US08129573B2

The present invention relates to a method for purifying an aqueous solution of fermentation alcohol to give anhydrous alcohol, wherein a mash column is controlled such a manner that an alcohol concentration of an alcohol/water mixed vapor distilled from a mash column is less than 50% by weight and a reflux amount of a condensate to a distillation column is controlled such a manner that an alcohol concentration of an alcohol/water mixed vapor that is distilled from the distillation column is 65 to 85% by weight. According to the present method, the purification for obtaining an anhydrous alcohol from an aqueous solution of a fermentation alcohol with the use of a mash column, a distillation column, an evaporator and a membrane separator can be more conveniently carried out with an extremely high energy efficiency as the whole process.
US08129568B2

A composition comprising a compound of formula (I) or (II): wherein r and q are independently integers of 1 to 3; Rf is linear or branched chain perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; j is an integer 0 or 1, or a mixture thereof, x is 1 or 2, Z is —O— or —S—, X is hydrogen or M, and M is an ammonium ion, an alkali metal ion, or an alkanolammonium ion is disclosed.
US08129557B2

A phosphonic acid diester derivative represented by the following general formula (1): wherein at least one of R1 and R2 denotes a leaving group.
US08129539B2

2-Substituted-5-(1-alkylthio)alkylpyridines are produced efficiently and in high yield from a non-pyridine source by cyclization.
US08129536B2

The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of Lansoprazole of formula (I). More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for the purification of crude Lansoprazole in a solvent in presence of an alkali salt of an organic acid or in presence of an organic base such as piperidine or imidazole.
US08129523B2

A convenient preparation of boron-containing compounds, borate salts, pyrrolecarbonitrile boron-containing compounds, N-substituted-pyrrole-2-carbonitrile boron-containing compounds, and derivatives thereof is provided. The present invention also provides for the use of these boron-containing compounds and derivatives thereof in coupling reactions to provide bi-aryl compounds.
US08129520B2

The present invention provides dipyrrin substituted porphyrinic macrocycles, intermediates useful for making the same, and methods of making the same. Such compounds may be used for purposes including the making of molecular memory devices, solar cells and light harvesting arrays.
US08129519B2

Chemical agents, such as disulfonamide derivatives of fluorene, anthracene, xanthene, dibenzosuberone and acridine, and similar heterocyclic ring structures, including salts thereof, that act as anti-cancer and anti-tumor agents, especially where such agents modulate the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and serve to reduce β-catenin levels present in cells, such as cancer cells, or where the agents modulate levels of gene expression in cellular systems, including cancer cells, are disclosed, along with methods for preparing such agents, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing such agents as active ingredients and methods of using these as therapeutic agents.
US08129516B1

The present invention pertains to the use of paranemic crossover motifs for RNA self-assembly, and the use of those self-assembled complexes to carry out analytical methods, and as a basis for the creation of sensors. The invention includes RNA monomeric units comprising an RNA having a binding domain that is adapted to self-assemble paranemically so as to form an RNA complex with another RNA, the binding domain of the RNA monomeric unit comprising an aptameric portion bound to a fluorophore. The invention also includes RNA complexes comprising a target RNA molecule and at least one of these monomeric units which self-assemble paranemically so as to form the RNA complex comprising an aptameric portion. The invention also includes derivatives of these complexes including aptamers, and analytical methods and devices using same.
US08129512B2

Methods for identifying one or more amino acid substitutions in a Rubisco large subunit polypeptide (variant) that confer increased Rubisco activity in a unicellular photosynthetic organism and transferring those substitutions to a Rubisco large subunit polypeptide of a higher plant cell are described herein. Methods and compositions for modulating plant productivity using the modified Rubisco large subunit polypeptide variants are provided. The Rubisco large subunit sequences are used in a variety of methods including increasing plant productivity in a plant. Transformed plants, plant cell, tissues, seed, and expression vectors are also provided.
US08129509B2

Compounds and methods are provided for a single-step covalent attachment of a label to a molecule comprising forming a covalently attachable labeling reagent for alkylating the molecule. Then, combining the covalently attachable labeling reagent with a mixture containing the molecule, under conditions wherein the labeling reagent has reactivity with the molecule thereby forming a covalent bond.
US08129507B2

An atopic dermatitis inducer binding to a human own IgE antibody and activating mast cells and basophiles, which includes a purified human secretion fraction, or an antigenic molecule or an antigenic determinant in the purified fraction, and obtained through the following steps of: filtering a human secretion, removing insoluble matters and collecting the filtrate; mixing the filtrate with a ConA-affinity carrier and collecting the supernatant; and separating a component having a histamine-releasing activity from the supernatant by column chromatography. This inducer is effective in diagnosing and treating human atopic dermatitis.
US08129506B2

The present invention provides for chimeric proteins comprising a MUC1 extracellular (MUC1-EC) polypeptide and a carrier polypeptide that function as traps for MUC1 ligands.
US08129490B2

A propylene polymer composition having a Flexural modulus lower than 500 MPa, a total ethylene content from 9 to 30% by weight, a xylene soluble fraction at room temperature higher than 25% by weight, a melting temperature measured by DSC (Tm° C.) from 130 to 150° C. and a ratio between the weight of xylene soluble fraction at 25° C. and the hexane soluble fraction determined on plaque (100 μm) of higher than 4.
US08129482B2

A process for preventing or reducing polymer agglomeration and/or accumulation on or around the gas distribution grid in an olefin polymerization, fluidized-bed reactor. The process involves introducing one or more scouring balls into the reactor above the gas distribution grid, and carrying out olefin polymerization in the presence of the scouring balls. Also disclosed is a process for polymerizing olefins in a fluidized-bed reactor with reduced polymer agglomeration and/or accumulation on the gas distribution grid.
US08129475B2

A process of preparing a telechelic polyolefin is disclosed by performing steps 1a, 2, and 1b in this order in the presence of an olefin polymerizing catalyst and subsequently performing step 3 if necessary. Step 1a involves reacting the olefin polymerizing catalyst with a polar-group-containing olefin (C). Step 2 involves reacting the resultant compound of step 1a with at least one olefin (D) selected from ethylene and olefins having 3 to 20 carbon atoms n times wherein n is an integer of 1 or more, provided that when n is an integer of 2 or more, the olefins (D) used in the respective contact operations are different in kind or composition. Step 1b involves reacting the resultant compound of step 2 with the same or different polar-group-containing olefin (C). Step 3 involves chemically converting the Y′ group in the general formula (II) to a different group.
US08129471B2

A composition comprising: a polycarbonate comprising units derived from a bisphenol cyclohexylidene of the formula: wherein Rc1 and Rd1 are each independently C1-12 alkyl, Rc2 and Rd2 are each independently hydrogen or C1-12 alkyl, Rg is C1-12 alkyl or halogen, and t is 0 to 10; and a poly(ether-ester) copolymer comprising 40 to 60 wt % of polyester hard block units derived from a C6-C24 aromatic dicarboxylic acid or a C6-C24 alicyclic dicarboxylic acid and at least one glycol component, wherein when the C6-C24 aromatic dicarboxylic acid comprises terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid groups are present in an amount from 0 to 30 mole %, based on the total moles of isophthalic acid groups and terephthalic acid groups in the hard block units, and 40 to 60 wt % of polyether soft block units derived from poly(oxytetramethylene) glycol, wherein the molecular weight of the poly(oxytetramethylene) glycol groups is 300 to 1800 Daltons.
US08129469B2

The present invention relates to a graft copolymer, a method for preparing the same and a thermoplastic resin composition comprising the same. The graft copolymer of the present invention comprises a composite rubber polymer (A-1) having an average particle diameter of 250-600 nm prepared by particle enlargement after mixing a diene rubber polymer (a-1) latex having an average particle diameter of 50-150 nm and a core-shell structured, cross-linked alkyl acrylate rubber polymer (b-1) latex having an average particle diameter of 50-250 nm. A thermoplastic resin composition prepared by mixing the graft copolymer of the present invention with a hard matrix (B) has very superior weathering resistance and superior pigmentation property, gloss, impact resistance and low-temperature impact strength.
US08129461B2

The invention relates to a composition comprising a binder, filler particles and water, wherein the binder comprises amorphous silica and a vinyl-functional silicone polymer. The invention also relates to a method of making this composition as well as to a method of coating a substrate comprising applying the composition onto the substrate.
US08129459B2

A non-aqueous blend composition for treating a porous material comprising triacylglycerides obtained, from vegetable oils and containing a fatty acid component and a polystyrene dissolved in the triacylglycerides to form a blend composition, the polystyrene component being present in the blend composition in an amount of from about 1% to about 40% by weight of the fatty acid component.
US08129451B2

A sealing film for a solar cell is provided, which has excellent ultraviolet resistance. The sealing film for a solar cell according to the present invention includes ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer; an organic peroxide; a benzotriazole-based ultraviolet absorber; and a hindered amine-based light stabilizer. The content of the benzotriazole-based ultraviolet stabilizer is in the range of 0.01 to 0.3 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. Further, the content of the hindered amine-based light stabilizer is in the range of 0.01 to 2 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.
US08129443B2

There are provided a novel polymerizable composition having an X-ray contrast property and excellent transparency, a cured product thereof, and a composite material comprising powder of the cured product. More specifically, there are provided a polymerizable composition comprising (A) an inorganic oxide having an X-ray contrast property and an average particle diameter of 100 nm or smaller, (B) a surface modifier, (C) a polymerizable compound and (D) a polymerization initiator, a cured product obtained by polymerizing these components, and a composite material comprising powder of the cured product.
US08129440B2

An antioxidant combined with UHMWPE prior to subjecting the UHMWPE to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the antioxidant is tocopherol. After the antioxidant is combined with the UHMWPE, the resulting blend may be formed into slabs, bar stock, and/or incorporated into a substrate, such as a metal, for example. The resulting product may then be subjected to crosslinking irradiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE blend is preheated prior to subjecting the same to crosslinking irradiation. Once irradiated, the UHMWPE blended product may be machined, packaged, and sterilized in accordance with conventional techniques.
US08129436B2

The present invention provides a method for simplifying manufacture of a mixed alcohol or mixed oxygenate product from synthesis gas. The mixed alcohol or mixed oxygenate product contains ethanol and other oxygenates with two or more carbon atoms per molecule. The method includes stripping a portion of carbon dioxide and inert gases contained in a mixed alcohol synthesis reaction product using a methanol-containing stream, such as one produced as part of the method, as a medium to absorb said carbon dioxide and inert gases and recycling light products and heavy products to one or more of synthesis gas generation, mixed alcohol synthesis and separation of desired mixed alcohol or mixed oxygenate products from other components of a mixed alcohol synthesis stream. The present invention also provides downstream processing of the mixed alcohol or mixed oxygenate product by subjecting the product to a dehydration step in order to convert at least ethanol, preferably at least ethanol and propanol, to their corresponding olefins (e.g. ethylene and propylene).
US08129434B2

Provided are compounds having an inhibitory effect on sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter SGLT. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, methods of preparing the compounds, synthetic intermediates, and methods of using the compounds, independently or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for treating diseases and conditions which are affected by SGLT inhibition.
US08129421B2

A method for preparing 4-[3,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl )-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl]benzoic acid of formula (I) by reaction of 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benz[e][1,3]oxazin-4-one of formula (II) with 4-hydrazinobenzoic acid of formula (III) in an organic acid or in a mixture of an organic acid and an organic solvent.
US08129415B2

The present invention relates to hydroximoyl-tetrazole derivatives of formula (I) wherein T represent a tetrazolyl substituent, A represents a carbo- or heterocycle, L1 and L2 represent various linking groups and Q represents a 6-membered heterocycle, their process of preparation, their use as fungicide active agents, particularly in the form of fungicide compositions, and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, notably of plants, using these compounds or compositions.
US08129413B2

The present invention relates to a process for producing N-{(1S)-1-[2-(1-{[(3S,4R)-1-tert-butyl-4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyrrolidin-3-yl]carbonyl}piperidin-4-yl)-5-chlorophenyl]ethyl}acetamide, and novel crystalline salts, hydrates, solvates, and polymorphic forms thereof.
US08129409B2

The present invention provides piperidine derivatives of formula (I): salts and optical isomers thereof and cosmetic compositions containing them.
US08129406B2

Disclosed are selective inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases represented by the following formula (I). wherein X is (CH2)nO, (CH2)nS, (CH2)nNR1, (CH2)n(CH2), or CH═CH, wherein n=0, 1, or 2; R and R1 are, independently, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl group, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or heterocycloalkenyl; and Z is NH or CH2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also disclosed are methods of making such compounds and methods of using such compounds to inhibit tumor progression and to treat diseases such as arthritis.
US08129403B2

This invention relates to novel compounds having the formula (I); and to their pharmaceutical compositions and to their methods of use. These novel compounds provide a treatment for cancer.
US08129402B2

The invention concerns screening molecules with anti-prion activity. More particularly, it concerns kits for screening molecules with anti-prion activity characterized in that they comprise in combination a [PSI+], phenotype yeast, an antibiogram and an agent for purifying prions at sub-efficient doses, said yeast including the adel-14 allele of the ADE1 gene and an inactivated ERG6 gene, the screening methods, and a family of molecules with anti-prion activity isolated by the inventive screen. The invention is applicable to anti-prion agents for producing medicines in particular for treating neurodegenerative diseases involving protein aggregates.
US08129396B2

2-[1H-benzimidazol-2(3H)-ylidene]-2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)acetamides and 2-[benzothiazol-2(3H)-ylidene]-2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)acetamides and their salts are kinase inhibitors, useful in the treatment of cancer.
US08129395B2

4,5-disubstituted-2-arypyrimidines of Formula I and Formula II are provided: wherein R1, R2, R3, R8, R9, A and Ar are defined herein. Such compounds are ligands of C5a receptors. Preferred compounds of Formula I and II bind to C5a receptors with high affinity and exhibit neutral antagonist or inverse agonist activity at C5a receptors. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and to the use of such compounds in treating a variety of inflammatory, cardiovascular, and immune system disorders. In addition, the present invention provides labeled 4,5-disubstituted-2-arylpyrimidines, which are useful as probes for the localization of C5a receptors.
US08129394B2

Novel imidazole compounds of the general formula are disclosed, wherein R1 and R2 comprise heteroaryl groups. These compounds and compositions containing them are useful in methods to treat Raf kinase-mediated disorders such as cancer.
US08129387B2

The present invention relates to substituted 5,6-dihydroimidazo[1,5-f]pteridines of formula I: which are useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the invention.
US08129386B2

The present invention relates to novel fused azolepyrimidine derivatives, processes for preparing them and pharmaceutical preparations containing them. The fused azolepyrimidine derivatives of the present invention exhibit enhanced potency for phosphotidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibition, especially for PI3K-γ inhibition and can be used for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases associated with PI3K and particularly with PI3K-γ activity.More specifically, the azole derivatives of the present invention are useful for treatment and prophylaxis of diseases as follows: inflammatory and immunoregulatory disorders, such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, rhinitis, allergic diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), septic shock, joint diseases, autoimmune pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis, and Graves' disease, cancer, myocardial contractility disorders, heart failure, thromboembolism, ischemia, and atherosclerosis.The compounds of the present invention are also useful for pulmonary hypertension, renal failure, cardiac hypertrophy, as well as neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and focal ischemia, since the diseases also relate to PI3K activity in a human or animal subject.
US08129385B2

The present invention is directed to a class of substituted 5-hydroxy-3,4,6,9,9a,10-hexahydro-2H-1-oxa-4a,8a-diaza-anthracene-6,10-diones useful as anti-HIV agents. The compounds have the formula: Z═O; R20, R21, R22, R23, R24 and R25 independently are hydrogen, C1-C8 alkyl, (C6-C14)aryl-(C1-C8)alkyl, C6-C14 aryl, or alkoxy; the stereochemistry of an asymmetric carbon represented by * shows R- or S-configuration, or a mixture thereof; RX is hydrogen; R14 is hydrogen or optionally substituted lower alkyl; R3 is hydrogen; R1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R is halogen; and m is 1, 2 or 3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08129381B2

The present invention relates to compounds of formula I: useful as inhibitors of caspases. The present invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds, processes for preparing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds and compositions in the treatment of various diseases, conditions, or disorders.
US08129367B2

The invention encompasses compounds of formula I as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds have activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and are useful in treating those infected with HCV.
US08129363B2

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a natural mixture of conjugated estrogens from urine of pragnant mares (PMU) and use of a macroporous adsorption resin in the method. The method for obtaining a natural mixture of conjugated estrogen from PMU includes the steps of pretreating raw PMU; adsorbing the natural mixture of conjugated estrogens contained in PMU with a macroporous adsorption resin; washing the macroporous adsorption resin laden with the mixture of conjugated estrogens with an alkaline aqueous solution; and eluting the washed adsorption resin with an eluting agent to obtain the mixture of conjugated estrogens. The macroporous adsorption resin is a styrene-divinylbenzene semipolar macroporous adsorption resin with ester group structure. The method according to the invention solves the problems of low adsorptive capacity and high cost existed in the conventional methods, and is suitable for large-scale production.
US08129361B2

Provided is a novel amine compound represented by the following formula (I) having a superior peripheral blood lymphocyte decreasing action and superior in the immunosuppressive action, rejection suppressive action and the like, which shows decreased side effects of, for example, bradycardia and the like, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, or a hydrate thereof, or a solvate thereof. wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification.
US08129350B2

A method of delaying digestion by an animal or a human of carbohydrates in food, comprising administering an effective amount of one or more flavonoids to the animal or human in conjunction with the food, wherein the flavonoids are selected from luteolin, apigenin, tricin and their pharmaceutically acceptable analogues and derivatives.
US08129339B2

The invention relates to compositions and methods for the sustained release of biologically active polypeptides. The sustained release compositions of this invention comprise a biocompatible polymer having dispersed therein a biologically active polypeptide, and a corticosteroid to modify the release profile and provide increased bioavailability.
US08129332B2

The present invention provides novel polypeptides comprising heat shock protein 20 (HSP20)-derived polypeptides to treat or inhibit smooth muscle vasospasm, as well to treat and inhibit smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration.
US08129330B2

Methods are provided for the preparation of conjugates of a variety of bioactive components, especially proteins, with water-soluble polymers (e.g., poly(ethylene glycol) and derivatives thereof), which conjugates have reduced antigenicity and immunogenicity compared to similar conjugates prepared using poly(ethylene glycol) containing a methoxyl or another alkoxyl group. The invention also provides conjugates prepared by such methods, compositions comprising such conjugates, kits containing such conjugates or compositions and methods of use of the conjugates and compositions in diagnostic and therapeutic protocols.
US08129329B2

The present invention relates generally to dental diseases, caries and periodontal disease. More specifically, the invention relates to Lactoferrin and Statherin fusion proteins (STAT-LF) along with therapeutic, diagnostic and research uses for these polypeptides. The present invention also provides methods of treating dental diseases, caries and periodontal disease.
US08129327B2

Packaging is provided for high moisture bar soap compositions to address a number of potential problems associated with high moisture bar soap compositions, such as minimizing moisture loss, inhibiting mold growth on paperboard material used in the packaging, and preventing the development of colored stains on the bar soap and packaging resulting from chemical reaction between the high moisture bar soap and the paperboard, especially recycled paperboard. The bar soap packaging comprises a laminate material comprising a paperboard material, a thermoplastic material disposed on at least one side of the paperboard material, and a fungicide. Further provided is a method of inhibiting the growth of mold on a paperboard package which can result from storage of a high moisture bar soap composition in the paperboard package by treating the paperboard package with a fungicide comprising chlorothalonil and p-tolyl diiodomethyl sulfone, and then packaging the high moisture bar soap composition in the treated paperboard package.
US08129326B2

The present invention relates to polymers obtainable by condensation of N-(hydroxy-alkyl)amines and reacting the remaining hydroxy and/or secondary amino groups of the condensation product with alkylene oxides and to derivatives obtainable by quaternization, protonation, sulphation and/or phosphation of said polymers, as well as to a process for preparing said polymers and a process for preparing said derivatives.
US08129321B2

Provided are a liquid composition for cleaning a nozzle surface of an inkjet printer, a method of cleaning a nozzle surface using the liquid composition and an inkjet recording apparatus including the liquid composition. The liquid composition includes a polyoxyethyleneglycol-based compound and may include a stabilizer.
US08129320B2

The present disclosure relates to lubricant oil compositions formed from base stock oils to optimize internal combustion engine performance. Base stock oils are identified that have selected cetane number characteristics and relatively reduced reactivity to improve their associated combustion characteristics and reduce engine knock without the need to modify the engine fuel or engine parameters such as compression ratio and/or ignition timing. The base stocks may specifically include esters of dicarboxylic acids, esters of trimellitic anhydride and/or alklyated naphthalene compounds.
US08129302B2

The disclosed invention relates to a blended hydrous kaolin clay product comprising a platy coarse kaolin clay and a fine, hydrous kaolin clay. The blended kaolin clay product is suitable for use as a raw material component in the formation of cordierite products.
US08129301B2

Disclosed is a molding compound for producing a fireproof lining, especially for a combustion chamber of a stationary gas turbine. Said molding compound is characterized particularly by the fact that the molding compound is formed from more than about 50 percent by weight of silicon carbide and less than about 50 percent by weight of aluminum silicate.
US08129298B2

A nonwoven fabric laminate possesses excellent elasticity, softness, water resistance, fuzz resistance and curl resistance, and has less stickiness.The nonwoven fabric laminate includes at least one meltblown nonwoven fabric layer and mixed-fiber spunbonded nonwoven fabric layers on both surfaces of the at least one meltblown nonwoven fabric layer, the mixed-fiber spunbonded nonwoven fabric layers each comprising mixed fibers including 10 to 90 wt % of continuous fibers of a thermoplastic elastomer (A) and 90 to 10 wt % of continuous fibers of a thermoplastic resin (B) other than the thermoplastic elastomer (A) ((A)+(B)=100 wt %).
US08129289B2

Methods of controlling critical dimensions of reduced-sized features during semiconductor fabrication through pitch multiplication are disclosed. Pitch multiplication is accomplished by patterning mask structures via conventional photoresist techniques and subsequently transferring the pattern to a sacrificial material. Spacer regions are then formed on the vertical surfaces of the transferred pattern following the deposition of a conformal material via atomic layer deposition. The spacer regions, and therefore the reduced features, are then transferred to a semiconductor substrate.
US08129288B2

Combinatorial plasma enhanced deposition techniques are described, including designating multiple regions of a substrate, providing a precursor to at least a first region of the multiple regions, and providing a plasma to the first region to deposit a first material on the first region formed using the first precursor, wherein the first material is different from a second material formed on a second region of the substrate.
US08129286B2

Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device structure, including the steps of providing a structure having an insulator layer with at least one interconnect, forming a sub lithographic template mask over the insulator layer, and selectively etching the insulator layer through the sub lithographic template mask to form sub lithographic features spanning to a sidewall of the at least one interconnect.
US08129282B2

In a plasma etching method, a substrate, on which an oxide film as a target layer to be etched, a hard mask layer, and a patterned photoresist are sequentially formed, is loaded into the processing chamber and mounted on a lower electrode. A processing gas containing CxFy (x is 3 or less and y is 8 or less), C4F8, a rare gas and O2 is supplied and a plasma of the processing gas is generated by applying a high frequency power to an upper or a lower electrode. Further, a high frequency power for bias is applied to the lower electrode, and a DC voltage is applied to the upper electrode.
US08129280B2

Substrate devices having tuned work functions and methods of forming thereof are provided. In some embodiments, forming devices on substrates may include depositing a dielectric layer atop a substrate having a conductivity well; depositing a work function layer comprising titanium aluminum or titanium aluminum nitride having a first nitrogen composition atop the dielectric layer; etching the work function layer to selectively remove at least a portion of the work function layer from atop the dielectric layer; depositing a layer comprising titanium aluminum or titanium aluminum nitride having a second nitrogen composition atop the work function layer and the substrate, wherein at least one of the work function layer or the layer comprises nitrogen; etching the layer and the dielectric layer to selectively remove a portion of the layer and the dielectric layer from atop the substrate; and annealing the substrate at a temperature less than about 1500 degrees Celsius.
US08129279B2

A method of performing chemical mechanical polish (CMP) processes on a wafer includes providing the wafer; determining a thickness profile of a feature on a surface of the wafer; and, after the step of determining the thickness profile, performing a high-rate CMP process on the feature using a polish recipe to substantially achieve a within-wafer thickness uniformity of the feature. The polish recipe is determined based on the thickness profile.
US08129268B2

A method of fabricating a lower bottom electrode for a memory element and a semiconductor structure having the same includes forming a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of conductive contacts formed therein to be connected to access circuitry, forming a dielectric cap layer over exposed portions of the dielectric layer and the conductive contacts, depositing a planarizing material over the dielectric cap layer, etching a via to an upper surface of each conductive contact, removing the planarizing material, depositing electrode material over the dielectric cap layer and within the vias, the electrode material contacting an upper surface of each conductive contact, and planarizing the electrode material to form a lower bottom electrode over each conductive contact.
US08129265B2

A system and method for forming post passivation discrete components, is described. High quality discrete components are formed on a layer of passivation, or on a thick layer of polymer over a passivation layer.
US08129261B2

Methods for implanting ions into a substrate by a plasma immersion ion implanting process are provided. In one embodiment, a method for implanting ions into a substrate includes providing a substrate into a processing chamber, the substrate comprising substrate surface having one or more features formed therein and each feature having one or more horizontal surfaces and one or more vertical surfaces, generating a plasma from a gas mixture including a reacting gas adapted to produce ions, depositing a material layer on the substrate surface and on at least one horizontal surface of the substrate feature, implanting ions from the plasma into the substrate by an isotropic process into at least one horizontal surface and into at least one vertical surface, and etching the material layer on the substrate surface and the at least one horizontal surface by an anisotropic process.
US08129258B2

A method for dicing a semiconductor wafer, including: cutting a reference slot in a back main surface of the wafer; cutting a back slot in the back main surface, the back slot positioned with respect to the reference slot; determining a desired location for a chip edge with respect to the reference slot; and applying radiant energy in a path such that a series of reformed regions are formed within the wafer along the path. A crystalline structure of the wafer is modified in the series of reformed regions and an alignment of an edge of the laser is with respect to the desired location for the chip edge and in alignment with the back slot. The method includes separating the wafer along the series of reformed regions to divide portions of the wafer on either side of the series of reformed regions.
US08129249B2

Integrated transistor and method for the production is disclosed. An explanation is given of, inter alia, a transistor having an electrically insulating isolating trench extending from a main area in the direction of a connection region remote from the main area. Moreover, the transistor contains an auxiliary trench extending from the main area as far as the connection region remote from the main area. The transistor requires a small chip area and has outstanding electrical properties.
US08129245B2

Methods of manufacturing power semiconductor devices include forming an epitaxial and dielectric layer, patterning and etching the dielectric layer, forming a first oxide layer, forming a first conductive layer on top of the first oxide layer, etching the first conductive layer away inside an active trench, forming a second oxide layer and second conductive layer. The second conductive layer does not extend completely over the first conductive layer in a first region outside of the active trench. The methods further include forming a third oxide layer over the second conductive layer, etching a first opening through the third oxide layer exposing the second conductive layer outside the active trench, etching a second opening through the second oxide layer outside the active trench in the first region exposing the first conductive layer but not the second conductive layer, and filling the first and second openings with conductive material.
US08129242B2

A method of manufacturing a flash memory device having an enhanced gate coupling ratio includes steps of forming a first semiconductor layer on a substrate and forming a semiconductor spacer layer on top of the first semiconductor layer. The semiconductor spacer layer includes a plurality of recesses. The method provides a semiconductor spacer structure which functions to increase the contact area between a floating gate and a control gate of the flash memory device.
US08129237B1

A vertical light-emitting diode (VLED) structure fabricated with a SixNy layer responsible for providing increased light extraction out of a roughened n-doped surface of the VLED are provided. Such VLED structures fabricated with a SixNy layer may have increased luminous efficiency when compared to conventional VLED structures fabricated without a SixNy layer. Methods for creating such VLED structures are also provided.
US08129235B2

A method of fabricating a self-aligned contact is provided. A first dielectric layer is formed on a substrate having a contact region therein. Next, a lower hole corresponding to the contact region is formed in the first dielectric layer. Thereafter, a second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer, and then an upper hole self-aligned to and communicated with the lower hole is formed in the second dielectric layer, wherein the upper hole and the lower hole constitute a self-aligned contact hole. Afterwards, the self-aligned contact hole is filled with a conductive layer.
US08129230B2

A method of fabricating a chip package is provided. The chip package includes a laminate, a chip and conductive elements interposed between the chip and the laminate by which signals are transmitted among the chip and the laminate. The method includes dispensing a first underfill in a space defined between opposing faces of the chip and the laminate and dispensing a second underfill at least at a portion of an edge of the chip, the second underfill including a high aspect ratio material.
US08129227B2

A packaged surface-mount semiconductor device has the outer, un-encapsulated lead segments structured in five adjoining portions: The first portion protrudes from the encapsulation about horizontally; the second portion forms a convex bend downwardly; the third portion is approximately straight downwardly; the fourth portion forms a concave bend upwardly; and the fifth portion is straight horizontally. Each segment has across the width a first groove in the third portion, either on the bottom surface or on the top surface. Preferably, the groove is about 2 leadframe thicknesses vertically over the bottom surface of the fifth lead portion. When stamped, the groove may have an angular outline about 5 and 50 μm deep; when etched, the groove may have an approximately semicircular outline about 50 to 125 μm deep. A second groove may be located in the second segment portion; a third groove may be located in the transition region from the third to the fourth segment portions.
US08129225B2

A method includes providing an integral array of first carriers, arranging first semiconductor chips on the first carriers, and arranging an integral array of second carriers over the semiconductor chips.
US08129218B2

Phase change memory elements, devices and systems using the same and methods of forming the same are disclosed. A memory element includes first and second electrodes, and a phase change material layer between the first and second electrodes. The phase change material layer has a first portion with a width less than a width of a second portion of the phase change material layer. The first electrode, second electrode and phase change material layer may be oriented at least partially along a same horizontal plane.
US08129215B1

A method for producing a High Temperature Thin Film Layer On Glass (HTTFLOG) of silicon, which is a precursor component of thin film transistors (TFTs). The invention described here is a superior method of fabricating HTTFLOG precursor structures or components for liquid crystal displays (LCDs) with quicker production time and lower cost of manufacture while enabling a groundbreaking increase in small and large screen resolution. This invention is a new sub-assembly intended for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) consumption and inclusion in display products.
US08129210B2

A manufacturing method of a microstructure which enables production of a deep and narrow microstructure in a GaN semiconductor with high precision is provided. The manufacturing method of a microstructure for forming a microscopic structure in a semiconductor has a configuration having a first step of forming a first GaN semiconductor layer on a substrate, a second step of forming a first hole by using etching on the first GaN semiconductor layer formed in the first narrow, and a third step of performing heat-treatment at a temperature from 850° C. to 950° C. inclusive under a gas atmosphere including nitrogen, in order to form a second narrow in which a diameter of the first hole h formed in the second step is made narrower than the diameter of the first hole in an in-plane direction of the substrate.
US08129203B2

A method of manufacturing integrated circuits includes measuring a reflectivity value of a wafer. An optimum energy level for laser marking the wafer is determined using the reflectivity value. A laser beam having the optimum energy level is then emitted to make laser marks on the wafer.
US08129201B2

A stacking apparatus that stacks chip assemblies each having a plurality of chips disposed continuously with circuit patterns and electrodes, includes: a plurality of stages each allowed to move arbitrarily, on which the chip assemblies are placed; a storage unit that stores an estimated extent of change in a position of an electrode at each chip, expected to occur as heat is applied to the chip assemblies placed on the plurality of stages during a stacking process; and a control unit that sets positions of the plurality of stages to be assumed relative to each other during the stacking process based upon the estimated extent of change in the position of the electrode at each chip provided from the storage unit and position information indicating positions of individual chips formed at the chip assemblies and controls at least one of the plurality of stages.
US08129189B2

The present invention relates to an indicator of sterilization and/or use, which may be affixed to or integrated in a limited use device. The indicator may include a plurality of layers wherein each of the layers includes a membrane. The indictor may also include indicia of the number of uses disposed between the layers. The membranes may breach upon the sterilization or use of the limited use device, wherein the device is exposed to a given environment, such as various gasses, steam, liquids, UV, plasma, etc. In addition, more than one membrane may be provided between each indicia, wherein each membrane may respond to a different environment.
US08129178B2

The present invention relates to a bioreactor assembly containing a reactor frame that permits linear upscaling under identical conditions of culture volumes from two liters to thousands of liters. The bioreactor contains at least one rocking platforms being capable of holding at least one disposable bag adapted for receiving a total volume of at least 2 liters. The at least one platforms have a tray-like shape, that induces the fluid in the bag to move and form a wave-like motion. The at least one platforms are attached to the reactor frame and are positioned on top of each other along a vertical axis. In particular, the weight distribution of the rocking platforms is approximately in balance during rocking. The present invention further relates to methods using the bioreactor assembly.
US08129175B2

Apparatuses and methods for determining whether a test compound solution induces cell activity, an embodiment of the method of the present invention comprising placing a test compound solution in contact with a cell suspension media containing cells, diffusing the test compound solution into the cell suspension from a point source, and detecting activity in the cells with respect to their distance from the point source. Detecting activity in the cells can involve detecting activity in a first group of the cells proximate to the point source, and detecting activity in a second group of the cells farther from the point source than the first group.
US08129173B2

Provided is a method of selectively enzymatically esterifying or selectively enzymatically solvolyzing epimers of analogs of vitamin D having a stereogenic center at C-24 that has a free or esterified OH group. The metod can be used, for example, for separating mixed epimers of the vitamin D analog.
US08129167B2

ULBP4, a novel member of the ULBP family has been isolated and characterized. ULBP4 is a useful activator of immune effector cells, particularly of NK cells. Nucleic acids encoding ULBP4, vectors, and cells encoding the same are provided.
US08129166B2

The disclosed invention relates to immunogenic minicells cells (anucleated) and their use to induce an immune response from a subject.
US08129162B2

Methods for the evolution of NADPH binding ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes to acquire NADH binding functionality are provided. Specific mutant ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes isolated from Pseudomonas that have undergone co-factor switching to bind NADH are described.
US08129158B2

An agricultural waste digester and biogas generation system. The system includes a digester assembly having a cylindrical body, a hollow interior, a center axis and a plurality of wheel segments within the interior of the digester assembly. A gas conduit extends from the interior of the digester assembly to a power generation device. Also included is a water vessel containing water, and each of the plurality of wheel segments have an acruate, contoured surface area which restrict biogas movement within the digester assembly to produce induced agitation of agricultural waste.
US08129157B2

The invention relates to the development of appropriate cultivation conditions for a bacteria to grow anaerobically (fermentatively) on a glycerol substrate. The method requires culturing bacteria having a functional 1,2-propanediol pathway and a functional type II glycerol dehydrogenase-dihydroxyacetone kinase pathway in a culture medium containing high concentrations of glycerol, a neutral to mildly acidic pH, low levels of potassium and phosphate, and high levels of CO2, such that glycerol is thus converted into a desirable product, such as ethanol, hydrogen, formate, succinate, or 1,2-propanediol.
US08129146B2

Novel insulin precursors and insulin precursor analogs comprising a connecting peptide (mini C-peptide) of preferably up to 15 amino acid residues and comprising at least one Gly are provided. The precursors can be converted into human insulin or a human insulin analog. The precursors will typically have a distance between B27 (atom CG2) and A1 (atom CA) of less than 5 Å.
US08129144B2

The invention involves a papilloma pseudovirus that can induce immune response after oral intake as well as its preparation. It is characterized in that HPV or BPV pseudovirus are made by disrupting HPV-VLP or BPV-VLP, mixing them with plasmids (plasmids or DNA vaccine), and reassembling them into the pseudoviruses (VLPs with plasmids inside). Oral administration of the pseudoviruses will result in delivery to mucosal and systemic lymphoid tissues and induce immune responses for disease prevention and treatment. The pseudovirus induces stronger immune response than DNA vaccines. Additionally, the pseudovirus can be applied in gene therapy by bringing the therapeutic genes into lymphoid tissues in the human body.
US08129132B2

A method of screening a sample of body fluid obtained from an animal subject for analyte autoantibodies reactive with one or more antigenic molecules selected from pancreatic islet cell antigenic molecules and insulin, or one or more variants, analogues, derivatives or fragments thereof, and a kit for use in such a method.
US08129131B2

Methods for the use of Pin1 as a marker of abnormal cell growth are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a level of Pin1 to stage an abnormal cell growth, such as breast or prostate cancer. In another embodiment, the method includes evaluating the efficacy of a treatment of an abnormal cell growth, such as cancer, by monitoring the levels of Pin1. In another embodiment, the method includes evaluating the extent of metastasis of abnormal cell growth, such as cancer. The levels of Pin1 can be protein levels or nucleic acid levels.
US08129128B2

This application is related to immunoassay reagent compositions comprising a glycan reagent for diagnosing multiple sclerosis.
US08129119B2

The present invention provides an improved system for linking nucleic acids to one another. In particular, the present invention provides techniques for producing DNA product molecules that may be easily and directly ligated to recipient molecules. The product molecules need not be cleaved with restriction enzymes in order to undergo such ligation. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the DNA product molecules are produced through iterative DNA synthesis reactions, so that the product molecules are amplified products. The invention further provides methods for directed ligation of product molecules (i.e., for selective ligation of certain molecules within a collection of molecules), and also for methods of exon shuffling, in which multiple different product molecules are produced in a single ligation reaction. Preferred embodiments of the invention involve ligation of product molecules encoding functional protein domains, particularly domains naturally found in conserved gene families. The inventive DNA manipulation system is readily integrated with other nucleic acid manipulation systems, such as ribozyme-mediated systems, and also is susceptible to automation.
US08129118B2

This invention relates to magnetic particles having a glass surface which are substantially spherical. This invention also relates to methods for making them, as well as to suspensions thereof and their uses for the purification of DNA or RNA in particular in automated processes.
US08129117B2

This document provides methods and materials related to genetic markers of Bipolar Disorder (BD) and Schizophrenia (SZ). For example, methods for using such genetic markers to assess risk of developing BD and/or SZ are provided, as are methods for making a differential diagnosis between BD and SZ.
US08129114B2

EGFR biomarkers useful in a method for predicting the likelihood that a mammal that will respond therapeutically to a method of treating cancer comprising administering an EGFR modulator, wherein the method comprises (a) measuring in the mammal the level of at least one biomarker selected from epiregulin and amphiregulin, (b) exposing a biological sample from the mammal to the EGFR modulator, and (c) following the exposing of step (b), measuring in the biological sample the level of the at least one biomarker, wherein an increase in the level of the at least one biomarker measured in step (c) compared to the level of the at least one biomarker measured in step (a) indicates an increased likelihood that the mammal will respond therapeutically to the method of treating cancer.
US08129108B2

A nucleic acid probe for classification of pathogenic bacterial species is capable of collectively detecting bacterial strains of the same species and differentially detecting them from other bacterial species. Any one of the base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 40 to 42 or a combination of at least two of them is used for detecting the gene of an infectious disease pathogenic bacterium.
US08129104B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for storing platelets to preserve the function and freshness of the platelets. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of a preservative composition having an antiplatelet agent, an anticoagulant, and an oxygen carrier, for maintaining the freshness of platelets. Additionally, the composition may also contain an ultra-short acting broad spectrum anti-microbial agents. The preservative composition may be used to store platelets in a liquid state, a frozen state, or a freeze-dried state.
US08129101B2

A method for increasing the removal rate of a photoresist layer is provided. The method includes performing a pre-treatment of a substrate, such as a plasma process, before forming the photoresist layer. The method can be applied to the fabrication of semiconductor devices for increasing the removal rate of the photoresist layer.
US08129078B2

A mask having mask patterns for the transfer of a desired circuit pattern, a method for manufacturing the mask, and a semiconductor device manufacturing method using the mask, are provided. There are extracted two rectangular aperture patterns which are adjacent each other in an obliquely disposed state with respect to an X axis in an XY plane. The thus-extracted two rectangular aperture patterns are rotated at a certain angle so that a pattern edge corresponding to one side of one of the rectangular aperture patterns and a pattern edge corresponding to one side of the other rectangular aperture pattern are opposed in parallel to each other. The two rectangular aperture patterns thus rotated at a certain angle are then subjected to optical proximity effect correction to form two corrected rectangular aperture patterns.
US08129077B2

A method of manufacturing a fuel cell includes thermally treating a hydrogen permeable membrane in a given temperature higher than an actual operating temperature of the fuel cell, and forming an electrolyte layer on the hydrogen permeable membrane subjected to the thermal treatment. The hydrogen permeable membrane is composed of a polycrystalline metal.
US08129076B2

To accelerate a film formation rate in forming a negative electrode active material film by vapor deposition using an evaporation source containing Si as a principal component, and to provide an electrode for lithium batteries which is superior in productivity, and keeps the charge and discharge capacity at high level are contemplated. The method of manufacturing an electrode for lithium batteries of the present invention includes the steps of: providing an evaporation source containing Si and Fe to give a molar ratio of Fe/(Si+Fe) being no less than 0.0005 and no greater than 0.15; and vapor deposition by melting the evaporation source and permitting evaporation to allow for vapor deposition on a collector directly or through an underlying layer. The electrode for lithium batteries of the present invention includes a collector, and a negative electrode active material film which includes SiFeyOx (wherein, 0
US08129073B2

A catalyst-coated membrane that includes an anode catalyst layer, a cathode catalyst layer, and a hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, a peripheral area of at least one of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer is provided with a decrease portion in which the mass of the electrode catalyst per unit area of the catalyst layer decreases from the inner side toward the outer side.
US08129068B2

A first separator and a second separator make up separator bodies having the same shape, which are oriented 180° opposite to each other. The first separator has first sandwiching sections sandwiching electrolyte electrode assemblies therebetween, along with fuel gas supply units. A fuel gas supply passage extends in a stacking direction through the fuel gas supply units. The second separator has second sandwiching sections and oxygen-containing gas supply units. An oxygen-containing gas supply passage extends in the stacking direction through the oxygen-containing gas supply units.
US08129053B2

Provided is a secondary battery comprising a cathode active material having low-electrolyte wettability as a main ingredient, which is capable of improving high-rate discharge properties by an addition of a perfluorinated sulfonamide substituent-containing polymer (“additive”) to a cathode mix and/or an electrolyte.
US08129044B2

A fuel cell system including: a fuel cell including a fuel gas channel and an oxidant gas channel, which is configured to generate electricity using a fuel gas and an oxidant gas; a diluting unit configured to dilute gas discharged from the fuel gas channel by mixing the discharged gas with a dilution gas which is supplied from an oxidant gas supply unit and passed through and discharged from the fuel cell, and to exhaust the diluted gas to outside; a purge valve configured to purge gas in the fuel gas channel to the diluting unit; a scavenging unit configured to scavenge the fuel gas channel and the oxidant gas channel; and a dilution assist unit configured to supply a dilution assist gas to the diluting unit through an assist passage connected to the diluting unit to assist dilution in the diluting unit, during scavenging by the scavenging unit.
US08129042B2

Disclosed is a multilayer structure including a first layer and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, wherein the first layer is formed of a first material comprising a first inorganic laminar compound and a second layer is formed of a second material comprising a second inorganic laminar compound with a volume fraction greater than the volume fraction of the first inorganic laminar compound in the first layer. The multilayer structure may includes a substrate layer. A method for producing the multilayer structure is also disclosed.
US08129031B2

Films containing microlayer structures are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides an autoclavable film containing a first microlayer of a heat resistant polymer and a second microlayer of a flexible polymer attached to the first microlayer. Each of the first microlayer and the second microlayer has a thickness ranging between about 0.01 microns and about 10 microns.
US08129012B2

The present invention relates to a write-once optical record carrier for high speed recording, in particular to a DVD+R disc. Such a record carrier comprises in general at least a substrate layer (3), a recording layer (2) of an organic dye material on top of the substrate layer (3) and a metal reflective layer (1) on top of the recording layer (2). In order to obtain a less steep temperature gradient at the interface between the recording layer (2) and the reflective layer (1) and thus to prevent mechanical stress leading to a delamination problem it is proposed to reduce the thickness of the metal reflective layer (1) to a range below 75 nm. A dielectric layer of a thickness below 50 nm between the recording layer (2) and the metal reflective layer (1) is also enclosed.
US08129007B2

Coextruded, biaxially oriented, heat-shrinkable films having a base layer comprising a polyester having an intrinsic viscosity greater than 0.75 and at least one outer heat-sealable layer directly adhered to the base layer are disclosed. The outer layer is heat-sealable and optionally peelable in particular to polyester containers. The invention further relates to a process for producing the film and to packages comprising a container, a product and the coextruded, biaxially-oriented heat-shrinkable film sealed onto the container. The packages are suitable for use with ready-prepared foods, so-called “ready-meals”, which are intended to be warmed in a microwave or in a conventional oven.
US08129002B2

The present invention is related to compounds for use in liquid crystal media, liquid crystal media comprising said compounds, the use of said media in electro-optical devices, said electro-optical devices, and the use of said compounds in mesogenic media for use in electro-optical devices that may be operated in an optically isotropic state.
US08128975B2

A confectionary comprising a solid shaped confectionary composition sanded with a sugar alcohol having a negative heat of solution and a method of mixing same. The method involves coating solid pieces of confectionary composition with a wetting syrup and sanding the wetted pieces with sugar alcohol crystals. The confectionary is characterized by intense initial cooling and flavor release.
US08128973B2

Herbal skin care compositions for the promotion of wound healing is provided.
US08128971B1

A homoeopathic formula and method for treating celiac disease. The formula includes the ingredients of L-Carnosine, Aronia Berry, Vitamin D3, Folic Acid, RNA, DNA, Pulsitilla, and Lycopodium Clavatium which are mixed with brown rice flour as an anti clumping agent prior to encapsulating the formula in standard gel caps. The preferred dosage for the treatment of celiac disease is to administer 6 capsules of the preferred formulation to the patient orally each day for 30 consecutive days.
US08128966B2

The present invention provides compositions of modified pectin and for preparing and using them.
US08128963B2

The present invention provides for a method for treating an ischemic disorder in a subject which comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutically acceptable form of a selectin antagonist in a sufficient amount over a sufficient time period to prevent white blood cell accumulation so as to treat the ischemic disorder in the subject. The invention further provides a method for treating an ischemic disorder in a subject which comprises administering to the subject carbon monoxide gas in a sufficient amount over a sufficient period of time thereby treating the ischemic disorder in the subject. The invention further provides a method for treating an ischemic disorder in a subject which comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutically acceptable form of inactivated Factor IX in a sufficient amount over a sufficient period of time to inhibit coagulation so as to treat the ischemic disorder in the subject.
US08128956B2

A pet food product for hairball treatment that includes a shell component completely surrounding an inner component to form one dual textured pet food product, wherein the shell component is harder than the inner component. The shell component can include a mixture of soluble and insoluble fiber and can include at least one ingredient comprising a carbohydrate, fat, protein or combination thereof. The inner component comprises a mixture of ingredients, wherein the ingredients include a lubricant.
US08128952B2

Disclosed are systems and methods that can be utilized to define and control the delivery rate of a biological agent from a carrier matrix such as a biocompatible hydrogel. The carrier matrices of the present invention can include ligands incorporated within the matrix at a predetermined concentration level (CLT). In addition, the ligands within the matrix can display a particular, predetermined affinity for the biologically active agents to be delivered by the system. In particular, the affinity between the ligand and the biologically active agent can have a known predetermined dissociation constant (KD). When utilizing the system, the agent can be incorporated within the matrix due to association of the agent with the ligand. In addition, the agent can be protected from side reactions due to the association of the agent with the ligand. Through particular selection of the parameters CLT and KD, the rate of release of the biologically active agent from the matrix can be controlled. The disclosed methods and systems can be advantageously used in both in vivo clinical settings and ex vivo settings, such as tissue engineering applications.
US08128951B2

A method and device for local delivery of water-soluble or water-insoluble therapeutic agents to the tissue of a normal or diseased body lumen is disclosed. An expandable structure of a medical disposable device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, is coated with a non-durable coating which is complexed with iodine and has a substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent dispersed therein. The medical disposable device is inserted into a body lumen, and expanded to contact the non-durable coating against the body lumen and deliver the substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the body lumen tissue.
US08128950B2

A paper product having an antimicrobial composition dispersed with the substrate is provided. In particular, a paper towel such as those found in public washrooms or institutions comprises an antimicrobial composition. The substrate can also be a facial tissue, kitchen towel, serviette or any type of personal hygeine product. The antimicrobial composition preferably comprises a phenol-derived antimicrobial agent. The paper products of the present invention appear dry to the touch.
US08128947B2

The present invention provides for the preparation of stable surfactant-free dispersions of hydrophobic substances in low viscosity hydrophilic glyceryl polyacrylate or glyceryl polymethacrylate fluids, and topical vehicles formulated with the dispersions.
US08128945B2

A vector for targeted delivery of drugs into estrogen receptors over-expressed cells is disclosed. The vector of the present invention is mainly about an active targeting delivery carrier which consists of a plurality of nanoparticles including: (i) a plurality of targeted moiety conjugated to the outer surface of the nanoparticles, the moiety being capable of binding with the estrogen receptor of a target cell, and (ii) bioactive agents encapsulated in the nanoparticles or forming complex with the nanoparticles. The targeted moiety of the present invention can also be conjugated to parent drugs for prodrug design.
US08128943B2

The present invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I), wherein R1, X, Y, Z and m are as defined in the description, in the free form or in salt form either alone or in combination with a vaccine component, for controlling fish parasites, in particular sea lice.
US08128934B2

The inventors examined the role of MK in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, which is a human model for multiple sclerosis. As a result, they discovered that MK has the effect of inhibiting regulatory T cells, and that the autoimmune mechanism induced by type 1 helper T cells can be suppressed by inhibiting MK expression or its activity, thereby increasing the number of regulatory T cells. Furthermore, it was found that diseases associated with the functional disorder of regulatory T cells can be treated with the administration of an inhibitor that inhibits MK expression or activity.
US08128929B2

The invention provides antibodies that bind to human PDGFRα and neutralize activation of the receptor. The invention further provides methods for neutralizing activation of PDGFRα and methods of treating a mammal with a neoplastic disease using the antibodies alone or in combination with other agents.
US08128925B2

This invention provides compositions of active highly phosphorylated lysosomal sulfatase enzymes, their pharmaceutical compositions, methods of producing and purifying such lysosomal sulfatase enzymes and compositions and their use in the diagnosis, prophylaxis, or treatment of diseases and conditions, including particularly lysosomal storage diseases that are caused by, or associated with, a deficiency in the lysosomal sulfatase enzyme.
US08128917B2

The present invention is drawn to a carrier composition containing: (a) at least one polyamine compound comprising at least two amino groups; (b) at least one nonionic surfactant; (c) at least one anionic silicone; and (d) at least one water-insoluble material, and wherein the composition, when combined with an aqueous phase, forms an aqueous delivery system which is both stable, and clear to slightly hazy/limpid in appearance.
US08128910B2

A pesticidal aerosol composition, containing 3-phenoxybenzyl ester compound represented by Formula (I): wherein, X represents a hydrogen atom or a cyano group; Z represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom; and R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-C3 alkyl group that may be substituted with halogen atoms, or a halogen atom; 4-methoxymethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl 3-(2-cyano-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate, an organic solvent, and a propellant has an excellent pesticidal activity.
US08128908B2

The present invention relates to fluorescent, radio-opaque and magnetic quantum nanoparticles, useful as multifunctional contrast agents or probes for in vivo bioimaging, and methods of their use. The invention provides for multifaceted bioimaging (e.g., intra-arterial pre-operative brain mapping and broad based in vivo diagnostic imaging), including imaging of various cell types, such as stem cells.
US08128907B2

A method is disclosed for providing a correcting factor for the dilution of measurements of at least one biomarker in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The method comprises providing semi-automated measurements of the ventricular system by MRI scans using quantitative anatomical protocols, determining a measurement of biomarker levels in CSF that has been extracted, correcting the measurement of the level of said at least one biomarker'according to the ventricular size, and providing a corrected result of the measurement determined in step (b), said corrected result accounting for concentration dilution due to the change in ventricular size. The method is particularly suited for the measurement of all biomarkers found in the CSF, such as those associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's Disease.
US08128885B2

The invention relates to a microreactor having a substrate (10, 20, 80) with at least one catalytically active material arranged in and/or on a cavity structure (14, 24, 84). The substrate (10, 20, 80) has a first layer (11, 21, 80) and optionally at least one additional layer (12, 22) of a ceramic material, with the first layer (11, 21, 80) being formed from a first component of a crystalline ceramic material and/or a glass material as the matrix and a second component of an additional crystalline ceramic material. The surface areas of the crystals and/or crystal agglomerates of the second component in the first layer (11, 21, 80) are etched out in at least some areas to form the cavity structure (14, 24, 84).
US08128884B2

A plasma reactor has high durability with performance to generate stable and uniform plasma. The reactor has a variety of advantages such as increasing the range of commercial applications since the reactor has a structure that allows simple and efficient installation and operation in a system at a position required by the system. The reactor includes a stack constructed by sequentially stacking plus and minus electrodes and spacers and a reactor body provided at one side of the stack to hold the stack. The plus and minus electrodes are arranged alternately with spacers to define passages through which gas is allowed to pass. Each of the plus and minus electrodes has deformation preventing means to disperse stress of the electrodes and to prevent a local thermal stress caused by thermal expansion and contraction, thereby increasing thermal shock-resistant performance. External terminals for connection to the plus and minus electrodes are provided on the reactor body. A projection is formed on a surface of the reactor body in a direction perpendicular to a stack direction of the stack to allow the reactor to be easily fixed to a case.
US08128880B2

An NOx reduction catalyst and an exhaust system using the same may include an NOx reduction catalyst mounted at an exhaust pipe through which exhaust gas passes, wherein the NOx reduction catalyst includes first and second catalyst layers coated on a carrier, the first catalyst layer being disposed close to the exhaust gas, and the second catalyst layer being disposed close to the carrier, wherein a portion of nitrogen oxide contained in the exhaust gas is oxidized while passing through the first catalyst layer, and the oxidized nitrogen oxide is stored in the second catalyst layer, wherein the nitrogen oxide stored in the second catalyst layer is released through a substitution reaction with an additionally injected fuel, and wherein the released nitrogen oxide is reduced by the additionally injected fuel in the first catalyst layer.
US08128866B2

A process for manufacturing a disk shaped component comprising fabricating a disk shaped component using a composite material having at least a first material and a second material, wherein the first material is disposed at and proximate to a center portion of the disk shaped component and the second material is disposed at and proximate to a rim of the disk shaped component, wherein the first material comprises a first coefficient of thermal expansion, a first stress value and a first oxidation resistance, and the second material comprises a second coefficient of thermal expansion, a second stress value and a second oxidation resistance, wherein the first coefficient of thermal expansion is greater than the second coefficient of thermal expansion, the first stress value is greater than the second stress value and the first oxidation resistance is less than the second oxidation resistance.
US08128865B2

A method of fabricating a shrouded impeller is disclosed. The method includes providing an open faced impeller, the open faced impeller including a plurality of blades extending at least partially radially from a hub. The method also includes performing a first powder metallurgical process to form a first material over at least part of the open faced impeller. The method further includes forming a shroud circumferentially disposed about the hub and connected to one of more of the blades. Forming the shroud includes performing a second powder metallurgical process to metallurgically bond the shroud to at least some of the blades.
US08128851B2

Molds and processes that permit high-speed, mass production of retaining wall blocks having patterned or other processed front faces, as well as retaining wall blocks formed by such processes. The invention permits the front face of the block to be impressed with a pattern or otherwise directly processed, to allow the formation of pre-determined block front faces, while at the same time facilitating high-speed, high-volume production of blocks. A mirror image of the desired pattern can be created on a stripper shoe by selecting a desired three-dimensional surface from a naturally occurring or man made object and digitally scanning the selected three-dimensional pattern to create scanned data. The scanned data can then be used to machine a face of the stripper shoe that is the mirror image of the selected pattern.
US08128847B2

A ZnO vapor deposition material for formation of a transparent conductive film or the like consists mainly of a porous ZnO sintered body containing one or more first additive elements selected from Ce, La, Y, Pr, Nd, Pm, and Sm, and second additive elements selected from Al, Ga, Sc, and B. The content of the first additive elements is higher than the content of the second additive elements. The content of the first additive elements is in a range of 0.1 to 14.9% by mass, and the content of the second additive elements is in a range of 0.1 to 10% by mass. The sintered body has a porosity of 3 to 50%.
US08128844B2

Disclosed herein are an electrically conductive thermoplastic resin composition and a plastic article. The electrically conductive thermoplastic resin composition comprises about 80 to about 99% by weight of a thermoplastic resin, about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of carbon nanotubes and about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of an organo nanoclay.
US08128843B2

A photocurable composition is provided that includes a polymerizable compound, a photopolymerization initiator that is an acylphosphine oxide and/or an alpha-aminoacetophenone, a compound represented by Formula (I) below, and an amine compound. There are also provided a photocurable ink, a process for producing a photocured material, and an inkjet recording method.
US08128836B2

The present invention is to provide an electrolyte membrane which retains durability even after having undergone a dimensional change accompanying chemical deterioration caused owing to radicals having high oxidizing ability such as hydroxyl radicals (.OH) or peroxide radicals (.OOH), and the selecting method thereof.An electrolyte membrane has an amount of dimensional change in a plane direction between dimensions obtained in a dry state before and after carrying out the Fenton test, the amount of dimensional change before and after the Fenton test being smaller than an amount of maximum elastic deformation in a plane direction obtained in dry state before carrying out the Fenton test, provided that the Fenton test is carried out under the following condition, and the selecting method of the same. (1) iron ion (Fe2+) concentration: 4 ppm, (2) hydrogen peroxide concentration: 3 wt %, (3) boiling temperature: 80° C., (4) boiling time: 120 minutes.
US08128824B2

A filter module comprises a non-filtrate draining spacer element, a filter layer, a filtrate draining spacer element, a filter layer, a non-filtrate draining spacer element, a filter layer, and a filtrate draining spacer layer stacked on one another in an axial direction, wherein at least some of the draining spacer elements comprise connecting means around the outer circumference to compress and seal off the filter layers between the draining spacer elements.
US08128821B2

A reverse osmosis system 110 includes a membrane chamber 112 having a feed line. The chamber 112 generates a permeate stream 114 and a brine stream 116 from the feed line 118. A feed pump 120 pressurizes the feed line 118. A first flow meter generates a first flow signal corresponding to a flow of fluid in the permeate stream 214. A booster device 172 has a turbine 176 in fluid communication with the brine stream 116 and a pump 174 in fluid communication with the feed line 118. A motor 178 is coupled to the turbine device 176 and a variable frequency drive 182 is attached to the turbine device 176 operating in response to the first flow signal. A second flow meter 218 generates a second flow signal corresponding to a flow of fluid in the brine stream 116 and a variable size nozzle 240 operates an opening in response to the second flow meter.
US08128820B2

A liquid storage and dispensing device with a filter for removing minerals and a UV light source for killing pathogens existing in a liquid. A liquid is introduced into the device via the inlet. The liquid passes through the filter into a collector. The filtered liquid flows from the collector through a passage into a UV chamber. The UV light source emits UV rays through a UV transmissive wall into the interior portion of the UV chamber. Exposure to the UV light kills pathogens present in the filtered liquid. Substantially purified liquid can then be dispensed from an outlet.
US08128818B2

An oil filter arrangement, has a housing (12) with a receiving space (18) for a filter element (20) which can be inserted into the housing and through which oil can flow radially, with an oil inlet (34) and an oil outlet (32), and with a supporting tube (22) which is present in the receiving space and supports the filter element. The supporting tube is inserted into the receiving space and is fastened to the housing in such a manner that it remains in the housing when the filter element is exchanged.
US08128809B2

A single stage process for desulfurization and ring opening of a sulphur containing hydrocarbon feedstock comprising: contacting said feedstock with hydrogen and a catalyst at a pressure of less than 100 bars wherein said catalyst comprises (I) a combination of molecular sieves consisting of at least one zeolite which has a faujasite structure and at least one fibrous zeolite which comprises essentially non-crossing one-dimensional channels and (II) a composition comprising at least one metal selected from group VIB of the periodic table and at least one metal from group VIII.
US08128805B2

A catalyst for the hydrogenation, hydroisomerisation, hydrocracking and/or hydrodesulfurisation, of hydrocarbon feedstocks, the catalyst consisting of a substantially binder free bead type support material obtained through a sol-gel method, and a catalytically active component selected from precious metals, the support comprising 5 to 50 wt. % of at least one molecular sieve material and 50 to 95 wt. % of silica-alumina.
US08128792B2

A fluorine gas generator is provided with which the gases used and/or generated, in case of leakage thereof, can be prevented from mixing together as far as possible and, even in case of gas leakage into the outside of the generator system, the leakage gas can be treated safely and in which the maintenance, exchange and other operations are easy to carry out. The generator comprises a box-shaped body containing an electrolyzer for fluorine gas generation, and the box-shaped body is divided into two or more compartments, including a compartment containing the electrolyzer.
US08128789B2

Efficiently produce micro-dispersion water of super-fine noble metal particles having a desired concentration by using a very safe, compact production apparatus comprising a power supply for high-voltage/current discharge, a high-voltage discharge generator equipped with a noble metal electrode and its counter electrode, a water tank, a water inlet to the water tank, and an outlet for micro-dispersion water of super-fine noble metal particles, by causing plasma discharge in water between the noble metal electrode and its counter electrode and then causing the generated noble metal ion vapor to contact, and micro-disperse in, water. The obtained water can be effectively used as drinking water.
US08128781B2

Pressure-sensitive adhesive for single- or double-sidedly tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive strips redetachable without residue or destruction both by extensive stretching substantially in the bond plane and by peeling, the pressure-sensitive adhesive being composed at least of (1) a vinylaromatic block copolymer, (2) a solid tackifying resin having a softening temperature by the ring-and-ball method of more than 30° C. and (3) a resin which is liquid at room temperature (23° C.), the fraction of liquid resin accounting for at least 40% by weight, based on the total amount of resin. Strips formed from the adhesive and the use of the strips to form redetachable bonds are also disclosed.
US08128779B2

A method of making a multilayer protective film. The method comprises: (a) forming a PU layer comprising an at least partially crosslinked polyurethane, the at least partially crosslinked polyurethane comprising at least one of a polyester-based polyurethane or a polycarbonate-based polyurethane; (b) forming a TPU layer comprising a polycaprolactone-based thermoplastic polyurethane; (c) forming a PSA layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive; (d) bonding one major surface of the PU layer to one major surface of the TPU layer; and (e) bonding the PSA layer to an opposite major surface of the TPU layer; wherein the TPU layer is sandwiched between the PU layer and the PSA layer. The multilayer film may be used to protect painted surfaces of vehicle body parts.
US08128775B2

A process and apparatus for producing perforated composite structures, such as acoustic skins suitable for aircraft engine nacelle and duct components. The process includes placing a mat member, a non-impregnated fabric member, and a resin film on a tool surface so that pins disposed on the mat member project through the fabric member and resin film to define holes therein. The fabric member is between the mat member and resin film, and the fabric member and resin film define a stack that conforms to the mat member and tool surface. A caul member is then placed on the stack so that apertures in the caul member are penetrated by the pins. The stack is heated to melt the resin film and cause molten resin to infuse the fabric member and yield a resin-infused fabric stack, after which the molten resin within the resin-infused fabric stack is at least partially cured.
US08128773B2

Disclosed herein is a silicon adhesive composition for transporting a flexible substrate. The composition includes (A) 42 to 70 parts by weight of a polydiorganosiloxane containing an alkenyl group, (B) 55 to 28 parts by weight of a polyorganosiloxane copolymer including R13SiO1/2 units and SiO2 units, wherein R1 is a hydroxy group or a monovalent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, (C) a polyorganosiloxane containing an SiH group, wherein the molar ratio of the SiH group of component (C) to the alkenyl group of component (A) is from 0.5 to 20, and (D) a platinum group catalytic compound, wherein the weight ratio of a metal component of the compound to the sum of components (A) and (B) is from 1 to 5000 ppm by weight.
US08128767B2

A gypsum board comprises a set gypsum layer having a first face and a second face. A fibrous mat is affixed to at least one of the faces. The mat comprises a non-woven web bonded together with a resinous binder. The web is composed of chopped continuous glass fibers having an average fiber diameter ranging from about 9.5 to 12.5 μm. The board is exceedingly durable. It has a smooth surface that is readily finished in an aesthetically pleasing way, using paint or other wall covering systems.
US08128755B2

Disclosed are cleaning solvents and cleaning methods for metallic compounds deposited on the equipment that supplies organometallic compounds to the manufacturing tool in the photovoltaic industry or the semiconductor industry. The cleaning solvents and the cleaning methods disclosed not only selectively remove the metallic compound without corroding the equipment, but also improve the ordinary cleaning process. Moreover, the cleaning solvents and the cleaning methods disclosed improve maintenance costs for the supply system because the equipment may be cleaned without being detached from the supply system.
US08128749B2

An SOI substrate has a gettering layer of silicon-germanium (SiGe) with 5-10% Ge, and a thickness of approximately 50-1000 nm. Carbon (C) may be added to SiGe to stabilize the dislocation network. The SOI substrate may be a SIMOX SOI substrate, or a bonded SOI substrate, or a seeded SOI substrate. The gettering layer may disposed under a buried oxide (BOX) layer. The gettering layer may be disposed on a backside of the substrate.
US08128745B2

An emulsion ink capable of generating a printed image quality having favorable print density and a favorable matte finish. A water-in-oil emulsion ink having an oil phase and a water phase, wherein the ink has a first water phase comprising a colorant and a second water phase comprising no colorant, and the amount (mass) of the first water phase is less than the amount (mass) of the second water phase.
US08128736B2

A method for producing carbon dioxide by the steps of feeding a CO2-rich feed stream containing fuel gas to an oxygenated oxygen-selective ceramic bed to produce a product stream of carbon dioxide, water, and residual oxygen; adding oxygen to this product stream and feeding to an oxygen-depleted oxygen-selective ceramic bed and recovering carbon dioxide substantially free of oxygen and fuel gas. In an additional embodiment, nitrogen oxides are also removed from the fuel gas.
US08128734B2

An improved two stage pressure swing adsorption process for producing enriched oxygen and separating nitrogen or oxygen from a feed air stream. The process utilizes two-stage pressure swing adsorption plants which are serially connected. In the first stage, carbon dioxide, water and part of nitrogen are removed and nitrogen is concentrated. In the second stage nitrogen is further separated from the effluent intermediate gas from the adsorption step in the adsorption towers of the first stage and oxygen is concentrated to the desired concentration. In the first stage the adsorption towers go through the steps in turn in a cycle: Adsorption, Purge, evacuation, countercurrent pressure equalization rising of the second stage gas, purge gas pressurization, and final pressurization. In the second stage the adsorption towers go through the steps in turn in a cycle: Adsorption, countercurrent pressure equalization falling, and final pressurization.
US08128729B2

A method of providing error correction to flow velocity readings of a fluid flowing through a filter arrangement for monitoring the service life of the filter, wherein a filter arrangement, comprising a filter and a sensor device is arranged downstream of the filter, the sensor device including at least one measuring sensor for detecting the flow velocity of the fluid which flows through the filter, and a further measuring sensor for measuring the air humidity of the fluid which flows through the filter. A reading of said second sensor element provides an error correction to the first sensor element.
US08128718B2

A composition including an abrasive, a suspension agent, a surfactant, and a lubricant, is provided for removing scratches, hazing, discoloration, and other defects from plastic surfaces. The composition is applied to a surface and used to polish the surface. The defects within the surface are removed without the removal of significant amounts of the material. Accordingly, the present invention removes defects from surfaces without creating optical distortion.
US08128717B2

An apparatus for fast pyrolysis of biomass and other solid organic materials including a vertically oriented cylindrical vessel having a solids outlet proximate the bottom thereof, a vapor outlet, a top wall forming at least one opening, and an adjacent heated side wall. Disposed within the cylindrical vessel and extending through the at least one opening in the top wall is a rotor having a rotatable shaft coincident with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel to which is attached at least one substantially vertically oriented blade having one edge connected directly or indirectly with the rotatable shaft and having an opposite edge spaced apart from the heated side wall, whereby a non-radial, preferably tangential, force is imparted on the feedstock in the cylindrical vessel. Also disclosed is a method for fast pyrolysis of biomass and other solid organic materials.
US08128716B2

A method serves for the pyrolysis and gasification of substance mixtures containing organic constituents. The organic substances (4) or the substance mixture containing the organic constituents are brought into contact with a heat transfer medium, for preference the ash (5) from a combustion reactor (2) in a pyrolysis reactor (1), for preference a shaft reactor and pyrolysed. The pyrolysis coke (10) derived from the pyrolysis is combusted in a combustion reactor (2), for preference a fluidised bed reactor, under the admission of air (11). In order to improve such a method, the raw gas (6) generated by the pyrolysis is purified in a crack reactor (3), for preference by a catalyst.
US08128713B2

The present invention relates to new compositions comprising compounds, which are molecular combinations of a phthalocyanine and a mono-azo dyestuff linked via specific linking groups. Further aspects are an improved shading process for textile materials and also use of these shading compositions for shading textiles.
US08128710B2

A system and method for securing and tracking an electronic device. A method includes but is not limited to accepting a selection of a service to erase a hard disk drive in the electronic device; recording that the electronic device has been reported stolen; and erasing the hard disk drive.
US08128698B2

This disclosure presents methods and devices for treating a tear, rent, incision, defect, aperture or delamination of the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ fixation delivery apparatuses, fixation apparatuses, patch delivery tools and patches positioned, at least in part, in or on aspects of an intervertebral disc for treatment of the intervertebral disc or its components. In some aspects, these techniques include the use of this includes a fixation apparatus that includes at least one bone anchor connected to at least one disc anchor by a shortenable elongate member.
US08128682B2

Medical devices for implantation in a body vessel, and methods of using and making the same, are provided. A medical device includes a support frame having struts and a weakened frame portion, and a remodelable material tensionably attached to the support frame. The weakened frame portion has a first configuration in which the support frame has a first outward radial force and a second configuration in which the support frame has a second, lesser outward radial force. The remodelable material restricts expansion of the frame from a radially compressed configuration to a radially expanded configuration when the weakened frame portion is in the first configuration. The remodelable material can form one or more valve leaflets adapted to regulate fluid flow in a body vessel, such as a vein.
US08128679B2

Disclosed is a stent with a highly flexible structure that is configured to provide an elevated degree of vessel scaffolding and to absorb torque applied on the stent. The stent may include an essentially tubular body formed by a web structure that is composed of a plurality of longitudinally adjacent web rings, each including a plurality of web elements that are disposed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the stent and that are adjoined one to the other by a junction bend. Each junction bend in a first web ring is coupled to another junction bend in a neighboring ring by a connector having a step-wise configuration, in which a central segment of the connector is disposed essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent and may become twisted to absorb torque imposed on the stent.
US08128673B2

A system for treating meibomian gland dysfunction. A controller controls heat applied to the inside of the eyelid to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow to the lipid layer to treat dry eye. Temperatures at the meibomian glands reach desired levels more quickly and efficiently when heating the inside of the eyelid. Reaching such higher temperature levels may be instrumental in removing obstructions in the meibomian glands. Less time may also be required to reach desired temperature levels when applying heat to the inside of the eyelid. A force may also be applied to the inside of the patient's eyelid to improve conductive heat transfer and reduce blood flow in the eyelid that causes convective heat loss. Thus, the application of force can further increase the temperature level and/or reduce the time to reach desired temperature levels for removing obstructions.
US08128672B2

A system for treatment of a wound area of a patient including a first treatment pad comprising a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for cleaning and exposing a wound area to ultraviolet light, a second treatment pad comprising removal ports for exposing the wound area to a negative pressure, and a control unit interoperably connected to the first and second treatment pads for providing a negative pressure and the ultraviolet light to the wound area.
US08128671B2

A bone screw comprising a threaded shank having a longitudinal axis and including a first helical threading extending along a first length of the threaded shank portion and a second helical threading extending from a location proximately adjacent the first helical threading and along a second length of the threaded shank portion. The first helical threading defines a first volume between adjacent thread turns along the first length, and the second helical threading defines a second volume between adjacent thread turns along the second length, with the first volume being different from the second volume.
US08128670B2

A biocompatible surgical fastener, comprising a sleeve and a screw or a pin, which expands when it is implanted in a patient. The sleeve is first implanted in a pre-drilled hole in the operating area of a patient, usually in a bone, cartilage or a bone and cartilage. When a screw or a pin is installed in the sleeve, the sleeve is caused to expand thereby stabilizing the fastener in the operating area. In many embodiments the screw or pin can be removed and reinserted without disturbing the tissue in the operating area. The surgical fastener can be used to repair tissue or to secure other implant devices in a patient.
US08128664B2

The invention relates to an implant for placing between the sacrum of a patient and the fifth lumbar vertebra. It comprises a connection bar (22), fastener means (24, 26) for fastening each end of the connection bar to the sacrum, and a spacer (20) having a first end for co-operating with the spinous process of the fifth lumbar vertebra, and a second end for co-operating with said connection bar, the implant being characterized in that said connection bar (22) has two ends (38, 40) presenting a common first geometrical axis, and a middle portion (36) connected to said ends, said middle portion lying on a second geometrical axis parallel to the first geometrical axis but offset relative thereto, second end of the spacer co-operating with said middle portion.
US08128661B2

An implant that is implanted between adjacent spinous processes for the relief of pain associated with the spine. The device has a spacer to distract apart the adjacent spinous processes. To minimize trauma to the patient, the device has a tapered tissue expander to distract a previously created opening between the adjacent spinous processes. The device also has two wings. The position of one wing is adjustable to allow for ease of assembly in a patient.
US08128658B2

A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. A bone engaging fastener is coupled to bone. A second fastener is coupled to a suture construction. The second fastener is coupled to the first fastener. Soft tissue is coupled to the suture construction.
US08128651B2

The invention relates to a medical instrument having a hollow shaft on whose proximal end is positioned a handle consisting of at least two gripping members and on whose distal end there is a tool consisting of at least two jaw members, where at least one jaw member of the tool can be displaced with respect to the at least one other jaw member of the tool by means of a rotatably configured gripping member of the handle for opening and closing and the at least one displaceable jaw member and the corresponding gripping member of the handle serving to displace the jaw member are connected to one another by means of a push-pull rod that is mounted so that it can slide axially in the hollow shaft. In order also to reach operating areas located outside the instrument's longitudinal axis safely and with precision, it is proposed with the invention that the push-pull rod, which is mounted so that it can slide axially in the hollow shaft, can be moved by at least one spiral-shaped guide track into a rotary motion around its longitudinal axis.
US08128647B2

A cutter (8) is telescopically received in a cannula (9) and both the cutter and cannula are telescopically mounted on a tubular carrier (7). A detection device (6) may be inserted through the open-ended carrier, cutter and cannula to properly place the surgical instrument in alignment with the tumor to be excised. Positioning tines (80) may penetrate the patient to firmly locate the carrier in its proper position on the patient. The cutter and cannula are moved about the carrier and are pressed into the tissue of the patient with the expectation that the circular core (60) of breast tissue formed by the cutter will have clear margins about the tumor. If the tumor extends too close to the circular incision, the cannula may be rotated so that its sidewall opening (26) faces the side of the remaining tissue to be excised and the surgeon can pull the remaining tissue through the sidewall and excise it, thereby avoiding a separate and delayed surgical procedure.
US08128643B2

An apparatus for applying surgical clips has a body portion housing a clip stack and a pair of jaws supported at a distal end of the body portion. The body portion includes a camming member, a clip follower and a lockout member having a plurality of stop members. The lockout member is movable from a first position in slidable relation to the camming member to a second position interlocked with the camming member. The camming member has at least one notch, and in a second position the lockout member has at least one of the stop members positioned to interface with the at least one notch. The engagement between the stop member and the notch limits distal movement of the camming member. The clip follower actuates the lockout member when the clip follower advances to a predetermined clip in the clip stack.
US08128632B2

The invention relates to devices and kits for the controlled delivery of viscous, multi component compositions.
US08128631B2

A system and method for placing an implant into or onto supporting bone, or between adjacent bones, without impaction is disclosed. The system includes an implant, a distracter, and a sleeve. Optionally, the invention includes an alignment guide, a surgical navigational tracker, and a bone displacer. The sleeve is structured to interpose the implant and supporting bone and provide a differential engagement force between the sleeve-implant interface and the sleeve-bone interface to preferentially move the implant into, onto or between supporting bone structures.
US08128622B2

The present disclosure is directed to electrosurgical pencils having variable controls. In one aspect, the electrosurgical pencil, includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery blade supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrocautery blade being connected to a source of electrosurgical energy, an activation button supported on the housing, the activation button being movable from a first position to at least a subsequent position, and a transducer electrically connected between the activation button and the source of electrosurgical energy. The transducer is configured to transmit an electrical output signal to the electrosurgical energy source correlating to the movement of the activation button. The source of electrosurgical energy correspondingly supplies an amount of electrosurgical energy to the electrocautery blade dependant upon the electrical output signal.
US08128621B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide an irrigated catheter having irrigation fluid directed at target areas where coagulation is more likely to occur so as to minimize blood coagulation and the associated problems. In one embodiment, an irrigated ablation electrode assembly for use with an irrigated catheter device comprises a proximal member having at least one passageway for a fluid with an outlet disposed at an external surface of the proximal member; and a distal member connected with the proximal member and having an external surface. The distal member includes an electrode. The external surface of the proximal member and the external surface of the distal member meet at an intersection. The at least one passageway of the proximal member is configured to direct a fluid flow through the outlet toward a region adjacent the intersection.
US08128620B2

The present invention relates to improved ablation electrodes and catheter assemblies, as well as methods useful in conjunction with irrigated ablation catheters. Embodiments of the present invention further relate to an irrigated catheter having irrigation fluid directed at target areas where coagulation is more likely to occur to help minimize blood coagulation and the associated problems. The present invention further relates to an ablation electrode having an outer body with a proximal portion and a distal portion an inner cavity and at least one passageway that extends to an opening on the outer surface of the electrode, wherein the passageway is directed towards the proximal portion and/or proximal end of the electrode forming an acute angle with a longitudinal axis of the electrode.
US08128601B2

A portal device maintains an opening in the skin of a patient to allow for the passage of surgical device therethrough. Tabs disposed at one end of the portal device may be used to resist removal of the device, retract soft tissue from the operative site, and seal the opening to prevent the escape of gases or liquids.
US08128600B2

A catheter for use in neurosurgery, and a method of positioning neurosurgical apparatus. The catheter has a fine tube arranged for insertion into the brain parenchyma of a patient with an external diameter of not more than 1.0 mm. The catheter and method may be used in stereotactically targeting treatment of abnormalities of brain function, and for the infusion of therapeutic agents directly into the brain parenchyma. This is advantageous when a therapeutic agent would have widespread unwanted effects which could be avoided by confining the delivery to the malfunctioning or damaged brain tissue.
US08128598B2

A pressure connection device for a guidewire unit that is operated with a pressure medium is provided. A return valve is mounted in the interior of a tube end section of a pressure medium tube of the guidewire unit, the return valve opening for introducing the pressure medium into the pressure medium tube and closing in order to prevent the pressure medium from escaping from the pressure medium tube, and/or a connecting body accommodates the tube end section of the pressure medium tube and has a pressure medium-controlled tube holding element which secures the tube end section to the connecting body in a fluid-tight manner when impinged upon with pressure and, in a pressure-relieved state, releases it so it can be detached from the connecting body.
US08128576B2

An implantable urodynamic system includes an implantable first device deployable in a patient's bladder, an implantable second device deployable in a patient's vaginal canal, and a data acquisition and analysis module or processing unit external to the body of the patient. The first device includes a magnet and an inductive coil, and the second device includes a magnet, an inductive coil and a battery. When deployed in the patient's body, attraction between the magnets maintains the two devices in close proximity to one another to effect an inductive coupling between the coils so that the first device may be powered by the battery of the second device. The urodynamic system is intended to facilitate measurement, collection, and wireless transmission of real-time, or near real-time, data (bladder pressure, abdominal pressure, and temperature) from an ambulatory patient. This data is of value in diagnosing a number of abnormal bladder conditions, such as infection, overactive bladder, bladder spasms, and the like.
US08128572B2

The present invention involves method and apparatus for analyzing measured signals that are modeled as containing primary and secondary portions. Coefficients relate the two signals according to a model defined in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, the present invention involves utilizing a transformation which evaluates a plurality of possible signal coefficients in order to find appropriate coefficients. Alternatively, the present invention involves using statistical functions or Fourier transform and windowing techniques to determine the coefficients relating to two measured signals. Use of this invention is described in particular detail with respect to blood oximetry measurements.
US08128570B2

A system and method of monitoring the fluid status of a patient. The system may include a patient monitor that receives blood pressure data. A first fluid model receives the blood pressure data, and a personalized fluid model is derived from the application of the blood pressure data to the first fluid model. An estimation of the patient's fluid status may be derived from the personalized fluid model. The method may include the steps of measuring a first blood pressure value, creating a personalized fluid model, measuring a second blood pressure value, applying the second blood pressure value to the personalized fluid model; and deriving an estimation of the fluid status of the patient.
US08128563B2

Ultrasound transducer comprises an array of elements forming rows and columns and wires within a transducer cable configured to connect at least a portion of the elements to an ultrasound system. The array comprises a central row and at least first and second outer rows positioned along opposite sides of the central row. First set of lines electrically connects elements within a first portion of the central row to one of the wires. First portion comprises less than a total number of elements within the central row. Second set of lines electrically connects at least a portion of the elements within first and second outer rows that are in the same column and electrically connects elements within a second portion of the central row to elements that are in the same column. Each line within the second set of lines is connected to one of the wires.
US08128560B2

A power-supply starter apparatus for a capsule-type medical device that includes a container case internally retaining a capsule-type medical device having at least a intra-subject information acquiring unit and a power switch for switching power supply to each unit including the intra-subject information acquiring unit, and a starter that has a magnetic body and controls switching of the power supply by applying a magnetic field originating from the magnetic body to the power switch of the capsule-type medical device inside the container case, wherein the container case has an insertion/removal unit in which a space is formed where the magnetic body can be brought closer to the power switch and the starter is inserted/removed, and the insertion/removal unit and starter have a restriction unit for restricting rotation around an axis in an insertion/removal direction of the starter into/from the insertion/removal unit so that switching of the power supply is controlled only by an insertion/removal operation of the starter is provided.
US08128555B2

An in-vivo information acquiring apparatus includes an information acquiring unit that acquires in-vivo information, a transmitting unit that transmits the in-vivo information to an outside of a living body, a power source that serves to supply power to the information acquiring unit and the transmitting unit, a power supply unit that is provided between the power source and at least one of the information acquiring unit and the transmitting unit so as to supply the power of the power source to at least one of the information acquiring unit and the transmitting unit, an external signal detecting unit that detects an external control signal supplied from outside and generates a control signal according to a detected state of the external control signal, a power supply controller that controls a power supply state of the power supply unit according to the control signal supplied from the external signal detecting unit, and a masking unit that masks the control signal supplied to the power supply controller by the external signal detecting unit for a predetermined time period.
US08128548B2

Centrifugal separators and related methods and devices are described. More particularly, centrifugal separators comprising a first fluid supply fitting configured to deliver fluid into a longitudinal fluid passage of a rotor shaft and a second fluid supply fitting sized and configured to sealingly couple with the first fluid supply fitting are described. Also, centrifugal separator systems comprising a manifold having a drain fitting and a cleaning fluid supply fitting are described, wherein the manifold is coupled to a movable member of a support assembly. Additionally, methods of cleaning centrifugal separators are described.
US08128545B2

A machine is disclosed for securing a closure system onto a discrete pouch. The machine includes first, second and third stations. The first station is capable of advancing discrete pouches and lifting and folding a portion of a first major surface of each pouch upon itself to form a lip, and exposing an inner surface of a second major surface. The second station is capable of positioning and attaching a closure system transversely across the exposed inner surface. The closure system includes a track having first and second legs each having an outer surface. The first and second legs are joined together by an opening/closing mechanism which includes a movable member capable of being moved back and forth. The third station is located downstream from the second station and is capable of unfolding the lip and securing opposite ends of the lip to the outer surface of the second leg.
US08128540B2

An exercise system is provided in which multiple exercise routines may be conducted with a single system. The exercise system may be used for skiing exercises, rowing exercises, and for weight training/resistance exercises. The exercise system may also be stored in a compact position and may by integrated with articles of furniture for space saving benefits. In one embodiment, resistance to motion is provided by one or more tension transmission members and may be selectively adjusted by controlling the configuration of the tension transmission member relative to a torsion spring. Use of intermediate devices between the spring and the tension transmission member are described that provide a non-linear relationship between force and displacement. In another embodiment, the tension transmission member may be configured in different positions by adjusting the position of movable pulleys, thereby allowing the device to be used for a number of different exercise routines.
US08128537B2

A handheld, vibratory exercise device with a handle that has a low center of gravity and selectively removable modular weights for incorporating an adjustable and additional resistance. The present invention is a vibratory system with a hand-held resistance device that may have a pendulous shape of “low center of gravity” or “low center of mass” and adjustable weights and thereby provides the opportunity for a unique, multi-faceted neuromuscular load.
US08128534B2

Trampolines are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a trampoline includes a first support member having a plurality of portions and a second support member having a plurality of portions. A first support member first portion is aligned with a second support member second portion wherein the area between the first support member first portion and the second member first portion is a first plane. A first support member second portion is aligned with a second support member second portion wherein the area between the first support member second portion and the second support member second portion is a second plane. A single piece of first material substantially covers the first plane and the second plane. The first plane intersects the second plane at an angle less than one hundred eighty degrees.
US08128530B2

A method of automatically controlling a neutral position and parking lock of an motor-vehicle transmission to immobilize the vehicle depending on a drive position of the transmission selected by the driver with a selector device and subject to other operating parameters of the motor vehicle. Only when simultaneously the vehicle is essentially stationary, an ignition circuit is electrically interrupted and the selector device is in a “Neutral” position, can an Neutral-holding phase be activated, in which the transmission is in a non-frictionally engaged neutral position as long as the parking lock of the transmission has not yet been engaged. If the Neutral-holding phase has not been activated, the transmission remains non-frictionally connected in the Neutral position until the driver at least intends to exit the vehicle, at which time the parking lock of the transmission is automatically engaged.
US08128529B2

An assembly for stabilizing a gear unit of a transmission for an automotive vehicle includes a first component fixed against displacement along an axis, a carrier facing the first component, supported for rotation about the axis, and supporting planet pinion thereon, and springs located between the first component and the carrier, producing axial forces distributed angularly around the axis and applied to the carrier.
US08128519B1

The present invention is a system for joining tubes in a structure. The system includes hollow tubes and pressure assemblies. The tubes have tool holes spaced from the ends which are to be joined together. The pressure assemblies include members which can be spread apart by threaded inserts threaded into one of the members. The threaded inserts are spaced to correspond to the spacing between the tool holes as occurs when the tube ends are placed together. Accordingly, a pressure assembly can be inserted into adjacent tube ends and then expanded with sufficient expanding force for joining the tube ends in a rigid, strong joint. The system of the present invention may be used to make highly versatile and portable structures such as soccer goals, American football uprights and basketball goals.
US08128515B2

A golf ball having a core and two or more cover layers, wherein the multiple cover layers are formed from materials that are substantially the same composition with the same Shore hardness, but are modified in some way to alter the processing or performance characteristics of the golf ball, or the layers have the same hardness and at least one cover layer is formed of a polymer blend including a polyurethane composition, and at least one cover layer is formed of a different polymer blend.
US08128514B2

The invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core has a geometric center having a hardness (Hg) and the core has an outer surface that is treated with a surface-softening material comprising at least one fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt plasticizer composition such that the outer surface has an extrapolated hardness (HE) and an actual hardness (HOS) wherein HE is derived from a five point extrapolation within three quarters of an outer core diameter and HOS is measured on the curved surface of the core, and the cover has a hardness (HC), wherein HC>HE>Hg>HOS.
US08128513B2

The present invention is directed to a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves have sharp edges, radiused ends, and a draft angle between about 2° and 12°. The striking face is machined such that it has a uniform texture with a roughness of more than 40 Ra. The face may be selectively textured to enhance certain shots that the golfer may perform. This may include providing a plurality of distinct sets of texturing to accommodate a plurality of different shots. The grooves may contain a plurality of portions, including a radiused or angled portion, a portion having substantially parallel walls, a portion having a v-shape, and a curved portion. The grooves may also be characterized by various dimensions, including draft angle, inclusive side wall angle, width, depth, cross-sectional area, spacing, and pitch ratio.
US08128508B2

A shaft set includes plural shafts used for wood-type golf clubs each having a length of 40 inches to 48 inches. Among the plural shafts, a shaft used for a longer club has a smaller amount of change Δ1 in bending stiffness in a section from 600 mm to 800 mm from a tip of the shaft. Among the clubs using the plural shafts, the amount of change Δ1 in bending stiffness decreases at a constant rate in a range of 0.7×103 kgf·mm2/mm·inch to 1.6×103 kgf·mm2/mm·inch per inch increase in club length, and the bending stiffness at a position 800 mm from the tip of the shaft decreases at a constant rate in a range of 0.1×106 kgf·mm2/inch to 0.4×106 kgf·mm2/inch per inch increase in club length.
US08128495B2

Various methods for interacting with mechanical reels via a video screen are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a gaming machine having one or more mechanical reels positioned behind a video screen, wherein the video screen includes a touch screen and user interface for receiving user input. The mechanical reels spin and generate a game outcome, visible to the player through a video screen. A request is received, via the user interface, to rearrange the placement order of the mechanical reels, and the rearranged order of the mechanical reels is displayed on the video screen.
US08128486B2

Wagering game terminal and method of operating same are disclosed that increases the excitement and entertainment value over existing gaming terminals. The wagering game terminal manipulates the player's wagers instead of his winnings so that any winning outcome resulting from the wagers is increased. This allows the player to feel as if he has already won “free money” before the game has even started. Such an arrangement may increase the overall excitement felt by the player and may encourage the player to wager more. And since only some wagers will result in a winning outcome, it is possible to perform the wager increases without significantly changing the underlying mathematics of the game.
US08128483B2

A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device, and a display for displaying a wagering game. The wagering game includes at least one moveable game element, at least one bezel light positioned proximate the display, and a controller operative to activate the bezel light in coordination with movement of the at least one moveable game element. The gaming system may have a plurality of bezel lights respectively positioned proximate the display, and the controller may be operative to activate the bezel lights singly or in combination in coordination with movement of the at least one moveable game element.
US08128467B2

A crop residue chopping and spreading arrangement is described with a straw chopper (60) and an impeller blower (100) arranged downstream of the straw chopper (60). The impeller blower comprises impeller paddles (102) that can be set in rotation about a rotational axis (108) and an end-side cover (128) arranged directly adjacent to the impeller paddles (102). The impeller paddles (102) receive crop residue in a take-up region from the straw chopper (60) and discharge it in a discharge region onto a field. The end-side cover (128) is provided in front of the discharge region, with respect to the direction of rotation of the impeller paddles (102), with an opening (194) through which, during operation, the impeller paddles (102) take in air and discharge it in the discharge region, wherein this arrangement increases the throwing range of the impeller blower (100).
US08128466B2

A harvested material residue chopping and distributing arrangement for a combine (10) is provided having a straw chopper (60) and two distribution blowers (100) between which a guide element (150) is arranged for distributing the harvested material residue flow between the two distribution blowers (100). The tip (156) of the guide element (150) is positioned on the circumferential circle of the straw chopping blades (96) such that the blades (96) remove harvested material residue from the tip (156) during operation.
US08128462B2

The invention relates to a method of centering a single vision non-edged ophthalmic lens (1) possessing an initial outline (2) associated with a centering point (CO) and that is to be shaped (edged) to take up a final outline (3) associated with a pupil point, the method comprising the steps of: superposing the pupil point of the final outline on the centering point of the non-edged lens; and adjusting the relative position of the final outline to fit within the initial outline of the non-edged lens. The step of adjusting the position of the final outline to fit within the initial outline includes angularly orientating the initial outline relative to the final outline about the centering point in compliance with an adjustment angular position to avoid or reduce any protrusion of the final outline beyond the initial outline of the lens.
US08128452B2

A block for building is provided. The block may include a body, a case provided in the body, a holder movably provided within the case, and a magnet installed in the holder. The holder may include a sliding prevention part to provide for engagement with adjacent blocks together with the magnet. Adjacent blocks having such a construction may connect to each other to build a plurality of figures without movement of the blocks relative to each other.
US08128450B2

A product, comprising a reconfigurable toy assembly, said assembly being reversibly reconfigurable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration; and the toy including at least one body surface with an integral thermochromic layer covering at least a portion of the body, where the integral thermochromic layer exhibits a visual change in response to temperature is provided.
US08128446B2

A method for manufacturing an insulator for a spark plug is provided. The method includes: a preparing step; a press pin arranging step; a powder filling step after the press pin arranging step; a cavity blocking step after the powder filling step; a compression molding step after the cavity blocking step; a die releasing step after the compression molding step; and a press pin removing step after the die releasing step.
US08128445B2

Apparatus for cold weather survival comprises an elongated belt body comprising a piece of buoyancy-providing material. The belt body is sized such that end portions thereof overlap when the belt body is wrapped around a user's waist. The belt body has an inner side which faces the user and an outer side which faces away from the user. One or more fasteners are provided for holding the belt body in place around the user's waist. A plurality of flotation devices and a plurality of pockets are attached to the outer side of the belt body. A sleeve is attached to the outer side the belt body, and positioned such that when the belt body is wrapped around the user's waist, the sleeve is horizontally-oriented and located in front of the user. A telescoping pole is held by the sleeve across the front of the user.
US08128439B2

A connecting device that connects to at least one external electrical conductor of a photovoltaic solar module. The connecting device includes a plurality of busbars, a support element, a housing, a diode and a contact. The plurality of busbars are arranged next to one another, while the support element is attached to the plurality of busbars and includes a bottom face to be positioned on the solar module. The housing is positioned over the support element and the plurality of busbars and includes an edge surrounding the support element and the plurality of busbars when the overhousing is positioned on the solar module. The diode fits onto the plurality of busbars and includes diode leads that fit onto one of the plurality of busbars, such that the plurality of busbars are connected together through the diode.
US08128421B2

A multiplex electrical receptacle adapted for receiving at least a pair of power cords, such that the ground prongs of the power cords are directed outward from the center of the multiplex electrical receptacle in a “grounds out” configuration. The electrical receptacle of this invention includes an electrical outlet receptacle having a receptacle body, a conductive mounting strap, a conductive live blade receiving assembly, a conductive neutral blade receiving assembly, and a nonconductive housing.
US08128420B2

An illuminating device is provided with a cold cathode fluorescent tube (discharge tube) (20), an inverter circuit (T) that is connected to the cold cathode fluorescent tube (20) and drives the cold cathode fluorescent tube (20) to be turned on, a chassis (12) made from metal for accommodating the cold cathode fluorescent tube (20), an inverter circuit board (24) on which the inverter circuit (T) is mounted and in which a ground wire (G) is provided, and a connector (21) for electrically connecting the cold cathode fluorescent tube (20) and the inverter circuit (T). The connector (21) is provided with a conductor (23) for electrically connecting the chassis (12) and the ground wire (G).
US08128410B2

A multi-mode athleticism movement measurement system includes an athlete-borne acceleration sensor and an athleticism processing device to determine athleticism information based upon one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor, the athleticism information corresponding to any of multiple athleticism measurement modes available on athleticism processing device and selectable by a user. A data link between the athlete-borne acceleration sensor and the athleticism rating processing device transmits the one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor to the athleticism rating processing device.
US08128406B2

Methods and systems for predicting future and concurrent reading ability are provided. A first variable comprising a measurement of picture vocabulary, a second variable comprising a measurement of phonemic awareness, a third variable comprising a measurement of rapid naming, and a fourth variable comprising a measurement of single letter or word naming are detected. An assessment of concurrent or future reading ability is generated from the first, second, third and fourth variables. The assessment of concurrent or future reading ability may be carried out with an empirically-based model of actual clinical experience or a regression model.
US08128405B2

An apparatus for communicating simulation data is disclosed. The apparatus includes an assembly for mounting the apparatus on an edifice. The apparatus further includes a receiver for receiving simulation data from a plurality of players within a specified area of the edifice and for receiving simulation data from a central controller. The apparatus further includes a transmitter for transmitting simulation data to the plurality of players and to the central controller, wherein simulation data is transmitted to the central controller only when a simulation event occurs. In one alternative, the apparatus further includes an infrared camera for capturing video and still images of simulation events. In another alternative, the apparatus includes an infrared radiator for producing infrared light for illuminating video and still images captured by the infrared camera.
US08128402B2

A bone anchoring element comprises a tubular implant to be inserted into bone tissue for anchoring a prosthetic component located outside the bone. The implant has a compact, impermeable side wall (2) and is open at one end while the other end is closed by a compact impermeable end wall portion with attachment for prosthetic component on the outside thereof.
US08128397B2

A crossover nozzle system for transferring molten plastic from an inlet at the center of the stationary platen of an injection machine to the main manifold of the molding chambers of the stack molds of the injection molding machine. The crossover nozzle system incorporates liquid cooling to create a high viscosity viscous seal from molten plastic at a parting line between moveable components. Accordingly, no other seal is required between the components.
US08128393B2

A laminate nanomold includes a layer of perfluoropolyether defining a cavity that has a predetermined shape and a support layer coupled with the layer of perfluoropolyether. The laminate can also include a tie-layer coupling the layer of perfluoropolyether with the support layer. The tie-layer can also include a photocurable component and a thermal curable component. The cavity can have a broadest dimension of less than 500 nanometers.
US08128392B2

A machine for rotational molding of products comprises means (12, 14, 16, 17) for driven rotation of a mold around perpendicular axes (13, 15), means (22) for direct heating of the mold and means (21) for commanded opening of the mold in half molds. The machine further comprises combined means (23, 24, 25) for arresting in a predetermined position of the rotating means of the mold disengageable retaining means (26, 27) for retaining the product in a preset half mold, and evacuating means (28, 50) for evacuating the product that are suitable for being introduced between the open half molds when the rotating means is stopped in said predetermined position and which is suitable for receiving the product discharged from said preset half mold upon the release of the retaining means.
US08128384B2

A spring mounted tube pressing member for peristaltic pumps allows loading and unloading of an elastic tube section between the tube pressing member and a continuously revolving rotor assembly by selectively moving between a locked position for fluid transfer and an open position for unhindered mounting and demounting of the tube section or a replaceable tube cassette. Not only is the pressure on the tube pressing member adjustable by the spring used, its dynamic pressure distribution on the tube section also prolongs the tube flex life and reduces fluid back mixing and pulsation in the tube.
US08128383B2

A downhole sucker rod pump including a brush disposed between the downhole pump barrel and the well tubing to provide an effective seal which is not damaged during the insertion and/or withdrawal of the pump. The bush has a sufficient density and stiffness, such that it provides a sufficient interference fit between the pump barrel and the well tubing, that which retains its integrity with damage during the insertion and withdrawal process of a deep well.
US08128373B2

A turbine rotor with a rotor disc, a plurality of slots arranged on the rotor disc, a plurality of blades having blade roots and arranged in the slots, and a plurality of locking plates fitted in a position between the rotor disc and the blades are provided. The first gaps on radially outside edges and second gaps on radially inside edges, relative to an axis of rotation of the rotor disc, are formed between neighboring locking plates. At least one of the first gaps is smaller than the corresponding second gap, wherein at least one first gap and corresponding second gaps are intentionally introduced.
US08128358B2

An engine cooling fan shroud structure (20) for a vehicle includes a skirt (12′) defining a frame. The frame has a certain wall thickness and defines an opening (22) therein constructed and arranged to permit air to pass through the skirt. The skirt includes motor mount structure (14) supported in the opening and constructed and arranged for mounting a fan motor thereto. The frame defines passageways (18) there-through to reduce an amount of material of the skirt. A film material (28) has a wall thickness substantially less than the certain wall thickness and covers the passageways such that air may flow mainly through the opening.
US08128356B2

To provide a mixed flow turbine in which supply of working fluid is designed to be supplied at a hub and a shroud, and the shape of the inlet-side edges of the blades is made to work effectively, thereby reducing incidence loss. A mixed flow turbine including blades whose leading edges are formed in a convex shape toward the upstream side; and a scroll that is a space formed upstream of the blades by a casing having a shroud that covers the radially external edges of the blades, the space being for supplying working fluid toward the leading edges of the blades, wherein the scroll is separated by a scroll partition wall into a shroud-side space and a hub-side space; and a shroud-side partition wall surface and a hub-side partition wall surface at the rear edge side of the scroll partition wall form a shroud-side inlet channel in which the working fluid flows substantially radially and a hub-side inlet channel in which the working fluid flows substantially in the same direction as the inclination direction of the hub side at the inlet of the blades between the partition wall surfaces and portions facing the partition wall surfaces, respectively.
US08128348B2

A component for a gas turbine engine has an airfoil with internal cooling channels for delivering air from a radially outer end of the airfoil toward a radially inner end of the airfoil. The cooling channels are separated from adjacent cooling channels by sets of at least two disconnected wall segments.
US08128338B2

A propeller, wherein the tip parts of the propeller blades of a horizontal-shaft windmill are tilted in the front direction of the propeller blades to form inclination parts. The inclination angle of the tilted parts is set within the range of 25 to 50° relative to the longitudinal direction of the propeller blades.
US08128335B2

A disc turning device is formed with at least one support portion at one side of a center of gravity of the disc to make a disc turn over automatically by gravity by turning about the support portion, thus achieving the objectives of automatically turning over a disc by gravity, and saving energy.
US08128333B2

A substrate processing apparatus comprises a storage container for storing multiple substrates and whose substrate loading and unloading opening is shut by a lid, a loading and unloading port for carrying the storage container into and out of the case, a placement unit for placing the storage container in the loading and unloading port, a storage chamber provided adjacent to the loading and unloading port for storing the storage container, an opening and closing device for opening and closing the substrate loading and unloading opening of the storage container placed in the placement unit, a transfer device containing a holding mechanism for supporting the bottom of the storage container and transferring the storage container supported in the holding mechanism, over the opening and closing device between the inside and outside of the storage chamber, and an elevator mechanism for raising and lowering the placement unit between the placement unit height position where the opening and closing device opens and closes the storage container, and a height position where the transfer device gives and receives the storage container.
US08128332B2

A system has a pipe handling apparatus with an arm moving between a first position and a second position, a derrick having a window through which the pipe handling system delivers a pipe to a well head, and a header mounted in the window of the derrick. The header receives the arm of the pipe handling system when the arm is in the second position. An outside surface of the header suitably fits within the window of the derrick. An inside surface of the derrick suitably receives the arm. The inside surface resists an upward motion and a sideways motion of the arm. The header has a body that has a head and legs.
US08128319B2

A tamper device includes a shaft for driving a tamper head. A tamper head is attached to the end of the shaft for tamping a lift of aggregate in a cavity formed in a ground surface. A shield extends upwardly a predetermined height from the tamper head an amount sufficient to prevent sidewalls of the cavity from failing and collapsing. Methods of constructing aggregate columns with thicker lifts are also disclosed.
US08128316B1

A method of restoring a lake that has a high saline level is disclosed herein. In order to restore the lake, a series of concentric dikes or levees are provided that separate the lake into a plurality of smaller lake sections, each having a water surface. The smaller lake sections include an outer lake section which is next to the periphery of the lake and one or more inner lake sections. Each dike and each smaller lake section water surface have an elevation. Water is flowed from an influent source to the outer lake section and then to each of the inner lake sections. The outer lake section surface has a higher elevation. The inner lake section surfaces have cascading lower surface elevations. At a central area, a breathing brine area is provided that is surrounded by the smaller lake sections to provide an area that can be used to concentrate brine. The smaller lake sections can have differing salinity levels for sustaining diverse marine and plant life.
US08128313B2

A zero velocity bead dispenser is provided for a paint striping vehicle. The dispenser includes an electric motor which rotates a pair of rollers. A bead gun directs reflective particles into the nip point between the rollers, which discharge the particles or beads with a rearward velocity substantially matching the forward velocity of the vehicle. Therefore, the beads are discharged into the wet paint on the road with a net zero velocity so as to minimize or eliminate rolling of the beads in the paint, thereby maximizing the reflective properties of the beads. A speed sensor continuously monitors the vehicle speed and automatically adjusts the motor speed, and thus the roller speed, so as to maintain the relative zero velocity of the discharged beads.
US08128310B2

A vehicle restraint system is provided, comprised of an easily installable and transportable base having a deployable vehicle retention means contained therein. In particular, a rigid base over which vehicles may drive is provided, having a deployable vehicle retention means, such as a net or flexible panel, disposed in the base. In addition, lockable rollers, deployable plates and tire puncturing devices are disposed in the base, to prevent or resist movement of the vehicle relative to the base. The base is merely laid upon a surface, and requires no mounting thereto. Upon impact with a vehicle, the vehicle is retained on the base, and the forward motion/inertia of the vehicle is depleted via frictional engagement (sliding) of the base over the mounting surface, wherein the base and vehicle come to a controlled stop within a short distance.
US08128295B2

A hand held camera unit comprises a shoulder assembly and a platform assembly for releasably holding a camera. A connector is provided between the shoulder assembly and the platform assembly, and is movable between a locked position wherein the platform assembly is fixed relative to the shoulder assembly and an unlocked position wherein the platform assembly can be selectively moved relative to the shoulder assembly in the roll axis, the yaw axis and in a fore and aft direction.
US08128290B2

A rolling bearing unit having a sensor comprising: a first raceway member, on the outer circumferential surface of which a raceway surface is provided; a second raceway member, on the inner circumferential surface of which a raceway surface is provided; a plurality of rolling elements arranged between the raceway surface of the first raceway member and the raceway surface of the second raceway member; a base plate, the shape of which is formed into an annular and flat shape, having a through-hole that the first raceway member penetrates; a first coil, the shape of which is formed into a plane shape, arranged so that the first coil surrounds an overall circumference of the first raceway member; and a plurality of second coils, the shape of which is formed into a plane shape, arranged around the first coil.
US08128281B2

A technique that is usable with a well includes changing the temperature of a local environment of a distributed temperature sensor, which is deployed in a region of the well and using the sensor to acquire measurements of a temperature versus depth profile. The region contains at least two different well fluid layers, and the technique includes determining the depth of a boundary of at least one of the well fluid layers based at least in part on a response of the temperature versus depth profile to the changing of the temperature.
US08128274B2

An LED night light for night time or dark area use may be arranged as a plug-in wall outlet night light or a direct current that includes projection features to project an image, message, data, logo, and/or time on a ceiling, walls, floor, or other desired surface. The LED night light incorporates optics selected from an optics-lens, convex lens, concave lens, openings, cut-outs, film, grating means, and/or hologram means to create the preferred image and project it to a desired location.
US08128273B2

An illumination system for illuminating a display device includes a light-mixing chamber having a light-exit window, a rear wall situated opposite the light-exit window, and edge walls which extend between the light-exit window and the rear wall. A surface of the rear wall is substantially specularly reflective for specularly reflecting light impinging on the surface of the rear wall and having a relatively large angle of incidence with respect to an axis perpendicular to the rear wall. The illumination system further includes a light source light out-coupling elements. The light source emits light into the light-mixing chamber in a direction substantially parallel to the light-exit window. The illumination system further includes an angularly reflective filter applied at the light-exit window. The angularly reflective filter includes substantially transparent layers, each layer having a substantially uniform thickness. Each set of two adjacent layers of the angularly reflective filter has different refractive indexes.
US08128272B2

An illumination apparatus, comprising at least one light emitting source embedded in a waveguide material is disclosed. The waveguide material is capable of propagating light generated by light emitting source(s), such that at least a portion of the light is diffused within the waveguide material and exits through at least a portion of its surface.
US08128270B2

There is provided an illuminated surface mounted on a base surface. The illuminated surface includes a plurality of transmissive tiles configured to allow light to pass therethrough. Each of the transmissive tiles includes an exterior surface, an attaching surface and a plurality of lateral sides disposed between the exterior and attaching surfaces. The attaching surface is affixable to the base surface. The transmissive tiles are arranged in spaced relation to each other to define a cable channel. The cable channel is defined by opposing lateral sides of adjacent transmissive tiles. A fiber optic cable is in optical communication a light source and receives light therefrom. The fiber optic cable includes a longitudinal axis and a first segment disposed within the cable channel. The first segment is configured to radially radiate light along the longitudinal axis into the lateral sides of the adjacent transmissive tiles.
US08128269B2

The apparatus consists of a self contained lighting and identification device (10) having a strap (104) for attachment to a SCBA tank. A back plate (58) and a front shield (62) are spaced apart forming a cavity for LED back-lighting, with the front shield incorporates identification indicia (68) which provides recognition of a specific firefighter. Battery containing tubes (72) act as structural pillars and are located between an upper end cap assembly (20) and a lower end cap assembly (86), utilizing tie rods (96) for attachment therebetween. Diffused light distribution tubes (78) energized by LED's are positioned adjacent to the battery tubes evenly dispersing light on each side of the apparatus, effectively penetrating a smoke environment. The upper end cap assembly incorporates a printed circuit board (46) which includes the necessary control and lighting devices, and the lower end cap has a removable bottom cover (90) allowing batteries to be replaced.
US08128259B2

An ornamental fixture having a support structure and a plurality of ornaments mounted to the support structure in a substantially completely spherical arrangement of ornaments. The ornaments may be glass crystal ornaments, for example, octagonal glass crystals, and a light may be mounted within the fixture. The support structure may include an upper support ring and at least one lower support ring vertically spaced from the upper support ring and a plurality of arcuate sector assemblies removably mounted to the upper support ring and the at least one lower support ring. The sector assemblies retain the ornaments to provide a substantially continuous 360-degree array of ornaments. The sector assemblies can also be disassembled from the support structure for maintenance, servicing, relamping, and cleaning of the fixture. For example, the disassembled components of the fixture may be washed in a dishwasher without damaging the ornaments or the support structure.
US08128252B2

A lighting fixture which comprises a ceiling frame equipped with an attachment portion, a hollow portion, and a storage recess, wherein the attachment portion is located at an upper end portion of the frame to be suspended from a ceiling of a building, the hollow portion is located below the attachment portion, and the storage recess is located below the hollow portion; the storage recess has an opening which faces downward, a lighting module is set in the storage recess; and the lighting module includes plural light emitting diodes, a reflector which reflects light emitted from the diodes, and a lighting housing to which the light emitting diodes and the reflector are installed.
US08128248B2

A system for providing diffuse light to a dial plate of a meter is disclosed. The system includes a light-guide and a light source. The light from the light source enters the light-guide and exits the light-guide to illuminate a curved peripheral portion of a dial plate with a diffuse light.
US08128246B1

An apparatus for tilting a mirror. The apparatus includes a plate for supporting the mirror and a diaphragm sandwiched between the mirror and the plate. The diaphragm includes cutout portions forming a pattern in the diaphragm. As the plate provides tilt motion to the mirror, the pattern in the diaphragm stabilizes the tilt motion of the mirror.
US08128245B2

The invention disclosed herein is a make-mirror designed to direct airflow to a user's face, and includes a mirror embedded in a housing that encases a fan, and is vented to direct airflow to a user's face. Various embodiments may include lighting, bases, stands, extension arms, components for flush mounting the invention to a wall, electrical wiring, battery adapted power components, and solar power components.
US08128237B2

A computer implemented method for utilizing a plurality of self-activating display shaping devices to provide shape adjustment information for a digital image projected on a display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the plurality of display shaping devices are automatically activated, the plurality of display shaping devices defining a desired digital image shape for a display. In addition, the plurality of display shaping devices is utilized to identify an actual projected digital image shape. The actual projected digital image shape is then compared with the desired digital image shape for the display. Correction information is then provided for adjusting the actual projected digital image shape to approximate the desired digital image shape for the display.
US08128231B2

An ophthalmic illuminator is disclosed, one embodiment comprising: an illumination source, wherein the illumination source produces an arc; a lens, such as a condensing lens, for focusing light produced by the illumination source arc; and an optical fiber for carrying the focused light to a surgical site, such as an eye. The illumination source is positioned offset from a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber to compensate for shifting of the illumination source arc over time. The offset position can be such that the illumination source is positioned in a vertically offset position from the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. The longitudinal axis corresponds to the optical path axis of the optical fiber. The ophthalmic illuminator can further comprise a reflector for reflecting the light produced by the illumination source arc, wherein the reflector is positioned offset from the illumination source to decrease the rate of erosion of an illumination source cathode.
US08128222B2

A contact lens for placing over the eye is described. The lens has at least one non-spherical shape surface configured with bi-sign profile to maintain lens optical advantage as compared with equivalent far power spherical lens within common clinical condition of lens movement over the cornea of the eye.
US08128220B2

The present invention is an elastic miniaturized hinge for flex temples with an articulation trolley provided at least with a seat for the housing of the spring. A box is placed along the temple of the glasses. A housing along the box contains an articulation trolley. The articulation trolley includes at least one spring and is contained inside of the box, while the portion that includes the articulation exits from the front end of the box. The tie-rod body of the articulation is provided with a base, being provided with at least one seat that houses the rear end of the corresponding spring. Peripherally with respect to the opening of the housing, at least one guiding zone is obtained. Furthermore, the protrusion is provided with a guiding seat with an opening along the front profile and longitudinally projected with respect to the sliding longitudinal axis of the articulation trolley.
US08128213B2

A liquid cartridge which is used and is in the empty state is attached to the second cartridge attaching unit. When the attachment detector has detected that the liquid cartridge is attached to the second cartridge attaching unit and the second empty detector has detected that the liquid cartridge is in an empty state, the control unit controls the pump in such a way that a predetermined conveyance amount of the liquid is conveyed to the liquid cartridge attached to the second cartridge attaching unit after the liquid is conveyed from the discharge path to the liquid cartridge until the second empty detector detects that the liquid cartridge is no longer in the empty state.
US08128206B2

A liquid ejection substrate used to eject a liquid includes a substrate having an element row including a plurality of elements provided in a row, where each of the elements generates energy, drive circuits that drive and control the elements, a signal line that is shared by and connected to the drive circuits, the signal line being provided along the element row, and a heating portion generating heat used to heat the substrate, wherein the heating portion is provided so that the heating portion does not overlap the signal line with reference to a direction perpendicular to a face of the substrate.
US08128205B2

A fluid ejection device includes a plurality of firing cells, a clocked latch switch, and a data latch switch. Each firing cell includes a heater used to fire ink through a nozzle, a drive switch, and a memory cell used to store a control value used to control the drive switch. The memory cell includes a data switch. A clocked latch switch receives a data-in signal and latches the data-in signal. All of the firing cells in the plurality of firing cells use the data-in signal latched by the clocked latch switch. The data latch switch latches the data-in signal to the data switch of at least two, but not all of the firing cells in the plurality of firing cells.
US08128204B2

A liquid ejection head and a method of forming the same. The liquid ejection head includes a substrate, an ejection port, a liquid channel, and a supply port. The substrate has, above one side thereof, an energy generating element configured to generate energy used to eject liquid. The ejection port, from which a liquid is ejected, is located at a position corresponding to the energy generating element. The liquid channel communicates with the ejection port and penetrates the substrate from the one side to another side of the substrate. The supply port communicates with the liquid channel. The substrate has a projecting layer extending inward of an inner peripheral portion of an opening in the supply port in the one side, and the projecting layer and the energy generating element are formed of the same material.
US08128199B2

An ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method which use a print head having a plurality of ejection port rows to enable high-quality printing without causing uneven density in a conveying direction by varying the printing distribution ratio of the ejection port rows in the print head depending on gray level.
US08128193B2

A cleaning mechanism has a slider moving together with a carriage and a suction cap provided on the slider to cap one of print heads mounted on the carriage to perform suction therefrom. A first contact portion and a second contact portion are provided in each of the carriage and the slider, and a third contact portion and a fourth contact portion are provided in the slider. In the case that the suction cap performs suction from a black head, when the carriage moves toward the cleaning mechanism side, the first contact portion and the third contact portion come into contact with each other to position the carriage and the slider in such a manner that the suction cap faces the black head. On the other hand, in the case that the suction cap performs suction from a color head, when the carriage moves toward the cleaning mechanism side, the second contact portion and the fourth contact portion come into contact with each other to position the carriage and the slider in such a manner that the suction cap faces the color head.
US08128192B1

The hand-held printer includes a print module configured for multidirectional printing, a print head in communication with the print module. The print head includes a plurality of nozzle arrays and wherein the nozzles in each of the plurality of nozzle are disposed substantially equidistant from a reference point. The hand-held printer further includes a circular cap configured to rotatably cooperate with the print head, wherein the circular cap cooperates with the print head to define a seal when the circular cap is disposed in a closed position.
US08128191B2

A maintenance method is provided for a discharging head in which multiple discharging portions are arranged in line. The maintenance method includes the steps of performing an operation of continuously discharging droplets from one discharging portion or a plurality of unadjacent discharging portions, and repeating the operation for one discharging portion or a plurality of discharging portions adjacent to the previous discharging portion or the previous discharging portions in a predetermined direction.
US08128183B2

A rack system for housing electronic and/or electrical equipment is provided comprising a rectangular base frame, a rectangular top frame, and four elongated vertical support members each extending along a longitudinal axis between and joined to two associated corners of the rectangular base frame and the rectangular top frame. The rectangular base frame, rectangular top frame, and the four elongated vertical support members may be constructed from members having the same substantially A-frame cross-section. Each support member may be constructed from an elongated sheet material extending along a longitudinal axis by bending the sheet material about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sheet material to form at least three elongated sections, where a first section and a second section are adjacent and substantially perpendicular to each other and a third section extends between approximately mid-point of the first section and approximately mid-point of the second section.
US08128178B2

The invention relates to a cutter head for a ground cutter machine having at least one cutter motor. Each cutter motor comprises: two hydraulic motors, each comprising a stator and a rotor and having a common axis; a single shaft extending along said common axis and having two ends; two cutter drums mounted to rotate; two transmission assemblies for drivingly connecting each end of the common shaft to one of said cutter drums; and mechanical members for constraining the rotor of each hydraulic motor directly in rotation with the transmission assembly corresponding to the cutter drum that is closer to the hydraulic motor.
US08128170B2

A reclining device of a seat for a vehicle is disclosed. With the disclosed device it is possible to prevent unexpected pivot of a seatback and improve the passenger's safety by maintaining the engagement of a sector tooth 20 and a pawl tooth 70 even if the pawl tooth 70 is separated from a rotational center protrusion 11 by a relatively large external force applied to the seatback.
US08128164B2

A human body supporting structure, particularly a bicycle saddle, includes a load-bearing shell having a topside designed to face towards a user and an underside designed to face a bicycle frame. The shell includes at least one continuous sheet element having at least one differently deformable portion located at particularly stressed regions of the user's body. The sheet element is formed of a thermoplastic resin matrix with reinforcement fibers embedded therein. The differently deformable portions have a smaller thickness (Si) and a locally greater average density (pi) than the rest of the extension of the shell, said portions are formed in a thermoforming step wherein a local thickness reduction is carried out by compression and by heating said sheet element to a temperature near the melting temperature of the thermoplastic matrix. A method of making such support structure is further provided.
US08128155B2

The present invention relates to a construction machine having an operator's cabin whose cabin structure which is made reinforced serves the protection of the operator, with the operator's cabin being supported via a base plate at an operator's cab frame at the machine side. In accordance with the invention, the stiffness of the cabin structure is larger than that of the base plate and/or of the operator's cab frame at least with respect to a lateral force engagement so that in a load case first the base plate and/or the operator's cab frame are deformed.
US08128143B2

A one-piece inner garnish assembly is provided for an associated vehicle window opening. The garnish assembly includes a weatherseal assembly and a garnish joined thereto prior to installation on the associated vehicle. In one embodiment, the weatherseal assembly includes first and second legs extending from a base portion. Each leg includes a low friction seal lip such as flock or TPV for sealingly engaging surface of the associate vehicle window. The garnish is a molded component that is joined to the weatherseal assembly, for example, in a preferred embodiment the garnish is joined to a leg of the weatherseal assembly. In another embodiment of the garnish assembly, a belt seal with integral garnish and molded transition members at opposite ends are provided.
US08128139B2

A vehicle bumper and mounting bracket assembly for a lamp is disclosed. The mounting bracket has a geometry that facilitates mating with flanges disposed on apertures on the bumper. The mounting bracket also includes resilient tab locks configured to receive tabs on the flanges. Ledges of the mounting bracket are used to attach a lamp that is held in cantilever relation with the bumper.
US08128134B2

The present invention related to a door jamb finger guard. The finger guard comprises a door lock for preventing closure of the door, a housing for the door lock and a spring activated plate. The spring activated plate is activateable by a door closing obstacle for automatically moving the door lock between an inactive position and an active position. In the inactive position, the door lock is recessed within the housing, while in the active position, the door lock projects from the housing to prevent closure of the door.
US08128133B2

A method and apparatus for tying a necktie knot are provided. The apparatus includes a substantially triangular base having a front face, a back face, three edges and three corners. The apparatus also includes an integrated clip extending from an area of the back face of the substantially triangular base that is proximate to one of the three edges and between two of the three corners. The integrated clip has a flexibility that enables reception of at least one end of a necktie between the integrated clip and the substantially triangular base, and a rigidity that enables retention of the at least one end between the integrated clip and the substantially triangular base. The substantially triangular base maintains a substantially triangular structure of a necktie knot that is tied around and encases the substantially triangular base and the integrated clip.
US08128128B2

A coupling of a heat exchanger includes a saddle for engaging a cylindrical manifold. The saddle has an arcuate cross-section extending between a first edge and a second edge. The saddle defines an opening and a tubular member extends through the saddle and between a top edge and a bottom edge. A lip extends outward from the top edge and a skirt interconnects the lip to the opening in the saddle. The tubular member is oblong-shaped adjacent the opening of the saddle and the tubular member has an oblong-shaped portion extending from the bottom edge to adjacent the opening in the saddle and terminating at a transition zone. The tubular member has a circular-shaped portion extending from the transition zone to the top edge. The oblong-shaped portion has a shorter dimension in the direction between the first and second edges than the circular shaped portion.
US08128118B2

A stroller for a young child comprising a frame mounted on a plurality of wheels and a seat mounted in the frame. The seat is adjustable between a first position where the child is retained in a reclined or semi-reclined orientation, and a second position where the child is retained in an orientation that permits them to sit and stand. The seat includes a bottom that is pivotally attached to a back. A sling member is secured between the frame and back such that when the bottom is pivoted out of the way, the sling supports the child in the seated or standing position.
US08128108B2

A novelty skateboard includes features common in skateboards and further includes an air passage and a cup for producing bubbles. The skateboard includes a deck, two trucks, and four wheels. The deck is made from cross laminated layers of a wood material. The air passage is formed lengthwise through one or more of the layers in the center of the deck and reaches from one end of the deck to an opposite end of the deck, and may be formed by a hollow rectangular insert laminated into the deck. One of the trucks includes a bypass reaching from a base plate of the truck to the cup. The bypass may pass through a hollow kingpin of the truck, or through the hanger of the truck.
US08128107B2

In conventional vehicle cranes it is usually necessary in consideration of current safety regulations to provide at least two separate steering circuits for all steered axles so that, in the event of a failure of one circuit, the vehicle crane can continue to be steered by way of the other. In order to avoid that in accordance with the invention at least one steered rear axle of a vehicle crane (1) is provided with a caster (a) so that at least one axle (11-16), in the event of a steering failure, remains steerable passively by utilizing the caster friction. That principle is applied in a similar manner to a module axle (2) which can be mounted to the vehicle crane (1) and which can be required for transporting additional equipment or an additional counterweight which is possibly required.
US08128106B2

An outboard motor carrier comprises a frame, a motor support structure to which an outboard motor may be attached, and upper and lower wheels. The lower wheels are rotatably attached to a lower region of the frame so as to support the carrier when it is tilted from an upright standing position. The upper wheels are rotatably attached to an upper region of the frame so as to facilitate loading the carrier onto a bed of a vehicle and to support the carrier when in a reclined position. The motor support structure is attached to a mid region of the frame and may comprise a transverse mounting board. The lower region of the frame may operate as a stand when the carrier is an upright standing position. The carrier is configured to hold an attached outboard motor in a semi-upright position when it is in its reclined position.
US08128094B2

A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
US08128090B2

Methods of play for board games are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of play for a board game with a game board having a plurality of spaces includes the steps of: (a) providing a first player game piece having a strength value; (b) providing a first chance device capable of indicating chance values; (c) determining the movement of the first player game piece among the spaces of the game board; and (d) determining that the first player game piece located on a first space has defeated a second player game piece located on a second space adjacent to the first space, wherein the determinations in steps (c) and (d) are each based on both the strength value of the first player game piece and a chance value provided by the first chance device.
US08128086B2

A sheet discharged from a sheet discharging portion arranged at a distance from a sheet stacking portion, to a stacking portion, is conveyed along the sheet stacking portion while the sheet edge on an upstream side in a sheet discharging direction is held. A shifting unit arranged downstream of the sheet stacking portion in the sheet discharging direction shifts the discharged sheet from the sheet discharging portion toward the downstream side in the sheet discharging direction while a pressing member presses the sheet to the sheet stacking portion.
US08128082B2

A sheet feeding device includes a sheet storing unit in which sheets are stacked; a lifting unit that lifts and lowers the sheets; an air blowing unit that blows air to an end faces of the stacked sheets; a feeding roller that is pressed against an upper surface of an uppermost sheet of the sheets and feeds the uppermost sheet by rotating; and a supplying roller that supplies the uppermost sheet, wherein the lifting unit is driven so that height of the uppermost sheet, which is fed by the feeding roller while air is blown by the air blowing unit, is set to be lower than height of the uppermost sheet, which is fed by the feeding roller while air is not blown by the air blowing unit.
US08128079B2

A web product folding and stacking machine includes two folding line making rolls, two folding fingers, a first carrier unit, a stoppage unit and a holder. The folding line making rolls and the folding fingers are operated to fold up web products on a pad on the first carrier unit to form a stack of interfolded web products. When a stack of a predetermined number of interfolded web products is finished, the stoppage unit is extended out to have the finished stack of interfolded web products be carried with the holder and the stoppage unit to a predetermined location for delivery. Subject to the effect of the pad on the first carrier unit, web products are effectively folded up and stacked in a neat status.
US08128077B2

This invention relates to a tooling system comprising a plurality of elements (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64) having tessellating sides arranged in an array. The elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart. In the open position the elements are capable of vertical movement relative to one another. Drive means for opening and closing the array are provided and the elements are mounted on supporting rails (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14) and are driven by the drive means between the open position and the closed position along a drive axis which is at angle to the longitudinal axis of the supporting rails.
US08128076B2

A noise attenuator for attaching a side wall panel to a frame that is exposed to vibratory loads and which includes a rigid core having a sleeve with two radially disposed end plates. A bracket encircles a portion of said sleeve between the end plates and is in non-contiguous relationship with the core. An elastomeric bushing is bonded to a portion of the bracket and the core with the exception of the outer faces of the end plates, which remain exposed. Voids are passed through the rear plate and extend axially between the bracket and the sleeve some length into the sleeve. Due to the geometry of the unit, the non-voided sections of the bushing are loaded in either a combination of tension and shear or compression and shear when the core is connected to a vibrating frame and the bracket is connected to a side wall panel.
US08128073B2

Vaporizable material is supported within a vessel to promote contact of an introduced gas with the vaporizable material, and produce a product gas including vaporized material. A heating element supplies heat to a wall of the vessel to heat vaporizable material disposed therein. The vessel may comprise an amoule may having a removable top. Multiple containers defining multiple material support surfaces be stacked disposed within a vessel in thermal communication with the vessel. A tube may be disposed within the vessel and coupled to a gas inlet. Filters, flow meters, and level sensors may be further provided. Product gas resulting from contact of introduced gas with vaporized material may be delivered to atomic layer deposition (ALD) or similar process equipment. At least a portion of source material including a solid may be dissolved in a solvent, followed by removal of solvent to yield source material (e.g., a metal complex) disposed within the vaporizer.
US08128067B2

A drilling rig control system adapted for easy interface between a compressed air supply and a drilling rig clutch and brake. Both manual and automatic controls are provided to initiate the device to interrupt and vent the compressed air supply to the clutch and concurrently communicate compressed air to the brake to cause it to engage the drum winding the cable for the rig. Over-pull sensors monitor cable tension and initiate valves in the control system to initiate the compressed air interruption and rerouting upon any sense of over-pull.
US08128048B2

A box holder for mounting a box, such as a tissue box, on a surface is provided. The box includes a wall having a slot formed or pre-formed thereon. The box holder has structure for mounting to a surface, specifically an upper portion having a front edge and a base portion having a fastener to mount the box holder to the surface. The front edge is adaptable for insertion through the slot thereby allowing the box to be mounted on the box holder.
US08128045B2

An improved beverage holding device that may be utilized by an individual on a recreational vehicle is provided. The improved beverage holding device may have a plurality of beverage holders whereby the beverage holders may be adaptable to hold a plurality of different sized beverage containers. Moreover, the improved beverage holder may be removably attached to the handlebars and/or external portion of a recreational vehicle to hold the beverages during use of the recreational vehicle. The device may utilize a plurality of mounting brackets that attach to a recreational vehicle and have an adjustable stem on the bracket to allow for movement of the entire assembly about the mounting bracket.
US08128029B2

Ventral fairing for an aircraft provided between a left wing and a right wing, which comprises a lower central section of convex transverse cross-section located between the left lower surface of the left wing and the right lower surface of the right wing, and with an angle between the cross-section of the fairing and the line of cross-section corresponding to the lower surface of each wing of less than 90 degrees, separate left and right lower lateral sections of concave transverse cross-section which are respectively extended between the lower surface of each wing and the central section; separate first lines of inflection between the lower surface of each wing and the corresponding lateral section; separate second lines of inflection between the lateral sections and the central section.
US08128028B2

Internally stiffened composite panels and associated manufacturing methods. An internally stiffened composite panel can include a first face sheet, a second face sheet offset from the first face sheet, and at least one core portion sandwiched between the first and second face sheets. The composite panel can further include a stiffener disposed between the first and second face sheets adjacent to the core portion. The stiffener can have a first attachment portion attached to the first face sheet, a second attachment portion attached to the second face sheet, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second attachment portions. One or both of the first and second attachment portions can be configured to engage a fastener, such as a blind fastener, for attaching a part to the composite panel.
US08128027B2

A power system for an aircraft. The power system comprises a power module unit and at least one mounting rail detachably coupled to the power module unit. The mounting rail provides structural support and electrical power to the power module unit. A power system in one embodiment may use mounting rails that double as power rails supplying power to the power module unit. Control is accomplished over a wireless link. The power rail control may be accomplished remotely via a standard or solid state relay. Normal rail power for the rail mounted power module may come from the utility bus.
US08128023B2

When an aircraft is propelled by at least one jet engine fixed in a rear part of the aircraft, at least one substantially horizontal rear aerodynamic surface, the rear horizontal surface, is arranged at the rear of the aircraft and at least one jet engine is fixed under the rear horizontal surface by an attachment mast fixed by its upper part to the rear horizontal surface and maintains, by its lower part, the jet engine. The rear horizontal surface is also the horizontal tail unit of the aircraft or a horizontal surface maintained above the fuselage. The rear surfaces and the fuselage are arranged such that the engines are installed and removed using a vertical movement of the engines, which are advantageously one, two or three in number, in the rear zone of the aircraft.
US08128021B2

A mount system for a gas turbine engine includes an aft mount which reacts at least a portion of a thrust load at an engine case generally parallel to an engine axis.
US08128018B2

The automatic sensing and outputting device of the present invention includes a base, a shell, a cover and a roller unit. The base has a longitudinal rod extending from an upper side thereof which the shell parallels. The cover pivoted at one ends on the shell and is swayable. The roller unit is rotatably disposed in the shell and is driven by a rotating means. Thereby, the cover and the roller unit are adapted to clamp a sheet-like object therebetween and to output the sheet-like object when the roller unit rotates.
US08128014B2

A pulp lifter for installation in a rotary grinding mill has a leading edge wall and a trailing edge wall with respect to rotation of the mill. The leading edge wall and the trailing edge wall define a pulp lifter chamber, and a grate allows slurry to pass to a radially outward collecting region of the pulp lifter chamber for removal from the mill by way of a radially inward discharge region of the pulp lifter chamber. In one embodiment, a gate is positioned between the collecting region and the discharge region, the gate being movable between an open position, in which the gate permits solid material to pass from the collecting region to the discharge region, and a closed position, in which the gate prevents return movement of solid material from the discharge region to the collecting region.
US08128006B1

An apparatus for dispensing a flavoring substance into a consumable beverage by a dispensing device consisting of a tubular body having a substantially hollow interior and formed with valves provided at distal and proximal ends thereof. Upon positioning of the tubular body into the container, the distal end of the body is pressed against interior of the container, so as to activate the distal valve. The proximal valve is activated to break a vacuum in the interior chamber and to enable the flavoring substance to pass through the open distal valve into the consumable beverage.
US08128005B2

The invention relates to a fuel injector comprising an injector housing having a pressure chamber from which fuel subjected to a high pressure is injected into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine when the pressure in a control chamber expands into a pressure relief chamber by a control valve device. The aim of the invention is to create a fuel injector which has a long service life even though subjected to high pressures. To this end, the injector includes a low-pressure supply line which is connected to a low-pressure return line by a purge path extending through the pressure relief chamber.
US08128004B2

In order to operate an injection valve, a freewheeling operating state is controlled as the nozzle needle moves to its closing position, and a current through the coil is detected as a freewheeling current during freewheeling. As the nozzle needle moves to its closing position, a braking current pulse (I_BR) is generated on the basis of a time derivative (DI_DT_FW) of the freewheeling current and is impressed on the coil.
US08128003B2

The invention concerns a burner, particularly an auxiliary burner in a motor vehicle and most especially a burner to rapidly heat up a three way catalytic converter of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, with a fuel supply mechanism to deliver fuel to the burner, an air supply mechanism to deliver air to the burner, as well as with an open-loop or closed-loop control mechanism to set a desired fuel-air-ratio in the burner. The invention additionally concerns a procedure to operate such a burner. Provision is made, that the open-loop or closed-loop mechanism adjusts the fuel mass delivered from the fuel supply mechanism to the burner to the air mass delivered from the air supply mechanism to the burner.
US08128001B2

A method for producing a RFID label comprises conveying a first label base material which is transparent from a first holding portion holding the first label base material, forming an image on a surface of the first label base material, conveying a second label base material including at least one of a RFID antenna conductor and an IC chip from a second holding portion holding the second label base material and joining the second label base material and the first label base material on which an image has been formed together, wherein, when an image is formed on the first label base material, the image is formed on a surface of the first label base material, the surface being joined to the second label base material.
US08127997B2

This invention proposes a manufacturing process for a transponder in the form of a card or a label able to resist to flexions or twisting without interrupting the connections of the electronic components. The process of assembling at least one electronic component including sensibly flat conductive areas that are connected to conductive tracks placed on the surface of a generally flat substrate comprises the steps of placing the substrate on a work surface, the face including conductive tracks being oriented upwards, placing the electronic component into a cavity of the substrate situated in a zone including the conductive tracks, the conductive areas of the component coming into contact with the corresponding tracks of the substrate and applying a layer of insulating material which extends at once on the electronic component and at least on a substrate zone surrounding said component. This process implies that the contact between the conductive areas of the electronic component and the conductive tracks of the substrate realizes an electric connection ensured by the pressure of application of the insulating material layer on the electronic component.
US08127996B1

A customizable, portable identification and memory device includes a housing having a front sleeve housing member with a sleeve that receives a slideable printable card member and an electronic memory device, such as a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, pivoted to the housing that is rotatable between a stored position of the memory device within a recess of the housing and one or more deployed positions of the memory device, for example, at 90 degrees and 180 degrees, in which a connector portion of the memory device is exposed for connection to a port of a computing device. The slideable printable card member can be imprinted with text and/or graphics, such as personal identification information and/or insurance information for a user and/or can be imprinted with allergies, medications, and emergency contact information for the user, and the memory device can store voluminous information, such as a personal health record (PHR) for a user.
US08127995B2

A filter-free projector includes a light source unit to generate light beam with different color and a color control module couple to the light source unit for switching the light source unit to emit one color light at a time. A digital mirror device panel having a plurality of mirror elements is provided so as to reflect light fed from the light source unit. Projection lens is positioned in the reflected light path from the digital mirror device panel to project image.
US08127993B2

A reflection type encoder, which receives a plurality of light-receiving signals from a single scale, includes a light source, a scale having a plurality of patterns formed thereon to which light is irradiated from the light source, and a light-receiving element for receiving light reflected from each of the plurality of patterns, wherein a plurality of patterns each having different thicknesses are formed on a single track of the scale by using a dielectric substance, light of a plurality of wavelengths each having different brightnesses in accordance with differences in the thickness of the dielectric substance is irradiated from the light source, and a light-receiving signal is obtained for the respective thicknesses of the dielectric substance. Therefore, the scale can be downsized by overlapping a plurality of patterns on the same track.
US08127991B2

A removable spindle for use in a thermal transfer printer houses dual RFID reader antennas that are used to read an RFID tag attached to the core of the print media. The information provided by the RFID tag enables the printer to self-calibrate based on the type of media loaded. The antenna design eliminates “null” areas at which the tag cannot be read, and enables the tag to be read around and across the entire length of the printer spindle. The design also allows the media holder to be easily removed from the printer.
US08127989B2

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of automating arrival and departure procedures in an airport, by which the forgery of a passport, the identity of a passport bearer, the arrival or departure permission according to a result of arrival and departure examinations, and the carry-on of prohibited items on the plane are automatically checked. The apparatus for automating arrival and departure procedures according to the present invention includes an exit gate, a departure automation apparatus, and may further include an entrance gate and a scanner. In the apparatus for automating arrival and departure procedures according to the present invention, a departure area entry procedure, a security screening procedure, and a departure examination procedure for departure passengers, which are conventionally performed separately in different areas, may be incorporated in the same area and performed therein.
US08127982B1

Various techniques are provided for establishing financial transaction rules to control one or more subsidiary financial accounts. In one embodiment, a financial account management application stored on a processor-based device may provide an interface for defining financial transaction rules to be applied to a subsidiary account. The financial transaction rules may be based upon transaction amounts, aggregate spending amounts over a period, merchant categories, specific merchants, geographic locations, or the like. The device may update the financial transaction rules associated with a subsidiary account by communicating the rules to an appropriate financial server. Accordingly, transactions made using the subsidiary account by a subsidiary account holder may be evaluated against the defined rules, wherein an appropriate control action is carried out if a financial transaction rule is violated.
US08127976B2

A surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, an endoscopic portion and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a first longitudinal axis. The end effector defines a second longitudinal axis and includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The end effector includes a cartridge channel configured and dimensioned to securely receive a cartridge therein.
US08127968B2

An actuator is disclosed for actuating an aerosol valve for dispensing an aerosol product from an aerosol container. The actuator comprises an actuator button being rotatable relative to a base for movement between a locked rotational position and an unlocked rotational position. The actuator button is tiltable relative to the base for actuating the aerosol valve to dispense the aerosol product when the actuator button is rotated into the unlocked rotational position. The actuator button is inhibited from tilting relative to the base when the actuator button is moved into the locked rotational position.
US08127965B1

An insert for containers designed to store and organize small hand tools comprising two (2) discs, each of a slightly smaller diameter than the interior diameter of the bucket is herein disclosed. Each disc is provided with multiple holes and slots to hold various types of hand tools. The discs are separated a few inches from each other and the lower insert is held off the bottom of the bucket by a set of legs. The insert is designed to hold hand tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, hammers, utility knifes and the like. The configuration of the discs allows each tool to stand upright and not fall over, enabling a user to quickly find a desired hand tool.
US08127960B2

A holding device for securing the top mounting section of a container is disclosed. The holding device the top mounting section of the container including a received section, the top mounting section in engagement with the receiving section, characterized in that the receiving section is pivotally sealed at the lower edge of the top mounting section and the circumferential edge of the top mounting section is a pivot point connecting with the receiving section, the receiving section has a funnel shape extended downward and the extension is a guiding hole.
US08127956B2

A collapsible structure having an open top, a relatively rigid handle frame member, and a handle member used for ease in transporting goods, along with a method of collapsing same.
US08127940B2

A rack system for supporting one or more information handling systems is provided. The rack system may include a rack and one or more rails coupled to the rack and configured to support one or more information handling systems. At least one of the rails may include an upper support structure, a lower support structure, a slot defined between the upper and lower support structures and configured to receive a guide structure of the information handling system, and a shelf. The slot may have a front end opening proximate to a front end of the rail, and extend toward a back end of the rail. The shelf may extend forward from the front end opening of the slot, and can support a portion of the information handling system when the guide structure is not received in the slot. The shelf may also not be coupled to any other rail.
US08127939B2

The present invention relates to telecommunications equipment racks including vertical cable guides, horizontal troughs, cross aisle panels and cross-connection modules for telecommunications equipment racks. The vertical cable guides define vertical cable channels for both network infrastructure and cross-connection cables. The structure defining the second cable channel is hingedly attached to the structure defining the first cable channel. The horizontal cable troughs include both upper and lower troughs. The upper cable trough defines two cableways for directing cross-connection and other cables, and provides access openings for cables to pass into and out of each cableway and between the two cableways. The lower cable trough defines a cableway and provides access openings for cables extending into and out of the cableway. Cable troughs attached to adjacently mounted equipment racks cooperate to form continuous horizontal cableways. The cross aisle panel includes movable cable guide structures to permit access to connectors mounted on the panel. The cross-connection modules provide multiple connector planes on the rear of the module to increase the number of circuits the module can support.
US08127932B2

The invention provides a screen module for use on vibratory screening apparatus. The screen module includes: a panel frame having opposed side portions joined by opposed end portions, the end portions being configured for locating the panel frame between spaced panel support rails of the vibratory screening apparatus; at least one intermediate portion extending between the opposed side portions and/or opposed end portions and dividing the panel frame into panel portions; the side portions and said at least one intermediate portion having engagement formations provided on upper surfaces thereof that, together with engagement formations provided on each of the panel support rails of the vibratory screening apparatus, in use, form peripheral panel engagement formations about the panel portions; and at least one pair of screen panels, said screen panels overlying respective panel portions of the panel frame and including complementary engagement formations on an underside periphery thereof for engagement with the peripheral panel engagement formations, defined by the engagement formations of the panel frame and panel support rails.
US08127930B2

Amine-aldehyde resins are disclosed for removing a wide variety of solids and/or ionic species from the liquids in which they are suspended and/or dissolved. These resins are especially useful as froth flotation depressants, for example in the beneficiation of value materials (e.g., bitumen, coal, or kaolin clay) to remove impurities such as sand. The resins are also useful for treating aqueous liquid suspensions to remove solid particulates, as well as for removing metallic ions in the purification of water.
US08127922B2

A catheter assembly (110, 210) comprising a catheter (130, 230) and a receptacle (120, 220) is disclosed. The receptacle is arranged to accommodate at least part of said catheter and having at least one opening (123) for withdrawal of said catheter. Further, the receptacle is provided with an antimicrobial compound (301) at least in the vicinity of the opening and at least on the outer surface of the receptacle, said antimicrobial compound inhibiting microbes from being transferred to said catheter while being withdrawn through said at least one opening.
US08127918B2

A method and apparatus for monitoring operation of a conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a detection system configured to detect transverse displacement of each edge of a portion of the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt travels past the detection system, and determine, using the transverse displacements of the edges of the conveyor belt and one or more operating rules, if an operating irregularity of the conveyor belt has occurred.
US08127916B2

A conveyor and associated method for shock-sensitive products and the like, includes a conveyor member having at least one individual compartment for receiving a product therein, as well as upward and downward conveyor sections. An upper conveyor deflector deflects the conveyor member from the upward to the downward section. The compartment includes a first support surface configured for supporting the product in the upwardly directed conveyor section, as well as a second support surface configured for supporting the product in a downwardly directed conveyor section. The compartment also includes a bottom surface that supports the product during movement of the conveyor member over the upper conveyor deflector. The bottom surface has a curved shape, so that when passing over the upper deflector, the product deposited in the compartment is guided smoothly and gently along the bottom surface from the first support surface to the second support surface, such that critically damaging shock forces to the product are avoided.
US08127915B2

A system for separating a cluster of interconnected food products is disclosed. The system includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a suction subsystem, and a sensor. The first conveyor includes a discharge end and a first permeable conveyor belt. The second conveyor, in series with the first conveyor, includes an intake end and a second permeable conveyor belt. The first and second conveyors are configured to independently accelerate and decelerate. The suction subsystem, which includes an intake portion proximate to the discharge end and the intake end, is configured, arranged and disposed to generate suction through the first permeable conveyor belt at a first region proximate to the discharge end and through the second permeable conveyor belt at a second region proximate to the intake end. The sensor is configured, arranged and disposed to sense a leading edge of the cluster as the cluster is conveyed by the system.
US08127913B2

Transportation state evaluation methods, transportation state evaluation programs, and recording media processing devices are provided. In one embodiment, a check processing device has an insertion direction evaluation means that determines if an orientation of a check is correct or not based on a detection signal from a magnetic head, a multifeed detector and multifeed evaluation means that detect multifeeding, an enable/disable control means that enables or disables the insertion direction evaluation and multifeed detection operations of the insertion direction evaluation means and multifeed evaluation means, and a control means that unconditionally enables multifeed detection when only the insertion direction evaluation is enabled. Multifeed detection is always enabled when insertion direction evaluation is enabled because the insertion direction evaluation means can return a detection error when multifeeding occurs. By disabling the insertion direction evaluation when multifeeding occurs, situations in which the insertion direction is determined incorrectly are eliminated.
US08127912B2

A feedback torque limiter device for an actuator having an input shaft, output shaft and gear reduction for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the output shaft comprises an output torque sensor, and input torque limiter and a feedback mechanism. The output torque sensor senses actuator output torque downstream from an actuator gear reduction. The input torque limiter grounds additional torque from the input shaft when engaged. The feedback mechanism engages the input torque limiter when the output torque sensed by the output torque sensor reaches a predetermined value.
US08127901B1

A hydraulic damping device includes a cylinder holding a hydraulic fluid, a piston rod moving in and out of the cylinder and having a pin at one end inside the cylinder, a rigid valve block affixed to the inner end of the pin of the piston rod and having equiangularly spaced through holes, a retainer affixed to the outer end of the pin of the piston rod, a piston coupled to the pin of the piston rod and movable along the pin between the rigid valve block and the retainer and having a plurality of axially extending through holes, a number of the through holes of the piston being respectively aimed at the through holes of the rigid valve block for allowing the hydraulic fluid to pass through the piston in one direction at a high speed during outward stroke of the piston rod and to pass through the piston in the other direction at a low speed during inward stroke of the piston, and a shock absorber that buffers the impact of the rigid valve block when the piston rod is extended out of the cylinder.
US08127894B2

A hoist motor (12) for an elevator (14) is continuously driven from an irregular power supply (16). A regenerative drive (10) delivers power between the power supply (16) and the hoist motor (12). A controller (11) measures a power supply voltage in response to a detected change in the power supply voltage and controls the regenerative drive (10) to adjust a nominal motion profile of the elevator (14) in proportion with an adjustment ratio of the measured power supply voltage to a normal power supply voltage.
US08127893B2

An elevator having an elevator car with a car frame on which are mounted a first set of diverting pulleys from which the hoisting ropes go downwards and a second set of diverting pulleys from which the hoisting ropes go upwards. The rope tension in the rope portions going from the diverting pulleys of the first set is smaller than the rope tension in the rope portions going from the diverting pulleys of the second set by a specified ratio. According to the invention, the diverting pulleys of the first set are at a larger average distance from the car frame than the diverting pulleys of the second set. In a possible inventive arrangement, the distance of an up-direction diverting pulley from the car frame is smaller by a specified ratio than the distance a corresponding down-direction diverting pulley.
US08127885B2

A method and apparatus for providing a loudspeaker assembly is provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method is provided for mounting a loudspeaker driver in a loudspeaker driver aperture defined in a ground plane and installing a grille in relation to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases as the distance from the loudspeaker driver increases. In accordance with at least one embodiment, apparatus is provided comprising a ground plane, a loudspeaker driver mounted in a loudspeaker driver aperture of the ground plane, and a grille positioned relative to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases with increasing distance from the loudspeaker driver.
US08127883B2

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.
US08127875B2

A power driven wheelchair and a method for operating same are provided. In one embodiment, the power driven wheelchair includes a system controller with a main controller, a storage device, and at least one input device, a motor assembly, and a common bus. The motor assembly may include a drive motor, a local controller, and a sensor sensing a condition associated with the drive motor and in communication with the local controller. In another embodiment, the power driven wheelchair includes the system controller, an actuator assembly, and the common bus. The actuator assembly may include an actuator mechanism, a local controller, and a sensor sensing a condition associated with the actuator mechanism and in communication with the local controller. Multiple embodiments of the method are related to controlling various arrangements of motor assemblies or actuator assemblies.
US08127859B2

A method of sealing an annulus formed between a casing string and a surface in a well may include: positioning a seal element in the annulus with a swellable material of the seal element positioned between the casing string and the surface; and flowing cement through a channel formed between the swellable material and the casing string. A method of sealing in a well may include the steps of: positioning an annular seal element in the well, wherein the element may include a swellable material; and flowing cement into at least one channel formed longitudinally through the seal element. A method of sealing an annulus between two casing strings may include: providing multiple arcuate segments that may include a swellable material; and installing the segments in the annulus, wherein each of the segments may occupy a respective circumferential portion of the annulus.
US08127857B2

A system, apparatus, and method to apply tension to completion tubing in a wellbore. The system, apparatus, and method comprises an inner and outer tubing hanger, with the string of tubing attached to the inner tubing hanger. A running tool lands the outer tubing hanger on a landing shoulder and continues to lower the inner tubing hanger into the wellbore until the lower end of the inner tubing hanger latches into a retaining device. The running tool then sets a seal which holds the outer tubing hanger in position and causes a ratcheting mechanism to move to an engaged position. The running tool then withdraws the inner tubing hanger a predetermined distance until the inner tubing hanger engages the ratcheting mechanism.
US08127855B2

A fluid extraction system and method for the removal of fluid from subterranean wells. The system comprising: an upper extraction unit; an extraction container; a valve assembly engaged to the extraction container; a drainage tray engaged to the upper extraction unit; a curvilinear gear engaged to the upper extraction unit and the drainage tray; and, a linear gear engaged to the extraction container.
US08127854B2

A gas and oil recovery system including a vessel, platform or rig, with a rig floor, a riser including a pipe that extends from the vessel, platform or rig to a x-mas tree on top of a well head and via which a wire or coiled tubing is fed down into a well. The riser is movable through an opening in the rig floor, and a surface flow head connected to the riser and to a wire line or coiled tubing equipment. The surface flow head is arranged to be run through the opening in the rig floor.
US08127846B2

A method and system for cementing and perforating a wellbore in a single step by coupling a perforating gun with a wiper plug. The method includes injecting cement in a wellbore having casing therein and an annulus between the casing and wellbore. A wiper plug is dropped on the cement having a perforating gun attached to the wiper plug. The plug is forced downward pulling the perforating gun along. The downward motion of the plug in turn pushes the cement out the bottom end of the casing and into the annulus. The cement in the annulus is allowed to set and the perforating gun is activated.
US08127844B2

In an embodiment, a method of operating at least one pressure vessel to inject a particulate slurry into a high-pressure line, comprises a first operating cycle comprising: isolating the at least one pressure vessel from the high-pressure line; introducing particulate solids into the pressure vessel through a particulate solids inlet aperture; a second operating cycle comprising: providing high-pressure flow into the pressure vessel; and providing a high-pressure slurry flow from the pressure vessel into the high-pressure line. The method further comprises operating the at least one pressure vessel in the second operating cycle to create a heterogeneous flow of slurry into the high-pressure line.
US08127843B2

Solidification of water treatment wastewater brines from oil production operations. Concentrated wastewater brines from water treatment systems in heavy oil recovery operations are converted to solids suitable for landfill using Portland cement. The solidification process eliminates expensive drying equipment for wastewater brine solids, as well as the associated operation and maintenance of expensive dewatering equipment.
US08127830B2

An air conditioner is disclosed which includes a case including an external air inlet opening formed in a side of the case, a heat exchanger provided in the case, and a guide part which guides external air which enters the case through the external air inlet opening into an interior of the heat exchanger.
US08127827B2

An improved apparatus for direct chill casting of metals includes a mold, a bottom block assembly and a coolant. The mold is configured to surround a molten metal with a mold wall and the mold wall has an outer surface and an inner surface being in contact with the molten metal. The bottom block assembly is arranged at the bottom of the mold and includes a direct chill casting block configured to move away from the mold as the casting forms a solidifying shell of the molten metal. The coolant surrounds the outer surface of the mold wall and is arranged to remove heat away from the molten metal via the inner surface of the mold wall. The outer surface of the mold wall has a circumferential groove filled with a brazing alloy.
US08127825B2

The invention relates to a casting tool for producing workpieces from light metal alloys. The system includes a positioning element, a core part, a first mold part structured to carry the positioning element and be movable toward the core part, and a core part support structured to support the core part. The system also includes at least one stop structured to limit movement of the front mold part toward the core part and to allow the positioning element to be introduced into the core part, whereby the positioning element holds the core part in a predetermined position for casting.
US08127824B2

An automatic pouring method without using a servomotor having a vertical output shaft, establishing the pouring at a low level, eliminating the unstable pouring, sand inclusion, and gaseous defects. An automatic pouring method using a ladle to be tilted for pouring molten metal into a pouring cup of a flaskless or tight-flask mold in at least one pouring device movable along an X-axis parallel to a molding line in which the mold is transferred, wherein the ladle is moved along a Y-axis perpendicular to the molding line in a horizontal plane and is tilted about a first axis of rotation and further about a second axis of rotation.
US08127822B2

A manufacturing method of a tire forming mold in which an annular mold portion is constituted by a combination of sectors includes a step of manufacturing a circular arc shaped inner segment provided with a concavo-convex shape, a step of dividing the inner segment by a non-flat surface division so as to obtain a first segment piece and a second segment piece, and a step of incorporating the first segment piece into an inner peripheral side of a back segment of one sector out of a pair of sectors which are adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction, incorporating the second segment piece into an inner peripheral side of a back segment of the other sector, and arranging the non-flat surface divided surface in an end surface of the sector.
US08127815B2

The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of apexes, flippers and chippers, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer and from 1 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of a polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) short fiber having a length ranging from 0.5 to 20 mm having a thickness ranging from 10 to 30 microns, and from 1 to 50 phr of an epoxidized polyisoprene having a number-average molecular weight of 5000 to 100000.
US08127814B2

It is to solve a problem of an elongation of a partition in a safety tire wherein hollow particles called as a foamable composition are filled in a hollow ring-shaped partition and to propose a safety tire with a partition structure sufficiently developing a function of hollow particles. In a safety tire comprising a tire-approved rim assembly formed by assembling a tire onto an approved rim, a chamber defined inside the assembly through a hollow ring-shaped partition and extending along the rim in a circumferential direction, and thermally expandable hollow particles filled in the chamber, each of which particles consisting of a continuous phase of a resin and a closed cell(s), a hollow ring-shaped sub-partition is disposed on at least radially outside of an outer peripheral portion of the partition and a tire internal pressure is applied to an inside of the sub-partition.
US08127812B2

A pneumatic tire capable of improving the wet performance and the low fuel cost performance at a good balance without deteriorating other properties of the tire such as abrasion resistance has a cap tread disposed to the radial outside of a tire and a base tread disposed to the radial inside of a tire in a tread portion, in which the cap tread rubber comprises a rubber compound containing a dienic rubber, and at least 15 parts by weight of modified styrene butadiene rubber and/or modified butadiene rubber modified at a polymer molecule terminal group with at least one functional group in 100 parts by weight of the rubber ingredient and containing 1 to 60 parts by weight of crosslinked rubber particles with an average grain size of 5 to 2,000 nm and a glass transition temperature of −100 to −65° C., and modified with sulfur and a compound having a C═C double bond and having a hydroxyl group based on 100 parts by weight of the rubber ingredient.
US08127810B2

An internal wheel suspension and shock absorbing system, including a hub with radially extending rods or blades, cooperating with sector braces, fixedly mounted by hubs to the interior of the rim for a wheel. The rods and blades secure onto a hub, that mounts onto the vehicle axle, for rotation. When a force is encountered, the forces are absorbed by the blades that extend either through or cooperate with the braces and biasing springs, which are adjustable, that bias against the outer radial edges of the blades or telescoping rods, and absorb the vector forces generated from any impact.
US08127808B2

A planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passageway that substantially extends through the frame. The planer and thicknesser further comprises an upper table having front and rear sections mounted on the frame, wherein a slot is located between the front and rear sections of the upper table, and a lower table moveably mounted within the passageway. The planer and thicknesser also comprises a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that a portion of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a portion of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way. The planer and thicknesser also comprises a cover mounted above the upper table capable of being moved from a first position where it covers a portion of the cutting drum to a second position where it does not cover a portion of the cutting drum.
US08127805B2

A beverage dispensing system has a container with an upper lip, a bottom and a cylindrical sidewall. A read/write radio frequency identification tag is on a container. A beverage dispenser has a plurality of dispensing valves associated with a plurality of different beverages. Each valve has an actuator. A reader is operatively coupled with respect to the tag for communicating with the tag and for communicating with the actuator. An electronic system is operatively coupled to the tag and the actuators and the reader.
US08127803B2

A reinforcing bar binding machine is provided with: a guide tube for guiding a wire from a wire reel mounted on a binding machine body; a curl guide; a wire cutting mechanism disposed between the guide tube and the curl guide; a first guide pin that is disposed at an end portion of the guide tube or in a vicinity of the end portion of the guide tube, and guides an outer side surface which is an outer side of a wire curve; a second guide pin that is disposed at the end portion of the guide tube or in a vicinity of the end portion of the guide tube, and guides an inner side surface which is an inner side of the wire curve; and a third guide pin that is disposed inside of the curl guide and guides the outer side surface. The wire is brought into contact with the first guide pin, the second guide pin, and the third guide pin, when the wire is fed around a reinforcing bar.
US08127802B2

A woven preform for a reinforced composite material, which may be woven flat and folded into shape. The preform has a three-dimensional weave architecture with fill fibers woven to provide layer-to-layer interlocking of layers of warp fiber as well as interlocking of fibers within each layer. At least two legs extend from a base, the base and legs each having at least two layers of warp fibers. The legs may be parallel or angled to each other, or may have a variable width clevis in between. The outer ends of the base and/or the legs preferably have tapers formed from terminating layers of warp fibers in a stepped pattern.
US08127799B2

A repair kit for use in repairing hydraulic lines, such as are found on aircraft, is described along with a method of utilizing the repair kit to repair hydraulic lines in aircraft. The kit in its most basic form comprises one or more series of rigid hydraulic line tubing sections. Each series comprises a plurality of tubing sections bent to a variety of different angles. To repair a leaking or damaged line, the repair technician removed the damaged section. If the damaged section includes a bend therein, the technician selects a repair tubing section having a similar bend. The repair section is appropriately sized and secured into place to complete the repair.
US08127796B2

The exhaust gas recirculation valve comprises a tubular valve housing includes a gas inlet, a first gas outlet and a second gas outlet located proximate thereto. Located inside the tubular valve housing is a rotatably supported valve body that is designed as a hollow body having a semi-cylindrical lateral surface having a lateral penetration opening. The gas inlet as seen from the top includes a blocking wall on the side thereof facing the first gas outlet and the second gas outlet, the blocking wall being located inside the valve housing perpendicular thereto and having a height equal to at least the length of the valve body and sitting flush against the gas passage in the closed position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve.
US08127795B2

A diverter damper seal land for installation in a flue gas duct defined by a casing wall, the diverter damper seal land includes: a front seal land and a rear seal land, the front seal land is mountable in the duct by a connection between the base edge and the casing wall and the rear seal land is connected at its base edge to the inner edge of the front seal land and spaced back and radially inwardly from the front seal such that it protrudes radially inwardly behind the front seal land. Another diverter damper seal land assembly includes: a seal land including a front seal land and a rear seal land; a first gusset; and a second gusset spaced from the first gusset, the first and second gussets connected to the casing wall and positioned at the back side of the front seal land to support the seal land in an operative position in the duct.
US08127786B2

A selector valve selects between the supply of a primary pressure supply and a secondary pressure supply to a downstream use. The selector valve moves between a first position at which it supplies fluid from a primary line to the use, and a second position at which it supplies fluid only from a secondary line to the use. The selector valves moves through an intermediate position at which fluid is supplied from both supplies to the use.
US08127780B2

A telescopic sunshade includes an outer tube having upper and lower positioning holes. An inner tube is slideably received in the outer tube and includes an upper end beyond the outer tube. Ribs are pivotably mounted to a hub fixed to the inner tube. Stretchers are pivotably mounted between the ribs and the outer tube. The sunshade is in a folded state when the inner tube is in an upper position. The sunshade is in an unfolded position when the inner tube is in a lower position. The protruded length of the inner tube in the upper position is larger than that in the lower position. A sleeve is slideably mounted around the outer tube and engaged with the inner tube to move therewith. A positioning button is engaged in the upper or lower positioning hole to retain the sunshade in the folded or unfolded state.
US08127778B1

A method and a dental floss device for floss the teeth of a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The dental floss device includes a single use dental floss packaged inside a dental tubule.
US08127771B2

A method and apparatus that will alter the fibrous strands in the fatty layers of the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue. Electromagnetic energy is used to selectively shrink or alternatively photoacoustically ablate the collagen in the constricting bands of connective tissue that causes the dimpled appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue while avoiding damage to the surrounding fatty cells.
US08127770B2

A method of treating a ligament or tendon according to the present invention can include inserting a tissue-generating implant into the ligament or tendon to thereby treat the defect. The tissue-generating implant has a plurality of microparticles. The microparticles subsequently form a biological scaffold which operates at least as partial connective tissue in the ligament or tendon giving structural support during regrowth.
US08127764B2

A seal and a mask using a seal that includes a first end portion adapted to be coupled to a seal support, a second end portion adapted for sealing engagement with a face of a user, and a sidewall extending between the first end portion and the second end portion. The first end portion, second end portion, sidewall, or any combination thereof is formed from an elastomeric material having an elongation of at least 1000%. The seal preferably formed from a unitary piece of elastomeric material.
US08127759B2

Developed is a solar cooker with triangle reflective sides. Above and below are two movable solar reflecting panels that can be adjusted to focus light onto a frying pan using a glass lid, an insulating pad, and a surrounding plastic bag to trap solar light for cooking. The triangle reflective sides are used also to adjust and support the two movable solar reflecting panels via movable pegs. In the corners adjacent to the triangle sides, back reflective plate and reflective floor plate is an invented reflective-tilted-equilateral-triangle-plate with each of the three angles at 60 degrees in all three horizontal and vertical dimensions, to capture and reflect light towards the solar cooking area dishware. At night the entire solar cooker can be folded down to form a storage space. The entire solar cooker is foldable for shipping.
US08127752B2

A crossbow having a crossbow grip guard that has a member that extends outwardly in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the crossbow barrel or stock, and wherein the member extends for a length in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the crossbow barrel or stock.
US08127749B2

A crank case ventilation system for ventilation of blow by gases from an internal combustion engine includes a crank case ventilation pipe connectable with a first end to the internal combustion engine for receiving blow by gases from the internal combustion engine and with a second end to an air inlet pipe provided upstream of a turbo and/or a super charger, where the second end of the crank case ventilation pipe is provided for delivering blow by gases to the air inlet. At least a part of at least one heat pipe is provided inside the crank case ventilation pipe, where the at least one heat pipe is provided for transporting compressed air to an inlet downstream the turbo and/or the super charger.
US08127748B2

A fuel pumping system comprises a high pressure pump having a drive input, a drive gear driven for rotation, in use, by the drive input, an idler gear driven by the drive gear, and an output gear driven by the idler gear, wherein the output gear is arranged to drive a rotor of an electrical generator and the idler gear is arranged to drive a rotor of a low pressure pump.
US08127746B2

The pressure controlling electromagnetic valve comprises an electric sub-assembly (1) provided with a coil (3) and the yoke thereof (4) associated with a hydraulic sub-assembly (2) provided with a seat (7), which a conduit (9) connecting two high and low-pressure fluid circuits (10, 11), respectively, passes through, sealing means (8) of said conduit (9), a pusher (12) sliding in a pole piece (19) and actuating said sealing means (8), a movable core (13) which is connected to the pusher (12) and whose displacement is controlled by the coil (3), wherein said electric (1) and hydraulic (2) sub-assembly form two distinct unit blocks. Said blocks are rotatably mounted with respect to each other by assembling the hydraulic block (2) in the conduit, which passes through the electromagnetic block (1), a locking washer (23) is arranged on an end of the conduit for preventing any axial displacement of the hydraulic block (2) in one direction and a shoulder (27) is arranged on the other end of said conduit for preventing the displacement of said hydraulic bloc (2) in the other direction by contacting the limit stop (18) thereof and a elastic washer (26) is inserted between the shoulder (27) and the limit stop (18).
US08127736B2

A balancing assembly of an engine may include a crankshaft in which crank pins each connected to a connecting rod, are disposed at both ends thereof, and that is equipped with a counterweight opposite to and corresponding to each crank pin, a balance shaft that is disposed at a distance from the crankshaft and that rotates by the crankshaft, and a balance weight that is eccentrically formed with a balance shaft and that absorbs vibration.
US08127733B2

An air intake system for internal combustion engine includes an intake manifold having an inlet flange and a throttle body attached to inlet flange. The throttle body includes a matching throttle body flange which physically mates with the intake flange. A friction promoting surface having a positive coefficient of sliding friction is incorporated in at least one of the inlet flange and the throttle body flange so that sliding motion of the throttle body relative to the intake manifold will be resisted.
US08127731B2

This invention is to provide a tappet clearance adjusting cover coupled with a secondary air valve. The tappet clearance adjusting cover is disposed on a cylinder head of an engine. The secondary air valve includes a recessed element and a cap which jointly form a receiving space receiving therein a one-way valve. The recessed element is provided with an inlet pipe interposed between the cap and the tappet clearance adjusting cover. By disposing the secondary air valve on the tappet clearance adjusting cover and arranging the inlet pipe between the cap and the tappet clearance adjusting cover, with the one-way valve received in the receiving space of the secondary air valve, heat dissipation can be improved while the one-way valve is protected against premature deterioration and carbon deposition caused by a high-temperature exhaust gas from the cylinder head. Thus, reliability as well as a service life of the one-way valve is effectively increased.
US08127722B2

A cooling circuit for the thermal engine of an automotive vehicle includes a main loop that includes a first exchanger for collecting the heat from a first heat source, a first radiator and a pump connected in series by ducts for the circulation of a cooling liquid, the temperature of the cooling liquid being kept under normal operation conditions at a temperature lower than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. The cooling circuit includes a first bypass of the main loop in parallel relative to said first radiator, the first bypass including sequentially, in the circulation direction of the cooling liquid, a second exchanger for collecting the heat from a second heat source and a second radiator connected in series by ducts for the circulation of the cooling liquid, the temperature of said cooling liquid at the outlet of said second exchanger being set, under normal operation conditions, at a temperature higher than or equal to the predetermined threshold value.
US08127716B2

The invention relates to a nipple drinker formed by; a) the body of the nipple (1) which has multiple sections including an upper section formed by a dome (9) having a central circular groove (10), three hollow cylindrical sections (11) of different diameters, which are stepped one under another, and a lower frusto-conical section (12), the inner surface of which is provided with a small circular flange (13); a tubular pin (2) having a lower solid cylindrical portion (14); c) two spheres (3 and 6); d) two maximum-precision washers (4 and 7); e) a hollow, cylindrical inner seal holder (5), the upper outer portion of which is provided with a washer (15), leaving a space between the two portions of 0.3 mm, in which the washer (4) is housed; and f) a cylindrical outer seal holder (8), the lower portion of which is provided with a small frusta-conical section (16) that is inclined slightly by 17° towards the center.
US08127706B2

A configuration for the deck of a marine vessel, wherein parallel and perpendicular travel paths, for movement of individual OBS unit storage baskets, are formed along a deck utilizing, in part, the storage baskets themselves. A portion of the deck is divided into a grid defined by a series of low-to-the-deck perpendicular and parallel rails and each square in the grid is configured to hold an OBS unit storage basket. Around the perimeter of the grid is an external containment wall which has a greater height than the rails. Storage baskets seated within the grid are configured to selectively form internal containment walls. Opposing internal and external containment walls define travel paths along which a storage basket can be moved utilizing a low, overhead gantry. A basket need only be lifted a minimal height above the deck in order to be moved along a path. The containment walls and the deck itself constraining uncontrolled swinging of baskets, even in onerous weather or sea conditions. The system is flexible to meet the needs of a desired operation since the internal walls of the grid can be reconfigured as desired in order to free up a particular storage basket or define a particular travel path.
US08127700B2

A sewing machine is provided. The sewing machine includes a needle, a feed dog which feeds a workpiece in a feeding direction, a stitching motor which vertically moves the needle, a needle swinging motor which swings the needle in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction, a memory in which basic coordinate data of basic buttonhole stitches having a basic stitching width is stored, an input device from which a stitching width is input, and a control device which creates a modified coordinate data based on the basic coordinate data and the stitching width input from the input device, and controls the stitching motor and the needle swinging motor based on the modified coordinate data to form buttonhole stitches having the stitching width input from the input device.
US08127696B2

A pedestal comprising (i) a pedestal base whose upper surface defines at least two pairs of open channels, (ii) horizontal lower support members placed in the channels, and (iii) at least one block component which is fitted slidably over one or more of the lower support members. Two or more block components can be used together, and upper support members can be placed in channels in the upper surfaces of the block components so that they are at right angles to the lower support members. The pedestals are particularly useful in the catering and hospitality industry for supporting food and beverage containers, tableware, flower vases and sculptures.
US08127693B2

A fitted tablecloth covering that may be affixed to a table without the use of tools or affixing devices is provided. Such a tablecloth covering may conveniently and quickly be affixed to a table and provide an appealing visual presentation that does not require the use of installation tools and that does not damage the table.
US08127688B2

A mechanism for controlling opening of doors on a hopper car underside. The mechanism includes a pair of stationary hook assemblies located outboard of a discharge opening and having a proximal end affixed to the hopper car and a distal free end. Each hook assembly includes a locking cavity bounded by a cam locking surface and a distal slide surface. Included also is a pair of locking cam assemblies having an upper and lower cam surface matable with the hook cam locking assembly and having a slot. An elongate member has ends affixed to the pair of locking cam assemblies and extends through each of the annular end bearings. A pair of annular end bearings is disposed adjacent to the locking cam assemblies and each affixed to a door.
US08127683B2

A weapon and weapon system, and methods of manufacturing and operating the same. In one embodiment, the weapon includes a warhead having an outer casing. The warhead includes a frangible container within the outer casing of the warhead and a destructive element within the frangible container. The destructive element is formed with a non-explosive material. The weapon may also include a guidance section configured to direct the weapon to a target.
US08127681B2

The present invention relates to a metal-sealing material-feedthrough for igniters of airbags or belt tensioning devices, especially glass-metal-feedthrough, including at least one metal pin which is located in a feedthrough opening in the base body in a sealing material, wherein the base body has a front side and a back side. Structure is provided between the front and the back side in order to avoid a relative movement of sealing material in the direction toward the back relative to the inside circumference of the feedthrough opening. At least the feedthrough opening is punched out of the base body. The base body is configured so that the ratio of thickness (D) of the base body to the maximum dimension of the feedthrough opening vertical to the axis direction of the feedthrough opening is in the range of between and including 0.9 to 1.6.
US08127656B1

A pneumatic launch system includes a manifold that stores pressurized gas and releases the pressurized gas on command to sequentially open the store retention hooks and eject the store. The manifold includes an eject valve whose main chamber is part of the high pressure gas storage. A hook release valve is controlled by the eject valve for sequential operation of hook opening and store ejection. A manually selectable pitch valve provides pitch setting to proportion the gas delivered to the ejector cylinders. The manifold minimizes flow path restrictions and provides a fast actuation response with minimum variability to unlock the hooks and quickly eject the store.
US08127648B2

A power table saw having a table top surface with an opening through which a blade can extend, the blade being mounted on an arbor and being at least vertically adjustable relative to the top surface, the table saw comprising a blade assembly having a first pivot connection and being pivotally mounted to the table saw enabling the blade to be vertically adjusted through a predetermined arc relative to the table top and a riving knife mounted on the blade assembly and being vertically moveable in a substantially straight direction as the blade is vertically adjusted through the predetermined arc.
US08127643B1

An electric screwdriver assembly includes a body portion, a screwdriver and a vacuum coupling assembly. The body portion defines a screw conduit therethrough which has a distal end and at least one opening spaced apart from the distal end. The screwdriver is disposed within the body portion and includes a free end facing the distal end of the screw conduit that defines a screwdriver bit. The screwdriver bit is moveable through the screw conduit between a position proximal from the opening and a position distal from the opening. The vacuum coupling assembly is configured to couple to a vacuum generator to the body portion in order to generate a partial vacuum within the screw conduit through the opening to substantially align the screw with the at least one opening.
US08127621B2

This invention relates to a device for mounting in a fixed mounted frame (7) on a subsea pipe comprising a locking device comprising a sensor housing (6), a spring (2) surrounding the sensor housing (6), at least one wedge (1) placed in one of the ends of the spring (2), and a edge (5a) placed in the other end of the spring (2), where the sensor housing (6) is arranged to be guided into the mounting frame (7), and that a force (13) is applied in the longitudinal axis of the sensor housing (6) so that the spring (2) is compressed and the wedge(s) (1) are spanned radial out towards the mounting frame (7) to center and support the sensor housing (6) in the mounting frame (6), the sensor housing (6) is designed to fit into the mounting frame (7).
US08127614B2

Apparatus and methods for ultrasonic coupling using ultrasonic radiation pressure generating are provided. Ultrasonic energy is generated to propagate in the form of ultrasonic waves in a medium coupled to a second element. The ultrasonic energy is converged in the medium to couple the medium to an object located at a distance from the second element. Additional apparatus and methods are disclosed.
US08127603B2

A physical quantity sensor includes a sensor element that converts an externally applied physical quantity to an electrical signal; a detection circuit that amplifies and detects the output signal of this sensor element; and an adjustment circuit that adjusts the output signal from the detection circuit to a predetermined signal by applying the power supply wherein the adjustment circuit comprises an amplifier circuit that amplifies the output signal from the detection circuit and a reference amplifier circuit that has a gain that is made to correspond to the gain of the amplifier circuit. This configuration allows the gain of the amplifier circuit in the adjustment circuit to be varied according to the power supply voltage and, as a results, provides a physical quantity sensor having reliable sensor detection sensitivity and high-accuracy ratiometric characteristics.
US08127596B2

In a method for verifying the tightness of a tank bleeding system with a tank bleeding valve, a stop valve for air-tightly closing the tank bleeding system relative to an atmosphere prevailing outside the motor vehicle, and a bistable pressure switch whose switched condition indicates whether a predefined switching pressure is exceeded or not reached in the tank bleeding system, in order to be able to determine the tightness of the tank bleeding system without using a pressure sensor, the following steps are carried out: waiting until the vehicle speed drops below a certain threshold; opening the tank bleeding valve; closing the tank bleeding valve when a negative pressure has been attained which lies below the switching pressure; measuring the duration from the time an initial pressure lies below the switching pressure until the moment the switching pressure is exceeded again; and assessing the tightness is assessed based on the measured duration.
US08127593B2

A method for detecting a fungal contamination of an indoor environment by calculation of a chemical index of the fungal contamination. A sample of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is withdrawn in indoor surroundings, and the presence or absence of certain predetermined VOCs resulting from fungal metabolism is detected.
US08127592B2

A particulate matter sensor includes a particulate matter detection filter having a volumetric soot storage capacity smaller than the volumetric soot storage capacity of a diesel particulate filter, and a differential pressure measuring part measuring a differential pressure between an inlet and an outlet of the particulate matter detection filter.
US08127588B1

An apparatus for forming a finger-engaging portion in a stay-on-tab of a lid of a container includes a support, a fixture mounted to the support for movement between a first position and a second position in opposition to stay-on-tab of the lid of the container, and an abutment mounted to the fixture for movement between an open position and a closed position in opposition to the fixture and the stay-on tab in the second position of the fixture to bend the stay-on-tab between the fixture and the abutment to form in the stay-on-tab a finger-engaging portion that is upturned relative to the lid of the container.
US08127587B2

The tool reduces or stops the flow of liquid or gas through a conduit and includes a crimping section, comprised of a first and second crimping member pivotally engaged with each other, and a handle section, comprised of a first and second handle member pivotally connected to each other. Each crimping member has a blunt section extending partially along an edge thereof. The first and second handle members are connected to the first and second crimping members. The conduit is crimped by applying a force to the handle members causing the handle members and the crimping members to pivot in a direction opposite each other so that the blunt sections of crimping members crimp a conduit placed therebetween thereby reducing or stopping the flow of the liquid or gas flowing through the conduit. The tool may also hold objects and be locked via separate locking mechanisms.
US08127584B2

The present invention provides a Cluster mill which utilizes a Cluster mill gauge control system, has a high mill stiffness, a large work roll gap for threading, a rapid work roll gap opening, accurate roll force computation, side to side tilting, and utilizes work rolls over a much wider diameter range.
US08127583B2

A mandrel for winding sheet metal has a generally tubular mandrel body extending along and centered on an axis and formed at one end with a plurality of radially throughgoing and angularly spaced apertures each having a pair of closed and axially confronting end faces, a spreading bar extending axially inside the body and having a respective pivot adjacent each of the apertures, respective rigid links extending through the apertures and having inner ends carried on the respective pivots and outer ends projecting outside the body, and respective segments outside the body and each pivoted on the outer end of a respective one of the links. Respective pressure plates are operatively connected at the one end between the segments and the mandrel body.
US08127581B2

A tool for correcting the twist angle of a turbine blade includes an adaptor configured to engage a tip of the blade, a socket drive configured to engage the adaptor, a first handle connected to a first side of the socket drive, a second handle connected to a second side of the socket drive, and a torque gauge configured to measure a load applied to the blade.
US08127577B2

The invention relates to a lock, in particular a hoop lock, having a lock housing, in which a locking cylinder of the lock is arranged, including a cylinder housing, a barrel rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing and a driver unit associated in a drive effective manner with the barrel, and having at least one bolt coupled to the barrel via the driver unit, so that by rotating the barrel the at least one bolt is moveable from a locked position into a release position. The lock housing has a receiving space in an axial extension of the locking cylinder, with the locking cylinder or a part thereof being able to be displaced from an operational position into the receiving space on the application of a predefined force in the axial direction of the locking cylinder, to adopt a sabotage position, in which the coupling of the at least one bolt to the barrel is taken out of operation.
US08127574B2

The invention relates to a method for producing mineral wool, wherein a mineral base material is melted in a cupola furnace having a shaft to hold the base material, the lower section of said shaft being provided with a grate, and beneath said grate there is a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is heated by one or a plurality of burners, the burner or burners being run on liquid or gaseous fuel and an oxygen-containing gas. The burners are operated such that the length of the flames occurring during combustion of the fuel with the oxygen-containing gas is between 60% and 100% of the combustion chamber diameter.
US08127573B2

A mold cooling system for an I.S. machine wherein cooling air is supplied to vertical cooling holes defined in the molds either at their ends or midway along their length.
US08127572B2

A method of controlling blister formation in a glass melt flowing through a system comprising one or more refractory metal vessels by developing a blister index and determining the critical blister index value. The critical value of the blister index may be used to control the principal variables responsible for blister formation, including the water content of the melt, the concentration of reduced multivalent oxide compounds in the melt, and the hydrogen partial pressure of an atmosphere in contact with the outside surface of the refractory metal vessel. Also disclosed is a minimum partial pressure of hydrogen necessary to produce an essentially blister-free glass article in a glass essentially free of arsenic and antimony.
US08127570B2

A high-refractivity low-dispersion optical glass that can be stably supplied and has excellent glass stability and that has coloring reduced, comprises, by mass %, 5 to 32% of total of SiO2 and B2O3, 45 to 65% of total of La2O3, Gd2O3 and Y2O3, 0.5 to 10% of ZnO, 1 to 20% of total of TiO2 and Nb2O5, 0 to 15% of ZrO2, 0 to 2% of WO3, 0 to 20% of Yb2O3, 0 to 10% of total of Li2O, Na2O and K2O, 0 to 10% of total of MgO, CaO, SrO and BaO, 0 to 12% of Ta2O5, 0 to 5% of GeO2, 0 to 10% of Bi2O3, and 0 to 10% of Al2O3, wherein the mass ratio of the content of SiO2 to the content of B2O3, (SiO2/B2O3), is from 0.3 to 1.0, and the mass ratio of the total content of Gd2O3 and Y2O3 to the total content of La2O3, Gd2O3 and Y2O3, (Gd2O3+Y2O3)/(La2O3+Gd2O3+Y2O3), is from 0.05 to 0.6, the optical glass having a refractive index nd of 1.89 to 2.0 and an Abbe's number νd of 32 to 38 and having a coloring degree λ70 of 430 nm or less.
US08127568B2

An article of jewelry comprising: a first base having an outer surface and at least two wells; a layer of adhesive material in communication with at least one well; a layer of glitter in communication with at least a portion of the adhesive material in at least one well to provide a glitter adhesive filled well; at least one gemstone in communication with the layer of adhesive material and at least partially contained in at least one well; and at least one circular surrounding piece having an outer circumference and a center opening, the center opening corresponding to and surrounding the gemstone and in communication with the layer of adhesive material.
US08127565B1

A refrigerating device for helping to keep food cool during an event such as a dinner party or picnic comprising a base having a compressor and cooling coil, a removable serving bowl which can be inserted into the base, and a first half-dome cover component and second half-dome cover component for covering the removable serving bowl when it is in the base. The cover components can be opened and closed to allow access to the food inside the serving bowl.
US08127557B2

Control systems and a method for controlling a load point of a gas turbine engine are provided. A control system includes a controller that receives a temperature signal and a pressure signal associated with exhaust gases from the gas turbine engine. The controller is further configured to generate the fuel control signal. The controller is further configured to generate an actuator control signal such that flow restriction member is moved from the first operational position to the second operational position to restrict the flow path such that the exhaust gases have a temperature level within a desired turndown temperature range, the pressure level in the exhaust gases is less than a threshold pressure level, and the load point of the gas turbine engine is adjusted to toward a target load point.
US08127553B2

A jet impingement array design and method are disclosed for efficiently cooling the liner of a gas turbine combustion chamber, while eliminating almost all effects of coolant gas crossflow. The design includes an array of extended jet ports for which the distance between the ends of the jet ports and the surface to be cooled progressively decreases from upstream to downstream. Spent air from upstream jets is directed away from downstream jets, thereby reducing the detrimental effects of crossflow, and optimizing heat transfer.
US08127549B2

A burner is provided that has high flame stability and reduces NOx emissions.In the burner, air holes of an air hole member have a central axis inclined relative to a burner central axis. The leading end portion of a first fuel nozzle is configured to be able to suppress turbulence of air-flow flowing on the outer circumference side of the first fuel nozzle. The tip of the first fuel nozzle is located on a fuel jetting-out directional downstream side of the inlet of the fuel hole. The tip of the second fuel nozzle is located on a fuel jetting-out directional downstream side of the air hole inlet.
US08127545B2

A solar energy turbine includes solar energy trap (1110) having a chamber with an inlet port (12), such that solar energy (13) entering the chamber through the inlet port is absorbed and reflected within the chamber means until substantially all the solar energy is absorbed by the chamber. Preferably, the inlet port is arranged to cause photons of the solar energy entering the chamber to circulate substantially in a single direction within the chamber until absorbed, such that on re-passing the inlet port substantially no photons emerge from the inlet port. The solar energy turbine includes a heat exchanger (1150, 1160, 1170) for extracting energy from the solar energy trap to drive a turbine (1120).
US08127543B2

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assembly is provided that includes an SMA component. The SMA component is used to impart motion in an output shaft. Also provided is a return force component that provides a variable, tailored return force to the SMA component. Additionally, a variety of protective mechanisms are disclosed and utilized to prevent damage to the internal workings and components within the SMA actuator assembly as well as provide protection and safety for external workings.
US08127542B1

Ancient Hydroelectric Company comprises a portable hydroelectricity producing system. Consumers are provided with a cost-effective and reliable system for providing substantially clean electricity generation without obstructing the water source or negatively affecting the environment. The high efficiency portable hydro-electric producing system is for use with a moving water source. The system uses antifreeze with water to provide a more thermally efficient working fluid as used to improve the system's pressure and volume capacity in use.
US08127539B2

An exhaust manifold includes a plurality of branch pipes 2 to 5 and an adapter member 9 that has a ring portion 10 provided at exhaust-gas downstream side end portions 2a to 5a of the branch pipes 2 to 5 and with a reinforcement portion 11. The adapter member 9 and the exhaust-gas downstream side end portions 2a to 5a, which are inserted into the adapter member 9, are fixed with each other by a circular weld line X1 formed along outer circumferences of the exhaust-gas downstream side end portions 2a to 5a of the branch pipes 2 to 5 and also by a weld line X2 formed along the adjacent side wall portions 2b to 5b of the branch pipes 2 to 5.
US08127534B2

There is disclosed a solid fuel rocket motor which may include a case and a nozzle coupled to the case. A plurality of fuel pellets may be disposed within the case. An igniter may be disposed to ignite at least a portion of the fuel pellets. A pellet retainer may be positioned within the case to retain the plurality of fuel pellets within the case. The pellet retainer may be perforated to allow exhaust gases to flow from the ignited fuel pellets to the nozzle while preventing unburned fuel pellets from being expelled through the nozzle.
US08127532B2

A variable area nozzle system for a gas turbine engine includes a fan duct inner wall, a fan duct outer wall disposed in radially spaced relation to the fan duct inner wall, and a fan nozzle. The fan nozzle defines at least a portion of the fan duct outer wall and includes a nozzle aft edge. The fan duct inner wall and the nozzle aft edge collectively define a fan duct nozzle throat area. The fan nozzle is configured to pivot about a pivot axis that may be oriented transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine. The fan nozzle may be pivoted from a stowed position to a deployed position in order to vary the fan duct nozzle throat area.
US08127527B2

A method and system for operating a gas turbine engine is provided. The system includes in serial flow arrangement, at least one compressor, a combustor, and at least one turbine. The method includes compressing atmospheric air in the gas turbine engine, channeling at least a portion of the compressed air from the turbine engine flowpath to an oxidizer supply system, and channeling an oxygen-depleted flow of the compressed air from the oxidizer supply system to the gas turbine engine flowpath.
US08127522B2

A rotary cutting unit with a deflection baffle in the cutting chamber, the deflection baffle including a bottom plate attached to the wall at the rear of the cutting chamber and increasing in width in the direction of blade rotation, and a front plate joined to the bottom curved plate and extending from the wall at the rear of the cutting chamber and sloping radially inwardly toward the center spindle in the direction of blade rotation.
US08127512B2

A roofing system formed of a plurality of support members secured to a load bearing roof deck. A plurality of roofing panels are positioned on the support members and are oriented to form overlapping joints between the panels. Sealant is positioned within the overlapping joints of the panels. A compression bar is positioned over the overlapping joints and is secured to the overlapping joints and support member by a fastener arrangement.
US08127505B2

An assembly type wall structure is disclosed. The assembly type wall structure may be used as a vertical wall in an interior space and includes a plurality of wall units. Each wall units together to form a wall and may connect this wall with the corresponding ceiling, walls and floor of the interior space. Hence, the assembly type wall structure may be used as a vertical wall in an interior space and has the advantages of fast and simple implementation.
US08127503B2

Disclosed is a roof spoiler that effectively disrupts the attached flow of wind on a roof surface. Preferably, the spoiler is specially designed for installation with a gutter mounted on the roof fascia or along the leading edge of the roof. This spoiler utilizes a hinged design to move between two operating positions. The first position is a stowed position, whereby the spoiler extends beyond the gutter and is designed to be nearly invisible to passersby. In the stowed position, a portion of the spoiler covers the outer edge of the gutter (if present). A second portion of the spoiler may extend outward from the gutter. The second position is a deployed position, wherein a barrier is projected vertically, or substantially vertically, so as to disrupt the flow of air over the roof surface. In one embodiment, the spoiler rests upon the roof covering when in the deployed position. In another embodiment, the spoiler rests near or against the gutter or holding bracket. In one embodiment, a bracketing system, or support structure, is placed around an existing gutter. The roof spoiler is then pivotally attached to this support structure. In another embodiment, the support structure attaches directly to the gutter.
US08127497B2

A drive assembly for a sliding door is disclosed, the drive assembly having a power drive unit for providing a rotational force to rotate a cable drum of the drive assembly, the power drive unit being mounted within the sliding door; a cable having one end secured a guide track of the drive assembly and another end secured to the guide track; a roller assembly configured to slidably engage the guide track; an arm fixedly secured to the sliding door and pivotally mounted to the roller assembly at a pivot point; a pulley rotationally mounted to the roller assembly, the axis of rotation of the pulley being aligned with the pivot point and the cable engages the pulley in opposite directions as the cable drum rotates and the roller assembly slides along the guide track as the cable drum rotates, wherein movement of the roller assembly causes movement of the sliding door.
US08127482B2

A firearm enabling and disabling electronic system comprising a base unit (1) and a safety device (4) adapted to be incorporated into a firearm (7). Each of the base unit (1) and the safety device (4) has a transmitter and/or receiver (2, 5) adapted to exchange and process wireless command signals with each other. The safety device (4) has an actuating circuit (6) which is controlled by the transmitter and/or receiver (5) of the safety device (4) and is adapted to actuate a locking mechanism (8), wherein in the locking mechanism is operable to prevent a firearm from firing. The wireless command signal (9) is operable within a predetermined distance between the base unit (1) and the safety device (4) so that when the safety device (4) is located within the predetermined distance from the base unit (1), transmitters and/or receivers (2, 5) exchange the wireless command signal which causes the transmitter and/or receiver (5) of the safety device (4) to prompt the actuating circuit (6) to actuate the locking mechanism (8) thereby causing the locking mechanism (8) to assume a locking mode in which a firearm (7) is prevented from firing.
US08127479B2

A tie comprising a strap (1) having two end portions (1A, 1B) respectively provided with a female portion and a male portion of a fastening system is characterized in that the female portion of the fastening system is an opening (2) in the strap that is bordered by a cleavable region (2A-2C) of the strap. Said tie can be used to create an animal identification band whose diameter can be increased without removing the band from the animal.
US08127458B1

An articulated arm can include a plurality of articulated arm members, a probe, a receiving portion at a distal end comprising a threaded portion, and a base at a proximal end. A base plate can kinematically mount on the receiving portion and have a hole positioned such that the probe passes through the hole. The base plate can also couple to a laser and an optical sensor located on opposite sides of the hole. A nut can threadably mount to the threaded portion of the receiving portion. Further, a wave spring can mount on the receiving portion between the nut and the base plate. Thus, movement of the nut along the receiving portion can cause the wave spring to urge the base plate against the articulated arm to secure the kinematic mount. The wave spring can then mechanically isolate the base plate from the articulated arm.
US08127456B2

An apparatus and method for cutting a rubber portion of conveyer belt using a splitting member having a triple blade consisting of a V-shaped thin blade and a V-shaped double holder blade, in which the V-shaped thin blade is disposed within the V-shaped double holder blade so as to protrude from the V-shaped double holder blade, and a cutting member having a cylindrical blade consisting of two straight thin blades and two semicylinder blades, and a double holder, where the straight thin blades are disposed within the semicylinder blades so as to protrude from both side edges of the semicylinder blades, and the double holder is disposed so as to attach to the straight thin blades and to have the cylindrical blade replaceable therefrom.
US08127454B1

A rod cutter and method of measuring rod length and then cutting, and including two telescoping handles operable with only longitudinal force on the handles. The cutting precision is effective by a gauge that aligns with the cutting line on the rod and then positions the rod in the cutter according to that alignment. Storage for the gauge is provided on the cutter.
US08127449B2

A method for the production of press-hardened components, in particular a vehicle body component, from a semifinished product (2) made of unhardened, hot-workable steel sheet. A component blank (10) is formed from the semifinished product (2), pre-coated with a first coating (33), by a cold-forming method, in particular a drawing method. The component blank (10) is trimmed at the margins to a marginal contour (12′) approximately corresponding to the component (1) to be produced. The trimmed component blank (17) is heated and press-hardened in a hot-forming tool (23); then the press-hardened component blank (18) is covered with a second, anticorrosion coating (34) in a coating step.
US08127439B2

A recessed portion is formed in a predetermined position in a heat-spreading component. A thermoplastic resin serving as a thermal interface material (TIM) is stored in the recessed portion. Meanwhile, a large number of filamentous thermo-conductive elements serving as the TIM are arranged to stand side by side on a surface of the heat-spreading component in which the recessed portion is formed (or on an exposed surface of an electronic component). Then, the heat-spreading component is fixed onto a board in such a manner that the surface of the heat-spreading component in which the recessed portion is formed faces the board and that a clearance is adjusted between the electronic component and the heat-spreading component. Thereafter, the resin is heated to a softening point thereof into a fluidized state, and the resin is flowed and filled into the clearance between the electronic component and the heat-spreading component.
US08127435B2

The invention is directed to an electronic component mounting apparatus which is applicable to a case in which component feeding devices need not be provided on both sides of a carrying device respectively for reasons of types of electronic components or a setting space and increases an operating rate of a beam to enhance production efficiency. An electronic component mounting apparatus has a carrying device carrying a printed board, a component feeding device supplying electronic components, a pair of beams movable in one direction by drive sources, and mounting heads each having suction nozzles and movable along the beams by drive sources. The component feeding device is provided on only one side of the carrying device, and the suction nozzles provided on each of the mounting heads pick up electronic components from the component feeding device and mount the electronic components on a printed board by moving the mounting heads provided on both the beams between the printed board on the carrying device and the component feeding device by driving the drive sources respectively.
US08127433B2

In a manufacturing method of a glass substrate for a magnetic disk including a cleaning process of the glass substrate, the cleaning process includes a process of contacting the glass substrate with a cleaning solution containing a compound, such as thioglycolic acid or a thioglycolic acid derivative, having a thiol group as a functional group.
US08127428B2

A process for manufacturing an outer stator for an electric motor whereby the stator comprises stator poles surrounded by coils. A laminar body of ferromagnetic material is prepared, with elongated form and provided with laminar protrusions. A coil of conductive material is then inserted around each of the laminar protrusions. The terminal zones of the laminar protrusions are then cut or separated and deformed in order to assume an outwardly curved form. Then, the laminar body is closed such that the laminar protrusions are in an internal position and adapted to serve as stator poles.
US08127417B1

A system and method according to which a bearing assembly is removed from a casing. In several exemplary embodiments, the bearing assembly is removed from a turbine casing such as, for example, a gas-turbine casing in a jet engine.
US08127416B2

The invention relates to a device (11) for handling an article (13) such as a coil spring, and to an installation for handling an article. The device (11) comprises a body (10) having an internal housing (12) suitable for containing said article (13), said housing (12) presenting at least one open end (10A, 10B) and a constriction zone (14) that is suitable in a stable state, in which said constriction zone (14) presents a reduce dimensions (D14X) that is reduced in a first direction (X), for retaining said article (13) inside the body (10), and for being deformed to adopt a deformed configuration enabling said article (13) to be inserted into the housing (12) or enabling said article (13) to be extracted from the housing (12). The installation includes force-application means for acting on the device to change it between its stable state and its deformed configuration.
US08127412B2

A computer system, comprising at least one controlled execution space hosting an operating system and an application program; a vulnerability monitoring agent coupled to the controlled execution space; one or more vulnerability profiles coupled to the vulnerability monitoring agent, wherein each of the vulnerability profiles comprises an application program identifier, an operating system identifier, a vulnerability specification describing a vulnerability of an application program that the application program identifier indicates when executed with an operating system that the operating system identifier indicates, and a remedial action which when executed will remediate the vulnerability; wherein the vulnerability monitoring agent is configured to monitor execution of the operating system and the application program in the controlled execution space, to detect an anomaly associated with the vulnerability, to determine the remedial action for the operating system and application program based on one of the vulnerability profiles, and to cause the remedial action.
US08127409B2

The safety belt release mechanism includes sensor and belt release components. The sensor is installed at a low point within the vehicle. The sensor contains water-soluble material that retains a spring in compression so long as the water-soluble material is dry. If the vehicle is immersed in water, the water-soluble material dissolves, releasing the spring. In one embodiment, the spring drives a pin into a pressurized gas (e.g., CO2) cartridge, releasing the gas therein. The gas passes through a tube to the belt release component installed upon a belt latch mechanism, driving a pin from an engaged position in the latch to release the latch. In another embodiment, the spring acts directly to drive the latch pin from the engaged position to release the latch. While one such assembly is disclosed herein, it is most preferred that one such assembly be installed along each safety belt assembly of the vehicle.
US08127402B2

An attachment for clutchingly covering a major portion of a handle of a plunger, enhancing grip of the handle of the plunger, and absorbing shock from repeated thrusts of the plunger. The attachment includes an end cap and a sleeve. The end cap covers the free end of the handle of the plunger and absorbs the shock from the repeated thrusts of the plunger. The sleeve depends from the end cap, clutchingly covers the major portion of the handle of the plunger, and enhances the grip of the handle of the plunger.
US08127400B2

A portable terminal apparatus includes a first body having a base, to which a first hinge arm is provided, the first hinge arm including a first axis hole having a protrusion extending axially; and a second body having a base, to which a second hinge arm including a second axis hole is provided. The apparatus also includes a hinge axis that includes an axially provided groove to be engaged with the protrusion, and that is fitted to the first axis hole and the second axis hole, so as to connect the first body and the second body, allowing opening and closing movements of the first body and the second body. The protrusion is formed such that an end of the protrusion facing the second hinge arm is positioned inside the first axis hole inwardly from an end of the first axis hole.
US08127394B2

The invention relates to an end-piece (20) for a windshield wiper blade unit, which end-piece comprises: an open hollow body (26) that receives a longitudinal end of the spine member; and locking means for locking the end of the spine member in the engaged position in which it is engaged in the cylindrical recess. In accordance with the invention, the locking means (46, 48) are declutchable, so as to enable the end-piece to be dismounted from the front end of the spine member.
US08127390B2

A robot according to the present invention cleans the outer surface of a window/wall by performing automatic movement along the outer surface of the window/wall while being vacuum-sucked onto the outer surface. The robot includes a moving unit for moving the robot in a first direction, a direction changing unit for rotating the moving unit to change a movement direction of the robot, and a cleaning unit mounted on at least one side of the robot. The robot can prevent water used to clean the window or outer wall of a building from being dropped toward a lower story. Also, the robot can run smoothly so that it can achieve a satisfactory cleaning operation without forming spots. The robot uses a turntable system, so that it can also freely change the movement direction thereof about the center thereof up to 360° without requiring any radius of rotation, to easily approach even a dead zone. The robot has a minimum size and a minimum weight, so that it can minimize the possibility that the robot falls down during a cleaning operation.
US08127383B2

A versatile support member constructed of a metallic mesh is provided in a bedding product. The support member is placed on top of the mattress core (whether foam or spring coil) before the mattress cover is attached. The support member may be constructed of titanium wire in a woven or welded mesh grid or web configuration, although other metals (such as, but not limited to, vanadium, chromium, platinum, molybdenum, nickel, iron, zinc), alloys thereof, or fiber composites (such as, but not limited to, carbon or graphite) may be used. The support member may be directly attached to the core or may be secured to the upper or lower border rods by hog rings, stitching, lacing, or other conventional means.
US08127382B1

A portable compact pillow system includes a travel carrier having a first half and a second half and also including a latching feature to secure the first half to the second half in a manner defining a hollow interior. A pillow is removably secured in a portion of the hollow interior defined by the first half, and a resilient member is secured in a portion of the hollow interior defined by the second half. The first half and the second half are attached one to the other on at least one side with a hinge such that the first half is separable from the second half and is pivotal about the hinge for substantially three-hundred-sixty degrees. The first half in its pivoted position is securable to the second half with the latching feature.
US08127381B2

A collapsible litter carrier apparatus, system and method. Generally, the litter apparatus includes a frame assembly having a plurality of hingedly connected, longitudinally adjacent sections that are foldable or collapsible, accordion-like, into a compact arrangement when the carrier is not in use or being stored. Releaseably attached to the frame assembly is a body-supporting bed or sheet. Additionally, the frame assembly is provided with a plurality of foldable handles that are hingedly connected to the outer corners of the extended frame.
US08127373B1

A method and system for reducing the concussive effects of impact. The system includes a helmet for protecting the head of a user. The helmet has a surface, an array of strain gauges attached on the surface for detecting an impact, an array of cells attached within the helmet and a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the cells. Each cell is selectively inflatable to redirect impact forces to the shell of the helmet, and selectively deflatable to cushion a users head during impact. The process of inflation and deflation is enabled and optimized through the use of a microprocessor connected in operative communication with the array of strain gauges and with the valves. Accordingly, when the system detects impact, the microprocessor selectively signals at least some of the valves to rapidly change pressure in the cells near the impact.
US08132268B2

A force microscope for the detection of forces in the sub-micronewton range has a measurement head which is used to carry out a relative movement with respect to a sample holder and to which a carrier molecule is attached on which probe molecules are placed.
US08132264B2

Authentication information (125) obtained by a device (100) at one level of a transformation sequence is securely communicated to another device (200) at another level of the transformation sequence. To assure that the communicated authentication information (125) is not merely a copy of previously communicated authentication information, each communication (145) includes an item (255) that the receiving device (200) can verify as having been recently generated.
US08132260B1

A method for a computer system includes receiving a topology of a network including a server location and a threat server at a threat server location, determining a vulnerability security risk for the server location, determining remediation actions including a first action and a second action in response to the vulnerability, determining updated security risks associated with the server location including an first updated security risk for a first action and a second updated security risk for, and displaying a prioritized list of remediation actions on the display, wherein the first remediation action is prioritized over the second remediation action when the first updated security risk value with respect to the security risk value shows a greater improvement in risk than the second updated security risk value with respect to the security risk value.
US08132257B2

An anti-virus method based on a security chip according to the present invention is provided. The method comprises the following steps: a hash value obtained by a hashing operation for a computer key file and a system control program are stored in a memory of the security chip, and a backup file of the computer key file is stored in a backup storage area. When power up, the integrity of the system control program is verified by using the hash value of the system control program stored in the memory of the security chip. If the system control program is integral, a control is executed by the system control program, and the system control program verifies the integrity of the computer key file using the hash value of the computer key file stored in the memory of the security chip. If all the computer key files are integral, the operating system is started; on the contrary, if any of the computer key file is not integral, it will be restored using the backup file of the computer key file stored in the backup storage area.
US08132250B2

Methods and systems for operation upon one or more data processors that classify communications from messaging entities. A method can include receiving a communication that was sent from a messaging entity. A plurality of message classification techniques is used to classify the communication. Each message classification technique is associated with a confidence value which is used in generating a message classification output from the message classification technique. The message classification outputs are combined in order to generate a message profile score. The message profile score is used in deciding what action is to be taken with respect to the communication associated with the messaging entity.
US08132246B2

An exemplary group ticket for a Kerberos protocol includes a service ticket encrypted with a dynamic group key and a plurality of enveloped pairs where each pair includes a name associated with a member of a group and an encrypted the dynamic group key for decryption by a key possessed by the member of the group where decryption of an encrypted dynamic group key allows for decryption of the service ticket. Other exemplary methods, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
US08132244B2

In an authentication server, information representing a first part of a response to a challenge is received during the authentication preparation phase. The challenge and the first part of the response are stored for further use. The challenge is resent and information representing a second part of the response to the challenge is received during a modified authentication phase. The first and second parts of the response are checked against the challenge for authenticating the user. In a smartcard reader, the response received from the smartcard is sent to a computing device, when the smartcard reader received the challenge via an interface to the computing device during normal authentication. In response to the smartcard reader having received the challenge via the interface to the computing device during an authentication preparation phase, the smartcard reader sends the first part of the response to the computing device. In response to the smartcard reader having received the challenge via a user interface, it presents at least the second part of the response to a user via the user interface.
US08132233B2

A method of network access control identifies, in response to a request by an end node to access a network, attributes of the end node and of a device receiving the request. Based on the attributes, a network access control implementation is selected from a plurality of network access control implementations to apply to the request.
US08132219B2

In a network-based system for recommending media content items based on user preferences, clients contact a server on a periodic basis, independent of the user. In addition to client-server interaction, clients also interact with one another in peer-to-peer fashion. Peers query one another and evaluate their similarity to each other in an interactive comparison of user preferences. When two clients are sufficiently similar, the interaction culminates in the originating client downloading content listings from the targeted peer to generate suggestions for their user. If the two clients are dissimilar, the query may be terminated, or the targeted peer may route the query to a second targeted peer. In addition to the lists of preferences, the originating client may download actual content items from the targeted peers.
US08132217B2

First, a control device determines a reproduction-display device, from which the control device has been able to obtain neighborhood device information via a short-range wireless communication section, to be located in the neighborhood of the control device, and registers this reproduction-display device to neighborhood determination information. Next, the control device detects the reproduction-display devices connected to a network, to which a content server is connected, using a network communication section and registers these reproduction-display devices to reproduction device registration information. The reproduction-display device, which is registered in both of the reproduction device registration information and the neighborhood determination information, is designated by priority, and reproduces and displays content.
US08132209B2

This invention relates to an information processing apparatus for allowing a user at a remote location to make easy and quick reservation of a TV program for unattended recording over a network. In step S103, the user accesses an EPG server to get an HTML-based TV program information screen displayed on the user's camera-equipped digital mobile telephone and reserves through the screen a desired program for unattended recording. In response, a main control unit of the telephone requests the EPG server to attach recording reservation data about the program reserved by the user to an e-mail and to send the e-mail to the user's personal computer along with the attachment. Given the send request, the EPG server retrieves the recording reservation data from an EPG information database in step S112, and attaches the retrieved data to an e-mail via the internet before sending the e-mail to the personal computer in step S113, the personal computer being located remotely such as in the user's home.
US08132192B2

In a prior art slim-type high speed rotation optical disk apparatus, the side wall of the bottom chassis is bent at a bending point toward the side of the optical disk according to the configuration of the corner air window section of the chassis. According to the present invention, this bent side wall is formed so as to have a first vertical wall which is adjacent to the bending point and a second vertical wall which is adjacent to and lower than the first vertical wall. This constitutes an L-shaped vertical wall in the air window section of the bottom chassis, resulting in reduced noise.
US08132187B2

An executable file can be constructed that contains different driver installer code for use in different environments. A first executable file contains first program code that performs driver installation operations in a first environment, and that also checks to determine which environment the first program code is running in. If the first program code is running in the first environment, then the driver installation operations proceed using the first program code. If the first program code is running in a second environment, then second program code, which performs the driver installation operations in a second environment, is extracted from a resource in the first executable file. The second program code is copied into a second executable file. The second executable file is then invoked to perform the driver installation operations in the second environment.
US08132183B2

Methods, systems and computer program products for dynamic categorized event cool off for CIM indications. Exemplary embodiments include a method for dynamic categorized event cool-off for CIM indications for a SMIS client having a handler for CIM indications, the method including categorizing incoming CIM Indications into the SMIS client, the categorization being based on the handler for the CIM indications, identifying a default delay of CIM indications handling during SMIS client operation in an absence of an indications storm, detecting the presence of an indications storm in the SMIS client, generating an alert when the indications storm is detected, increasing the default delay of CIM indications handling during the indications storm, and returning the default delay of CIM indications handling to EventCoolOffPeriod.
US08132172B2

A thread scheduler may be used in a chip multiprocessor or symmetric multiprocessor system to schedule threads to processors. The scheduler may determine the bandwidth utilization of the two threads in combination and whether that utilization exceeds the threshold value. If so, the threads may be scheduled on different processor clusters that do not have the same paths between the common memory and the processors. If not, then the threads may be allocated on the same processor cluster that shares cache among processors.
US08132168B2

A system for optimizing a process of determining a location of data identified by a virtual hard drive address includes a virtual hard drive, a hypervisor, a plurality of chained files and a table. The plurality of chained files includes a first file comprising a delta of a master file and each subsequent file comprising a delta of a previous file in the plurality of chained files. The table enumerates associations between each of a plurality of virtual hard drive addresses with one of the master file and a file in the plurality of chained files. The virtual hard drive stores the master file, the plurality of chained files, and the table. The hypervisor intercepts a request to access data at a virtual hard drive address and identifies, based on the table, a file containing the requested data and responds to the request with access to the requested data.
US08132167B2

Methods, systems, apparatuses and program products are disclosed for managing device virtualization in hypervisor and hypervisor-related environment which include both pass-thru I/O and emulated I/O.This may include setting up a page table entry so an instruction may execute untrapped in an unprivileged domain such as by creating a new entry in a page table with requisite read or write permissions set. Later the page table may be edited (or an entry deleted) so the same I/O instruction is trapped and responsively emulated.In another embodiment of the invention, an electronic device may be provided with at least one controller; and one non-volatile memory having instructions encoded therein which, when executed, implement the context-based virtualizationAn advantage provided by the present invention is that performance of the device may be traded off against resource consumed dynamically responsive to system operating conditions. Also, I/O access to peripheral devices may be switched to and fro between emulation and pass-thru operation.
US08132162B2

A runtime machine manages a selected disk space allocated to the runtime machine by the operating system and manages a separate method cache within the selected virtual disk space. The runtime machine controls caching within the method cache of a separate result of at least one method of the application marked as cache capable. For a next instance of the method detected by the runtime machine, the runtime machine accesses the cached separate result of the method in lieu of executing the method again. The runtime machine marks a method as cache capable by analyzing the types of objects within the argument object graph and result object graph of a method. If the runtime machine detects only primitive type objects, then the runtime machine marks the method so that the result of the method will be stored in the method cache.
US08132158B2

A method and apparatus for ensuring integrity of transaction exit functions is herein described. Dead local data in a transaction is prevented from overwriting local variables associated with a transaction exit function. In a write-buffering Software Transactional Memory (STM) system, a commit function is associated with a private stack to store local variables to ensure write-back of local dead data in a write-buffer does not corrupt the commit function. Similarly, in a roll-back STM, an abort function is associated with a private stack to store local variables to ensure the roll-back of a program stack with local dead data from a write log does not corrupt the abort function. Alternatively, one stack may be used for the transaction including a first function and an exit function. Here, local dead variables are detected and prevented from overwriting local variables of the exit function.
US08132138B2

A line buffering technique in which a plurality of line buffers are arranged based on a determined average number of branches and stages that are necessary to implement the buffers based on design constraints. In an exemplary embodiment, the line buffers may be arranged in any buffer topology arrangement meeting the average number of branches and the number of stages design constraints.
US08132135B2

A system, method, computer program product for verification and equivalence checking. In one approach, the system, method, and computer program product analyzes the switching paths in a manner consistent with circuit functionality to provide a complete application which can verify the complex characteristics in the circuits to the accurate RTL model function, including FPGA, ROM Arrays, RAM circuits, and other custom integrated circuit designs.
US08132134B2

Embodiments that design integrated circuits using a closed loop 1×N methodology are disclosed. Some embodiments create a physical design representation based on a behavioral representation of a design for an integrated circuit. The behavioral representation may comprise RTL HDL with one or more 1×N building blocks. The embodiments may alter elements of the 1×N building block by using logic design tools, synthesis tools, physical design tools, and timing analysis tools. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus having a viewer and a 1×N compiler. The viewer may generate displays of behavioral representations of 1×N building blocks, with the behavioral representations comprising RTL definitions. The 1×N compiler may create physical design representations of the 1×N building block and create behavioral representations from the physical design representations, wherein the physical design representations have elements altered by one or more tools of a tool suite.
US08132129B2

A method of estimating integrated circuit yield comprises providing an integrated circuit layout and a set of systematic defects based on a manufacturing process. Next, the method represents a systematic defect by modifying structures in the integrated circuit layout to create modified structures. More specifically, for short-circuit-causing defects, the method pre-expands the structures when the structures comprise a higher systematic defect sensitivity level, and pre-shrinks the structures when the structures comprise a lower systematic defect sensitivity level. Following this, a critical area analysis is performed on the integrated circuit layout using the modified structures, wherein dot-throwing, geometric expansion, or Voronoi diagrams are used. The method then computes a fault density value, random defects and systematic defects are computed. The fault density value is subsequently compared to a predetermined value, wherein the predetermined value is determined using test structures and/or yield data from a target manufacturing process.
US08132128B2

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that performs lithography verification for a double-patterning process on a mask layout without performing a full contour simulation of the mask layout. During operation, the system starts by receiving a first mask which is used in a first lithography step of the double-patterning process, and a second mask which is used in a second lithography step of the double-patterning process. Note that the first mask and the second mask are obtained by partitioning the mask layout. Next, the system receives an evaluation point on the mask layout. The system then determines whether the evaluation point is exclusively located on a polygon of the first mask, exclusively located on a polygon of the second mask, or located elsewhere. The system next computes a printing indicator at the evaluation point for the mask layout based on whether the evaluation point is exclusively located on a polygon of the first mask or exclusively located on a polygon of the second mask.
US08132126B2

The present invention is directed toward a system and process that controls a group of networked electronic components using a multimodal integration scheme in which inputs from a speech recognition subsystem, gesture recognition subsystem employing a wireless pointing device and pointing analysis subsystem also employing the pointing device, are combined to determine what component a user wants to control and what control action is desired. In this multimodal integration scheme, the desired action concerning an electronic component is decomposed into a command and a referent pair. The referent can be identified using the pointing device to identify the component by pointing at the component or an object associated with it, by using speech recognition, or both. The command may be specified by pressing a button on the pointing device, by a gesture performed with the pointing device, by a speech recognition event, or by any combination of these inputs.
US08132121B2

A method of displaying correlations among information objects includes receiving a query against a database; obtaining a query result set; and generating a visualization representing the components of the result set, the visualization including one of a plane and line to represent a data field, nodes representing data values, and links showing correlations among fields and values. Other visualization methods and apparatus are disclosed.
US08132120B2

A computing device presents, on a screen, a three-dimensional rendering of an interface cube that includes a representation of a user's contacts displayed on at least one surface of the interface cube. The computing device receives a communication item from a peripheral application, where the communication item is associated with a particular contact of the user's contacts. The computing device creates a graphic based on the communication item and displays the graphic at a location on the representation of the user's contacts that corresponds to the location of the particular contact within a sequence of the user's contacts.
US08132118B2

Systems and methods are described for intelligent default selection of characters to be entered via an on-screen keyboard. Based on one to several criteria, a character most likely to be selected for entry via the on-screen keyboard during a search request is determined and a selector is positioned at that particular character. If that character is indeed the character the user wishes to enter, the user does not have to execute any navigation steps to enter the character, but can—with a single actuation—enter that character. In many instances, the user will only have to enter the selection without first having to navigate to the selection. As a result, the number of times buttons need to be actuated by the user to enter a character string can be significantly reduced.
US08132114B2

A graphical user interface (GUI) type model helps application designers create error free graphical user interface applications (GAPs). The GUI type model provides a reference set of GUI element types. The application designer assigns a selected GUI element type to each GUI element in a GAP design. The GUI element types help ensure consistent and proper treatment of the GUI element types at every stage in the development of the application, from initial planning and design, to compilation and execution.
US08132109B2

An approach is provided that receives web page data at a network adapter included in an information handling system. A process identifies a first set style sheets that apply to the web page data and a second set of style sheets that apply to graphical elements that are within a predefined proximity area of a cursor that is displayed on the information handling system's display screen. The process displays graphical elements that are outside the predefined proximity area using the first set of style sheets and simultaneously displays a second set of elements that are within the predefined proximity area using the second set of style sheets.
US08132103B1

Movie video trailers for a particular movie quote may be created and provided to a user. The Internet may be searched to identify documents that likely include references to a movie. A reference to the movie within an identified document may be detected and determined to be a movie quote. The movie quote and related information may be extracted from the identified document. A location of the movie quote within the movie may be determined. A movie video trailer that includes the movie quote may be created based on the location of the movie quote. A request for a movie video trailer that includes a movie quote or a partial movie quote, specified by the user, may be received from the user. A movie video trailer that includes the movie quote or the partial movie quote may be identified and provided to the user.
US08132102B2

Disclosed are systems and methods for delivering a plurality of sender messages and recipient messages on an interface. The interface can receive a first sender message, the first sender message being displayed in a first format on the interface so that the first sender message is graphically associated with a sender graphic. The interface can receive a second sender message being displayed in a second format on the recipient interface. A format can be any feature, characteristic, attribute and/or appearance of any kind of a sender's message or recipient's message. Also disclosed is a selection tool to allow the visualization of a conversation history for a particular individual by performing a selection command over the communication of that individual wherein when the selection tool provides a selection of the first sender message, the first sender message assumes the second format or a third format.
US08132099B2

A method and apparatus for obtaining accessibility information in content of a rich internet application. The method for obtaining accessibility information includes executing an object of the content displayed on a display screen, estimating a role of the object using reference model information prepared beforehand concerning a plurality of objects, and outputting the estimated role of the object as the accessibility information. Therefore, even when the object does not have accessibility information, the accessibility information can be obtained based on the output during the execution and the internal state. In this way, it is possible for a visually impaired user to operate rich internet applications that are created by Dynamic HTML and Flash™.
US08132095B2

An automated website analysis system includes mechanisms for automatically reviewing a website and identifying various features of the website. In one implementation, the analysis system can rely at least in part on the actual downloading and rendering of each page in the website to determine not only aspects of website content and layout, but also whether various content, such as third party objects or source code, execute as intended. Additional features include recording user input that may be required to progress past web pages where automated site mapping would ordinarily stall. The analysis system can identify various items of interest about each web page to the website owner, including web page parent/child relationships, as well as the extent to which the given page content is consistent with its metadata descriptions.
US08132086B2

A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array and an error correction code (ECC) engine. The memory cell array stores bits of normal data and parity data therein. The ECC engine performs a masking operation in a masking mode, the ECC engine calculating the parity data using the normal data. The normal data includes a first section that is to be updated and a second section that is to be saved by the masking operation.
US08132080B2

A communication apparatus includes a storage unit, a row processing unit, and a column processing unit. The row processing unit repeatedly performs row processing to calculate a column-processing LLR for each column and each row in a check matrix. The column processing unit calculates a row-processing LLR for each column and each row of the check matrix, and repeatedly performs column processing to store in the storage unit the minimum value k of absolute values of the row-processing LLR. The row processing unit and the column processing unit alternately performs their processing. The row processing unit performs calculation using an approximate minimum value while the column processing unit cyclically updates the minimum k value of each row.
US08132078B2

A method of decoding a one-point algebraic geometric code defined on an algebraic curve of type C(a,b) represented by an equation F(X,Y) =0 of degree b in X and of degree a in Y over Fq, includes calculating extended error syndromes (σj(i)) associated with a received word (r) and determining the values of errors in each component r(x,yp,(x)) of the received word r, on the basis of the extended error syndromes calculated.
US08132077B2

A controller includes a link interface that is to couple to a first link to communicate bi-directional data and a second link to transmit unidirectional error-detection information. An encoder is to dynamically add first error-detection information to at least a portion of write data. A transmitter, coupled to the link interface, is to transmit the write data. A delay element is coupled to an output from the encoder. A receiver, coupled to the link interface, is to receive second error-detection information corresponding to at least the portion of the write data. Error-detection logic is coupled to an output from the delay element and an output from the receiver. The error-detection logic is to determine errors in at least the portion of the write data by comparing the first error-detection information and the second error-detection information, and, if an error is detected, is to assert an error condition.
US08132068B2

A method for enhancing data transmission efficiency in a wireless communications system includes using a first receiving window and a second receiving window in a receiver side of an entity operating in Acknowledgement Mode, wherein the first receiving window provides a function of Automatic Retransmission Request and the second receiving window is utilized for detecting missing Sequence Numbers.
US08132067B2

An OFDM receiving apparatus has N sets of reception and demodulation units which input one segment broadcasting signals of ground digital broadcasting received with N sets of antennas and demodulate the signals; a buffer unit which includes N sets of buffers which hold temporarily N sets of demodulated data, which are demodulated in the N sets of reception and demodulation units, respectively, and reads the N sets of demodulated data, which are written in the N sets of buffers, in time division; and an error correction unit which inputs N sets of demodulated data read from the buffer unit in time division, performs error correction one by one, and in the process of the error correction, multiplexes the N sets of demodulated data, which have been error-corrected, in a period not used by one segment reception to output the data as one TS multiplex data.
US08132058B1

An apparatus and method for testing a network-based storage virtualization system. A tester is connected to a host side of a storage virtualization system. The tester provides test scripts to the storage virtualization system to test I/O and other operations. A separate link, independent of said storage virtualization system, is provided to a storage side of said storage virtualization system to allow verification of the correct translation from virtual to physical independent of the data path used by the virtualization system. Thus, the tester verifies, over the separate link, the physical configuration of VLUNs and data written to the VLUNs by the tester on storage devices.
US08132057B2

A method (and structure) of operating an operating system (OS) on a computer. When a failure of the OS is detected, the computer automatically performs a diagnosis of the OS failure. The computer also attempts to automatically repair/recover the failed OS, based on the diagnosis, without requiring a reboot.
US08132056B2

A method, system and computer program product is disclosed for providing test coverage for detecting failures in a software application. The method comprises the steps of identifying a set of test cases; and for each of at least a subset of said test cases, identifying one or more of the other test cases that depend on said each of the test cases based on a defined functional relationship. The method comprises the further steps of using a selected one of said subset of test cases to test the software application; and when said test of the software application fails, then testing the software application with the one or more of the other test cases that depend on said selected one of the test cases based on said functional relationship.
US08132052B2

System and method for analyzing operation of a device under test (DUT). In one embodiment, a reference component associated with a reference device may be received. The reference device may be in communication with the DUT and a component associated with the DUT can be exchanged with the reference component. A test may be performed on the DUT, wherein a result of the test may correspond to a source of a fault associated with the DUT. An indication of the source of the fault may be provided based on the test result.
US08132050B2

Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for providing removable storage management services using removable storage error information. Read/write error information is obtained for at least one removable storage by interfacing with the removable storage manager. The obtained read/write error information for the at least one removable storage is processed to determine read/write error rates for the at least one removable storage. A determination is made as to whether the determined read/write error rates for the at least one removable storage exceed at least one read/write error threshold. At least one message is sent to the removable storage manager to replace the at least one removable storage having read/write error rates that exceed the at least one read/write error threshold.
US08132046B2

Replicas of a database are synchronized. A failure of update data is detected from a first replica to be applied to a second replica. A cause of the failure is determined. The cause of the failure is resolved. The replicas of the database are synchronized without requiring manual intervention.
US08132044B1

Systems and methods for repairing a failed component within a data storage subsystem without interruption of service. A client device is coupled to a data storage cluster comprising a plurality of data storage locations addressable as rows and columns in an array. Each column of the array comprising a separate computer interconnected to other columns via a network. After both detecting a failure of a first column in the array and detecting a predetermined time threshold has elapsed, a predetermined reconstruction column coordinates reconstructing data storage locations within the reconstruction column. For a second row in the array, a predetermined coordinating column coordinates the execution of a received memory access requests from the client corresponding to the second row. In this manner, a column coming back online after a failure is able to repair without halting the servicing of read and write requests.
US08132042B2

The invention relates to a method and a device for exchanging data on the basis of the OPC communications protocol, wherein at least one OPC-ready server is connected parallel to a master OPC server. An OPC client is connected to the master OPC server over a first communications link and to at least one OPC-ready server via at least one second communications link. The OPC client exchanges data over the first communications link and the master OPC server, and over at least the second communications link and at least one OPC-ready server with automatic devices, and evaluates the data transmitted by the master OPC server and at least one OCT-ready server. In the event of failure, the master OPC server is at least partially switched over from the OPC client to at least one OPC-ready server such that the program continues to run smoothly in the same place.
US08132031B2

A method, apparatus, and program product optimize power consumption in a parallel computing system that includes a plurality of computing nodes by selectively throttling performance of selected nodes to effectively slow down the completion of quicker executing parts of a workload of the computing system when those parts are dependent upon or otherwise associated with the completion of other, slower executing parts of the same workload. Parts of the workload are executed on the computing nodes, including concurrently executing a first part on a first computing node and a second part on a second computing node. The first node is selectively throttled during execution of the first part to decrease power consumption of the first node and conform a completion time of for the first node in completing the first part of the workload with a completion time for the second node in completing the second part.
US08132028B2

A motherboard and a power supply module thereof are disclosed. The power supply module provided by the invention can be directly fixed on a motherboard supporting an AM2 CPU and an AM2+ CPU. The power supply module provided by the invention utilizes a switching unit to switch between a group of pulse width modulation (PWM) signals for generating core voltages needed by an AM2 CPU and another PWM signal for generating a core voltage needed by an AM2+ CPU according to a version signal provided by the CPU of the motherboard. Therefore, no matter a CPU socket of the motherboard receives the AM2 CPU or the AM2+ CPU, the power supply module of the invention can obtain the maximum usage efficiency thereof, and the manufacture cost of motherboard with the power supply module decreases.
US08132025B2

Creating a plaintext index from a text that is extracted from a file presents the risk of a leak of confidential information from the created index. To address this problem, provided is a computer system which has a computer, a storage subsystem coupled to the computer, and a network coupling the computer and the storage subsystem. The computer has an interface coupled to the network, a first processor coupled to the interface, and a memory coupled to the first processor. The storage subsystem has a disk device which stores data. A storage area of the disk device is divided into a plurality of storage areas including, at least, a first storage area and a second storage area. The first processor reads a part of data stored in the first storage area, encrypts the part of data read from the first storage area when the data stored in the first storage area is judged as encrypted data, and writes the encrypted part of data in the second storage area.
US08132020B2

The present invention relates to a system and method for digitally authenticating users both online and offline. In one embodiment, a hardware token assigned by a trusted token provider to the user is employed to ensure the identity of the user. In the online authentication, the token is adapted for generating an exposed key EK and a hidden key HK based on a noise code NC and a time code TC of the token, a space code SC of a service server, and an owner code OC of the user. A login session is initialized by entering a user identifier at the service server and the generated EK from a computing device. The service server computes an expose key CEK and a hidden key CHK based one an authentication license generated by the token provider. The service server authenticates the user if the CEK is same as the EK, and sends a response message encrypted the CHK to the computing device. Then, the user provides the HK to the computing device to decrypt the encrypted response message so as to access his/her account. In the offline authentication, the token is adapted for generating a license exposed key LEK used to render the encrypted digital content on an offline compliant device. The compliant device authenticates the user if a license exposed key computed by the compliant device based on a content license of which the user bought is same as LEK, so as to render the protected digital content after authentication.
US08132018B2

Apparatus, system, and method having a first counter to record a number of invalid authentication requests, a first timer to set a first time period based on a value of the first counter, and an authentication module associated with the first counter and the first timer to receive an initial authentication request that includes a username and when said username is invalid, the module is to invalidate any subsequent authentication requests under the username during the first time period regardless of whether the subsequent requests includes a valid username. The system further includes a communication medium. The method includes receiving an authentication request with new information in a first session, validating the new information, and caching the validated new information in the first session.
US08132015B1

One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for loading a secure firmware update onto an adapter device in a computer system. The method includes the steps of sending a duplet of encrypted data conveying a same portion of an encrypted update image along a transfer path to the adapter device, restoring two portions of source data from the duplet, and determining whether to accept the source data based on the result of a comparison of the two portions of source data.
US08132013B2

Systems, methods and computer program products are disclosed for providing long-term authenticity proof of an electronic document having a digital signature, wherein the electronic document is digitally signed with a digital signature and the electronic document and its digital signature are archived in a data archive. Such methods, systems and computer program products may store the electronic document in a first data archive and store a hash value of the electronic document in a second data archive different from the first data archive. Long-term authenticity and integrity may be achieved by periodically re-signing, particularly time stamping the hash value in the second data archive.
US08132005B2

The present invention provides an establishment of a trusted relationship between two mutually unknown communication parties in a communication system without the use of a trusted third party. The invention is based on non-interactive proofs-of-work being purpose-bound for establishing the trusted relationship and cryptographically signing information to be transferred between the communication parties using such proofs-of-work for the solving of a problem instance along with verifying the proofs-of-work and generating a session object for a trusted relationship, when the verifying yields an affirmative result.
US08132001B1

Secure telephony service appliances are created from computing devices. The computing devices have restricted access to their hardware and software. The computing devices perform VOP functions to other devices such as phones, modems, and adapters. Security vulnerabilities are reduced by implementing the computing devices as secure appliances for IP telephony.
US08131991B2

A computer with multiple software applications has defined for it plural software profiles for selection of one of the profiles in response to a system and/or user signal. Each profile when selected enables a respective set of applications to run on the system.
US08131974B2

An access speculation predictor is provided that may be implemented using idle command processing resources, such as registers of idle finite state machines (FSMs) in a memory controller. The access speculation predictor may predict whether to perform speculative retrieval of data for a data request from a main memory of the data processing system based on history information stored for a memory region targeted by the data request. In particular, a first address may be extracted from the data request and compared to memory regions associated with second addresses stored in address registers of a plurality of FSMs of the memory controller. A FSM whose memory region includes the first address may be selected. History information for the memory region may be obtained from the selected FSM. The history information may be used to control whether to speculatively retrieve the data for the data request from a main memory.
US08131955B2

The techniques and mechanisms described herein are directed to a system for performing garbage collection on a large heap that is divided into several cards which are grouped into bundles. The techniques include initiating a write-watch mechanism to track accesses to a card table that identifies marked cards. The write-watch mechanism provides a list of the written card table locations to a garbage collection process which determines marked bundles based on the list. For each marked bundle, the marked cards within the marked bundle are scanned to identify the accessed objects. The accessed objects are then collected. Because determining the marked bundles is performed at the start of the garbage collection process and not whenever the memory locations within the bundle are accessed, the present technique reduces the overhead associated with bundle marking and allows the efficiency of the garbage collection process to be less dependent on heap size.
US08131950B2

A first-in-first-out (FIFO) queue optimized to reduce latency in dequeuing data items from the FIFO. In one implementation, a FIFO queue additionally includes buffers connected to the output of the FIFO queue and bypass logic. The buffers act as the final stages of the FIFO queue. The bypass logic causes input data items to bypass the FIFO and to go straight to the buffers when the buffers are able to receive data items and the FIFO queue is empty. In a second implementation, arbitration logic is coupled to the queue. The arbitration logic controls a multiplexer to output a predetermined number of data items from a number of final stages of the queue. In this second implementation, the arbitration logic gives higher priority to data items in later stages of the queue.
US08131943B2

A design structure embodied in a machine readable storage medium for designing, manufacturing, and testing a system for providing lines of data from shared resources to caching agents are provided. The system provides for receiving a request from a caching agent for a line of data stored in a shared resource, assigning one of a plurality of coherency states as an initial coherency state for the line of data, each of the plurality of coherency states being assignable as the initial coherency state for the line of data, and providing the line of data to the caching agent in the initial coherency state assigned to the line of data.
US08131942B2

A data processing system is provided with at least one processor 4, 6, a main memory 18 and a cache memory 14. Cache data within the cache memory 14 has validity data V and control data associated therewith. The control data controls access to the cached data. Program instructions executed by the processors 4, 6 control a cache controller 26 to modify the control data associated with the cached data while it remains stored within the cache memory 14 and remains valid. The control data may, for example, specify a security flags indicating whether access is restricted to secure processes or processors.
US08131940B2

Methods and apparatuses to support memory transactions using partial physical addresses are disclosed. Method embodiments generally comprise home agents monitoring multiple responses to multiple memory requests, wherein at least one of the responses has a partial address for a memory line, resolving conflicts for the memory requests, and suspending conflict resolution for the memory requests which match partial address responses until determining the full address. Apparatus embodiments generally comprise a home agent having a response monitor and a conflict resolver. The response monitor may observe a snoop response of a memory agent, wherein the snoop response only has a partial address and is for a memory line of a memory agent. The conflict resolver may suspend conflict resolution for memory transactions that match the partial address of the memory line until the conflict resolver receives a full address for the memory line.
US08131936B2

A method and apparatus for implementing a combined data/coherency cache for a shared memory multi-processor. The combined data/coherency cache includes a system cache with a number of entries. The method includes building a system cache directory with a number of entries equal to the number of entries of the system cache. The building includes designating a number of sub-entries for each entry which is determined by a number of sub-entries operable for performing system cache coherency functions. The building also includes providing a sub-entry logic designator for each entry, and mapping one of the sub-entries for each entry to the system cache via the sub-entry logic designator.
US08131927B2

A computerized data storage system includes at least one storage device including a nonvolatile writable medium; a cache memory operatively coupled to the storage port and including a data storing area and a data management controller and a storage port. The storage port is operable to connect to a host computer, receive and send I/O information required by the host computer. The storage port is also operable to receive a request to read data, and, in response to the request to read data, the storage port is operable to send the data stored in the data storing area of the cache memory. The storage port is further operable to receive a request to write data, and, in response to the request to write data, the storage port is operable to send the write data to the data storing area of the cache memory. The storage system further includes a thin provisioning controller operable to provide a virtual volume having a virtual volume page, a capacity pool having a capacity pool page and manage a mapping between the virtual volume page and the capacity pool page. The storage system further includes a data compression controller operable to perform a compression operation, and a data decompression controller operable to perform a decompression operation.
US08131911B2

A data writing method, and a flash storage system and a controller using the same are provided. The method includes grouping the physical blocks of a flash memory into the physical blocks of a data area, a spare area and a special area. The method also includes writing the update data into the corresponding physical block of the special area when the update data is the single accessing unit. The method may include moving a part of valid data in a physical block mapping a logical block where the update data is belonged into a physical block of the spare area during each data writing command. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the response time for each data writing command, thereby preventing a time-out problem caused by a flash memory having a large erasing unit configured at the flash storage system.
US08131907B2

A multi-processor system and a dynamic power saving method thereof are provided. The multi-processor system includes a plurality of processors and a chipset. Each of the processors has a plurality of standard bus request pins and a specific bus request pin, and the standard bus request pins of each processor are alternately connected to the standard bus request pins of other processors respectively. The chipset is coupled to the specific bus request pins of the processors for detecting a control request signal on the specific bus request pins. When the chipset detects the control request signal, the chipset turns on an input buffer connected with the processors so that the processors can access data through the input buffer. When the chipset does not detect the control request signal, the chipset turns off the input buffer.
US08131903B2

A multi-channel memory connection system comprises a circuit board comprising a plurality of memory connectors, at least one of the plurality of memory connectors configured to receive either a memory module or a memory riser, the at least one memory connector having at least two memory channels connected thereto through the circuit board.
US08131894B2

A system, method, and computer readable article of manufacture for sharing buffer management. The system includes: a predictor module to predict at runtime a transaction data size of a transaction according to history information of the transaction; and a resource management module to allocate sharing buffer resources for the transaction according to the predicted transaction data size in response to beginning of the transaction, to record an actual sharing buffer size occupied by the transaction in response to the successful commitment of the transaction, and to update the history information of the transaction.
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