US07880003B2
A method for making a tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3) nano-crystals includes the steps of: (a) dissolving Alq3 powders into a solvent to form a solution A; (b) dissolving a surfactant in water to achieve a solution B; (c) uniformly mixing the solution A and the solution B to form a latex C; and (d) removing the solvent from the latex C, and subsequently, subjecting the remaining solute to centrifugal separation to form Alq3 nano-crystals.
US07880001B2
The present invention relates to compounds which are inhibitors of the 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Type 1 enzyme. The present invention further relates to the use of inhibitors of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Type 1 enzyme for the treatment of non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, lipid disorders, metabolic syndrome, and other diseases and conditions that are mediated by excessive glucocorticoid action.
US07879997B2
This invention relates to compounds of the Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or isomer thereof, wherein n, M, V, T, W, X, U, R1 and R2 are as disclosed in the present specification, and which compounds are useful for the treatment of diseases or conditions mediated by MMPs, TNF-α or combinations thereof.
US07879994B2
This invention provides cellulose ester interpolymers, and methods of oxidizing cellulose interpolymers and cellulose ester interpolymers. The invention also provides routes to access carboxylated cellulose ester derivatives with high acid numbers wherein the carboxyl group is attached directly to the cellulose backbone by a carbon-carbon bond. Through functionalization of an intermediate aldehyde, the corresponding cationic or zwitterionic cellulose ester derivatives can also be accessed. The interpolymers of the present invention have a number of end-use applications, for example, as binder resins in various types of coating compositions and as drug delivery agents.
US07879989B2
The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated 13237, 18480, 2245, 16228, 7677, 26320, 46619, 33166, 16836, 46867, 21617, 55562, 39228, 62088, 46745, 23155, 21657, 42755, 32229, 22325, 46863 and 32252 nucleic acid molecules. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing 13237, 18480, 2245, 16228, 7677, 26320, 46619, 33166, 16836, 46867, 21617, 55562, 39228, 62088, 46745, 23155, 21657, 42755, 32229, 22325, 46863 and 32252 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a 13237, 18480, 2245, 16228, 7677, 26320, 46619, 33166, 16836, 46867, 21617, 55562, 39228, 62088, 46745, 23155, 21657, 42755, 32229, 22325, 46863 or 32252 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated 13237, 18480, 2245, 16228, 7677, 26320, 46619, 33166, 16836, 46867, 21617, 55562, 39228, 62088, 46745, 23155, 21657, 42755, 32229, 22325, 46863 or 32252 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-13237, 18480, 2245, 16228, 7677, 26320, 46619, 33166, 16836, 46867, 21617, 55562, 39228, 62088, 46745, 23155, 21657, 42755, 32229, 22325, 46863 or 32252 antibodies. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US07879979B2
The present invention relates to novel arginine analogs, and methods for their synthesis and use. Such analogs are designed to provide a protected or free thiol (—SH) group, thereby providing a convenient linkage chemistry for coupling to a suitable group on a target such as a protein, polypeptide, detectable label or solid phase, and at a site distal to the guanidino group. Arginine analog conjugates are useful for generating antibodies that can bind specifically with dimethylarginine, which can be detected using such antibodies in immunoassays.
US07879970B2
A conductive polymer having a high carrier transport ability, a conductive layer formed using the conductive polymer, an electronic device provided with the conductive layer having a high reliability, and electronic equipment provided with such an electronic device are provided. The conductive polymer includes a linear main chain, a plurality of carrier transport structures which contribute to carrier transport and each of which is represented by the following formula (1), and a linking structure which branches off from the main chain to link each of the carrier transport structures to the main chain: General Formula (1) where each R1 independently represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, and the R1s are the same or different.
US07879967B2
The present invention relates to polycarbonate, polyester carbonate and polyester having end groups derived from alkylsiloxane-substituted phenols, as well as to the use of phenolic compounds having alkylsiloxane substituents as chain terminators in the preparation of polycarbonate, polyester carbonate and polyester, as well as to mouldings and extrudates produced from these polymers, to processes for the preparation of the polymers, and to novel phenolic compounds of formula (2).
US07879949B2
Disclosed are high frequency-active blends comprising (a) copolymers of ethylene and maleic anhydride or its functional equivalents and (b) ethylene copolymers with polar comonomers such as ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene/alkyl(meth)acrylate copolymers and ethylene/(meth)acrylate/carbon monoxide terpolymers; and films, powders, multilayer structures, and articles prepared therefrom.
US07879946B2
A polyethylene resin comprising from 44 to 55 wt % of a high molecular weight polyethylene fraction, and from 45 to 56 wt % of a low molecular weight polyethylene fraction; the high molecular weight polyethylene fraction comprising a linear low density polyethylene having a density of from 0.913 to 0.923 g/cm3, and an HLMI of from 0.02 to 0.2 g/10 min; and the low molecular weight polyethylene fraction comprising a high density polyethylene having a density of at least 0.969 g/cm3 and an MI2 of greater than 100 g/10 min; wherein the relationship between the density D of the resin in g/cm3 and the weight fraction of the low molecular weight fraction P1 is defined by 0.055P1+0.916
US07879938B2
Compositions comprising an organic polymer as the matrix and inorganic particles as the filler and exhibiting in mixture a) 20 to 99.9% by wt. of an organic polymer and b) 0.1 to 80% by wt. of inorganic particles, where the sum of the constituents a) and b) amounts to 100% by wt.; and optionally c) 0 to 100 parts by weight of b) of various additives, in which case the content of the additives c) relates to the sum of a) and b), calculated as 100 parts by weight. characterized in that the composition can be obtained by incorporating particles and optionally other additives into the polymer matrix, in which case the particles to be incorporated i) are aggregates of globular primary particles; ii) the size of the primary particles is in a range of 0.5 nm to less than 100 nm; iii) the volume-weighted median value d50 of the particles is in a range of greater than 0.50 μm to 0.5 μm, determined by means of static light scattering; and iv) the inorganic particles are modified with functional groups, the inorganic particles exhibiting at least three types of functional groups of varying reactivity. The compositions can be prepared in a number of way, for example, by reprecipitation from the dissolved state or by mixing in an extruder and are used for preparing fibers, films and shaped articles with improved mechanical properties.
US07879935B2
The invention provides for production of nanoparticles dispersed in polymers where the nanoparticles include metals and metal oxides/sulfides that provide enhanced properties (e.g. higher refractive index) to the material. The nanoparticles are typically formed in situ within the polymer. Typically the nanoparticles are in the form of nanocrystals.
US07879930B2
The present invention relates to a melt blend of a base polymer, an oxidizable organic polymer, a transition metal salt catalyst and a colorant that does not completely deactivate the catalyzed oxidation. A preferred colorant, yields in an article made from the polymer melt blend a Catalyst Deactivation Factor (CDF) of less than about 0.25, preferably less than 0.15, more preferably less than 0.1, and most preferred less than 0.05. The present invention also comprises a colored monolayer article having the described CDF, such as a film, thermoformed tray, or blow molded container, that has active oxygen scavenging properties. The colorant, after melt blending a base polymer, an oxidizable organic polymer, a transition metal catalyst, does not increase the binding energy of the transition metal catalyst ion by more than 1 eV.
US07879926B2
The present invention is a method and composition for controlling the viscosity of latex compositions that include fly ash. The composition is an aqueous dispersion comprising water, at least one polymer latex, from about 50 to about 600 parts by weight fly ash per 100 parts by weight dry polymer, and a viscosity stabilizing composition that preferably comprises at least one borate compound. The method includes adding a viscosity stabilizing composition to an aqueous polymer latex composition that includes fly ash. The viscosity stabilizing composition can be used to produce a stirred viscosity of the aqueous dispersion 7 days after mixing that is less than 30% greater than the viscosity of the aqueous composition immediately after mixing.
US07879924B2
The present invention provides a dental resin cement which is excellent in a mechanical strength, workability and storage stability, and a dental primer which significantly improves adhesiveness of the dental resin cement both to enamel and dentin of a tooth. According to the present invention, a salt of barbituric acid is used as a polymerization initiator in the dual-cure two-paste type dental resin cement being excellent in workability and storage stability to improve the storage stability, and a primer containing barbituric acid and amine is applied to a surface of a tooth to significantly improve adhesiveness of the dental resin cement both to enamel and dentin of teeth.
US07879923B2
This invention is to provide a method for surface-treatment of a water absorbent resin excelling in water absorption properties. This invention relates to a method for the surface-treatment of a water absorbent resin, which comprises: a) mixing 100 parts by weight of a water absorbent resin, 0.01-20 parts by weight of at least one radical polymerization initiator selected from the group consisting of persulfates, hydrogen peroxide, and azo compounds, and a radically polymerizing compound and b) irradiating the resultant mixture with active energy rays. The treatment particularly exalts the absorption ratio against pressure and the saline flow conductivity.
US07879921B2
A fluid permeable material is disclosed. The fluid permeable material is suitable for use as a paver, brick, tile, stormwater entry grate and the like, without being limited thereto. The fluid permeable material described in this invention is light weight and has a height characteristic breaking strength, and flexural strength. The fluid permeable material described allows fluid to flow freely through the structure without impacting on the structural integrity of the composite material, and filters particulate contaminants from the fluid as it passes through the structure.
US07879920B2
This invention is directed to methods for forming an olefin stream from a methanol stream. A lower grade methanol, such as chemical grade or crude methanol, can be used as feed to form the olefin stream. The process uses a relatively simple distillation type step to vaporize a portion of the methanol feed stream and send the resulting vapor stream to a reaction unit to form the olefin stream. In addition, the invention provides the ability to operate the downstream recovery units with reduced fouling or plugging due to the presence of fine solids components.
US07879919B2
A process for producing hydrocarbons from natural gas includes, in a cryogenic separation stage, cryogenically separating the natural gas to produce at least a methane stream and natural gas liquids, in a reforming stage, reforming the methane stream to produce a synthesis gas which includes at least CO and H2, and in a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis stage, converting at least some of the CO and H2 into a Fischer-Tropsch product which includes hydrocarbons. A Fischer-Tropsch tail gas which includes at least CO and H2, methane and heavier than methane hydrocarbons, is separated from the Fischer-Tropsch product in a Fischer-Tropsch product separation stage. At least a portion of the Fischer-Tropsch tail gas is recycled to the cryogenic separation stage, where the Fischer-Tropsch tail gas is cryogenically separated into two or more streams.
US07879918B2
The invention relates to low-foaming gas processing compositions comprising (a) a silicone antifoam component comprising a base silicone fluid and a particulate metal oxide; (b) an emulsifying component in an amount suitable for the at least substantial emulsification of the silicone antifoam component in water; (c) a polypropylene glycol component at least partially soluble, emulsifiable, and/or dispersible in water; (d) a water-soluble or water-dispersible gas processing agent; and (e) water. The invention also relates to methods for processing a gas by treating the gas with these foam suppressing compositions.
US07879914B2
Methods for treating viral infections using polyamine analogs, including mitoguazone (MGBG), are provided. In these methods, polyamine analogs destroy macrophages that act as viral reservoirs, facilitating the destruction of the viruses that dwell within the macrophages. Examples of viral infections that may be treated with the present methods include, but are not limited to, infections from human immunodeficiency viruses. These methods differ from previous methods of treatment using polyamine analogs, wherein the polyamine analogs were administered only as anti-tumor agents.
US07879910B1
Compositions, kits and methods are provided for conditioning, revitalizing, volumizing or increasing the natural pigmentation of the hair, including hair on the scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, mustache and beard, promoting healthy growth, and treating and preventing loss, thinning or miniaturization of hair due to aging, various genetic, pathological, radiation, chemotherapy, chemical treatment environmental or other reasons.
US07879903B2
An optically active 3-aminopyrrolidine (3AP) salt has a high optical purity which is useful as an intermediate in an industrial production method of an optically active 3AP, an efficient method for producing it, and an efficient industrial method for optical resolution of 3AP. Optical resolution of 3AP is efficiently carried out by reacting racemic 3AP with optically active 2-methoxyphenylacetic acid in the presence of a mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid in an aqueous solvent, followed by separation of the resulting diastereomer salt constituted by 1 mole of optically active 3AP and 2 moles of optically active 2-methoxyphenylacetic acid.
US07879888B2
The present invention is related to thiazole derivatives of Formula (I) in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of autoimmune disorders and/or inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, bacterial or viral infections, kidney diseases, platelet aggregation, cancer, transplantation, graft rejection or lung injuries.
US07879884B2
Objects of the present invention are the compounds of formula (I) their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, enantiomeric forms, diastereoisomers and racemates, the preparation of the above compounds, medicaments containing them and their manufacture, as well as the use of the above compounds in the control or prevention of illnesses such as cancer.
US07879881B2
The invention is directed to piperidinyl compounds that selectively bind integrin receptors and methods for treating an integrin mediated disorder.
US07879879B2
This invention provides biphenyl derivatives of formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, W, a, b and c are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof. The biphenyl derivatives of this invention possess both β2 adrenergic receptor agonist and muscarinic receptor antagonist activity and therefore, such biphenyl derivatives are useful for treating pulmonary disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
US07879876B2
The present invention is related to sulfonamide derivatives of Formula (Ia) where the groups are as defined in the description, and use thereof in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases and fibrosis, including multiple sclerosis, arthritis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver and pulmonary fibrosis.
US07879871B2
The invention relates to a new crystalline forms of tiotropium bromide, processes for preparing them and their use for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of respiratory complaints, particularly for the treatment of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma.
US07879864B2
Compounds for the treatment of elevated blood glucose levels and the physiological and metabolic disorders arising therefrom are disclosed which are inhibitors of the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DDP-IV) and comprise novel substituted bicyclic 8-pyrrolidinoxanthines of formula I and their derivatives: wherein the various R-groups are defined herein. These compounds may be combined with other secondary active compounds which also are effective in the treatment of said disorders and the disease states or physiological manifestations arising therefrom.
US07879862B2
CRF receptor antagonists are disclosed which may have utility in the treatment of a variety of disorders, including the treatment of disorders manifesting hypersecretion of CRF in mammals. The CRF receptor antagonists of this invention have the following structure: (I); and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, solvates, stereoisomers and prodrugs thereof, wherein R1, R2a, R2b, Y, Het, n, o, R6, Ar and R7 are as defined herein. Compositions containing a CRF receptor antagonist in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are also disclosed, as well as methods for use of the same.
US07879860B2
The invention relates to the delta and epsilon crystal form of the methanesulfonic acid addition salt of 4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2 -ylamino)phenyl]-benzamide (the compound of formula I, see below), certain processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing these crystal forms, and their use in diagnostic methods or for the therapeutic treatment of warm-blooded animals, and their use as an intermediate or for the preparation of pharmaceutical preparations for use in diagnostic methods or for the therapeutic treatment of warm-blooded animals, especially humans.
US07879859B2
The present application features the use of the somatostatin subtype 3 receptor (SST3) as a target for affecting insulin secretion and for diagnosing diabetes related disorders. Glucose stimulated insulin secretion was found to be stimulated by knocking down expression of SST3 and through the use of a SST3 selective antagonist.
US07879845B2
The invention is concerned with novel heterobicyclic derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, V, W, X and Y are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts and esters thereof. These compounds inhibit L-CPT1 and can be used as medicaments.
US07879843B2
A medicine which contains as an active ingredient a benzothiazin-3-one-compound represented by the formula (1): (wherein n is 3 or 4; R represents ethyl or hydrogen; and R1 represents hologeno, alkoxy, haloalkyl, or haloalkoxy) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. It is useful as a therapeutic or preventive agent for arthrosis deformans, chondrodegenerative discases such as chronic articular rheumatism, cancers, gingivitis, etc. Also provided are an intermediate for the compound and a process for producing the compound.
US07879828B2
The present invention relates to novel tigecycline compositions with improved stability in both solid and solution states and processes for making these compositions. These compositions comprise tigecycline, a suitable carbohydrate, and an acid or buffer.
US07879826B2
Compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are provided: wherein: A is alkylenyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or alkenylenyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms; R1 and R2 are, independently, hydrogen or a C5 to C7 aryl optionally substituted with 1 to 2 substituents, independently, selected from the group consisting of —C(O)R3, halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxyl, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 alkoxy, with the proviso that at least one of R1 and R2 is not hydrogen; R3 is, independently, hydrogen, —OR4, alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; R4 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; R5 and R6 are, independently, hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, or C5 to C7 aryl; wherein any R3 to R6 group having an aryl or heteroaryl moiety can optionally be substituted on the aryl or heteroaryl moiety with 1 to about 5 substituents, independently, selected from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxyl, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 alkoxy. Methods of making these compounds as well as methods using the compounds for treating a variety of conditions are also disclosed.
US07879823B2
Described are skin-care compositions containing non denatured soy products and optionally other anti-cancer or anti-aging agents. The compositions can be applied topically to reduce the risk of UV-induced cutaneous tumors.
US07879816B2
The present invention relates to the use of the compound according to formula (I), below for the treatment of tumors, cancer and hyperproliferative diseases, among other conditions or disease states: Where X is H or F; R1 and R2 are independently H, an acyl group, a C1-C20 alkyl or ether group, a phosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate or a phosphodiester group, a (A) or (B) group; Where Nu is a radical of a biologically active compound such as an anticancer, antiviral or antihyperproliferative compound such that an amino group or hydroxyl group from said biologically active agent forms a phosphate, phosphoramidate, carbonate or urethane group with the adjacent moiety; each R8 is independently H, or a C1-C20 alkyl or ether group, preferably a C1-C12 alkyl group; k is 0-12, preferably, 0-2; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US07879813B2
The invention provides a delivery system comprising a cell penetrating peptide, a polyarginine peptide, and an interfering RNA molecule. The system can be used for delivering interfering RNA molecules into a cell in vivo or in vitro. Therapeutic uses for the delivery system are also provided.
US07879810B2
Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.
US07879808B2
An objective of the present invention is to provide compounds of formula (1) or their pharmacologically acceptable salts or solvates wherein A represents aryl; R1 represents N-optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl-N-optionally substituted C1-6 alkylamino-C1-6 alkyl; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl; R3 represents optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl or C3-6 cycloalkyl-C1-4 alkyl; m is 1 to 3; n is 0; and p is 0 to 2. The compounds are novel lincomycin derivatives that have a potent activity against resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, which have recently posed problems, in the treatment of infectious diseases. Further, the compounds are usable as antimicrobial agents and are useful for preventing or treating bacterial infectious diseases.
US07879804B2
A process to produce IPP and VPP from a protein source that comprises the -I-P-P- and -V-P-P- sequence in its protein sequence and whereby at least 40% of -I-P-P- sequence present in the protein source is converted into the peptide IPP and at least 40% of the -V-P-P- sequence present in the protein source is converted into the peptide VPP, which comprises the use of a proline specific endoprotease and an amino-peptidase preferably in a single enzymatic step.
US07879801B2
Disclosed are surprising discoveries concerning the role of anionic phospholipids and aminophospholipids in tumor vasculature and in viral entry and spread, and compositions and methods for utilizing these findings in the treatment of cancer and viral infections. Also disclosed are advantageous antibody, immunoconjugate and duramycin-based compositions and combinations that bind and inhibit anionic phospholipids and aminophospholipids, for use in the safe and effective treatment of cancer, viral infections and related diseases.
US07879792B2
The invention relates to synthetic peptide analogs of D-Arg-Oic-Pro-Gly-Phe and methods of their use to inhibit human platelet aggregation, thrombosis and cell activation mediated by PAR1 and PAR4.
US07879789B2
The present invention is to provide a new surfactant that can be used as an emulsifier excellent in emulsion stability and texture in use and as a cleanser excellent in cleansing power and texture in use and having low skin irritation. A surfactant consisting of a compound represented by the below-described general formula (1). Y—O-(EO)l-(AO)m-(EO)n-X (1) (In the formula, AO represents an oxyalkylene group having 3 to 4 carbon atoms; m is the average addition mole number of the oxyalkylene group and satisfies 5≦m≦100. EO represents an oxyethylene group; l and n are the average addition mole numbers of the oxyethylene groups and satisfy 0≦l≦4 and 0≦n≦4. Either X or Y or both are a functional group represented by —SO3M, —COOM, —HPO3M, —(CH2)q—SO3M, or —(CH2)q—COO, wherein M is a hydrogen ion or a monovalent inorganic or organic cation, and q is the number of carbon atoms of the linked alkylene group and satisfies 1≦q≦4. When either X or Y is the above-described functional group, the other one can be a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or an ethyl group.)
US07879788B2
Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to an isolated protease, and cleaning compositions containing the same. In some embodiments, the protease may comprise an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to the wild type Streptomyces 1AG3 protease. Isolated nucleic acid encoding the subject protease, recombinant nucleic acid containing the same and host cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid are also provided.
US07879785B2
A method for foaming a cleaning composition is provided. The method includes mixing a cleaning composition and air in a mechanical foaming head to generate a foam without the use of a non-air containing propellant. The cleaning composition includes about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % total amount of surfactant, at least about 80 wt. % water and a glycol ether solvent. The glycol ether solvent includes one or more glycol ethers, each having a HLB value of at least about 6.9 and an OHLB value of between about 12 and about 20. The weight ratio of the glycol ether solvent to the total amount of surfactant is at least about 1:100.
US07879776B2
A lubricant additive produced by the process comprising mixing an organophosphate and an organofluorine compound and reacting the organophosphate and the organofluorine compound to produce a reaction mixture comprising the lubricant additive. Also, a lubricant produced by the process comprising forming a reaction mixture by reacting an organophosphate and an organofluorine and adding at least a portion of the reaction mixture to a lubricant base.
US07879774B2
A fully formulated lubricating oil, lubricated surface, and lubricant additive concentrates for lubricants providing reduced sludge formation. The fully formulated lubricating oil composition has therein at least one succinimide dispersant derived from a polyalkylene compound having from about 50 to about 85% vinylidene double bonds in the compound, a metal containing detergent, at least one wear reducing agent, at least one antioxidant, and a hydrocarbon soluble titanium compound as a friction modifier. The lubricating oil composition is also substantially free of molybdenum compounds.
US07879760B2
This invention relates to novel isopentylcarboxanilides of the formula (I) in which L, R1, R3 and A are as defined in the disclosure, to a plurality of processes for preparing these compounds and their use for controlling unwanted microorganisms, and to novel intermediates and their preparation.
US07879759B2
DeNOx catalysts for the reduction of NOx compounds and porous catalyst support materials are provided. The inventive catalysts comprise an active metal catalyst component and mixed TiO2/ZrO2 porous support particles that comprise a) a crystalline phase comprising titanium dioxide and/or a titanium/zirconium mixed oxide, b) an amorphous phase comprising zirconium, and c) a small amount of one or more metal oxide(s) or metalloid oxide(s) deposited on the amorphous outer layer. The inventive catalysts exhibit superior activity and ammonia selectivity.
US07879754B2
Methods for improving the sulfur-tolerance of nickel-based catalyst systems, as well as the improved catalyst systems, are disclosed. The methods can include adding praseodymium alone, or in combination with ruthenium and/or cerium, to a nickel-based catalyst system, thereby inhibiting sulfur poisoning of the catalyst system. Improved catalyst systems can have an added amount of praseodymium alone, or in combination with ruthenium and/or cerium, sufficient to inhibit poisoning of the system by sulfur.
US07879749B2
Catalytic structures include a catalytic material disposed within a zeolite material. The catalytic material may be capable of catalyzing a formation of methanol from carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide, and the zeolite material may be capable of catalyzing a formation of hydrocarbon molecules from methanol. The catalytic material may include copper and zinc oxide. The zeolite material may include a first plurality of pores substantially defined by a crystal structure of the zeolite material and a second plurality of pores dispersed throughout the zeolite material. Systems for synthesizing hydrocarbon molecules also include catalytic structures. Methods for synthesizing hydrocarbon molecules include contacting hydrogen and at least one of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide with such catalytic structures. Catalytic structures are fabricated by forming a zeolite material at least partially around a template structure, removing the template structure, and introducing a catalytic material into the zeolite material.
US07879739B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method to form a high-k dielectric layer on a group III-V substrate with substantially no oxide of the group III-V substrate between the substrate and high-k dielectric layer. Oxide may be removed from the substrate. An organometallic compound may form a capping layer on the substrate from which the oxide was removed. The high-k dielectric layer may then be formed, resulting in a thin transition layer between the substrate and high-k dielectric layer and substantially no oxide of the group III-V substrate between the substrate and high-k dielectric layer.
US07879738B2
An integrated circuit structure comprises a bottom dielectric layer on a substrate, a middle dielectric layer, and a top dielectric layer. The middle dielectric layer has a top surface and a bottom surface, and comprises a plurality of materials. Respective concentration profiles for at least two of the plurality of materials between the top and bottom surfaces are non-uniform and arranged to induce a variation in energy gap between the top and bottom surfaces. The variation in energy gap establishes an electric field between the top and bottom surfaces tending to oppose charge motion toward at least one of the top and bottom surfaces and prevent resultant charge leakage.
US07879737B2
Disclosed are a variety of methods for increasing the relative thickness in the peripheral or edge regions of gate dielectric patterns to suppress leakage through these regions. The methods provide alternatives to conventional GPOX processes and provide the improved leakage resistance without incurring the degree of increased gate electrode resistance associated with GPOX processes. Each of the methods includes forming a first opening to expose an active area region, forming an oxidation control region on the exposed portion and then forming a second opening whereby a peripheral region free of the oxidation control region is exposed for formation of a gate dielectric layer. The resulting gate dielectric layers are characterized by a thinner central region surrounded or bounded by a thicker peripheral region.
US07879736B2
In a composition for etching silicon oxide, and a method of forming a contact hole using the composition, the composition which includes from about 0.01 to about 2 percent by weight of ammonium bifluoride, from about 2 to about 35 percent by weight of an organic acid, from about 0.05 to about 1 percent by weight of an inorganic acid, and a remainder of a low polar organic solvent. The composition may reduce damages to a metal silicide pattern that may be exposed in an etching process performed for forming the contact hole.
US07879731B2
A method is provided for processing a workpiece in a plasma reactor chamber having electrodes including at least a ceiling electrode and a workpiece support electrode. The method includes coupling respective RF power sources of respective VHF frequencies f1 and f2 to either (a) respective ones of the electrodes or (b) a common one of the electrodes, where f1 is sufficiently high to produce a center-high non-uniform plasma ion distribution and f2 is sufficiently low to produce a center-low non-uniform plasma ion distribution. The method further includes adjusting a ratio of an RF parameter at the f1 frequency to the RF parameter at the f2 frequency so as to control plasma ion density distribution, the RF parameter being any one of RF power, RF voltage or RF current.
US07879728B2
A method to form sub-lithographic trench structures in a substrate and an integrated circuit comprising sub-lithographic trench structures in a substrate. The method includes forming sets of trenches with a lithographic mask and filling the sets of trenches with sets of step spacer blocks comprising two alternating spacer materials which are separately removable from each other. In one embodiment, the trench structures formed are one-nth the thickness of the lithographic mask's feature size. The size of the trench structures being dependent on the thickness and number of spacer material layers used to form the set of step spacer blocks. The number of spacer material layers being n/2 and the thickness of each spacer material layer being one-nth of the lithographic mask's feature size.
US07879717B2
Interconnect structures having buried etch stop layers with low dielectric constants and methods relating to the generation of such buried etch stop layers are described herein. The inventive interconnect structure comprises a buried etch stop layer comprised of a polymeric material having a composition SivNwCxOyHz, where 0.05≦v≦0.8, 0≦w≦0.9, 0.05≦x≦0.8, 0≦y≦0.3, 0.05≦z≦0.8 for v+w+x+y+z=1; a via level interlayer dielectric that is directly below said buried etch stop layer; a line level interlayer dielectric that is directly above said buried etch stop layer; and conducting metal features that traverse through said via level dielectric, said line level dielectric, and said buried etch stop layer.
US07879715B2
Methods of forming an electronic structure may include forming a seed layer on an electronic substrate, and forming a conductive shunt layer on portions of the seed layer wherein portions of the seed layer are free of the conductive shunt layer. A conductive barrier layer may be formed on the conductive shunt layer opposite the seed layer wherein the conductive shunt layer comprises a first material and wherein the barrier layer comprises a second material different than the first material. Moreover, a solder layer may be formed on the barrier layer opposite the conductive shunt layer wherein the solder layer comprises a third material different than the first and second materials. Related structures are also discussed.
US07879708B2
A method for fabricating a floating gate memory device comprises using a buried diffusion oxide that is below the floating gate thereby producing an increased step height between the floating gate and the buried diffusion oxide. The increased step height can produce a higher GCR, while still allowing decreased cell size using a virtual ground array design.
US07879700B2
A silicon crystallization system includes a beam generator generating a laser beam, first and second optical units for controlling the laser beam from the beam generator; and a stage for mounting a panel including an amorphous silicon layer to be polycrystallized by the laser beam from the optical units. The first optical unit makes the laser beam have a transverse edge and a longitudinal edge longer than the transverse edge, and the second optical unit makes the laser beam have a transverse edge and a longitudinal edge shorter than the transverse edge.
US07879697B2
Methods of growing Group-III nitride thin-film structures having reduced dislocation density are provided. Methods in accordance with the present invention comprise growing a Group-III nitride thin-film material while applying an ion flux and preferably while the substrate is stationary or non-rotating substrate. The ion flux is preferably applied as an ion beam at a glancing angle of incidence. Growth under these conditions creates a nanoscale surface corrugation having a characteristic features size, such as can be measured as a wavelength or surface roughness. After the surface corrugation is created, and preferably in the same growth reactor, the substrate is rotated in an ion flux which cause the surface corrugation to be reduced. The result of forming a surface corrugation and then subsequently reducing or removing the surface corrugation is the formation of a nanosculpted region and polished transition region that effectively filter dislocations. Repeating such nanosculpted and polished regions advantageously provide significant reduction in dislocation density in thin-film structures.
US07879693B2
The invention provides a method for activating impurity element added to a semiconductor and performing gettering process in shirt time, and a thermal treatment equipment enabling to perform such the heat-treating. The thermal treatment equipment comprises treatment rooms of n pieces (n>2) performing heat-treating, a preparatory heating room, and a cooling room, and heating a substrate using gas heated by heating units of n pieces as a heating source, wherein a gas-supplying unit is connected to a gas charge port of the cooling room, a discharge port of the cooling room is connected to a first gas-heating unit through a heat exchanger, a charge port of an m-th (1≦m≦(n−1)) treatment room is connected to a discharge port of an m-th gas-heating unit, a charge port of an n-th treatment room is connected to a discharge port of an n-th gas-heating unit, a discharge port of the n-th treatment room is connected to the heat exchanger, and discharge port of the heat exchanger is connected to gas charge port of the preparatory heating room.
US07879686B2
A semiconductor and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. In one embodiment the method includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a first substrate surface and at least one trench having at least one trench surface. The trench extends from the first substrate surface into the semiconductor substrate. The trench has a first trench section and a second trench section. The trench surface is exposed in an upper portion of the first and second trench sections and covered with a first insulating layer in a lower portion. A second insulating layer is formed at least on the exposed trench surface in the upper portion. A conductive layer is formed on the second insulating layer at least in the upper portion, wherein the second insulating layer electrically insulates the conductive layer from the semiconductor substrate. The conductive layer is removed in the first trench section without removing the conductive layer in the second trench section.
US07879680B2
Photoresist on a metal is removed with less oxidation of the metal surface by the invented ashing. During process, the matching of oxygen gas ratio and wafer temperature under downstream plasma which means no RF bias plasma is controlled for oxidation amount not to depend on ashing time with required photo resist rate in manufacturing.
US07879678B2
Methods of enhancing the performance of a field-effect transistor (FET) by providing a percolating network of metallic islands to the inversion layer of the FET so as to effectively reduce the channel length of the FET. The metal islands can be provided in a number of ways, including Volmer-Weber metallic film growth, breaking apart continuous metallic film, patterning metallic coating, dispersing metallic particles in a semiconducting material, applying a layer of composite particles having metallic cores and semiconducting shells and co-sputtering metallic and semiconducting materials, among others. FETs made using disclosed methods have a novel channel structures that include metallic islands spaced apart by semiconducting material.
US07879676B2
Trench gate MOSFET devices may be formed using a single mask to define gate trenches and body contact trenches. A hard mask is formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. A trench mask is applied on the hard mask to predefine a body contact trench and a gate trench. These predefined trenches are simultaneously etched into the substrate to a first predetermined depth. A gate trench mask is next applied on top of the hard mask. The gate trench mask covers the body contact trenches and has openings at the gate trenches. The gate trench, but not the body contact trench, is etched to a second predetermined depth. Conductive material of a first kind may fill the gate trench to form a gate. Conductive material of a second kind may fill the body contact trench to form a body contact.
US07879671B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that is less prone to DC failures brought about by unwanted defects on capacitors in the device is presented. Manufacturing defects such as scratches are known to occur when making capacitors and that these defects are thought to be a primary cause of subsequent performance DC failures in the completed semiconductor devices. The method includes the steps of depositing, removing, forming, polishing, etching and forming. A sacrificial layer is exploited to allow a subsequent polishing down step to mechanically remove defects from the capacitors.
US07879669B1
At least one source/drain zone (140, 142, 160, or 162) of an enhancement-mode insulated-gate field-effect transistor (120 or 122) is provided with graded junction characteristics to reduce junction capacitance, thereby increasing switching speed. Each graded junction source/drain zone contains a main portion (140M, 142M, 160M, or 162M) and a more lightly doped lower portion (140L, 142L, 160L, or 162L) underlying, and vertically continuous with, the main portion. The magnitudes of the threshold voltages of a group of such transistors fabricated under the same post-layout fabrication process conditions so as to be of different channel lengths reach a maximum absolute value VTAM when the channel length is at a value LC, are at least 0.03 volt less than VTAM when the channel length is approximately 0.3 μm greater than LC, and materially decrease with increasing channel length when the channel length is approximately 1.0 μm greater than LC.
US07879665B2
An integrated circuit transistor is fabricated with a trench gate having nonconductive sidewalls. The transistor is surrounded by an isolation trench filled with a nonconductive material. The sidewalls of the gate trench are formed of the nonconductive material and are substantially free of unetched substrate material. As a result, the sidewalls of the gate trench do not form an undesired conductive path between the source and the drain of the transistor, thereby advantageously reducing the amount of parasitic current that flows between the source and drain during operation.
US07879662B2
A thin film transistor showing desirable contact characteristics during contact with indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO), in which a first conductive pattern including a gate electrode and a second conductive pattern including a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed without an etching process, a TFT substrate including the TFTs, and a method of manufacturing the same. The thin film transistor includes a gate electrode formed of a first conductive layer, a gate insulating layer covering the gate electrode, a semiconductor layer forming a channel on the gate insulating layer; an ohmic contact layer formed on the semiconductor layer, and a source electrode and a drain electrode formed of a second conductive layer and of a third conductive layer. The second conductive layer includes an aluminum-nickel alloy and nitrogen and is formed on the semiconductor layer. The third conductive layer includes an aluminum-nickel alloy and is formed on the second conductive layer.
US07879658B2
A semiconductor device includes a silicon crystal layer on an insulating layer, the silicon crystal layer containing a crystal lattice mismatch plane, a memory cell array portion on the silicon crystal layer, the memory cell array portion including memory strings, each of the memory strings including nonvolatile memory cell transistors connected in series in a first direction, the memory strings being arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the crystal lattice mismatch plane crossing the silicon crystal along the second direction without passing under gates of the nonvolatile memory cell transistors as viewed from a top of the silicon crystal layer, or crossing the silicon crystal along the first direction with passing under gates of the nonvolatile memory cell transistors as viewed from the top of the silicon crystal layer.
US07879654B2
Paper embedded with a semiconductor device capable of communicating wirelessly is realized, whose unevenness of a portion including the semiconductor device does not stand out and the paper is thin with a thickness of less than or equal to 130 μm. A semiconductor device is provided with a circuit portion and an antenna, and the circuit portion includes a thin film transistor. The circuit portion and the antenna are separated from a substrate used during manufacturing, and are interposed between a flexible base and a sealing layer and protected. The semiconductor device can be bent, and the thickness of the semiconductor device itself is less than or equal to 30 μm. The semiconductor device is embedded in a paper in a papermaking process.
US07879653B2
A leadless semiconductor package with an electroplated layer embedded in an encapsulant and its manufacturing processes are disclosed. The package primarily includes a half-etched leadframe, a chip, an encapsulant, and an electroplated layer. The half-etched leadframe has a plurality of leads and a plurality of outer pads integrally connected to the leads. The encapsulant encapsulates the chip and the leads and has a plurality of cavities reaching to the outer pads to form an electroplated layer on the outer pads and embedded in the cavities. Accordingly, under the advantages of lower cost and higher thermal dissipation, the conventional substrates and their solder masks for BGA (Ball Grid Array) or LGA (Land Grid Array) packages can be replaced. The leads encapsulated in the encapsulant have a better bonding strength and the electroplated layer embedded in the encapsulant will not be damaged during shipping, handling, or storing the semiconductor packages. Furthermore, the manufacturing processes include two half-etching steps to form the half-etched leadframe where a second half-etching step is performed after forming the encapsulant and before forming the electroplated layer.
US07879652B2
A semiconductor module is disclosed. One embodiment provides a first semiconductor chip having a first contact pad on a first main surface and a second contact pad on a second main surface, a first electrically conductive layer applied to the first main surface, a second electrically conductive layer applied to the second main surface, and an electrically insulating material covering the first electrically conductive layer, wherein a surface of the second electrically conductive layer forms an external contact pad and the second electrically conductive layer has a thickness of less than 200 μm.
US07879639B2
A method to fabricate an image sensor includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a pixel area and a logic area, forming a light sensing element in the pixel area, and forming a first transistor in the pixel area and a second transistor in the logic area. The step of forming the first transistor in the pixel area and the second transistor in the logic area includes performing a first implant process in the pixel area and the logic area, performing a second implant process in the pixel area and the logic area, and performing a third implant process only in the logic area.
US07879637B2
A CMOS solid-state imaging device configured to restrain the occurrence of white spots and dark current caused by pixel defects, and also to increase the saturation signal amount. Adjacent pixels are separated by an element isolation portion formed of a diffusion layer and an insulating layer thereon, and the insulating layer of the element isolation portion is formed in a position equal to or shallower than the position of a pn junction on the side of an accumulation layer of a photoelectric conversion portion 38 constituting a pixel.
US07879633B2
A method of manufacturing an optical element including the steps of: forming a through hole in a semiconductor element which has an optical section and an electrode electrically connected to the optical section; and forming a conductive layer extending from a first surface of the semiconductor element on which the optical section is formed, through an inner wall surface of the through hole, to a second surface opposite to the first surface.
US07879631B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for fabricating a device by forming a photosensitive area on a wafer; forming a control circuit adjacent the photosensitive area; and coating the photosensitive area with one or more film layers to form an optical filter. The filter provides a reduced leakage of an undesired wavelength onto the photosensitive area.
US07879630B2
Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing a microlens substrate which is excellent in chemical resistance and light fastness to intense light irradiation, and is capable of forming a microlens substrate of a high accuracy of form. The method includes the steps of: forming a lens-shaped curve at a surface side of a transparent substrate; forming an inorganic material film on the transparent substrate so as to bury the curve therewith; and planarizing the surface of the inorganic material film to provide a microlens where the curve is buried with the inorganic material film.
US07879619B2
An apparatus for detecting one or more substances includes a radiation source emitting a beam of radiation and also includes a material capable of reflecting the beam of radiation with a first characteristic and capable of reflecting the beam of radiation with a second characteristic when the material interacts with the one or more substances. The apparatus also includes two or more radiation detectors to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation. A first one of the two or more radiation detectors is adjustably aligned to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation reflected from a first region of the material. A second one of the two or more radiation detectors is adjustably aligned to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation reflected from a second region of the material.
US07879611B2
The invention is directed to a method of multigenerational analysis of plants modified by insertional mutagenesis, and a method for associating plant mutant trait and genotype information. The invention is further directed to a method for managing data pertaining to plant mutant trait and genotype information in a database. The invention is further directed to a system for managing plant mutant trait and genotype information in a database, a system for allowing users to associate plant trait and genotype information, a system for facilitating business transactions with a user regarding plant materials or a gene sequence of interest to user and a computer-readable medium embodying a program of instructions for execution by a computer for implementing a system for allowing users to associate plant trait and genotype information.
US07879604B2
The present application discloses compositions, methods and devices for treatment of a degenerative intervertebral disc. A composition can comprise chondrocytes expressing type II collagen. These chondrocytes can be obtained from human cadavers up to about two weeks following death, and can be grown in vitro. The compositions can further comprise one or more biocompatible molecules. Treatment of a degenerative disc can comprise injecting or implanting a composition comprising the chondrocytes into a degenerative disc.
US07879603B2
To control the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into steroid hormone producing cells. Mesenchymal stem cells can be differentiated into steroid hormone-producing cells by being stimulated by a transcriptional factor (SF-1), preferably by the transcriptional factor (SF-1) and cAMP. The present invention is a method for differentiating mesenchymal stem cells into steroid hormone producing cells, comprising stimulating the mesenchymal stem cells by the transcriptional factor (SF-1). The mesenchymal stem cells may be further stimulated by cAMP.
US07879602B2
The present invention provides chimeric adenoviral vectors and methods for using the vectors to elicit an immune response to an antigen of interest.
US07879592B2
The present invention relates to novel yeast strains, methods and genetic constructs for their preparation, and their use for the synthesis or modification of steroidal compounds. More particularly, the invention describes strains having a reduced 20αHSD type activity, in particular by modifying the GCY1 and/or YPR1 genes. The yeast strains of the invention make it possible to improve the efficiency of the synthesis or to increase the selectivity or the yields of the method, as well as the quality of the final product. The strains, methods and compounds of the invention are useful in the search for, the development and the production of products with therapeutic or prophylactic activity, in humans or animals, in particular of steroidal derivatives.
US07879589B2
The present invention is directed to a substantially odorless biologically mediated treatment process for solid and liquid organic wastes. The present invention also provides for a novel nutrient rich humus material produced from the biologically mediated treatment process. The bioconversion process of the present invention results from low electron acceptor concentrations and high quantities of microorganisms in a diverse microbial community.
US07879588B2
The application relates to a composition comprising a hyperbranched polymer attached to a core and a biologically active moiety. The biologically active moiety is attached to the core by means of a substantially non-enzymatically cleavable linker L. The composition can be used to deliver the biologically active moiety to its target.
US07879583B2
L-glutamic acid is produced by culturing a microorganism in a liquid medium containing L-glutamic acid at a saturation concentration, wherein the microorganism can metabolize a carbon source at a specific pH, and also has an ability to accumulate L-glutamic acid in the medium in an amount which exceeds the saturation concentration of L-glutamic acid, wherein the pH of the medium is controlled so that L-glutamic acid precipitates.
US07879582B2
A method for the recombination of a gene is disclosed. The method involves the design of unpaired forward and reverse primers having homology to the 5′ end of one template and to the 3′ end of another template. Short primer extension periods results in a recombined template having paired 5′ and 3′ ends that can then be amplified. The amplified sample is devoid of any parental template.
US07879575B2
The present invention relates to nanostructures for use in luminescent assays as well as methods for the production of nano-sized tube and rods, including arrays of nanotubes and nanorods from a nylon.
US07879572B2
It has been discovered that the ability of analogues to affect binding of a labeled β-casomorphin (an enterostatin antagonist) to recombinant rat F1-ATPase β-subunit was closely correlated with their enterostatin-like biological activity. Using immunohistochemistry and western blots, the presence of the F1-ATPase β-subunit was demonstrated in plasma membranes of liver, pancreas and amygdala. The effects of enterostatin on the intracellular localization of the proteins were studied using deconvolution or confocal microscopy. Enterostatin did not alter the location of F1-ATPase a-subunit-RFP but induced movement of the F1-ATPase β-subunit-GFP to the periphery of cells. These studies, showing the plasma membrane localization of the F1-ATPase β-subunit, the influence of enterostatin on the cellular location of the protein, the appropriate Kd value for binding, together with the previous correlation of binding effects with biological activity for a number of analogues, indicate that this protein is the enterostatin receptor.
US07879568B2
The present invention refers to the use of glutamate transporters, glutamate and EGF to detect the presence of demyelinating diseases in a subject, to determine the status or severity of the same or to monitor the effects of a therapy administered to a subject who suffers from such diseases; to the use of the said markers for the searching, identification, development and evaluation of the efficacy of compounds for the treatment of such diseases, with a view to developing new drugs; to the use of compounds which promote the expression of the EAAT1 and EAAT2 transporters, as well as EGF for the treatment of demyelinating diseases. In a preferred embodiment, the methods and compounds of the invention are applicable to MS.
US07879563B2
The present invention is directed to a method of screening for a carnitine transporter agonist or for a carnitine transporter antagonist, to a kit for carrying out the method of screening for a carnitine transporter agonist or for a carnitine transporter antagonist, to a method for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a carnitine transporter deficiency, to methods of diagnosis of a carnitine transporter deficiency, to the use of a protein for the manufacture of an antibody reacting with a carnitine transporter, to an oligonucleotide and to methods of treatment of a carnitine transporter deficiency.
US07879559B2
A method and kit for detecting Trichomonas vaginalis infection in a human subject are disclosed. In the method, a body-fluid sample such as a vaginal-swab sample or urine is obtained from the subject and contacted with an antibody specific against a Trichomonas adhesin peptide, forming an antibody-adhesin peptide complex if the subject is infected with Trichomonas. The presence or absence of the complex establishes, with a reliability of at least 80%, in the case of a vaginal swab sample, and with a reliability of at least 40% in the case of a urine sample, the presence or absence, respectively, of Trichomonas infection in the subject. A preferred test kit employs a dry-strip, sandwich assay, format.
US07879554B2
The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for conducting an assay to detect a polynucleotide. In particular, ruthenium complexes having reduction potentials that do not coincide with the reduction potential of molecular oxygen are disclosed and amperometric techniques for their use are described. In preferred embodiments, the ruthenium complex is ruthenium (III) pentaamine pyridine and the polynucleotide that is detected is DNA. Further, techniques for enhancing detectable contrast between hybridized and unhybridized nucleic acids are disclosed. In particular, the use of elongated target strands as well as the use of uncharged probe strands are discussed.
US07879549B2
A nucleic acid probe for classification of pathogenic bacterial species is capable of collectively detecting bacterial strains of the same species and differentially detecting them from other bacterial species. Any one of the base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 78 to 80 and complementary or modified sequences thereof or a combination of at least two of them is used for detecting the gene of an infectious disease pathogenic bacterium.
US07879548B2
Systems and methods provide a comprehensive high-throughput approach toward the sequential identification, prioritization, verification, and validation of etiologic factors in neuropsychiatric disorders, some of which can also be utilized as biomarkers for these illnesses. The systems and methods determine patterns of gene expression in various tissues from various samples under various experimental and non-experimental conditions, and uses the differences and similarities between the gene expression profiles observed under these conditions to delineate distinct gene expression profiles of risk and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
US07879532B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: (A) providing a wafer to which a photo-resist is applied; (B) forming a reacted portion in the photo-resist by exposing the wafer to a light through a mask having a translucent section, the reacted portion being a portion reacted with the light; and (C) forming a resist mask having an opening portion corresponding to the translucent section by dissolving the reacted portion. The opening portion does not penetrate the photo-resist in a case where an exposure amount in the (B) process is a first exposure amount. On the other hand, the opening portion penetrates the photo-resist in a case where the exposure amount is a second exposure amount larger than the first exposure amount.
US07879526B2
Provided herein are hardmask compositions for resist underlayer films, wherein according to some embodiments of the invention, hardmask compositions include a polymer prepared by the reaction of a compound of Formula 1 with a compound of Formula 2 (R)m—Si—(OCH3)4-m (2) in the presence of a catalyst, wherein R is a monovalent organic group, n is an integer from 3 to 20, and m is 1 or 2; and an organic solvent. Also provided herein are methods for producing a semiconductor integrated circuit device using a hardmask composition according to an embodiment of the invention. Further provided are semiconductor integrated circuit devices produced by a method embodiment of the invention.
US07879525B2
There are provided a stable chemically amplified photoresist composition that undergoes no change in alkali solubility prior to irradiation, a photoresist laminated product produced by laminating the photoresist composition onto a support, and a manufacturing method for a photoresist pattern and a manufacturing method for a connection terminal that use the photoresist composition and the laminated product. A chemically amplified photoresist composition is provided comprising (a) a resin that undergoes a change in alkali solubility under the action of acid, (b) a compound that generates acid on irradiation, and (c) a corrosion inhibitor.
US07879513B2
There is provided a method for correcting a photo mask, which allows the difference between a test mask and a corrected mask with respect to an error of line width depending on coarse/dense pattern to be decreased when the photo masks are corrected by optical proximity effect correction.The present method is consisted of: producing a test mask which acts as a mask for extracting process model for applying an optical proximity effect correction method (s1); transferring and measuring the dimensions of the transferred pattern using the test mask (s2 and s3); obtaining a function model (referred to as process model) of which a simulated result of the transferred pattern of a mask pattern of the photo mask using a function model matches the measured result (s4); obtaining a mask pattern of which a transferred pattern matches a designed pattern using said process model and creating mask data in accordance with the obtained mask pattern (s5); producing a corrected mask in accordance with the created mask data (s5); and setting an exposing condition where an OPE characteristic becomes flat with respect of wide and narrow pitches by adjusting at least one of a numerical aperture (NA) and a coherence factor (σ) of an exposing device when the corrected mask is transferred.
US07879507B2
The present invention provides membrane cassettes and stacks thereof which are suitable for a use in a variety of electrochemical applications. The invention further provides membrane cassettes which comprise one or more external manifolds which deliver reagents and/or coolant to one or more reactant or coolant flow fields of the membrane cassettes. In particular, the present invention describes the insert molding method, whereby the plenums of the external manifolds are created during the stack encapsulation step. The invention describes several methods for creating the manifold runner geometry via insert-molding, machining, or with separate components.
US07879501B2
Presented herein is a fuel cell assembly, including a reformer housing, a reformer region within the reformer housing for producing hydrogen, a vacuum housing for containing the reformer housing, a low-pressure insulating region between the reformer housing and the vacuum housing for providing thermal insulation, radiation shields disposed about the reformer region for providing radiation insulation, and at least one proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell in fluid communication with the reformer region. The vacuum housing may define a volume of less than about 30 cubic centimeters. The fuel cell assembly may produce less than about 100 watts of power. Also disclosed are related methods for reforming fuel.
US07879492B2
The present invention is concerned with novel compounds derived from polyquinonic ionic compounds and their use in electrochemical generators.
US07879490B2
This invention provides a lead battery that becomes usable by injecting an electrolyte thereinto. The battery includes: positive and negative electrode plates each having a grid comprising a Pb—Ca based alloy; separators that separate the positive electrode plates from the negative electrode plates; the electrolyte comprising sulfuric acid; and a battery container accommodating the positive and negative electrode plates, the separators, and the electrolyte. The battery container is sealed, and part of the positive and negative electrode plates is immersed in the electrolyte. The height Y0 of the positive and negative electrode plates and the distance Y1 from the bottom of the positive and negative electrode plates to the level of the electrolyte satisfy the relation: 15≦Y1/Y0×100≦60.
US07879485B2
Disclosed herein is a housing member for a battery module, which is mounted to at least one side of the battery module such that a flow channel of refrigerant is defined in the battery module having unit cells stacked therein, wherein the housing member is provided with electrically connecting members for electrically connecting electrode terminals of the unit cells with each other and/or electrically connecting an external device to the electrode terminals, the electrically connecting members being integrally formed at the housing member. The housing member according to the present invention is manufactured in a structure in which the electrically connecting members are integrally formed at the housing member. Consequently, the manufacturing costs of the housing member are reduced. Furthermore, the assembly process of the battery module is greatly simplified, and the occurrence of short circuits caused by an engineer's mistake is effectively prevented.
US07879482B2
In a battery pack for an electrical device having a base body, a locking unit for locking the base body to the electrical device, and at least one battery cell, the battery pack has a fastening module, which is intended for securing the locking unit to the battery cell.
US07879476B2
A cationic conductive polymer is described herein which generally comprises a proton donating polymer and an oxocarbonic acid. The cationic conductive polymer exhibits a high conductivity in low humidity environments.
US07879467B2
Improvements to magnetic recording device including magnetic recording media are described. The improvements include the addition of copper to the recording layer as well as improved underlayers. In addition, improved manufacturing processes and magnetic/recording properties for media through heating and oxidation are described.
US07879466B2
The invention provides a perpendicular recording medium with high recording density, and a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, by improving the function of magnetic anisotropy of a soft magnetic underlayer. The perpendicular recording medium has at least a soft magnetic underlayer and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer on a non-magnetic substrate, wherein when Ku⊥ (erg/cm3) is defined as a perpendicular magnetic anisotropic energy, and Ms (emu/cm 3) is defined as a saturation magnetization of the soft magnetic underlayer, Ku⊥ of the soft magnetic underlayer has a negative value and Ku⊥<−2πMs2. As a result, the easy axis of a magnetization of a soft magnetic underlayer is oriented strongly in the substrate surface plane, which is effective to suppress the WATE phenomena and spike noise.
US07879445B2
An adhesive for bonding and securing a semiconductor chip to a circuit board and electrically connecting the electrodes of the two, and containing an adhesive resin composition and an inorganic filler being contained in an amount of 10 to 200 parts by weight of 100 parts by weight of the adhesive resin composition.
US07879435B2
A hollow chamber structural component includes a shell component which extends along a main extension direction. A cover component is attached to the shell component, wherein a hollow chamber is disposed between the shell component and the cover component and extends in the main extension direction. A reinforcing structure is arranged in the hollow chamber and comprises: a synthetic support structure, which follows at least in some sections the main extension direction and rests with at least some sections against an inside of the shell component; and at least one reinforcing element that follows at least in some sections the main extension direction and is joined to the synthetic support structure with the aid of a layer of adhesive.
US07879434B2
In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a foam element comprising an isocyanate-based foam matrix having surface, at least a portion of the surface comprising at least one channel having a channel surface, the channel surface being coated with a substantially fluid impermeable material. The foam element is particularly useful in a climate-control vehicular (e.g., automobile) seat.
US07879431B2
A honeycomb structure 10 includes: multiple honeycomb units 11 having multiple through holes 12; and a seal layer 14 that joins honeycomb units 11 with each other via respective closed outer faces 13 of the honeycomb units 11 where the through holes are not open. The honeycomb unit 11 includes at least inorganic particles, inorganic fibers and/or whiskers. A cross section area of a honeycombed face of the honeycomb unit perpendicular to the through holes 12 is about 5 to about 50 cm2. The flatness of an entire end face as the honeycombed faces of the honeycomb units 11 joined by the seal layer 14 is about 2.5 mm or less. The level difference between the end faces of the honeycomb units 11 is about 2.0 mm or less.
US07879430B2
A honeycomb structure is disclosed that includes plural honeycomb units bonded together by using a sealing material layer, each of the honeycomb units including plural through-holes separated by plural partition walls and provided in parallel along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb units, wherein each of the honeycomb units includes at least ceramic particles, and inorganic fibers and/or whisker, an area of a cross section of one of the honeycomb units perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the one of the honeycomb units is greater than or equal to about 5 cm2 and less than or equal to about 50 cm2, and a circularity of the cross section of the honeycomb structure perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the honeycomb structure is greater than or equal to about 1.0 mm and less than or equal to about 2.5 mm.
US07879422B2
An optical disc capable of suppressing vibration during read/write process includes an annular substrate, a coated layer, and a damping layer. The annular substrate includes a supporting portion and a recording portion, and a recording surface corresponding to the recording portion. The coated layer is formed on the recording surface. The damping layer is formed on the coated layer side of the annular substrate for increasing the response time to vibration of the optical disc. A method for fabricating the aforementioned optical disc is also disclosed.
US07879418B1
A method for forming a carbon-containing layer on a polymeric substrate is disclosed. The polymeric substrate is modified physically and chemically using an inductively coupled plasma process. The carbon-containing layer can be fluorocarbon film with different physicochemical properties and structure.
US07879413B2
A liquid crystal medium is described, which has stability to heat, light and so on, a wide temperature range of liquid crystal phase, a large optical anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy, and exhibits an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase. The liquid crystal medium includes a liquid crystal compound represented by formula (1) and a chiral reagent and exhibits an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase. For example, R1 is C1-C20 alkyl; the rings A1-A6 are each 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-dioxan-2,5-diyl, 1,4-phenylene, or 1,4-phenylene with arbitrary hydrogen atom being replaced by a halogen atom; Z1-Z6 are each a single bond; L1-L4 are each a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; X1 is a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; each of l, m, n, o, p and q is 0 or 1, and the sum of them is 3.
US07879408B1
A method and apparatus for spreading a treating agent, for example, size or a coating onto a moving surface in the manufacture of the web-shaped folios or paper and paperboard and various sheet products in particular, includes feeding the treating agent into at least one feeding chamber and directing the agent from the feeding chamber onto the moving surface. Jets are formed from the treating agent by directing the agent through at least one nozzle plate comprising openings that are defined by the nozzle plate around the entire periphery, and the formed jets are applied directly onto the moving surface.
US07879407B2
The invention relates to coating agents, containing (A) at least 50 wt. %, (in relation to the content of non-volatile substances in said coating agent), of at least one compound (A1) and/or (A1′) comprising at least two reactive groups of formula (I): —X—SiR″x(OR′)3-x, in which R′=hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl, whereby the carbon chain can be interrupted by non-adjacent oxygen, sulphur or NRa groups, Ra=alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl, X=a linear and/or branched alkene or cycloalkene group comprising between 2 and 20 carbon atoms, R″=alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl, whereby the carbon chain can be interrupted by non-adjacent oxygen, sulphur or NRa groups, and x=0 to 2, (B) a catalyst for cross-linking the —Si(OR′)3-x units, and (C) an organic solvent or a mixture of organic solvents. According to the invention, during the curing of the coating agents, the reactive groups (I) are cross-linked in such a way, that the following characteristics are noted during the nanoindentation test on the cured coating: elastic recovery of volume >86.5%; plastic deformation <3.5%; brittle deformation <10.0%.
US07879402B2
A method for forming an aperture includes stamping an aperture into the article using a pellet, and refining aperture shape(s) and/or aperture dimensions. Methods for forming articles having reduced residual compressive stress are also disclosed. Very generally, the methods include establishing a diamond coating on at least a portion of a substrate, and applying a stress-relief process to the diamond coating, the substrate, or combinations thereof.
US07879399B2
A CVD method for forming a metal film on a substrate by using a metal carbonyl gas includes a preparing step for setting a vacuum chamber at a vacuum pressure and heating the substrate in the vacuum chamber to a first temperature where the metal carbonyl gas is decomposed. Also included are a supplying step for supplying the metal carbonyl gas into the vacuum chamber while exhausting the vacuum chamber with a first vacuum pumping speed and a removing step for removing a decomposed gas of the metal carbonyl gas by stopping supplying of the metal carbonyl gas and quickly exhausting the vacuum chamber with a second vacuum pumping speed sufficiently higher than the first vacuum pumping speed. The supplying step and the removing step can be repeatedly as desired.
US07879385B1
A method for making a bean-based oil substitute comprising the steps of making an aqueous liquid dispersion of comminuted beans in a stable flowable form, homogenizing said aqueous dispersion, and mixing an emulsifier with said comminuted beans before, during or after homogenization, said homogenized aqueous dispersion including less than about 2% weight of added oil, and drying the dispersion. Also, the substitute made by the method and a dehydrated refried bean product made using the oil substitute.
US07879380B1
Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture are provided for cooking. A shell, made of high temperature material is disclosed for use in a frying apparatus. Thus, conductive heating and so cooking occurs on the food contained within the shell.
US07879375B1
A pharmaceutical composition and method for modifying levels of cholesterol is described. Implementations of a pharmaceutical composition may comprise milk thistle and one of niacin, policosanol, and both niacin and policosanol. Implementations of a pharmaceutical composition may be administered using a method for reducing total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides and increasing HDL cholesterol levels in a human or animal. The method may include the step of administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition that includes milk thistle and one of niacin, policosanol, and both niacin and policosanol to a human or animal.
US07879369B2
A method of inhibiting COX-2, inhibiting NF-Kappa B activation, treating inflammation, or treating cancer may comprise administering a therapeutically effective amount of an extract of Combretum laurifolium Mart. to a patient. A medicament as described herein may comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and a therapeutically effective amount of an extract of Combretum laurifolium Mart. suspended in the vehicle. A method of making an extract of Combretum laurifolium Mart. may comprise creating a component solution by treating Combretum laurifolium Mart. material with an extractor and a solvent and producing an extract by at least partially removing liquid from the component solution. An extract of Combretum laurifolium Mart. may comprise components extracted using various solvents.
US07879368B2
A process for the preparation of Labisia pumila extract from Labisia pumila plant material and to obtain an optimized and reproducible chemical profile by high performance liquid chromatography.
US07879364B2
The invention relates to the use of arsenic compounds to treat a variety of leukemia, lymphoma and solid tumors. Further, the arsenic compounds may be used in combination with other therapeutic agents, such as a retinoid. The invention also provides a process for producing arsenic trioxide formulations.
US07879362B2
The invention concerns a galenic system with prolonged/controlled release of the medicinal and/or nutritional active principle, for oral administration. The aim is to provide a system enabling to obtain with one single tolerable and acceptable dose of active principle, efficient therapeutic protection over 24 hours (increasing the bioabsorption time without affecting bioavailability). To achieve this, the invention provides a composition comprising two controlled release systems associated in series, namely: individualised coated particles (microcapsules) of active principle forming an internal phase, the coating comprising a film-forming polymer P1 (ethylcellulose), a nitrogenous polymer (polyvinylpyrrolidone), a softener (castor oil) and a lubricant (magnesium stearate), and an external phase of functional carriers: polyelectrolytic hydrophilic polymer: (alginate), neutral hydrophilic polymer (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose) and a gelling additive (calcium acetate), said composition spontaneously forming in the presence of water, a cohesive and stable composite macroscopic solid, wherein the external continuous phase is a gelled matrix including the active principle microcapsules. The invention is useful for delayed oral galenic formulation of metformin.
US07879357B2
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition in the form of a hydrogel that comprises a carboxylic acid diester, a C2-C4 alkyl alcohol, an active ingredient and a polymer matrix. The invention also relates to the use of a carboxylic acid diester as a transdermal permation enhancer for an active ingredient in a pharmaceutical composition in the form of a hydrogel, whereby the composition comprises a polymer matrix and a C2-C4 alkyl alcohol. The invention also relates to a sweat-resistant composition in the form of a hydrogel, which comprises an acrylic polymer in combination with a cellulose derivative.
US07879356B2
The present invention relates to novel bioabsorbable polymeric compositions based upon AB polyester polyether or related diblocks and triblocks. Compositions according to the present invention may be used in medical applications, for example, for reducing or preventing adhesion formation subsequent to medical procedures such as surgery, for producing surgical articles including stents and grafts, as coatings, sealants, lubricants, as transient barriers in the body, for materials which control the release of bioactive agents in the body, for wound and burn dressings and producing biodegradable articles, among numerous others.
US07879353B2
A formulation comprising: a co-polyester comprising (a) the reaction product of a polycondensation polyester and (b) glycolide; wherein the polycondensation polyester comprises the reaction product of diglycolic acid and/or a derivative thereof and ethylene glycol, and the co-polyester comprises about 40% by weight of the polycondensation polyester based on the total weight of the co-polyester; and a drug selected from the group consisting of indomethacin, diclofenac sodium, and ketoprofen.
US07879351B2
Provided is a method of preparing lipid based drug formulations with low lipid/drug ratios using coacervation techniques. Also provided are methods of delivering such lipid based drug formulations at high delivery rates, and methods of treating patients with pulmonary diseases comprising administering such lipid based drug formulations.
US07879346B2
The present invention provides a cosmetic composition including oil phase ingredients 40-90% by weight and powder ingredients 10-60% by weight. The oil phase ingredients include volatile oil 5-70 parts by weight and dimethicone/vinyl-dimethicone crosspolymer 0.1-5 parts by weight. The powder ingredients include organic hectorite 0.5-40 parts by weight, methyl methacrylate crosspolymer 0.5-5 parts by weight, and pulverulent body 0.5-50 parts by weight.
US07879345B2
The invention relates to a composition preferably useful for topical application in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, an oily phase dispersed in an aqueous phase, containing at least one lipophilic emulsifier and at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible amphiphilic polymer, which may be obtained from 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulphonic acid units and from hydrophobic monomers comprising an oxyalkylene chain.
US07879341B2
The present invention pertains to pharmaceutical compositions which comprise a botulinum neurotoxin from Clostridium botulinum, the neurotoxin being free of the complexing proteins naturally present in the botulinum neurotoxin complex or being chemically modified or being modified by genetic manipulation. Moreover the pharmaceutical compositions of the instant invention have good stability and are advantageously formulated free of human serum albumin.
US07879339B2
This invention relates to a method for systemic immune activation which is effective for eliciting both a systemic, non-antigen specific immune response and a strong antigen-specific immune response in a mammal. The method is particularly effective for protecting a mammal from herpes simplex virus. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions useful in such a method.
US07879337B2
The present invention provides a genetically modified PRRS virus which has been modified such that the conserved cysteine in the E protein has been deleted or changed to a non-cysteine residue and polynucleotides that encode it. Vaccines comprising the genetically modified virus and polynucleotides are also provided.
US07879329B2
Disclosed are novel polyclonal antibodies, which target respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as novel high affinity antibody molecules reactive with RSV. The polyclonal antibodies may comprise antibody molecules which are reactive with both RSV protein F and RSV protein G, and preferably the polyclonal antibodies target a variety of epitopes on these proteins. The antibody molecules of the invention have shown superior efficacy in vitro and/or in vivo. Also disclosed are methods of producing the antibodies of the invention as well as methods of their use in treatment or prevention of RSV infection.
US07879328B2
The present invention relates to antibodies and related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for detecting or diagnosing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant B Lymphocyte Stimulator expression or inappropriate function of B Lymphocyte Stimulator comprising antibodies or fragments or variants thereof or related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator. The present invention further relates to methods and compositions for preventing, treating or ameliorating a disease or disorder associated with aberrant B Lymphocyte Stimulator expression or inappropriate B Lymphocyte Stimulator function comprising administering to an animal an effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments or variants thereof or related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator.
US07879307B2
Separation of carbon nanotubes or fullerenes according to diameter through non-covalent pi-pi interaction with molecular clips is provided. Molecular clips are prepared by Diels-Alder reaction of polyacenes with a variety of dienophiles. The pi-pi complexes of carbon nanotrubes with molecular clips are also used for selective placement of carbon nanotubes and fullerenes on substrates.
US07879305B2
A fluidized bed reactor device for sequestering flue gas CO2 from a flue gas source is provided. The fluidized bed reactor device comprises an operating portion having a first end and a second end. A flue gas inlet is formed at the first end of the operating portion with the flue gas inlet receiving flue gas from the flue gas source. A flue gas outlet formed at the second end of the operating portion. A distributor plate is mounted within the operating portion adjacent the first end of the operating portion. A volume of fly ash is encased within the operating portion between the second end and the distributor plate with the flue gas traveling through the distributor plate and the fly ash creating reacted flue gas wherein the reacted flue gas exits the operating portion through the flue gas outlet.
US07879303B2
Described is a method for the production of metal salts, wherein the cationic metal is preferably selected from Group I to IV metals and mixtures thereof and the anionic group is selected from phosphates, silicates, sulfates, carbonates, hydroxides, fluorides and mixtures thereof, and wherein said method comprises forming a mixture of at least one metal source that is a metal carboxylate with a mean carbon value per carboxylate group of at least 3 and at least one anion source into droplets and oxiding said droplets in a high temperature environment, preferably a flame. This method is especially suited for the production of calcium phosphate biomaterials such as hydroxyapatite (HAp,Cal0(P04)6(OH)2) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP,Ca3(P04)2) that exhibit excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductivity and therefore are widely used for reparation of bony or periodontal defects, coating of metallic implants and bone space fillers.
US07879295B2
Disclosed herein is a system for reducing NOx emissions comprising a fuel tank in fluid communication with a fuel converter, wherein the fuel converter is located down stream of the fuel tank and wherein the fuel converter comprises a catalyst composition that is operative to continuously convert heavy hydrocarbon molecules having 9 or more carbon atoms per molecule into light hydrocarbon molecules having 8 or less carbon atoms per molecule; a selective catalytic reduction catalyst reactor in fluid communication with the fuel converter and located downstream of the fuel converter; and an engine in fluid communication with the fuel tank and the selective catalytic reduction catalyst reactor, wherein the engine is located downstream of the fuel tank and upstream of the selective catalytic reduction catalyst reactor.
US07879294B2
A fine solids recycle apparatus for a fluidized bed reactor comprises an eductor connected to a dipleg extending from a cyclone connected to the reactor, wherein the fine solids particles are removed from the dipleg, mixed with an eductor gas to form an eductor gas-fine solids particles mixture, which allows the return of the fine solids particles to the fluidized bed region, whereby the fine solids is further reacted in the fluidized region to improve reaction efficiency.
US07879293B2
A sample collector and test device is disclosed. The sample collector and test device may be used together as a diagnostic tool for collecting and assay of analytes contained in a sample. A sample collector is also disclosed which may be used with existing sample containers and or test devices. The sample collector may indicate sample adequacy when a sufficient volume of sample has been collected for assay and may also include a sample retaining feature which retains a portion of expressed sample for confirmatory testing, if desirable. The sample collector may also include a mechanism for expressing sample in a sample collector and/or test device. A test device is also disclosed for retaining and assay of an expressed sample. The disclosed test device may be used with existing sample collectors. In a preferred embodiment, test device is used with a preferred sample collector. Test device may include a locking feature for locking a sample retained on a sample collector or test device may be used to receive expressed sample collected from a syringe or another suitable sample delivery device.
US07879281B2
A plastic preforms (5) molding device and process comprising an injection mold, containing a plurality of injection cavities, an arm (3) for extracting the preforms (5) from the mold, equipped with guillotine-like gripping elements, which moves between the existing space between the half molds when in the open position in order to grasp the preforms and the external position, a cooling turret (6), with the faces housing a group of cups (7) for the conditioning of the preforms (5), which effects a rotational movement around a horizontal axis and a vertical translation movement between the high position under the extraction arm to receive the preforms and the low position corresponding to the extraction table of the preforms (5), on which are indented longitudinal slots with teeth shaped constrictions in order to grasp the preforms under the ring (9) and to extract them from the cups (7).
US07879278B2
Methods for manufacturing panel units may include applying a cover tape to a surface of a panel in such a way as to substantially extend along a periphery of the panel. An extrusion molding die may be moved relative to the panel in such a way that the extrusion molding die moves along the periphery of the panel while at least partially contacting the cover tape applied to the panel. At the same time, a molten molding material may be extruded from the extrusion molding die, thereby integrally forming a molded article on the periphery of the panel. The cover tape may be then removed from the surface of the panel in order to produce a panel unit having the molded article disposed along the periphery of the panel.
US07879271B2
A method of obtaining fiber textures of carbon from a cellulose precursor includes the steps of: spinning cellulose filaments (12) from a viscose solution or a cellulose solution; subjecting the cellulose filaments to washing in water (21); impregnating the washed and non-dried cellulose filaments with an aqueous emulsion (41) of at least one organosilicon additive; drying the impregnated cellulose filaments; and obtaining a fiber texture made up of impregnated and dried cellulose filaments prior to carbonization.
US07879269B1
The present invention pertains to a method for manufacturing a ferrite powder for use in making PCB ferrite features. The ferrite powder is easily applied and provides a high ferrite-packing factor. The ferrite powder is a mixture of varying sizes of ferrite particles, an epoxy powder, and curing agent powder.
US07879265B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide an active material for lithium ion battery capable of producing a lithium ion battery having an excellent high rate charge and discharge performance and a lithium ion battery having an excellent high rate charge and discharge performance. The present invention provides an active material for lithium ion battery represented by a composition formula: Li[Li(1-x)/3AlxTi(5-2x)/3]O4 (⅛≦x<1) lithium titanate is substituted with Al, and a lithium ion battery using this active material as a negative electrode active material.
US07879261B2
The invention relates to (1) carbon nanofiber containing iron (Fe) of 6 mass % or less and vanadium (V) of 3 mass % or less as a metal impurity other than carbon, which does not substantially contain metal elements other than Fe and V, (2) a method for producing carbon nanofiber characterized in contacting a catalyst in which Fe and V are supported on a carbon support and a carbon-containing compound at a high temperature, (3) a resin composite material in which the carbon nanofiber is blended and (4) use thereof. According to the invention, an inexpensive carbon fiber filler material can be obtained which has a low content of metal impurities and enables to exhibit electric conductivity when added to resin in a small amount.
US07879258B2
The invention relates to a phosphor in a polycrystalline ceramic structure and a light-emitting element provided with the same comprising a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) in which a composite structure of phosphor particles is embedded in a matrix, characterized in that the matrix is a ceramic composite structure comprising a polycrystalline ceramic alumina material, hereafter called luminescent ceramic matrix composite. This luminescent ceramic matrix composite can be made by the steps of converting a powder mixture of ceramic phosphor particles and alumina particles into a slurry, shaping the slurry into a compact, and applying a thermal treatment, optionally in combination with hot isostatic pressing into a polycrystalline phosphor-containing ceramic alumina composite structure. The luminescent ceramic matrix composite further allows a method of tuning the light-diffusing properties by changing at least one of the fractions of phosphor particles and second ceramic particles, the grain size of the particles of the ceramic composite structure, the difference in the refractive index of the particles of the ceramic composite structure, and the porosity in the polycrystalline phosphor-containing ceramic composite structure.
US07879254B2
A snow removal agent for melting snow, consisting of magnesium chloride, halite, urea, sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium metasilicate, wherein the sodium tripolyphosphate and the sodium metasilicate each account for an identical weight percentage in the agent, wherein the halite is crushed to a size of 7-20 mm and aged for 24-48 hours.
US07879252B1
A functional cotton spray composition includes: 100 parts by weight of cotton fibers having a length of 3 mm or less; 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of a phase change material; 0.5 to 1 parts by weight of a titanium dioxide photoactive catalyst; 0.5 to 2 parts by weight of at least one natural pigment selected from the group consisting of a pine needle powder, a green tea powder, a mugwort powder, an indigo plant powder, a gardenia powder, a charcoal powder and a yellow soil powder; 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of a dispersant; 5 to 20 parts by weight of a viscosity improver; 10 to 20 parts by weight of an organic flame retardant; 5 to 15 parts by weight of an inorganic flame retardant; 0.5 to 3 parts by weight of an antimicrobial and antifungal agent; and 300 to 600 parts by weight of viscosity-controlling water.
US07879250B2
The disclosure concerns a method of processing a workpiece or in a plasma reactor chamber, using independent gas injection at the wafer edge.
US07879247B2
A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, a container filling plant container filling machine, and a filter apparatus for filtering a liquid beverage. The filter apparatus has a plurality of filter chambers and associated valves for controlling flow of filtered liquid out of the filter chambers to optimize filtration.
US07879230B2
A vacuum-actuated liquid chlorine dispenser for use in an aerobic treatment system. Effluent is diverted from a discharge pipe in an aerobic treatment system into an inlet of a venturi chamber. The resulting pressure differential resulting from effluent flowing through the venturi chamber is communicated to a dosage container, which results in disinfectant flow from a reservoir into the dosage container until the volume of disinfectant contained by the dosage container causes a pressure control device, such as a float valve, to inhibit further pressure communication. Thereafter, the accumulated disinfectant within the dosage container egresses through a disinfectant outlet that may include a flow regulation device such as a drip emitter or check valve. The present invention allows for more regular dosing of known and accurate disinfectant amounts following each pumping cycle of the aerobic treatment system.
US07879227B2
An apparatus for the condition checking of a screen cloth in a vibrating screen for drilling fluid, comprising a pump for drawing a drilling fluid sample from the bottom tray of the vibrating screen into the apparatus, a filter for filtering the drilling fluid sample, and a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure difference across the filter. A method for the condition checking of a screen cloth in a vibrating screen, comprising drawing a drilling fluid sample from the bottom tray of the vibrating screen, filtering the drilling fluid sample through a filter, and measuring the pressure difference across the filter.
US07879217B2
A method and apparatus for anodizing a porous valve metal pellet in a flowing liquid electrolyte is described. The apparatus comprises an insulative container comprised of a lower region, a central region including a cavity for holding the pellet, an upper region, and a continuous passageway extending through the lower, central, and upper regions. Lower and upper screens serving as lower and upper electrodes are disposed in the passageway in the lower and upper container regions, respectively. During anodizing, the electrolyte flows through the lower container region including the lower screen, the porous pellet and then the upper container region including the upper screen. The lower and upper screens are at an opposite electrical polarity as the pellet so that a dielectric oxide is formed on the exposed valve metal including interior portions of the pellet that are exposed to the flowing electrolyte.
US07879213B2
A process for the manufacture of small sensors with reproducible surfaces, including electrochemical sensors. One process includes forming channels in the surface of a substrate and disposing a conductive material in the channels to form an electrode. The conductive material can also be formed on the substrate by other impact and non-impact methods. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes cutting the substrate to form a sensor having a connector portion and a transcutaneous portion, the two portions having edges that define one continuous straight line.
US07879212B2
An electrode coated with peptide nanostructures, composed of self-assembled peptides, is disclosed. The electrode is capable of conducting a response current resulting from an electrochemical reaction. The electrode can form a part of an electrochemical cell, a detector and a sensor array. Methods utilizing an electrochemical cell, a detector or a sensor array comprising the electrode for detecting an Analyte in a sample and kits containing same are also disclosed.
US07879201B2
Method and apparatus for processing a substrate with a beam of energetic particles. The beam is directed from a source through a rectangular aperture in a shield positioned between the source and substrate to a treatment zone in a plane of substrate movement. Features on the substrate are aligned parallel to a major dimension of the rectangular aperture and the substrate is moved orthogonally to the aperture's major dimension. The beam impinges the substrate through the aperture during movement. The substrate may be periodically rotated by approximately 180° to reorient the features relative to the major dimension of the rectangular aperture. The resulting treatment profile is symmetrical about the sides of the features oriented toward the major dimension of the rectangular aperture.
US07879199B2
A process for the preparation of an alkali metal salt of 4-chloro-4′-hydroxy benzophenone including the steps of (a) preparing purified 4-chloro-4′-hydroxy benzophenone by a process including distilling under reduced pressure a liquid containing 4-chloro-4′-hydroxy benzophenone and a solvent selected from diphenyl sulphone, diphenylene sulphone, benzophenone and dichlorobenzophenone, and then (b) preparing the alkali metal salt of thus purified 4-chloro-4′-hydroxy benzophenone by the reaction of the purified 4-chloro-4′-hydroxy benzophenone with a stoichiometric excess of at least one alkali metal base. There is also described a polymerization process using the alkali metal salt to yield PEK with high inherent viscosity and improved mechanical and thermal properties.
US07879193B2
Forming fabric for making a bulky web. The fabric includes a machine facing side and a web facing side having pockets formed by warp and weft yarns. The pockets are defined by more than four sides on an upper plane of the web facing side. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US07879187B2
The present invention relates to a plasma etching apparatus, which comprises a chamber, a substrate support disposed inside the chamber to support a substrate, a shield disposed with a gap on the substrate such that plasma is not generated therein while allowing an edge portion of the substrate to be exposed, an antenna disposed at a position on an outer wall of the chamber to apply plasma-generating power to an area between the edge portion of the substrate and an inner wall of the chamber, and a bias-applying unit for applying bias to the substrate support. According to the present invention, the shield and the substrate support prevent plasma from being generated at other portions of a substrate except an edge portion of the substrate. Inductively coupled plasma is employed to generate plasma with high density, thereby removing a thin film and particles remained at the edge portion of the substrate. In addition, by means of the discharging of inductively coupled plasma, it is possible to improve an etching rate at the edge portion of the substrate and to adjust the profile of an etching process at a low processing pressure.
US07879185B2
A dual frequency matching circuit for plasma enhanced semiconductor processing chambers having dual frequency cathodes is provided. The matching circuit includes two matching circuits with variable shunts combined to a common output. The matching circuit balances the load of the independent RF sources to that of the plasma in the processing chamber during operation.
US07879183B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and method for front side protection while processing side and backside of a substrate. One embodiment of the present invention provides a showerhead configured to provide a purge gas to a front side of a substrate during a backside etch processing. The showerhead comprises a body configured to be disposed over the front side of the substrate. The body has a process surface configured to face the front side of the substrate. The process surface has an outer circular region, a central region, a middle region between the outer central region and the central region. The first plurality of holes are distributed in the outer circular region and configured to direct the purge gas towards an edge area of the front side of the substrate. No gas delivery hole is distributed within a substantial portion of the middle region.
US07879182B2
A system for processing a substrate uniformly by increasing the number of gas discharge holes being arranged per unit area of a shower plate as receding from the center of the shower plate or increasing the radii of the gas discharge holes as receding from the center of the shower plate thereby making the plasma excitation gas flow uniform.
US07879179B2
A processing apparatus of the present invention has a mounted chamber holding a semiconductor wafer and having members for work-processing the substrate under any of heating, plasma and process gas or a combination of them, in which a film of Al2O3 and Y2O3 is formed on an inner wall surface of the chamber and on those exposed surface of the members within the chamber and has a high-corrosion resistance and insulating property and, when the process gas is introduced onto a processing surface of a semiconductor wafer and diffused into it, any product is less liable to be deposited on a plasma generation area and on those members held within the chamber.
US07879170B2
A pneumatic tire comprises a carcass comprised of at least one carcass ply containing a steel cord(s) arranged at a cord angle of 70-90° with respect to an equatorial plane of the tire and toroidally extending between a pair of bead cores and turned up around the bead core inward or outward in a radial direction to form a turnup portion, wherein a wrap part wrapping on a peripheral face of the bead core therealong is formed in the turnup portion of the carcass ply.
US07879156B2
Apparatus for washing hydraulic circuits involved in the preparation of milk-based beverages in machines (1) for automatically dispensing hot drinks and/or in machines (1) for preparing and supplying espresso coffee, said circuits comprising at least one first hydraulic path (6) which extends between the milk storage vessel (8, 30) and the delivery device (2), at least one second hydraulic path (7) which extends between a steam source (9) and the same delivery device (2), a source (13) of washing liquid, means (14) for connecting and disconnecting said source (13) of washing liquid to/from a point (16, 26) along the said first hydraulic path (6). The apparatus provides means (21, 22) for connecting the said first hydraulic path (6) to the said second hydraulic path (7), producing a closed recirculating circuit for the washing liquid, as well as valve means (18) for connecting the resultant hydraulic circuit (6, 7, 15) to a discharge outlet (19). In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cartridge (22) having a closed internal cavity (23) provided with first means (6a) for connection to the said first hydraulic path (6) as well as second means (7a) for connection to said second hydraulic path (7), to be positioned on the machine in place of the beverage delivery unit (2).
US07879155B1
A method of removing paint from a plastic substrate at least partially coated with a paint coating by: providing at least one plastic substrate at least partially coated with a paint coating; providing a kit for a user to utilize to remove paint from the plastic substrate, which is at least partially coated with a paint coating; immersing the at least partially coated plastic substrate into first mix of components by the end user wherein the first mix of components further comprises water when the at least partially coated plastic substrates are immersed into the first mix of components; and rinsing the plastic substrate with water. The immersing and rinsing steps remove the paint coating from the plastic substrate. The kit includes: a first mix of components that includes: at least one aromatic alcohol; an alpha-hydroxy acid; an anionic surfactant; 2-mercaptobenzothiazole or salts thereof; and an arene; and instructions instructing an end user to remove paint from the plastic substrate using the first mix of components.
US07879151B2
Method and apparatus for supporting and transferring a substrate in a semiconductor wafer processing system are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided for supporting a substrate comprising a cover ring comprising a base having a bore disposed therethough, the base having an upper surface and one or more raised surfaces disposed adjacent the bore, wherein the raised surface comprise one or more first substrate support members disposed adjacent an edge of the bore and a capture ring disposed on the cover ring, the capture ring comprising a semi-circular annular ring having an inner perimeter corresponding to the bore of the cover ring and one or more second substrate support members disposed on the inner perimeter and adapted to receive a substrate, wherein the capture ring is adapted to mate with the cover ring and form one contiguous raised surface on the cover ring.
US07879146B2
A controlled release formulation for a cement-based composition can be produced by intercalating an admixture (e.g. an accelerator, a set retarder, a superplasticizer) for the cement-based composition into a layered inorganic material (e.g. a layered double hydroxide (LDH)). A cement-based composition containing a cement-based material (e.g. cement, mortar or concrete) and such a controlled release formulation has better workability, especially in respect of slump-loss characteristics. With such a formulation release of an admixture in a cement-based composition may be controlled.
US07879143B2
The disclosure provides, in various embodiments, a method for fractionating a polyalkylene, and the fractionated polyalkylene produced thereby. The method includes, for example, separating, from a starting polyalkylene, a first portion of a polyalkylene having a Mw less than the Mw of the starting polyalkylene. Also included are carriers, phase change inks and toners comprising the fractionated polyalkylene, such as the first portion of a polyalkylene.
US07879136B2
Magnetic activated carbon and the removal of contaminants from a fluid stream using the magnetic activated carbon is described. The magnetic activated carbon is preferably magnetic powdered activated carbon and may contain titania. The magnetic activated carbon may be used to remove contaminants such as mercury from fluid streams including flue gases from a combustion plant.
US07879132B2
A method of reduction treatment of metal oxides characterized by using as a material a powder containing metal oxides and containing alkali metals and halogen elements and further, in accordance with need, carbon, mixing said material with water to produce a slurry, then dehydrating this and charging the dehydrated material, mixed with another material in accordance with need, into a rotary hearth type reduction furnace for reduction.
US07879130B2
The present invention relates to a calcium-silicate based slag having a phosphorous content of less than 3 ppmw. The invention further relates to a method for producing a low phosphorous calcium-silicate based slag, where molten calcium-silicate based slag is treated with a molten ferrosilicon alloy in a vessel, whereby phosphorous in the calcium-silicate based slag is transferred to the ferrosilicon alloy, and a low phosphorous calcium-silicate to based slag is removed from the vessel.
US07879124B2
There is provided an air cleaner in which an adsorption element for adsorbing vaporized fuel is surely fixed to a housing without additionally providing a special step, and moreover the performance of element and the performance of an air cleaner itself can be maintained, and a manufacturing method for the air cleaner. The air cleaner is configured so that a filter element and an adsorption element for adsorbing vaporized fuel are incorporated in a housing formed by joining the open ends of a pair of housing members to each other. At the open end of each of the housing members, a welding protrusion projecting toward the open end on the other side is formed, and a connecting portion formed with a welding protrusion is provided on a holding frame of the adsorption element.
US07879123B2
An inertial separator comprising a tubular body, the tubular body comprises a composition comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of a cyclic olefin polymer and a cyclic olefin copolymer, and, a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and/or a flame retardant and/or an anti-static additive, is disclosed.
US07879115B2
Applying a strong static DC electric field to supersaturated aqueous glycine solutions resulted in the nucleation of the γ polymorph attributed to the electric-field induced orientation of the highly polar glycine molecules in large preexisting solute clusters, helping them organize into a crystalline structure. A method to induce crystallization and to prepare polymorphs and/or morphologies of materials by using a static electric field to cause nucleation and crystal growth to occur in a supersaturated solution in such a way as to obtain a crystal structure that would not normally appear without the use of the static electric field. Aqueous glycine solutions were prepared by combining solid glycine and water. Supersaturated solutions were generated by heating the tubes to 62-64° C. and holding them at that temperature in an ultrasonicator overnight. Once the glycine was completely dissolved, the solutions were slowly cooled to room temperature. A chamber was constructed consisting of two brass electrodes separated by a 5 mm insulating gap, with a hole drilled down through the center, parallel to the gap-electrode interface, with a diameter large enough to accommodate the test tube. A DC voltage was applied across the electrodes, large enough to produce electric fields in the range of 400,000 to 800,000 V/m. Tests tubes containing the aged solutions were placed in the high-voltage chamber. Exposure of the aged solutions to fields of 600,000 V/m resulted in crystallization typically within 30-90 min. The onset of nucleation was observed visually by the formation of a needle-shaped crystallite.
US07879107B2
A composition and method for inducing bone growth and healing is provided. The composition is useful for promoting new bone synthesis, and to enhance the mechanical stability and longevity of orthopaedic implants. The composition includes a bone endogenous material which is used as raw material for the body's natural osteogenic mechanism to synthesize new bone. The composition is applied in a flow phase and then undergoes a phase change to a congealed phase. The resulting material has a dual mode porosity system, having a first order porosity to accommodate and promote convective diffusion of nutrient species into and through the material, and a second order porosity to accommodate osteoblastic migration therein without the need for osteoclastic resorption.
US07879103B2
A sterile implant for treatment of a spinal disc defect comprising an allograft cortical bone demineralized to a Type I collagen having a specific shape which is treated to eliminate osteoinductivity. The implant is lyophilized and compressed into smaller first shape which 20 to 80% from its original shape in at least one dimension and hardened. The implant expanding when hydrated into a second shape having the shape memory of the first shape and expanded in dimensional size from the first compressed shape.
US07879101B2
An intervertebral prosthesis includes at least one core which is positioned between an upper plate and a lower plate, the prosthesis also includes an outer casing. The aforementioned plates comprise respective inner faces which enable the core to move inside the prosthesis.
US07879100B2
Molded orthopaedic implants include at least one mesh substrate having opposing upper and lower primary surfaces. At least a major portion of the mesh substrate lower primary surface is integrally moldably attached to the molded implant body. The mesh substrate has at least one selectively exposed region devoid of molded material that exposes at least a portion of the mesh substrate upper surface to at least a partial thickness of the mesh substrate so as to allow for tissue in-growth in the at least one exposed region of the mesh substrate.
US07879093B2
An artificial bone composite structure is provided. This structure includes a fibrous matrix that itself includes a plurality of fibers. Also, the structure includes a plurality of hydroxyapatite (HA) particles. These particles are dispersed within the fibrous matrix. Also, the HA particles have controlled size and aspect ratios and are aligned along long axes of the fibers. In some instances, the fibers include poly-(L-lactic acid) (PLLA).
US07879082B2
Fine structure stents physiologically acceptable to the body.
US07879073B2
A locking device for locking two ties which may be coupled to an intervertebral spacer. The locking device includes a body having a first face for facing a wall of the intervertebral spacer, and a second face opposite the first face. The body includes an axial slot opening out into both faces of the body; two lateral slots, each lateral slot opening out into both faces and having dimensions suitable for allowing one tie to pass freely therethrough between opposing side surfaces of the lateral slot; and two presser surfaces defined in the first face, each presser surface extending between one end of the body and the nearer lateral slot. One side surface of each lateral slot converges with the associated presser surface to define a first edge, and the other side surface of each lateral slot converges with the second face to define a second edge.
US07879065B2
A locking component for locking a medical device onto a guide wire. Such medical devices include, for example, an embolic filter assembly used to capture embolic material that may be created and released into a patient's vasculature during a stenting or angioplasty procedure. The embolic filter assembly tracks along the guide wire, and is delivered to a treatment site where it is locked in place and deployed. The locking component enables the filter assembly to lock onto any standard guide wire, and does not require a modified guide wire that has a specially-designed fitting or stop to accomplish the locking function.
US07879060B2
The balloon trepan is used in minimal invasive surgery in order to create or maintain the area required for an operation by dilation of tissue or dissection of layers of tissue. The connection between the balloon and the sleeve of the trepan must be easily and securely produced without enlarging the outer diameter of the balloon trepan. The balloon must be secured against slipping and must be able to resist pressure during inflation. The balloon surrounding the distal end of the trepan is pressed against a peripheral step formed on the sleeve of the trepan by a clamping element in order to fix it to the sleeve of the trepan. The clamping element is displaced by rotation of at least one part of the clamping element about a longitudinal axis of the sleeve of the trepan in a longitudinal direction in relation to the said sleeve.
US07879057B2
A lancing member (2) is integrally provided with a cap (29) for covering a needle (21). Upon or after being attached to a holder (5) of a lancing device (A), the lancing member (2) is rotated relative to a cap (29) by a rotator (C). As a result, the boundary (28) between the cap (29) and the lancing member (2) is broken easily to expose the needle (21).
US07879054B2
A biopsy system comprises a first placeholder element insertable through tissue to a first selected location in a patient's body, the first placeholder element including a first element guide and a tissue sampling element insertable to the first selected location via the first element guide for obtaining a sample of tissue from the first selected location, the tissue sampling element being removable from the first element guide while leaving the first placeholder element at the first selected location in combination with a tissue treatment element insertable to the first selected location via the first element guide.
US07879050B2
A trans-vascular surgical method includes forming an artificial opening in a blood vessel of a patient's vascular system at a substantially predetermined location and moving a distal end portion of a medical instrument through at least a section of the patient's vascular system and through the artificial opening. A surgical port device is disposed inside the blood vessel to inhibit blood from exiting the patient's vascular system through the artificial opening while permitting extension of the distal end portion of the medical instrument through the artificial opening. After moving the distal end portion of the medical instrument through the artificial opening, the medical instrument is operated to perform a medical procedure operation inside the patient.
US07879033B2
An electrosurgical system is provided that includes an electrosurgical generator; and an electrosurgical pencil selectively connectable to the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical pencil includes an elongated housing; at least one electrocautery end effector removably supportable within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrocautery end effector being connected to the electrosurgical generator; and at least one voltage divider network supported on the housing. The at least one voltage divider network is electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator and controls at least one of the intensity of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil and the mode of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrosurgical pencil. The voltage divider network generates a plurality of characteristic voltages which are measurable by the electrosurgical generator and which electrosurgical generator in turn transmits a corresponding waveform duty cycle at a particular intensity to the electrocautery end effector of the electrosurgical pencil.
US07879024B2
A splittable cannula includes a radiopaque marker placed at or near the distal end of the cannula. The radiopaque marker may be a unitary piece, or may consist of several portions. The cannula may include a sheath or catheter body with a grooved score line running along a portion of the sheath body and a radiopaque marker located at a distal end of the body and abutting the body. The radiopaque marker may be located within the lumen of the sheath, may be embedded in the sheath wall, or may be affixed to the external sheath wall. The radiopaque marker may be scored, notched, grooved, or contain apertures longitudinally. The notches, grooves, apertures, and/or score lines in both the sheath or catheter body and the radiopaque marker serve to provide a weakened tear path. An electrode lead may be coupled with the radiopaque marker.
US07879017B1
A disposable absorbent article such as a disposable diaper having standing cuffs around leg portions or a waist portion. The disposable absorbent article has, in a used condition, standing cuffs each having a free portion thereof stand toward the wearer by means of a stretching force of stretching members. Stretching members are respectively provided at the tip end of the free portion and at a portion between the base end and the middle of the free portion and closer to the base end. The standing cuff may not have a plane-gathering cuff at the outer side thereof.
US07879001B2
Intraocular implants and delivery instruments are disclosed for treating ophthalmic conditions and ocular disorders, such as glaucoma. The implants are configured to extend between the anterior chamber of the eye and a fluid outflow path or physiologic outflow pathway, such as Schlemm's canal, of the eye for enhancing outflow of aqueous from the anterior chamber so as to reduce intraocular pressure. The implants can have features for anchoring the implant into the physiologic outflow pathway as well as preventing the walls of the physiologic outflow pathway from closing the outlet of the implants. The delivery instruments can be steerable so as to make implantation easier. Additionally, the delivery instruments can be configured to hold a plurality of implants so that multiple implants can be implanted through one incision without removing the delivery instrument from the incision between serial implantations.
US07878995B2
A device to simultaneously immobilize the head, neck and upper torso of a patient, the device comprising a first substrate for supporting the back of the patient's head, a second substrate in communication with the first substrate, whereby the second substrate is adapted to encircle the patient's neck; and a third substrate in communication with the second substrate, whereby the third substrate contacts the patient's chest.
US07878984B2
Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may end in depth radunequal in depth opacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cod in groups, such as groups of three, and may be equally spaced around the axis or offset to provide a steerable or compressible tip.
US07878983B2
A method and device for removing tissue from a patient during a biopsy procedure utilizing a biopsy collection device are provided. The biopsy collection device includes a body portion configured for attachment to an endoscope and a receptacle portion configured to retain a portion of tissue removed from a target site during the biopsy procedure. The biopsy collection device further includes a passageway configured to receive a biopsy sampling device, such as a pair of forceps, passing through the endoscope to the target site.
US07878982B2
A process is provided for monitoring a patient being anesthetized, as well as a process for determining a combined effect of different anesthetics used. Devices for carrying out the processes are also provided.
US07878973B2
A laryngoscope (10) to assist tracheal intubation on a patient, comprising a body having a handle (14), and a laryngoscope blade (12) extending from the handle (14); a lighting system (21) including a light source integrated in the laryngoscope body and arranged in use to be activated to adopt an operational mode to provide illumination to the patient's throat; control means operative to allow only a single occurrence of the lighting system in the operational mode; and wherein once activated in the operational mode, the lighting system provides illumination for only a limited time.
US07878972B2
An optical probe, for example, a medical endoscope, having a removable lens cell. In an embodiment, the optical probe has an elongated tube with a proximal portion terminating at a proximal end and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion terminating at a distal end. The elongated tube defines an axial lumen wherein a lens cell holder is disposed proximal the distal portion. The lens cell holder has an axial holder bore for at least partially containing the lens cell within and removably coupled with the holder bore.
US07878971B2
An endoscope inserting direction method includes a first step of receiving endoscopic images time-sequentially, a second step of sampling pixels representing low densities from pixels of each of the endoscopic images which are time-sequentially received in the first step and a third step of determining whether or not number of pixels representing low densities which are sampled in the second step is equal to or larger than predetermined number of pixels. In a fourth step, if the number of pixels representing low densities is determined to be equal to or larger than the predetermined number of pixels in the third step, a position of the barycenter of the pixels representing low densities is obtained, and based on a change in the position of the barycenter of the pixels representing low densities of the time-sequentially received endoscopic images, a direction of a shift in the time-sequentially received plurality of endoscopic images is detected. In a fifth step, an endoscope inserting direction, in which an endoscope should be inserted, on the basis of the result of the detection performed in the fourth step is determined.
US07878970B2
An inter-vaginal device for performing a uterine suspension includes a rigid body for manipulating the uterus and implanting a suspension member, such as a mesh, for securing the uterus to an anchoring site (e.g., into a pelvic muscle or ligament). In one embodiment, a method includes inserting at least a portion of a uterine suspension member through an anterior or posterior vaginal incision. An end of the suspension member is anchored to a selected portion of a pelvic tissue. At least a portion of the suspension member is attached to a vaginal apex. A uterine manipulator is advanced in a direction toward the selected portion of the pelvic tissue such that at least a portion of a uterus is moved upward.
US07878967B1
An improved hemodynamic device may be collapsed and implanted percutaneously. The device includes at least one collapsible blade member and a rotary mover for rotating the blade member to provide hemodynamic circulation. In one embodiment of the invention, the blade member rotates within a basket after implantation. The basket may be formed of shape-memory wires.
US07878947B1
An exercise apparatus comprises: a frame; a crank system supported by the frame; a right and left foot members supported by the frame; first and second flexible element coupled to the crank system and foot support members such that downward motion of either foot support member causes rotation of the crank system; and a crank offset assembly configured to prevent the crank system from becoming locked at a top dead center location.
US07878942B2
A method for shifting an automated transmission situated in a drive train of a motor vehicle between an engine and a drive axle and having at least one multi-speed main transmission and a two-speed range change group rear-mounted thereon. The main transmission has at least one counter-shaft with an transmission brake. A clutch engages the prime mover and the main transmission and the range change group is shifted via unsynchronized dog clutches, which are combined in pairs in a common shift set having two shift positions and one neutral position such that during a range change gearshift, both in the main transmission and in the range change group, a change between two ratio stages occurs. A range change up-shift and down-shift each include active synchronization of the dog clutch by way of the transmission brake and of the separating clutch.
US07878941B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes.
US07878937B2
A differential and axle assembly for an automotive vehicle driveline is disclosed. The assembly includes a differential drive pinion and a drive pinion shaft, the drive pinion shaft being splined to a drive pinion shaft flange. Axial and radial dimensional runout is minimized by spaced, front and rear pilot surfaces at axially spaced ends of the splines for the drive pinion shaft and the drive pinion flange.
US07878930B2
Baseball bats described herein may have handle, throat and/or barrel portions that include non-circular cross-sections.
US07878925B2
Provided is a golf club head which has the coefficient of restitution within the regulated range and which is easy for hitting balls. The ball-hitting face is made of a material anisotropic in Young's modulus. Preferably the direction of the largest Young's modulus on the face material is perpendicular to the horizontal direction on the face.
US07878924B2
The present invention is directed at a quick release connection system to facilitate customization of golf clubs. It can be used to interchange shafts, removable weights, or soleplates quickly and easily. Teeth are disposed on the inside of a frame so that a shaft may be inserted with minimal resistance, but cannot be removed without specific steps which may require the use of a simple tool. Strengthening and interlock devices are provided to ensure performance quality akin to traditional golf clubs.
US07878922B2
A golf club head having a multiple material face is disclosed herein. The golf club head has a coefficient of restitution value greater than 0.83 and a characteristic time value of less than 257 milliseconds. The golf club head is preferably composed of a titanium alloy with a polymer layer disposed over a titanium alloy front wall. A preferred polymer is a polyurethane polymer.
US07878921B2
Disclosed herein is a golf club including a shaft, a club head and several devices for releasably connecting the shaft to the club head.
US07878919B2
A golf club head includes a face plate and a body member positioned rearwardly of the face plate and having at least two body components. Each of a plurality of apertures is formed in one of the face plate and the body components. At least one fastener extends through at least two of the apertures, the fasteners being configured to removably secure the face plate and the body components together upon being turned a portion of a revolution.
US07878916B2
An ultrasonic trigger for a golf equipment performance monitor is described. In a preferred embodiment, the ultrasonic trigger comprises at least one emitter and receiver. The emitters periodically generate sound waves at an ultrasonic frequency. The sound waves are targeted towards an object or objects within a target area. The sound waves are reflected by the objects within the target area, and are detected by at least one receiver. The receiver may be connected to a computational device to determine the position and/or velocity of the objects within the field of view.
US07878908B2
Multiple video game players access an encrypted video game library stored on a shared mass storage device. A multiplexer multiplexes data read from the mass storage device to provide output streams to multiple video game playing units consuming video game instructions. A secure bus communicates video game instructions from the shared mass storage device to each of the video game playing units. Video game software or other entertainment content is distributed to the shared mass storage device via electronic download in multi-level encrypted form. Before being transported, the content is encrypted and then further encrypted. Once the content has been successfully transported, it is decrypted to remove the further encryption layer—leaving the first encryption layer intact for protecting the video game during storage on mass storage at the remote distribution location.
US07878902B2
A method and apparatus for providing automated and secured verification of configuration data for a volatile progrannmable electronic device, such as an FPGA, is disclosed. A configurator including at least one memory unit, such as a ROM or EEPROM, contains a configuration file, which file is transferred to the volatile programmable electronic device or FPGA on demand. Data from the configuration file is compared with data from a separate custodial file, which custodial file is substantially identical to the configuration file and resides in a location separate from the memory unit or units that store the actual configuration file. In some instances the comparison is made before any actual loading of the configuration file into the FPGA occurs, whereby loading is prohibited if no match is confirmed, while in other instances the FPGA is configured using the configuration file and is then shut down if no match is later confirmed.
US07878896B2
A system installed in a casino allows gambling chips in the casino to have variable values. Each chip has an electronic circuit installed in it to store a chip identifier and data indicative of a value currently associated with the chip. Slot machines and other devices are arranged to interact with the gambling chips to read and write data from and into the chips. A central controller is connected to the slot machines and other devices that interact with the chips. The chips carry a display and/or an audio device to apprise players of the value currently associated with the chip.
US07878894B2
Systems and methods are provided for operating a gaming system. In one embodiment, an outcome amount associated with a total number of events is determined. For example, a total payout amount associated with a number of instant lottery tickets may be determined. Based on a parameter associated with a player, the outcome amount is allocated among the total number of events. The outcome amount may be allocated, for example, based on a total number of events selected by the player.
US07878875B2
The PDP has a front panel, and a back panel with address electrodes formed thereon. The front panel has display electrodes including first electrodes and second electrodes formed on front glass substrate, and a dielectric layer covering the display electrodes. Further, first electrodes and the dielectric layer include glass frit containing bismuth oxide, with a softening point exceeding 550° C. The glass frit contained in the second electrodes has a softening point lower than that contained in the first electrodes. The above-described configuration reduces the number of firing steps for display electrodes and the dielectric layer, thereby providing a PDP with improved production efficiency and a method of manufacturing the PDP.
US07878872B2
A steering connecting device for a boat couples the steering of a primary propulsion device and an auxiliary propulsion device. The primary propulsion device has an outer surface and is attached to the transom of the boat and an auxiliary propulsion device. There is a hinge assembly hingeably attached to and essentially parallel to the transom of the boat. There is a mounting plate fixedly attached to the hinge assembly. A tie rod is rotatably attached at a first end to the outer surface of the primary propulsion device and rotatably attached at a second end to the mounting plate. The auxiliary propulsion device is rigidly attached to the mounting plate. As the primary propulsion device is rotated from left to right during steering of the boat, the mounting plate also rotates from left to right thereby rotating the auxiliary propulsion device in unison with the primary propulsion device.
US07878870B2
An electrical contact (3) includes a body section (30), a contacting arm (31) extending upward from the body section (30), a soldering section (32) formed by cutting out from the body section and then extending outwardly. The soldering section (32) comprising a first extending arm (321) connected to the body section (30), a second extending arm (322) bent downwardly from the first extending arm (321), and a soldering pad (323) extending from the second extending arm (322) toward the body section (30). An opening (300) is defined after the soldering section (30) is cut out from the body section.
US07878862B2
An electrical connector (100), includes an insulative housing (10), a plurality of conductive contacts (20) retained in the insulative housing, an insulative base (60) secured to the insulative housing, a subsidiary printed circuit board (30) connecting with the conductive contacts, a flexible printed circuit board (50) electrically connecting with the subsidiary printed circuit board, and a shielding shell (70) shielding peripherally around the insulative housing and the insulative base. The subsidiary printed circuit board is attached to the insulative base. A gap (609) is defined between a portion of the insulative base and an edge of the subsidiary printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board has a first strip portion (503) extending out of the insulative base, a second strip portion (501) connecting with the subsidiary printed circuit board, and a folded portion (505) between the two strip portions. The folded portion is received in the gap.
US07878850B2
A cable connector (100) includes an insulative housing (30), a number of terminals (70) received in the insulative housing, a metal cover (10) shielding the insulative housing, a number of cables (50) and a grounding plate (90). The terminals include a number of signal pins (70B, 70D) and a number of grounding pins (70A, 70C, 70E). The cables correspondingly connect with the terminals. Each cable includes a central conductor (507) and a braiding layer (503). The grounding plate mechanically and electrically connecting with the braiding layers of the cables, the grounding pins and the metal cover.
US07878849B2
Removal of a conventional separable insulated connector from an electric power system often results in a shortened electric cable. An extender for a separable insulated connector enables the separable insulated connector to connect to a shortened cable. A conventional cable adapter is inserted into the extender, which includes a conductive connector for accepting the shortened cable and a conductive rod for carrying electric power from the shortened cable to the separable insulated connector. The extender also includes an inner semi-conductive layer that borders the conductive rod and compression connector, an outer semi-conductive layer, and a insulating layer between the two semi-conductive layers. The extender is inserted into a separable insulated connector, which is then connected to the electric power system.
US07878848B1
A battery connector mounted on a top surface of a printed circuit board defining a pair of penetrating holes, which has a housing, a plurality of contacts secured to the housing and a board lock fixing the battery connector to the printed circuit board. The housing has a pair of penetrating slits penetrating a top surface and a bottom surface thereof. The board lock is formed as one piece and has a main plate mounted on the top surface of the housing, a pair of holding arms bent downward from opposite ends of the main plate and respectively extending through the penetrating slits of the housing and the penetrating holes of the printed circuit board, and a pair of projections protruding outwardly from each of the holding arms and engaged to the periphery of each of the penetrating holes on a bottom surface of the printed circuit board.
US07878846B2
For reasonably using the space of a printed circuit board (PCB) an electrical connector assembly which is mounted on the PCB is provided and includes an upper an upper connector and a lower connector stacked together. The upper connector includes a plurality of first contacts each having a first horizontal soldering leg are soldered on a top surface of the PCB. The lower connector includes a plurality of second contacts each having a second vertical soldering leg soldered on a bottom surface of the PCB. The bottom surface of the PCB has a plurality of soldering holes which are not running through the top surface thereof for retaining said second vertical soldering legs therein so as to provide an available soldering area for said first horizontal soldering legs on the top surface thereof.
US07878833B2
An electrical connector (100) comprises a first connector (2), a second connector (3) electrically connecting with the first connector, an insulator (5) molded over the first connector and the second connector, and a housing member including a top housing (1) and a bottom housing (4) combined together to enclose the insulator (5) and at least one of the first and second connectors therein. The insulator (5) defines an expansion (51) thereon, said expansion of the insulator is located in a corresponding depression defined in an interior side of the top or bottom housing.
US07878824B2
A cassette includes a housing having a plurality of plug cavities that are separated from adjacent plug cavities by shield elements. The cassette also includes a contact subassembly having a circuit board and a plurality of contacts arranged in contact sets coupled to the circuit board. The contact sets are configured to mate with different plugs. The contact subassembly is loaded into the housing such that the contact sets are received in different plug cavities, wherein the contact sets are separated from adjacent contact sets by the shield elements.
US07878808B1
Methods and systems, including computer program products, for playing tutorials. The techniques include receiving a tutorial for a computer program, playing the tutorial using a first player, the first player allowing interaction with the computer program while playing the tutorial, and executing a second player from the first player, the second player simulating operation of the computer program while playing the tutorial. The first player plays the tutorial in a tutorial window that overlaps the application window and that remains on top of the application window.
US07878795B2
A fuel burner controller and associated method is configured to establish fuel combustion in a fuel burner and to recycle a fuel combustion initiation process when a loss of combustion is detected and a call for heat is asserted. The controller is further configured to limit a number of recycles of the fuel combustion initiation process based on a time budget.
US07878794B2
Device for moulding thermoplastic containers by the blow moulding of preforms, comprising a mould (1) and a blowing assembly (2) with a nozzle (16) that can move axially between a raised position and a blowing position in fluid connection with a preform supported in the cavity of the mould. The half-moulds (3a, 3b) of the mould bear respective parts (Aa, Ab) together forming a male element (A) bordered by a wall (12) inclined towards the nozzle. The blowing assembly bears a female element (B) formed by a clamp (26) having an internal wall (30) complementary to the wall of the protuberance. In the blowing position, the cooperation between the male and female elements (A, B) locks the upper part of the closed mould.
US07878784B2
An injection molding machine is provided. Permanent magnets are attached to a planetary roller spindle and/or ball screw spindle or to the spindle nut of the injection molding machine. Thus, the permanent magnets are integrated into the planetary roller spindle and/or ball screw spindle or to the spindle nut of the injection molding machine.
US07878778B2
A rotary compressor includes a fixed side and a movable side that is eccentrically movable relative to the fixed side. The movable side moves in response to operation of a drive mechanism, which rotates a drive shaft. The fixed side has a main bearing formed as a unitary part. A cylinder may serve as the movable side, which is coupled through an eccentric part to the drive shaft. The drive shaft is supported by the main bearing. With such an arrangement, a ring-shaped piston may serve as the fixed side, which is formed integrally with the main bearing in a front head.
US07878772B2
An air-cooled electric motor is provided, which may be used in a compressor assembly, including a motor unit with a motor housing out of which a drive shaft extends, such that the drive shaft drives a ventilator, the ventilator includes at least two radially and/or axially separated ventilator sections to propel a first airstream as well as at least one other, second airstream that is separate from the first airstream, such that the airstreams are conducted separately on both the inflow side of the ventilator and the outflow side of the ventilator.
US07878769B1
A pump-priming device configured to fit within the pump inlet circuit formed in the valve body of an automatic transmission is disclosed. The present pump priming device comprises a fluid-conducting structure having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, which is fabricated from sheet metal or flexible tubing and is designed to be installed within the original equipment manufacture valve body as a drop-in-place component. The present pump priming device diverts the flow of automatic transmission fluid (i.e. regulator exhaust fluid) released by the pressure regulator valve, which under normal operating conditions would flow from the pressure regulator valve back to the sump, and to redirect such flow of regulator exhaust fluid back to the pump inlet. Such redirection of regulator exhaust fluid pressurizes the pump inlet circuit and raises the output of the pump to provide adequate transmission fluid flow within the hydraulic system at low engine speeds.
US07878768B2
A vacuum pump having components that are subject to wear may be adjusted to compensate for the wear. In some instances, a vacuum pump may include a housing and an impeller disposed at least partially within the housing. A gap between the housing and the impeller may be adjustable to compensate for wear. In some cases, the housing may include a ring that may be moved to adjust a tolerance (or gap) between the ring and the impeller. In some instances, the ring may be rotated to adjust this gap. In other instances, the ring may be translated to adjust the tolerance.
US07878764B2
An adjustable fan includes a hub having a receiving surface and a fan blade having a base abutting the receiving surface of the hub. A plurality of keyways may be positioned in at least one of the receiving surface and the base. A key may extend between the base and the receiving surface and into at least one of the plurality of keyways in order to retain the fan blade in a desired orientation relative to the hub.
US07878756B2
In one embodiment, a method for controlling seal clearance in a turbine engine includes positioning a seal ring within a turbine engine, the seal ring having an inner annular surface and an outer annular surface, the inner annular surface and the outer annular surface both being circular but non-concentric, rotating the seal ring within the engine until the seal ring is placed in an aligned orientation at which a center of a circle that defines the inner annular surface coincides with a centerline of the engine, and securing the seal ring while in the aligned orientation.
US07878747B2
A method and apparatus for an insulating cover for fasteners. In one advantageous embodiment, an apparatus comprises a washer and a cover. The washer is capable of receiving a fastener. The cover is capable of being secured to the insulating washer, wherein an insulating volume is created with the cover secured to the washer.
US07878746B2
The invention relates to a functional element (10) comprising a longitudinal axis (14), a body part (16), a hollow pressed part (18), an annular supporting surface (20) which is arranged on the body part, substantially extended in a perpendicular direction with respect to the longitudinal axis and is radially displaced away from the pressed part and an annular groove (21) which axially extends and is embodied in the body part radially inside the supporting surface. Locking ribs (26) are preferably provided and at least partly cross the annular groove and the free end (28) of the pressed part is provided with a annular cutting edge (30). The inventive functional element is characterised in that an annular bulge (32) is embodied on the pressed part between the annular supporting surface and the free end of the pressed part and an annular cavity (34) is embodied around said pressed part between the bulge and the front free end thereof. An assembling component consisting of the functional element combined with a metal sheet, a method for producing the assembling component and a method for producing the functional element are also disclosed.
US07878742B2
The present invention relates to a device for gripping a unit load during handling of same, said device comprising an attachment portion for attaching the device to the unit load, a gripping portion (for engaging with a handling means) which is embodied in the form of a container corner, and a set of at least two said gripping devices adapted in a certain way to the unit load or at least to elements of the unit load. The invention also relates to a transport vehicle for the unit load, comprising a towing vehicle and a trailer that are connected to each other via the unit load during transportation thereof, and which have holding devices for the unit load on their facing ends, comprising a set of said gripping devices. The holding devices comprise container brackets, the arrangement of said container brackets being adapted to the unit load or at least to elements of the unit load, by means of gripping devices adapted and fastened to said unit load, in such a way that the container brackets can clamp onto the container corners of the devices fastened to the unit load.
US07878734B2
Apparatus embodying the invention include a damping plate attached to the submerged end of a spar-like element floating in a body of water. The spar like element tends to move up and down in a vertical direction in response to passing waves. The damping plate has a pair of oppositely facing surfaces extending transversely to the vertical direction of the movement of the spar-like element and vertical structures (“lips”) mounted on the oppositely facing surfaces for increasing the effective mass of water pushed during movement of the damping plate through the water. Damping plates with lips, as per the invention, may be used in wave energy converters to control the relative motion between the spar-like element and a float to increase the energy produced.
US07878730B2
Particular embodiments of the inventive technology relate to a device for connecting the ends of two concrete reinforcing bars in which a metal sleeve has chambers at each end to accommodate the end of one reinforcing bar. Forces may be transferred from one bar to the other through, the use of, inter alia, an adhesive established within the space between the outside of the reinforcing bars and the deformed inner surface of the sleeve. The chambers are, preferably, separated by a fluid impervious barrier. One port associated with each chamber may be established to allow fluid such as air to escape, preventing air voids in the adhesive. Another configuration of the inventive device would be intended for the retention (under load, of course) of only one reinforcing bar, with an enlarged flange for anchoring the end of one reinforcing bar, perhaps at and outer surface of, e.g., a concrete slab.
US07878725B2
An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a first unit to be attached inside the apparatus main body, a rotatable part attached to the apparatus main body and rotatable between an open position for opening the apparatus main body and a closed position for closing the apparatus main body, and a second unit removably attached to the rotatable part. When the rotatable part is rotated from the closed position to the open position, the first unit is allowed to be attached to or removed from the apparatus main body by being moved horizontally. By removing the second unit from the rotatable part, the first unit is attached to or removed from the apparatus main body without coming into contact with the second unit.
US07878716B2
A ferrule connector assembly including a housing having a base member and a nose member is disclosed. The base member includes a bore having a first diameter portion that receives the nose member and a second diameter portion. A split sleeve cooperates with the base member and has first and second ends. The split sleeve has an outer diameter that varies based upon forces applied thereto. A fiber stop is disposed within the split sleeve and includes an optical path for light propagating through the assembly. A member mounts within the second diameter portion of the bore and is fixed within the second diameter portion by the nose member. The member mounts to the first end of the split sleeve and fixes the outer diameter of the split sleeve at the first end and allows the outer diameter of the second end to vary based upon forces applied thereto.
US07878706B2
A personal attachment device includes a strip (101) having a first side (105) and a second side (106), the first side (105) of the strip (101) having an adhesive backing, the strip (101) including a hole formed between the first (105) and second (106) sides, and a device (103) for insertion into the hole, the device (103) including a flange (104) for contacting the first side (105) of the strip (101) upon insertion of the device (103) into the hole from the first side (105) to the second side (106), wherein the adhesive (107) is adapted to secure the strip (101), and thereby the device (103), to a substrate.
US07878705B2
Static mixer element for homogenizing media and methods of mixing a drilling liquid are disclosed. The static mixer includes a housing and a deflection surface arranged within the housing at a selected angle with respect to the flow direction.
US07878699B2
A drive system for a mixer barrel for absorbing weight of the mixer barrel (1). The drive system communicates with a base (5) via a weight supporting element which supports the mixer barrel (1) and enables relative movement therebetween. The weight supporting element comprises at least one distortable elastic element (28, 29, 30, 39) enabling the movement between the drive system and the base (5). The at least one elastic element (28, 29, 30, 39) supports the weight of the mixer barrel (1) above the at least one elastic element (28, 29, 30, 39). The drive system (4) has at least one component (36) which limits movement of the drive system (4) and increases a distance between the drive system (4) and the base (5) such that a torque strain on the drive system (4) is braced by the base (5).
US07878696B2
An optical component that can be attached to an end portion of an optical guiding member, and a light converting member used in the optical component. The optical component comprises a cap having an engaging portion defining a bore engaged with an end member of a light guiding member, and an arranging portion defining a opening connected to the bore in the engaging portion, and a light converting member disposed in the opening formed in the arranging portion.
US07878683B2
LED-based lighting apparatus and assembly methods in which mechanical and/or thermal coupling between respective components is accomplished via a transfer of force from one component to another. In one example, a multiple-LED assembly is disposed in thermal communication with a heat sink that forms part of a housing. A primary optical element situated within a pressure-transfer member is disposed above and optically aligned with each LED. A shared secondary optical facility forming another part of the housing is disposed above and compressively coupled to the pressure-transfer members. A force exerted by the second optical facility is transferred via the pressure-transfer members so as to press the LED assembly toward the heat sink, thereby facilitating heat transfer. In one aspect, the LED assembly is secured in the housing without the need for adhesives. In another aspect, the secondary optical facility does not directly exert pressure onto any primary optical element, thereby reducing optical misalignment.
US07878682B2
A mixed light apparatus for mixing light emitted from a first light source and a second light source includes a body, a first light reflecting element, a second light reflecting element and a field lens. The body has a light emitting surface. A first reflecting element extends from the light emitting surface. The first light reflecting element has a first emanating point and a first focal point. The first light source is disposed at the first focal point. A second light reflecting element extends from the light emitting surface. The second light reflecting element has a second emanating point and a second focal point. The second light source is disposed at the second focal point. The first emanating point and the second emanating point overlap at the light emitting surface. The field lens is disposed on the light emitting surface and corresponds to the first and second emanating points.
US07878675B2
A fashion apparel accessory, such as a garment, having one or more concealed light sources positioned so as to illuminate the skin of the wearer, as opposed to focusing attention on the light sources themselves. A particular embodiment includes concealed light sources proximate to a low-cut neckline of a female's garment, such as brassiere, shirt, or item of lingerie, with the light sources being oriented so as direct illumination across the wearer's chest area in an alluring way, potentially offering multiple color, intensity, direction/control options as well as multiple deployment techniques/devices. A portable power supply is integrated with the garment or accessory and electrically connected to the light sources.
US07878661B2
A projector includes a projecting lens configured for projecting an image, a controlling unit configured for analyzing a color temperature of the image, and an adjusting unit electrically connected to the controlling unit. The adjusting unit adjusts the color temperature of the image to be identical to a preset color temperature of the projector by changing transmittance of light through the adjusting unit.
US07878657B2
Scanning beam display systems that scan at least one invisible servo beam and an excitation beam onto a screen that emits visible light under excitation of the light of the excitation beam and control optical alignment of the excitation beam based on positioning of the servo beam on the screen via a feedback control.
US07878643B2
An aqueous ink contains at least an aqueous medium, a surfactant, and a dye. The aqueous medium includes only water and at least one water-soluble organic compound(s) and the static surface tension of the aqueous medium is from 45 mN/m or more to 57 mN/m or less. The dynamic surface tension of the aqueous ink satisfies the following conditions: (1) The dynamic surface tension of the aqueous ink at a lifetime of 50 milliseconds is from 42 mN/m or more to less than 49 mN/m; (2) The dynamic surface tension of the aqueous ink at a lifetime of 500 milliseconds is from 28 mN/m or more to 38 mN/m or less; and (3) A difference between the dynamic surface tension of the aqueous ink at a lifetime of 50 milliseconds and the dynamic surface tension of the aqueous ink at a lifetime of 500 milliseconds is 7 mN/m or more.
US07878634B2
An ink collection system includes at least one target surface and a fluid supply system in communication with the at least one target surface. The fluid supply system is configured to create a film of fluid across at least a portion of the at least one target surface, and wherein the film of fluid flushes away ink that impinges on the at least one target surface.
US07878633B2
The present invention surely absorbs ink leaked from an atmospheric pressure introducing port using an ink absorber while achieving the miniaturization of an ink jet recording apparatus. An ink absorber housing is constituted of a fixing plate and a frame body which is formed on a periphery of the fixing plate and accommodates an ink absorber therein. Projecting ridges which project toward the ink absorber side and are brought into contact with the ink absorber are formed on an inner surface of the frame body thus increasing a holding force for holding the ink absorber in the inside of the ink absorber housing. Since the projecting ridges are brought into contact with portions of the ink absorber and resiliently deform the ink absorber, the deformation occurs partially and a deformation quantity is small. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the holding force for holding the ink absorber while preventing the large crushing of the small pores and the small interstices among the fibers in the ink absorber. In this manner, even when a multi-functional device is further miniaturized, it is possible to allow the ink absorber to surely absorb ink leaked from an atmospheric pressure introducing port.
US07878629B2
A printer module includes a housing. The housing surrounds a frame and defines footing holes. A print engine is housed within the housing and includes a pair of opposed print head assemblies for enabling double-sided printing on print media to be effected. Each printhead assembly includes a print media engaging roller and a pair of adjacent printheads configured to eject ink. Feet extend from the housing and are spaced apart to engage in respective footing holes defined in the housing of another printer module so that the printer modules can be stacked together.
US07878627B2
The present invention relates to a printhead assembly. The printhead assembly comprises an ink supply module for supplying at least one ink. There is also provided a body defining at least one ink channel. In use, the body interfaces with the ink supply module so that a respective ink is supplied from the ink supply module to a corresponding channel. The printhead assembly also comprises a printhead which, in turn, comprises at least one set of ink inlets. In use, the printhead interfaces with the body so that a respective ink is supplied from a respective channel to a corresponding set of ink inlets. A printing device comprising the printhead assembly is also provided.
US07878623B2
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a carriage on which first and second heads are mounted, a first cap configured to cap the first head, and a second cap configured to cap the second head. A distance from the first cap to the first head is shorter than a distance from the second cap to the second head. The carriage stops at a first capping position where capping is performed only with the first cap and a second capping position where capping is performed with both the first cap and the second cap.
US07878616B2
The present invention provides a droplet ejecting apparatus including an ejector that ejects a liquid, and a humidity regulator that includes a humidity regulating material and regulates humidity around the ejector. The invention also provides a cap for maintaining a droplet ejecting port in an airtight condition, the droplet ejecting port being for ejecting a droplet by an ink jet system, the cap including, at least in an inner wall, a humidity regulating material containing an inorganic porous material.
US07878614B2
A printing apparatus comprises a plurality of print heads, a moving member that can be moved and that is provided with the plurality of print heads, and a feed mechanism for feeding a medium to be printed. Dots for correcting a feed amount by which the feed mechanism feeds the medium to be printed are formed on the medium to be printed by ejecting ink from a predetermined print head, among the plurality of print heads, while moving the moving member. The predetermined print head is a print head other than the print head, among the plurality of print heads, that is the most susceptible to vibration caused by moving the moving member.
US07878611B2
A drive device drives a liquid ejection head that ejects recording liquid droplets from nozzles as a result of drive signal voltages being applied to drive elements. The drive device includes a transfer unit that transfers and outputs printing data and an output unit that outputs the result of a comparison where the plural printing data are compared. A liquid ejection apparatus is disclosed with the liquid ejection head drive device.
US07878605B2
A brake apparatus for a vehicle generally sets an upper limit value of regenerative braking force to the maximum value of the regenerative braking force which can be generated at the present. In the case of a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the total braking force, the sum of front-wheel braking force (front-wheel hydraulic braking force+regenerative braking force) and rear-wheel braking force (rear-wheel hydraulic braking force), is rendered coincident with a target braking force corresponding to a brake pedal depressing force, and the regenerative braking force is set to a largest possible value equal to or less than the upper limit value. As a result, the regenerative braking force can be larger than front-wheel-side target distribution braking force. The upper limit value is decreased from the maximum value by an amount corresponding to the degree of easiness of occurrence of a locking tendency at the driven wheels (front wheels).
US07878597B2
A vehicle seat and vehicle seat head restraint are disclosed having a stop adapted to be mounted to a rod extending from a vehicle seat back. A frame is adapted to be mounted to the rod to slide along the rod. A head restraint foam padding and cover are mounted to the frame for supporting a head of an occupant. A locking mechanism cooperates with the stop and the frame for permitting incremental locking positions of the frame relative to the stop. An actuator cooperates with the locking mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism to slide the head restraint and frame along the rod.
US07878593B2
An anti back drive device for releasably securing a seat back with respect to a seat cushion. This device includes an upper gear plate affixed to the seat back and defines gear teeth. A lower gear plate is secured to a seat bottom and defines gear teeth that cooperate with the upper plate gear teeth. The upper gear plate is able to rotate about an axis of rotation that is displaced from an axis associated with the lower gear plate. Wedges are mounted in relation to the upper gear plate. A clutch spring is located within the lower gear plate so that an outside surface of the clutch spring may engage the lower gear plate. A wedge spring engages the wedges that biases them to engage the clutch spring. A driver extends between the lower gear plate, the clutch spring, the wedge spring, and the upper gear plate. Upon rotation of the driver, the clutch spring and the one or more wedges are arcuately displaced and lock the seat back in position.
US07878590B1
A chair includes a seat section, a back section and a spine support member. The back section includes a frame having an upper side, a lower side and lateral sides which form an opening, the lower side being in closer proximity to the seat section than the upper side. The back section further includes a material portion attached to the frame which extends across the opening. The back section has a front side and a back side with the front side in closer proximity to the seat section than the back side. The spine support member is attached to the back side of the back section and positioned against a rear of the material portion, the spine support member having an elongated shape with a major axis intersecting the upper and lower sides of the frame.
US07878585B2
A foldable chair, which includes a forced air cooling system. The foldable chair includes a frame member. A flexible seat, which includes a meshed back rest suspends from the frame member. A fan bag, which has a pocket, is attached to the meshed back rest of the flexible seat. A fan is located at the bottom of the fan bag and is electrically disconnectable to a re-chargeable power source that is housed in a housing, which has an ON/OFF toggle switch so as to supply power to the fan.
US07878583B2
A foldable high chair in accordance with the present disclosure includes a juvenile seat and a seat foundation. The juvenile seat is mounted for movement on the seat foundation during folding and unfolding of the foldable high chair.
US07878582B2
A drive for moving a lamella of a wind deflector is provided. The drive includes at least one coupling mechanism by which the lamella can be adjusted from a non-use position into a use position and vice versa. The mechanism is articulatedly connected at one end to the lamella and at the other end to the roof frame. The coupling mechanism is designed as a crank-rocker mechanism which raises the lamella away from the roof frame into the use position, and lowers the lamella onto the roof frame into the non-use position, in a substantially parallel fashion.
US07878576B1
An airflow deflector assembly for an open bed truck or like vehicle including a plurality of preferably two cover sections each having a base and an attachment assembly cooperatively disposed and structured to adjustably interconnect the two cover sections facilitating their selective positioning into any one of a plurality of operative orientations. The selected operative orientation corresponds to the width of the trailing end of the open bed of the vehicle so as to so as to establish a substantially continuous air deflecting surface over the trailing end and thereby increasing the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The cooperative structuring of the attachment assemblies facilitate an adjustable sliding interconnection there between such that the bases of each cover section may be reciprocally positioned toward and away from one another to assume the preferred operative orientation corresponding to the width of the truck bed.
US07878573B2
A tarpaulin structure for covering a cargo space and used in combination with a support and retraction system includes a body and an openable sleeve for a plurality of the cross supports of the system. Connectors hold the sleeves closed about the cross supports. The tarpaulin system may be installed onto and removed from the cross supports of a tarpaulin support and retraction system without requiring the user to disconnect the cross supports from the drive cables.
US07878572B2
The invention belongs to the field of automobile parts, in particular, to a tonneau cover installed on the notchback (pickup) for covering and closing the rear truck bed. The tonneau covers of current vehicles are either too thick or heavy so it influences the flexibility of opening and closing and its requirements to the actuating mechanism are high; its thickness is large; and it occupies more of the already limited room of rear truck bed. This invention provides a truck bed back cover which occupies less rear truck bed room and is strong in strength, flexible in opening and closing and excellent in operating performance. It consists of the cover plate body which matches with the rear truck bed and is made of base materials. The base material is glass fiber reinforced polyurethane. The cover plate body is provided with an integral structure framework. The framework makes the cover plate body form protruding arises on the surface of the side facing to the truck bed. Taking the built-in integral structure framework as support, the tonneau cover is cast with glass fiber reinforced polyurethane. It has enough strength and is small in size and light in weight, thus it occupies a small room of the rear truck bed. Since it is light in weight, the opening and closing of cover plate is flexible and the operation is convenient.
US07878564B2
A vacuum type pickup apparatus may include an absorption pad having an absorption inlet for contacting and/or picking up an object. A pad holder may be connected to the absorption pad. The pad holder may also have a vacuum line. A separator may be provided in the pad holder for forcibly releasing the object from the absorption inlet of the absorption pad. During the forcible release of the object, the air around the absorption pad may be drawn into the pad holder, thus reducing or preventing the potential contamination by impurities of the object as well as the equipment around the object. Also, an additional vacuum extinguisher may not be required, thus simplifying the structure of the vacuum type pickup apparatus and reducing installation costs. Furthermore, the object may be picked up and released in a relatively expedient, safe, and accurate manner, despite the suction force of the vacuum that may be maintained in the pad holder.
US07878559B2
An astragal assembly is disposed between doors of a double-door set mounted in a door frame of a building to seal between the doors. The astragal assembly includes an astragal attached to one of the doors and a lock block assembly slideable within the astragal. The astragal defines a channel and the lock block assembly includes a body slideably disposed in the channel. The lock block assembly includes a lift boot coupled to and resiliently extending from the body. The lock block assembly is slideable between an extended position and a retracted position. The lift boot includes a fin extending away from the body. The fin includes a first and second lateral portion spaced from each other and a primary portion extending from the first lateral portion to the second lateral portion for sealing against the door frame in the extended position to prevent elements from entering into the building.
US07878558B1
The present apparatus relates to a gate latch mechanism. The gate latch comprises at least two housings wherein the first housing is mountable to a stationary object such as an existing fence or structure and the second housing is mountable to a moveable object such as a gate. In some cases it may useful to mount the first housing to the moveable object and likewise mount the second housing to the stationary object. In one embodiment, the first housing comprises a back plate hingedly connected to two front plates angled outwardly from the back plate and the second housing comprises a latchable mechanism comprising a rod.
US07878551B2
A connection for sub-sea use employs locking dogs that are isolated from seawater and a backup system for operating the backup sleeve to the dogs. The normal actuation system for the backup sleeve is also isolated from seawater exposure. The set position of the backup sleeve is positively retained against the prospect of axial movement that could be triggered by transmitted vibration into the connection.
US07878550B2
An apparatus and a system for joining and sealing conduits are provided. The apparatus includes an edge trim positioned proximate to an end of a first conduit, and a sleeve positioned between the first conduit and a second conduit. The sleeve includes a flexible end positioned adjacent to the edge trim such that a portion of the flexible end of the sleeve overlies at least a portion of the edge trim, a semi-rigid end opposite the flexible end and positioned over at least a portion of the second conduit, and a flexible medial portion extending between the flexible end and the semi-rigid end. The apparatus also includes a retaining element configured to be secured over the flexible end of the sleeve such that a portion of the flexible end of the sleeve is sandwiched between the retaining element and the edge trim.
US07878545B2
A travel trailer configured to be coupled to and towed by a vehicle is provided. The travel trailer has a compartment that is attached to a chassis which includes a front end and a rear end. A plurality of wheels are attached to the chassis adjacent the rear end, and a hitch assembly is attached to the chassis adjacent the front end. The compartment at the front end of the chassis forms first and second corners. A recess, directed inwardly toward the interior of the compartment, is located at each corner of the compartment. Cavities formed by each recess may receive a portion of the vehicle while the vehicle is engaged in a turn.
US07878544B2
A seal used in a vehicle steering assembly. The seal comprising a first member carried by a steering component, and a second member carried by a vehicle panel. When installing the steering component in the steering assembly, the first member mates with the second member to form at least one seal. A method is also provided for installing the seal in the vehicle steering assembly.
US07878542B2
An airbag device includes an airbag, an adjusting unit capable of adjusting an aperture efficiency of at least one vent hole, a tether belt whose one end is connected to the adjusting unit, and a holding unit for hooking another end of the tether belt. In case where the inflating airbag needs to exert a small reactive force, the adjusting unit is made in a full-opened state at a development early stage with the other end being held by the holding unit and then made in a half-opened until a development final stage with the other end being kept held by the holding unit. In case where the inflating airbag needs to exert a large reactive force, the adjusting unit is made in a full-closed state from a development start to the development final stage with the other end being released from the holding unit.
US07878537B2
An airbag with a venting assembly. An airbag can include a panel with at least one vent opening and a valve sheet with at least one vent opening and at least one tear tab. The panel and valve sheet can be arranged so that the vent openings of the panel and the vent openings of the valve sheet are configured to align with one another for a period of time during deployment of the airbag. The tear tabs can be configured to break during deployment of the airbag.
US07878536B2
A gas generator comprising a housing having a mixing chamber and a pyrotechnic charge in the housing. A container having a liquid therein is disposed in the housing and has an open end and a closed end, with an end cap closing the open end and having a piston portion removably connected thereto and being movable within the liquid container to pressurize the liquid therein when the piston portion is separated from the end cap. The piston portion is positioned to be exposed to combustion gas from the pyrotechnic charge when it is ignited and is separable from the end cap when the combustion gas exceeds a predetermined pressure. In another embodiment, the liquid container may be a collapsible tube. The closed end of the liquid container has a weakened portion constructed to be opened when the pressure of the liquid in the container exceeds a predetermined pressure. The pyrotechnic charge and the weakened portion of the liquid container are in fluid communication with the mixing chamber so that combustion gases from the ignition of the pyrotechnic charge mix with and vaporize the liquid in the mixing chamber to generate a non-toxic, low temperature, low particulate inflation gas.
US07878534B2
A passenger airbag apparatus for a vehicle includes a retainer, an airbag folded and retained in the retainer, a deployment-limiting sheet, and a shape-retaining sheet. The deployment-limiting sheet has one end coupled to the retainer or the rear portion of the airbag, and extends toward the front portion of the airbag while being superposed on the airbag. The deployment-limiting sheet has a first folded part and extends along the rear portion of the airbag during inflation of the airbag. The first shape-retaining sheet is coupled to the retainer or the deployment-limiting sheet for retaining a shape of the folded airbag and a shape of the deployment-limiting sheet. The first shape-retaining sheet has a shape-retainment release portion for releasing a shape of the folded airbag by inflation of the airbag.
US07878528B2
A hinge for an airbag flap in a motor vehicle. The hinge is formed of a knitted fabric which is connected in a form-fitting manner both to the airbag flap and to regions surrounding the airbag flap. The knitted fabric has a plurality of inlaid or standing yarns arranged at an angle of at least 15° in relation to the longitudinal extension of the hinge-side edge of the airbag flap. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing the hinge is provided where the knitted fabric is arranged in relation to the airbag flap and also the regions surrounding the airbag flap in such a manner that the inlaid or standing yarns are arranged at an angle of at least 15° in relation to the longitudinal extension of the hinge-side edge of the airbag flap. The knitted fabric and at least parts of both the airbag flap and the regions surrounding the airbag flap are sheathed with plastic material so as to form a form-fitting connection.
US07878521B2
A bicycle frame having a cavity constructed to receive a sensor device. The cavity has a shape and a contour that generally matches a shape and a contour of the sensor device. Such a configuration maintains the aerodynamic contour of the frame when the sensor device is positioned in the cavity. An optional plug occupies the cavity when the sensor device is not positioned therein. Preferably, the sensor device is constructed to wirelessly communicate bicycle operation information to a receiver that is remotely located relative to the sensor device. More preferably, the cavity is formed in a fork of the bicycle and the sensor device is configured to monitor operation of a front wheel and wirelessly communicate the operation information to the remote receiver.
US07878515B1
A collapsible stroller is configured to allow an infant to sit, stand or lie down in the stroller. The frame of the stroller has outer frame members and inner frame members that interconnect to form a protective enclosure for the infant.
US07878514B1
A mop bucket cart that allows a mop bucket to be used on a relatively flat surface and allows a user to traverse one or more stairs with a mop bucket containing fluid by maintaining the bucket in a level position as the mop bucket cart is inclined to traverse one or more stairs.
US07878509B2
A mechanical seal has a seal cover attached to an outer surface of a device body, a fitting surface through which a shaft is insertable, and defines a space further away from a machine than the fitting surface. A quenching path penetrates the space and supplies quenching fluid therein. A first seal ring has a movement surface fitted to the fitting surface and a seal surface inward of the space section. A second seal ring has a relative slide seal surface in tight contact with the seal surface of the first seal ring and a seal surface that faces a restriction surface. A seal collar holds the second seal ring in a sealed state and is sealingly fixed to the shaft. A packing is in tight contact with the seal surface of the second seal ring and the restriction surface to prevent quenching fluid from leaking out of the machine.
US07878508B2
This invention relates to a restrictive seal of the labyrinth type of reduced external size. The invention has an inner deflector which is capable of retaining the lubricating oil within the bearing housing with great efficiency, and a highly accurate system for adjusting and aligning the elements of the labyrinths, ensuring an infinite service life. Because it has very much smaller external dimensions it can be applied as a replacement to the lip seals commonly in use without causing problems to accessory equipment connected to a pump.
US07878503B2
Methods and devices for aligning a media sheet in a media feed path of an image forming device. One embodiment includes a drive shaft with skew correction rollers spaced apart on the drive shaft. The media sheet contacts a first skew correction roller and then contacts a second skew correction roller. The drive shaft is then rotated, driving the second skew correction roller and aligning the media sheet to the media feed path.
US07878502B2
A slowing device includes a flexible slowing member that extends transversely to the trajectory of sheets being fed. The member is movable between at least two limit positions, one in which its trajectory encounters that of the sheets, the other in which the slowing member is moved aside from the trajectory of the sheets. A drive device moves the slowing member between its limit positions. The drive device for the slowing member includes a pneumatic actuator which acts on a linear cam that pivots about a transverse shaft. A roller rolls along the surface of the linear cam. The roller and the slowing member are supported by a support that pivots about a transverse shaft.
US07878501B2
An edge regulating device that regulates edge of a printing medium by an edge guide includes a first holding unit that is able to hold the edge guide with a predetermined pitch along the direction of displacement of the edge guide and a second holding unit that is able to hold the edge guide with a pitch larger than the holding pitch by the first holding unit along the direction of displacement of the edge guide.
US07878499B2
A separating roller includes a sleeve having a first hollow cylinder, an arm protruding from an outer surface of the sleeve, a shaft assembly having a middle section, disposed inside the sleeve, and two ends on two sides of the middle section, a torque limiting element and two friction rollers. The sleeve and the shaft assembly are hung from a body by the arm. The torque limiting element coils around the middle section and contacts the shaft assembly, and is accommodated within the first hollow cylinder. One portion of the torque limiting element is fixed to an inner surface of the first hollow cylinder to provide a limiting torque to the shaft assembly and to limit rotation of the shaft assembly. The friction rollers are respectively fixed to the two ends of the shaft assembly. Each friction roller has an outer diameter greater than that of the sleeve.
US07878481B2
A plurality of valves are triggered so that a first valve is triggered by a first trigger signal and a second valve is triggered by a second trigger signal, the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal are each generated by generating a pulse width modulated frequency signal of the first frequency f1 and a dither signal of the second frequency f2, where f1>f2, the trigger signal is generated by modulating the clock pulse duty factor of the frequency signal with the dither signal, and the dither signals of the first trigger signal and of the second trigger signal are synchronized with one another at chronological intervals.
US07878479B2
An adjustment valve includes a first diaphragm integrally formed from an attachment section engaged with and fixed to the bottom of a rod, a joining section to which a valve body is fixed, a thin film section radially extending from a shoulder section, a thick wall section continuous with the thin film section, and a seal section provided at the peripheral edge of the thick wall section. The second diaphragm has a central hole, and includes an integrally formed thin film section radially extending from a thick wall section at the center hole, and a seal section is provided at the peripheral edge thereof. A diaphragm hold-down member penetrates the central hole at the shoulder section of the rod, causing the second diaphragm to be sandwiched and fixed. The rod is disposed with play in the through-hole in the bottom of the cylinder, and is supported by a spring engaged between a step section of the cylinder and the bottom surface of the shoulder in a state such that radial movement is prevented.
US07878476B2
An apparatus and method for mounting a plurality of display monitors is disclosed, wherein the apparatus is provided at a user's desk or workstation. The apparatus can be easily moved toward and away from the user such that all the monitors mounted on the apparatus move in unison in the direction indicated by the user. Accordingly, the apparatus accommodates the visual preferences of virtually all users of the desk or workstation so that eye and skeletal muscle fatigue are reduced.
US07878475B2
A subframe support apparatus adapted to engage and support a subframe of a vehicle is provided wherein the subframe support apparatus engages and supports the subframe of the vehicle when the vehicle is either raised on a lift and/or on the ground and when a mechanic is working on components of the vehicle supported by the subframe of the vehicle. The subframe support apparatus includes an elongated housing or elongated support member having first and second subframe engaging assemblies adjustably connected thereto for engaging oppositely disposed portions of the subframe of the vehicle.
US07878472B2
A system for removably restraining an object in a vehicle includes a housing for attachment to a structure of the vehicle and at least one holder coupled to the housing for movement between an access position and a restraint position. An extensible member has a first end operably engaging the holder and a second end coupled to a retractor device. The retractor device is coupled to the housing and locks the extensible member when the vehicle experiences an event involving a rapid change in position, speed or acceleration, so that the holder is movable to the access position during absence of the event and the holder is locked in the restraint position during the event.
US07878468B2
A slide bracket includes a main body having an end plate and at least one hanging block. The end plate is provided with a locating holder and a corresponding opening. The locating holder contains a chamber containing a spring. The hanging block has a first post and a second post, and is disposed into the chamber to hold against the spring to expand in relation to the opening and the chamber so to allow the first and second posts penetrating through the opening of the end plate for securing the bracket to a support without relying upon tools.
US07878467B2
A suction cup structure is disclosed. The suction cup structure can be attached firmly on a surface of an object. The suction cup structure comprises a suction cup and a gel, wherein the gel has a first surface and a second surface; the first surface is connected to the suction cup, and the second surface is attached to the surface of the object.
US07878455B2
A backup device for raising a refueling boom interconnecting a tanker aircraft with a receiver aircraft in flight, the boom being joined to the tanker aircraft by a mechanical articulation and a hoist cable. The backup device includes a secondary cable fixed at one side in the boom, and fixed at the other side in a cable actuator placed inside the tanker aircraft, the secondary cable being extended along the underside of the tanker aircraft and along the boom, and attached to them in at least three intermediate points with clips or staples that can be released by a force exerted through the secondary cable. The cable actuator has rolling devices to roll the secondary cable for raising the boom to the stowed position.
US07878441B2
The invention relates to an element for forming a leading end of a web from a running material web, especially a paper or board web, having a certain width (B). The invention comprises an element which has a smaller width (BM) that the width (B) of the material web, and in that the element is embodied in such a way that a new leading end of a web is formed at the latest after said element as been introduced into a nip formed by a winding cylinder and the winding core, and is partially covered by the material web. The invention also relates to a method for forming a leading end of a web from a running web material web, especially a paper or board web, applied to a winding core, whereby at least one element is used according to the invention.
US07878430B2
Blending methods for adding and uniformly mixing a small fraction of relatively small particles (additives) to a bulk particulate powder of larger size than the additives. In particular, the present invention provides blending methods for adding and uniformly mixing a small percentage of flow/fluidization additives into fine powders, especially fine paint powders. The fine powder and additives are first pre-mixed for macro-scale homogeneity and then further mixed at a micro-scale (such as with a screen mixing process) for micro-scale homogeneity. With these methods, optimum dispersions and maximum functionalities of additives can be obtained and the disadvantages caused by severe agglomerates of additives can be avoided.
US07878421B2
A wash system for window glasses and/or headlamps of a vehicle, with a fluid line through which a fluid is conducted from a fluid reservoir into a nozzle and with a heating cable which is laid in the fluid line is disclosed. The heating cable is laid so as to enter the nozzle or to pass through the nozzle and to heat not only the fluid line but also the nozzle. One obtains a wash system that can be manufactured at low cost and ensures freeze protection at reduced energy expense by the fact that the heating cable is laid in a meander pattern in the nozzle.
US07878419B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a spray head including a housing having a facetted front face with a plurality of intersecting surfaces. The spray head can include a nozzle in each one of the plurality of intersecting surfaces. The nozzle can be positioned within a first recess of the housing so that an outer end of the nozzle does not extend past an outer surface of the housing. The nozzle can generate and dispense a fog-like mist. The spray head can include a cover that substantially prevents an orifice of the nozzle from becoming blocked with debris. The cover can be installed within a second recess of the nozzle so that the cover is substantially flush with the outer surface of the housing.
US07878417B2
A multifunctional restrictive valve for controlling the flow of water therethrough. The valve has a main body with a flow channel through the main body. The main body receives water upstream thereof through an inlet port and passes it out through an outlet port at the downstream end of the body. A flow control assembly is located in the flow channel and includes a temperature sensor/actuator acting on a piston to move, when the temperature sensor heats up the piston, to block water flow control ports. The flow control assembly also includes an override feature wherein the piston is located within a slide and the flow control ports are located in the slide. By moving the slide away from the piston when the piston is blocking the flow control ports, the temperature sensor and piston may be overridden and flow may resume through the main body.
US07878416B2
A method of registering a product item is disclosed. The product item has disposed thereon coded data portions at respective positions on a surface of the product item. Each coded data portion encodes a product item identity and the respective position of the coded data portion. The method starts by a sensing device sensing at least one coded data portion, generating indicating data indicative of the product item identity and the position of the sensed coded data portion, and transferring the indicating data to a computer system. The computer system receives the indicating data, identifies that the position relates to a registration request, obtain owner data associated with the sensing device, determines an entity associated with the product item identity, and register the owner data with the entity.
US07878414B2
A graphic representation of symbols encoding data, the graphic representation including a reference symbol having a top and a bottom, the reference symbol top and bottom defining opposing limits of a code line, at least one graphic symbol, representing encoded information regarding a static road condition for processing by a vehicle moving along the road, disposed between the opposing limits of the code line, wherein the information is represented by a ratio of a height of each graphic symbol to the height of the reference symbol and by each symbol's position relative to the opposing limits of the code line, and wherein the reference symbol indicates a beginning of encoded information and a direction for decoding the encoded information.
US07878413B2
DOTEM is an information-coding method which is used to represent same on physical media with the aid of dots and in a computerised format, in memory and on networks with bits. Said method is based on the broad concept of characters grouped into alphabets. The characters comprise dots on documents, for example, and bits in machine format. The physical characters have specific dots that are not represented in machine format in order to enable same to be located on media, such as the foot of a character and the head of a character. Each character can represent at least the 256 values of an octet. The character concept is extended such that it can be identified by the value thereof and, such that it can be identified by the value thereof and, taken together, can represent one or more variables having any dimension but determined in the structure of the character. The complex data and the context thereof can be described by a series of characters in the form of words or even sentences with a direct language correspondence. As a result, the representation is simpler and more concise. The characters are constructed over several columns for documents and over several octets for machine format. Said characters can code values far greater than the octet, such that tags or field delimiters can be designated directly without the need for prior formatting. Specific alphabets can be developed for each application domain, such as for sound recordings, chemical compounds and text and file security. Non-standard characters have been developed for discrete applications, such as to combat the fraudulent erasure of data.
US07878411B2
To provide a wheel support bearing device, in which the status of actual use is detected and stored as a history, an IC tag (9) capable of a contactless communication is affixed to the wheel support bearing device. This IC tag (9) is rendered to be a sensor incorporated IC tag integrated with or electrically connected with a sensor for detecting an object to be detected of the wheel support bearing device and a detection of the sensor is inputted through an input channel separate from a channel for the contactless communication. The sensor referred to above may be, for example, a coil and a magnet (10) capable of passing in the vicinity of the sensor incorporated IC tag (9) by the effect of a relative rotation.
US07878404B2
A method of recovering a waveform representing a linear bar code, the method including the steps of: moving a sensing device relative to the barcode, said sensing device having a two-dimensional image sensor; capturing, using the image sensor, a plurality of two-dimensional partial images of said bar code during said movement; determining, from at least one of the images, a direction substantially perpendicular to the bars of the bar code; determining, substantially along the direction, a waveform fragment corresponding to each captured image; determining an alignment between each pair of successive waveform fragments; and recovering, from the aligned waveform fragments, the waveform.
US07878403B2
An optical reader can include an image sensor. In one embodiment an optical reader can be configured to have different operating modes, the different operating modes optimizing the reader for reading different indicia. In another embodiment an optical reader can comprise a multiple color emitting light source. In another embodiment an optical reader can be provided in a specialized form factor including an enlarged head portion and an elongated body portion extending from the head portion.
US07878402B2
A method is provided for reading distorted optical symbols using known locating and decoding methods, without requiring a separate and elaborate camera calibration procedure, without excessive computational complexity, and without compromised burst noise handling. The invention exploits a distortion-tolerant method for locating and decoding 2D code symbols to provide a correspondence between a set of points in an acquired image and a set of points in the symbol. A coordinate transformation is then constructed using the correspondence, and run-time images are corrected using the coordinate transformation. Each corrected run-time image provides a distortion-free representation of a symbol that can be read by traditional code readers that normally cannot read distorted symbols. The method can handle both optical distortion and printing distortion. The method is applicable to “portable” readers when an incident angle with the surface is maintained, the reader being disposed at any distance from the surface.
US07878401B2
Disclosed is a method of decoding a first barcode and a second barcode, different from the first barcode. The barcodes have typically been printed on a page and are derived from image scanning. The first barcode comprises a plurality of marks modulated about a first grid to redundantly encode data and the second barcode comprising a plurality of marks modulated about a second grid. The method estimates (810) the first grid from a bitmap representation (805) of at least a portion of the page, using modulated marks contained therein. The method determines (820) a first barcode region from the first grid, the first barcode region being a portion of the first barcode, followed by estimating a second grid from the bitmap representation, using modulated marks contained therein. The method determines a second barcode region from the second grid, the second barcode region being a portion of the second barcode, and then decodes (830) the first and second barcode regions using the first and second grids respectively to derive the first and second barcodes.
US07878394B2
A computer-implemented method and system for managing transaction card accounts involves enabling a transaction card account by a card issuer for use with pre-defined categories of providers of goods/services and goods/services sold and issuing a transaction card and establishing an associated pre-qualified category card account. Upon receiving data for a transaction with the transaction card at a transaction terminal by a processing platform of the card issuer via a card association processing network, the category of the provider and goods/services is interrogated to determine whether or not the transaction can be posted on the pre-qualified category card account of the cardholder, and the transaction is approved and posted to the pre-qualified category card account if the transaction falls within the pre-qualified category of the cardholder.
US07878388B2
The invention is a postcard in the form of a lightweight flip-flop sandal. This postcard is an efficient and unique way to memorialize and to convey the leisure experiences of the sender to an addressee. The three-dimensional flip-flop postcard can actually be worn, albeit without a mate unless two are sent, either before or after a message and appropriate address information is written in applicable marking areas and it is mailed with sufficient postage or otherwise delivered to the intended recipient.
US07878386B2
The present invention relates to a method and device (10) for the temperature treatment of workpieces (19) or components, in particular for producing a solder connection between a solder material and at least one component or workpiece used as a solder material carrier by means of melting the solder material arranged on the solder material carrier, where a heating and, in a subsequent method step, a cooling of at least one component is carried out in a process chamber (13, 14) which is sealed from the surrounding area, wherein the heating and the cooling of the component (19) are carried out in two chamber regions (13, 14) of the process chamber (12), which can be separated from one another by means of a condensation device (15).
US07878382B2
A wire feed station of a wire processing system draws a supply of wire into the system. The wire feed station includes first and second feed wheels that create a nip to pull the wire through the feed station. A drive assembly is coupled to the first and second feed wheels to cause rotation of the feed wheels. The drive assembly includes first and second drive shafts that are coupled to the first and second feed wheels through a pair of flexible couplings. The flexible couplings allow the first and second feed wheels to move relative to each other to adjust the feed nip. The flexible couplings allow a single drive motor to rotate the first and second feed wheels through a pair of drive shafts without the use of a complex belt or gear assembly.
US07878366B2
A unit (100) for filling containers (2) with products (1), in particular pharmaceutical products (1), includes a hopper (3,3a) containing a mass of products (1) in bulk, conveying means (5,6) aimed at feeding the products (1) leaving the hopper (3) along a predetermined path (P) up to a station (SR), where the containers (2) are filled with the products (1). The containers (2) are fed to the filling station (SR) by transporting means (4,C). A checking station (SC) for checking the products (1) is situated along the path (P) upstream of the filling station (SR). The conveying means (5,6) include first means (51,52,53) consisting of vibrating planes and second conveying means (6). The second conveying means (6) are situated at the checking station (SC) between the conveying vibrating planes means (51,52,53) and the filling station (SR). The second conveying means (6) are equipped with holding means (65) for holding single products (1) thus forming, on the second conveying means (6), a series of single products (1), spaced apart and moving forward to the filling station (SR) along a portion of the path (P).
US07878359B1
A trash can with a deodorizing mechanism comprises a body having an opening formed at the top of the body, a lid pivotally coupled to the top of the body for performing an opening or closing movement, and a deodorizing mechanism installed on the body and including a bottle and a nozzle. The nozzle includes an actuating element propped by an elastic body to provide a restoring elasticity, such that if the lid is closed and covered onto the opening, the actuating element will be pressed by the lid to compress the elastic body, and the nozzle will suck a deodorant stored in the bottle and spray the deodorant towards the interior of the body. If the lid is closed and covered onto the opening, the elastic body will be compressed to slow down the closing movement of the lid.
US07878353B2
An opening device for a sealed package containing a pourable food product and having at least one removable portion includes a frame defining a pour opening and having a fastening portion fixable to the package about the removable portion. A cap is adapted to be fitted to the frame to close the pour opening and is removable from the pour opening to permit pour-out of the food product. An anchoring portion which engages the pour opening is fixable directly to the removable portion, and is removable from the pour opening to at least partly detach the removable portion from the package. The anchoring portion is connected integrally to the frame by a breakable connecting mechanism, and is connected to the cap so as to move together with the cap when removing the cap from the pour opening.
US07878351B2
A Cap arrangement comprises an opening-indicator device that has an outer edge wherefrom leads away fin members which in use extends towards the inside of said cap arrangement, said fin members comprising, in one of their portions nearest said edge, an elongated element having a substantially rectilinear extension, said fin members further comprising, in one of their portions further away from said edge, a flexible appendage elements; a cap arrangement comprises an opening-indicator device that has an outer edge wherefrom leads away fin members comprising a first portion suitable for interacting with a surface of a first collar arrangement extending radially from a neck of container arrangement, a second portion suitable for interacting with a further surface of a second collar arrangement extending radially from said neck and a third portion suitable for interacting with a yet further surface of said first collar arrangement.
US07878347B2
The present disclosure relates to a lifting assembly such as a jib crane or similar apparatus having an articulated arm assembly and a flexible means for connecting a load to an actuator. The lift arm assembly forms an articulated cantilever boom, which is extensible so as to traverse a suspended load within a work cell area. The lift arm assembly further includes a first and second member pivotally connected to one another whereby an inclined plane (e.g., a cam) at the pivot point of the articulating arms provides a vertical displacement of the secondary arms thereby moving the distal end of the secondary arm to counterbalance inherent forces acting thereon.
US07878346B1
A mobile crane includes a boom extension assembly carried alongside a telescoping boom assembly in a stowed position. The boom extension assembly includes a fly section with a first portion adapted for being connected to the head end of the boom assembly in an operative position while a second portion of the fly section adapted for being connected to the first portion remains in the stowed position. The first portion of the fly section may: (1) be shorter in length than the corresponding second portion of the fly section; (2) include sheaves for supporting a hoist line; (3) include a tapered end; or (4) be used in combination with two additional sections of the boom extension assembly. A related method includes connecting a first, shorter portion of a fly section to a head end of a telescoping boom assembly while a second portion remains in a stowed position.
US07878340B1
A wine rack system for the easy assembly of a custom-fitted wine rack apparatus is described. The system comprises parts that enable the construction of the wine rack apparatus that is able to be easily assembled and custom-fitted into a variety of differently-sized home storage spaces and affixed to at least one storage space surface. The resulting wine rack apparatus is sturdy, flexible, modular and stationary.
US07878335B2
There exists a demand for providing a method and apparatus capable of sorting articles whose upper and lower attitudes are inverted, in a simple and positive manner, from among different-formed articles such as candies having upper and lower portions different in outside diameter. To meet such a demand, different-formed articles having upper and lower portions different in outside diameter are fed between a pair of right and left slant members from a start end side of the same members, the slant members being arranged at a width narrower than a maximum diameter of the different-formed articles and wider than a minimum diameter of the different-formed articles and in such a manner as to be low on the start end side and high on a terminal end side thereof, then only the articles having upper portions larger in diameter than respective lower portions are caught on the pair of slant members, while the articles having upper portions smaller in diameter than respective lower portions are allowed to pass as they are, thereby sorting the both of them.
US07878330B2
A portable caddy, comprising: a base portion; a handle portion removably secured to an upper surface of the base portion, the handle portion having a pair of support members and an elongated member extending therebetween, the handle portion being configured to rotatably support a roll of paper towels above the upper surface of the base portion; a plurality of recessed areas disposed in the upper surface; and an opening in a side wall of the base portion, the opening providing access to a receiving area disposed between the upper surface and a bottom surface of the base portion, wherein the receiving area is configured to store a plurality of plates therein and wherein the opening allows removal of the plates from the receiving area.
US07878323B2
A conveyor for conveying products along a conveying track with varying temperature, comprising a first axle provided with first divert wheels and a second axle provided with second divert wheels and a plurality of modular, endless conveyor mats built up from plastic modules, travelling in side-by-side parallel relation in a conveying direction around the first and second divert wheels.
US07878312B2
An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal vehicle operating conditions. Various configurations of dual-goal energy absorption apparatuses using both VPEA and fixed load energy absorbers (FLEAs) that enable both shock mitigation and vibration isolation are disclosed. A semi-active control absorption system, comprising a VPEA and FPEA configured to work in series, is also disclosed.
US07878310B2
A damper including a valve movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively alter the compression damping rate of the shock absorber. The valve may include a groove feature at the location of the openings in the valve shaft which operates to accumulate the flow of hydraulic fluid through the openings and to equalize the pressure exerted by the fluid on the other components of the valve.
US07878306B2
An elevator system includes a cab supported for movement within a hoistway. A tension device, which remains close to one end of the hoistway, maintains a desired tension on a load bearing member that supports the cab and moves to achieve a desired placement of the cab. The load bearing member extends from a first end of the hoistway toward the cab, wraps around a first sheave supported on the cab, extends toward the first end of the hoistway, wraps around a second sheave supported near the first end of the hoistway, extends toward a second end of the hoistway, wraps about a third sheave supported near the second end of the hoistway, extends toward the cab, wraps around a fourth sheave supported on the cab, and extends toward the second end of the hoistway where it is secured to the tension device.
US07878301B2
An improved acoustically and thermally insulating fire-retardant composite material suitable for use in structures such as buildings, appliances, and the interior passenger compartments and exterior components of automotive vehicles is provided. The material is comprised of at least one airlaid fibrous layer of controlled density and composition and incorporating suitable binding agents and additives as needed to meet expectations for noise abatement, fire-retardancy, and mildew resistance. Separately, an airlaid structure which provides a reduced, controlled airflow therethrough useful for acoustic insulation is provided, and which includes a woven or nonwoven scrim. A process for the production of the fire retardant nonwoven material is also provided.
US07878294B2
A variable gear ratio steering apparatus has a steering operating member, a turning unit to turn a vehicle wheel and a gear ratio varying unit arranged between the steering operating member and the turning unit. The gear ratio varying unit comprises a differential gear mechanism, a gear ratio control motor and a steering torque assistance motor. The differential gear mechanism has a first internally toothed gear coupled to the steering operating member, a second internally toothed gear coupled to an input shaft of the turning unit and arranged coaxially with respect to the first internally toothed gear, at least one inside gear meshing with both the first and second internally toothed gears, and an inside gear support member rotatably supporting the inside gear. The gear ratio control motor is connected to the inside gear support part. The steering torque assistance motor is connected to the second internally toothed gear.
US07878292B2
A steering system includes a steering unit which can be configured to convert an operation input to an input shaft into an arbitrary amount of rotation or an arbitrary turning force and output the arbitrary amount of rotation or the arbitrary turning force from an output shaft. A steering handlebar can be configured to be coupled to the input shaft. A support bracket can be configured to be coupled to the output shaft and to support a front wheel of the vehicle. A housing can be configured to accommodate the steering unit. The steering unit can be configured to be mounted to a front end portion of a vehicle body frame of the vehicle integrally therewith by the housing.
US07878291B2
A rear axle steering system for a mobile crane includes at least one actively steered rear axle with wheels arranged thereon. A rear axle steering system of this type is provided with a hydraulic steering system including one or more hydraulic steering cylinders of which a particular number are in each case associated with an actively steered rear axle in order to steer this actively steered rear axle in a desired manner. A braking system is adapted to individually brake each wheel of the at least one actively steered rear axle. In the event of an error in the hydraulic steering system, a control system actuates the braking system in such a way that by selective braking of at least one wheel of the actively steered rear axle, which is affected by this error, the rear axle is brought to a predetermined, desired steering position. A method of steering a rear axle, with wheels of a mobile crane arranged thereon, by means of a hydraulic steering system.
US07878290B2
A saddle riding type vehicle capable of making turns by leaning a vehicle body includes a pair of rear wheels provided at opposite sides of the vehicle body, a pair of support mechanisms arranged to support the pair of rear wheels to be movable, independently of each other, up and down about a pivot axis relative to the vehicle body, an engine disposed forward of the pivot axis to produce a drive force, a differential mechanism arranged to distribute the drive force of the engine to the pair of rear wheels and to absorb a rotating speed difference between the pair of rear wheels at a time of making a turn, the differential mechanism including drive shafts arranged between the engine and the pivot axis, a pair of shaft drive mechanisms provided for the pair of rear wheels, respectively, and arranged to transmit the drive force of the differential mechanism to the pair of rear wheels, and a pair of constant velocity universal joints provided for the pair of shaft drive mechanisms, respectively, each including a pair of universal joints connected by a coupling yoke, the coupling yoke being located on the pivot axis, and the pair of universal joints being arranged in a positional relationship of point symmetry.
US07878279B2
A hybrid golf car type vehicle powered by a gasoline engine or an electric motor in the forward direction and by the electric motor in the reverse direction with the gasoline engine charging the batteries when the batteries fall below a threshold charge either with a motor generator or an alternator.
US07878278B2
Presented is a heavy vehicle, such as a transport vehicle or civil engineering vehicle, of a mass greater than 500 metric tons and operable to generate a motive power. The vehicle includes tires of radial structure having a diameter greater than 3.5 meters, a front axle coupled to at least two tires, and at least one rear axle coupled to at least two tires and by which is transmitted at least part of the motive power. At least one of the axles includes at least four tires associated in pairs symmetrically on either side of the axle, and two associated tires have different axial widths.
US07878273B2
A drilling stabilizer having a body and a plurality of blades integrally cast from tungsten carbide particles bound together with a heated metal binder, for use in drilling oil and gas wells, has a first box end and a second pin end at the distal end of the stabilizer. A plurality a PDC cutters are mounted on the top end of the stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to be used as a reamer when pulling the stabilizer out of the borehole. A steel tube is formed within the interior of the stabilizer in the molding process and which allows the pin end to have steel threads and the box end to also have steel threads to facilitate the makeup of the stabilizer with either the steel threads of a drill bit or the steel threads of joints of drill pipe.
US07878272B2
A downhole tool including a purely mechanical stabilizer is disclosed. The stabilizer includes a plurality of fixed blades, each of which includes at least one automatically extendable and retractable piston. In use, a balance of forces determines the radial position of each piston; a hydraulic force urging the piston outward, a spring force urging the piston inward, and external forces acting on the tool (e.g., the force of the borehole wall urging the pistons inward). The stabilizer is further configured such that a balance of forces between the pistons causes the tool to be advantageously automatically and continuously centered during rotation of the tool in the borehole. As such, the invention is suitable for use in boreholes that rapidly change size and shape.
US07878270B2
A borehole network including first and second end surface locations and at least one intermediate surface location interconnected by a subterranean path, and a method for connecting a subterranean path between a first borehole including a directional section and a second borehole including a directional section. A directional drilling component is drilled in at least one of the directional sections to obtain a required proximity between the first and second boreholes. An intersecting component is drilled, utilizing magnetic ranging techniques, from one directional section to provide a borehole intersection between the first and second boreholes, thereby connecting the subterranean path.
US07878266B2
An apparatus for measuring forces acting on a tubing string within a wellbore, comprising a body including a central passage and an internal void radially offset from the central passage. End portions extending from the body each include an internal passage and an interface configured to detachably couple to the tubing string for conveyance within the wellbore. A clamp is detachably coupled to one end portion, and first sensors coupled to the clamp are configured to detect strain induced by forces acting on the tubing string. At least one second sensor coupled to the body is configured to detect pressure and temperature within the wellbore. A memory device coupled to the body within the internal void is configured to log measurements detected by the first and second sensors. An electrical power supply coupled to the body within the internal void is configured to provide electrical power to the memory device.
US07878262B1
A coulter or disc having a plurality of directional notches therein is used in one rotational direction for one use and an opposite rotational direction for a different use. The notches are selected from many arcuate shapes and sizes. The notches taper from sharp to dull from one end to the other, but in use one can chose to lead with the dull or the sharp end of the notches. A method of making and using such coulters or discs is described and shown.
US07878258B2
The invention relates to a fire protection installation (30) comprising a mist sprayer system with at least one nozzle (5, 10) through which extinguishing medium in the form of liquid is arranged to be sprayed out at high pressure, so that a mist is created for achieving fire extinguishing by means of cooling of combustion gases and the seat of the fire. The distinguishing characteristics are that the fire protection installation is portable and has a modular construction comprising a basic system (31) and a number of customized additional systems, which additional systems comprise different additional units that are adapted to a particular function profile that is set in the actual fire protection installation.
US07878257B2
A downhole trigger mechanism and method for using the same are provided. The downhole trigger mechanism can include at least two contact points spaced a longitudinal distance from one another. The trigger mechanism can be actuated when the contact points of the trigger mechanism are simultaneously contacted by at least two contact points of an actuator. The contact points of the actuator can be spaced a longitudinal distance from one another.
US07878244B2
Apparatus and methods to perform focused sampling of reservoir fluid are described. An example method couples a sampling probe to a subterranean formation and, while the sampling probe is coupled to the subterranean formation, varies a pumping ratio of at least two displacement units to reduce a contamination level of a formation flu id extracted via the sampling probe from the subterranean formation.
US07878236B1
In an HVAC system in which ambient air is supplied by the system to a building through an ambient air intake airstream and is exhausted from the building through an exhaust airstream energy is conserved by transferring heat between the intake airstream and the exhaust airstream. A heat exchange fluid is circulated between heat exchangers located in the intake airstream and in the exhaust airstream. An air turbine is placed in the exhaust airstream for being driven by the exhaust airstream, and the air turbine is coupled with a pump arranged to circulate the heat exchange fluid between the heat exchangers such that upon being driven by the exhaust airstream, the air turbine, in turn, drives the pump to circulate the heat exchange fluid between the heat exchangers and thereby effects the transfer of heat from one to the other of the intake airstream and the exhaust airstream and a concomitant conservation of energy in the HVAC system.
US07878235B2
A vehicle rear air conditioner includes an air conditioning case connected with a blower and having a face vent, a floor vent and a vent door for controlling opening and closing of the vents. An evaporator and a heater core are embedded in the air conditioning case and a temperature control door controls opening and closing of a cold and a hot air passageway. The rear air conditioner includes a passageway member in order to discharge part of air flowing through the cold air passageway or the hot air passageway toward one of the vents. The passageway member has an inlet for inducing the part of air and an outlet for discharging the part of air and the vent door includes at least one interference preventing part.
US07878232B2
A light emitting apparatus (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) includes one or more light emitting chips (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) and a support (13, 14, 114, 214, 314, 414) on which the light emitting chips are disposed. The support includes a first side on which the light emitting chips are attached and a second side opposite the first side. A thermally superconducting heat transfer medium (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) is disposed in an interior volume of the support and thermally connects the first and second sides of the support. The thermally superconducting heat transfer medium has a thermal conductivity at least 1500 times greater than the thermal conductivity of copper.
US07878225B2
A device and method for vacuuming solid particles out of a chemical reactor tube. One embodiment comprises the step of substantially reducing the vacuum level applied to the vacuum conduit when the conduit reaches a desired depth within the reactor tube by using means responsive to the depth to which the vacuum conduit is inserted into the reactor tube.
US07878223B2
A through-air-drying (TAD) fabric for producing tissue paper and related products on a papermaking machine comprising a plurality of warp yarns interwoven with a plurality of weft yarns to produce a paper-side surface pattern characterized by alternating first pockets and second pockets. The first and second pockets are bounded by raised warp yarns and raised weft yarns produced by knuckles in the fabric pattern. The first pockets are preferably larger in area than the second pockets. The fabric base weave in the interior of the first pocket is preferably a plain weave pattern. The interior of the second pocket may also be bisected by a raised weft yarn.
US07878213B2
A reversing unit includes a fixed plate, a first movable plate provided so as to face one surface of the fixed plate, a second movable plate provided so as to face the other surface of the fixed plate and a rotary actuator. The rotary actuator rotates the first movable plate, the second movable plate and the fixed plate around a horizontal axis. A distance between the first movable plate and the fixed plate and a distance between the second movable plate and the fixed plate are set to be substantially equal to a difference in height between two hands of a main robot that carry a substrate in and out.
US07878212B2
A supporting plate for a cosmetic product (P), includes a hollow region (C) for receiving the cosmetic product, and a retaining part (22; 44; 67; 105; 206, 207) which is protruding from the sidewall of the hollow region (C), for retaining the cosmetic product and avoiding its detachment from the plate. Examples refer to embodiments wherein the supporting plate is made by two or more elements joined together, or molded in a single piece. The main advantageous effect is that glue is no longer required to fix the cosmetic product on the supporting plate.
US07878202B2
A respiratory suction catheter assembly includes a manifold supporting a rotatable swivel member for engagement with an endotracheal tube, and a seal support body disposed on a boss of the manifold opposite the part supporting the swivel for supporting a catheter tube seal and a porous filter for filtering air flowing into and out of a flexible elongated sheath enclosing the catheter tube. The sheath includes opposed tapered ends secured to the seal support body and to a boss on a suction control valve housing. The valve housing supports a tapered plug closure member engageable with a resilient actuator and a slide-lock member. Certain components, including the sheath, the seal support body, the filter, the catheter tube seal and the catheter tube may be treated with an anti-microbial agent.
US07878201B2
A supraglottic airway device comprising a tube and a face plate assembly slidably installed on the tube, whereby upon insertion of the tube within the airway of a patient the face plate assembly is slid distally along the tube so as to substantially seal about the mouth of the patient. The supraglottic airway device further comprises an introduction tip assembly mounted on the tube substantially opposite the face plate assembly so as to guide the device into the patient airway and an expandable foam cuff located along the tube between the face plate assembly and the tip assembly so as to seat the device within the airway. The face plate assembly may further comprise tabs for substantially sealing within the nose of the patient.
US07878177B2
A system and method for controlling operation of a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having fuel injectors and an ionization current sensor include a high-voltage power supply connectable to, and supplying substantially the same nominal boosted voltage relative to nominal battery voltage to, the fuel injectors and ionization sensor during at least a portion of the engine operation.
US07878174B2
In a V-type multi-cylinder engine, a first fuel supply conduit is connected to fuel-injection valves in a first throttle body group corresponding to the first bank, and a second fuel supply conduit is connected to fuel injection valves in a second throttle body group corresponding to the second bank. A pair of first and second side plates connect adjacent ends of the first and second throttle body groups together. A distance between respective throttle bodies located in two ends of the first throttle body group is set shorter than a comparable distance between the throttle bodies located in two ends of the second throttle body group. A joint part for connectively receiving the fuel hose is provided at an end of the first fuel supply conduit in a way that the joint part is arranged between the two side plates.
US07878171B2
A work vehicle operating in a highly contaminated environment has a radiator with a rotary screen debris removal device upstream of the radiator. The debris thus removed passes through a fan for disposal away from the work machine. The engine is an air breathing fuel consuming engine and has a pre-cleaner for removing larger particles of air delivered to the engine for combustion. A conduit extends from the intake air pre-cleaner to a venturi device adjacent to and upstream of the fan for continuously and effectively removing particles from the engine air pre-cleaner.
US07878167B2
An engine with intake and exhaust valves that may be controlled with a circular cam lobe is provided. The rotating axis of the circular cam lobe is offset from the physical center of the cam lobe. This permits the cam lobe to impart a reciprocal opening and closing of the valve. To maintain the valve in the closed position, the interconnection between the cam lobe and the valve 12 may have a spring which is compressed to allow the valve to remain closed for a set duration of time while the cam lobe continues to rotate.
US07878165B2
In an engine valve operating system, a camshaft (36) is supported via a bearing (41) on a cylinder head (5) having an intake valve (29i) and an exhaust valve (29e)provided therein, and an intake rocker arm (38i)and an exhaust rocker arm (38e)are mounted on a rocker arm shaft (42) supported on the cylinder head (5) so as to be parallel to the camshaft (36), the intake rocker arm (38i)and the exhaust rocker arm (38e)respectively providing a connection between the camshaft (36) and the intake valve (29i)and between the camshaft (36) and the exhaust valve (29e). A fixing bolt (44) that abuts against an end part of the rocker arm shaft (42) so as to restrict movement thereof in the thrust direction is screwed into the cylinder head (5), and a flange seat (44a)that abuts against one side face of the bearing (41) so as to restrict movement thereof in the thrust direction is formed integrally with the fixing bolt (44). Therefore, there is provided a compact engine valve operating system in which means for restricting movement in the thrust direction of a camshaft and a rocker shaft is shared to thus reduce the number of components and simplify the structure.
US07878162B2
A variable valve actuation system is disclosed for providing exhaust to at least one component downstream of an engine. The system includes a supply of low pressure fluid, an engine fluid sump, and an exhaust valve disposed in an engine cylinder. The system also includes a hydraulic actuation system operably connected to the exhaust valve of the engine cylinder and a braking control valve operably connected to the hydraulic actuation system. The system further includes a device for accumulating fluid and a device for fluidly coupling the hydraulic actuation system to the accumulating device.
US07878157B2
The invention relates to a fossil-energy heated continuous steam generator, whereby the at least one combustion chamber, viewed in the flow direction of the hot gases, is divided into at least two throughflow segments, formed by evaporator heating surfaces, whereby the evaporator heating surfaces each comprise steam generation tubes welded to each other in a gastight manner and pressurized in parallel with a flow medium. According to the invention, said generator is suitable for operation with high fresh steam parameters, such as for example, steam temperatures of approximately 700° C., with a simple construction and particularly simple assembly, whereby a throughflow segment, arranged after the first through flow segment, viewed in the direction of flow of the hot gases, forms the first evaporator stage for the flow medium, such that the injection of particularly cold flow medium can occur in the region of maximum heating.
US07878156B2
The present invention relates to a method for the conveyance of fine-grained solids in a fluidized bed reactor and also to a corresponding plant. It is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through a central tube (3) into a mixing chamber (7) of the reactor (1), the central tube (3) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (10) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas. The gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture as well as of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bed (10) are adjusted such that the particle Froude numbers in the central tube (3) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidizied bed (10) between 0.02 and 2 in the mixing chamber (7) between 0.3 and 30.
US07878151B2
A pet toy is provided having a tubular, linearly elongated main body terminated at each end by a replaceable wing assembly. As the toy is flying through the air, the wings provides a visual ‘flapping’ like stimuli, similar to that of the wings of a bird. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US07878132B2
The sewing machine includes a presser body, a presser frame, a button holding device including a fixed portion and a sliding portion, a position detecting device including a sliding base attached to the presser frame and a sliding member coupled to the presser body and slidable with respect to the sliding base, a button diameter detecting switch, and a control device. The control device obtains, from the position detecting device, a shift amount of the presser body from a sewing start position when the button diameter detecting switch detects that a sewing operation is carried by a length that corresponds to a diameter of a button, and controls a drive of a sewing needle and the feeding of the workpiece such that a buttonhole stitch corresponding to the diameter of the button is formed.
US07878127B2
A pallet includes a cargo layer for supporting different size cargo cases. The cargo layer includes a pair of spaced apart end deck boards, with each end deck board having a first width. Spaced apart intermediate deck boards are positioned in a pattern between the pair of spaced apart end deck boards for providing deck coverage for the different size cargo cases. The pattern is defined by two pairs of first and second intermediate deck boards, with each intermediate deck board in each pair having a second width. Each pair of intermediate deck boards is adjacent one of the end deck boards. A pair of third intermediate deck boards is between the two pairs of intermediate deck boards, with each third intermediate deck board having a third width. A fourth intermediate deck board is between the pair of third intermediate deck boards, and has the second width.
US07878122B2
Drive sheaves are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a drive sheave includes a tire portion wherein the tire portion comprises an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface. The tire portion also includes a first surface extending between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface and a second surface extending between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface, the second surface being oppositely disposed relative to the first surface. At least one hole in the tire portion extends between the first surface and the second surface.
US07878121B2
The present invention relates to a penetration assistance kit fitted to a bomb, notably an anti-infrastructure bomb. The kit includes launch tubes mechanically secured to the bomb. In each of the launch tubes is positioned a detonating projectile and its propulsive charge. A detonating projectile can be ejected from its tube by initiation of its propulsive charge. A system is provided for controlling the initiation of each propulsive charge prior to impact of the bomb with a target. The invention applies notably to the penetration of very thick walls made of non-metallic material such as concrete, for example. The invention also relates to a penetrating projectile equipped with such a kit and to a method of getting such a projectile to penetrate a target.
US07878119B2
A perforating charge for use in a wellbore includes an explosive and a liner to be collapsed by detonation of the explosive. The liner includes at least a first liner portion and a second liner portion which have different cohesiveness.
US07878115B2
A line-pattern formation apparatus includes: a pattern former with a display defining a pattern and a referential projection indicating a reference position of the pattern; a positioning plate including a line-pattern indicator indicating a plurality of patterns in a lateral condition and a reference-positioning indicator specifying the reference position of the patterns; and a positioner including a stand on which a sheet is placed and a fixing member for fixing the sheet placed on the stand. The fixing member is provided with fitting portions for making the positioning plate detachably attached to the fixing member.
US07878108B2
The invention relates to a disposable packaging, for the distribution of at least one nutritional preparation, based on a nutritional liquid, comprising at least one closed chamber, containing the nutritional liquid, with means for housing a sub-assembly for aspiration and mixing of the venturi type and means for sealing the package. The invention is particularly characterized by a duct, passing through the base seal, said duct provided for a venturi nozzle which permits the extraction of the nutritional liquid inside the packaging by piercing or removal of the seal. The invention is particularly of application to the production of hot and/or emulsified drinks of the cappuccino type or similar.
US07878100B2
An apparatus useful in the removal of toxic materials from toxic weapon projectiles has a base, a projectile retaining container and a ram. The projectile retaining container has a projectile retainer opening, a ram opening and a drain opening. The projectile retaining container is adapted to retain a toxic weapon projectile in the projectile retainer opening. The ram is adapted to extend into a toxic weapon projectile disposed within the projectile retaining container to crush the projectile's burster well and to thereby release toxic materials to the drain opening in the projectile retaining container. The ram alternatively includes high pressure water nozzles for breaking up any coagulant particles and for thoroughly rinsing the interior side walls of the toxic weapon projectile.
US07878094B2
A tool includes a working tool portion and an extendable handle joined with the working tool portion. The extendable handle includes a shaft, a tube, and an anti-rotation member that is unbiased so as to prevent, during application of relative rotational force between the shaft and tube, relative rotation between the shaft and tube and to prevent removal of a portion of the anti-rotation member from an axially arranged groove. A lock device is movable from a first position to a second position wherein when the lock device is in the first position the tube is prevented from moving axially relative to the shaft and wherein when the lock device is in the second position the tube can be moved axially relative to the shaft.
US07878092B1
A grasping tool for obtaining a firm grasp on a nut or other fastener structure that may be deformed in size or shape by time and damage. The tool includes a series of elongated fingers arranged radially in a group and mounted for longitudinal movement in a sleeve. A nut or other fastener to be removed is placed between ends of the fingers extending from the sleeve. As the sleeve is moved toward the nut or other fastener the wall of the sleeve pushes the ends of the fingers inward, to grasp firmly the nut or other fastener to be removed. Various structures and methods may be used to move the sleeve over the fingers and to rotate the grasping tool once attached firmly to the nut or other structure to remove the nut or other structure.
US07878085B2
A power unit includes a shaft member rotatably supported by the crankcase and a torsional coil spring, disposed at one end of the shaft member, biasing a swing arm in one rotational direction. An oil strainer is fixed to the crankcase through a strainer support bracket extending vertically relative to a strainer element. The torsional coil spring includes a coil portion wound around the shaft member, one end portion retained on the side of the shaft member, and the other end portion retained by a retaining portion formed integrally with the strainer support bracket.
US07878076B2
A torque tool for measuring and/or cut-off tightening of a torque on a workpiece. The torque tool is provided within a housing with a handle. The torque to be measured is transmitted with a rod. A measuring element electronically detects the actual torque. A measure- and control electronics for processing the torque detected in such a way. The electronic measure and control electronics controls a cut-off switch for cutting-off the torque tool.
US07878074B1
A differential pressure sensor positioned adjacent a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber separated by a nozzle. Flow in a conduit is determined by detecting the pressure on either side of a nozzle. Changes in pressure are proportional to a change in flow. An integrated differential pressure sensor having different pressure detecting portions with strain gauges thereon detects differences in deflection of each pressure sensor portion resulting from change in fluid flow. A bridge circuit detects changes in the signals from the two different pressure sensor portions creating a differential which is proportional to a change in liquid flow. The present invention reduces the need for calibration of pressure sensors and improves the detection of fluid flow. The present invention has many applications and can detect small changes in fluid flow and is particularly applicable to the medical field where in many procedures, small fluid flows must be measured or determined accurately.
US07878073B2
The measuring system is inserted into the course of a process line and serves for registering at least one measured variable of a medium flowing in the process line. The measuring system includes for such purpose a measuring transducer having a measuring tube serving for conveying medium being measured and a sensor arrangement, which has at least one sensor element reacting primarily to the measured variable to be registered, and which delivers by means of at least one sensor element at least one measurement signal influenced by the measured variable. Further, the measuring system includes a measuring electronics communicating with the measuring transducer and using the at least one measurement signal for producing, at least at times, at least one measured value instantaneously representing the measured variable. The measuring tube has, in the case of the measuring system of the invention, a smaller flow cross section than a supply segment of the process line connected to the inlet end of the measuring system. To this end, the measuring system further includes a flow conditioner arranged at the inlet end of the measuring tube and mediating between the measuring tube and the supply segment of the process line. The flow conditioner has a lumen tapering in the direction of the measuring tube. During operation, medium flows through the lumen of the flow conditioner. The flow conditioner includes at least one impingement surface arranged upstream of its outlet end and protruding into the lumen of the flow conditioner. During operation, medium conveyed in the flow conditioner flows against the impingement surface.
US07878072B2
A measurement device comprises: a container 1 including an aperture 6a; a lining 2 applied to an inner surface of the container 1; an electrode 3 provided in the aperture, and a spring 7 biasing the electrode 3 in a direction from the inside to the outside of the container 1. The electrode 3 includes: an electrode head 3a; an anchor 4 formed on an outer peripheral portion of the electrode head 3a; an electrode shaft 3b formed integrally with the electrode head 3a; and an electrode tapered portion 5 tapered with its diameter gradually reduced from the anchor 4 to the electrode shaft so as to fit in the aperture. The electrode 3 is inserted from the inside of the container 1 so as to expose a part of the electrode shaft 3b out of the container 1.
US07878071B2
The invention is an indenter tip that is modified to permit both compression testing and tensile testing on samples having dimensions smaller than approximately 1 μm. The modified indenter tip has both a surface that can be used to apply compressive forces, and tines that can be used to engage a free end of a specimen to be tested in tension. The apparatus used to perform the tests includes elements of a scanning electron microscope that permit visualization of the specimen to be tested and the modified indenter tip, so as to permit appropriate alignment and engagement of the same. The apparatus also includes elements of a microindenter that provide mechanical manipulation of the relative position and orientation of the modified indenter tip and of the specimen to be tested, as well as the necessary controls and instrumentation to perform the test and to collect, record and manipulate data.
US07878070B2
A chuck body for a clamping chuck for clamping a workpiece has a substantially rotationally symmetrically formed basic body, provided on which is a receiving opening, which is formed as a portion of a cone and is formed for receiving a clamping head in such a way as to transmit force. Attached to the basic body is a deformation sensor, for example as a strain gauge, which is intended and designed for determining a deformation of the basic body in a circumferential direction. In this way, the condition and state of wear of the clamping chuck can be determined.
US07878063B1
The present invention provides a hexagonal, delay line surface acoustic wave device fabricated on a a piezoelectric substrate, such as lithium tantalate, coated with an insulating waveguide on to which a sensing film, such as an anti-human Interleukin-6 biosensor film, is physically absorbed. The acoustic waves that propagate along the delay lines of the SAW device provide for detection of biological species along one delay line and simultaneously provide for removal of non-specifically bound protein along the remaining delay lines.
US07878062B2
An ultrasonic interferometer for the characterization of the matter (solids, fluids & gases) in a medium is described, along with a method of using the same. The interferometer accurately determines the travel time of the multi-frequency ultrasonic signal in the matter that is being queried. By carefully selecting the design of the multi-frequency ultrasound signal, various properties of the material can be derived using a trainable classification system to classify or recognise the substance, or state of a process. The apparatus exploits the normally undesirable higher harmonics characteristics of the piezoceramic transducer to gain penetration through a spatial-frequency window that is not suitable for the higher frequency signals that are required to achieve the measurements.
US07878052B2
The present disclosure is directed towards a clamping assembly for compressing a plurality of optical plates of a high pressure cavitation system. The clamping assembly may include a mounting frame and a housing coupled to the mounting frame. The clamping assembly may further include a holder distal the housing, the holder having the plurality of optical plates disposed therein. The clamping assembly further including a controllable clamping mechanism operably coupled to a top of the housing, the controllable clamping mechanism applying an axial force to the plurality of optical plate.
US07878044B2
A system and a method for providing information on two of the three variables, density (ρ), viscosity (η), and elastic modulus (c) of a fluid, such that independent knowledge of one variable allows the remaining two variables to be measured by a single sensor. The present invention relies on the interaction of a predominantly shear horizontal acoustic wave device (“quasi-shear-horizontal”) with the fluid, so as to measure subtle differences in the interaction of two or more acoustic resonance states or waveguide modes of a multi-mode resonator or waveguide, and to derive the desired fluid characteristics therefrom. The most preferred embodiment is a dual-mode coupled resonator filter geometry with one resonant mode having a high degree of symmetry and the other having a high degree of anti-symmetry. By combining the additional information of multi-moded operation with the inherent ability of a horizontally-polarized quasi-shear-horizontal acoustic wave device (AWD) to operate in fluid environments, one obtains a multi-mode quasi-shear-horizontal (MMQSH) resonator.
US07878040B2
A method of drawn and ironed processing of a resin coated metal sheet, in which in the drawn and ironed processing of resin coated metal sheet, there can be obtained a can body of satisfactorily small wall thickness and at an opening edge part of the can body, the coating resin is free from any defect; and a resin coating drawn and ironed processed can produced thereby.There is provided a method of drawn and ironed processing of a resin coated metal sheet, comprising performing drawn and ironed processing of a resin coated metal sheet composed of a metal sheet having at least one major surface thereof coated with an organic resin with the use of a punch and a die into a can body, characterized in that ironing is conducted with the use of a punch having a small-diameter portion at its rear end so that the ratio of ironing at an opening edge part of the can body after shaping falls within the range of 0 to 15%. Further, there is provided a drawn and ironed processed can of resin coated metal sheet produced through the processing method.
US07878034B2
An intuitively operable door locking arrangement and a method include, a lock-point arming input element that is connected directly to a handle-operated control element of the locking arrangement, rather than being connected directly to a lock-point of the door locking arrangement. The locking arrangement and method may be used in hinged single or multiple-panel installations, having single, and/or multiple lock-points, may allow keyless locking from outside, and may include a latching arrangement. In active door locking apparatuses, the lock-point is movable only through operation of the handle-operated control element. The lock point arming element is selectively moveable between an armed and a disarmed position thereof, and is configured and connected to the handle-operated control element in such a manner that the handle-operated control element may be used to move the lock-point to the locked position thereof only when the lock-point arming input element is in the armed position thereof.
US07878027B2
A glassware forming machine blowhead arm assembly includes a one-piece blowhead arm body having at least one longitudinal air passage and a plurality of lateral air passages connected to the longitudinal passage. A blowhead chuck is removably received in a first end of each lateral passage and a cap is threaded into the second end of each lateral passage spaced from the associated blowhead chuck. A spring is captured in compression between each cap and an associated blowhead chuck biasing the blowhead chuck in a direction out of the lateral passage and away from the cap. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure adapted for use in conjunction with so-called isolated finish cooling blowheads, there are first and second longitudinal air passages extending through the blowhead arm body separately from each other, and separate air inputs in the body respectively coupled to the first and second longitudinal passages. Each lateral air passage is separately connected to the longitudinal air passages, and the blowhead chucks have separate air passages for feeding blow air and finish cooling air to a blowhead mounted in the chuck.
US07878019B2
A one-piece liquid-level float switch housing and drain line assembly for use with a collection tray or pan to collect condensate and shut off the source of condensate production when it exceeds a pre-established threshold level. The assembly is configured for rapid connection through a pre-formed drain line opening in the perimeter wall of a condensate collection tray/pan to place the deployable float body within its housing in a level orientation relative to the tray/pan without additional leveling adjustment. The housing has an open bottom and vertically-extending slots providing fluid inlet, debris blocking, and air venting functions for enhanced float body operation. The condensate pan/tray used with the assembly has a nesting configuration that includes a perimeter wall with varying combinations of gussets, curved ribs, angled corner configurations, and support shelves, and a central bottom surface with raised patterns, all of which strengthen the tray/pad during installation and use.
US07878016B2
A system for measuring and managing thermal operations of a processor core on a semiconductor die using a sensor positioned in a hotspot of the processor core. A measured temperature reading is determined based upon a temperature sensed by the sensor. Interrupt signals and a software readable register indicating temperature information provide feedback about the thermal environment to the processor. Based upon the measured temperature reading, the interrupt signals direct the processor to modify operation.
US07878014B2
A refrigeration system comprises a plurality of compressors and a plurality of condensing units comprising a first condensing unit having a first control module and at least one additional condensing unit having an additional control module. Each condensing unit has at least one compressor of the plurality of compressors. A communication link is connected to the first control module and at least one additional control module. The first control module controls the plurality of compressors based on communication with the at least one additional control module via the communication link.
US07878008B1
A smart rack having intelligent wireless climate sensors that detect and report one or more climate conditions is provided. The smart rack includes an enclosure that houses network elements and an array of intelligent wireless climate sensors that form a mesh network. The enclosure of the smart rack includes a console that displays climate measurements and notifications. The intelligent wireless climate sensors perform periodic climate measurements and detect climate conditions in the smart rack. When a climate condition is detected the console of the smart rack graphically displays the climate condition.
US07878003B1
A fuel control system for a gas turbine engine reheat system has a plurality of fuel metering devices for controlling fuel flow to respective ones of the reheat burners, and a plurality of throttle valves in series with the respective metering devices. One of the throttle valves regulates a pressure difference across its associated metering device and the remaining throttle valves maintain the pressure difference across their respective metering devices equal to that controlled by the aforesaid one throttle valve. The system may include a fuel supply valve which is responsive to a pressure signal controlled by two of the metering devices so that fuel supply from a pump is provided only when both of the two metering devices are open. The pump may include a delivery pressure regulating arrangement responsive to pump delivery pressure and to the highest of the pressures downstream of the metering devices, for regulating pump delivery pressure so as to maintain the metering pressure differences constant.
US07878002B2
A method for assembling a gas turbine combustor includes providing a combustor case having a first end, a second end, and a centerline extending there between, coupling an end cover to the case first end, coupling a combustor liner within the case such that the liner is substantially coaxially aligned with respect to the case, and providing a streamline flow conditioner including a body that includes a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, a deflection plate that extends from the body, and coupling the streamline flow conditioner to the case second end such that the streamline flow conditioner is coupled radially between the case and the combustor liner such that the deflection plate is adjacent the case second end. The deflection plate inner surface at least one of extends radially outward with respect to the centerline and defines a plurality of openings within the plate inner surface.
US07877999B2
A thermodynamic engine is configured to convert heat provided in the form of a temperature difference to a nonheat form of energy. Heat is directed through a heating loop in thermal contact with a first side of the thermodynamic engine. A second side of the thermodynamic engine is coupled to an environmental cooling loop in thermal contact with an environmental cooling device. The thermodynamic engine is operated to dispense heat from the second side of the thermodynamic engine through the environmental cooling loop into the environmental cooling device. Operation of the thermodynamic engine thereby generates the nonheat form of energy from the temperature difference established between the first side and the second side of the thermodynamic engine.
US07877992B2
A hydraulic power generation system driven by compression air produced by fluid is provided. The present invention is featured in that it employs more than one group of windmills which can be driven by wind power, or utilizes hydraulic power, such as a river flow, tides at estuaries or bays to drive more than one group of hydraulic turbines. The rotation power of the windmills or the hydraulic turbines then drives a transmission and subsequently drives an air compressor to produce compression air. The compression air is compressed with a specific pressure and collectively stored in an air compression tank. The compression air stored in the air compression tank is guided to a water filled hermetic tank. The hermetic tank is connected with a hermetic water tower having a certain height, in which the hermetic tanks and the hermetic water tower are connected with a communicating pipe by which a pressure can be conducted. According to the Pascal's principle, when suffering the pressure of the compression air, the water stored in the hermetic tank is transmitted to the hermetic water tower up to a certain height thus obtaining a potential energy. The water is collectively stored at the certain height to obtain a large amount. Such a large amount of water can be downwardly guided to drive a hydraulic turbine which is connected to a power generator for generating power. After releasing the potential energy, the water can be conducted back to the hermetic tank via another communicating pipe for recycle use.
US07877990B2
A metering device for introducing an operating medium into an exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine, the device comprising a cooling system for cooling an injector module of the metering device. The cooling system is provided with a cooling circuit encompassing at least one cooling fluid and at least one cooling device which dissipates heat from the cooling circuit. A first portion of the cooling circuit is disposed at least in part below the cooling device and/or a second portion of the cooling circuit is located at least in part above a point that heats the cooling circuit, especially above the injector module.
US07877987B2
An exhaust system that processes exhaust generated by an engine is provided. The system generally includes a particulate filter (PF) that filters particulates from the exhaust wherein an upstream end of the PF receives exhaust from the engine. A grid of electrically resistive material selectively heats exhaust passing through the upstream end to initiate combustion of particulates within the PF. A hydrocarbon adsorbent coating applied to the PF releases hydrocarbons into the exhaust to increase a temperature of the combustion of the particulates within the PF.
US07877986B2
A method and apparatus are provided for generating a reductant in an exhaust gas feedstream of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine upstream of a hydrocarbon-selective catalytic reduction catalyst. The method comprises injecting a quantity of fuel into the exhaust gas subsequent to a combustion event whereat a temperature of the exhaust gas is in a range of 670 K to 1100 K at a start of the injection. The generated reductant comprises an active species including an oxygenated fuel species.
US07877976B2
A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine and oppositely spaced side drapers that deliver crop material to the center draper. The center draper includes a draper frame swingably supported on the header frame at a pivot to project forwardly therefrom and a draper belt supported on the draper frame to present a rearwardly moving run for conveying the crop rearwardly. The center draper includes a counterbalance mechanism coupled between the header and draper frames to counteract the weight of the center draper about the pivot so as to reduce the load of the center draper on the cutterbar assembly.
US07877969B2
A method of adjusting at least one working unit of a harvesting machine includes taking pictures or picture series of a crop-material flow at a position downstream from a particular working unit in a crop-material conveyance path at various setting states with certain control parameter setting values of the working unit, storing the pictures or picture series such that they are assigned to control parameter setting values belonging to a particular setting state, with which a picture or a picture series is selected based on an analysis of the crop-material flow depicted in the picture or picture series, and adjusting the particular working unit using the control parameter setting values assigned to the selected picture or the selected picture series; and a harvesting machine carries out the method.
US07877967B2
A method and device for the manufacture of packaging units or disposable single-use kegs in which a disposable fitting is retained on a blow-molded body by an inwardly-projecting flange structure which engages with an outwardly-projecting flange structure on the blow-molded body.
US07877966B2
A machine for forming, filling, and sealing sacks has an unwinding device for a plastic tube, a cross-cutting device that cuts the tube perpendicularly to its principal axis of symmetry and creates tubular pieces in the process, a bottom forming means for forming a sack bottom at one end of the tubular piece, transport equipment to transport the resulting sacks through the machine, a filling station with a feeding element for filling the product in the sack, means of reducing the distance between the product discharge opening of the feed element and the bottom of the sack to be filled, and sealing means to seal the filled sack. The means of reducing the distance is a sack lifting device with which the sack can be lifted in the filling station such that an upper edge of the sack is located above the product discharge opening of the feed element.
US07877960B2
Various rolled or extruded profiles (1c, 1d) with weld locations are used to connect together structural sandwich plate members comprising first and second outer metal plates (21) and an elastomer core (22) bonded to said outer metal plates (21) with sufficient strength to transfer shear forces therebetween.
US07877956B2
Floor element (1), which is mainly in the form of a board with triangular, quadratic, rectangular, rhomboidal or polygonal shape as seen from above. The floor element (1) is provided with edges (2), a lower side (7) and a decorative upper layer (3). The floor elements (1), which are intended to be joined via tongue and groove are on at least two opposite edges (2), preferably on all edges (2) provided with holes (4). The holes (4) extends inwards from the edge (2) mainly parallel to the decorative upper layer (3). The holes (4) are arranged on a predetermined distance from the decorative upper layer (3) and on a predetermined distance from a closest corner between two adjacent edges (2), whereby the holes (4) are intended to receive each one part of a guiding means (6).
US07877954B1
The invention contemplates constructing a building by making composite walls in a factory using continuous or batch processing equipment. To make the walls, a Fiber Reinforced Coating (FRC) is prepared and then applied to foam core panels on their faces. Preferably, the panels are precut to the required dimensions before coating with openings for doors and windows. The coated panels are then transported to the site and bonded together to form the building.
US07877948B2
A fastener system for fixing hardened plates includes a fastener element having a frusto-conical head and a threaded shaft portion, wherein a smallest outer diameter of the frusto-conical head is adjacent the threaded shaft, and a largest outer width of the shaft is smaller than a smallest diameter of the head.
US07877942B2
A device for controlling the atmosphere in a space (16) which is partly delimited by at least one glass component (12, 13; 61) and which is separated from the environment (17, 18), with at least one connection between the space and the environment, and with at least one electrically actuatable valve (32, 33; 47, 48) associated with the connection, which valve is connected to an electric control unit (24); the valve (32, 33; 47, 48) is arranged in a connecting passage (34) within a member (15A) delimiting the space (16), namely in the case of an insulating glass assembly (11), a connecting ledge (15) arranged between two glass panes (12, 13) or, in the case of a lamp (60), in a socket (64), and the control unit (24) provided for an automatic actuation of the valve is also arranged in said member (15A).
US07877933B2
Offshore structures such as wind turbines, wave machines and tidal stream turbines are mounted in a previously located foundation including a socket. The foundation includes an upper body with a conical inner surface which acts as a guide for inserting a leading end of the structure into the socket. The conical surface also provides a reaction surface for setting the vertical alignment of the structure when inserted in the socket. Clamps are provided supported by an A frame for controlled lowering of the structure into the socket.
US07877931B2
The present superstructure involves, for each upright, a spacer section bar (3), a hinge-bearing section bar (6), a hinge (8), a piston (13) that helps to lift the pane (1), and is completed by a gripper (9) for supporting the pane (1), a closing section bar (11) and a gasket; the section bar (3) has a box section so that it can be adjusted to be joined together with the section bar (6); each hinge (8) is fixed to the section bar (6) and at its end to be fixed to the gripper (9), bears conical guides (8.1) suitable for fitting the conical arms (9.1) situated on the gripper (9) itself; a gasket (12) is fixed to the gripper (9); where spherical panes (1) are involved, hinges (15) are used containing a body (15.1) and a connecting piece (15.2) that can be rotated with respects to the body (15.1) so that the panes (1) can be fitted on at different lengths of the circular arc.
US07877922B1
A weather-tight storage device and carrier for a single or multiple fishing rods and reels releasably mounted to a vehicular roof carrier rack. When not mounted on a vehicle, the storage device and carrier is manageable enough to be hand-carried and may also serve as a stand for the rods and reels. The storage device and carrier includes a carrier box housing the fishing reels and a portion of the associated fishing rods and an anchor portion for securing the distal ends of the associated fishing rods to the vehicular roof rack.
US07877916B2
There are disclosed embodiments of a marking clip for marking garments which may be stacked flat on a surface. The marking clip is generally U-shaped with leg portions joined by a bight portion and is preferably molded of flexible, resilient, plastics material and bears repetitive indicia along the outer surface of the leg and bight portions. Two or more marking clips may be coupled to provide selected combinations. A label strip with respective indicia and with an RFID transponder and/or a machine-readable code can be adhesively adhered either directly to a garment across a fold or to the marking clip.
US07877905B2
A plastic shoe provided with a decoration, a method of manufacturing the shoe, and a casting mold for manufacturing the shoe, is disclosed. The decoration is printed on a polyurethane decorative film which is applied to the surface of the upper part of the plastic shoe with the printed side facing down. To do so, the upper shell of a conventional casting mold is provided on the inside with a fine-pored aluminum foam body to produce plastic shoes. The aluminum foam body is connected to a suction pump. The decorative film is held in the casting mold with the help of the vacuum thereby generated.
US07877904B2
An improved cleat assembly is disclosed, the assembly containing one or more spring clips configured for releasably securing the assembly to a bicycle pedal or the like. Specifically, the cleat assembly is configured such that an improper over-tightening of the cleat onto the sole of a user's shoe has substantially no effect on the free flexing of the spring clip while it is engaging or disengaging to/from the pedal. In addition, the cleat assembly incorporates one or more soft elastomeric caps that frictionally engage the ground when the user walks about, to provide improved traction and to eliminate undesired wear of critical assembly components. Further, for embodiments of cleat assemblies of the kind incorporating one or more adjustable set screws for adjusting the assemblies' float angles, threaded apertures for the set screws are formed by the confronting surfaces of a plastic upper plate and a metallic bottom plate, wherein the threads are formed only in the plastic upper plate. This allows the upper plate to be conveniently formed of an injection-molded plastic material and the bottom plate to be conveniently stamped from a piece of sheet metal.
US07877899B2
The present invention provides a shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part which can restrain the inclination of the foot toward the medial side while absorbing the shock of landing on the lateral side of the foot. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to the present invention, includes: a support element M; deformation elements 3 disposed below the support element, the deformation elements deforming to be compressed vertically at landing; and outer sole elements 2 contacting a ground at landing, each outer sole element being joined to a bottom surface of the respective deformation element. Both the deformation elements 3 and the outer sole elements 2 are substantially separated in a medial-lateral direction in the rear foot part to be arranged at least three regions of the rear foot part. A quotient obtained by dividing an area of a bottom surface of the support element M by an area of bottom surfaces of the outer sole elements 2 is set at about 1.3 or more in the rear foot part. A vertical compressive stiffness of the deformation element 3 disposed on the lateral side is smaller than that of the deformation element 3 disposed on the medial side.
US07877898B2
Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member.
US07877885B2
A range finder that is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with an archery bow has a generally L-shaped configuration one end of which is threaded for attachment to a socket normally provided on archery bows. Another portion of the range finder includes a plurality of disks that are adjustably positioned on a support member so that the range finder can be individually calibrated for specific game also taking into account the physical characteristics of the hunter.
US07877882B2
A method is disclosed for measuring the threads of standard and metric female thread bolt and standard and metric male thread nut of must commonly used nuts and bolts and the screw diameters in sizes #0 to #14. A separate set of plug gauges and ring gauges match the thread sizes of both the said standard female and metric female thread bolt gauge sizes. Separate standard and metric thread nut thread sizes are present in separate plug and ring gauges to provide ready gauges to measure threads of bolts and nuts not conveniently measure by plug and ring gauges mounted on a display wall structure for protection of the said gauges for dirt and contaminants. The wall mounted display structure provides an immediately available device for checking thread sizes of nuts and bolts.
US07877880B2
A hand-held personal care appliance includes a handle accommodating a rechargeable power supply and having electrical contacts, an operating head detachably mountable on the handle and having contacts for connection to the contacts of the handle, and a charging device for recharging the power supply and having contacts for connection to the contacts of the handle. The operating head must be detached from the handle for recharging the power supply. Different operating heads may be mountable on the handle to form a vibrating safety razor, a hair trimmer, etc.
US07877869B2
A medical electrical lead includes a lead body and a connector terminal. A conductor extends from the lead body to the connector terminal along a helical path through a transition zone.
US07877865B2
In a method of forming a wiring having a carbon nanotube, a lower wiring is formed on a substrate, and a catalyst layer is formed on the lower wiring. An insulating interlayer is formed on the substrate to cover the catalyst layer, and an opening is formed through the insulating interlayer to expose an upper face of the catalyst layer. A carbon nanotube wiring is formed in the opening, and an upper wiring is formed on the carbon nanotube wiring and the insulating interlayer to be electrically connected to the carbon nanotube wiring. A thermal stress is generated between the carbon nanotube wiring and the upper wiring to produce a dielectric breakdown of a native oxide layer formed on a surface of the carbon nanotube wiring. A wiring having a reduced electrical resistance between the carbon nanotube wiring and the upper wiring may be obtained.
US07877863B2
An apparatus for routing conductors, such as signal carrying conductors, from within an electro-mechanical machine housing to a location outside the housing is provided. The apparatus includes a base for fitting in a first opening in the housing and securing a lower portion of the apparatus to the housing. The apparatus also includes a channel for carrying the conductors, which may be formed in a shape corresponding to a profile of a portion of the housing. The apparatus includes a fastener, such as a snap-type mechanical fastener, for securing the apparatus to the housing.
US07877853B2
A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue includes the initial step of providing first and second electrically conductive sealing plates. The method also includes the steps of: encasing at least one of the electrically conductive sealing plates in a substantially moldable insulative material; applying a load to the electrically conductive sealing plates; allowing the insulative material to deform to create a gap between the sealing plates between about 0.001 inches to about 0.010 inches; and allowing the insulative material to cure.
US07877852B2
A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue includes the initial step of providing a pair of first and second jaw members each including an inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface. The method also includes the steps of: coating the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface of one or both jaw members with an insulative material, the coating having a thickness within the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.010 inches; allowing the insulative material to cure onto the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface; removing a portion of the insulative material from the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface to form a series of stop members arranged thereacross; and assembling the pair of first and second jaw members about a pivot such that the two inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surfaces are substantially opposed to each other in pivotal relation relative to one another.
US07877850B2
A method is provided for precisely positioning and joining first and second sheet panels. A first hole is extruded in the first panel with an annular upstanding wall surrounding the first hole. The first hole has a diameter to fit closely over the locating pin of a support. A second hole is formed in the second panel and has a diameter to fit closely over the annular upstanding wall of the first panel. A bond is created between the first and second panels adjacent to the annular upstanding wall, so that the annular upstanding wall protects the locating pin from being fouled by the bonding material. The bond may be either an adhesive bond or an electric resistance weld or both an adhesive bond and an electric resistance weld and the annular upstanding wall acts as a dam to protect the locating pin from the adhesive or weld splatter.
US07877843B2
The present invention relates to a handle, in particular for use in a screwdriver. Such handle comprises an outer region having a first stiffness and an inner region comprising a second stiffness. According to the invention the second stiffness is smaller than the first stiffness. The inner region might be built with chambers and ribs wherein the chambers might be hollow or filled with a soft material, e.g. a gel or a soft porous or non-porous plastic material.
US07877839B2
A vacuum can include a housing having an inlet adapted to receive debris being vacuumed. A mounting bar can be fixedly coupled to the housing. A floor collector assembly can be rotatably disposed about a first axis defined by the mounting bar. The floor collector assembly can include a first debris-passing member coupled to the mounting bar, a second debris-passing member rotatably coupled to the first debris-passing member and a third debris-passing member removably coupled to the second debris-passing member. The first debris-passing member can define an opening. The floor collector assembly can be operable in a plurality of modes. In a first mode, the opening can be substantially perpendicular relative to a vacuumed surface. In a second mode, the second debris-passing member can be rotated relative to the first debris-passing member about a second axis such that the opening is at an acute angle relative to the vacuumed surface.
US07877832B2
An electrically powered toothbrush comprising a handle which contains an electric motor and power supply, a head part connected to the handle to be driven in motion by the electric motor by a transmission means between the motor and the oral head part. The head part is flexibly and resiliently connected to the handle such that the head part can move resiliently under pressure of the oral hygiene part against a tooth surface. The motor is moveably mounted within the handle and the assembly of motor and transmission means is pivotally connected to the handle at a pivot point between the brush head and the motor. Suitably the handle is in two parts with a flexible connection between the parts.
US07877831B2
Weather shields for underneath a dock leveler are described herein. An example weather shield described herein includes an environmental barrier disposed underneath a deck where the environmental barrier includes a first section and a second section. A tensioner is coupled to the environmental barrier and creates a vertical tension in the environmental barrier in an upward direction such that a) when the deck is in the raised position, both the first section and the second section are in vertical tension; b) when the deck is in the lowered position, both the first section and the second section are in less vertical tension than they are when the deck is in the raised position; and c) when the deck is in the intermediate position, the first section is in appreciably greater vertical tension than the second section such that there is a discrete incremental difference in vertical tension in the environmental barrier.
US07877830B1
A method and apparatus for more accurately fastening a raised heel to a shoe outsole includes a shoe support column having an impact head at an upper end thereof. The impact head is contoured to substantially conform to the inner heel portion of the shoe upper. The impact head includes a plurality of bores each having a piston-operated driver therein that propels a nail upwardly through the shoe insole and into the raised heel. Proximal the bore outlets is an alignment button that is inserted into a channel formed through the shoe insole and outsole. An alignment pin is positioned within both an alignment aperture formed on the shoe heel and a centrally disposed cavity on the button. When the alignment aperture, button and channel are axially aligned, the raised heel is properly positioned on the shoe outsole ensuring accurate penetration of the nails.
US07877829B2
A system and method for maintaining an air inflation mattress configuration sufficient for patient support and comfort. Infrared illumination levels are measured within individual or groups of inflated mattress chambers. A staggered approach to illumination monitoring of chambers or sections to eliminate crosstalk between the infrared sensors is carried out. Distributed microprocessor controllers established in a network configuration utilizing controller network protocols reduces the wiring and connections necessary for the assembled system. Various mattress cushion construction techniques, such as sewing and or RF welding methods, are used for the creation of individual chambers utilizing specific types of IR translucent, transparent or reflective materials. The construction of the cushions and bladders in the system includes the use of various types of fabrics with low to high air loss qualities as required. The overall mattress assembly, including the control systems and the methodologies associated with such control systems, provide a unique approach to the maintenance of a consistently comfortable patient support surface. The use of a handheld unit for both programming the system and downloading information about the operation of the system is also anticipated. The specific cushion construction designs associated with the head, body, and foot cushion components of the mattress are tailored to operate specifically with the control capabilities (sensors and air flow regulators) of the invention.
US07877825B1
A top corner connector is provided for a shower enclosure or tub/shower enclosure. The connector includes first and second legs which have an interior cavity opening downwardly and opening lengthwise at the end. Each leg is adapted to receive a portion of a header at the top of the enclosure. The corner connector and headers can be secured together and at least the corner connector can be secured to the top end of a vertical corner post at a corner of the enclosure. A method is provided for efficiently connecting the headers at the top of the enclosure with the corner connector.
US07877822B2
A non-water lavatory flushing device consists of a electrical four-way valve, which one of its exit is connected with the exit of the side wall of the valley at the back of the toilet pan for collecting the feces. The three exits are connected with the central part of the toilet pan, feces collecting box and the flushing liquid collecting box through a feces dispersing pipe, a feces collecting pipe and a urine collecting pipe. The non-water lavatory flushing device of the invention uses a four-way valve to replace the feces dispersing pipe magnetic valve, feces collecting pipe magnetic valve and urine collecting pipe of the prior art. The dispersed feces liquid and urine in the feces dispersing pipe, feces collecting pipe and urine collecting pipe is controlled by the four-way valve respectively. Then the structure is simplified and the cost is decreased. Furthermore, as the four-way joint is cancelled, the problem of wrong flowing of the leaving liquid is solved. Thus, it could be avoided that the feces plasm flow into flushing liquid collecting box or the limited clean urine is discharged along the feces collecting pipe and this is advantaged to improve the flushing effect.
US07877821B1
A hand-held gun-shaped device having an air compressor, an air chamber, and at least one detachable drain-sealing adapter, which are used together to clear soft stoppages from single drains. Air compressor power may be supplied by a removable power cord or battery. Optional features include a detachable side handle, a toilet plunger adapter, a hollow cup adapter for shower and kitchen sink drains, a funnel-shaped adapter for bathtub and sink drains, an air compressor tire valve, a tire valve attachment, a safety-release valve, and a pressure gauge. An operator sets the PSI setting dial or display on the air compressor above a needed threshold air chamber pressure and starts the air compressor. When the air compressor stops and an air chamber release button is activated, a drain-unclogging air burst is released from the air chamber. One charge of the air chamber provides one air burst.
US07882564B2
A block key to encrypt block data is generated using an ATS (arrival time stamp) appended to each of TS (transport stream) packets included in a transport stream correspondingly to the arrival time of the TS packet. The ATS is a random data depending upon an arrival time, and so a block-unique key can be generated, which enhances the protection against data cryptanalysis. A block key is generated from a combination of an ATS with a key unique to a device, recording medium or the like such as a master key, disc-unique key, title-unique key or the like. Since an ATS is used to generate a block key, any area for storage of an encryption key for each block may not be provided in a recording medium.
US07882562B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for deploying sensitive communication parameters to a diskless computing device. A parameter structure module is included to store one or more Internet Small Computer System Interface (“iSCSI”) communication parameters in an extendable data structure configured to store a set of basic parameter settings and a set of extended parameter settings. A link module is included to establish a secure link to a diskless computing device over a physically secure connection. A deployment module is included to deploy the extendable data structure over the secure connection to a non-volatile memory in the diskless computing device. The non-volatile memory is configured to provide sensitive iSCSI communication parameters provided by the extendable data structure to a CPU of the diskless computing device during a boot sequence.
US07882561B2
In accordance with this invention, a system, method, and computer-readable medium that selectively scans files stored on a computing device for malware is provided. One aspect of the present invention includes identifying files that need to be scanned for malware when a software update that includes a malware signature is received. More specifically, attributes of the new malware are identified by searching metadata associated with the malware. Then, the method searches a scan cache and determines whether each file with an entry in the scan cache is the type that may be infected by the malware. If a file is the type that may be infected by the malware, the file is scanned for malware when a scanning event such as an I/O request occurs. Conversely, if the file is not the type that may be infected by the malware, the file may be accessed without a scan being performed.
US07882560B2
A system defines at least one key event to be monitored by at least one agent, and creates a graphical model for the at least one key event. The system observes the at least one key event. The system infers a degree of attack on the computer system based on an observation of the at least one key event in conjunction with a result of an effect the at least one key event has on the graphical model. The system then adjusts a security policy based on an output of the graphical model.
US07882556B2
An apparatus for protecting legitimate traffic from DoS and DDoS attacks has a high-priority (505) and a low-priority (506) queue. Besides, a queue information table (402) has STT (Source-based Traffic Trunk) service queue information of a specific packet. A queue coordinator (502) updates the queue information table (502) based on a load of a provided STT and a load of the high-priority queue (505). A packet classifier (504) receives a packet from the network access unit (508), investigates an STT service queue of the packet from the queue information table (502), selectively transfers the packet to the high-priority (505) or the low-priority (506) queue and provides information on the packet to the queue coordinator (503). A buffer (507) buffers outputs of the high-priority (505) and the low-priority (506) queue and provides outputs to the network (509) to be protected.
US07882550B2
Embodiments of the invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to electronic messaging security through replicated certificate stores and provide a method, system and computer program product user-specific certificate repository replication. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of replicating with multiple different messaging systems disposed in correspondingly different computing clients, retrieving a local repository of untrusted certificates from each of the different messaging systems during replication, and associating each retrieved local repository with a particular end user can be provided. Moreover, the method can include updating a global repository of untrusted certificates with the untrusted certificates of each local repository while eliminating redundant instances of an untrusted certificate present in different retrieved local repositories.
US07882538B1
In general, the principles of this invention are directed to techniques of locally caching endpoint security information. In particular, a local access module caches endpoint security information maintained by a remote server. When a user attempts to access a network resource through an endpoint device, the endpoint device sends authentication information and health information to the local access module. When the local access module receives the authentication information and the health information, the local access module controls access to the network resource based on the cached endpoint security information, the authentication information, and a security state of the endpoint device described by the health information.
US07882532B2
A system and method for managing communication in an integrated services network ensures that media information is displayed on at least one of two terminals during a call without using any transmission bandwidth. This is achieved by having at least one of the terminals pre-store the media information in a memory and then controlling the terminal to recall and display this information when certain events occur during the call. The media information may include animated information, images, and short-time video scripts. This information and broader band media such as streaming video may be displayed on the same terminal. The display of media information may also be controlled based on the past knowledge and experience callers have about one another and/or their communications equipment.
US07882530B2
Apparatus, methods, and a computer-usable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to synchronize the presentation of an experiential data stream at a local device with the presentation of a similar experiential data stream using a playback position received over a control link.
US07882526B2
A program information retrieval system in which a broadcast receiving terminal and a resolver server are connected through a communication network includes a local storing unit that stores a program information, a taste-information acquiring unit that acquires taste information of a user, a program-information requesting unit that requests the resolver server to provide program information, and a program-information receiving unit that receives the program information transmitted from the resolver server. The resolver server includes a master storing unit that stores the program information, a program-information-request receiving unit that receives a request for program information based on the taste information from the broadcast receiving terminal, a program-information extracting unit that extracts program information matching the taste information from the master storing unit using the identifier, and a transmitting unit that transmits the program information extracted from the master storing unit to the broadcast receiving terminal.
US07882511B2
A disk apparatus is provided that includes an apparatus body including a driving section for rotating a disk, an information reading/writing section, and a control section for controlling the driving section and the information reading/writing section. The disk apparatus also includes a housing accommodating the apparatus body and including a housing body having an accommodating recess formed at a position thereof corresponding to the driving section and the information reading/writing section for accommodating the disk therein, and a lid member supported for pivotal motion on the apparatus body for closing up the accommodating recess. The accommodating recess has a convex portion formed in a projecting manner on a bottom face thereof such that the convex portion surrounds the disk mounted around a rotary shaft of the driving section A space which is formed by the convex portion surrounds the disk having a circular shape and a polygonal shape combined.
US07882500B2
Disclosed is a computer program product for managing granularity of a computing infrastructure, wherein the program, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to: identify at least one set of service functions suited to characterization by one or more sets of metrics; create a representation of at least one supplied functionality for the set of service functions for input to a formal process; characterize at least one rule and at least one constraint for input to the formal process; determine at least one set of metrics for evaluating the service functions; quantify benefits associated with at least one of the sets of service functions using the set of metrics; and provide one or more of the sets of service functions as output, wherein the output is based on the metrics determining the output by use of the formal process. Systems and infrastructure are also disclosed.
US07882495B2
In one embodiment, a computer system determines that a previously run test scenario configured to test a software program has failed to produce an expected result due to one or more semantic errors, generates error trace code configured to monitor the called component, processes the test scenario using the error trace code, and analyzes error trace information to determine the point at which the semantic error occurs in the called component. In an alternative embodiment, a computer system detects a semantic error in a software component of a software program, constructs an error condition that may include source code representing a minimum condition under which the error occurs, generates an object invariant based on the error condition that represents an opposite condition to that represented by the error condition, and automatically generates source code change recommendations using the object invariant that prevent the semantic error from reoccurring in subsequent test scenarios.
US07882488B2
A tool for developing software source code for embedded systems that allows the user to automatically generate a real-time operating system for scheduling of multi-tasking operations while preventing deadlocks between the real-time tasks. The tool takes parameters that let the user assign priorities and timing characteristics to different tasks and to experiment with different scheduling algorithms.
US07882482B2
A layout method that enables a high power switch mode voltage regulator integrated circuit to generate a large output current and achieve substantially low switching loss is disclosed. The layout method includes forming an array of switching elements on a semiconductor die, each switching element including a plurality of discrete transistors configured to have a substantially reduced ON resistance; and forming a plurality of gate driver circuits on the same die among the switching elements, all using a single metal process. Each gate driver circuit placed substantially close to and dedicated to drive only one switching element so that the gate coupling capacitance resistance product is substantially reduced.
US07882479B2
A method and apparatus implement redundant memory access using multiple controllers on the same bank of memory, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides is provided. A first memory controller uses the memory as its primary address space, for storage and fetches. A second redundant controller is also connected to the same memory. System control logic is used to notify the redundant controller of the need to take over the memory interface. The redundant controller initializes if required and takes control of the memory. The memory only needs to be initialized if the system has to be brought down and restarted in the redundant mode. This invention allows the system to continue to stay up and continue running during a memory controller or link failure.
US07882472B2
In the course of unit timing, there exists the possibility for a non-compute (N/C) on a particular net in an IC chip design, which could be caused by numerous things, including but not limited to a pin being tied to power, a floating output, or invalid timing test for a given phase at a test point. A process automatically verifies that all non-computes are understood and exist for valid reasons, in order to ensure all necessary paths are being timed. The process takes a conventional Comprehensive Report output of a unit timing run and generates macro specific N/C reports for designers to review and sign off on.
US07882469B2
After finding the shortest conductive signal return-current path for each signal, the invention assesses whether each conductive return-current path is adequate. The method analyzes each shortest conductive signal return-current path and determines if a significant portion of the signal return current flows as displacement current rather than following the conductive current path. A significant displacement current flows when the length of the conductive return-current path that diverges from a signal net is more than a previously defined limit based on the signal transition time. Further, a significant displacement current flows when the overall length of the signal differs from the overall length of the conductive return-current path by more than a previously defined limit based on the signal transition time.
US07882466B2
There is provided a technique in which internal wires of a large cell are spuriously patterned and treated as object of a noise check. Internal wires of a large cell are spuriously determined based on terminal information and wiring forbidden information of the large cell and are added to chip wires to be checked, from which an object wire to be checked and at least one affecting wire are selected, a noise value representing a degree at which the at least one affecting wire induces noise onto the signal of the object wire is calculated and the noise check is performed on the basis of the calculated noise check.
US07882461B2
A method of optimizing clock-gated circuitry in an integrated circuit (IC) design is provided. A plurality of signals which feed into enable inputs of a plurality of clock gates is determined, where the clock gates gate a plurality of sequential elements in the IC design. Combinational logic which is shared among the plurality of signals is identified. The clock-gated circuitry is transformed into multiple levels of clock-gating circuitry based on the shared combinational logic.
US07882458B2
A power consumption analyzing method, to be implemented by a computer, is for a circuit developing procedure that makes a logic design of the circuit in an RTL design stage and inserts a gated clock with respect to the circuit in a subsequent logic synthesis stage. The method comprises an extraction step, implemented by the computer, extracting a signal which is judged that it will be transformed into a gated clock in the logic synthesis stage, and storing the signal in a memory part, a measuring step, implemented by the computer, measuring an valid time of the signal stored in the memory part by a logic simulation, and storing the valid time in the memory part, and a post-simulation step, implemented by the computer, computing a power consumption analysis result of the circuit from the valid time stored in the memory part, a number of registers for each of modules that are function units forming the circuit, and a memory capacity coefficient indicating an extent to which a memory capacity within the circuit affects the power consumption of the circuit, and outputting the power consumption analysis result.
US07882450B2
A real-time interactive document summarization system which allows the user to continuously control the amount of detail to be included in a document summary.
US07882424B2
A method is provided for formatting a message, with a first plurality of bits forming a data component, and a second plurality of bits forming a reserved component, for transmission in a vehicle. The method comprises the steps of calculating an initial checksum from the data component, calculating a revised checksum at least from the initial checksum, and storing the revised checksum in the reserved component. The number of bits in the reserved component is less than the number of bits in the data component.
US07882423B2
A controller includes a link interface that is to couple to a first link to communicate bi-directional data and a second link to transmit unidirectional error-detection information. An encoder is to dynamically add first error-detection information to at least a portion of write data. A transmitter, coupled to the link interface, is to transmit the write data. A delay element is coupled to an output from the encoder. A receiver, coupled to the link interface, is to receive second error-detection information corresponding to at least the portion of the write data. Error-detection logic is coupled to an output from the delay element and an output from the receiver. The error-detection logic is to determine errors in at least the portion of the write data by comparing the first error-detection information and the second error-detection information, and, if an error is detected, is to assert an error condition.
US07882418B2
Provided are an LDPC encoder and decoder, and LDPC encoding and decoding methods. The LDPC encoder includes: a code generating circuit that includes a memory storing a first parity check matrix and sums a first row which is at least one row of the first parity check matrix and a second row which is at least one of the remaining rows of the first parity check matrix to output a second parity check matrix; and an encoding circuit receiving the second parity check matrix and an information word to output an LDPC-encoded code word. Also the LDPC decoder includes: a code generating circuit including a memory which stores a first parity check matrix and summing a first row which is at least one row of the first parity check matrix and a second row which is at least one of the remaining rows of the first parity check matrix to output a second parity check matrix; and a decoding circuit receiving the second parity check matrix and a code word to output an LDPC-decoded information word.
US07882416B2
General and algebraic-constructed contention-free memory mapping for parallel turbo decoding with algebraic interleave ARP (almost regular permutation) of all possible sizes. A novel means is presented in which contention-free memory mapping is truly achieved in the context of performing parallel decoding of a turbo coded signal. A novel means of performing the contention-free memory mapping is provided to ensure that any one turbo decoder (of a group of parallel arranged turbo decoders) accesses only memory (of a group of parallel arranged memories) at any given time. In doing so, access conflicts between the turbo decoders and the memories are avoided.
US07882414B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving signal, supporting a variable coding rate, in a communication system. The method includes receiving an information vector, generating a child parity check matrix based on a parent parity check matrix according to a coding rate to be applied for generating a block Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codeword using the information vector, and encoding the information vector into the block LDPC codeword according to the child parity check matrix.
US07882408B1
Memory performance in programmable logic is significantly increased by adjusting a timing of control signals sent to a memory to compensate for variations in process, voltage, or temperature. A calibration circuit can adjust the control signal timing, dynamically and automatically, to provide accurate and high performance memory operations. For example, timing settings for the control signals can be determined such that data written/read from the memory are accurate. The timing setting can also be changed to provide faster memory operations while still providing accuracy. A feedback system using a control block and a dummy mimicking concept are also provided.
US07882407B2
A memory system and method using adaptive word line (WL) pulse widths, including a memory operating according to a wordline (WL) pulse with an associated WL pulse width, and a built-in self-test (BIST) unit that interfaces with the memory, the BIST unit being configured to run a self-test of the internal functionality of the memory and provide a signal indicating if the memory passed or failed the self-test. An adaptive WL control circuit that interfaces with the BIST unit and the memory, the adaptive WL control circuit being configured to adjust the WL pulse width of the memory based on the signal provided by the BIST unit.
US07882401B2
A chip for use with both a high-speed bus and a low-speed bus in a computer system includes a test control unit recorded therein a preset address data for determining a transmission path of an external signal in a test mode of the chip; an upstream control unit for transmitting the external signal to the high-speed bus in a normal operation mode of the chip, coupled to the test control unit for optionally receiving the external signal in the test mode; and a downstream control unit for transmitting the external signal to the low-speed bus in the normal operation mode of the chip, coupled to the test control unit for optionally receiving the external signal in the test mode.
US07882399B2
A method, apparatus, and program product utilize intelligent job functionality to diagnose an error in a computer. After detecting an error in a first job processing a task, and in response to another attempt to perform the task, a job selection algorithm selects a predetermined job in which to perform the task and diagnose the error. The predetermined job can be the first job or a new job associated with a signature that corresponds to the task that experienced the error. The predetermined job can be used to diagnose the error in a debugging session. Alternately, the first job may enter a debug session immediately after experiencing an error.
US07882395B2
A debug device of embedded systems is provided. The embedded system includes an embedded processor for reading a bootloader from a flash memory through a data flash interface. The debug device includes a memory transmission interface, a dada storage module, a data control module and a display module. The memory transmission interface is configured to couple the data flash interface for receiving data to the data storage module. The data control module determines whether the data stored in the data storage module is data from a data bus or from the data flash interface according to whether a data control signal of the data flash interface has been triggered. The display module displays the data of the data storage module.
US07882392B2
An electronic device includes a power supply unit that generates plural output voltages from an input voltage and outputs the various output voltages from respective plural power supply channels, a voltage detecting unit that monitors voltages of two power supply channels among plural power supply channels which are different in decreases of the output voltage in the case that the input voltage is cut off, outputs a first detecting signal upon detecting a decrease in voltage of a first power supply channel having a fast decrease to a first threshold and outputs a second detecting signal upon detecting a decrease in voltage of a second power supply channel having a slow decrease to a second threshold, and a control unit that saves data upon receiving the first detecting signal and stops an operation of the electronic device upon receiving the second detecting signal.
US07882389B2
A method for dynamically assigning a plurality of storage devices to a plurality of controllers within a storage unit, the method including: sensing each storage device from the plurality of storage devices; assigning each one of the storage devices to a respective controller from the plurality of controllers; monitoring at least one of each storage device, each controller, and a link between each storage device and the respective controller; upon a failure of at least one of the link, one of the storage devices and one of the controllers, generating a list of components; transmitting the list to another controller; and establishing a new assignment for each of the components on the list. A storage unit and a computer program product are provided.
US07882387B2
A reconfigurable device having a plurality of component elements each configured in accordance with configuration information, the device being adapted to determine whether an error in configuration information for the component elements affects an output of the reconfigurable device.
US07882383B2
A system on a chip includes a real time clock (RTC) module, a crystal oscillation circuit and a voltage supply circuit. The RTC module is coupled to provide timing functions and the crystal oscillation circuit is coupled to produce an oscillation. The voltage supply circuit is coupled to produce a supply voltage for at least a portion of the RTC module and the crystal oscillation circuit. The voltage supply circuit includes: a reference circuit coupled to produce a reference voltage based on the supply voltage; a transistor coupled to the battery IC pin, wherein the transistor produces the supply voltage based on a regulation signal and the battery voltage; an amplifier coupled to produce the regulation signal based on the reference voltage and a feedback representation of the supply voltage; and a start-up circuit coupled to enable the voltage supply circuit at battery connection.
US07882380B2
A system and method for enabling or disabling clocks to one or more portions of hardware circuitry, for example a display sub-system of a personal computer. A processor generates a command or data to a first circuit configured to perform a function based at least on the command or data. A clock generator selectively supplies clocks to the first circuit and a second circuit configured to perform a second function. A software interface circuit coupled to the processor and the clock generator autonomously determines based at least on the command or data whether the second circuit will perform the second function or be idle in an upcoming period and disables one or more of the clocks to the second circuit if the second circuit will be idle in the upcoming period.
US07882373B1
Described is a storage system and method for reducing power consumption in a storage system by shortening seek distances associated with input/output (I/O) requests to a physical disk drive. A sweep direction is set. An offset of a new I/O request is evaluated to determine whether to send the new I/O request to the physical disk drive. The new I/O request is sent to the physical disk drive if the offset is consistent with the sweep direction. Otherwise, sending the new I/O request to the disk drive is deferred until the sweep direction is set to a reverse direction.
US07882367B2
According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided an information recording and reproducing apparatus which records information in a recording medium and reproduces information recorded in the recording medium, the information recording and reproducing apparatus includes a first recording section which records in the recording medium an encrypted encryption key aggregate where at least one encryption key for encrypting each of a plurality of pieces of information has been encrypted and registered and information encrypted using the encryption key, a second recording section which records encrypted first private key information used to encrypt or decrypt the encryption key into the recording medium and which, if the encrypted encryption key aggregate has not been recorded in the recording medium, records the first private key information into the recording medium only when the encrypted encryption key aggregate is recorded in the recording medium.
US07882358B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods to authenticate software licenses. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a method where a vendor creates a reversible hash from a known, predetermined seed value, encrypts the hash to generate a digital signature, and sends the digital signature to the customer. The customer enters the digital signature. The customer's client computer reverses the reversible hash to obtain a determined seed value. The client has access to the known seed value used by the vendor. The known seed value is compared to the determined seed value. If the seed values compare, the software license and the associated software is authenticate.
US07882357B1
A system, method and computer readable medium that processing a watermarked signal using the phase Sk(f) of an original signal. The watermarked signal includes odd and even overlapped blocks where the watermark is contained in the even blocks. The method comprises test-decoding the watermarked signal and, if the watermarked signal contains errors, recoding the watermarked signal with a higher redundancy code. The steps of test-decoding and recording may be performed until all errors are corrected.
US07882356B2
A secure handshake service is implemented among a plurality of UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) portable media devices and endpoints in an open network hosting one or more UPnP services. A first portable media device receives a first request for a hosted service from a second portable media device via the network. The first portable media device authenticates authorizes the second portable media device as a function of the certificate of the request. The second portable media device is allowed to access the requested service hosted on the first portable media device if the second portable media device has been authenticated and authorized by the first portable media device.
US07882354B2
A tape system is provided with an encryption capable tape drive and an encryption enabled tape drive device driver for the encryption capable tape drive. The encryption enabled tape drive device driver functions as a proxy which connects the encryption capable tape drive to a key manager which serves keys to the tape drive. When the encryption capable device driver causes a command to be sent to the drive, the tape drive is configured to respond with a message that is intended for a key manager such as an External Key Manager (EKM). The encryption capable device driver recognizes that this is a message intended for the EKM and forwards that message to the EKM (e.g., via an Internet Protocol (IP) connection). The EKM then responds to the key request by issuing a new key (for a new cartridge which is to be written from beginning of tape (BOT)) or an existing key (for a cartridge which needs to be read). The device driver connects all EKM responses to the encryption capable tape drive and the EKM from which the encryption capable tape drive obtains its keys.
US07882350B2
Example embodiments relate to an encryption and decryption method for a conditional access content, including (a) extracting a marker (Mc) from a data packet (DP); (b) creating a first marking block including the marker (Mc) and a second padding value (PAD2); (c) encrypting the first marking block with a second encryption key (K2); (d) encrypting a second encrypted marking value (MK2) of the first encrypted marking block; (e) creating a mixed marking block including the second encrypted marking value (MK2) a the first encrypted padding element (PADK1); (f) decrypting the mixed marking block a device of the first encryption key (K1), in order to obtain a decrypted mixed marking block; (g) extracting a predetermined part of the decrypted mixed marking block; (h) comparing the extracted part with a reference value (Mc; PDV2); and (i) if the comparison leads to an identity, determining a new set of encryption parameters different to the first set of encryption parameters and repeating steps b) to h) in which the second set of encryption parameters is replaced by the new second set of encryption parameters.
US07882348B2
Systems and methods for handling electronic messages. An electronic message that is associated with a digital certificate is to be processed. A decision whether to check the validity of the digital certificate is based upon digital certificate checking criterion. An IT administrator may provide to one or more devices configuration data that establishes the digital certificate checking criterion.
US07882341B2
In some embodiments, the invention involves reducing the time required for a platform to boot to its target application/operating-system using parallelization of firmware image content decompression and loading. An embodiment dispatches alternate processing agents as a means to intelligently assist in off-loading some of the initialization tasks so that the main processor may share the burden of boot tasks. In at least one embodiment, it is intended to build firmware images that facilitate parallelization, utilizing co-processing agents that can split these transactions across various processing agents. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07882340B2
A fingerprint reader resetting method comprising enabling an electronic device to accept a reset command for a fingerprint reader in response to a physical presence state being set to unlocked during initialization of an electronic device to reset a state of the fingerprint reader.
US07882339B2
A processor may include an address monitor table and an atomic update table to support speculative threading. The processor may also include one or more registers to maintain state associated with execution of speculative threads. The processor may support one or more of the following primitives: an instruction to write to a register of the state, an instruction to trigger the committing of buffered memory updates, an instruction to read the a status register of the state, and/or an instruction to clear one of the state bits associated with trap/exception/interrupt handling. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US07882333B2
A method for loading microcode to a plurality of cores within a processor. The method includes loading the microcode to a first core of the plurality of cores within the processor system and generating a broadcast inter process interrupt (IPI) message via the first core. The IPI message causes other cores within the processor system to synchronize respective microcode with the microcode that is loaded into the first core. The synchronizing loads microcode to the plurality of cores without requiring independent loads of microcode to each core.
US07882324B2
Embodiments of the invention generally provide a system, method and memory device for accessing memory. One embodiment includes synchronization circuitry configured to determine timing skew between a first memory device and a second memory device, and introduce a delta delay to at least one of the first memory device and the second memory device to adjust the timing skew.
US07882321B2
A system, method, and a computer readable for protecting content of a memory page are disclosed. The method includes determining a start of a semi-synchronous memory copy operation. A range of addresses is determined where the semi-synchronous memory copy operation is being performed. An issued instruction that removes a page table entry is detected. The method further includes determining whether the issued instruction is destined to remove a page table entry associated with at least one address in the range of addresses. In response to the issued instruction being destined to remove the page table entry, the execution of the issued instruction is stalled until the semi-synchronous memory copy operation is completed.
US07882313B2
A data recording system comprises a first memory, a counting unit for counting the number of data writes to the first memory, and an alarm unit for outputting an alarm if the number of data writes to the first memory reaches a first threshold value. The counting unit writes data of the number of writes, which represents the number of data writes to the first memory, to the first memory or a second memory. The alarm unit outputs an alarm based on the data of the number of writes, which is written to the first or the second memory.
US07882311B2
Techniques that may utilize generic tracker structures to provide data coherency in a multi-node system that supports non-snoop read and write operations. The trackers may be organized as a two-dimensional queue structure that may be utilized to resolve conflicting read and/or write operations. Multiple queues having differing associated priorities may be utilized.
US07882309B2
A computer system includes a system memory and a processor having one or more processor cores and a memory controller. The memory controller may control data transfer to the system memory. The processor further includes a cache memory such as an L3 cache, for example, that includes a data storage array for storing blocks of data. In response to a request for data by a given processor core, the system memory may provide a first data block that corresponds to the requested data, and an additional data block that is associated with the first data block and that was not requested by the given processor core. In addition, the memory controller may provide the first data block to the given processor core and store the additional data block in the cache memory.
US07882304B2
An improved system and method enhances performance of updates to sequential block storage of a storage system. A disk-based sort procedure is provided to establish locality among updates (write data) held in a disk-based log, thereby enabling the write data to be efficiently written to home locations on a home location array. As the write data is received, a log manager of the storage system temporarily stores the data efficiently on the disk-based log. As more write data arrives, the log manager sorts the data in the log in accordance with the sort procedure, thus increasing the locality of data when stored on the home location array. When the log approaches capacity, the log manager writes the sorted data to their home locations on the array with high locality and performance.
US07882300B2
A nonvolatile-memory-management includes a generation unit that generates a free block list by arranging an entry including representative information of a group, of which free blocks adjacent to each other are grouped according to predetermined criteria, according to key values where the representative information are combined, a determination unit that determines parameters according to characteristics of data to be recorded, and a block-allocating unit that allocates free blocks satisfying the parameters as an area to be recorded with the data by referring to the free block list.
US07882293B2
A processor core 4 is provided with an interrupt controller 22 which serves to set an interrupt mask bit F and a hardware control when an interrupt fiq occurs. A masking control signal NMI serves to either allow or prevent the software clearing of the interrupt mask bit F.
