US07956082B2
The present invention creates an indole derivative having DP receptor antagonistic activity and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the said compound as an active ingredient, and further a therapeutic agent for treating allergic diseases.A compound of the generic formula (I) wherein the ring A is an aromatic carbocyclic ring etc.; the ring B is a 3- to 8-membered nitrogen-containing non-aromatic heterocyclic ring etc.; R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are independently a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom etc.; R6 is C2-C4 alkyloxy etc.; R7 is independently a halogen atom etc.; R8 is independently C1-C4 alkyl etc.; R9 is carboxy etc.; Y is a single bond etc.; M is sulfonyl etc.; L1, L2 and L3 are a single bond or alkylene optionally containing one or two heteroatoms etc.; n is 0 etc.; q is 0 etc.;a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.
US07956079B2
An anti-hepatitis C virus agent or anti-HIV agent comprising, as an active ingredient, a fullerene derivative which has a nitrogen atom forming a ring together with adjacent bonded carbon atom pairs constituting the carbon cluster skeleton of the fullerene or a quaternary amine salt thereof is provided.
US07956075B2
The invention relates to thiazole, oxazole, imidazole, isoxazole and isoxazoline derivatives of general formula (I) wherein Het is thiazole, oxazole, imidazole, isoxazole or isoxazoline, n is an integer from 0 to 6, A is notably selected from various optionally substituted aromatic radicals, B is notably hydrogen, alkyl or phenyl, R1 and R2 are notably independently hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl and Ω is —NR46R47 or —OR48, R46 and R47 are notably independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl or —(CH2)k—COOR51, R51 is notably alkyl or haloalkyl and R48 is notably hydrogen or alkyl. These compounds have advantageous pharmacological properties which allow their use in therapeutics, notably for treating neurodegenerative disorders or pain.
US07956073B2
This invention relates to inhibitors of mitotic kinesins, particularly KSP, and methods for producing these inhibitors. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inhibitors of the invention and methods of utilizing the inhibitors and pharmaceutical compositions in the treatment and prevention of various disorders.
US07956072B2
The amide compound of the formula (I) [each symbol is as defined in the description] has a promoting action on neuritogenesis of trigeminal nerve cells, and the compound is useful as a corneal neuritogenesis promoter, an agent for recovering corneal sensitivity by promotion of corneal neuritogenesis, and an agent for treating dry eye.
US07956069B2
Compounds of Formulae I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: wherein A1, A2, G1, G2 G3, R1, R2, X, Y, Z, m, n and p are as defined in the specification as well as salts and pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds are prepared. They are useful in therapy, in particular in the management of pain.
US07956068B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein c, X, Y, R2, R3, R4 and R6 are as defined herein, compositions and uses thereof for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In particular, the present invention provides novel inhibitors of HIV integrase, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods for using these compounds in the treatment of HIV infection.
US07956063B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising as active ingredient the hydrochloric acid salt of 4-[[4-[[4-(2-cyanoethenyl)-2,6-dimethyl-phenyl]amino]-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]benzonitrile and to processes for their preparation.
US07956059B2
The present invention relates to pyrazinoylguanidine compounds represented by formula (I): where the structural variables are defined herein. The compounds are useful as, for example, sodium channel blockers.
US07956058B2
Compounds represented by the following structure (I) are disclosed: as are methods for making such compounds, wherein said methods comprise reacting a diacyldiketopiperazine with a first aldehyde to produce an intermediate compound; and reacting the intermediate compound with a second aldehyde to produce the class of compounds with the generic structure, where the first aldehyde and the second aldehydes are selected from the group consisting of an oxazolecarboxaldeyhyde, imidazolecarboxaldehyde, a benzaldehyde, imidazolecarboxaldehyde derivatives, and benzaldehyde derivatives, thereby forming the above compound wherein R1, R1′, R1′, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6, X1 and X2, Y, Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 may each be separately defined in a manner consistent with the accompanying description. Compositions and methods for treating cancer and fungal infection are also disclosed.
US07956053B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula wherein the substituents R1, R2 and R4 have the meaning as set forth and explained in the description of the invention, to processes for the preparation of these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing same, the use thereof optionally in combination with one or more other pharmaceutically active compounds for the therapy of a disease which responds to an inhibition of protein kinase activity, especially a neoplastic disease, in particular leukaemia, and a method for the treatment of such a disease.
US07956050B2
The compounds of the present invention are represented by the following aryl- and heteroaryl-substituted tetrahydrobenzazepine and dihydrobenzazapine derivatives having formulae I(A-E) and formula (II): where the carbon atom designated * is in the R or S configuration, and the substituents X and R1-R9 are as defined herein.
US07956042B2
The present invention relates to macrolide compounds endowed with antiinflammatory activity and more particularly relates to new stable crystalline forms of a macrolide derivative with antiinflammatory activity, processes for the preparation of such forms, pharmaceutical compositions containing them as active ingredient and the use of said crystalline forms for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
US07956041B2
The invention provides a prophylactic and therapeutic agent of diabetes mellitus, including a combination of an inhibitor of renal glucose reabsorption and a hypoglycemic agent. In accordance with the invention, hyperglycemia after meals, between meals and during fasting can be ameliorated. More specifically, in accordance with the invention, a therapeutic effect of diabetes mellitus as never been obtained by the hypoglycemic agents of the related art can be achieved.
US07956039B2
The compounds of formula (I), wherein n is an integer from 0 to 4; R1 is a radical selected from the group consisting of H, CH3, CH2-CH3, C(CH3)3, COOH, CONH2 and C≡CH; R2, R3, R4 and R5 are radicals independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, (C1-C3)-alkoxyl and (C1-C4)-alkyl; and R6 is a radical selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, (C1-C3)-alkoxyl, (C1-C4)-alkyl, R7, CH═CH—R7 and O—CH2—R7; wherein R7 is phenyl or phenyl mono- or independently di-substituted with F, Cl, Br, (C1-C3)-alkoxyl or (C1-C4)-alkyl, exhibit a similar chemotactic index to that of amygdalin (natural product whose chemotaxis profile is similar to that of peptide T) and, consequently, are useful for treating inflammatory and/or allergic dermatophathies, such as psoriasis, and are especially much less toxic than amygdalin.
US07956032B2
The present invention provides conjugates between Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor and PEG moieties. The conjugates are linked via an intact glycosyl linking group that is interposed between and covalently attached to the peptide and the modifying group. The conjugates are formed from both glycosylated and unglycosylated peptides by the action of a glycosyltransferase. The glycosyltransferase ligates a modified sugar moiety onto either an amino acid or glycosyl residue on the peptide. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations including the conjugates. Methods for preparing the conjugates are also within the scope of the invention.
US07956021B2
A lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil of lubricating viscosity having a kinematic viscosity of 22 to 300 mm2/s at 40° C. and dissolved or dispersed therein the following additives in the following amounts based on a total amount of the lubricating oil composition: (1) an overbased sulfurized alkylphenol calcium salt detergent in an amount of 0.5 to 1.0 wt. % in terms of calcium content, (2) an overbased calcium alkylbenzenesulfonate detergent in an amount of 1.5 to 2.1 wt. % in terms of calcium content, (3) a nitrogen-containing ashless dispersant in an amount of 0.005 to 0.1 wt. % in terms of nitrogen content, and (4) a zinc dihydrocarbyldithiophosphate in an amount of 0.007 to 0.1 wt. % in terms of phosphorus content, wherein the weight ratio of the overbased sulfurized alkylphenol calcium salt detergent to the overbased calcium alkylbenzenesulfonate detergent is in the range of 22:78 to 37:63 in terms of calcium content and wherein the lubricating oil composition has a total base number of 60 to 100 mg·KOH/g. The lubricating oil composition of the present invention demonstrates high temperature wear and scuffing performance.
US07956019B2
To provide a lubricant for hot plastic working which is excellent in lubricating properties, feedability and operability and will produce no adverse affects on the corrosion resistance of the products.A lubricant for hot plastic working which is characterized in that the composition is comprised of, in an anhydrous condition, 50 to 80% by mass of iron oxide, 20 to 50% by mass of sodium silicate and 1 to 20% by mass of calcium oxide and that the total content of the impurities of zinc oxide, lead oxide and copper oxide is not higher than 5% by mass, where the content of the stabilizer is not counted. This lubricant is suited for use in lubricating guide shoes in piercing-rolling of high-Cr steel species.
US07956016B2
The invention discloses a method of controlling fluid loss from a subterranean formation of a well bore. In a first aspect, the method is done by providing a treatment fluid made of an aqueous fluid and a hydrophobic polymer; and introducing the treatment fluid into the wellbore. In a second aspect, the method is done by providing a treatment fluid made of water and a water soluble polymer; providing in the treatment fluid a fluid loss additive having a hydrophobic polymer; using the treatment fluid in a well bore of a subterranean formation; allowing the treatment fluid to establish a permeable filter cake with the water soluble polymer in at least a portion of the well bore; and allowing hydrophobic polymer to enter into the filter cake to reduce permeability of the filter cake.
US07956009B2
The present invention relates to fungicidally active compound combinations of a fluorobenzothiazole derivative of the formula (I) and at least one of the compounds listed in the disclosure.
US07956006B2
The disclosure relates to zinc oxide-based sorbents, and processes for preparing and using them. The sorbents are preferably used to remove one or more reduced sulfur species from gas streams. The sorbents comprise an active zinc component, optionally in combination with one or more promoter components and/or one or more substantially inert components. The active zinc component is a two phase material, consisting essentially of a zinc oxide (ZnO) phase and a zinc aluminate (ZnAl2O4) phase. Each of the two phases is characterized by a relatively small crystallite size of typically less than about 500 Angstroms. Preferably the sorbents are prepared by converting a precursor mixture, comprising a precipitated zinc oxide precursor and a precipitated aluminum oxide precursor, to the two-phase, active zinc oxide containing component.
US07956004B2
The invention relates to a sulphide catalyst for electrochemical reduction of oxygen particularly stable in chemically aggressive environments such as chlorinated hydrochloric acid. The catalyst of the invention comprises a noble metal sulphide single crystalline phase supported on a conductive carbon essentially free of zerovalent metal and of metal oxide phases, obtainable by reduction of metal precursor salts and thio-precursors with a borohydride or other strong reducing agent.
US07955994B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device including an insulating layer with a high dielectric strength voltage, a low dielectric constant, and low hygroscopicity. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic appliance with high performance and high reliability, which uses the semiconductor device. An insulator containing nitrogen, such as silicon oxynitride or silicon nitride oxide, and an insulator containing nitrogen and fluorine, such as silicon oxynitride added with fluorine or silicon nitride oxide added with fluorine, are alternately deposited so that an insulating layer is formed. By sandwiching an insulator containing nitrogen and fluorine between insulators containing nitrogen, the insulator containing nitrogen and fluorine can be prevented from absorbing moisture and thus a dielectric strength voltage can be increased. Further, an insulator contains fluorine so that a dielectric constant can be reduced.
US07955991B2
Disclosed is a producing method of a semiconductor device, comprising: loading a substrate into a reaction furnace; forming a film on the substrate in the reaction furnace; unloading the substrate from the reaction furnace after the film has been formed; and forcibly cooling an interior of the reaction furnace in a state where the substrate does not exist in the reaction furnace after the substrate has been unloaded.
US07955988B2
A photoresist trimming gas compound is provided which will selectively remove a resist foot or scum from the lower portions of sidewalls of a photoresist. Additionally, the trimmer compound hardens or toughens an upper surface of the photoresist thereby strengthening the photoresist. The trimmer compound includes O2 and at least one other gaseous oxide and is typically utilized in a dry etching process after a trench has been formed in a photoresist. The other oxide gases, in addition to the O2 may include CO2, SO2 and NO2.
US07955975B2
Provided is a semiconductor element including: a semiconductor having an active layer; a gate insulating film which is in contact with the semiconductor, a gate electrode opposite to the active layer through the gate insulating film; a first nitride insulating film formed over the active layer; a photosensitive organic resin film formed on the first nitride insulating film; a second nitride insulating film formed on the photosensitive organic resin film; and a wiring provided on the second nitride insulating film, in which a first opening portion is provided in the photosensitive organic resin film, an inner wall surface of the first opening portion is covered with the second nitride insulating film, a second opening portion is provided in a laminate including the gate insulating film, the first nitride insulating film, and the second nitride insulating film inside the first opening portion, and the semiconductor is connected with the wiring through the first opening portion and the second opening portion.
US07955970B2
A process for producing a semiconductor device, comprising the wiring region forming step of forming a wiring region on a semiconductor substrate; the copper wiring layer forming step of forming a copper wiring layer on the formed wiring region by electrolytic plating technique, wherein the copper wiring layer is formed by passing a current of application pattern determined from the relationship between application pattern of current passed at electrolytic plating and impurity content characteristic in the formed copper wiring layer so that the impurity content in the formed copper wiring layer becomes desired one; and the wiring forming step of polishing the formed copper wiring layer into a wiring.
US07955967B2
A method of forming a high aspect ratio via opening through multiple dielectric layers, a high aspect ratio electrically conductive via, methods of forming three-dimension integrated circuits, and three-dimensional integrated circuits. The methods include forming a stack of at least four dielectric layers and etching the first and third dielectric layers with processes selective to the second and fourth dielectric layers, etching the second and third dielectric layers with processes selective to the first and second dielectric layers. Advantageously the process used to etch the third dielectric layer is not substantially selective to the first dielectric layer.
US07955963B2
The present invention provides a device having an N type polysilicon gate and a P type polysilicon gate disposed therein, wherein when both gates are simultaneously etched, they are disposed in such a manner that the area of a non-doped polysilicon gate corresponding to a dummy electrode becomes larger than the total area of the N type and P type doped polysilicon gates, thereby causing non-doped polysilicon to become dominant over doped polysilicon, whereby the polysilicon gates are dry-etched.
US07955961B2
A trench-type Schottky semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the trench-type Schottky semiconductor device are disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming an epitaxial (EPI) layer atop a silicon substrate, forming a nitride layer atop the EPI layer, patterning a plurality of windows in the nitride layer into an active region and a termination region, forming a plurality of trenches in the active and termination regions such that the plurality of trenches in the termination regions are spaced apart from each other so as to form a plurality of mesas, lining the first type of trenches with a gate oxide layer, and converting the mesas to oxide mesas; and then applying a barrier layer metal to the mesas in the device active area and in the termination trenches.
US07955960B2
A nonvolatile memory device and a method of fabricating the same is provided to prevent charges stored in a charge trap layer from moving to neighboring memory cells. The method of fabricating a nonvolatile memory device, includes forming a first dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate in which active regions are defined by isolation layers, forming a charge trap layer on the first dielectric layer, removing the first dielectric layer and the charge trap layer over the isolation layers, forming a second dielectric layer on the isolation layers including the charge trap layer, and forming a conductive layer on the second dielectric layer.
US07955959B2
A method for manufacturing GaN-based film LED based on masklessly transferring photonic crystal structure is disclosed. Two dimensional photonic crystals are formed on a sapphire substrate. Lattice quality of GaN-based epitaxy on the sapphire substrate is improved, and the internal quantum efficiency of GaN-based LED epitaxy is increased. After the GaN-based film is transferred onto heat sink substrate, the two dimensional photonic crystals structure is masklessly transferred onto the light exiting surface of the GaN-based film by using different etching rates between the GaN material and the SiO2 mask, so that light extraction efficiency of the GaN-based LED is improved. That is, the GaN-based film LED according to the invention has a relatively high illumination efficiency and heat sink.
US07955955B2
A semiconductor product comprises a semiconductor substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface including a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor substrate has a top surface and a perimeter. A barrier is formed in the chip within the perimeter. An Ultra Deep Isolation Trench (UDIT) is cut in the top surface of the chip extending down therein between the perimeter and the barrier. A ILD structure with low-k pSICOH dielectric and hard mask layers is formed over the substrate prior to forming the barrier and the UDIT. The ILD structure interconnection structures can be recessed down to the substrate aside from the UDIT.
US07955938B2
An apparatus for supplying electrical power to a movable member. The apparatus includes a fixed member, the movable member moving relative to the fixed member, a flexible wiring member having an end connected to the movable member and another end connected to the fixed member, configured to transmit the electrical power from the fixed member to the movable member, and a cooling member configured to cool the fixed member.
US07955937B2
By forming bulk-like transistors in sensitive RAM areas of otherwise SOI-based CMOS circuits, a significant savings in valuable chip area may be achieved since the RAM areas may be formed on the basis of a bulk transistor configuration, thereby eliminating hysteresis effects that may typically be taken into consideration by providing transistors of increased transistor width or by providing body ties. Hence, the benefit of high switching speed may be maintained in speed-critical circuitry, such as CPU cores, while at the same time the RAM circuit may be formed in a highly space-efficient manner.
US07955927B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate has a memory array region and a peripheral circuit region; a first active region and a second active region in the peripheral circuit region; a recessed gate disposed on the memory array region, comprising a first gate dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first gate dielectric layer has a first thickness; and a second gate dielectric layer on the peripheral circuit region, wherein the second gate dielectric layer on the first active layer has a second thickness, and the second gate dielectric layer on the second active layer has a third thickness.
US07955924B2
Example embodiments disclose an image sensor capable of preventing or reducing image lag and a method of manufacturing the same. Example methods may include forming a gate insulating film and a gate conductive film doped with a first-conductive-type dopant on a semiconductor substrate; forming a transfer gate pattern by patterning the gate insulating film and the gate conductive film; and fabricating a transfer gate electrode by forming a first-conductive-type photodiode in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to one region of the transfer gate pattern, by forming a second-conductive-type photodiode on the first-conductive-type photodiode, and by forming a first-conductive-type floating diffusion region in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the other region of the transfer gate pattern.
US07955920B2
A field effect transistor includes a plurality of trenches extending into a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type. The plurality of trenches include a plurality of gated trenches and a plurality of non-gated trenches. A body region of a second conductivity extends in the semiconductor region between adjacent trenches. A dielectric material fills a bottom portion of each of the gated and non-gated trenches. A gate electrode is disposed in each gated trench. A conductive material of the second conductivity type is disposed in each non-gated trench such that the conductive material and contacts corresponding body regions along sidewalls of the non-gated trench.
US07955914B2
A method is for producing an asymmetric architecture semiconductor device. The device includes a substrate, and in stacked relation, a first photosensitive layer, a non-photosensitive layer, and a second photosensitive layer. The method includes a first step of exposing a first zone in each of the photosensitive layers by a first beam of electrons traversing the non-photosensitive layer. A second step includes exposing at least one second zone of one of the two photosensitive layers by a second beam of electrons or photons or ions, thereby producing a widening of one of the first zones compared to the other first zone such that the second zone is in part superimposed on one of the first zones.
US07955903B2
A semiconductor module includes a semiconductor chip sealed with an encapsulation resin prevented from overflowing from an inside of the outer edge by a wiring pattern extended portion extending from the wiring pattern along an outer edge of a solder resist pattern at an outside of the outer edge of the solder resist pattern.
US07955901B2
A method for producing a power semiconductor module having surface mountable flat external contact areas is disclosed. At least one power semiconductor chip is fixed by its rear side on a drain external contact. An insulation layer covers the top side over the side edges of the semiconductor chip as far as the inner housing plane was a leaving free the source and gate contact areas on the top side of the semiconductor chip and also was partly leaving free the top sides of the corresponding external contacts.
US07955899B2
Microelectronic devices may be fabricated while being protected from damage by electrostatic discharge. In one embodiment, a shorting circuit is connected to elements of the microelectronic device, where the microelectronic device is part of a chip-on-glass system. In one aspect of this embodiment, a portion of the shorting circuit is in an area of a substrate where a microchip is bonded. In another embodiment, shorting links of the shorting circuit are comprised of a fusible material, where the fusible material may be disabled by an electrical current capable of fusing the shorting links.
US07955895B2
A method for fabricating stacked wafers is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a wafer having a chip side and a non-chip side, the chip side comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips. A plurality of dies is provided, each of the die bonded to one of the plurality of semiconductor chips. The chip side of the wafer and the plurality of dies are encapsulated with a protecting material. The non-chip side of the wafer is thinned to an intended thickness. The wafer is then diced to separate the wafer into individual semiconductor packages.
US07955860B2
It is intended to provide a method whereby residual detergent (surfactant) can be conveniently and accurately detected in the step of washing or rinsing dishes or clothes, and a test device usable in examining the rinsed conditions. Namely, a method characterized by comprising bringing a test substance with a composition (test agent) comprising an oxalic acid ester, a fluorescent substance, hydrogen peroxide and a strong acid and thus easily detecting the residual detergent sticking to the surface of the test subject from the chemiluminescence thus caused; and a test device which is most suitable for storing the test agent as described above.
US07955855B2
Methods and devices for detecting the presence of a NO forming material (e.g., a material that can form, or is, a nitrogen monoxide molecule) are disclosed based on detection of fluorescence exhibited by NO molecules in a first vibrationally excited state of a ground electronic state. Such excited NO molecules can be formed, for example, when small amounts of explosives are photodissociated. By inducing fluorescence of the material, a distinct signature of the explosive can be detected. Such techniques can be performed quickly and with a significant standoff distance, which can add to the invention's utility. In another aspection of the invention, methods and apparatus for generating electromagnetic radiation are disclosed. Such methods and apparatus can be used in conjunction with any detection method disclosed herein.
US07955854B2
Disclosed are a method, device, and test kit for diagnosing heart failure in a patient exhibiting atrial fibrillation. The method includes determining an amount of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF -15) in a sample from the patient and comparing the amount of GDF-15 determined with a reference amount of GDF-15, wherein when the amount of GDF-15 determined is greater than the reference amount of GDF-15, a diagnosis of heart failure is indicated.
US07955852B2
Ex vivo and in vivo methods of expansion of renewable stem cells, expanded populations of renewable stem cells and their uses.
US07955851B2
The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells.
US07955846B2
The present invention relates to female germline stem cells and their progenitors, methods of isolation thereof, and methods of use thereof.
US07955844B2
Novel double and triple fusion reporter gene constructs harboring distinct imagable reporter genes are provided, as well as applications for the use of such double and triple fusion constructs in living cells and in living animals using distinct imaging technologies.
US07955830B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lipase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
US07955829B2
The invention relates to a method for the inactivation of amylase in a solution comprising Rhizomucor miehei aspartic protease by keeping the solution at a pH between 2.1 and 2.8 and at a temperature between 20° C. and 40° C. for a period of time sufficient to inactivate amylase for at least 95%. With this method the level of residual Rhizomucor miehei aspartic protease activity in the solution at the end of the heating time is at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, and the residual amylase activity is 0.05 RAU/g or lower, more preferably 0.001 RAU/g or lower, i.e. more than 99% of the amylase activity has been inactivated.
US07955828B2
The invention relates to the use of methionine synthase inhibitors for the treatment of fungal diseases of crops. The invention further relates to methods for treatment of crops against fungal diseases comprising the application of a methionine synthase inhibitor also methods for the identification of novel fungicidal compounds comprising a step for identification of methionine synthase inhibitors.
US07955825B2
The present invention is directed to a process for producing CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid (CMP-NeuAc), comprising adding to the cultured E. coli cells which has been transformed with both the DNA encoding N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate 2-epimerase (GlcNAc-6P 2-epimerase) and the DNA encoding N-acetylneuraminic acid synthase (NeuAc synthase) and exhibit activities of N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate 2-epimerase and N-acetylneuraminic acid synthase, a phosphate buffer containing baker's yeast cells, CMP, N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), magnesium, xylene, glucose, and CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid synthase (CMP-NeuAc synthase) to provide a reaction mixture, and allowing the reaction to proceed and produce CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid (CMP-NeuAc), and wherein the process does not require adding ATP.
US07955824B2
The invention provides novel compounds that may be used as intermediates in the preparation of epothilones, epothilone analogs and derivative, as well as new synthetic methods for producing the intermediates and products.
US07955820B1
The present disclosure identifies methods and compositions for modifying photoautotrophic organisms as hosts, such that the organisms efficiently convert carbon dioxide and light into n-alkanes, and in particular the use of such organisms for the commercial production of n-alkanes and related molecules.
US07955818B2
A process allowing measuring of viscosity of a culture medium of microorganisms including a) immersing at least one particle that is charged electrically, is magnetic or can be magnetized or covered with at least one magnetic or magnetizable layer in the culture, b) subjecting the culture to an electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic field in such a manner as to put the particle in motion, and c) optically detecting the degree of freedom of motion of the particle in the culture without a scanning microscope.
US07955816B2
The present invention relates to the synthesis and characterization of biotinylated analogue of N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and its use as a tool to study AEA transport and trafficking through biochemical and morphological techniques. In particular biotinylated AEA (b-AEA, for which we propose the common name MM22) is suitable to design highly sensitive and simple methods for the non-radioactive detection and quantitation of AEA from complex samples, which would offer a useful alternative approach to the routinely used radiometric assays. The invention also relates to the use of b-AEA as a potential therapeutic and diagnostic agent.
US07955815B2
Provided are two-photon fluorescent probes for imaging acidic vesicles in live cells and tissue. The probes are represented by The probes can selectively bind to vesicles in cytosol to emit two-photon excited fluorescence with high intensity. Therefore, the use of the probes enables effective imaging of acidic vesicles. Further provided is a method for imaging acidic vesicles in live cells and tissue using the probes.
US07955813B2
A method for the in situ production of an emulsifier in a foodstuff, wherein a lipid acyltransferase is added to the foodstuff. Preferably the emulsifier is produced without an increase or without a substantial increase in the free fatty acid content of the foodstuff. Preferably, the lipid acyltransferase is one which is capable of transferring an acyl group from a lipid to one or more of the following acyl acceptors: a sterol, a stanol, a carbohydrate, a protein or a sub-unit thereof, glycerol. Preferably, in addition to an emulsifier one or more of a stanol ester or a stanol ester or a protein ester or a carbohydrate ester or a diglyceride or a monoglyceride may be produced. One or more of these may function as an additional emulsifier.
US07955811B2
A method for determining whether a subject has had a stroke and, if so, the type of stroke which includes analyzing the subject's body fluid for at least four selected markers of stroke, namely, myelin basic protein, S100 protein, neuronal specific enolase and a brain endothelial membrane protein such as thrombomodulin or a similar molecule. The data obtained from the analyses provide information as to the type of stroke, the onset of occurrence and the extent of brain damage and allow a physician to determine quickly the type of treatment required by the subject.
US07955801B2
Provided herein is a method and apparatus for disrupting cells and purifying nucleic acids in a single chip. The method comprises irradiating a chip with a laser beam, wherein the chip comprises a solid support on which a cell lysis enhancing metal oxide layer, and a cell binding metal oxide layer have been deposited.
US07955791B2
A test strip and method for detecting an analyte present in a sample. The test strip comprising: a buffer addition zone to which a buffer may be added; an absorbent zone proximal to the buffer addition zone; one or more test zones distal to the buffer addition zone, at least one of the test zones including a first analyte binding agent immobilized therein which is capable of binding to the analyte to be detected; a terminal buffer flow zone distal to the one or more test zones, the absorbent zone being positioned relative to the buffer addition zone and having an absorption capacity relative to the other zones of the test strip such that when a volume of buffer within a predetermined buffer volume range for the test strip is added to the buffer addition zone, a distal diffusion front of the buffer diffuses from the buffer addition zone to a distal diffusion point within the terminal buffer flow zone and then diffuses proximal relative to the one or more test zones; and a sample addition zone distal to the terminal buffer flow zone to which a sample may be added.
US07955790B2
The present invention relates to in vitro cultured skin substitutes, and in particular to in vitro cultured skin substitutes that have improved barrier function. In some embodiments, improved barrier function is a result of improved culture conditions, while in other embodiments, improved barrier function results from genetic modification of keratinocytes. Improved culture conditions to improve barrier function include organotypic culture in the presence of linoleic acid and/or linoleic acid at about 75% humidity. Suitable genetic modifications for improving barrier function includes transfection with a DNA construct capable of expressing GKLF.
US07955789B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an adhesion-preventing material which is capable of effectively preventing the surfaces of organs from adhesion, and which can be absorbed in the body with high safety and produced with ease and has high practical utility, as well as to a process for preventing adhesion by using the adhesion-preventing material.The present invention provides (1) an adhesion-preventing material comprising a crosslinked water absorbent poly-γ-glutamic acid as an effective ingredient; (2) the adhesion-preventing material described above, wherein the crosslinked water absorbent poly-γ-glutamic acid is in the form of powder having a water absorption coefficient in the range of 800-2000; (3) a process for preventing organ from adhesion, comprising a step of bringing the adhesion-preventing material described above into contact with the surface of a local organ; and (4) the process for preventing adhesion described above, wherein the surface of the local organ is in wet state.
US07955787B2
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a PDP that prevents defects due to dust adhering to a photomask, for example, from occurring in a structure of the PDP. In photolithography, exposure is performed twice in a same process, and photomask (22) is moved within an allowable range of displacement in an exposure pattern, between a first and a second exposures. Photomask (22) is exposed twice in total before and after moving photomask (22). Region (21a), an unexposed region due to interruption of dust (22b) attached to photomask (22), can be suppressed, enabling pattern exposure on photosensitive Ag paste film (21) to be favorably performed.
US07955783B2
A method for masking regions of photoresist in the manufacture of a soldermask for printed circuit boards is disclosed. Following application of photoresist over patterned traces on a substrate, a sheet-like thin film is applied over the photosensitive material. The thin film may adhere to the photosensitive material by way of the adhesive state of the photosensitive material or by way of an adhesive applied to the photosensitive material or the thin film or carried by the thin film. Digital mask printing may proceed on the surface of the thin film. The photosensitive material may then be exposed through the printed photomask, the thin film (with photomask) removed, and the photosensitive material developed.
US07955777B2
There are provided a compound represented by a general formula (b1-1) shown below suitable as an acid generator for a resist composition, a compound represented by a general formula (I) shown below suitable as a precursor for the compound represented by the general formula (b1-1), an acid generator, a resist composition, and a method of forming a resist pattern.[Chemical Formula 1] X—Q1—Y1—SO3−M+ (I) X—Q1—Y1—SO3−A+ (b1-1) (wherein, Q1 represents a bivalent linking group or a single bond; Y1 represents an alkylene group which may contain a substituent group or a fluorinated alkylene group which may contain a substituent group; X represents an aromatic cyclic group of 5 to 30 carbon atoms which contains a fluorine atom and may contain a substituent group; M+ represents an alkali metal ion; and A+ represents an organic cation.).
US07955753B2
A bipolar unit comprising a pair of metal plates, at least one of which is corrugated, fixed by continuous and hydraulically impervious connections, and provided on the external surfaces thereof with porous electric current collectors suitable for the distribution of the gaseous reactants, the collector facing the plate corrugations is interpenetrated therein, thereby achieving a continuous contact and two bipolar units of the invention and one interposed MEA element being assembled to form an elementary fuel cell with an improved electric current distribution and the channels formed between the mutually contacting surfaces of the plate pair by the corrugations of at least one of the plates of each bipolar unit, are crossed by a coolant allowing to optimally adjust the cell operative temperature.
US07955746B2
During fuel cell startup and shutdown or other power reduction transitions of a fuel cell power plant, the excess electric energy generated by consumption of reactants is extracted by a storage control (200) in response to a controller (185) as current applied to an energy storage system 201 (a battery). In a boost embodiment, an inductor (205) and a diode (209) connect one terminal (156) of the stack (151) of the battery. An electronic switch connects the juncture of the inductor and the diode to both the other terminal (155) of the stack and the battery. The switch is alternately gated on and off by a signal (212) from a controller (185) until sufficient energy is transferred from the stack to the battery. In a buck environment, the switch and the inductor (205) connect one terminal (156) of the stack to the battery. A diode connects the juncture of the switch with the inductor to the other terminal (155) of the fuel cell stack and the battery.
US07955743B2
A system and method for limiting the output current of a fuel cell stack as the stack degrades overtime. A look-up table identifies a predetermined voltage set-point for stack current density. A first comparator provides a voltage difference signal between the set-point and the stack voltage. The voltage difference signal is provided to a controller, such as a proportional-integral controller, that provides a current limiting signal. The current limiting signal and a current request signal are provided to a second comparator that selects which signal will be used to limit the maximum output current of the stack. A polarization curve estimator estimates parameters of the stack that will change over the life of the stack. The parameters are provided to a gain scheduler that provides gains to the controller that are based on where in the life of the stack it is currently operating.
US07955736B2
A secondary battery includes: a case; an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween, the electrode assembly being arranged within the case; a cap assembly affixed to the case and adapted to seal the case, the cap assembly being electrically connected to the electrode assembly; and a pair of current collecting plates adapted to be respectively electrically connected to the positive and negative electrodes. Each electrode includes an un-coated region absent an active material, the un-coated region of each electrode contacting its respective current collecting plate. Each un-coated region includes a plurality of independent regions separated from one other, the plurality of independent regions being bent and affixed to their respective current collecting plate.
US07955733B2
The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivineor the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3− as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
US07955731B2
A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell includes an electrode body including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator, the positive electrode and the negative electrode being arranged to oppose each other with the separator therebetween, and being rolled or stacked; a nonaqueous electrolyte solution; and an exterior package for accommodating the electrode body and the nonaqueous electrolyte solution. A polymeric support is provided between the separator and at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and the ratio (MO/MA) of the amount (MO) of the nonaqueous electrolyte solution present between the electrode body and the exterior package to the amount (MA) of the nonaqueous electrolyte solution present in the exterior package is 0.04 or less.
US07955718B2
The organic EL element of the invention which achieves the aforementioned object is provided with a base, first and second electrode layers situated facing each other on one side of the base, and a luminescent layer situated between the electrode layers, wherein one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer is a hole injection electrode layer while the other is an electron injection electrode layer, an organic thin-film layer made of a vapor depositable polar organic compound with an energy gap of 3.5 eV or greater is provided between the luminescent layer and the electron injection electrode layer, and the organic thin-film layer has a thickness of 0.1 nm-4 nm.
US07955714B2
A coating composition for a metal is provided. The coating composition comprises a synthetic resin solid content (A); a filler (B); and a mixture of (C-1) at least one member selected from an acetylene glycol represented by the following general formula (1): an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block adduct of an acetylene glycol represented by the following general formula (2): and an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide random adduct of an acetylene glycol represented by the following general formula (3): and (C-2) a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether having an HLB of 8 to 18 represented by the following general formula (4): R7O(C3H6O)v(C2H4O)w(C3H6O)x(C2H4O)y(C3H6O)zH (4).
US07955713B2
The invention relates to a laminate of metal sheets and fiber-reinforced polymer layers connected thereto. The laminate comprises at least one thick metal sheet with a thickness of at least 1 mm that is connected to the rest of the laminate by means of at least one fiber-reinforced polymer layer, the fiber volume content of which is at most 45 volume-%. The invention also relates to a method for producing the laminate as well as skin sheets reinforced with the laminate for an aircraft or spacecraft.
US07955692B2
The invention concerns a protective garment comprising a fabric made from a flame-resistant yarn having a fiber, obtainable by spinning a copolymer from the polymerization solution, derived from a plurality of amine monomers, including 4,4′diaminodiphenyl sulfone amine monomer, and at least one acid monomer; having use in heat-resistant protective apparel.
US07955688B2
A simplified manufacturing technique to directly form a unitized composite structure with at least one relatively flat surface and at least one sinuous element in an internally-bonded unitized composite is provided. A matrix of fibrous and or other materials is deposited in layers which are subsequently formed into corrugated or wave-like shapes and exposed to an activation step. At least one element is composed of a contractive material which shrinks when activated, such as by heating in an oven, to become relatively flat and optionally bonded to at least one other non-contractive layer which remains in a sinuous shape after the activation step.
US07955678B2
A linerless pressure-sensitive label uses a heat-activated, non-tacky dead coat to cover a pressure sensitive substratum. Upon heat activation, the dead coat melts and admixes with an underlying pressure-sensitive adhesive substratum thereby resulting in an exposed pressure-sensitive adhesive. The label can then be applied to packaging or an end product by pressing the adhesive side of the label to the packaging or end product similar to a conventional pressure-sensitive label, however, no silicone-coated release liner is required. The elimination of the silicone-coated release liner results in lower material costs, lower shipping costs and less waste.
US07955675B2
A weld joint has a weld portion for being welded and bonded to a rim portion around an opening of a resin fuel tank. The weld portion is made of a resin alloy material that is obtained by alloying EVOH or PA with a modified HDPE. A highly-weldable layer is provided in an extremity portion of the weld portion throughout an entire circumference of the weld portion. The highly-weldable layer is made of HDPE and/or a modified HDPE having good weldability to the resin fuel tank. An extremity end surface of the highly-weldable layer serves as a weld surface for welding the weld portion to the resin fuel tank.
US07955666B2
A Cellulose acylate film, in which X-ray diffraction intensity satisfies following formulae and a half-value width of the peak at 2θ2 is 3° or less: 0.40≦Ic/(Iam+Ic)≦0.85; Iam=I1+{(I3−I1)/(2θ3−2θ1)×(2θ2−2θ1)}; and Ic=I2−Iam, wherein when it is assumed that θ is the Bragg angle, 2θ1 and 2θ3 indicate 2θ at which the intensity becomes the minimum in the 2θ range of 4° to 5° and 14° to 16°, respectively, 2θ2 indicates 2θ at which the intensity becomes the maximum in the 2θ range of 5° to 10°, and I1, I2 and I3 indicate a diffractive intensity at 2θ1, 2θ2 and 2θ3, respectively.
US07955654B2
A method of preparing carbon nanotube/polymer composite having electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness is disclosed, which includes: dispersing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in an organic solvent such as N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAc); dissolving monomers such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) and an initiator such as 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) in the MWCNT dispersion; and polymerizing the monomers in the resulting mixture at an elevated temperature such as 120° C. to form a MWCNT/PMMA composite. The composite is coated onto a PET film, and the coated PET film alone or a stack of multiple coated PET films can be applied as an EMI shielding material.
US07955648B2
A method to form alignment layers on a substrate of an LCD is disclosed. The substrate is placed in a vacuum chamber and undergoes a purging process. The purging process heats the substrates and removes water vapor from the vacuum chamber. Specifically, The vacuum chamber is evacuated to a low pressure and refilled with a preheated inert gas. Evacuation of the vacuum chamber and refilling of the vacuum chamber is repeated several times. The alignment layer is then deposited using chemical vapor deposition.
US07955647B2
A simple method is provided for manufacturing a film such as a piezoelectric film wherein the adhesiveness of the film on a substrate can be improved. An aerosol containing particles is ejected onto a substrate so that the particles adhere thereto, wherein the ratio between the Vickers hardness Hv(b) of the adhesion surface to which the particles are attached in the substrate, and the Vickers hardness Hv(p) of the particles is within a range of 0.39≦Hv(p)/Hv(b)≦3.08. The adhesiveness between the particles and the substrate can thereby be improved to reliably form a film. The present invention can be satisfactorily applied to the formation of a piezoelectric film.
US07955646B2
The amount of atoms diffused into a substrate may be made uniform or the thickness of a thin film may be made uniform in a low species utilization process by stopping the flow of gas into a reaction chamber during the low species utilization process. Stopping the flow of gas into a reaction chamber may entail closing the gate valve (the valve to the vacuum pump), stabilizing the pressure within the reaction chamber, and maintaining the stabilized pressure while stopping the gas flowing into the chamber. Low species utilization processes include the diffusion of nitrogen into silicon dioxide gate dielectric layers by decoupled plasma nitridation (DPN), the deposition of a silicon dioxide film by rapid thermal processing (RTP) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and the deposition of silicon epitaxial layers by CVD.
US07955645B2
A semiconductor wafer (10) is structured such that fine structures (3), such as membranes, bridges or tongues, with a thickness d<
US07955641B2
A method of forming a piezoelectric device is disclosed. In one such method, a coating material is formed. The coating material has a piezoelectric precursor. The coating material is applied to a first electrode. The precursor is heated to a temperature that is above the Curie temperature of the precursor, but below the melting temperature of the precursor. While the precursor is above its Curie temperature, a voltage is applied across the precursor. While the voltage is applied across the precursor, the temperature of the precursor is reduced to below the Curie temperature.
US07955639B2
A system for delivery of a beneficial agent in the form of a viscous liquid or paste allows holes in a medical device to be loaded in a single step process. The loading of a beneficial agent in a paste form also provides the ability to deliver large and potentially sensitive molecules including proteins, enzymes, antibodies, antisense, ribozymes, gene/vector constructs, and cells including endothelial cells.
US07955636B2
Described herein are coatings containing water-soluble oligodynamic metal salts that are formulated and applied from hydrophobic solvents. In particular, articles of manufacture comprising polymer coatings containing oligodynamic metal salts can include hydrophobic polymer coatings made from water-reactive monomers and hydrophilic polymers compounded in hydrophobic solvents which contain a small amount of water that aids in the solubilization and suspension of the oligodynamic metal salts. Methods of preparing these antimicrobial polymer coatings, and methods of coating a substrate to produce an article of manufacture having an antimicrobial polymer coating are also described.
US07955635B2
The present invention relates to an improved process for extract purification of sugar beet raw juice, especially for reduction of lime consumption during the purification of sugar beet raw juice, to a process for producing a nutrient-rich non-sucrose concentrate from sugar beet raw juice, to the non-sucrose substance concentrate thus produced, to uses of the non-sucrose substance concentrate and to an apparatus for preliming sugar beet raw juice and/or for obtaining the non-sucrose substance concentrate.
US07955630B2
In some embodiments there is a composition including a thermally stabilized active composition and a high molecular weight polymer. The thermally stabilized active composition is resistance to degradation at higher temperatures such as those used for conducting extrusion with high molecular weight polyvinyl aceate.
US07955628B2
The present invention relates to methods of increasing tyrosinase synthesis, expression, or activity in a cell comprising administering to the cell at least one non polar grape seed extract, for example, a nonpolar grape seed extract obtained using hexane as an extraction solvent. The nonpolar grape seed extract may be obtained by any extraction process including solvent sequential fractionation and supercritical fluid extraction.
US07955627B1
An organic composition comprising ginger, turmeric, cumin, fennel, cinnamon, red pepper, chia seed, celery seed, and hibiscus petals, preferably in a ratio of about 2:1:2:2:2:2:4:2:1, is disclosed. The composition is useful for treating and/or preventing certain physical ailments.
US07955624B2
A composition and method for promoting weight loss through the mutual and simultaneously to promotion lipolysis, the expenditure of energy stored in the body as fat, the inhibition of lipolysis as well as affording the body of an individual protection from reactive oxygen species resulting from the β-oxidation of fats. The composition comprises at least a lipolytic substance, a thermogenic substance, a substance to inhibit the reformation of triglycerides in the bodily tissues of an individual and an antioxidant.
US07955611B2
The disclosed composition and method includes the use of non-polar unsaponifiable material and polar hydrophilic salts in conjunction with quaternary ammonium compounds to provide hair treatment preparations for cosmetic and personal care applications. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve substantivity and/or rinse-off characteristics. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally provide hair conditioners, shampoos, straighteners, permanent waves, color-fast dyes, non-color-fast dyes, and repair treatments with jojoba hydrolysates in combination with Quaternium 80 for increased substantivity and superior wash/rinse-off benefits.
US07955601B2
An immunogenic agent which comprises a killed strain of Burkholderia pseudomallei, or a combination of components thereof which combination produces a protective immune response in an animal to whom it is administered, and which comprises at least two members selected from the group consisting of (i) a lipopolysaccharide of Burkholderia pseudomallei, (ii) a capsular polysaccharide of Burkholderia pseudomallei and (iii) a protein of Burkholderia pseudomallei or an immunogenic variant thereof or an immunogenic fragment of either of these, or a nucleic acid which expresses said protein, immunogenic variant or immunogenic fragment thereof in a host animal; for use in the prevention or treatment of infection by Burkholderia pseudomallei and/or Burkholderia mallei.
US07955599B2
The invention relates to neutralising antibodies which are specific for human cytomegalovirus and bind with high affinity as well as immortalised B cells that produce such antibodies. The invention also relates to the epitopes that the antibodies bind to as well as the use of the antibodies and the epitopes in screening methods as well as the diagnosis and therapy of disease.
US07955593B2
A method and composition treatment is used to reduce post permanent odor in permed or waved hair. The malodor in permed hair is reduced by applying a leave-in aqueous treatment of pH 2.5-4.5 containing, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, polyquaternium-7, dimethicone and fragrance containing at least four components with water/octanol partition coefficient Log Kow or log P of 3-4.5. The post permanent odor in hair is reduced by (1) minimizing any reactions of hair with residual chemical compounds in hair after the perming process or after the oxidation step and (2) lessen or suppress any odoriferous compounds by decreasing their vapor pressure and (3) depositing in hair long lasting fragrance components to mask or change the malodor to be more pleasant.
US07955588B2
Methods and apparatus relate to catalysts and preparation of the catalysts, which are defined by sulfides of a transition metal, such as one of molybdenum, tungsten, and vanadium. Precursors for the catalysts include a metal ion source compound, such as molybdenum trioxide, and a sulfide ion source compound, such as thioacetamide. Once the precursors are dissolved if solid and combined in a mixture, homogenous precipitation from the mixture forms the catalysts. Exemplary uses of the catalysts include packing for a methanation reactor that converts carbon monoxide and hydrogen into methane.
US07955586B2
A method for preparing III-VI2 nanoparticles and a thin film of polycrystalline light absorber layers. The method for preparing I-III-VI2 nanoparticles comprises the steps of: (a1) preparing a mixed solution by mixing each element from groups I, III and VI in the periodic table with a solvent; (a2) sonicating the mixed solution; (a3) separating the solvent from the sonicated mixed solution; and (a4) drying the product resulted from the above step (a3) to obtain nanoparticles.
US07955583B2
This metallic silicon is manufactured by refining molten crude metallic silicon by unidirectional solidification, and has a purity of 3N or more to 6N or less and an average crystal grain diameter of 1 mm or more. This method for manufacturing the metallic silicon includes: solidifying molten crude metallic silicon in a mold which contains fine silica particles in an inner peripheral layer thereof by unidirectional solidification at a rate of 1 mm/min or less; and then cooling to 200° C. or below at a rate of 2° C./min or less.
US07955576B2
A composition, containing vanadium and a support, wherein at least a portion of the vanadium has crystallite sizes of less than about 100 Å as determined by an analytical method such as X-Ray Diffraction, is disclosed. A method of preparing such composition is also disclosed. The composition is employed in a process to remove a heavy metal from a gaseous feed stream which can optionally include a separate mercury adsorption stage.
US07955567B2
Improvements to a triple helical flow vortex reactor add an inner wall (103) having at least one transition point (121) between the fuel inlet end (101) and the gas outlet end (102) and a circumferential flow apparatus (120) operating at each transition point (121). A restrictor at each transition point (121) is optionally added to reduce aerodynamic resistance to the various fluid flows. A vortex swirler is optionally added through the fuel inlet end, which preferably surrounds an inlet nozzle combined with a plasma torch. The fuel inlet end is optionally equipped with cooling channels in which a coolant can flow isolated from the reaction chamber. An optional coaxial cylindrical wall extends through the reaction chamber and creates a toroidal volume for reactions.
US07955561B2
Chemical sensors for detecting analytes in fluids comprising a plurality of alternating nonconductive regions (comprising a nonconductive material) and conductive regions (comprising a conductive material). In preferred embodiments, the conducting region comprises a nanoparticle. Variability in chemical sensitivity from sensor to sensor is provided by qualitatively or quantitatively varying the composition of the conductive and/or nonconductive regions. An electronic nose for detecting an analyte in a fluid may be constructed by using such arrays in conjunction with an electrical measuring device electrically connected to the conductive elements of each sensor.
US07955556B2
An analyzer capable of operating in a normal processing mode performing sequential analysis of a plurality of specimens and in an interrupting mode performing analysis of an urgent specimen that comprising a suction unit for suctioning an urgent specimen, an analysis unit for analyzing an urgent specimen suctioned by the suction unit, an urgent specimen container holder for holding an urgent specimen container containing an urgent specimen, and a moving mechanism for moving the urgent specimen container holder between a placement position at which an urgent specimen container is placed in the holder, and a suction position at which an urgent specimen is suctioned from an urgent specimen container, wherein the moving mechanism comprises a movement force supplying mechanism for supplying a force to move the urgent specimen container holder from the suction position to the placement position is disclosed.
US07955555B2
The present invention provides a system and method for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes in a sample. The detection system includes a housing that holds a reagent carousel rotatably coupled thereto. Further included in the housing is an incubator carousel rotatably coupled thereto. The housing also includes magnetic material that is associated with the incubation carousel for assisting in separation beads from reagent and wash solution. A robot, associated with the housing is configured to manipulate at least either the reagent carousel or the incubator carousel and transfer materials therebetween. Reaction vessels hold samples and reaction vessels handlers move the reaction vessels. Sample analysis is determined by at least one laser based detector.
US07955553B2
A method of providing corrosion inhibition to copper, nickel, aluminum, zinc, tin, lead, beryllium, carbon steel, various alloys of such metals, and galvanized coatings in evaporative cooling water applications approaching zero liquid discharge that are specifically attacked by cooling water with residuals of corrosive chemistry or ions such as ammonia/ammonium ion, chloride, high TDS, OH−, or high pH. The method includes applying azoles inhibitors (such as TTA, BTA, etc.) at residuals of 0.25 mg/L to 200 mg/L or greater (as azoles) to the cooling water application and operating with a combination of high TDS (greater than 2500 mg/L) and high pH (greater than 9.0), while maintaining low total hardness (less than 200 mg/L as CaCO3).
US07955543B2
A method of overmolding a substrate having a first side and a second side and a product made by that process. A plurality of support feet are placed on the first side of the substrate. The substrate is placed in an injection mold. The mold is filled with a molding material with the molding material enveloping both the first side and the second side of the substrate. The substrate is removed having been overmolded from the injection mold.
US07955542B2
A method of producing a throttle assembly. The method including inserting a first core into a mold portion to form a first throttle component cavity between the first core and the mold portion, providing a first thermoset plastic material into the first throttle component cavity to form a first throttle component, removing the first core from the mold portion while maintaining the first throttle component positioned within the mold portion, inserting a second core into the mold portion to form a second throttle component cavity between the mold portion, the first throttle component, and the second core, providing a second thermoset plastic material into the second throttle component cavity to form a second throttle component, removing the second core from the mold portion, removing the first throttle component and the second throttle component from the mold portion, and separating the first throttle component from the second throttle component.
US07955536B2
A method of making absorbent pads is disclosed. The method includes homogeneously mixing superabsorbent material and fluff in a forming chamber of an online drum former and wrapping a porous fabric over a forming screen on a forming drum of the drum former. The method further includes forming an absorbent pad from the homogeneously mixed superabsorbent material and fluff pulp as the homogeneously mixed superabsorbent material and fluff pulp exits the forming chamber onto the forming screen and compacting the absorbent pad to a density of at least 0.28 grams per cubic centimeter after the absorbent pad leaves the forming screen.
US07955533B2
Disclosed is a process for the preparation of shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles, having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyarylates, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about −0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce shaped articles having oxygen-scavenging properties.
US07955524B2
A phosphor can be excited by UV, purple or blue light LED, its preparation method, and light emitting devices incorporating the same. The phosphor contains rare earth, silicon, alkaline-earth metal, halogen, and oxygen, as well as aluminum or gallium. Its General formula of is aLn2O3.MO.bM′2O3.fSiO2.cAXe:dR, wherein Ln is at least one metal element selected from a group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Pr, Nd, Gd, Ho, Yb and Sm; M is at least one metal element selected from a group consisting of Ca, Sr and Ba; M′ is at least one metal element selected from Al and Ga; A is at least one metal element selected from a group consisting of Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba; X is at least one element selected from F and Cl; R is at least one metal element selected from a group consisting of Ce, Eu, Tb and Mn; 0.01≦a≦2, 0.35≦b≦4, 0.01≦c≦1, 0.01≦d≦0.3, 0.01≦f≦3, 0.6≦e≦2.4. The phosphor has broad emitting range, high efficiency, better uniformity and stability. A light emitting device is obtained by incorporating the phosphor into a UV, purple or blue light emitting device.
US07955521B2
Provided are an etchant, a method for fabricating a wire using the etchant, and a method for fabricating a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate using the etchant. The etchant includes a material having the formula 1, ammonium acetic acid, and the remainder of deionized water, wherein the formula 1 is expressed by: M(OH)XLY (1) where M indicates Zn, Sn, Cr, Al, Ba, Fe, Ti, Si, or B, X indicates 2 or 3, L indicates H2O, NH3, CN, COR, or NH2R, Y indicates 0, 1, 2, or 3, and R indicates an alkyl group.
US07955520B2
The present invention provides chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) methods and compositions for polishing copper-containing substrates. The methods of the present invention entail abrading a surface of a copper-containing substrate with a CMP composition of the invention, preferably in the presence of an oxidizing agent (e.g., hydrogen peroxide). The CMP compositions of the invention comprise a particulate abrasive, a copper-complexing agent, a copper-passivating agent bearing an acidic OH group and an additional oxygen substituent in a 1,6 relationship to the acidic OH group, and an aqueous carrier. A preferred composition of the invention comprises about 0.01 to about 1 percent by weight of the particulate abrasive, about 0.1 to about 1 percent by weight of the copper-complexing agent, about 10 to about 1000 ppm of the copper-passivating agent.
US07955518B2
The process for finishing textile materials by treatment with at least one aqueous liquor which comprises at least one organic polymer and at least one organic or inorganic solid in particulate form, wherein the organic or inorganic solid or solids are present in the liquor in a fraction of at least 5.5 g/l.
US07955517B2
To provide a polishing composition capable of increasing polishing rate and reducing surface roughness, without causing surface defects on a surface of an object to be polished; and a polishing process for a substrate to be polished. [1] a polishing composition comprising water, an abrasive, an intermediate alumina, and a polycarboxylic acid having 4 or more carbon atoms with no OH groups or a salt thereof, wherein a content of the intermediate alumina is from 1 to 90 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the abrasive; and [2] a polishing process for a substrate to be polished, comprising polishing a substrate to be polished under conditions that a composition of a polishing liquid during polishing is the composition as defined in item [1] above.
US07955513B2
A method for shaping a surface of a workpiece, comprises positioning at least one of a workpiece and an inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) torch including three concentrically arranged tubes. A plasma gas is introduced to an outer tube of the ICP torch and energy is transferred from a radio frequency (RF) power source to the plasma gas to generate an excitation zone at least partially downstream of the ICP torch. A reactive reactive precursor is introduced to the excitation zone, and an auxiliary gas is introduced to the intermediate tube to control a position of the excitation zone relative to the ICP torch so that a controlled distribution of reactive species is formed. The surface is shaped by removing material from the surface of the workpiece with at least a portion of the reactive species and adding material to the surface of the workpiece with at least a portion of the reactive species.
US07955510B2
The present invention generally provides apparatus and methods for selectively removing various oxides on a semiconductor substrate. One embodiment of the invention provides a method for selectively removing an oxide on a substrate at a desired removal rate using an etching gas mixture. The etching gas mixture comprises a first gas and a second gas, and a ratio of the first gas and a second gas is determined by the desired removal rate.
US07955508B2
Disclosed herein are supercritical fluid biomass conversion machines, systems, and methods for converting a wide range of biomass materials into a plurality of reaction products including fermentable sugars and various aromatic substances. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that comprises the steps of: providing an extruder; conveying a mixture of the selected biomass material and water through the extruder and into a supercritical fluid biomass conversion zone; heating and further pressurizing the mixture within the supercritical fluid biomass conversion zone to yield at least supercritical water, wherein heat energy is supplied by means of an induction heating coil positioned circumferentially about the supercritical fluid biomass conversion zone; retaining the mixture within the supercritical fluid biomass conversion zone for a period of time sufficient to yield the plurality of reaction products; and separating the plurality of reaction products into at least a water soluble fraction and an organic solvent soluble fraction.
US07955501B2
A system and method are disclosed for filtering liquid using a filter platform that is not rigidly affixed to a container containing the liquid to be filtered. The platform may be buoyant so that as liquid flows from one side of the platform, through a filter, and then to the other side of the platform, the platform may move, thus reducing the volume of a container or portion of a container that holds the unfiltered liquid. Alternatively, the platform may be heavier than the liquid to be filtered, may be either set in place on a support structure or else set on top of unfiltered liquid and allowed to sink downward as liquid is filtered. The system may further comprise a flexible membrane that allows two sections of liquid to be separated, even while the platform is moveable.
US07955500B2
An assembly is disclosed that includes a centerpost assembly and a fluid filter cartridge. The centerpost assembly includes a main body having an inlet flow opening, an open interior, and a radial flange. An interior shelf is positioned proximate the inlet flow opening of the main body. The interior shelf includes an interior flow opening. A check valve ball is movably positioned on the interior shelf to move between the inlet flow opening and the interior flow opening. A spring-loaded end cap is movably connected to an upper end of the main body and is configured to move between a compressed state and an uncompressed state. A blocking pin extends from a lower surface of the end cap. When the end cap is in the compressed state, the blocking pin prevents the check valve ball from blocking a flow of fluid from flowing through the interior flow opening.
US07955499B2
Contact of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. The one or more catalysts may include a catalyst that has a median pore diameter of at least 90 Å. One or more properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.
US07955492B2
The present invention provides a method of measuring a component in blood, by which the amounts of blood cells and an interfering substance can be measured with high accuracy and high reliability and the amount of the component can be corrected accurately based on the amounts of the blood cells and the interfering substance. In a sensor for measuring a blood component, a first working electrode 13 measures a current that flows during a redox reaction of a blood component, a second working electrode 17 measures the amount of blood cells, and a third working electrode 12 measures the amount of an interfering substance. Next, based on the measurement results, the amount of the blood component to be measured is corrected. Thus, more accurate and precise measurement of the amount of the blood component can be realized.
US07955490B2
A process for the production of sodium hydroxide, hydrogen gas and chlorine gas which comprises (1) forming an aqueous solution of sodium chloride, (2) placing the sodium chloride solution in a cell having two compartments separated by a separator, (3) subjecting the cell to a direct electrical current of about 3-24 volts and 0.1-500 K amperes; thereby generating hydrogen gas, chlorine gas and an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and wherein the electrical current is generated by a solar panel.
US07955486B2
Probe-based methods are provided for formation of one or more nano-sized or micro-sized elongated structures such as wires or tubes. The structures extend at least partially upwards from the surface of a substrate, and may extend fully upward from the substrate surface. The structures are formed via a localized electrodeposition technique. The electrodeposition technique of the invention can also be used to make modified scanning probe microscopy probes having an elongated nanostructure at the tip or conductive nanoprobes. Apparatus suitable for use with the electrodeposition technique are also provided.
US07955484B2
A system for more accurately measuring glucose in a sample includes a first glucose-sensing electrode incorporating a quantity of glucose oxidase, a second glucose-sensing electrode incorporating a quantity of PQQ-glucose dehydrogenase, a reference electrode, and means for selecting between a first glucose measurement made with the first glucose-sensing electrode and a second glucose measurement made with the second glucose-sensing electrode.
US07955476B2
A multiple application recycling and purification device has a coaxial core that is horizontally oriented, non-rotating, cylindrical distillation chamber. The enhanced, completely coaxial configuration continuously cleans the entire distillation chamber and spreads a thin film of liquid to enhance distillation and positively aid in the removal of remaining contaminants. Through a timed and positioned valve, the device removes and purges lower-temperature contaminants. Timed valves and sensors control all phases of the distillation to provide a coaxially integrated, stand-alone, adaptable, scalable and maintenance free distillation unit that self-monitors, self-cleans and economically functions to produce the pure distilled liquid, e.g., water. This device can be modified to purify any numerous array of liquids and can be scaled to produce any amount of purified liquids for either household, commercial, or industrial applications.
US07955470B2
A method of decorating laminated glass is disclosed. A pigment package composition comprising a cross-linkable thermoset resin, a crosslinker capable of crosslinking the thermoset resin, and a pigment is applied to a glass substrate. The crosslinker and thermoset resin are cured at a relatively low temperature (ca. 400° F.). The use of an organic based pigment composition allows use of thinner glass sheets than with traditional ceramic enamel pigment compositions.
US07955459B2
One side of a metal sheet is joined to a polymer layer by applying heat to a joining area on the opposite side of the metal. The heat flows through the thin metal to activate a thermoplastic material or heat setting polymer into a bond with the metal. The method can be used to bond the metal sheet to a plastic body or another metal member. It is preferred to use a friction or friction stir tool to heat the metal surface.
US07955456B2
A method is disclosed for printing a blister film web in a packaging machine, in which molded blister shells are closed with blister film. In the method, a blister film web is supplied to a sealing apparatus via a first transport system, and molded blister shells are supplied to the sealing apparatus via a second transport system. The position of one of the molded blister shells is detected, and at least one detection signal is generated in one or more time intervals between the action time intervals of the sealing apparatus for closing the molded blister shells. A trigger signal for a printing device is generated in dependence on a detection, and optical information is applied to the blister film web by the printing device at a position along the blister film web which is arranged upstream of the sealing apparatus.
US07955455B2
A simplified manufacturing technique to directly form a unitized composite structure with at least one relatively flat surface and at least one sinuous element in an internally-bonded unitized composite is provided. A matrix of fibrous and or other materials is deposited in layers which are subsequently formed into corrugated or wave-like shapes and exposed to an activation step. At least one element is composed of a contractive material which shrinks when activated, such as by heating in an oven, to become relatively flat and optionally bonded to at least one other non-contractive layer which remains in a sinuous shape after the activation step.
US07955451B2
A munition is described including a reactive fragment having an energetic material having a least one layer of a reducing metal or metal hydride and at least one layer of a metal oxide dispersed in a binder material. A method is also described including forming a energetic material; including combining the energetic material having a least one layer of a reducing metal or metal hydride and at least one layer of a metal oxide with a polymeric binder material to form a mixture; and shaping the mixture to form a reactive fragment. The munition may be in the form of a warhead, and the reactive fragment may be contained within a casing of the warhead.
US07955449B2
A process for inducing a two-way shape memory effect in a device forward of a shape memory alloy and a device made by the process are disclosed. The two-way memory effect occurs in the device in a temperature range of between about 5° C. to 25° C. wherein the training process is based on B2R phrase transformations. An R-phase formation or reorientation takes place in the device under stress whereupon the R-phase transforms into stress induced martenite. The device is subjected to thermocycling.
US07955434B2
A diamond single crystal substrate obtained by a vapor-phase growth method, wherein the diamond intrinsic Raman shift of the diamond single crystal substrate surface measured by microscopic Raman spectroscopy with a focused beam spot diameter of excitation light of 2 μm is deviated by +0.5 cm−1 or more to +3.0 cm−1 or less from the standard Raman shift quantity of strain-free diamond, in a region (region A) which is more than 0% to not more than 25% of the surface, and is deviated by −1.0 cm−1 or more to less than +0.5 cm−1 from the standard Raman shift quantity of strain-free diamond, in a region (region B) of the surface other than the region A. The diamond single crystal substrate can be obtained with a large size and high-quality without cracking and is suitable for semiconductor materials, electronic components, and optical components or the like.
US07955424B2
A fuel tank safety system includes an ullage cooling assembly and a system controller. The ullage cooling assembly includes a compressor configured to extract a quantity of ullage gas from the fuel tank, a heat exchanger coupled in flow communication downstream of the compressor, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to receive the quantity of ullage gas from the compressor and reduce a temperature of the ullage gas. The ullage cooling assembly includes a turbine coupled in flow communication downstream of the heat exchanger, wherein the turbine is configured to further reduce the temperature of the ullage gas and facilitate channeling the ullage gas to the fuel tank. The system controller is operatively coupled to the ullage cooling assembly and is configured to transmit to the ullage cooling assembly one of a start signal to activate the ullage cooling assembly or a stop signal to deactivate the ullage cooling assembly.
US07955420B2
Produced natural gas containing carbon dioxide is dehydrated and chilled to liquefy the carbon dioxide and then fractionated to produce a waste stream of liquid carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Natural gas liquids may be first separated and removed before fractionation. After fractionation, the waste stream is pressurized and transmitted to a remote injection well for injection either for disposal of the waste stream and preferably to urge hydrocarbons toward the producing well. A hydrocarbon stream proceeds from fractionation to a methanol absorber system which removes carbon dioxide gas. The hydrocarbon stream is thereafter separated into at least hydrocarbon gas, nitrogen and helium. Some of the nitrogen is reintroduced into a fractionation tower to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons. A methanol recovery system is provided to recover and reuse the methanol. The hydrocarbons are sold as natural gas and the helium is recovered and sold. Excess nitrogen is vented.
US07955417B2
The method for reducing organic chlorine compounds in the cement production facility of the present invention is a method for reducing organic chlorine compounds in cement production facility by which a quantity of organic chlorine compounds contained in cement raw materials is reduced in the cement production facility, which is provided with an organic matter adsorbing step in which an adsorbing powder is supplied into exhaust gas generated on calcination of cement clinker from the cement raw materials, thereby the organic chlorine compounds are adsorbed on the adsorbing powder and an adsorbing-powder removing step in which the adsorbing powder, which has adsorbed the organic chlorine compounds, is collected, thereby removing the adsorbing powder from the exhaust gas.
US07955408B2
This Invention relates to a kind of devices with no emission resulted for treatment of exhaust gas. The Device comprises a vessel having openings that serve only as inlet. At least two exchange sections are provided inside the vessel after inlet of exhaust gas. There is a gas chamber at each connection part between two sequential sections. The gas exchange chamber at the first gas exchange section has a through opening leading to outside atmosphere area, and at each one from the second to the last exchange section, there is a feedback pipe to connect to the inlet of the first stage of exchange section. With this configuration, on entering into the exchange section, exhaust gas will be ejected inwards and causes very strong entrainment, which makes the gas chamber become vacuum and sucks air with oxygen from atmosphere into gas chamber via the through opening to atmosphere. Formed high-pressure gas is burned furiously with combustible gas in the gas chamber at next stage, and the remaining exhaust gas is transferred into next exchange stage with high-speed revolution occurring on exhaust gas and momentum transfer. The higher negative pressure is, the more gas is consumed, and remaining gas not-consumed will be fed back to inlet of the Device and treated repeatedly. In this way, the exhaust gas will be burned entirely and no emission will occur.
US07955405B2
A cyclonic vacuum cleaner comprises a first stage 10 comprising a single cyclone separator for separating heavier dirt and dust particles and a second stage 11 comprising a plurality of cyclone separators 25 arranged in parallel in a plurality of groups, each group of cyclone separators 25 comprising a respective inlet duct 24, each inlet duct 24 being connected at its upstream end to the first stage 10 and at its downstream end to the cyclone separators 25 of its respective group.
US07955398B2
An instrumented prosthetic foot for use with an actuated leg prosthesis controlled by a controller, the instrumented prosthetic foot comprising a connector to connect the instrumented prosthetic foot to the leg prosthesis, an ankle structure connected to the connector, a ground engaging member connected to the ankle, at least one sensor for detecting changes in weight distribution along the foot, and an interface for transmitting signals from the sensor to the controller.
US07955397B2
A socket assembly for a prosthetic limb is provided. The socket assembly includes an elongated upper circumferential section having an open upper end and a distal end, the distal end having a distal diameter. The assembly further includes an intermediate section extending outwardly from the upper section to a maximum diameter that is larger than the distal diameter of the first upper section, the intermediate section tapering inwardly from its maximum diameter to a lower rim region. A distal section extends from the lower rim region to a base of the socket, and a one-way valve is in fluid communication with an interior of the socket assembly. A flexible diaphragm is configured to engage walls of the intermediate section.
US07955389B2
An artificial sphincter system having: (1) a hollow object, which has the ability of contraction and expansion; (2) a shape memory alloy (SMA), which is connected with the hollow object, changes its shape to imitate the motion of human muscle by applying different electric current; (3) an electric power to provide different amounts of electric current to the shape memory alloy and let it contract or expand to control the motion of the hollow object to imitate the motion of human muscle; and (4) a photo resistor added between the electric power and the shape memory alloy, which senses the brightness of surrounding light and controls A/D (analog-to-digital) values of the electric power to cause different conditions of contraction and expansion of each part of the shape memory alloy.
US07955387B2
This invention provides a new class of medical devices and implants comprising amorphous metal alloys. The medical devices and implants may be temporary or permanent and may comprise other materials as well, such as polymers, ceramics, and conventional crystalline or polycrystalline metal alloys.Specifically, this invention provides implantable surgical fabrics comprising amorphous metal alloys. The presence of amorphous metal alloys in these fabrics can serve a variety of purposes, including structurally reinforcing the surgical fabric and/or imparting to the fabric the ability to shield against harmful radiation. The fabric may be used inside or outside the body during medical procedures. Further, the implantable surgical fabrics may be woven or non-woven fabrics.
US07955382B2
Endoprostheses (e.g., stents) containing adjustable surfaces are disclosed.
US07955379B2
An apparatus and method is provided for stenting bifurcated vessels. A proximal angled stent is configured for implanting in a side-branch vessel wherein the proximal angled stent has an angulated portion that corresponds to the angle formed by the intersection of the side-branch vessel and the main vessel so that all portions of the side-branch vessel at the bifurcation are covered by the proximal angled stent. A main-vessel stent is provided for implanting in the main vessel, wherein the main-vessel stent has an aperture or stent cell that aligns with the opening to the side-branch vessel to permit unobstructed blood flow between the main vessel and the side-branch vessel. Side-branch and main-vessel catheter assemblies are advanced over a pair of guide wires for delivering, appropriately orienting, and implanting the proximal angled stent and the apertured stent.
US07955372B2
An endoluminal delivery system is provided having an endoluminal prosthesis sized to fit through a body lumen in a first unexpanded state, where a second state is an expanded relative to the first state. At least one delivery capsule is incorporated to the outer wall of the endoluminal prosthesis, where each one of the delivery capsules has a predetermined delivery pressure. There is at least one reactant in the delivery capsule, where the endoluminal prosthesis is expanded from the first state to the second state to expand the endoluminal prosthesis against the body lumen and induce the predetermined delivery pressure to the delivery capsule, and deliver the reactants to the body lumen according to desired positioning and timing. At least one containment band incorporated to the outer wall of the endoluminal prosthesis and positioned near the delivery capsules to localize the reactants.
US07955369B2
A catheter includes multiple primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes a resistive element located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the leads such that each lead can individually receive power. The catheter can include a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery. Energy is applied until the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced to the point where occlusion is achieved. In one embodiment, a balloon is inflated to place the resistive elements into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure and to occlude the structure before the application of energy. The inflated balloon impairs blood flow and facilitates the infusion of saline, or medication, to the hollow anatomical structure in order to reduce the occurrence of coagulation and to improve the heating of the structure by the catheter.
US07955363B2
The present invention provides for a screw and rod fixation assembly for fixing a screw and, optionally, a rod. The screw and rod fixation assembly includes a screw, fixing mechanism, a substantially annular ring, rod seating mechanism, and locking mechanism. The present invention also provides for a fixing mechanism for fixing a screw, wherein the fixing mechanism further includes an inner surface wall having a gripping portion and a non-gripping portion. Further, the present invention provides for a substantially annular ring for guiding and providing mechanical and frictional force to a screw head. Additionally, the present invention provides for a rod seating mechanism operatively engaged to the screw head and including at least one flexible portion capable of being compressed against a portion of a rod therein. Finally, the present invention provides for a locking mechanism for engaging the rod and the rod seating mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a deflecting mechanism for deflecting the at least one flexible portion of the rod seating mechanism against and around the rod as the locking mechanism further engages the at least one flexible portion of the rod seating mechanism.
US07955362B2
A body tissue fixation apparatus includes a plate having oppositely disposed outer and tissue-contacting surfaces, and at least one fixation hole extending between the outer and tissue-contacting surfaces along a longitudinal axis. The fixation hole is defined in part by an inner hole surface having at least one serration. At least one fixation device of the body tissue fixation apparatus has a shank and a head portion, the shank being insertable through the fixation hole in the plate to affix the plate to the body tissue member upon rotation of the head portion. At least one deformable member is connected to the head portion, the deformable member extending laterally in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and being adapted to deflect to engage with at least one serration formed on the inner hole surface. A method for using the body tissue fixation apparatus is also described.
US07955346B2
Percutaneous methods of forming a venous valve from autologous tissue are disclosed. The methods include percutaneously creating one or two subintimal dissections for forming one or two flaps of intimal tissue. In one method, a puncture element is delivered by a catheter based delivery system to a treatment site where a new venous valve is to be created. The puncture element is deployed to gain access to a subintimal layer of the vein wall. A dilation balloon is than positioned and inflated within the subintimal layer to create a flap and corresponding pocket/sinus in the vein, which than acts as a one-way monocuspid valve in the manner of a native venous valve. In a similar manner, methods of forming new bicuspid venous valves by subintimal dissections are also disclosed.
US07955344B2
A device captures and assists in the removal of a thrombus in arteries, even in small arteries. The device uses a soft coil mesh to engage the surface of a thrombus, and a guidewire is used to retract the soft coil mesh with the captured thrombus. The soft coil is formed by an elongated microcoil element that forms the helical elements of a macrocoil element. The microcoil element provides a relatively elastic effect to the helical element forming the macrocoil and allows for control of gripping forces on the thrombus while reducing non-rigid contact of the device with arterial walls.
US07955329B2
A urological resectoscope (1) includes a tubular, metallic external stem (2) fitted with holes (3) in its distal end zone, a tubular insulating element (7, 27, 37, 47) being affixed distally to the external stem, further comprising a tubular internal stem (8) configured within the external stem and resting against it in sealing manner and an electrode support (13) longitudinally displaceable inside the internal stem and supporting a cutting loop (15) in the region of the insulating element (7, 27, 37, 47), the inside space of the internal stem (8) and the gap (12) between the stems (2, 8) being proximally connected to liquid hookups (10, 11), the insulating element (7, 27, 37, 47) being configured in longitudinally mutually overlapping manner within an affixation zone (6) and the insulating element (7, 27, 37, 47) exhibiting a wall thickness distally from the affixation zone (6) larger than the wall thickness of the external stem (2), wherein the inside diameter of the insulating element (27, 47) is the same as the inside diameter of the external stem (2).
US07955324B2
A system for positioning the eye of a patient in alignment with a laser unit for laser surgery includes an alignment device that is mounted on the laser unit. It also includes a patient interface having a curved contact lens. Additionally, a clamp with an attached suction ring can be engaged with the interface to hold the lens against the eye of the patient. Thus, when the interface is joined with the alignment device, the lens is positioned against the eye of the patient at a predetermined distance from the laser unit for laser surgery.
US07955320B2
A surgical instrument holder (10) is made up of a head assembly (68) and a drive spindle assembly (42). The head assembly (68) has a shank (12) with a first driveable end (14) and second coupling end (16). The second end has a coupling device (20) having an interface (22) for receiving a surgical instrument (24). The instrument (24) is held in functional assembly to the shank by a releasable locking mechanism (26). The releasable locking mechanism (26) is made up of a locking ring (30) slideably disposed about the shank, a spring (32) biased against the coupling device (20) by the locking ring, and a connection ring (34) retaining the locking ring in a fixed position during use. The drive spindle assembly (42) is connected to the head assembly (68) so as to transmit torque therethrough. The spindle assembly (42) has an elongated drive spindle (40), high precision bearings (44, 120, 122) and a cylindrical tube (46). The drive spindle (40) is releasably mounted to an end (36) of the spindle assembly and is supported for rotation within the cylindrical tube (46) by the high-precision bearings disposed therebetween and held in place at least in part by the shank (12). The bearings (44) precisely control the position of a surgical instrument (24) affixed thereto. The connection ring (34) provides a common quick-release connection with the head assembly (68) and the drive spindle assembly (42), such that unlocking of the connection ring (34) enables quick disassembly of the connection ring, spring (32), locking ring (30), and drive spindle assembly (42) for cleaning and component sterilization.
US07955318B1
A multipurpose large bore medical suction system relating to medical instruments comprising suction devices that are used to remove material from body cavities during medical procedures, such as, for example, during cardiopulmonary resuscitation or trauma stabilization. The system is designed to adapt to large-bore medical vacuum sources such as the large-bore port of a collection canister. The system comprises a series of interchangeable tips including a means for endotracheal-catheter suctioning.
US07955314B2
A catheter assembly includes a handle assembly, and a catheter body coupled with the handle assembly, where the catheter body extends to a deflectable distal end portion, and the deflectable distal end is controllable by a flexible element. A lever actuator member is operatively coupled with the flexible element, and movement of the actuator member provides for movement of the flexible element.
US07955310B2
To provide a syringe in which a covering member whose engagement has been released automatically moves to a projection movement terminal where it can be prevented from returning, and returning of a projection positioned at the projection movement terminal can be limited.A covering member 6 is formed so as to be guided by a guide portion 4e to a stopper portion 4h from its housed posture within a holding portion main body 4c so that a projection 6a engages with an engagement portion 4f while being urged by a spring 7 to a covering posture so that the engagement is released and the covering member covers a needle exposed portion 2a, a return preventive portion 4j is joined from a stopper portion 4h toward the base end, and furthermore, a returning movement limiting portion 4m is formed at a holding portion main body 4c so as to be positioned closer to the base end side than the stopper portion 4h and closer to the tip end side than the returning movement terminal 4w of the return preventive portion 4j while being spaced to the base end side from the projection 6a positioned at the stopper portion 4h so as to face the projection while leaving a space S, and comes into contact with the projection 6a lifted from the stopper portion 4h within the range of the space S.
US07955307B2
A method of securing a medical article to the body of a patient is disclosed in which an anchoring device comprising an anchor and a retainer is used. The retainer is attached to an upper surface of the anchor and comprises a base, a cover and a post. The base is disposed on the upper surface of the anchor and the cover is connected to the base so as to move between an open and a closed position. When the cover is in the closed position, it lies above at least part of the base. The post is attached movably to either the base or the cover and is arranged so as to lie at least partially between the cover and the base when the cover is in the closed position. When securing a medical article, the cover is placed in the open position and the medical article placed onto the retainer. The cover may then be closed over the medical article and the anchoring device attached to the patient.
US07955288B2
A swab comprising gelatine or collagen has been found to have a remarkably high recovery of microorganisms. Furthermore, the samples, such as microorganisms, spores, nucleotides and other biologically or biochemically relevant compounds can be fully recovered from the collagen-or gelatine-comprising swab. The invention thus provides a method and swab which has a high recovery of a target from a sample and furthermore a second high recovery when transferring from the swab to a medium for analysis.
US07955279B2
According to the invention, the patient (4) is placed upon a patient support (3) between an X-ray source (1) and a support for the target plate (2) sensitive to the X-rays. The patient support (3) is connected to a device for detecting the horizontal position of the global axis of gravity (5) of the patient when the X-ray source (1) is in operation. The patient (4) can, for example, remain standing. The inventive device can superimpose an image (Hg) of the global axis of gravity (5) on the digital radiographic image of the patient (4).
US07955276B2
A capsule endoscope is disclosed that includes a capsule and a transparent cover having a central axis and that is located in front of an objective optical system within the capsule. The objective optical system has a depth of field, a field of view, and an image surface that has curvature of field, and is arranged on the central axis of the transparent cover and the capsule. The field of view of the objective optical system includes a spherical surface that is tangent to the transparent cover at a periphery of the field of view, and the near point of the depth of field on the optical axis of the objective optical system is positioned farther from the objective optical system than is the transparent cover. Various conditions are satisfied so as to provide high quality imaging.
US07955273B2
The invention lies in the domain of medical technology and relates to a diagnosis and monitoring device for the rapid diagnosis and monitoring of vital parameters of the human or animal body, in particular of the heart and/or lungs, said device being compact, without cables and/or tubes and easy to use for the user. Devices such as a bell (1) comprising a membrane (2) and/or measuring electrodes (4, 5) for receiving and forwarding acoustic and/or electric signals of the body are arranged in a housing with a cross-section that is approximately the size of the palm of a hand and a height of approximately half a hand-width, on the side of a housing that is to be placed on the body. Said devices are connected to a device in the housing, which analyses, filters and stores the signals of the receiving device and to additional devices for visually reproducing the evaluated signals in digital or analogue form using display fields (14, 15, 16, 17) and/or for acoustically reproducing said signals using a loudspeaker (9) located in the housing. The diagnosis and monitoring device also comprises interfaces (10, 11) for connecting external devices and equipment (e.g. computer, earphones, printer). The principal characteristics of the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.
US07955272B2
A high performance coil over-core guide wire. The guide wire incorporates a nickel-titanium core with a stainless steel coil to provide a wire with improved kink resistance and good pushability.
US07955266B2
Ultrasonic contact transducer with multiple ultrasonic emitting elements and means of bringing these elements into contact.This transducer is applicable particularly to non-destructive testing and comprises means (8, 10) for bringing elements (2) into contact with an object (6) to be checked and means (26, 28, and 34 to 40) of determining the positions of elements relative to the object, using means bringing elements into contact, to determine delay laws to be applied to excitation pulses of the elements, to generate a focussed ultrasonic beam (F).
US07955259B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for inducing emotions. A primary object of the present invention is to accurately induce an emotion desired by a user by feedbacking biosignals from the user and inducing a desired emotion in accordance with the feedback biosignals. The object of the invention can be achieved by allowing the user to select the desired emotion, outputting physical signals for stimulating the user's body based on an emotion induction protocol capable of inducing the selected emotion, extracting bioparameters from the biosignals detected from the user's body before and after the output of the physical signals for stimulating the user's body, comparing increase/decrease patterns of the extracted respective bioparameters with increase/decrease patterns of bioparameter change models for the emotional state desired by the user, and controlling the emotion induction protocol based on comparative results.
US07955255B2
An imaging assembly for use in a medical imaging device such as an endoscope or the like. In one embodiment, the imaging assembly includes a transparent distal cap that is shaped to receive an image sensor insert. The image sensor insert has a cooling channel that supplies a cooling liquid or gas to one or more illumination sources.
US07955254B2
A medical endoscope including a stem (1) receiving in its distal end part (3) a video camera (30), the end part (3) being pivotably adjustable relative to the main part (2) of the stem (1) and connecting lines (27, 31) running in the stem (1) from a proximal end region to the end part (3), wherein the main part (2) and the end part (3) are enclosed in sealing manner by rigid stem tubes (5, 8) which are supported in an abutting and sealing manner in a joint (4) by means of a hollow axle (16, 18) running perpendicularly to the stem parts (2, 3), the hollow axle being crossed by the connecting lines (27, 31) in the inside spaces of the stem parts (2, 3).
US07955250B2
Implantable microphone devices that may be utilized in hearing systems are provided. An implantable microphone device allows the implantable microphone's frequency response and sensitivity to be selected. A microphone device with an increased membrane flexibility and a decreased acoustic compliance of the sealed cavity. Vibrations of a membrane are transmitted through a primary air cavity and through an aperture of a microphone. Keeping a flexible membrane and decreasing the sealed air cavity compliance are the preferred way to simultaneously increase overall sensitivity of the device, and move the resonance peak to higher frequencies.
US07955248B2
An actuator (10) for a heart assist device. The actuator (10) includes an inflatable balloon (12) and a shroud or wrap (14). The inflatable balloon (12) has a first body portion (22), a second body portion (26) and a flexure region joining (24) the first (22) and second (26) body portions. The shroud or wrap (14) is positioned adjacent the first body portion (24) and has a peripheral extent at least equal to the peripheral extent of the balloon flexure region (24). The balloon (12) and the shroud or wrap (14) are shaped such that the shroud or wrap (14) restrains a part of the balloon first body portion (22) at or near the flexure region (24) against displacement towards the shroud or wrap (outward displacement) past a predetermined limit but allows unrestrained displacement away from the shroud or wrap (inward displacement).
US07955244B2
A system is provided for bifolding disposable absorbent articles on a high speed production line on which the disposable absorbent articles are moved along a predetermined path. The system includes the use of one or more vacuum conveyor assemblies to engage and transfer the leading end portion of the article from the surface of a peel-roll to a folding drum, thereby potentially reducing the occurrence of undesirable misalignment between opposing edges of an article during a bifolding process.
US07955237B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for developing the upper body and in particular the chest. The apparatus includes opposed lever arms pivotally secured to each other at a fulcrum point located at the terminal ends of the opposed levers. The opposed lever arms are biased against each other and form a “V” shape. A counteracting force is needed to bring the handle ends of the levers together. The force required to bring the opposed handle ends together exercises the upper body of a user.
US07955236B2
The present invention relates to a foot and ankle exercise device. The exercise device may include a foot strap, a pull strap, a handle, and a resistance band. The foot strap may be adjustable to secure the device to a user's foot. The pull strap may have a first end attached to the foot strap. The handle may be disposed on a second end of the pull strap and may be configured to allow the user to apply tension to the pull strap. The resistance band may be disposed on the pull strap between the first end and the second end of the pull strap.
US07955229B2
The present disclosure relates to a portable therapeutic exercise device and more particularly a convenient exercise device, which is particularly adapted for restoring and/or maintaining the range of motion of post-operative patients and also having general therapeutic use. The disclosed device has several significant and novel improvements over prior art devices. Several improvements have resulted in a device which is much easier and less expensive to produce, lighter, more convenient to transport and to store. The device has a lightweight base frame, and a moveable carriage connected thereto. A plurality of elastic members couple the base to the carriage to supply resistant force while in operation.
US07955227B2
A bicycle trainer is disclosed. The bicycle trainer includes a supporting frame, a roller, a runner and at least one vane. The supporting frame suspends at least one bicycle wheel. The roller is connected to the supporting frame via a shaft member. The roller is driven by the bicycle wheel. A runner is coaxially connected to the roller via the shaft. The vane is pivotally connected to an edge of the runner.
US07955224B2
The invention includes an exercise mat that provides intuitive tactile feedback allowing a user to determine body placement using the sense of touch. The invention enables visually impaired users to determine location and/or direction on the mat. The invention includes devices to assist a user in correct foot and hand placements during a yoga posture sequence, an exercise program, a dance routine, and so forth. Tactile markers for hand and foot placement enable discerning a reference marker as either intended for hand or foot, right side or left side, and forward or backward. The invention makes yoga more accessible to the visually impaired and enables a user to participate in mainstream yoga communities. The invention can be used for the practice of yoga in a class setting in schools for the blind, in public or private studios, or at home. The mat can be used in a yoga class to follow instructions with more ease and independence. The pliable nature of the mat allows it to be easily portable to schools, studios, and storage at home.
US07955216B2
An automatic transmission shift control apparatus is basically provided with deceleration operating condition detecting section, a first shift phase control section and a second shift phase control section. The deceleration operating condition detecting section detects a vehicle coasting condition. The first shift phase control section control a gear ratio of an automatic transmission installed in a vehicle using a first shift phase control after detecting the vehicle coasting condition has started such that a deceleration rate of the vehicle enters a deceleration region. The second shift phase control section control the gear ratio of the automatic transmission after the first shift phase control ends such that the deceleration rate of the vehicle enters a constant speed region.
US07955213B2
An automatic transmission in which first to third clutches which can couple an input shaft to a first element of a first multiple planetary gear set and second and fourth elements of the second multiple planetary gear set, respectively, are arranged on a front side of the first multiple planetary gear set. Thus, it is possible to prevent a situation in which disengaging of the third clutch in the first speed causes the fourth element of the first multiple planetary gear set to rotate in reverse and generate a large relative rotation with the first element.
US07955208B2
A torque distributing apparatus 8 comprises a differential gear unit 14, a planetary gear set 31 arranged between first and second output shafts 12L and 12R, a motor 32 driving the planetary gear set 31, and a speed change gear set 51 compensating a speed change ratio of the planetary gear set 31. The planetary gear set 31 and the speed change gear set 51 are arranged coaxially outward of the first output shaft 12L. The motor 32 is arranged coaxially outward of the planetary gear set 31 and the speed change gear set 51.
US07955207B2
The present invention broadly comprises a torque converter including a cover and a planetary gear set rotationally interfaced with a hydraulic circuit and arranged to modify torque received by the cover from an engine. In some aspects, the gear set includes first and second components rotationally secured to the cover and an impeller shell, respectively. In some aspects, the first and second components are a carrier and ring gear, respectively. In some aspects, the gear set further comprises third and fourth component rotationally connected to a turbine shell and the output hub, respectively. The third component is arranged to receive torque from a clutch or a hub connected to the clutch. In some aspects, the third and fourth components are a carrier and ring gear, respectively. The gear set includes a component rotationally fixed with respect to a torque converter axis, and in some aspects, a ratchet one-way stator clutch.
US07955203B2
A continuously-variable transmission includes two transmission members each having coupling elements engageable to couple the transmission members for movement together. At least one of the transmission members is a rotary member rotatable about a rotary axis; and at least one of the groups of coupling elements is radially displaceable towards and away from the rotary axis to change the conversion ratio of the transmission. The coupling elements of one group on one transmission member are of a fixed configuration defining projections alternating with depressions each of a fixed configuration formed on a surface of the transmission member between opposite side faces and having the same pitch for every cross section of the surface perpendicular to the mentioned rotary axis. The coupling elements of the other group are of a self-adaptive configuration, each movable in opposite directions to adapt itself to the configuration of the fixed-configuration coupling elements in all displacement positions of the radially-displaceable coupling elements and to effect a non-slip coupling therewith.
US07955202B2
The invention concerns a continuously variable cone disc transmission with sets of discs mounted on drive and driven shafts. The sets of discs are each hydraulically adjustable axially in their distance from each other whereby the traction train circulating between them is able to adjust to different running circles and thereby enabling a continuously variable transmission. The pressure fluid needed for the hydraulic actuation is supplied to the pressure cylinders by a pump through a control valve. This control valve is actuated hydraulically by a pressure supply that is need-adjusted by a proportional-pressure reduction valve. In the event of a functional failure and consequent loss of the regulating pressure, the control valve is automatically arrested in position, so that the control valve is prevented from giving a command for the sudden change of the transmission ratio into an extreme position.
US07955193B2
Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer.
US07955190B2
A golf club head is provided with a center of gravity positioned within a partial ellipsoid defined in an impact reference frame that has its origin at the hit center of the face of the golf club head. The majority of the partial ellipsoid is located toward the golfer from the hit center and all of the partial ellipsoid is below the hit center in the impact reference frame.
US07955187B2
An improved golf club shaft and corresponding golf club is disclosed. More specifically, a golf club shaft that is capable of minimizing or eliminating swingweight variations within a golf club despite being cut down to various different lengths to accommodate the length and heads of a set of irons is disclosed. The shaft may have an internal wall profile of variable thickness to adjust for various weight and center of gravity variations of a golf club shaft as it is being cut down in length.
US07955186B2
According to an aspect of the invention, a golf club includes: a head having a hosel; a shaft; a shaft case fixed to one end of the shaft, and configured to be inserted into the hosel, the shaft case being formed in a substantially cylindrical shape; and a ring-shaped screw member configured to be screwed into one end of the hosel to fix the shaft case in the hosel, and to be fitted with an outer face of an one end of the shaft case, the ring-shaped screw member being noncontact with the shaft.
US07955185B2
Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure; (b) a club head engaging member including a shaft-receiving chamber and a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
US07955180B2
The present invention relates to an improved golf club with line markings on the head of the putter that facilitate a precise and accurate motion of the club. One of these markings, the aiming line, runs parallel to the club face across the top of the club and is intended to assist the golfer in aiming and placement of the club head. The other markings, the guide lines, run perpendicular to the club face across the top of the club and are intended to guide the path of the subsequent motion of the club to hit a golf ball.
US07955173B2
There is provided a game device that can improve reality of a game field, by causing change in an image for a game field due to various reasons, such as change in viewpoint, with a simple method. With a game device, in display processing executed by a control section (11), rendering control section (13), display storage section (14) and display section (1), a game control section (3) carries out processing of game content performed inside a game field based on player operations, a composition rate change section (33) changes an image composition rate, a display control section (34) generates a composite image combining a plurality of image data based on the image composition rate, and a game field is displayed using the composite image.
US07955161B2
A handheld sander having an abrasive roller and a flexible drive shaft that is connected at the outer end thereof to the roller and is connected at the inner end thereof to an electric motor. A handle encloses the motor. An extension arm extends from the handle and encloses the drive shaft.
US07955155B2
Magnetic and electronic toy construction systems and elements are provided that include an assembly of at least two panels that have at least two magnet holders located around the perimeter of the panel for embedding and positioning magnets therein. Magnets are disposed in each of the magnet holders such that all of the dipole axes of magnets in a single panel are coplanar and intersect to define a polygon. When attaching two adjacent panels, at least two ferromagnetic spheres are used such that the dipole axes of one magnet from each of the adjacent panels are collinear. In this manner, several panels configured in this way may be nested together to form great varieties of constructions.
US07955154B2
A flat panel display includes a substrate, an array on the substrate, and a glass film formed by depositing glass powder over the substrate, including the array, melting the deposited glass powder over the array and hardening the deposited glass powder over the array.
US07955152B2
In a process of fabricating an organic electro-luminescence display, a substrate, a plurality of organic electro-luminescence devices, and a patterned separator structure are provided. The organic electro-luminescence devices and the patterned separator structure are disposed over the substrate. The patterned separator structure separates the organic electro-luminescence devices. A thickness of the patterned separator structure is greater than that of the organic electro-luminescence devices. A first passivation layer is then formed to completely cover the patterned separator structure and the organic electro-luminescence devices. A plurality of color filters are formed on the first passivation layer. The color filters are located above the organic electro-luminescence devices.
US07955144B2
The invention relates to an electrical plug connector, in particular a banana plug, having a base body (2) and having a contact pin (3) which is arranged on the front face of the base body (2), with the base body (2) having a connecting cage (4) for holding a connecting cable and for making an electrically conductive connection to the contact pin (3). The invention is based on the object of providing a better plug connector. The plug connector is intended to have good characteristics for transmission of audio signals. A further aim is that it should be possible to produce the plug connector at low cost. In order to achieve this object, the invention proposes that the contact pin (3) comprise two or more contact segments (5) and be in the form of a metallic stamped and bent part, with at least one of the contact segments (5) being at least partially embedded in the base body (2), which is composed of plastic, and extending into the interior of the connecting cage (4).
US07955140B1
A spring connector includes a barrel made by stamping a metal foil to form with a top opening, a first receiving space, a bottom opening and a cover being capable of being positioned to cover the bottom opening and to space from the bottom opening, a plunger inserted in the barrel from the bottom opening and formed with a head portion exposed outside the barrel, a sliding portion received in the first receiving space, and a second receiving space connected to the first receiving space, a spring insert in the first receiving space and the second receiving space from the bottom opening, of which a bottom portion connects to the cover. Because the cover is made by stamping a metal foil, it is easy to coat a uniform coating layer for improving the conducting quality, and the fabricating time and the cost of the spring connector is reduced.
US07955138B1
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a plurality of first contacts received in the housing. The insulative housing includes a base face and a number of first receiving grooves recessed perpendicularly from the base face. Each first contact has base portions assembled to the first contact groove. A first shifting portion defined with a first shifting direction is set on an inside face of each first contact groove.
US07955134B2
A photovoltaic inverter with an inverter housing includes at least a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a wall. The first chamber has a higher Ingress Protection (IP) rating than the second chamber. The first chamber accommodates at least one electronic component part of the photovoltaic inverter. A surface of the wall facing the second chamber provides a plurality of fuse housings. Each of the fuse housings accommodates a fuse and being coupled to a plug connector electrically connected to the fuse. The plug connectors provide electrical connections to the first chamber.
US07955125B1
A versatile modular connector and a conduit system which is easily used and installed by electricians and non-electricians in the field are described. The components, such as the junction box, outlet boxes and bridge cables can be prewired and easily added to the system by using the quick connect connectors to allow for a stable and sealed system.
US07955122B2
A conductive contact unit includes a conductive contact holder, a conductive contact, and an aligning unit. The conductive contact holder includes a first guiding grooves and a second guiding groove opposite to the first guiding groove, each slidably engaging one edge of the conductive contact. The conductive contact has a plate-like shape, and includes a first contacting element and a second contacting element that are brought into contact with different circuitries, a resilient element that is expandable and contractible in a longitudinal direction between the first contacting element and the second contacting element, a first connecting element that connects the resilient element and the first contacting element, and a second connecting element that connects the resilient element and the second contacting element. The aligning unit aligns the conductive contacts.
US07955117B2
A connector arrangement includes a flat conductor component having a flat engagement portion, a conductive bus bar component having a flat engagement portion, and a conductive contact screw connecting the conductor and bus bar flat engagement portions in contiguous surface-to-surface electrical engagement. The contact screw has a pointed tip and is axially displaceable from a retracted position normal to and spaced from the flat conductor and bus bar engagement portions toward a connected position in which a pointed end of the screw penetrates or extends through openings in the bus bar and flat conductor engagement portions, and into a bore contained in a housing support surface. The housing support surface supports the flat engagement portions in either a horizontal orientation or a slightly inclined orientation relative to the horizontal upper surface of electrical panel component to which the flat conductor is connected and upon which the housing is mounted.
US07955116B2
An electrical insulation displacement connector includes a body having at least one channel with an open top side configured for receipt of an insulated conductive core wire therein. A contact element is fixed in the body with a first insulation displacement end defined by opposed blades oriented across the channel, and a second end extending from a bottom surface of the body and configured for electrical contact with a PCB. The body includes retaining structure extending into the channel at a location relative to a depth of the blades within the channel such that the insulation portion of a wire inserted into the channel and pressed down into the first end of the contact element is pushed below the retaining structure, thereby preventing the wire from being inadvertently pulled out from the first end of the contact.
US07955106B1
A modular power distribution system includes power distribution assemblies and flex connectors. The flex connector includes end connector housings and a flexible jacket that encloses conductor wires extending between the connectors. The jacket is formed from superimposed layers of sheet-like jacket material that is flexible. The bottom jacket layer is first laid on a bottom housing section wherein conductors are then placed thereupon with an upper jacket layer then positioned over the bottom jacket layer. The top and bottom jacket layers have aligned free edges along at least one side thereof wherein the free edges are bonded together such as by heat sealing.
US07955099B2
A card edge connector comprises an insulating housing provided with a plurality of terminals, an actuator, an engaging member and a force transmitter. The insulating housing comprises at least one end tower disposed at an end thereof The actuator includes a push arm substantially linearly movable within the end tower. The engaging member, pivoted to rotate within the end tower, is configured to secure an inserted card and to eject the inserted card. The force transmitter, pivoted to rotate within the end tower, is able to engage with the push arm of the actuator and the engaging member. The force transmitter is actuated by the actuator to apply a force to rotate the engaging member and change a direction of the force in response to rotation of the engaging member.
US07955095B1
A battery connector, for being mounted to a printed circuit board, includes an insulating housing defining a front surface, a rear surface and a mounting surface. The front surface has a plurality of contact receiving cavities spaced from one another. An upper partition formed in the contact receiving cavity. A plurality of contacts is received in the contact receiving cavities respectively. Each of the contacts has a contact portion of substantially big rectangular block shape, a soldering portion, and a connecting portion having two ends connected with a lower edge of the rear end of the contact portion and a top edge of the soldering portion. The contact has an upper notch receiving and clamping the upper partition. The soldering portion has two opposite ends substantially flush with that of the contact portion.
US07955093B2
A connector assembly configured to be mounted to a device substrate is provided. She connector assembly includes a connector substrate, an electronic component. contacts, and conductive wires. The connector substrate has a mounting side and an opposite supporting side interconnected by an edge. The mounting side is used to mount the connector substrate to the device substrate. The electronic component is disposed on the supporting side of the connector substrate. The contacts are provided on the mounting side of the connector substrate and are used to electrically couple the electronic component with the device substrate. The wires are joined to the electronic component and to the contacts. The wires extend along the supporting and mounting sides and wrap around the edge of the connector substrate. The conductive wires are separated from one another by a separation gap along the supporting side and the mounting side of the connector substrate.
US07955089B2
A three-dimensional connector, which is used by a coordinate input device of a touch pad has a flat conductor cable with an end being connected to the touch pad and another end having multiple conductive lines. Each of the conductive lines is attached with a vertical guiding conductor pin. The guide conductor pin has a head section to press-fit with the flat conductor cable, and extends through a support to transmit electronic signals in a direction perpendicular to said flat conductor cable.
US07955081B2
Methods and systems are disclosed herein for producing polyhedral nets and faces of N-dimensional forms and for creating polyhedrons. In one embodiment, a system utilizes the methods set forth herein to construct polyhedral nets and outputs results through a display or printer, either in part or in whole.
US07955080B2
An implant, system and method for use in replacement of a tooth. The implant can include a first threaded portion, a connecting member opposite the first threaded portion for attaching to a replacement tooth, a driver head positioned between the threaded portion and the connecting member, and a transmucosal collar disposed between the driver head and the first threaded portion.
US07955065B2
A resin filling apparatus, a filling method, and a method of manufacturing an electronic device fill a cavity between a substrate and an electronic component mounted on the substrate with resin. The resin filling apparatus includes a stage for supporting the substrate in an inclined state, and an application head for filling the cavity with resin from a lower side of the inclined substrate.
US07955063B2
A vane pump comprising a case, a rotor disposed in the case, the rotor having a bore, a plurality of vanes radially moveable with respect to the rotor extend from the rotor, a drive shaft engaged with the bore, a second shaft fixedly connected to the case and extending from the case to slidingly engage the bore, a land extending from each end of the rotor, each land cooperating with the case to seal a fluid flow, and each land further axially controlling a rotor position within the case by a sliding engagement, and the drive shaft retainable in a predetermined position with respect to the case.
US07955057B2
The invention relates to a medical pump, especially for water jet surgery, in which a pump unit is assembled as a single use article and can be reversibly connected to a pump actuating device. Within the pump, the pump actuating device is also used to open up the connection between the pump unit and the pump actuating device.
US07955054B2
A blade includes an airfoil portion which defines at least one cavity with a damper located within the cavity, the damper includes a corrugated surface.
US07955051B2
A diffuser/guide vane assembly for an aircraft turbojet or turboprop engine is disclosed. The diffuser includes annular flanges joined by blades and the guide vane assembly includes cylindrical shelves joined by vanes. The annular flanges and the cylindrical shelves are formed from metal sheets to which the vanes are assembled by brazing.
US07955031B2
A system and a method for feeding a solid into a solid deposition system is described. Solid contained in a hopper is directed into a vibratory bowl. The frequency of the vibrations of the vibratory bowl can be modulated by a feedback system. The solid can then be entrained in a carrier gas which can flow to a distributor for deposition on a substrate.
US07955016B2
A device includes an assembly including a non-rotatable applicator. The applicator includes an application surface configured to treat an area of the human body such as the skin. The applicator further includes at least one material with thermal properties such that, when the at least one material is heated to a temperature above 30° C. and which temperature does not cause thermal damage to the skin when the application surface is contacted with the skin for 15 seconds, the application surface maintains, after this application, a temperature above or equal to 30° C. The applicator can include a grasping surface and a cavity with a compound inside. The applicator can typically be configured to withstand repeated heating, especially by microwave oven.
US07955011B2
A coating and developing apparatus is provided which requires a smaller occupation space even when it incorporates a substrate inspection unit, while eliminating a disadvantageous layout. A coating film forming part B3 including a plurality of process units and transfer mechanisms A3 and A4, and a developing part B1 including a plurality of process units 31 and a transfer mechanism A1 are vertically arranged in a process block S2. There are disposed in the process block S2 on a side of a carrier block S1, a plurality of vertically arranged transfer units TRS for transferring a substrate W between the same and transfer mechanisms for the respective parts, and a vertically movable transfer mechanism D1 for the transfer unit for transferring a substrate between these transfer units. At least one of the coating film forming part and the developing part includes a substrate inspection unit 43 for inspecting a substrate transferred by the transfer mechanism for the corresponding part.
US07955008B1
A magnet array member with more than four poles is used for being mounted on a shutter of a camera module of a portable mobile communication device, adjacent to one side of a yoke iron of the shutter. The magnet array member includes a disc portion and a driving portion. The disc portion has more than four N poles and S poles, and an annular side face and opposite first end face and second end face. The driving portion protrudes from one of the first end face and the second end face of the disc portion in a vertical direction. Since the driving portion protrudes from one end face of the disc portion, the disc portion can form more than four N poles and S poles when magnetized, thereby being convenient for mass production.
US07955006B1
A lightweight camera mount allowing tilt and pan of a camera turret through a significant portion of a spherical range is disclosed. The camera turret comprised of two hemispheres has a full 360 degree freedom of pan rotation and up to 140 degree of tilt rotation. The mount includes a tilt assembly embedded within the turret and a pan assembly external to the turret. The tilt assembly in communication with a tilt feedback device provides a tilt movement to the turret. The pan portion in communication with a pan feedback device provides a pan movement to the turret. The mount is configured to be mounted on a land based vehicle, a water based vehicle, or an aerial vehicle.
US07954984B2
An interior lamp can achieve both an excellent illumination function and an excellent illumination effect (providing a comfortable environment) and may possibly provide high merchandizability characteristics. The interior lamp can include an LED light source unit having a substrate and a plurality of white LED lamps and colored LED lamps mounted on the substrate. A cover case can be provided to serve as a light illumination unit. The light illumination unit can include a double-layer structure having a light diffusion layer and a light transmission layer. The light diffusion layer can have a plurality of penetrating holes. The light transmission layer can have a plurality of convex lens portions. The center axes of the penetrating holes and the corresponding lens portions can coincide with corresponding optical axes of the white LED lamps, respectively. The white light from the white LED lamps can be converged by the respective lens portions of the light transmission layer to be radiated outside as spot light(s). The colored light from the colored LED lamps can be diffused through the light diffusion layer to be radiated outside as diffused light.
US07954982B2
An air-cooled light reflector apparatus for high intensity light sources typically used in indoor horticultural and agriculture applications. The reflector apparatus includes an internal reflector fixed to a curved assembly of hinged extruded sections, a unique adjustable light source mounting fixture bracket, a double-paned insulating glass window and an insulating cover enclosing the apparatus. Forced air is provided to the apparatus for cooling the light source, while the heated air is ducted externally to minimize any rise in ambient air temperature. The double-paned insulating glass and enclosing insulating cover further minimize rise in ambient air temperature. The curvature of the internal reflector provides optimal photometric characteristics.
US07954976B1
An adaptor kit or system for use with conventional can light fixtures to adapt the can light fixture for use as a hanger assembly for auxiliary fixtures, such as a hanging lamp, a flush-mounted lamp or the like, includes an expandable/retractable shoe assembly with surfaces to forcibly engage the inner surface of a can with sufficient engagement thereto to install an auxiliary fixture. In the preferred embodiment, the shoe assembly is defined by two individual shoes connected by threaded nut/screw assemblies so that the nut/screw assemblies can be adjusted to cause the shoes to extend outwardly to effect a usable mounting.
US07954972B2
A light attachment for an inspection tool having a mirror, the attachment having: a mounting bracket configured for releasable attachment to the mirror; a light member attached to the mounting bracket; and a power source for the light member.
US07954968B2
In a backlight module, when relay connectors exposed to a back side of a chassis are engaged with the connector portions of a lighting jig, the power from the power supply source of the lighting jig is supplied to discharge tubes via the connector portions and the relay connectors. Thereby, the discharge tubes can be lighted, even if a power board is not connected to the relay connectors. At the time, the lighting jig is arranged to face the back surface of the chassis, and therefore optical sheets can be mounted to the chassis from the front side.
US07954966B2
A stage lighting lamp unit includes a processor for receiving control data from a remote console. Beam orientation data for the lamp unit is passed to the lamp in the form of the x, y and z co-ordinates of a point in space through which the beam is to pass. The processor divides the required lamp travel into a number of stages dependent on execution duration data sent with the position data, and calculates, for each stage, a new value for pan and tilt angles for the lamp. These values are passed to pan and tilt controlling co-processors which control servo-motors for pan and tilt operation. The lamp unit also incorporates a rotatable shutter for interrupting the lamp beam when required. The shutters of all the lamps in a system can be instructed from the remote console to open and close in synchronism, thereby providing a stroboscopic effect.
US07954963B2
A light source device includes a discharge lamp and a reflection mirror having a plurality of concave curved surfaces. Each of the plurality of concave curved surfaces is an ellipsoidal surface. A first focal point of each of the ellipsoidal surfaces is disposed at the light emitting center of the discharge lamp. A second focal point of each of the ellipsoidal surfaces is disposed, when viewed from a predetermined first direction perpendicular to a system optical axis passing through the light emitting center, on the opposite side of the system optical axis to the ellipsoidal surface, and when viewed from a second direction perpendicular to the system optical axis and the first direction, on the side where the ellipsoidal surface is present with reference to the system optical axis.
US07954960B2
A video image display apparatus for displaying a video image in accordance with a video image signal including: a light source for emitting an illumination light to a color wheel driven by a color wheel driving unit to rotate the color wheel for filtering and transmitting lights of different colors therefrom; a spatial light modulator (SLM) for receiving the lights of different colors projected from the color wheel; a master clock signal generation unit for generating a master clock signal constituting a reference for transferring data to the SLM; a frame start signal generation unit for generating, from the master clock signal, a frame start signal indicating the start of a frame; a wheel position detection unit for detecting an angular position of the wheel; a phase comparison unit for comparing a phase of the frame start signal with a wheel index signal generated from the wheel position detection unit indicating a position of the color wheel; and a motor control unit for receiving a phase comparison signal from the phase comparison unit for controlling a rotation speed of a motor for driving the color wheel to rotate at a controlled rotation speed.
US07954958B2
A display shelf system includes a display shelf, which includes a plurality of placing tables which are adapted to have an article placed thereon. A plurality of transmission-type screens are arranged with the placing tables, respectively. A projector projects a projector image, and a light guide of the display shelf leads the projector image onto the rear sides of the transmission-type screens. The transmission-type screens have curved surfaces which are inclined to face toward a lateral direction with respect to a front of the display shelf, so that the transmission-type screens are easily viewable by viewers who are in the lateral directions of the display shelf.
US07954957B2
A image pickup unit picks up an image of a video projected by a projection unit and outputs the picked-up image. A control unit determines whether the picked-up image includes a projection video other than the video projected by the projection unit or not. If the control unit determines that the picked-up image includes a projection video other than the video projected by the projection unit, the control unit instructs a keystone correction unit to carry out keystone correction of the video signal in accordance with the picked-up image. The keystone correction unit carries out keystone correction of the input video signal or the output video signal so that an edge of the video projected by the projection unit contacts an edge of the projection video other than the video projected by the projection unit.
US07954949B2
A lightweight and compact hand-held ocular fundus imaging apparatus is provided wherein alignment can be easily performed while ensuring a working length. An examiner takes hold of a grip by hand and secures a face pad against part of the face of a patient. The examiner performs alignment by tilting a reflecting mirror, and when alignment is complete, an image of the fundus of the patient's eye is taken. An optical system except for the reflecting mirror is disposed on the inside of a main body portion that includes the grip and the face pad, and the reflecting mirror is disposed on the outside of the main body portion. A lever for tilting the reflecting mirror is disposed on the grip. With this type of configuration, the alignment operation can be performed easily and reliably by moving the reflecting mirror while maintaining the apparatus main body in a stable state.
US07954946B2
An apparatus has an optical system detecting spectral information and having an optical scanner and a driving unit changing the optical path length by moving an optical member, a monitor, and a unit controlling the driving unit, obtaining a tomographic image by performing Fourier analysis on the information and displaying the obtained image, in which a front surface of an examined object is positioned on the back side of a depth position where optical path lengths of measurement light and reference light become equal to obtain a normal image of the tomographic image, the front surface of the examined object is positioned on the front side of the depth position to obtain an inverted image of the tomographic image, and at least one of dispersion correction processing corresponding to the information and image combining processing is performed on both normal and inverted images, and the images are displayed.
US07954931B2
A container holder can accommodate liquid containers with high density without deteriorating electrical connection between an apparatus terminal and a circuit board.
US07954926B2
A nozzle plate for a micro-fluid ejection head, a method of making a hydrophobic nozzle plate, and a method for improving the resiliency of a nozzle plate. The nozzle has a photoimageable hydrophobic polycyclic polyolefin layer derived from an epoxy functionalized polynorbornene.
US07954924B2
The present invention discloses a package method of the inkjet-printhead chip and its structure. The structure includes: a nozzle structure of a print element including an ink chamber layer and a nozzle layer on the ink chamber layer, wherein a plurality of nozzle through holes are set in the nozzle layer and pass through an ink chamber of the ink chamber layer; a flexible substrate set on the nozzle layer, wherein there is at least an opening set in the flexible substrate to expose those nozzle through holes; and a chip set under the ink chamber layer. Besides, the present package method is to utilize the micro-manufacturing process to form the nozzle structure of a print element and the tape automatic bonding process to bond the flexible substrate on the nozzle layer and the chip under the ink chamber layer.
US07954917B2
An exposure device includes a circuit board, a light-emitting element member, a driving signal generating unit and a first voltage supply unit. The light-emitting element member is disposed on the circuit board. The light-emitting element includes plural light-emitting elements arranged in a line and plural switching elements disposed so as to correspond to the plural light-emitting elements. When the plural switching elements sequentially set the respective light-emitting elements to be in a state where the respective light-emitting elements can turn on, the respective light-emitting elements turn on sequentially. The driving signal generating unit is disposed on the circuit board. The driving signal generating unit generates driving signals for driving the respective light-emitting elements arranged in the light-emitting element member. The first voltage supply unit is disposed on the circuit board. The voltage supply unit supplies a first predetermined voltage to the light-emitting element member.
US07954902B2
In order to allow use of the seat belt in both positions of use of a reversible seat, an articulated end fitting is proposed for connecting a seat belt to the reversible seat, with a connecting part (51) and a projecting elongate lug (53) connected thereto for suspending a seat belt, the elongate lug (53) being pivotable relative to the connecting part (51) about three different axes (A, B, C).
US07954874B2
A single-layer or multi-layer plastic skin is formed into a covering for coated objects, such as trim parts of a motor vehicle. Regions in the plastic skin include switching, sensor, or transmission functionality.
US07954873B2
A striker is supported by and coupled to a seat body and is held in a rotated position where the striker is lowered to a position along the shape of the seat body. When the seat body is moved and stowed, the striker is raised to and held at a rotated and raised position where the striker can be engaged and locked to a locking device. Elasticity of an opening spring and a rubber body, which are arranged between the striker and a coupling section, allows a forced rotational displacement of the striker in both forward and reverse directions from a state in which the striker is held at the rotated and raised position.
US07954861B2
A tubing termination comprises a termination portion adapted to make a fluid connection and a tube attachment portion, adapted to receive a tube and to be crimped or swaged. The tube attachment portion comprises a retention mechanism that is adapted to be manipulated during crimping or swaging to bite the tube so as to lock the tube attachment portion relative to the tube. This retention mechanism may take the form of a deformable bite ring, a deflectable c-insert, irregularities defined on an inner surface of the tube attachment portion, and/or the like. The tube attachment portion also may include a resilient sealing mechanism adapted to provide a seal between the tube and the tube attachment portion, and thereby a fluid-tight connection between the tube and the termination portion.
US07954859B2
A crown-type probe seal for a female hydraulic coupling member has one or more pressure-energized seals for sealing between the probe seal and the body of the coupling member which retains the probe seal. The generally ring-shaped probe seal has one or more annular fluid chambers in the wall of the seal's body. Each annular fluid chamber is open to the outer circumference of the probe seal. Hydraulic fluid under pressure may enter an annular fluid chamber through its opening an exert a generally radial force as a result of a pressure differential. This radial force can act to increase the sealing effectiveness of the probe seal both to the body of the coupling member retaining the probe seal and to the probe of a male coupling member inserted in the receiving chamber of the female member.
US07954858B2
A conduit body assembly includes a conduit body having a layer of lubrication material thereon to aid in pulling wires therethrough. The conduit body includes an elongate side wall, an open upper end and a conduit body interior. At least one hub is in communication with said body interior for passage of wires therethrough. A layer of lubrication material having a low coefficient of friction is adhered to at least on portion of the surface of the body interior.
US07954855B2
A label assembly comprises a support sheet of a paper material defining opposite surfaces, an adhesive coating applied to one side of the support sheet, and a printing paper defining opposite front and rear surfaces. The rear surface of the printing paper is releasably fixed to the support sheet in facial contact therewith through the adhesive coating and the printing paper is divided into individual paper labels or paper tags which are individually removable from the support sheet. The label assembly constitutes a label assembly which is readily printable in a laser jet or any similar printing machine such as an ink jet printer or a typewriter which label system consequently rendering it possible to provide a printing on a specific label for identifying a lever arch file or ring binder by means of the label assembly.
US07954853B2
Various embodiments of reduced-size vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility vehicles (UVs) are disclosed herein. In at least some embodiments, the vehicles include frames that are wider near the front and rear sections of the vehicles than within the mid-sections of the vehicles. This, in combination with the use of shock-absorbers that are substantially vertically oriented, allows for the opening-up of large interior cavities within the front and rear sections of the vehicles within which can be positioned large front and rear internal compartments that can provide storage/carrying capacity as well as added buoyancy for the vehicle, among other things. Also, in at least some embodiments, the vehicles can include special cooling and/or exhaust systems having components that are positioned substantially within the mid-sections of the vehicles, thus further increasing the amounts of space available for the cavities/compartments within the front and rear sections of the vehicles.
US07954852B2
An object of the present invention is to markedly increase the tilt holding force of a tilt telescopic column. A tilt telescopic steering device includes: a fixed bracket 1 fixed to a vehicle; a movable bracket 2 capable of moving relative to the fixed bracket 1; an intermediate bracket 3 which movably supports the movable bracket 2 in an axial direction, is rotatably pivoted on the fixed bracket 1 and is provided with a bearing 301 for rotatably supporting a steering shaft 101; a lock shaft 4 for tiltably and telescopicably fixing the fixed bracket 1 and the movable bracket 2 at a predetermined position; and a connecting shaft 5 for telescopicably fixing the movable bracket 2 and the intermediate bracket 3.
US07954849B2
Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable device (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant (74). The inflatable device (14) includes overlying panels (40 and 42) that are interconnected along at least a portion of a perimeter (48) of the inflatable device to define an inflatable volume of the inflatable device. The inflatable device (14) when inflated has a predetermined thickness measured between overlying points on the overlying panels (40 and 42) at a location where the head of an occupant may contact the inflatable device. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid to the inflatable device (14) for inflating the inflatable device. The inflation fluid in the inflatable device (14) is pressurized to a predetermined pressure when the inflatable device is inflated. The predetermined pressure is determined as a function of the predetermined thickness of the inflatable device (14).
US07954846B2
A door trim covers a door body of a side door. An article storage portion is provided at a lower portion of the door trim. A seat is provided beside the side door so that the seat and the side door are overlapped when viewed from a vehicle side. A side airbag device includes an airbag which inflates beside the seat with gas supplied from an inflator at a vehicle side crash and protects chest and waist portions of a passenger. A recess is provided at the door trim. The recess is concaved toward a vehicle outside at an upper portion of the door trim above the article storage portion. A covering member which restrains the airbag from coming into the recess is provided at the door trim so as to cover almost half of the recess.
US07954845B2
The inflation and deployment speed of an airbag of a knee-protecting airbag device is increased to quickly deploy the airbag to a position where it can protect the knees of the occupant, thereby improving the occupant protection function. An airbag (10), from a state in which it is arranged in a flat form, is folded sequentially through a first step in which a leading end (10S) is tucked and folded into the airbag (10), a second step in which left and right ends (10M) of the airbag (10) are roll-folded toward each other toward a vehicle-body-side base fabric sheet (12) on the vehicle-body side, and a third step in which the leading end side of the airbag (10) in the deploying direction (F) is roll-folded toward the base end (10T) toward the vehicle-body-side base fabric sheet (12). The folded airbag (10) is accommodated in a case together with an inflator (2), and a base end (10T) thereof is fixed to the case. Thus, an airbag device (1) is produced and is attached to a vehicle, at a position in front of the knees of the occupant.
US07954842B2
An airbag restraint device for occupants of a vehicle, and including an airbag system having an airbag module with an inflatable airbag. A cover at least partially covers the airbag and has a tear seam via which the airbag, upon inflation, can expand outwardly. A force-concentrating arrangement concentrates the opening force of the expanding airbag onto the tear seam, and comprises a structure extending around the airbag and having two opposite ends. The structure is folded over to form two layers and to bring the ends together at the tear seam, where the ends are connected to the cover. One of the ends is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart, strip-shaped members extending away from that end and sewn directly to the tear seam to form tear strips that upon expansion of the airbag tear defined, spaced-apart holes into the tear seam for a defined further opening thereof. The layers of the structure are disposed next to or parallel to one another.
US07954833B1
A suspension assembly comprises an axle member extending between a pair of trailing beam assemblies, wherein each trailing beam assembly comprises first and second members pivotally coupled to one another that cooperate to form an aperture within which the axle member is clamped. Each trailing beam assembly comprises a first member having a first recess, and a second member that includes a second recess, wherein the first and second members are pivotally coupled to one another and are pivotable between a first position, wherein the first recess and second recess cooperate with one another to form an open aperture, and a second position, wherein the first recess and the second recess cooperate to form a first closed aperture that receives the axle member therethrough.
US07954832B2
An axle beam includes a hollow beam body with at least first and second apertures formed in opposing wall portions of the hollow beam body. A stiffener is received within the first and second apertures and is fixed to the hollow beam body at an attachment interface.
US07954831B1
A scooter includes a main frame, a head tube mounted on the main frame, two side plates extending from the head tube and each having a first locking slot and a second locking slot, a handlebar stem mounted on the head tube, a mounting sleeve mounted on the handlebar stem, a locking tube movably mounted on the mounting sleeve and having two locking blocks each locked in the first locking slot or the second locking slot of the respective side plate, and a rotation tube mounted on the mounting sleeve and abutting the locking tube. Thus, the rotation tube can be rotated to move the locking tube relative to the head tube so as to lock or unlock the handlebar stem so that the user only needs to rotate the rotation tube to expand and collapse the handlebar stem easily and quickly.
US07954815B2
A vacuum transport includes a segmented, rigid or solid articulated belt combined with a vacuum plenum in each segment of the belt. Using a rigid segmented belt with a vacuum plenum connected to each segmented belt section eliminates ordinarily encountered drag friction in conventional vacuum transports by reducing the force necessary to move the belt with media thereon while simultaneously improving the motion quality of the move by driving the articulated rigid belt from the top side of the belt in a flat section.
US07954806B2
A medium reversing apparatus, an image forming apparatus and an image reading apparatus that respectively have the medium reversing apparatus are supplied capable of avoiding medium damage and medium load abnormality. In the medium reversing apparatus that conveys a sheet-like medium back and reverses obverse side and reverse side of the medium, a medium ejection opening is used for ejecting at least a part of the medium; an ejecting member at least ejects the part of the medium from the medium ejection opening and conveys the medium back; and a bend forming section is set at the outside edge portion of the ejecting member and bends the medium from a clamp face of the medium clamped by the ejecting member.
US07954801B2
A sheet post-processing device receives a sheet from an image forming apparatus conveys a plurality of the sheets to a staple tray to form a sheet pile, and staples the sheet pile with a stapler. The stapler is arranged along a first side of the staple tray in a sheet width direction and has an opening for taking in a second side of the sheet pile when stapling the sheet pile at a staple position. The stapler unit is arranged at a position that a central portion of the second side of the sheet pile is situated inside the opening, and the staple position is located downstream of an alignment surface of an aligning member in a sheet conveying direction that aligns ends of the sheets in the sheet pile.
US07954799B2
In a bookbinding apparatus, an adhesive applying portion applies an adhesive to an end face of a sheet bundle allowed to stand in the substantially vertical direction, a storage portion that gathers and stores the sheet bundle which is applied with the adhesive and bound in the adhesive applying portion while letting the sheet bundle stand in the substantially vertical direction, transport means for conveying the sheet bundle while letting the sheet bundle stand in the substantially vertical direction from the adhesive applying portion to the storage portion along a substantially vertical transport path, and a cutting portion which is provided on the transport path between the adhesive applying portion and the storage portion, and which cuts an end face of the sheet bundle while letting the sheet bundle stand in the substantially vertical direction.
US07954798B2
A sheet finishing apparatus includes a punch unit to punch a sheet, and a saddle unit to bundle and to fold the sheets. A position and an inclination angle of a puncher are changed according to a skew amount of the sheet, the puncher is controlled to form punch holes in the sheet at positions symmetric with respect to a folding line, and punching is performed so that an interval between the folding line and the punch hole becomes small at the inside of a bundle of the sheets and becomes large at the front cover side.
US07954773B2
A positionable platform for use with a beverage holder, the positionable platform including a monolithic body sized similarly to a standard twelve (12) ounce beverage container, the body having an upper platform portion positioned adjacent to a first end of a wall portion thereof, with a plurality of slotted retention apertures distributed about the body and substantially aligned therewith. A resiliently pliable member resides in each of the slotted retention apertures, each of the resiliently pliable members being having a fin portion positioned partially within a slot portion and extended from the outer surface of the wall portion outwardly of the body and extending along the wall portion between the first and second ends thereof, and a spine portion positioned substantially within a recessed keyhole portion. A mounting platform is positioned adjacent to one of the first and second ends of the body.
US07954771B2
A mount for situating a sprinkler nozzle of a fire extinguishing system in an opening of a suspended ceiling system, the fire extinguishing system having a main line to which a downwardly directed sprinkler nozzle is connected by a flexible hose line, a bridge provided on the top side of the ceiling system extending essentially parallel thereto, the bridge being connected to girders of the ceiling system by a detachable clamp, and the sprinkler nozzle being at least indirectly attached to the bridge.
US07954770B2
In a jointless track system, passive signaling devices (“PSDs”) are coupled to a railroad track. The PSDs are used to optimize the amplitude, modulation, coding, and frequency of waveforms that are applied to the track (by signaling points) for at least three track circuit functions: detecting trains, detecting broken rails, and communicating between the signaling points and PSDs.
US07954769B2
Deployable aerodynamic devices with reduced actuator loads, and related systems and methods are disclosed. An external flow system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an external flow body, a deployable device carried by and movable relative to the external flow body, and a coupling connected between the external flow body and the deployable device. The system can further include an actuator device operatively coupled between the external flow body and the deployable device, with the actuator device positioned to move the deployable device along a motion path between a stowed position and the deployed position. The motion path can have a first portion over which the load delivered by the actuator device increases as the deployed device moves toward the deployed position, and a second portion over which the load delivered by the actuator device decreases as the deployed device moves toward the deployed position.
US07954764B2
A refueling apparatus for interconnecting a tanker aircraft (11) with a receiver aircraft in flight comprising a boom (21) joined to said tanker aircraft (11) by means of a mechanical articulation (41) having control means including a central computer station, an inner fuel conduit, a refueling nozzle (27) at its distal end and, and a smart tip assembly comprising a first module (83) having load sensing means, a second module (85) having load alleviation means and a third module (87), joined to the nozzle (27), having a mechanical fuse (99) for allowing the safe separation of tanker and receiver aircraft in the event of overloads. The invention also comprises a method of load alleviation for minimizing the loads on the boom (21).
US07954758B2
For retrieval of a hovering aircraft, a cable, bar, or similar fixture is suspended in an approximately horizontal orientation across the retrieval area between two well-separated supports. The aircraft slowly flies into this fixture, which then slides along the aircraft in a direction approximately parallel with the aircraft's thrust line. This leads to the aircraft becoming fastened to the fixture by an interceptor or aircraft capturer which in alternative embodiments are respectively on the aircraft or the fixture or both. Thrust is then reduced, and the aircraft comes to rest hanging from the fixture for subsequent removal. Retrieval is thus accomplished with simple and economical apparatus, light and unobtrusive elements on the aircraft, low risk of damage, and only moderate piloting accuracy.
US07954752B2
A crash attenuation system for an aircraft, the system having an airbag carried by the aircraft and inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft. The airbag has at least one vent for releasing gas from the interior of the airbag. A first gas source is in fluid communication with the interior of the airbag for inflating the airbag with gas generated provided by the first gas source. A vent valve is provided for controlling a flow of gas through each vent, each vent valve being selectively configurable between an open state, in which gas can pass through the associated vent from the interior of the airbag, and a closed state, in which gas is retained within the interior of the airbag. A second gas source is provided for at least partially re-inflating the airbag after venting of gas through the at least one vent.
US07954750B2
A reel comprising a hub formed in the shape of a cylindrical tube with a base, on an outer peripheral surface of which a recording tape is wound; a base side flange portion that projects-out to a radial direction outer side of a base portion side of the hub; a flange member configured in a disc shape or an annular plate shape of a material with an elastic modulus at least equal to a material that constitutes the hub, the flange member being coaxially joined to an opening end portion of the hub; a metal plate formed in a circular plate shape or an annular plate shape, which is fixed coaxially to the base portion of the hub; and plate retention portions that are formed integrally with the base portion of the hub and touch an outer peripheral surface of the metal plate at at least four locations, which are at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the hub.
US07954747B2
A spooler for taking up a pouch package web output from a pouch package web source and a method for management of a pouch package web output from said source. In embodiments, the spooler comprises a support structure, a rotatable spindle secured with respect to the support structure, a drive apparatus in power-transmission relationship with the spindle for powering spindle rotation and control apparatus. A spool may be mounted on the spindle. Pouch package web output from the pouch package web source is wound onto the spool, providing a convenient and efficient means for managing the pouch package web.
US07954746B1
By the present invention method and apparatus is disclosed whereby a triaxial braided composite reinforcing fabric having axial yarns of varying length may be wrapped about a cylindrical shipping spool without deformation of the braided fabric. A tensioning device is interposed between the braiding tool and shipping or storage spool whereby the individual variable length axial yarns are subjected to constant tensioning. As the braided fabric is wound upon a cylindrical shipping spool, a conformable foam layer is interposed between each layer of braided fabric thereby permitting each axial yarn to seek out its own diameter by compressing the layer of conformable foam upon which it is wrapped.
US07954742B2
A multiple tool attachment system is adapted to be attached to demolition equipment. The system includes a universal body attached to the demolition equipment. A series of tools are independently attachable to the universal body. The universal body includes a guide slot extending longitudinally along the universal body. Each tool generally includes a pair of pivotable jaws adapted to be pivotably attached to the universal body with at least one linkage extending from the universal body and attachable to each jaw of the tool. A slide member is received within the guide slot, with each linkage attached to the slide member, and a piston cylinder arrangement is attached to the universal body and coupled to the slide member for moving the slide member and the jaws. The multiple tool attachment system is provided with quick change features and is designed to optimize the cutting characteristics throughout the movement cycle.
US07954739B2
A garbage disposal apparatus includes a shredding device for shredding garbage put in through a drain opening of a sink and a connecting member, a transverse conveying device for conveying the garbage shredded by the shredding device in a transverse direction, a dehydrating device into which the shredded garbage conveyed through the transverse conveying device is introduced and that is for dehydrating the shredded garbage while conveying the shredded garbage upward, a drying device into which the shredded garbage discharged through the dehydrating device is supplied via a chute and that is for drying the shredded garbage while rotating, and a garbage receptacle disposed under the drying device so as to be able to be pulled out, and the shredded garbage dried and reduced in volume by the drying device drops from the rotating drying device and is collected in the garbage receptacle.
US07954736B2
A wood chipper has a pair of feed rollers, a first of which has a fixed axis position, and a second of which is moveably toward and away from the first feed roller. Springs are provided to urge the moveable roller toward the first feed roller and to a reference position, and an actuator is provided for moving the moveable feed roller away from the first feed roller. A sensor is provided to sense the height of an object on a feed chute as the object approach the feed rollers and cause the actuator to move moveable feed roller away from the reference when the sensor signals the object exceeds a selected amount.
US07954735B2
A crushing and reducing device, especially cone crushers, used in the building and ore-dressing industries. A method of controlling the operation of a cone crusher having an internal cone connected to an unbalanced vibrator, and an external cone. The method includes utilizing a measurement plane being connected to the internal cone, measuring distances between the measurement plane and a frame of the crusher, and calculating an angle of inclination of the inner cone. The method further includes controlling, based on the calculated angle of inclination of the inner cone, at least one parameter chosen among: the angle of inclination of the inner cone, and the size of a discharge gap between the internal cone and the external cone.
US07954734B2
Cellulosic biomass is reduced to a micropowder with particles having average diameters below 5-10 micrometers with a significant fraction of the particles have diameters below 1 micrometer. Biomass (e.g., wood, agricultural waste or other plant materials) is first processed into pieces having a maximum diameter of about 10 mm. This is then dried to reduce its water content to no more than about 15% by weight and introduced into a disruptor which reduces the particle size to about 1 mm. Next the biomass is processed with a disc mill where edges of rotating discs travel along a groove pressing and squeezing the biomass, thereby breaking the biomass pieces into smaller and smaller particles. The resulting micropowder is extremely susceptible to enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis into constituent sugars. In addition, the micropowder can be suspended in an air stream and burned directly to provide heat to boilers and similar devices.
US07954723B2
A method for routing data in a chipset comprising at least two host processors and one RFID-type contactless data send/receive interface configurable according to several operating modes and according to several contactless communication protocols includes routing, to at least one of the host processors, data received by the contactless data send/receive interface via a contactless data transmission channel. The method further includes determining a destination point of the data in a host processor using as criteria to determine the destination point the operating mode and the contactless communication protocol used by the contactless data send/receive interface to create the contactless data transmission channel through which the data are received.
US07954720B2
A printing apparatus has a casing, a card supply opening at one side of the casing, a printing unit that performs a predetermined recording to a card supplied from the card supply opening, nip rollers that nip the card when being recorded at the printing unit, a magnetic encoder unit disposed adjacent to the printing unit that performs a predetermined recording to the card nipped by the rollers, and a card discharge outlet that discharges the card recorded at the printing and/or magnetic encoder units. The card supply opening, the printing unit and the magnetic encoder unit are disposed sequentially and substantially horizontally along the card conveyance path, and the card discharge outlet is provided in a side of the casing so that the card supply opening and card discharge output are positioned substantially vertically.
US07954715B2
An electronic transaction card communicates with an add-on slot of an intelligent electronic device. The add-on slot may be a memory card slot. The intelligent electronic device may be a mobile phone or other device with or without network connectivity. The electronic transaction card may have magnetic field producing circuitry compatible with magnetic card readers, smartcard circuitry, other point-of-sale interfaces, or any combination thereof.
US07954703B2
A banking system operates to cause financial transfers responsive to card data read from data bearing records by a card reader. The system includes at least one automated banking machine comprising a cash dispenser. The system is operative during a cash dispense transaction request to receive through an automated banking machine, user input of data corresponding to a mobile phone number. The system is operative to generate a security code for the requested cash dispense transaction. The system uses the phone number to send the generated security code to the mobile phone. The cash dispense transaction is allowed to proceed only if the system receives machine user input of the sent security code within a predetermined amount of time.
US07954701B2
A point-of-sale terminal is provided that includes a financial information reader. The financial information reader is configured to read and receive financial information from a card, such as a debit or credit card, which is associated with at least one account. The point-of-sale terminal further includes an input device, which is configured to receive a request for a select cash amount in excess of an amount of the purchase transaction. The point-of-sale terminal next includes a control system, which is configured to request authorization for payment of the amount of the purchase transaction and the select cash amount on the account. The financial information reader is configured to read and receive the financial information form the card in connection with the request for authorization.
US07954700B2
An apparatus for processing documents of value (12) has a checking device (52) for checking at least one property of a document of value (12) in accordance with at least one predetermined criterion with a sensor device (50), a storage-area housing (56) including a securable storage area in which documents of value (12) recognized as authentic are storable, and has a first opening (54; 88) through which the documents of value (12) can be transported from the processing area (28) to the storage area, a transport device (42) for the singled transport of documents of value (12) along a transport path (48) to the checking device (52) and from there to the storage area, and a processing-area cover (32; 128) has a cover element (36; 128) which can be moved between a close position, in which the processing area (28) is covered by the processing-area cover (32; 128), and an open position, in which an operator is enabled to access the transport path (48).
US07954698B1
A financial scoring system measures, classifies, rates, and forecasts the deposit and withdrawal patterns processed through a direct deposit account (DDA) residing in a bank's central database. The scoring metric generated by the financial scoring system is converted into a monthly mandatory, lifestyle, leisure, and luxury expenditure classifications for each DDA household. These expenditure classifications are converted by the financial scoring system to the rate of expenditure substitution each DDA household will support, the amount of the rate of expenditure substitution that the DDA household is willing to risk, and the rate of expenditure substitution that will require a preference spending decision. The DDA expenditure classifications generated by the financial scoring system are compared to the consumer expenditure survey and consumer price index tables published by U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics to provide a scoring validation benchmark.
US07954696B2
A mailbox mount including a platform, a first angled element and a second angled element. A mailbox is attachable to the platform, which has a surface. The first angled element has an end connected substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the platform. The first angled element has an other end with an angled surface. The second angled element has an angled surface in contact with the angled surface of the first angled element. The first angled element being rotatable relative to the second angled element.
US07954683B1
A surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt having two lateral edges, and a number of staples, where each staple includes a first end frangibly connected to the feeder belt and a second free end, where at least one staple is oriented relative to the feeder belt in a direction angled relative to the transverse direction, and where the staples form at least one row, each row including at least two staples. The feeder belt may be held by a surgical stapler. The surgical stapler may be utilized by placing that surgical stapler adjacent to tissue, deforming at least one staple into tissue, separating at least one deformed staple from the feeder belt, advancing the feeder belt, and repeating the placing, deploying and separating.
US07954680B2
A band with a reinforced construction. The band has an attachment portion that defines a connector bar passage, a reinforcement pin passage and a reinforcement plate recess intersecting both the connector bar passage and the reinforcement pin passage. The band also has a reinforcement plate and a reinforcement pin. The reinforcement plate defines a connector bar aperture and a reinforcement pin aperture, and is positioned within the reinforcement plate recess such that the connector bar aperture intersects the connector bar passage and the reinforcement pin aperture intersects the reinforcement pin passage. Typically, the reinforcement plate is formed from a resilient material, such as metal or hard plastic. The reinforcement pin is positioned within the reinforcement pin passage such that the reinforcement pin extends through the reinforcement pin aperture of the reinforcement plate. The reinforcement plate thus reinforces the wall of material between the connector bar passage and the end of the attachment portion, and is securely held in place by the reinforcement pin.
US07954664B2
A push and flip lid for a container is provided. The lid includes a lid body, an opening, a door, and first and second pivot supports. The lid body has a top and a skirt. The skirt depends downwardly from the top and extends around a periphery of the top. The opening is formed through the lid body. The door is arranged over the opening and connected to the lid body. The door has a push section and a flip section connected by a hinge. First and second pivot supports on the lid body are separated by the opening. The opening extends between the first and second pivot supports and engages the door at first and second discrete locations, respectively. As such, the flip section pivots about the hinge in response to downward pressure applied to the push section to uncover the opening.
US07954663B2
A console assembly for a vehicle includes a console body defining an opening communicating with a storage bin. The storage bin has opposing side walls each having a groove formed therein. A sliding member is slidably mounted within the grooves of each of the side walls within the storage bin. A console cover is pivotally mounted to the sliding member and defines a cover assembly. The cover assembly is slidably movable between a closed position wherein the console cover covers the opening of the console body and a partially open position wherein a portion of the opening of the console body is exposed. The console cover is pivotally movable between the partially open position and a fully open position wherein the console opening and the sliding member are exposed. The console cover includes at least one follower extending outwardly therefrom, wherein the follower is slidably mounted within the grooves in the storage bin wall.
US07954660B2
A plastic gas cap having a cap element with a plastic skirt having an inner skirt diameter and including ring retaining tabs extending inwardly from the inner skirt, a plug element having a flange at one end sized and shaped to fit within the plastic skirt and past the ring retaining tabs; and a plastic retaining ring having an outer ring diameter and being secured between the flange and the tabs to secure the plug element in the cap element by an interference fit within the inner skirt diameter which reinforces said plastic skirt and makes it more rigid.
US07954659B2
A unitary splash-proof beverage lid for engagement with a cup rim having a well with a drinking hole, a plug, optionally with a drinking hole, whereby said plug is rotatably connected by a pair of support arms to the lid in a friction fit relationship.
US07954656B1
A display fixture anchor system including a first panel having integral connectors and threaded and unthreaded apertures. The first panel is adapted to abut and fasten to at least one type of display fixture and to also connect via the integral connectors to a connection element, such as a slotted standard, to a particular type of store gondola. The system includes a first panel used as the head of a bolt for engaging vertical webs such as wire grids on display fixtures, in conjunction with a second panel used as an adaptable washer having multiple apertures. The system also includes a first panel used as a channel for receiving a tubular perimeter frame of a display fixture. Custom hybrid use of a first panel is also included. Methods of use and manufacture are provided within the system.
US07954648B2
In a cigarette display system 1000, a plurality of wall units 500 can be linked in an vertical direction, and tray units 200 can be arranged in desired positions on a front surface of the wall units 500. Each of the tray units 200 can hold a plurality of magazine units 100 arranged in a lateral direction, and each of the magazine units 100 can hold a plurality of cigarette packs T arranged in a direction from front to back. Accordingly, it is possible to freely change a layout in which the cigarette packs T are arranged and displayed in the vertical and lateral directions so that cigarette cartons K or the like having a shape which cannot be accommodated in the magazine unit 100 can be displayed as well. As described above, the present invention provides the cigarette display system 1000 having a structure in which the layout of the cigarette packs T to be displayed or the like can be changed in various forms.
US07954647B2
A filter comprises a housing and a filter cartridge. The housing includes an inlet, an outlet, a vent, and a filter cartridge chamber. The filter cartridge is permanently positioned in the filter cartridge chamber of the housing with an annular channel between the filter cartridge and the housing. The bottom of the filter cartridge and the interior of the bottom of the housing each include a surface which inclines upwardly toward the annular channel.
US07954642B2
An elutriation column is installed in a separation tank. The elutriation column includes a vertical separation column having a first side feed arm and a second side overflow arm spaced above the first side feed arm. Water is forced upwardly through the vertical separation column at a controllable velocity. A solid feed mixture is fed through the first side feed arm to the vertical separation column. Water from the tank rising in the vertical separation column at the controlled velocity causes targeted floater materials to move upwardly in the vertical separation column and heavier sinker materials to continue to sink. The floater materials flow from an outlet in the side of the separation tank into the recovery tank. At a discharge, lower end of the vertical separation column, the heavier sinker materials are removed from the separation tank. A mechanism is provided for purging undesirable materials that can cause plugging from the feed arm.
US07954634B2
A specific theme-shaped eco-friendly disposable wet wipe container having a main theme-shaped disposable eco-friendly housing structure for holding wet wipes and having a base. A selectively openable and closable lid member is movably connected to the housing structure so that the lid member must move in a flat plane parallel to the base. An area is provided for placement of a logo or emblem.
US07954629B2
A star-shaped intermediate conveyor (13) between the feed conveyor (11) and the delivery conveyor (12). The intermediate conveyor (13) has a plurality of radial arms (26), which are fastened to a central part (28) of the intermediate conveyor (13). The radially outwardly pointing arms (26) are rotatable about an axis of rotation (29) of the intermediate conveyor (13). In this way it is possible with any given orientation of the transporting hanger for an arm (26) to be brought under the hanger hook (16) of the transporting hanger. This ensures reliable transfer of a transporting hanger from the feed conveyor (11) to the delivery conveyor (12) under any circumstances in a simple way.
US07954610B2
A wheeled transport device includes a body having a compartment configured to contain goods. Wheels are rotatably attached to a lower portion of the body, and a handle is attached to an upper portion of the body. The handle is configured to retract within a cavity defined by the body. An electronic device is mounted to the handle.
US07954608B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a friction lining. Said friction lining is wound in three layers with different winding ratios.
US07954605B2
An electric safety switch (3) resetting device (1) for the car safety device (5) of elevators includes a switch (3) shaped as a box attached to the lower skirt (9) of the car frame, near the car safety blocks (11). A mobile upper tongue (13) is engaged with a car safety block triggering lever (15), which tongue (13) can trigger the switch (3) under the action of said triggering lever (15) and reset it in the opposite direction when operated by the maintenance operator. A connecting rod arrangement (29) hinged to the tongue (13) can be remotely actuated by the operator using an actuator (35) while standing at the landing opening near the arrested elevator car, to drive said tongue (13) to a position that will reset the switch (3).
US07954603B2
A building is provided with a plurality of service zones each including a plurality of floors, and elevators each assigned to the floors included in a corresponding one of the service zones as service floors. The service zones are provided such that the floors included in each of the service zones are at least partially different from the floors included in each of the other service zones. In an event of a fire in the building, an evacuation control apparatus for the elevators controls the elevators to convey those stranded in the building to a common evacuation floor. The evacuation control apparatus has a rescue floor setting portion for setting predetermined one of the service floors as rescue floors as to each of the service zones, and an evacuation operation command portion for controlling each of the elevators based on information from the rescue floor setting portion such that evacuation operation is performed to vertically reciprocate a corresponding one of cars between a corresponding one of the rescue floors and the evacuation floor.
US07954598B2
The present invention relates to a device for personal protection at such scaffolds that consist of scaffold posts (5, 6) and lying scaffold elements (7, 8, 15), coupled between the posts. The protective device consists of two protective post (26, 27) and a protective rail (32) with a variable length that extends between the protective posts. The protective rail is equipped with joint devices in their ends for a joined connection between the protective posts. The protective posts are equipped with coupling devices (28-31) for releasable connection with the scaffold. Thus the protective posts and the associated protective rail may gradually be moved between different vertical positions due to the need for protection.
US07954595B1
A borehole receiver for seismic testing has a support frame and an inflatable membrane configured to form a single, compact unit. The inflatable membrane has at least one sensor, such as an accelerometer affixed to the membrane. The at least one accelerometer may be adhesively affixed to an interior portion of the membrane with a cyanoacrylate adhesive. A pneumatic inflation system is used to inflate the membrane with pressurized air. In use, the membrane is slipped over the support frame and secured with a pair of O-rings. Once the borehole receiver is properly positioned in the borehole, pressurized air from the pneumatic inflation system inflates the membrane such that the at least one accelerometer achieves intimate coupling with a wall of the borehole to accurately measure dynamic seismic waves.
US07954593B2
The invention relates to a method for compensating for drive influences of a drive train of a motor vehicle on its steering system, said motor vehicle having an electric power steering system. A drive train simulation model which is integrated into the motor vehicle and permanently activated is used to determine disturbance variables from a driven behavior so that a compensation torque which counteracts the disturbance variables is generated for the power steering system.
US07954591B2
A safety interlock system for hand operated vehicle accelerator control systems is disclosed which permits a hand operated accelerator control system to be immobilized so that it cannot be activated unintentionally or accidentally by an individual operator who is not familiar with a vehicle so equipped. The safety interlock system may be selectively activated by the vehicle operator manually directly by mechanical means or remotely by means of a switch-controlled hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical activator. An indicator system is provided which indicates the status of the safety interlock system to the vehicle operator.
US07954584B2
A power unit for a vehicle including a clutch capable of making and breaking the transmission of power to a drive wheel. The clutch is interposed in the course of a power transmission path, along which rotational power of a crankshaft is transmitted to the drive wheel. The clutch is rotatably borne on a crankcase, and its axis is set along the front-rear direction of the vehicle. A clutch actuator is provided for controlling the connection and disconnection of the clutch. The clutch actuator mounted to an engine body including the crankcase. This arrangement of the clutch actuator eliminates a need to increase the front-to-rear length of the engine and the vehicle body.
US07954572B2
A steering system for tracked vehicles having two brake circuits which is activated after a failure of the primary steering mechanism. The steering system includes a steering switch (L) that can be controlled by a steering axle which, in the event of primary steering system failure, acts upon the brakes of the vehicle in such a manner that rotation of the steering axle results in a braking action upon a track on the inside of a curve.
US07954569B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for forming a bit body for an earth-boring bit. The bit body may comprise hard particles, wherein the hard particles comprise at least one of carbide, nitride, boride, and oxide and solid solutions thereof, and a binder binding together the hard particles. The binder may comprise at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, and iron, and, optionally, at least one melting point reducing constituent selected from a transition metal carbide in the range of 30 to 60 weight percent, boron up to 10 weight percent, silicon up to 20 weight percent, chromium up to 20 weight percent, and manganese up to 25 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder. In addition, the hard particles may comprise at least one of (i) cast carbide (WC+W2C) particles, (ii) transition metal carbide particles selected from the carbides of titanium, chromium, vanadium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum, molybdenum, niobium, and tungsten, and (iii) sintered cemented carbide particles.
US07954567B2
An adjustable centering tool for use in pipes of varying inner diameter. The centering tool being provided with a number of identical and steplessly adjustable, radially protruding wings having guiding lugs and chamfered end faces. The wings, having been set, are retained by an upper lock mandrel with a safety pin and a lower lock mandrel with a safety nut. The outer circumference of a cylindrical tool body is fitted with longitudinal grooves having sloped terminations cooperating with the wing dimensions, the chamfered end faces of the wings, and the guiding lugs.
US07954563B2
An expandable gripper assembly may be configured for anchoring a tool in a passage. The expandable gripper assembly includes first, second, and third pivotally connected links that are coupled to a tool. The third link is adapted to engage an inner wall in the passage. An actuation mechanism causes the third link to move radially outward from the tool for engagement with the inner wall. The actuation mechanism may comprise a roller mechanism that pushes on an inner surface of the first link for causing the first link to pivot outward away from the body. As the first and second links pivot outward, the third link moves in a radial direction for engagement with an inner wall.
US07954562B2
A gripper for use in a downhole tool is provided. The gripper can include an actuator, an engagement assembly, and an expandable assembly. The engagement assembly can comprise a leaf-spring like elongate continuous beam. The expandable assembly can comprise a linkage including a plurality of links. The linkage can be coupled to the actuator such that the actuator expands the expandable assembly which in turn expands the engagement assembly. In operation, during one stage of expansion radial forces are transmitted to the engagement assembly through both interaction of a rolling mechanism on the engagement assembly with the expandable assembly and pressure of the linkage assembly directly on an inner surface of the engagement assembly.
US07954559B2
A method of drilling a well includes at least one drill bit and at least one secondary cutting structure. The method includes determining a neutral point of a drill string, positioning at least one secondary cutting structure based on the neutral point of the drill string, and drilling an earth formation.
US07954546B2
A screen section is made with variable resistance to flow in the screen material to balance the flow along the screen length. In one variation different discrete zones have screens configured for different percentages of open area while all have the same particle filtration capability. In another variation discrete portions have differing amounts of overlapping screen portions so as to balance flow without affecting the particle size screened. The cross-sectional shape of a wire wrap underlayment for the screen is made closer to trapezoidal to decrease the angle of opening for the incoming flow paths toward the base pipe. In this manner flow resistance is reduced and flow is increased due to reduced turbulence.
US07954544B2
In one aspect, a heat transfer unit is provided for increasing the temperature of process fluids, such as gas-phase fluids, having a Reynolds Number (RE) of at least about 275,000 with a low overall pressure drop and without exceeding the wall temperature limits of the material used to construct the heater. The heater generally includes a heater conduit having the gas-phase fluid flowing therethrough and a heat source, such as a radiant heat source, providing an inconsistent or variable heat flux along a length of the heater conduit where the heat source has a peak heat flux greater than an average heat flux.
US07954542B2
Heat exchanger which mainly consists of a housing with a bottom, an upper wall and side walls, whereby onto two pairs of opposite side walls, the front wall and the back wall respectively, are connected a supply and a discharge for the gas to be cooled, and whereby channels are provided in the housing, according two cross directions, characterized in that, between the above-mentioned channels and the above-mentioned back wall, means are provided for separating condensate from the cooled gas.
US07954539B2
A process and an ultracompact plant for the endless production of hot rolled steel strip comprising an ingot mold (15) that produces a very thin slab, having narrow sides with thickness in the range between 40 and 55 mm and a central swelling, at a speed in the range between 4 and 16 m/min. Such a slab, which displays a core in which the steel is still liquid, is passed through a vertical pre-rolling device (16) that reduces the thickness of the slab and flattens it. The solidified slab may thus be subjected to a first mild rolling by a conveyor (17) and, by forming a free curve, takes a horizontal position where it is subjected to a first surface descaling, a first rolling, a heating in an inductor (23), a second surface descaling and a series of reductions in a rolling mill (30) formed by at least two stands, by maintaining its temperature along the mill above the recrystallization point Ar3. Downstream of the rolling mill (30) there are provided a roller runway with cooling showers, a flying shear (33) for cutting to length the strip produced, pinch rolls and at least two spinning wheels (34) for the formation of coils of the hot rolled strip.
US07954536B2
A seaming system for forming a seam is disclosed, wherein the seam consists of at least two opposed sections of high-modulus, high-tenacity, low-elongation fabric sections joined by a tape. The system comprises a seamer head, and a seamer base that includes a topography configured to impart a predetermined pressure gradient to the adhesive layer, tape, and fabric sections of the seam. The resultant seam has a cross-section or thickness profile that generally corresponds to that of the applied pressure gradient. As such, the constructed seam more efficiently distributes stress imparted from any applied load.
US07954527B2
A pneumatic tire provided with a tread pattern on which a plurality of blocks are formed with circumferential grooves which extend along a circumferential direction of the tire and lateral grooves which traverse the circumferential grooves, wherein the lateral groove disposed between the blocks on the endmost tread edge region has a depth from 10 to 50% of a depth of the circumferential groove to be traversed and has a groove bottom concave portion whose both ends in a longitudinal direction are disposed inside the groove bottom, and a width of the groove bottom concave portion, which is determined on the basis of the bottom plane of the groove bottom, is from 25 to 45% of a groove width of the lateral groove.
US07954524B2
A motor for a tree processing machine is provided. The motor includes a mechanism configured to drive a wheel. The wheel is configured to engage a portion of a tree. The motor also includes a housing containing the mechanism. The motor further includes an encoder. The encoder is configured to be operably coupled to the mechanism. The encoder is also configured to generate a signal indicative of a length of a portion of a tree engaged by the wheel. The encoder is contained in the housing.
US07954523B2
A cutter head assembly for a wood planing machine includes a shaft, a plurality of cutter-mounting sleeve modules sleeved on the shaft, and a plurality of cutter modules respectively secured to the sleeve modules such that cutting edges of the cutter modules extend beyond outer wall surfaces of the sleeve modules. An angularly variable positioning mechanism includes an axially extending guiding member disposed on the mount segment, and a plurality of axially extending guided members disposed on inner wall surfaces of the sleeve modules to mate with the axially guiding member. By virtue of fitting engagement between the guiding member and a selected one of the guided member of each sleeve module that are sequentially sleeved onto the shaft, the cutting edges together define a cutting contour line that winds around the shaft.
US07954517B1
A repair process for a puncture through a plumbing pipe, the process initiates with a step of machining a puncture hole to a uniformly shaped hole having a diameter for receiving a repair rivet. The process continues by inserting and securing a blind rivet through the hole. The rivet can be sealed via any of a variety of methods, including using a solderable rivet and soldering the rivet to the pipe, utilizing a sealed blind rivet, combined with a gasket assembled between a rivet flange and the pipe surface. For two punctures, a section of coupling material can be utilized, sized to cover both punctures. The section is assembled to the pipe by inserting the rivet through both the section and the pipe, securing the rivet, then soldering the coupling to the pipe.
US07954516B2
A cladding method for sealing a leak in a casing, a pipeline, a borehole, or a well downhole using a liner having a tube with a first diameter, a plurality of circumferential grooves, and a plurality of seals in the grooves extending beyond the first diameter. The cladding method has at least the steps of fastening the liner in a fastening mechanism of an expansion tool, inserting the liner having a first part and a second part into the casing outside the leak, positioning an expansion mechanism of the expansion tool at the first part of the liner, expanding the first part of the liner until the seals in the grooves of the first part of the liner are pressed against the casing and fasten the first part to the casing, releasing the liner so that the liner is free of the tool and the liner is held in place by the seals in the first part of the liner, and expanding all the way through the liner by expanding also the second part of the liner to abut the casing for sealing the leak.
US07954501B2
A pressure cleaner provides a splitter for dividing a fluid stream to a plurality of nozzles without a substantial loss in pressure. A frame is provided to help maintain angle and distances of the spray nozzles relative to each other and to a surface to be cleaned.
US07954500B2
In an applicator for a cosmetic product, especially for mascara or hair dye, comprising a main body that is connectable to a handle, said main body having a plurality of discs disposed parallel to one another, spaced apart from one another, provision is made for the discs to be patterned individually user-specifically.
US07954490B2
Concentrated oxygen product gas is produced and delivered to a patient. Product gas is produced by (a) introducing ambient air into a first end of a column containing an adsorbent material that preferentially adsorbs nitrogen and removes oxygen-rich product gas out a second end of the column; (b) evacuating the column through the first end to remove adsorbed gas from the column; (c) repressurizing the column by introducing ambient air into the first end of the column until the column is near 1.0 atmosphere; and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c). Product gas is delivered as needed to the patient.
US07954482B2
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for aging a stone, preferably an artificial stone. The aging device comprises a rotary support operatively connected to a rotary shaft, at least one abrasive tool mounted to the rotary support for roughing and/or polishing a surface of the artificial stone when the rotary support is brought into functional contact with said surface, and biasing means that biasingly connect the abrasive tool to the rotary support. The biasing means urge the abrasive tool away from the rotary support while allowing the same to move toward the rotary support when the rotary support is brought into functional contact with the surface of the artificial stone, thereby allowing the abrasive tool to follow a surface profile of the artificial stone while roughing and/or polishing its surface.
US07954480B2
A pellet gun feeder aligns at least one pellet with the breech of a pellet gun, such as a pellet pistol or a pellet rifle, and places at least one pellet in the pellet gun for use or to be discharged therefrom.
US07954477B2
A diesel cycle internal combustion engine can be operated with a variety of fuels having different boiling points and different viscosity-temperature characteristic curves, with a fuel circuit that includes a fuel tank, a fuel pump, a fuel line, at least one fuel filter, a high-pressure pump, an injection system device and a return line to return fuel to the fuel tank, where a control valve is provided in the return line for dividing or diverting the fuel flow to the fuel tank and/or to the fuel filter, and where the fuel division or diversion is undertaken as a function of the viscosity of the fuel in use such that the fuel filter will thence be heated to a temperature based on heat transfer from the fuel in use, and further where a pressure relief valve is provided between the fuel filter and the high-pressure pump.
US07954451B2
An apparatus and method use closed loop control processes to automatically adjust a command signal used to change an operating state of a fluid dispensing gun. Proportional, integral and/or derivative control processes are used to determine an operating parameter comprising on time compensation, off time compensation and/or a fluid pressure compensation. An adjustment is made to the operating parameter if a number of consecutive measurements of an adhesive bead characteristic are outside of a predetermined tolerance range. A sensor for producing a feedback signal is used to communicate a measurable difference between an actual and a desired bead characteristic. The feedback signal applied in real time is used when determining the operating parameter, reducing substrate waste and increasing efficiency.
US07954448B2
A film forming apparatus includes a film forming chamber for performing a film formation; an exhaust unit connected to the film forming chamber to discharge a gas out of the film forming chamber; a holder provided in the film forming chamber to hold a process-objective material; a jetting nozzle provided in the film forming chamber on which a jetting port is formed in a slit shape, and jetting an aerosol containing particulate material to form a film made of the particulate material on the process-objective material; and a shielding member provided at a side of the jetting port in a longitudinal direction of the jetting port to cover a side of a jet flow of the aerosol jetted from the jetting port. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a turbulence of a flow of the aerosol due to an exhaust flow, and to form the film uniformly.
US07954446B2
A hopper for cleaning a coating machine in which a rotary atomizing head extends through an opening in the upper surface of a hopper housing, a thinner for cleaning the rotary atomizing coating machine and a residual coating material are sprayed on the inside, an airstream control member for preventing flow from ascending from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing through a gap between the coating machine and the opening by the rotation of the rotary atomizing head corresponding to the gap between the coating machine and the opening, and the control member is formed with an air vent hole for supplying air to a negative pressure zone formed just below the rotary atomizing head.
US07954439B2
Transplanter which can avoid skips when planting, which skips may occur when seeds in a tray row fail to grow into seedlings. This is accomplished by picking up an entire row of seedlings from a tray, transferring the seedlings to a mechanism which eliminates gaps between seedlings, and then discharging the seedlings one at time to the ground with a desired spacing between the seedlings. A novel tray indexing mechanism is provided which can index trays of varying sizes. The planting mechanism has an air knife mounted adjacent transfer disks for straightening out the foliage as stems of seedlings before they are received by the planting disks, and the planting and transfer disks may be moved towards and away from each other for seedlings of differing heights.
US07954438B2
A bio-mass fueled boiler operating at delivered efficiencies in excess of 90%. Pre-heated, pressurized primary combustion air is supplied to a primary burn chamber via horizontal and vertical orifice containing conduits. Exhaust gases are directed past a reflective secondary burner supplying pre-heated, pressurized secondary combustion air into a secondary burn/ash collection chamber. Exhaust gases are directed from the secondary burn chamber via exhaust conduits having axial and cross-sectional shapes and wall geometries that promote internal turbulence and heat transfer. One or more gas/oil fired burners are fitted to or between the primary and secondary combustion chambers. Several operating modes are provided via associated blowers, air baffles, liquid and gas fuel conduits, pumps and sundry stove sensors and servos coupled to microprocessor control circuitry.
US07954437B2
A railroad well car includes a pair of spaced trucks, and a railcar body supported on the trucks, the body comprising a pair of spaced end structures, each end structure supported on one truck, and a well structure extending between the end structures. The well structure comprises a pair of top chord members extending between the end structures; a pair of side sills extending between the end structures; a pair of end chords extending between the side sills; four corner container support members, each secured to one end chord and one side sill at four corners of the well structure; a plurality of floor beams extending between the side sills forming at least a portion of a floor for the well structure; and a plurality of side truss members extending between one side sill and one top chord on each side forming an open truss side for the well structure.
US07954436B2
Truck assemblies, systems and methods are provided for transferring weight supported by various wheels, and axles. The vehicle suspension method includes operating the suspension in a first mode with a first effective suspension spring rate; and operating the suspension in a second mode with a second, different, effective suspension spring rate.
US07954435B2
On-board model railroad speaker enclosure designs are presented that allow maximum sized speakers, improve impedance matching of sound to the outside of the locomotive, and isolate back and front speaker waves while maintaining the standard horizontal drive-train in model train locomotives.
US07954431B2
A printing press, in particular a sheet-fed offset printing press, includes at least one control device, a plurality of printing units, one or more varnishing units, and one or more dryers. Variables determining a dryness of the printing material are determined and used to optimize the drying process. For that purpose, the important material streams influencing the drying process are determined at least for the region of the printing press that contains the drying device(s).
US07954429B1
A combined ink stamp and digital counter device includes a portable self-inking stamp that includes a housing provided with a print head. The device also includes a mechanical print head actuator that is coupled to the print head for urging the print head along a linear reciprocating path defined between an upper resting position and a lower stamping position. The device further includes a counting mechanism that is coupled to the print head actuator and is configured to conveniently count a number of stampings when the print head actuator is displaced to the lower stamping position. The device furthermore includes a display screen that is electrically coupled to the counting mechanism and is configured to display the number of stampings.
US07954427B2
In a rotary stamp with master stamp incorporating a master stamp having an oblong hole from which a desired print section of a rotary stamp is exposed in the bottom part of a grip case containing the rotary stamp, a thin melt-processed laminated belt produced by treating the superficial layer of a laminated belt foundation composed of porous thermoplastic resin belt base and an ink circulation reinforced rear fabric such that only a print section is left in a porous state while the other part of the belt is melt processed into anon-porous state that is used as an endless print belt, with the oblong hole in the master stamp formed in a size which allows the belt to pass along a bridge part without the surfaces making contact therewith.
US07954418B2
A protective device for use in containing high energy debris and pressure is provided which employs a plurality of energy absorption elements disposed on an outer surface of an inner sheet, where the outer surface faces away from the body being protected and toward the high energy event, such as an explosion. Each energy absorption element extends generally away from the body to permit the high energy event to first impact upon the energy absorption elements, rather than the body. Energy absorbing elements are configured with a base and a cap and are formed of laminate composite materials. As such, energy absorption elements are configured to contain or reduce high energy debris material and pressure impacting the energy absorption element through delamination and possibly penetration of the composite material.
US07954414B2
A muzzle brake for a firearm, the muzzle brake including structural features that affect the flow characteristics of the combustion gases for reducing concussion to the shooter and to personnel to the sides of the shooter, as well as for directionally countering upward and sideward movement of the firearm's muzzle upon the firing of the firearm.
US07954412B2
A launch tube protective cover for mounting to a launch tube including a projectile. The launch tube protective cover is arranged for protecting the interior of the launch tube from external environment. The launch tube protective cover includes a flexible rippable vapor barrier faced towards the projectile and circumferentially attached to the launch tube.
US07954408B1
A manually operable culinary apparatus includes a bottom cradle with a planar base member, a plurality of walls, a plurality of support plates, and a cutting implement detachably engaged with the bottom cradle in such a manner that the cutting implement is abutted directly on the bottom cradle when vertically and linearly displaced along a vertical plane such that a bottom-most tip of the cutting implement travels beyond the support edges and terminates medially between the support edges respectively. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for selectively adjusting first and second lateral spatial distances defined between the support plates and the anterior and posterior walls respectively.
US07954406B2
A vibrating microtome and measuring device for measuring the transverse offset of a vibrating knife comprises a light barrier into which the knife is placeable and a control application signal (pklo, pkhi) that describes the time course of the vibration of the knife and an electronic measurement system of the measuring device measures the coverage of the light barrier as an oscillating signal (tpm), and determines the transverse offset from the signal values at points in time that are defined by the control application signal.
US07954403B2
The invention provides a device for automatically carrying in and out a workpiece cooperating with a tool spindle stock of a composite working lathe. The composite working lathe comprises a main spindle 10, a workpiece handling device 20 and a tool spindle stock 30 that rotates around a B axis. A workpiece carry-in/out device 100 comprises a frame 120 including a material carry-in hand 130 and a finished product tray 140, and a cylinder 110 for moving the frame back and forth. A door 60 of a cover 50 is opened to carry in a material B1 and carry out a finished product P1.
US07954398B2
A common use pedal device for automotive vehicles comprises a base plate and a pedal pivotably attached to the base plate and having a push rod extending downwards from an underneath surface of the pedal. A rotating member is mounted to the base plate in such a manner that the rotating member can be depressed and rotated by the push rod of the pedal, the rotating member having a pulling arm adapted to pull a manual operating cable in response to rotation of the rotating member. A rotation detecting sensor is provided on one side of the base plate for detecting the degree of rotation of the rotating member and then notifying an electronic control unit of the degree of rotation thus detected. This pedal device can be employed in common in a manually controlled pedal type vehicle and an electronically controlled pedal type vehicle.
US07954391B2
The disclosure relates to a method for testing the functionality of armatures, e.g., of safety armatures, in process control systems which are assigned a test device for implementing partial stroke testing and which are connected to a control device, which brings about actuation, in accordance with regulations, of the safety armature in an emergency. Prior to the start of the implementation of the partial stroke testing, a request signal is transmitted from the test device to the control device which is answered by the control device with an enable signal, the enable signal being issued as a function of the current process sequence at the armature.
US07954387B1
An ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a proximal end and an opposing distal end. The transducer assembly includes an outer housing and an electroacoustic signal generating element secured within the outer housing. The signal generating element transmits an ultrasonic signal at a characteristic frequency along an ultrasonic path that is perpendicular to the face of the generating element. An isolation diaphragm is coupled to the proximal end of the outer housing. The isolation diaphragm is thin relative to a characteristic wavelength of the diaphragm material. A fluidic transmission layer is disposed between the electroacoustic signal generating element and the isolation diaphragm. In one embodiment, the isolation diaphragm is at an angle relative to the proximal face of the electroacoustic signal generating element. In another embodiment, a flow meter includes the ultrasonic transducer assembly, and the isolation diaphragm substantially matches the contour of the flow passage within the flow meter body.
US07954384B2
A pressure sensor comprises a housing, a housing plug and a pressure port, which projects into the housing. The pressure sensor has a pressure-sensing element adhesively cemented on the pressure port, so that a passage, located in the pressure port, is sealed. To produce an adhesive film between the pressure port and the housing, the pressure port or the housing or both exhibit a recess in a region, which borders at least section by section on the adhesive film. The volume of recess is equal to the volume of the adhesive film. To produce the adhesive film, the intermediate space between the pressure port and the housing is filled with the adhesive, which was introduced into the recess, while utilizing a capillary effect.
US07954359B1
An impact detection system according to the present invention includes an impact sensor, damage sensors and an electronics package. The impact sensor includes a fiber optic grid preferably attached to a target object to detect impact locations on the target. The damage sensors measure damage sustained by the object, while the electronics package monitors the fiber optic grid, records the impact location and sends information pertaining to the impact location and target damage through a telemetry link with limited bandwidth to a receiving station. In order to ensure transmission of desired information, the electronics package allocates telemetry bandwidth to sensor information most relevant to impact location and target damage to enable transmission in the limited time interval available prior to target destruction or impact detection system disablement. This is accomplished by dynamically allocating reporting priority to different sensors during an impact.
US07954348B2
A method of peening a surface which comprises the steps of providing a rotary peening tool having at least one rotating flap mounted on the drive shaft which is rotatably driven, measuring the speed of the drive shaft, and controlling the speed of the drive shaft to maintain a desired level. A peening apparatus is also disclosed.
US07954340B2
When a synthetic quartz glass substrate is prepared from a synthetic quartz glass block, (I) the block has a hydrogen molecule concentration of 5×1017-1×1019 molecules/cm3, (II) the substrate has a hydrogen molecule concentration of 5×1015-5×1017 molecules/cm3, (III) the substrate has an in-plane variation of its internal transmittance at 193.4 nm which is up to 0.2%, and (IV) the substrate has an internal transmittance of at least 99.6% at 193.4 nm. The synthetic quartz glass substrate has a high transmittance and a uniform transmittance distribution, and is adapted for use with excimer lasers, particularly ArF excimer lasers.
US07954338B2
A water storage unit includes an outer bag with an inlet defined in a top end thereof and an inner bag is received in the outer bag. A coolant bag is received in the inner bag and has coolant received therein. An outlet part is connected to the lower end of the outer bag and connected with a hose so that the user can suck the water in the outer bag. The water is cooled by the coolant in the coolant bag which is located at the lower end of the outer bag. A handle has a clamp slot with which a sealing rod is securely engaged. The inlet of the outer bag can be sealed by the cooperation of the clamp slot of the handle and the sealing rod.
US07954322B2
A solar energy conversion and storage apparatus floats on a body of water and confines and stores a large quantity of solar-heated water for producing electricity with a closed-cycle heat engine. An expansive horizontal structure parallel to the surface of the water confines one or more horizontal layers of water, a distributed array of heat transfer structures gathers solar energy and imparts it to the confined water, and one or more heat engines produce electricity utilizing the temperature differential between the confined water and ambient water. The heat transfer structures can be configured to transfer solar energy to the confined water using a convective process; and some or all of the heat transfer structures can be configured to transfer solar energy to the stored water using a distillation process that optionally produces distilled water as a by-product.
US07954321B2
A method for storing heat from a solar collector CSTC in Concentrating Solar Power plants and delivering the heat to the power plant PP when needed. The method uses a compressed gas such as carbon dioxide or air as a heat transfer medium in the collectors CSTC and transferring the heat by depositing it on a bed of heat-resistant solids and later, recovering the heat by a second circuit of the same compressed gas. The storage system HSS is designed to allow the heat to be recovered at a high efficiency with practically no reduction in temperature. Unlike liquid heat transfer media, our storage method itself can operate at very high temperatures, up to 3000° F., a capability which can lead to greater efficiency. Due to material constraints and cost considerations in the rest of the system the maximum temperature is presently limited to between 1700° F. and 2000° F. The method can be applied to all current solar collector designs. 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.
US07954295B2
A locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards. For horizontal mechanical joining there is a projecting portion with a locking element which cooperates with a locking groove in an adjacent board. A tongue-and-groove joint for vertical mechanical joining has cooperating upper abutment surfaces and cooperating lower abutment surfaces which are essentially parallel with the principal plane of the floorboards and of which the lower abutment surfaces are positioned essentially outside the outer vertical plane, i.e. displaced relative to the upper abutment surfaces. The tongue is movable at an angle into the groove and the locking element is insertable into the locking groove by mutual angular movement of the boards about the joint edges.
US07954293B2
According to the present invention there is provided a system of panels which could for instance be used for a suspended ceiling comprising one or more rows (R1, R2, . . . ) of panels (2), where one or more of the panels (2) of a given row can be moved from a first, upper level (a), where the panels are fixed relative to the system to a second, lower level (b), where the panels can be displaced along and underneath panels situated at the first level, thereby providing access through the system of panels to the space above or behind the panels. According to the invention there is furthermore provided panels for such systems, the panels comprising a substantially rigid frame (6, 12), the frame being furthermore provided with means for cooperation with mating means on a suspension and guide system, thereby allowing said movement from one level to the other and vice versa and said displacement. The frame defines an open, central region, over which a suitable, flexible material can be stretched and there is disclosed alternative attachment means for this material to the frame. The system of panels according to the invention facilitates access to the region above or behind the panels and also transport of the panels to the site of application as well as replacement or change of appearance of the panels on site.
US07954280B2
A basement drainage conduit for use in basement waterproofing systems. The conduit has one or two side elements with apertures to admit groundwater. The conduit may further include an intermediate element to provide additional support to the conduit structure. In embodiments where the intermediate element does not define apertures, a two-channel system may result to prevent cross-flow within the conduit. The conduit may be a modular assembly, the individual components of which may be separately manufactured for on-site installation and customization. Structural features of the conduit components, such as those defining a mating system, may facilitate assembly of the conduit. Radius elements may be provided to accommodate corners to result in a continuous drainage conduit along the perimeter of a basement, and ports may be strategically positioned to allow access to the conduit interior, such as for cleaning.
US07954273B1
A mounting platform that includes an annular housing which is received around the barrel of the firearm is configured to include interchangeable electronics modules, such as visible lights, infrared emitters, laser sighting devices, range finders, video cameras, tasers, etc. The accessory mounting platform includes a central aperture for receiving the barrel of the weapon therethrough. The front of the housing includes a faceplate that has a plurality of sockets therein for receiving a plurality of electronic accessory modules. Each of the modules is individually threaded and can be selectively mounted into any of the threaded mounting sockets. Each of the accessory modules is fully interchangeable and can be removed if not needed. The accessory mounting platform is preferably mounted to the bayonet lug and front sight of the weapon.
US07954267B2
A holder for displaying a sheet of material includes a bracket having a back surface configured for mounting to a support surface, a slidably removable front plate defining a display area, and an insertably removable back plate. The bracket includes a plurality of protrusion members extending therefrom configured to be insertably received by a corresponding number of openings defined within the back plate to enable attachment to the bracket. The back plate is insertably received within the bracket by a recess formed therein and is supported within the bracket by a plurality of extensions projecting therefrom. The front plate is slidably received within the bracket by a recess formed therein. Replacements of varying color and/or tint are included for the front plate and back plate to allow for interchangeability.
US07954264B1
A solar power ornamental device that features spinning, expandable decorative element displays a constantly changing array of colors when light is reflected from the rotating decorative element. The ornamental display includes: (a) a mounting assembly that includes a base that is rotatable about an axis; (b) means for rotating the rotatable base; and (c) an expandable decorative element that is secured to the rotatable base whereby the expandable decorative element is radially expandable when subjected to centrifugal forces that develop when the rotatable base is rotated.
US07954259B2
The invention relates to a shoe having a sole element. The sole element includes a sole area extending below a wearer's foot and a heel cup three-dimensionally encompassing a heel of the wearer's foot. The heel cup alone forms at least a portion of a sidewall of the shoe.
US07954256B2
A footwear system (S) and corresponding methods (M1) and (M2) for providing a plethora of footwear fashion options via a plurality of interchangeable components, the interchangeability of which being facilitated by structurally stable quick-coupling and quick-decoupling techniques. The system (S) includes a plurality of interchangeable uppers (100), a plurality of interchangeable heels (200), and a quick-release device (300) for easily and selectively engaging a heel (200) of the plurality of interchangeable heels (200) with an upper (100) of the plurality of interchangeable uppers (100). The quick-release device (300) has a safety feature for providing structural stability.
US07954254B2
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for drying a product using a regenerative adsorbent, more in particular to such a method which can be carried out in an energy-saving manner. According to the invention, the product is dried by bringing it into contact with an adsorbent, water being taken up form the product by the adsorbent. Subsequently, the adsorbent is regenerated with superheated steam, steam being obtained, which steam comprises at least a part of the mentioned water.
US07954253B2
Apparatus for checking diametral dimensions of a rotating cylindrical part during a grinding thereof
An apparatus for checking the diameter of crankpins (18) of a crankshaft (34) in the course of the machining in a grinding machine comprises a first arm (9) rotating with respect to a support (5) arranged on the grinding-wheel slide (1) of the grinding machine, a second arm (12) rotating with respect to the first, a reference device (20) carried by the second arm and a measuring device (16, 17, 40-45) associated with a reference device. A guide device (21), fixed to the reference device (20), enables the apparatus to engage a crankpin, in the course of the orbital motion of the crankpin, and limit the displacements of the first arm and those of the second arm when a control device (28-30) displaces the apparatus to a rest position.
US07954242B1
This invention will assist individuals to either manually or automatically clip a toenail or fingernail. The fingernail or toenail is inserted into the front end of the device and a pair of trimming edges move together to clip the fingernail or toenail safely, easily and conveniently. One of the embodiments contemplates a manual device and the other is an electric device.
US07954238B2
An ink jet head circuit board is provided which has heaters to generate thermal energy for ink ejection as they are energized. This circuit board has the heaters formed with high precision to reduce their areas. It also has provisions to protect the electrode wires against corrosion and prevent a progress of corrosion. The substrate is deposited with the thin first electrodes made of a corrosion resistant metal. This is further deposited with the resistor layer. The second electrodes made of aluminum are deposited to overlap the first electrodes to form the heater without causing large dimensional variations among the heaters. With this construction, if a defect should occur in a protective layer on or near the heater, a progress of corrosion can effectively be prevented because the material of the resistor layer is more resistant to encroachment than aluminum and the first electrodes are corrosion resistant.
US07954237B2
A method for manufacturing a heat pipe and a capillary structure thereon is provided, and the steps of the method are as follows. A hollow pipe which has an open end and a closed end is provided. A mold is placed into the hollow pipe through the open end. The mold includes a central rod and a shaping component mating with the central rod, and the shaping component has an outward shaping surface. A powder is filled into the space between the hollow pipe and the mold through the open end and then sintered to form a capillary structure on the inner wall of the hollow pipe, in which the capillary structure has a profile corresponding to the shaping surface of the shaping component. Thereafter, the central rod and the shaping component are sequentially taken out of the hollow pipe.
US07954230B2
An ablating device is used to form a pattern into a sensing element pad of a soot sensor, with the pattern establishing two finger paths without electrical connection between them. The pattern can be formed through a protective layer on the sensing element pad before the sensing element pad is fired.
US07954228B2
In a manufacturing method of a thin and small RFID tag, an antenna metal pattern is formed on a substrate, going once around a dielectric plate, and a recess is formed on the substrate to house an IC chip. A strap on which the IC chip is mounted is connected and fastened to the substrate in the position and orientation in which the IC chip is housed in the recess.
US07954224B2
The invention includes a method of joining edges of adjacent honeycomb core panel sections. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a first edge along a first cellular core panel section. The first edge includes a first plurality of edge cell walls along the first edge. The method further includes forming a second edge along a second cellular core panel section, wherein the second edge includes a second plurality of edge cell walls along the second edge. The first edge is positioned proximate to the second edge. At least a portion of at least one of the first plurality of edge cell walls is mechanically interlocked with at least a portion of at least one of the second plurality of edge cell walls to form a joint therebetween. The invention also includes a composite structure at least partially produced by such a method.
US07954220B2
A method for using an aircraft brake assembly in servicing an aircraft, with the container having at least two identical container portions, at least one of the at least two container portions having an at least one sliding channel therein, an at least one cradle member having an at least one sliding portion engaging with said at least one sliding channel holding the cargo in a horizontal orientation, and at least one securement device securing the at least two identical container portions. The method having the method steps of transporting an aircraft brake assembly container to said aircraft undercarriage, the container comprising at least two container portions, with a first of the at least two container portions supporting a new brake assembly; opening the container, rotating a second of the at least two container portions; aligning the second of the at least two container portions with the aircraft undercarriage and a used aircraft brake assembly; releasing the used aircraft brake assembly into the second of the at least two container portions; removing the second of the at least two container portions along with the used aircraft brake assembly; aligning the first of the at least two container portions with the aircraft undercarriage; installing the new brake assembly; and replacing the first of the at least two container portions atop the second of the at least two container portions.
US07954218B2
A system and method for feeding collar members to an attachment system for assembly of aircraft and similar large scale mechanical assemblies. Collars are fed sideways along a tube having a rectangular internal cross-section to a collar pathway defined by an clamp fork and swaging ram combination. The collar pathway is curved to present the collar to a receiving element mounted on a swaging die in a proper orientation relative to an attachment bolt which is moved through an opening in the workpiece and then through the collar. As the bolt is moved into the collar, the collar, receiving element and swaging die move together laterally to come into alignment with the bolt.
US07954214B2
A transport cart (1) for needle boards (2) in accordance with the invention is provided with an accommodation device (8) that is designed so that its height can be adjusted and that it can also be pivoted about at least one axis, and that it is associated with a protective cover which can be moved together with the accommodation device. Numerous adjustment options, guide and stop devices are provided in order to be able to also handle large and heavy needle boards in a safe and careful manner.
US07954208B2
A fastening member that is capable of attachment to a molded article is disclosed. The fastening member may include at least one fastener element extending from a base and an anchor layer attached to the base. The anchor layer may be coated with a magnetically attractable coating. The magnetically attractable coating may be substantially continuous on select portions of the anchor layer and discontinuous on other select portions of the anchor layer.
US07954205B2
The present invention discloses a clip retainer which includes a top surface having a groove and a bottom surface which has stopping ribs and a barb formed between the stopping ribs. The top surface and the stopping ribs of the bottom surface clamp a flange of a clip. A slope of an inclined plane of the barb in a slide-in direction of the clip is smaller than that of an inclined plane of the barb in a slide-out direction of the clip. Based on the above structure, the clip retainer can meet the function requirements of small slide-in force and large slide-out force of the clip and has a simple structure. Furthermore, the clip retainer can produce repeated insertion and extraction deformation and is very reliable to use.
US07954204B2
Disclosed is a closure system used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example as a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace extends through a series of guide members positioned along two opposing footwear closure portions. The lace and guides preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace along the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. The closure system allows a user to quickly loosen the lace and inhibits unintentional and/or accidental loosing of the lace.
US07954201B1
A sliding track steam cleaning system which may be installed on a vehicle. van, mini-van or automobile having a combined cargo and passenger area of approximately 20 cubic feet and need not be specially adapted for mounting on a truck.
US07954200B2
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a distributor for dispensing solution to the surface and a solution tank fluidly connected to the distributor for supplying a flow of solution to the distributor. The solution tank has a bottom portion and an upper portion. A constant head device is fluidly connected to the solution tank such that the flow of solution from the solution tank to the distributor is substantially constant independent of the level of solution in the solution tank.
US07954195B2
Beater Cleaner is a kitchen gadget designed to clean beaters or other similarly shaped products. It consists of tongs that allow squeegee like devices on the ends of each tong to grip the blades of a beater or other similarly shaped object. To use the preferred embodiment of Beater Cleaner, a user uses his thumb and index finger to grab the flexible tongs at the finger grips. He can then tighten or loosen the tongs to fit over various sized and shaped beaters. The rubber squeegees are placed around the beater and the user can scrape the ingredients stuck on the beater into a mixing bowl to insure the maximum amount of ingredients is saved. The user can then use the brush on the opposite end from the squeegees to clean between the blades of the beater.
US07954191B2
A toothbrush includes a head having a prophylaxis polishing cup closely surrounded by cleaning elements in the form of a bristle ring extending above the upper surface of the cup. Alternatively, the cups could be in the form of arrays of densely packed cleaning elements. The area formed by these configurations retains toothpaste on the toothbrush during use. Additional cleaning elements may be arranged about the periphery of the toothbrush head. The toothbrush may be a powered toothbrush wherein the cups and/or bristle rings rotate, oscillate or reciprocate to better clean teeth.
US07954189B2
An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements.
US07954184B2
A bed frame comprising T-shaped side rails provides support for a box spring and mattress. The T-shaped side rails provide more resistance to twisting and bowing and enables the overall bed frame to support more weight with less deflection than the convention L-shaped side rails. The T-shaped side rails may be two L-shaped angle irons affixed together or a unitary T-shaped member that can also be used for other structural components of the bed frame such as a center beam. The vertical flange of the T-shape can be non-linear. In a further embodiment, the side rails are comprised of a metal skin enclosing a hollow area with a horizontal, flat shelf for supporting the box spring and a contiguous vertical surface generally at a right angle to the horizontal shelf to retain the box spring in it desired position.
US07954176B2
An instep enhancing prosthesis (19) to be worn by a dancer to enhance the appearance of the dancer's foot (10). The prosthesis (19) includes a flexible sock portion (20) formed of elastic material to which there is attached an instep enhancing prosthetic portion (27) that has an upper surface (28) that is to provide a smooth line extending from adjacent the ankle joint (11) of the dancer to adjacent the dancer's metatarsals to give the appearance of an increased height of the instep of the dancer's foot.
US07954174B2
Disclosed is a catching tool for baseball or softball including a ball receiving portion covering the palm side of a user's hand when wearing the tool and containing a ball receiving surface for receiving a ball, a resin layer that is selectively formed on the surface of the ball receiving portion and can be deformed along a surface of the ball when catching the ball, and a back portion for covering the back of the user's hand. On the ball receiving portion, various resin layers may be optionally formed, examples of the resin layers including a large-width resin layer, and a small-width resin layer having a convex regions.
US07954167B2
A body armor to be worn by a person includes a front section including ballistic paneling. The front section further includes at least a first front laterally extending section on a first side of the body armor. The first front laterally extending section includes ballistic paneling. The body armor further includes a rear section comprising ballistic paneling and at least a first rear laterally extending section attached to the rear section on the first side of the body armor and extending from the rear section. The first rear laterally extending section is connected to the first front laterally extending section so that when the first rear laterally extending section is moved forward around a first side of a torso of the person during closure of the first side of the body armor, the first front laterally extending section is pulled to move in a rearward direction around the first side of the torso of the person and under the first rear laterally extending section, thereby causing overlapping of at least a portion of ballistic paneling of the first front laterally extending section with at least a portion of ballistic paneling of the rear section around the first side of the torso.
