure. One of the latching structures may be slidingly displaced relative to its associated post member so as to selectively bring the two latching members into or out of alignment with one another. When a magnetic coupling has been formed, relative displacement of the two latching structures results in the weakening, if not defeat, of the magnetic coupling so that the post members, and their associated partitions, may be displaced away from one another. Other latching structures are also disclosed.
US07845382B1
The present invention is a device for dispensing rolls of protective adhesive film having different widths. In one embodiment, the device comprises a central support assembly comprising first and second elongated members having a first longitudinal axis and a second longitudinal axis, respectively. The first longitudinal axis of the first elongated member is off-set from the second longitudinal axis of the second elongated member. The central support assembly further comprises first and second extension members each having a first portion telescopically engaged with the first and second elongated members, respectively, and a second portion. The device further comprises a right support assembly engaged with the second portion of the first extension member and comprising a film mounting roller adapted to support the first end portion of the roll of film. The device further comprises a left support assembly engaged with the second portion of the second extension member and comprising a film mounting roller adapted to support the second end portion of the roll of film. The device further comprises a handle engaged with the central support assembly. In use, the first and second extension members may be extended or retracted from the first and second elongated members, respectively, to accommodate film roll widths of 24 inches, 30 inches, 36 inches, or 48 inches. At any film width, the handle is centered between the right and left support assembly.
